Steam Generator Boiler Layout for Low-Residual Water Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating cookers with steam generators face inefficiencies in water drainage, leading to residual water accumulation due to scale formation and obstruction, which hampers the drainage process.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a steam generator with a boiler having a downwardly inclined inner bottom surface, two heater units positioned higher than the water inlet and drain outlet, and a drainage system with curved and straight pipe portions to facilitate efficient water flow and prevent scale formation, ensuring continuous water supply and drainage without obstructing the siphoning function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drainage is performed by siphoning using a level difference between drainage pipe inlet and outlet, then drainage function is provided, but water remains in the steam generator after drainage and drainage efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage pipe is designed with a curved portion that projects upward from the drain outlet, creating a siphon effect that enables efficient water drainage and reduces residual water in the steam generator
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the siphon phenomenon (hydraulic principle) where the curved drainage pipe creates a pressure difference that drives water flow from the steam generator, enabling efficient drainage without additional energy input
2Volume of stationary object
If water inlet and drain outlet are positioned at higher locations in the boiler, then steam generation space is increased, but scale forms in the water supply pipe and drainage pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the positioning parameters of the water inlet and drain outlet to be in the vicinity of the bottom wall, and designs the bottom wall with a downward inclination that facilitates water flow, preventing scale formation while maintaining adequate steam generation space
3Ease of manufacture
If the bottom wall is made flat, then manufacturing is simplified, but water flow is obstructed by scale deposited on the inner wall bottom surface
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom wall is designed with an asymmetric inclination, sloping downward from the water inlet side toward the drain outlet side. This asymmetric geometry facilitates water flow and prevents scale deposition obstruction while remaining manufacturable
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively prevents scale formation, ensures efficient drainage by maintaining water flow, and reduces the amount of residual water in the steam generator, enhancing the cooking process by maintaining a clean and functional steam generator.
Implementation Method 1
there has been disclosed a drainage device where the drainage is performed by making use of the siphon phenomenon which is generated due to a level difference between a drainage pipe inlet and a drainage pipe outlet (hereinafter referred to as drainage by siphoning)
Implementation Method 2
the inner bottom surface of the boiler is downwardly inclined from an area in the vicinity of the water supply pipe to an area in the vicinity of the drainage pipe and hence, water in the boiler flows along the inner bottom wall so that a scale stuck to or deposited on the inner wall bottom surface is forcibly washed out into the drainage pipe
Implementation Method 3
The boiler has a first side wall, a second side wall, a bottom wall, a water inlet, a drain outlet, and a steam discharge port, and generates steam by heating water
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A steam generator (12) according to the present invention includes a boiler (17), a water supply pipe (18), a drainage pipe (20), and a steam supply pipe (19). The boiler (17) has a first side wall, a second side wall, a bottom wall, a water inlet, a drain outlet, and a steam discharge port. The water supply pipe (18) is connected to the water inlet, and supplies water to the boiler (17). The drainage pipe (20) is connected to the drain outlet, and extends to a drainage pipe outlet (20a) positioned below the drain outlet by way of a curved portion (35) thereof having a shape projecting upward from the drain outlet. The steam supply pipe (19) is connected to the steam discharge port, and supplies steam generated by the boiler (17) to a cavity (5). The bottom wall has an inner bottom surface downwardly inclined from the first side wall toward the second side wall which faces the first side wall. The water inlet is formed in the first side wall in a vicinity of the inner bottom surface, and the drain outlet is formed in the second side wall at a position in the vicinity of the inner bottom surface and lower than the water inlet.