Compact Steam Generator with Modular Boiler and Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam generators lack a compact and maintenance-friendly design, making transportation and storage cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A steam generator with a housing featuring a trough and lid, where the steam boiler unit is inserted in the lower region and the storage container in the central area, along with a device coupling and reinforced device plug for easy assembly and disassembly, and a steam plate applicator with a handle for simplified handling and storage, along with a pressure vessel with a connection flange and sensor unit for monitoring and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the steam generator components are arranged in a compact housing, then transportation and storage are simplified, but maintenance accessibility becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is divided into modular components (steam boiler unit, storage tank, applicator) that can be independently removed from the housing. The steam boiler unit can be extracted through the opening in the housing, allowing maintenance personnel to access and service internal components without disassembling the entire housing structure.
2Loss of time
If the steam boiler unit is designed for rapid assembly and disassembly, then maintenance time is reduced, but connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the steam boiler unit and housing employs a dynamic plug-coupling mechanism that allows rapid insertion and removal. The device plug with reinforced design ensures secure electrical and fluid connections during operation, while the simplified interface enables quick disassembly for maintenance. The coupling can be engaged or disengaged with minimal steps, reducing maintenance time while maintaining connection integrity during use.
3Ease of operation
If all components are housed within a single housing, then transport is simplified, but component accessibility for cleaning and maintenance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The steam boiler unit is designed to be extractable from the housing through a dedicated opening. This allows the steam boiler unit to be removed for external cleaning, maintenance, or replacement while the housing and other components remain in place. The applicator can also be removed from the housing for cleaning and maintenance activities.
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
The design results in a compact, easy-to-maintain, and efficient steam generator for transportation and storage, with improved handling and monitoring capabilities, enhancing operational simplicity and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element unit (25), wherein an electrical component (25a) of the heating element unit (25) is received in the receiving flange (18b) such that the at least one heating element (25b, 25c) of the heating element unit (25) protrudes into the pressure vessel (18)
Implementation Method 2
the sensor unit (20) rests against an inner wall of the pressure vessel (18) and is supported thereby. By measuring pressure and/or temperature, it is easy to reliably monitor the operation of the steam generator (1)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a steam generator (1) comprising a storage tank (12), a filling pump, a steam boiler unit, an applicator, and a housing (2). The housing (2) comprises a trough (3) with a receiving chamber and a lid (4), wherein the steam boiler unit is inserted into the trough (3) in a lower region of the receiving chamber, and wherein the storage tank (12) is inserted into the trough (3) in a central region of the receiving chamber above the steam boiler unit. (Figure 1)