EP1479970A1 - Boiler to generate steam in domestic appliances and professional machines, such as ironing or cleaning apparatuses or suchlike - Google Patents
Boiler to generate steam in domestic appliances and professional machines, such as ironing or cleaning apparatuses or suchlike Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1479970A1 EP1479970A1 EP03011605A EP03011605A EP1479970A1 EP 1479970 A1 EP1479970 A1 EP 1479970A1 EP 03011605 A EP03011605 A EP 03011605A EP 03011605 A EP03011605 A EP 03011605A EP 1479970 A1 EP1479970 A1 EP 1479970A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- boiler
- water
- container
- pipe
- water circuit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F22—STEAM GENERATION
- F22B—METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS
- F22B1/00—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method
- F22B1/28—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method in boilers heated electrically
- F22B1/284—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method in boilers heated electrically with water in reservoirs
- F22B1/285—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method in boilers heated electrically with water in reservoirs the water being fed by a pump to the reservoirs
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)
Abstract
Boiler to generate steam in domestic appliances and
professional machines, such as ironing or cleaning
apparatuses or suchlike, comprising a container (12) able
to contain water and connected to feed means (38) able to
introduce water inside the container (12), and at least a
heat generator (14) to heat the water inside the container
(12) and transform it into steam. A water circuit (16),
arranged outside the container (12), communicates
therewith, so that the same water level (L) present in the
container (12) is established in the water circuit (16).
Sensor means (18) are associated with the water circuit
(16) in correspondence with a pre-determined level (S) and
are connected to at least the feed means (38). The sensor
means (18) are of the capacitive type and are able to
detect at least the presence of the water, in
correspondence with the pre-determined level (S), in order
to command the feed means (38).
Description
- The present invention concerns a boiler to generate steam in domestic appliances and professional machines, such as for example ironing or cleaning apparatuses or suchlike, comprising a container inside which water is able to be introduced by means of a feed pump. An outer water circuit communicates with the container, so that, according to the principle of communicating vessels, the same water level is established therein as in the container. A level sensor of the capacitive type is connected to the water circuit in order to detect the presence of the water in correspondence with a pre-determined threshold level. The sensor is connected to the feed pump so as to regulate, according to the level, the flow of water inside the container.
- A boiler is known that generates steam in domestic appliances, comprising a metal container into which water is automatically fed by means of a pump that pumps water from an outer tank, not under pressure.
- The level in the boiler is managed by means of a metal sensor arranged vertically inside the boiler and electrically insulated both from the boiler and from the earth circuit connected thereto.
- When the water level inside the boiler touches the metal sensor, the electric circuit is closed with respect to the earth circuit. The electronic module that manages the level thus stops the feed pump of the boiler.
- On the contrary, when continuity in the electric circuit is interrupted, following a reduction in the water level, the pump is activated.
- A first disadvantage of the known boiler is that, when it is not immersed in the water, the metal sensor is affected by the conductivity of the steam which is in the metal container, so much so that the detection of the water level can be quite imprecise and the electric circuit can close even when the water has not reached the pre-determined level.
- Another disadvantage of the known boiler is that the metal sensor is also subject to possible calcium deposits, which can distort the measurement of the level.
- Another disadvantage of the known boiler is that the metal sensor is housed in a through hole made in the wall of the metal container. Sealing washers and insulating elements must therefore necessarily be interposed between the metal sensor and the wall of the container in order to prevent dispersions of electricity and losses of water. The known boiler therefore requires a plurality of working steps, both to make the hole where the metal sensor is housed, and also for the relative positioning, insulation and attachment. For example, it is necessary to make at least a hollow pipe, surrounding the metal sensor, in which the water of the boiler is conveyed to prevent a false measurement of the level being made, in the case of possible oscillations of the water inside the tank.
- Applicant has devised and embodied the present invention in order to overcome these shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain other advantages.
- The present invention is set forth and characterized essentially in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe other innovative features of the invention.
- One purpose of the invention is to achieve a boiler to generate steam by means of which it is possible to detect, sensitively, accurately, simply and immediately, the water level in correspondence with a determinate threshold.
- Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve a boiler provided with a level sensor that can easily be installed in the boiler and removed from the boiler itself.
- In accordance with these purposes, a boiler to generate steam in domestic appliances and professional machines according to the present invention comprises a container able to contain water and connected to feed means able to introduce water inside the container, and at least a heat generator to heat the water inside the container and transform it into steam. A water circuit is arranged outside the container and communicates therewith, so that the same water level as is present in the container is established in the outer water circuit. Sensor means are associated with the water circuit in correspondence with a pre-determined threshold level and are connected at least to the feed means. According to the main characteristic of the present invention, the sensor means are of the capacitive type and are able to detect at least the presence of the water, in correspondence with said pre-determined level, in order to command the afore-said feed means.
- The capacitive-type sensor means comprise a condenser consisting of an element conducting electric current, such as a ring, a bar or otherwise, which forms the first plate, and is directly associated with an outer wall of the water circuit. Advantageously, the water itself constitutes the second plate of the condenser.
- The water circuit comprises, for example, a tubular pipe which starts from the container and is made of insulating material, such as a fluorinated or Teflon resin or similar. The insulating pipe constitutes the dielectric means, interposed between the plates of the condenser.
- When the water level inside the container rises until it reaches the pre-determined threshold level, the electric capacity of the condenser increases, because the distance between the two plates decreases.
- In a preferential form of embodiment, the water circuit comprises a tubular pipe that starts from the container, while the element conducting electric current consists of a metal ring which surrounds, with contact, the tubular pipe. The electrically conductive ring is able to be associated, advantageously from the outside, with the water circuit, without needing to make holes or apertures in the tubular pipe.
- The conductor ring is electrically connected to an electronic control unit associated with a measuring unit to measure the electric capacity. The electronic control unit is connected to other functional elements of the boiler, such as the valve to regulate the outlet of steam and the valve to regulate the introduction of cold water inside the container. When the water level has reached the pre-determined reference level, the electronic control unit blocks the introduction of cold water inside the container.
- According to a variant, the electronic control unit is programmed so as to calculate the water level automatically according to the value of the capacity measured by the measuring unit.
- These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example, with reference to the attached drawing wherein fig. 1 is a section view of the boiler according to the present invention.
- With reference to fig. 1, a
boiler 10 according to the present invention comprises a hermetically sealedsteel container 12, and anelectric resistance 14 to heat the water, arranged inside thecontainer 12 and connected to afeeder 15 by means of anelectronic control unit 22. Awater circuit 16 is arranged outside thecontainer 12 and communicates therewith. - To be more exact, the
water circuit 16 comprises atubular pipe 19, made of insulating material, such as for example a fluorinated resin, and arranged vertical and parallel to alateral wall 17 of thecontainer 12. Inside thewater circuit 16, due to the principle of communicating vessels, the same water level as is present inside thecontainer 12 is established. - To prevent signal losses or unwanted capacitive effects, due to connection cables, directly on the outer side of the tubular pipe 19 a
capacitive sensor 18 is arranged, which comprises aconductor ring 20, which constitutes the first plate of the condenser and is electrically connected to theelectronic control unit 22. - The water contained inside the
tubular pipe 19 constitutes the second plate of the condenser, while thetubular pipe 19 constitutes the dielectric means interposed between the two plates of thecapacitive sensor 18. - The
electronic control unit 22 comprises at least ameasuring unit 24, of a known type, to measure the capacity, and is electrically connected to thebottom wall 25 of thecontainer 12, and then to an earth circuit, of a known type and not shown in the drawing. - The electric capacity of the
capacitive sensor 18 varies according to the water level, since it is inversely proportionate to the distance between the plates. When the real water level L is in correspondence with a pre-determined theoretical level, or threshold, S, where theconductor ring 20 is arranged, the capacity measured by themeasuring unit 24 considerably increases, because the distance between theconductor ring 20 and the water level L considerably decreases. - The
boiler 10 also comprises other components of a known type, such as apressure switch 28 to control the pressure inside thecontainer 12, avalve 30 by means of which the flow of steam is controlled through afirst pipe 32 towards the outside of theboiler 10, and asecond pipe 34 connected in a lower zone of thetubular pipe 19. - According to another variant, not shown in the drawing, the
second pipe 34 is connected directly to thecontainer 12. - Through the
second pipe 34, thecontainer 12 is connected to atank 36, not under pressure, where cold water is contained. By means of apump 38, the cold water is taken from thetank 36, in a flow regulated by means of a one-way valve 40. - The
electronic control unit 22 is electrically connected to thesteam outlet valve 30, thepressure switch 28, theelectric resistance 14 and thepump 38. - When the water level reaches the threshold S, the
electronic control unit 22 causes thepump 38 to stop and the one-way valve 40 to close. - Moreover, when the pressure inside the
container 12 has reached an appropriate value, as detected by thepressure switch 28, theelectric resistance 14 is switched off. - One advantage of the
capacitive sensor 18 according to the present invention is that, in thewater circuit 16, the capacitive-type measurement is not influenced by the steam present in thewater circuit 16 and hence the detection of the water level L, in proximity with the threshold S, is highly reliable and precise, since it is not influenced by any non-measurable variable such as for example the conductivity of the steam. - Another advantage of the
boiler 10 according to the invention is that, in the zone where thecapacitive sensor 18 is arranged, no calcium deposits are formed due to the heating of the water, because the cold water is introduced directly into thewater circuit 16 by means of thepipe 34. Moreover, the cold water, as it rises and descends continuously inside thecircuit 16, continuously washes and cleans the inner walls of thetubular pipe 19, thus preventing the formation of calcium or other unwanted deposits. - It is clear, however, that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the
boiler 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention. - It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of boiler, all of which shall come within the field and scope of the present invention.
Claims (9)
- Boiler to generate steam in domestic appliances and professional machines, such as ironing or cleaning apparatuses or suchlike, comprising a container (12) able to contain water and connected to feed means (38) able to introduce water inside said container (12), at least a heat generator (14) to heat said water inside said container (12) and transform it into steam, a water circuit (16) arranged outside said container (12) and communicating therewith, so that the same water level (L) present in said container (12) is established in said water circuit (16), and sensor means (18) associated with said water circuit (16) in correspondence with a pre-determined level (S) and connected to at least said feed means (38), characterized in that said sensor means (18) are of the capacitive type and are able to detect at least the presence of said water, in correspondence with said pre-determined level (S), in order to command said feed means (38).
- Boiler as in claim 1, characterized in that said water circuit (16) comprises a pipe (19).
- Boiler as in claim 1, characterized in that said pipe (19) is of the tubular type.
- Boiler as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said pipe (19) is made of electrically insulating material.
- Boiler as in claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that said pipe (19) is arranged vertical and parallel to a lateral wall (17) of said container (12).
- Boiler as in any claim from 2 to 5 inclusive, characterized in that said sensor means (18) comprise an electrically conductive annular element (20).
- Boiler as in claim 6, characterized in that said annular element (20) is arranged directly in contact with the outside of said pipe (19), in correspondence with said pre-determined level (S).
- Boiler as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said sensor means (18) are electrically connected to an electronic control unit (22) which comprises at least a measuring unit (24) to measure the electric capacity.
- Boiler as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that a cold water introduction pipe (34), connected to said feed means (38), is directly connected to said water circuit (16) or to said container (12).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP03011605A EP1479970A1 (en) | 2003-05-22 | 2003-05-22 | Boiler to generate steam in domestic appliances and professional machines, such as ironing or cleaning apparatuses or suchlike |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP03011605A EP1479970A1 (en) | 2003-05-22 | 2003-05-22 | Boiler to generate steam in domestic appliances and professional machines, such as ironing or cleaning apparatuses or suchlike |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1479970A1 true EP1479970A1 (en) | 2004-11-24 |
Family
ID=33040990
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP03011605A Withdrawn EP1479970A1 (en) | 2003-05-22 | 2003-05-22 | Boiler to generate steam in domestic appliances and professional machines, such as ironing or cleaning apparatuses or suchlike |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP1479970A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1795109A2 (en) * | 2005-12-09 | 2007-06-13 | LG Electronics Inc. | Steam generator for a suction cleaner, method of controlling same, suction cleaner using same and method of controlling the suction cleaner |
WO2014171908A2 (en) * | 2013-04-10 | 2014-10-23 | Yapicioğlu Umut | Heat transfer device used for heating any liquid and air |
EP2369227A3 (en) * | 2009-12-22 | 2018-01-24 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Steam generation unit for a domestic appliance and method for operating same |
RU2778663C2 (en) * | 2018-04-16 | 2022-08-22 | Но Ыль КИМ | Electrode boiler system |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR1341342A (en) * | 1962-12-19 | 1963-10-25 | Vauxhall Boiler Company Ltd | Improvement in level indicators for liquids |
US4662390A (en) * | 1985-01-24 | 1987-05-05 | T. W. Ward Industrial Plant Limited | Water level controller for a boiler |
US5189726A (en) * | 1990-09-28 | 1993-02-23 | Cts Costruzioni Techniche Sanmarinesi | Steam producing apparatus for home use with low cold water reservoir level steam output stoppage |
EP0887588A2 (en) * | 1997-06-05 | 1998-12-30 | Hot - Line S.r.l. | System for automatically refilling the boiler with water electrical appliances that employ steam |
DE10021563A1 (en) * | 2000-05-03 | 2001-11-08 | Tyloe Ab Halmstad | Device for regulating steam generators has a container with an inlet for a liquid substance and an outlet, also a vessel outside the container but connected to it via a pipe and having in it one or more level sensors. |
-
2003
- 2003-05-22 EP EP03011605A patent/EP1479970A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR1341342A (en) * | 1962-12-19 | 1963-10-25 | Vauxhall Boiler Company Ltd | Improvement in level indicators for liquids |
US4662390A (en) * | 1985-01-24 | 1987-05-05 | T. W. Ward Industrial Plant Limited | Water level controller for a boiler |
US5189726A (en) * | 1990-09-28 | 1993-02-23 | Cts Costruzioni Techniche Sanmarinesi | Steam producing apparatus for home use with low cold water reservoir level steam output stoppage |
EP0887588A2 (en) * | 1997-06-05 | 1998-12-30 | Hot - Line S.r.l. | System for automatically refilling the boiler with water electrical appliances that employ steam |
DE10021563A1 (en) * | 2000-05-03 | 2001-11-08 | Tyloe Ab Halmstad | Device for regulating steam generators has a container with an inlet for a liquid substance and an outlet, also a vessel outside the container but connected to it via a pipe and having in it one or more level sensors. |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1795109A2 (en) * | 2005-12-09 | 2007-06-13 | LG Electronics Inc. | Steam generator for a suction cleaner, method of controlling same, suction cleaner using same and method of controlling the suction cleaner |
EP1795109A3 (en) * | 2005-12-09 | 2008-04-02 | LG Electronics Inc. | Steam generator for a suction cleaner, method of controlling same, suction cleaner using same and method of controlling the suction cleaner |
US7917991B2 (en) | 2005-12-09 | 2011-04-05 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Steam generator, method of controlling the same, cleaner using the same and method of controlling the cleaner |
US8601638B2 (en) | 2005-12-09 | 2013-12-10 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Steam generator, method of controlling the same, cleaner using the same and method of controlling the cleaner |
EP2369227A3 (en) * | 2009-12-22 | 2018-01-24 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Steam generation unit for a domestic appliance and method for operating same |
WO2014171908A2 (en) * | 2013-04-10 | 2014-10-23 | Yapicioğlu Umut | Heat transfer device used for heating any liquid and air |
WO2014171908A3 (en) * | 2013-04-10 | 2015-01-22 | Yapicioğlu Umut | Heat transfer method for heating any liquid and air |
RU2778663C2 (en) * | 2018-04-16 | 2022-08-22 | Но Ыль КИМ | Electrode boiler system |
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