Steaming System Cleaning Method Using Single-Pump Acid Displacement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for cleaning steaming systems in cooking appliances face challenges with solid suspended particles causing leaks and damage to pumps and valves, particularly in structurally small systems.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a single pump to convey pure cleaning acid, fresh water, and air, with a shut-off valve activated only briefly, and utilizing a steam generator for thermal circulation, eliminating the need for additional pumps and drains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pump is used to convey cleaning acid, fresh water, and air, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to solid suspended particles causing leaks and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is wetted with a predetermined amount of fresh water before operation to prepare the sealing surfaces and prevent damage from dry running or particle contamination. This preliminary action protects the pump against the harmful effects of solid suspended particles in the cleaning acid.
Solution Approach 2:
Fresh water acts as an intermediary substance that protects the pump. The pump conveys fresh water instead of cleaning acid with solid particles, and the fresh water is used to wet the pump components, creating a protective barrier against particle-induced damage.
2Reliability
If the shut-off valve is activated only briefly, then reliability improves by reducing exposure to cleaning acid, but productivity decreases due to additional operational steps
Solution Approach 1:
The pump and relevant components are wetted with fresh water before the shut-off valve is activated. This preliminary wetting prepares the system for valve closure, ensuring that when the valve closes briefly, the pump is already protected and ready for the displacement operation, minimizing the impact on overall productivity.
3Reliability
If the pump is wetted with a predetermined amount of fresh water, then reliability improves by preventing damage, but loss of substance increases due to fresh water consumption
Solution Approach 1:
A predetermined amount of fresh water is used to wet the pump - enough to provide protective coverage on sealing surfaces and internal components, but not excessive amounts. This partial action provides sufficient protection against particle damage while minimizing fresh water consumption and loss of substance.
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
Enhances cleaning efficiency and extends the lifespan of steaming system components by preventing leaks and damage, while simplifying construction and operation.
Implementation Method 1
circulating the cleaning acid from the tank into a steam generator of the steaming system and back
Implementation Method 2
evaporating an amount of residual water downstream of the pump in the steaming system by the steam generator
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cleaning a steaming system of a cooking appliance having a cooking chamber, includes, in order: filling a tank of the steaming system with a cleaning acid by a filling pipe and a pump of the steaming system until the cleaning acid overflows from the tank into the cooking chamber by an overflow pipe of the steaming system, which overflow pipe comprises a shut-off valve; circulating the cleaning acid from the tank into a steam generator of the steaming system and back; filling the tank with fresh water by the filling pipe and the pump, with the shut-off valve closed and the steam generator switched off, until the cleaning acid is displaced into the cooking chamber by the fresh water in a bypass pipe fluidically connected to the steam generator and the overflow pipe; and filling the tank with air by the filling pipe and the pump.