Vapor generation device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam generators face challenges in quickly generating steam when the water storage chamber contains a large amount of water, due to slow initial steam generation and scale deposition, which reduces heat conduction and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The steam generator employs a controller to manage water supply based on temperature and water level detection, ensuring that the water volume near the surface is heated intensively, while minimizing heating at the lower portion to prevent scale deposition and enhance steam generation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the water storage chamber stores a large amount of water, then the steam generator can operate for a longer duration, but the initial steam generation becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The heating portion is divided into multiple heating elements arranged at different vertical positions within the water storage chamber. This segmentation allows different regions of water to be heated simultaneously at different rates, enabling fast steam generation while maintaining large water volume for extended operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the water storage chamber are heated with different intensities by the segmented heating elements. The heating portions are strategically positioned to create localized high-heat zones near the water surface for rapid steam generation, while lower portions are heated more gently to prevent scale deposition and maintain operational duration.
2Reliability
If the water level is controlled to be above the heater, then the heater is protected from dry burning, but the initial steam generation becomes slow due to heating large amounts of water
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into multiple heating elements positioned at different heights. This allows the water level to be maintained above all heating elements for protection, while the upper heating elements still effectively heat the water near the surface for rapid steam generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating approach transitions from a single horizontal heating plane to a vertical distribution of heating elements. This dimensional change allows simultaneous protection of all heaters by maintaining water level above them, while still achieving fast steam generation through heated water near the surface via multiple vertically distributed heating zones.
3Speed
If the steam generating container is supplied with water to be evaporated instantly, then steam generation is rapid, but scales precipitate and adhere to the container reducing heat conduction
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the water storage chamber are heated with different intensities. The heating portions are positioned to create localized high-heat zones that generate steam rapidly, while other regions maintain lower temperatures that prevent scale precipitation and preserve heat conduction efficiency over time.
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 allows for rapid steam generation even with a large water volume, suppresses boiling at the lower portion, and reduces scale deposition, resulting in efficient and reliable steam production.
Implementation Method 1
a heating portion for heating water stored in the water storage chamber to generate steam
Implementation Method 2
a temperature detector which detects a temperature in the water storage chamber, wherein a water level in the water storage chamber is calculated depending on the temperature detected by the temperature detector
Data Source
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AI summary
A steam generator includes: a water storage chamber which stores water therein, a first heating portion which heats water stored in the water storage chamber to generate steam, a water supply device which supplies the water storage chamber with water, a controller, a steam spout port which ejects steam generated in the water storage chamber therethrough, and a temperature detector which detects a temperature in the water storage chamber, wherein a water level in the water storage chamber is calculated depending on the temperature detected by the temperature detector, and wherein at the time of steam generation, the controller is configured to perform a water supply control of the water supply device based on the calculated water level such that a water volume from the first heating portion to a water surface is smaller than a water volume from the first heating portion to the bottom surface of the water storage chamber.