Steam Oven Vent Stack Control to Cut Excess Steam Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial steam cooking ovens with external steam generators waste energy due to excess steam being delivered down the drain, requiring tempering to regulate temperature, which is inefficient and wasteful.
Innovation Solution
A steam cooking oven with a steam generator external to the cooking cavity, where excess steam is directed through a vent stack instead of the drain, using a temperature sensor to regulate the heating unit's power, reducing steam production when excess steam is detected, and maintaining optimal steam levels to minimize waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If excess steam is delivered down the drain from the steam cooking cavity, then the steam can be removed from the cavity, but energy is wasted due to steam loss and the tempering required to regulate drain temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The steam removal path is segmented into two separate paths: a drain path for condensed water and a vent stack path for excess steam. This segmentation allows steam to be directed upward through the vent stack rather than down the drain, eliminating the need for tempering and reducing energy waste while maintaining functional separation between water drainage and steam venting
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directing excess steam down the drain as in conventional systems, the invention inverts the approach by directing steam upward through the vent stack. This inversion eliminates the energy waste associated with tempering hot steam down the drain while still effectively removing excess steam from the cooking cavity
2Productivity
If a temperature sensor and controller are added to regulate heating unit power based on vent stack temperature, then steam production is optimized to reduce excess steam flow, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature sensor monitors the temperature of steam in the vent stack and provides feedback to a controller. The controller adjusts the heating unit power accordingly: operating at maximum power when little or no excess steam is detected, and reducing power when increasing steam flow is detected. This feedback loop optimizes steam production efficiency while minimizing excess steam venting
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the temperature of the vent stack steam itself as the sensing parameter to automatically regulate heating unit operation. The steam's own temperature indicates when excess steam is being produced, allowing the system to self-regulate without complex external control mechanisms
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 reduces energy consumption and water usage by minimizing excess steam flow, adhering to Energy Star efficiency standards and reducing the need for cooling water in the drainage system.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator defining a volume for holding water and having a water inlet, a steam outlet and an associated heating unit for heating water in the volume so as to generate steam
Implementation Method 2
sensing temperature within the vent stack; utilizing sensed temperature within the vent stack to regulate power of the heating unit
Implementation Method 3
The outlet also connects to a vent stack such that excess steam exiting the cooking cavity via the outlet progresses upward along the vent stack rather than along the drain path
Implementation Method 4
utilizing sensed temperature within the vent stack to regulate power of the heating unit to produce steam in a controlled manner that reduces flows of excess steam out of the steam cooking cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing energy consumption in a steam cooker that includes a steam cooking cavity, a steam generator for delivering steam along a steam path to the steam cooking cavity, a steam outlet from the steam cooking cavity to a first flow path leading to a drain path. The method involves: (a) utilizing a second flow path from the steam outlet to a vent stack to deliver excess steam flows from the steam cooking cavity up the vent stack rather than down to the drain box; (b) sensing temperature within the vent stack; and (c) utilizing sensed temperature within the vent stack to regulate power of a heating unit of the steam generator to produce steam in a controlled manner that reduces flows of excess steam out of the steam cooking cavity.