Steam-Baking Oven Steam Control With Saturation and Spraying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam-baking oven technologies face challenges in generating consistent steam, with external boiler systems being cumbersome and internal steam generation affecting heating element temperature, leading to inconsistent steam quality.
Innovation Solution
A combined steam generation process using a low-power electric steam generator and water injection onto heating elements, controlled by sensing means to maintain constant steam quality, combining saturation and spraying steps to achieve consistent steam production throughout the cooking cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If water is sprayed onto heating elements to generate steam directly in the baking chamber, then steam generation is achieved without external equipment, but the heating elements cool down and steam quality becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generation process is divided into two distinct phases: a saturation phase where the steam generator operates continuously to establish steam presence in the chamber, and a spraying phase where water is injected onto heating elements to generate additional steam. This segmentation allows each phase to optimize its function without interfering with the other, maintaining heating element temperature during spraying.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam generator is activated periodically during the spraying phase to maintain steam quality consistency. The control unit switches between saturation and spraying phases, and within the spraying phase, the steam generator provides periodic steam supplementation to compensate for quality variations caused by heating element cooling.
2Reliability
If an external boiler is used to generate steam, then constant steam production is achieved, but the equipment becomes more complex and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two steam generation methods into a single integrated system: a low-power electric steam generator and a water injection system onto heating elements. This merging eliminates the need for a separate external boiler while maintaining consistent steam production through the coordinated operation of both methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements serve dual functions: as primary heating components and as steam generation surfaces during the spraying phase. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated external steam generation equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining steam production capability.
3Temperature
If water injection is timed to allow heating elements to resume steady state temperature, then heating element temperature is maintained, but steam generation is not constant
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator operates continuously during the saturation phase to establish steam presence in the chamber. During the spraying phase, it is periodically reactivated to maintain steam quality, ensuring continuous useful steam generation action throughout the cooking cycle without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors the cooking process and timing parameters to determine when to switch between saturation and spraying phases. This feedback control ensures that steam generator activation is synchronized with heating element temperature cycles, maintaining both temperature and steam generation continuity.
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 approach enables faster cooking times with excellent results by maintaining consistent steam quality, addressing the inefficiencies of previous methods and allowing for efficient cooking in both initial and steady-state phases.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator (5) connected to a water supply (6) and provided with a steam outflow duct (7)
Implementation Method 2
A water injection pipe (8), which is also connected to the water supply (6), is arranged inside the baking chamber (3) to spray water against the wall of the chamber (3) provided with the heating elements
Implementation Method 3
at least one air heating element, consisting for example of a heat exchanger (10) or of one or more electrical heating elements
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a combined process for generating steam in a steam-baking oven. The oven (2) comprises a baking chamber (3) containing at least one air heating element (10) and at least one fan (4) to keep the air moving inside the baking chamber (3); the oven (2) is associated with a steam generator (5) and is connected to a water supply (6). The combined process includes a saturation step, in which the steam generator (5) is activated until a substantial steam saturation is obtained in the baking chamber (3), and a spraying step in which the steam generator (5) is deactivated and the steam is produced by spraying water onto the heating elements (10); the steam generator (5) is temporarily and periodically activated during the spraying step to keep the steam quality substantially constant.