Steam Generator Water Storage Detection Using Temperature Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional steam generators face issues with accurate water level detection due to scale deposition and dew condensation on water level detectors, leading to false readings and inefficient steam generation, especially when a large amount of water is stored.

Innovation Solution

A steam generator design that uses a temperature detector to determine water storage completion in the water storage chamber, eliminating the need for water level detectors and allowing for accurate water amount detection and preventing overflow or slow steam generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a water level detector (float or electrode) is used to detect water level, then water level detection function is provided, but false detection occurs due to scale deposition and dew condensation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater level detection accuracyVSAvoidscale deposition and dew condensation on detector

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the water level detector from the system entirely. Instead of detecting water level directly, the system uses a temperature detector to monitor temperature changes in the water storage chamber. The controller infers water storage completion based on temperature stabilization patterns, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of scale deposition and dew condensation on detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical water level detection system (float or electrode) with a thermal detection system. A temperature detector monitors temperature changes, and the controller analyzes temperature patterns to determine water storage completion. This substitution eliminates the physical contact between detectors and water, preventing scale deposition and dew condensation issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If temperature detector is used to determine water storage completion, then water amount detection accuracy is improved, but the system must wait for temperature stabilization which increases time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater amount detection accuracyVSAvoidtime for temperature stabilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary heating to a high temperature before the actual water storage phase. This preliminary action establishes a temperature baseline and ensures rapid temperature stabilization when water is added, reducing the time required for detection. The controller monitors temperature changes from this predetermined high temperature state to quickly determine water storage completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller employs periodic temperature measurement and analysis. Instead of continuous monitoring, the system takes temperature readings at specific intervals and analyzes the pattern of temperature changes. This periodic approach reduces processing time while maintaining accurate detection of water storage completion based on temperature stabilization patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enables accurate detection of water amount in the storage chamber without water level detectors, ensuring efficient steam generation and preventing both overflow and slow steam production.

Implementation Method 1

a heater which heats inside the water storage chamber to generate steam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a temperature detector which detects a temperature in the water storage chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 3

intermittently supplies water which can be evaporated instantly for generating steam to the steam generating container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS10835072B2Steam generator

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A steam generator includes: a water storage chamber which stores water therein, a heater which heats inside the water storage chamber to generate steam, a water supply device which supplies the water storage chamber with water, a steam spout port which ejects steam generated in the water storage chamber therethrough, a temperature detector which detects a temperature in the water storage chamber, and a controller which controls the heater and the water supply device, wherein after the start of the heating by the heater, the controller determines if water storage is completed in the water storage chamber based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector.