EP0023855B1 - Instantaneous evaporation steam generator - Google Patents

Instantaneous evaporation steam generator Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0023855B1
EP0023855B1 EP80401054A EP80401054A EP0023855B1 EP 0023855 B1 EP0023855 B1 EP 0023855B1 EP 80401054 A EP80401054 A EP 80401054A EP 80401054 A EP80401054 A EP 80401054A EP 0023855 B1 EP0023855 B1 EP 0023855B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
plate
steam
steam generator
plates
generator according
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EP80401054A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0023855A1 (en
Inventor
Claude Georges Brenot
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Individual
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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F71/00—Apparatus for hot-pressing clothes, linen or other textile articles, i.e. wherein there is substantially no relative movement between pressing element and article while pressure is being applied to the article; Similar machines for cold-pressing clothes, linen or other textile articles
    • D06F71/32—Details
    • D06F71/34—Heating arrangements; Arrangements for supplying or removing steam or other gases
    • 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
    • F22B1/288—Instantaneous electrical steam generators built-up from heat-exchange elements arranged within a confined chamber having heat-retaining walls

Definitions

  • the subject of the present invention is a steam generator with direct evaporation, without accumulation of pressurized steam, comprising a first plate provided with at least one channel for supplying a pressurized fluid to be evaporated, a second plate, independent of the first plate and superimposed on the latter, a vapor recovery cavity in communication with a peripheral part of the first and second plates, and an electrical heating resistance located at least approximately in a plane parallel to said first and second plates.
  • the aforementioned steam generator can perform its function of instantaneous production of steam effectively with a low space-saving and without the use of pressurized steam storage assemblies.
  • this type of steam generator of the prior art has drawbacks due in particular to the problems posed by scaling, in particular at the level of the sprayer responsible for spraying water on the evaporation surface.
  • the present invention aims precisely to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and in particular to produce a direct evaporation steam generator whose structure is simple and inexpensive to build while overcoming the faults of the steam generators of the prior art linked to lime deposits .
  • the channel for supplying pressurized fluid opens freely from the first plate perpendicularly to the latter and to the second plate, in a central part of the generator, and has an outlet diameter greater than about 2.5 mm, and the face of the second plate situated opposite the first plate is kept pressed against the face of the first plate by elastic return means.
  • the upper face of that of the first and second plates located in the lower part is provided with a set of concentric grooves.
  • the concentric grooves formed delimit several closed concentric circuits without communication between them.
  • Said concentric grooves may have a U-shaped section.
  • said concentric grooves have an asymmetrical section and include walls whose slope is less on the side closest to the fluid supply than on the opposite side.
  • the concentric grooves comprise a progressive downward recess produced from the side closest to the fluid supply and having a lower face comprising a convex surface of large radius of curvature followed by a concave surface of small radius of curvature, while a shallow groove is formed in the underside of that of the first and second plates located in the high position at least in the part opposite the parts of concentric grooves of slight slope to form a clear recess .
  • the tray provided with grooves prefferably have symmetry with respect to two rectangular axes, the intersection of which is situated at the level of the zone which faces the orifice for supplying the fluid to be evaporated.
  • the electric heating element is integrated in the first fixed plate.
  • the lower face of that of the first and second plates located in the high position constitutes an evaporation surface which cooperates with the evaporation surface formed by the upper face of the lower plate.
  • the underside of the upper plate is perfectly smooth.
  • the steam generator according to the invention is universal and can be adapted to a large number of applications requiring the production of steam at low cost with severe conditions of reliability and operational safety. Application to irons or ironing presses is particularly advantageous.
  • a steam generator comprising a fixed upper plate 39, in which is incorporated a heating resistor 56, a lower plate or movable counter plate 58 supported by means of springs 59 on a base 55 constituted for example by the sole of an ironing press.
  • the upper plate 39 (FIGS. 1 and 3) comprises a peripheral flange 53 which rests on the sole 55 and is fixed to the latter by means of connecting elements 54.
  • a peripheral cavity 60 for recovering steam is formed in the plate upper 39 to collect the vapor formed in contact with the lower face 139 of the upper heating plate 39 and of the upper face 158, of the counter plate 58, when pressurized water feeds the central channel 40 formed in the upper plate 39
  • the peripheral cavity 60 of the upper plate 39 is itself in communication by an annular slot of small width with a vapor distribution chamber 61 constituted by the free space included between the lower face of the counter plate and the sole 55.
  • the counter-plate 58 is permanently applied against the upper plate 39 by means of the springs 59 which are engaged in housings 52 formed in the peripheral part of the counter-plate 58.
  • the peripheral cavity 60 allows sufficient space to be provided between the external rim of the upper plate 39 which ends in the lower support rim 53 and the main mass of the plate 39 heated by the resistor 56. Indeed, the plate 39 is subjected deformations due to temperature variations.
  • the peripheral groove 60 precisely allows deformations to be absorbed without the lower surface 139 of the plate 39 being itself affected, and also makes it possible to reduce thermal bridges.
  • the peripheral cavity 60 constitutes a free volume where the vapor coming from the limited space between the plates 39 and 58 can relax and consequently guarantee that even the residual water particles are well evaporated.
  • the lower plate preferably projects a little beyond the rim 239 constituting the peripheral part of the main heating part of the plate 39.
  • the lower plate 58 is in fact subjected to slightly less stresses than those to which the upper plate 39 is subjected.
  • the presence of a peripheral slot 64 of relatively reduced width between the plate 58 and the external support rim of the plate 39 allows easier centering of the movable lower plate 58 while constituting a new barrier for drops of water. Any water which, due to capillarity cannot pass from the peripheral cavity 60 to the distribution chamber 61.
  • the distribution chamber 61 is not essential for all applications.
  • the steam could be captured in a pipe opening into the recovery cavity 60 (see FIG. 10).
  • the electric heating resistor 56 can be constituted by an armored resistor arranged for example in a spiral (FIG. 3), and situated essentially in a plane parallel to the contact plane between the faces 139 and 158 of the plates 39 and 58 respectively, which contact plane is itself parallel to the sole 55.
  • the upper plate 39 constitutes a heating plate in which the heat is almost uniformly distributed. This arrangement is advantageous for safety because the electrical resistance is placed outside the water and steam circulation zones.
  • the pressurized fluid supply channel 40 to be evaporated may comprise (FIG. 5) a first section (140) of relatively large section to facilitate connection to a liquid supply pipe, which can moreover come from a tank located in the immediate vicinity of the steam generator, and sections 141, 142 of smaller section in the vicinity of the outlet of the channel, the different sections being able to correspond to standard type fittings.
  • a first section (140) of relatively large section to facilitate connection to a liquid supply pipe, which can moreover come from a tank located in the immediate vicinity of the steam generator, and sections 141, 142 of smaller section in the vicinity of the outlet of the channel, the different sections being able to correspond to standard type fittings.
  • the smallest section 142 of the channel 40 does not have too small dimensions in order to eliminate any risk of scaling and to facilitate the operation of the system. It is thus essential that the liquid can flow freely at the outlet of the conduit 40. Consequently, no sprayer or other device must be added to the conduit 40.
  • the duct 40 has at all points a cross section greater than about 2.5 mm and may for example have an outlet section close to 4 mm at the level of the section 142, or generally a section quite close that of the liquid supply pipes.
  • the upper face 158 of the counter plate 58 (FIG. 2) is advantageously provided with a series of concentric grooves 62 and each forming a closed circuit.
  • the grooves 62 have the purpose of both trapping the drops of water which has not evaporated in order to prevent these drops from moving towards the periphery of the counter-plate 58 and entering the vapor-receiving cavity, and ensure a uniform distribution of the vapor and the film of water to be evaporated over the entire surface 158 of the counter plate 58.
  • the plates 39 and 58 and the grooves 62 advantageously have a symmetry by with respect to two rectangular axes substantially intersecting at the level of the part facing the outlet orifice 142 of the fluid supply channel 40.
  • each plate can comprise an elongated rectangular central part extended at its two lateral ends by half-discs.
  • the grooves 62 advantageously have two rectilinear parts 162 (FIG. 2) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate 58, and two circular end portions 262 whose center of curvature coincides with the center of curvature of a rounded end portion of the tray 58 itself. This configuration ensures a very good distribution of the vapor and therefore of the pressure from the center 258 of the plate 58 to the periphery thereof which is in the vicinity of the cavity 60.
  • the absence of radial grooves connecting the various grooves 62 together ensures retention of the non-vaporized water drops. It should be noted that the water arriving through the channel 40 is truly crushed in the form of a thin film between the plates 39 and 58. This crushing occurs regardless of even the possible scaling of the surfaces 139 and 158, since the spacing between these surfaces is not fixed, but is conditioned on the one hand, by the force exerted by the springs 59 to apply the plate 58 against the heating body 39 and, on the other hand, by the pressure of the liquid arriving through the channel 40, which liquid tends to move the plate 58 very slightly apart to allow the passage of a thin film of liquid between the two surfaces 139 and 158, which film is then transformed almost instantaneously into vapor in contact with the hot walls 139 and 158.
  • the lower plate 58 always remains in the immediate vicinity of the upper heating plate 39 and, during intermittent operation, even has its upper face 158 pressed against the lower heating plate 139 of the plate 39, since no pressure no liquid opposes the action of the springs 59. The face 158 is then heated very effectively.
  • the face 139 of the upper plate 39 is perfectly smooth. However, in certain cases, and in particular for particular configurations of the plates, certain grooves can be provided in the wall 139 of the plate 39.
  • Figures 5 and 6 show alternative embodiments of elongated lower trays 58 which include additional means to facilitate the distribution of the steam in the longitudinal direction. It will be noted that the means used in FIGS. 5 and 6, or equivalent means, can be used each time the steam generator has plates 39 and 58 which are not of revolution around the axis of the orifice. fluid supply. In this case, in fact, unlike in the case of FIG. 7, the distribution of the steam could be made more difficult in the directions of larger dimensions of the plates.
  • the tray 58 there is arranged in addition to a group of concentric grooves 362, 662 centered on the zone 258 located opposite the orifice fluid outlet, rectilinear grooves 462 extending along the longitudinal axis of the plate 58 and in communication with the groove 362 closest to the zone 258.
  • the radial grooves 462 terminate at a distance from the first concentric groove 662 surrounding the central annular groove 362, in order to avoid any communication between two neighboring concentric grooves.
  • the number of radial grooves and closed concentric grooves can naturally vary depending on the applications and especially the dimensions of the plate 58.
  • steam outlet orifices 63 are formed in the vicinity of the peripheral parity of the plate 58, and preferably at the center of curvature of the rounded parts of the plate. These orifices are in communication with a part of the chamber 61 of FIG. 1, which chamber then constitutes with the peripheral cavity 60 a vapor recovery zone. In fact, the steam can always be evacuated through the peripheral part of the tray 58. However, the additional steam outlet orifices contribute to creating a vapor call which facilitates the transfer of the latter along the longitudinal axis of the tray 58.
  • annular grooves 562 are formed around the orifices 63.
  • One or more peripheral grooves 662 are formed on the tray 58 in the manner described above in order to trap water during the evacuation of steam at the outer edge of the tray 58.
  • the grooves 62 can have various shapes depending on the applications envisaged.
  • a U-shaped section, as shown in Figure 1, is very easy to make.
  • a profile corresponding to that shown in Figure 4 is also advantageous.
  • this shape of groove 62 comprises a gradual step 162 from the side of the groove closest to the zone 258 for introducing the liquid onto the plate 58, then a second part of a stiffer wall on the opposite side of the groove.
  • the first wall part 162 can thus be slightly convex with a large radius of curvature, while after an inflection point constituting the bottom of the groove, the wall part opposite to the first part 162 is stiffer and concave.
  • the upper face 139 of the upper plate 39 can in this case comprise a groove 144 of shallow depth, at least in the part opposite the groove part 162 in order to constitute a sudden detachment which prevents drops of water from s' attach to the top wall.
  • the sole 55 which constitutes the bottom of the steam chamber 61 in the case of an application to an iron or an ironing press can conventionally comprise passage holes for the steam. However, for a better distribution of the vapor, it is preferable that these passage holes do not emerge punctually on the underside of the soleplate 55, but in narrow grooves 57 ( Figures 1 and 3) which mark the laundry less to redo.
  • an upper heating plate which incorporates a pressurized liquid supply channel cooperates with a lower plate applied by means of springs against the lower face of the upper plate which constitutes one of the two evaporation surfaces.
  • the presence of grooves in the lower plate as well as the creation of a smooth evaporation surface cooperating with at least corresponding smooth parts of the lower plate also constitute important characteristics.
  • the upper plate 39 and at least part of the sole 55, the relative positions of which are fixed can be produced in one piece by foundry molding.
  • the counter-plate 58 can in this case be introduced from below, during assembly, through a removable central part of the sole 55.
  • FIG. 8 precisely shows an alternative embodiment of the generator of FIG. 1 in which the upper plate 39, its outer rim and its lower bearing rim 53 are mounted in one piece with a part 55b forming the sole, in particular for a application to an iron or ironing press.
  • the sole 55 is then constituted by a peripheral part 55b and a central part 55a attached by connection means 54 on the plate 39 and placed in alignment with the part 55b.
  • This embodiment makes it possible in particular to introduce or remove the plate 58 from below by simply removing the plate 55a, which can be of small thickness. As can be seen in FIGS.
  • the part 55b of the sole may include stiffening ribs 55c which at the same time serve as steam distribution slots in the case where the slots 57 of the ribs 55c are in communication with the chamber 61. It will be noted that the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 ensures perfect vapor tightness in the upper part. Indeed, the upper plate 39 and its peripheral parts 53, 55b constitute a tight cover so that all the vapor formed can escape only from below the sole 55.
  • the faces 139 and 158 (except the presence of grooves 62) of the plates 39 and 58 are preferably flat.
  • these faces 139 and 158 could also have a slightly convex shape, for example spherical or cylindrical with the same relatively large radius of curvature, the faces 139 and 158 therefore being always complementary to each other.
  • FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the steam generator according to the present invention.
  • the heating plate 39a is arranged under the movable plate 58a, but the operation remains the same insofar as the evaporation of the water introduced by the central channel 40a formed in the heating plate 39a, always occurs in contact with the faces 139a and 158a respectively of the plates 39a and 58a, which faces 139a and 158a are located opposite one another and are applied one against the other under the action of the springs 59a which exert downward pressure on the plate 58a.
  • a heating resistor 56a is incorporated in the plate 39a and is located, as in the previous embodiments, situated in a plane substantially parallel to the evaporation surfaces 139a and 158a.
  • the pressurized fluid supply channel 40a preferably opens into a recess 143, which makes it possible to use, for the supply of fluid in the channel 40a, only relatively modest pressures obtained with small pumps in common use ensuring that at the level of the recess 143, the pressure exerted by the fluid well counterbalances that exerted by the springs 59a so as to provide the thin passage necessary for the film of fluid to be evaporated between the surfaces 139a and 158a.
  • the grooves 62a similar to the grooves 62 are formed in the lower plate which is then the fixed plate 39a.
  • the steam which escapes at the periphery of the plates 39a and 58a is collected in the peripheral cavity 60a and can be evacuated by the conduit 61a situated at the upper part of the steam generator.
  • the upper outer casing 155 on which the springs 59a bear, is made integral with the lower plate 39a, for example by connection means 54a.
  • the generator of Figure 10 could like the previous embodiments be applied to an ironing press, and be for example incorporated into the lower plate.
  • This generator for instantaneous steam production is also particularly suitable for constituting an independent element which can be incorporated into devices such as wallpaper strippers for example.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Cookers (AREA)
  • Irons (AREA)
  • Air Humidification (AREA)
  • Devices For Medical Bathing And Washing (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a steam generator with direct evaporation comprising a first plate provided with an inlet channel for a pressurized fluid to be evaporated, a second plate independent of the first plate and superposed thereon, a steam recovery cavity in communication with a peripheral part of the first and second plates, and an electric heating resistor located at least approximately in a plane parallel to said first and second plates. The pressurized fluid inlet channel opens out freely from the first plate perpendicularly thereto and to the second plate, in a central part of the generator, and has an outlet diameter greater than about 2.5 mm, and the face of the second plate located opposite the first plate is maintained applied against the corresponding face of the first plate by elastic return means. The invention finds an application in hand-operated ironing presses.

Description

La présente invention a pour objet un générateur de vapeur à évaporation directe, sans accumulation de vapeur sous pression, comprenant un premier plateau muni d'au moins un canal d'amenée d'un fluide sous pression à évaporer, un second plateau, indépendant du premier plateau et superposé à ce dernier, une cavité de récupération de vapeur en communication avec une partie périphérique des premier et deuxième plateaux, et une résistance électrique chauffante située au moins approximativement dans un plan parallèle auxdits premier et deuxième plateaux.The subject of the present invention is a steam generator with direct evaporation, without accumulation of pressurized steam, comprising a first plate provided with at least one channel for supplying a pressurized fluid to be evaporated, a second plate, independent of the first plate and superimposed on the latter, a vapor recovery cavity in communication with a peripheral part of the first and second plates, and an electrical heating resistance located at least approximately in a plane parallel to said first and second plates.

Un générateur de ce type, appliqué à une presse à repasser, est décrit par exemple dans la demande internationale n° WO 79/00408 publiée en vertu du traité de coopération en matière de brevets.A generator of this type, applied to an ironing press, is described for example in international application No. WO 79/00408 published under the patent cooperation treaty.

Grâce notamment à sa surface d'évaporation aplatie coopérant avec une résistance électrique blindée située au moins approximativement dans un plan parallèle à la surface d'évaporation, le générateur de vapeur précité peut assurer sa fonction de production instantanée de vapeur de façon efficace avec un faible encombrement et sans faire appel à des ensembles de stockage de vapeur sous pression. Toutefois, malgré sa simplicité, ce type de générateur de vapeur de l'art antérieur présente des inconvénients dus notamment aux problèmes posés par l'entartrage, en particulier au niveau du pulvérisateur chargé de pulvériser l'eau sur la surface d'évaporation.Thanks in particular to its flat evaporation surface cooperating with an armored electrical resistance located at least approximately in a plane parallel to the evaporation surface, the aforementioned steam generator can perform its function of instantaneous production of steam effectively with a low space-saving and without the use of pressurized steam storage assemblies. However, despite its simplicity, this type of steam generator of the prior art has drawbacks due in particular to the problems posed by scaling, in particular at the level of the sprayer responsible for spraying water on the evaporation surface.

La présente invention vise précisément à remédier aux inconvénients précités et notamment à réaliser un générateur de vapeur à évaporation directe dont la structure soit simple et peu coûteuse à construire tout en palliant les défauts des générateurs de vapeur de l'art antérieur liés aux dépôts de calcaire.The present invention aims precisely to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and in particular to produce a direct evaporation steam generator whose structure is simple and inexpensive to build while overcoming the faults of the steam generators of the prior art linked to lime deposits .

Ces buts sont atteints grâce à un générateur de vapeur du type mentionné au début, dans lequel, conformément à l'invention, le canal d'amenée de fluide sous pression débouche librement du premier plateau perpendiculairement à ce dernier et au deuxième plateau, dans une partie centrale du générateur, et présente un diamètre de sortie supérieur à environ 2,5 mm, et la face du deuxième plateau située en regard du premier plateau est maintenue appliquée contre la face du premier plateau par des moyens de rappel élastique.These aims are achieved by means of a steam generator of the type mentioned at the start, in which, in accordance with the invention, the channel for supplying pressurized fluid opens freely from the first plate perpendicularly to the latter and to the second plate, in a central part of the generator, and has an outlet diameter greater than about 2.5 mm, and the face of the second plate situated opposite the first plate is kept pressed against the face of the first plate by elastic return means.

Dans la mesure où l'orifice de sortie du liquide à évaporer est relativement grand, il ne peut plus se produire de problème d'entartrage au niveau de l'alimentation en fluide sous pression, contrairement au cas des dispositifs à pulvérisateur qui, par définition, présentent des orifices de très petites dimensions. Par ailleurs, l'évaporation se produit toujours de façon efficace compte tenu du fait qu'il est créé un écoulement laminaire de très faible épaisseur entre les faces en regard des premier et deuxième plateaux. De la sorte, le phénomène de caléfaction est évité.As the outlet for the liquid to be evaporated is relatively large, there can no longer be a scaling problem with the supply of pressurized fluid, unlike the case of spray devices which, by definition , have very small orifices. Furthermore, evaporation always occurs efficiently given the fact that a very thin laminar flow is created between the facing faces of the first and second plates. In this way, the phenomenon of caulking is avoided.

Selon une caractéristique avantageuse de la présente invention, la face supérieure de celui des premier et deuxième plateaux situé en partie basse, est munie d'un ensemble de gorges concentriques.According to an advantageous characteristic of the present invention, the upper face of that of the first and second plates located in the lower part, is provided with a set of concentric grooves.

Les gorges concentriques formées délimitent plusieurs circuits fermés concentriques sans communication entre eux.The concentric grooves formed delimit several closed concentric circuits without communication between them.

Lesdites gorges concentriques peuvent présenter une section en forme de U.Said concentric grooves may have a U-shaped section.

Selon un autre mode de réalisation avantageux, lesdites gorges concentriques ont une section asymétrique et comprennent des parois dont la pente est plus faible du côté le plus proche de l'alimentation en fluide que du côté opposé.According to another advantageous embodiment, said concentric grooves have an asymmetrical section and include walls whose slope is less on the side closest to the fluid supply than on the opposite side.

Dans ce cas, les gorges concentriques comprennent un décrochement progressif vers le bas réalisé à partir du côté le plus proche de l'alimentation en fluide et présentant une face inférieure comprenant une surface convexe de grand rayon de courbure suivie d'une surface concave de faible rayon de courbure, tandis qu'une rainure de faible profondeur est formée dans la face inférieure de celui des premier et deuxième plateaux situé en position haute au moins dans la partie située en regard des parties de gorges concentriques de faible pente pour former un décrochement franc.In this case, the concentric grooves comprise a progressive downward recess produced from the side closest to the fluid supply and having a lower face comprising a convex surface of large radius of curvature followed by a concave surface of small radius of curvature, while a shallow groove is formed in the underside of that of the first and second plates located in the high position at least in the part opposite the parts of concentric grooves of slight slope to form a clear recess .

Il est avantageux que le plateau muni de gorges présente une symétrie par rapport à deux axes rectangulaires dont l'intersection est située au niveau de la zone qui fait face à l'orifice d'alimentation en fluide à évaporer.It is advantageous for the tray provided with grooves to have symmetry with respect to two rectangular axes, the intersection of which is situated at the level of the zone which faces the orifice for supplying the fluid to be evaporated.

La résistance électrique chauffante est intégrée dans le premier plateau fixe. La face inférieure de celui des premier et deuxième plateaux situé en position haute constitue une surface d'évaporation qui coopère avec la surface d'évaporation constituée par la face supérieure du plateau inférieur.The electric heating element is integrated in the first fixed plate. The lower face of that of the first and second plates located in the high position constitutes an evaporation surface which cooperates with the evaporation surface formed by the upper face of the lower plate.

Selon un mode particulier de réalisation, la face inférieure du plateau supérieur est parfaitement lisse.According to a particular embodiment, the underside of the upper plate is perfectly smooth.

Le générateur de vapeur selon l'invention est universel et peut s'adapter à de très nombreuses applications nécessitant la production de vapeur à faible coût avec des conditions sévères de fiabilité et de sécurité de fonctionnement. L'application à des fers à repasser ou à des presses à repasser s'avère particulièrement intéressante.The steam generator according to the invention is universal and can be adapted to a large number of applications requiring the production of steam at low cost with severe conditions of reliability and operational safety. Application to irons or ironing presses is particularly advantageous.

Les caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention seront mieux compris à la lecture de la description qui fait suite de modes particuliers de réalisation de l'invention, donnés uniquement à titre d'exemples, en référence au dessin annexé, sur lequel :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un générateur de vapeur selon l'invention,
  • la figure 2 est une vue de dessus du deuxième plateau du générateur de vapeur de la figure 1,
  • la figure 3 est une vue de dessus du générateur de vapeur de la figure 1,
  • la figure 4 est une vue de détail en coupe montrant une variante de réalisation des gorges du deuxième plateau,
  • les figures 5, 6 et 7 montrent des variantes de réalisation du deuxième plateau de la figure 2,
  • la figure 8 est une demi-coupe transversale d'une variante de réalisation du générateur de vapeur de la figure 1, et
  • la figure 9 est une section selon la ligne IX-IX de la figure 8, et
  • la figure 10 est une demi-coupe transversale d'un autre mode de réalisation du générateur de vapeur.
The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows on from particular embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of examples, with reference to the appended drawing, in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a steam generator according to the invention,
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of the second plate of the steam generator in FIG. 1,
  • Figure 3 is a top view of the general steam generator of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 4 is a detail view in section showing an alternative embodiment of the grooves of the second plate,
  • FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show alternative embodiments of the second plate of FIG. 2,
  • FIG. 8 is a half cross-section of an alternative embodiment of the steam generator of FIG. 1, and
  • FIG. 9 is a section along the line IX-IX of FIG. 8, and
  • Figure 10 is a half cross section of another embodiment of the steam generator.

Si l'on se reporte à la figure 1, on voit un générateur de vapeur comprenant un plateau supérieur fixe 39, dans lequel est incorporée une résistance chauffante 56, un plateau inférieur ou contre-plateau mobile 58 prenant appui par l'intermédiaire de ressorts 59 sur une embase 55 constituée par exemple par la semelle d'une presse à repasser.Referring to Figure 1, we see a steam generator comprising a fixed upper plate 39, in which is incorporated a heating resistor 56, a lower plate or movable counter plate 58 supported by means of springs 59 on a base 55 constituted for example by the sole of an ironing press.

Le plateau supérieur 39 (figures 1 et 3) comprend une collerette périphérique 53 qui repose sur la semelle 55 et est fixée à celle-ci au moyen d'éléments de liaison 54. Une cavité périphérique 60 de récupération de vapeur est formée dans le plateau supérieur 39 pour recueillir la vapeur formée au contact de la face inférieure 139 du plateau supérieur chauffant 39 et de la face supérieure 158, du contre-plateau 58, lorsque de l'eau sous pression alimente le canal central 40 formé dans le plateau supérieur 39. La cavité périphérique 60 du plateau supérieur 39 est elle-même en communication par une fente annulaire de faible largeur avec une chambre de distribution de vapeur 61 constituée par l'espace libre compris entre la face inférieure du contre-plateau et la semelle 55.The upper plate 39 (FIGS. 1 and 3) comprises a peripheral flange 53 which rests on the sole 55 and is fixed to the latter by means of connecting elements 54. A peripheral cavity 60 for recovering steam is formed in the plate upper 39 to collect the vapor formed in contact with the lower face 139 of the upper heating plate 39 and of the upper face 158, of the counter plate 58, when pressurized water feeds the central channel 40 formed in the upper plate 39 The peripheral cavity 60 of the upper plate 39 is itself in communication by an annular slot of small width with a vapor distribution chamber 61 constituted by the free space included between the lower face of the counter plate and the sole 55.

Le contre-plateau 58 est en permanence appliqué contre le plateau supérieur 39 au moyen des ressorts 59 qui sont engagés dans des logements 52 formés dans la partie périphérique du contre-plateau 58.The counter-plate 58 is permanently applied against the upper plate 39 by means of the springs 59 which are engaged in housings 52 formed in the peripheral part of the counter-plate 58.

La cavité périphérique 60 permet de ménager un espacement suffisant entre le rebord externe du plateau supérieur 39 qui se termine par le rebord inférieur d'appui 53 et la masse principale du plateau 39 chauffée par la résistance 56. En effet, le plateau 39 est soumis à des déformations dues aux variations de température. La gorge périphérique 60 permet précisément d'encaisser des déformations sans que la surface inférieure 139 du plateau 39 soit elle-même affectée, et permet en outre de réduire les ponts thermiques. Par ailleurs, la cavité périphérique 60 constitue un volume libre où la vapeur provenant de l'espace restreint compris entre les plateaux 39 et 58 peut se détendre et par suite garantir que même les particules d'eau résiduelles sont bien évaporées.The peripheral cavity 60 allows sufficient space to be provided between the external rim of the upper plate 39 which ends in the lower support rim 53 and the main mass of the plate 39 heated by the resistor 56. Indeed, the plate 39 is subjected deformations due to temperature variations. The peripheral groove 60 precisely allows deformations to be absorbed without the lower surface 139 of the plate 39 being itself affected, and also makes it possible to reduce thermal bridges. Furthermore, the peripheral cavity 60 constitutes a free volume where the vapor coming from the limited space between the plates 39 and 58 can relax and consequently guarantee that even the residual water particles are well evaporated.

Le plateau inférieur déborde de préférence un peu au-delà du rebord 239 constituant la partie périphérique de la partie principale chauffante du plateau 39. Le plateau inférieur 58 est en effet soumis à des contraintes un peu moindres que celles auxquelles est soumis le plateau supérieur 39. En outre, la présence d'une fente périphérique 64 de largeur relativement réduite entre le plateau 58 et le rebord externe de support du plateau 39 permet un centrage plus facile du plateau inférieur mobile 58 tout en constituant une nouvelle barrière pour les gouttes d'eau éventuelles qui, du fait de la capillarité ne peuvent passer de la cavité périphérique 60 à la chambre de distribution 61. On notera toutefois que la chambre de distribution 61 n'est pas indispensable pour toutes les applications. En particulier, la vapeur pourrait être captée dans une conduite débouchant dans la cavité de récupération 60 (voir figure 10).The lower plate preferably projects a little beyond the rim 239 constituting the peripheral part of the main heating part of the plate 39. The lower plate 58 is in fact subjected to slightly less stresses than those to which the upper plate 39 is subjected. In addition, the presence of a peripheral slot 64 of relatively reduced width between the plate 58 and the external support rim of the plate 39 allows easier centering of the movable lower plate 58 while constituting a new barrier for drops of water. any water which, due to capillarity cannot pass from the peripheral cavity 60 to the distribution chamber 61. It will however be noted that the distribution chamber 61 is not essential for all applications. In particular, the steam could be captured in a pipe opening into the recovery cavity 60 (see FIG. 10).

La résistance électrique chauffante 56 peut être constituée par une résistance blindée disposée par exemple en spirale (figure 3), et située essentiellement dans un plan parallèle au plan de contact entre les faces 139 et 158 des plateaux 39 et 58 respectivement, lequel plan de contact est lui-même parallèle à la semelle 55. Le plateau supérieur 39 constitue un plateau chauffant dans lequel la chaleur est à peu près uniformément répartie. Cette disposition est intéressante pour la sécurité car la résistance électrique est placée en dehors des zones de circulation d'eau et de vapeur.The electric heating resistor 56 can be constituted by an armored resistor arranged for example in a spiral (FIG. 3), and situated essentially in a plane parallel to the contact plane between the faces 139 and 158 of the plates 39 and 58 respectively, which contact plane is itself parallel to the sole 55. The upper plate 39 constitutes a heating plate in which the heat is almost uniformly distributed. This arrangement is advantageous for safety because the electrical resistance is placed outside the water and steam circulation zones.

Le canal 40 d'alimentation en fluide sous pression à évaporer peut comprendre (figure 5) un premier tronçon (140) de relativement forte section pour faciliter le raccordement à une conduite d'amenée de liquide, qui peut d'ailleurs provenir d'un réservoir situé à proximité immédiate du générateur de vapeur, et des tronçons 141, 142 de section plus réduite au voisinage de la sortie du canal, les différentes sections pouvant correspondre à des raccords de type standard. Toutefois, il est essentiel que la section la plus faible 142 du canal 40 ne présente pas des dimensions trop réduites afin d'éliminer tout risque d'entartrage et de faciliter le fonctionnement du système. Il est ainsi indispensable que l'écoulement du liquide puisse se faire librement à la sortie du conduit 40. Par suite, aucun pulvérisateur ou autre dispositif ne doit être adjoint au conduit 40.The pressurized fluid supply channel 40 to be evaporated may comprise (FIG. 5) a first section (140) of relatively large section to facilitate connection to a liquid supply pipe, which can moreover come from a tank located in the immediate vicinity of the steam generator, and sections 141, 142 of smaller section in the vicinity of the outlet of the channel, the different sections being able to correspond to standard type fittings. However, it is essential that the smallest section 142 of the channel 40 does not have too small dimensions in order to eliminate any risk of scaling and to facilitate the operation of the system. It is thus essential that the liquid can flow freely at the outlet of the conduit 40. Consequently, no sprayer or other device must be added to the conduit 40.

De préférence, le conduit 40 présente en tout point une section supérieure à environ 2,5 mm et peut avoir par exemple une section de sortie voisine de 4 mm au niveau du tronçon 142, ou d'une manière générale une section tout à fait voisine de celle des canalisations d'alimentation en liquide.Preferably, the duct 40 has at all points a cross section greater than about 2.5 mm and may for example have an outlet section close to 4 mm at the level of the section 142, or generally a section quite close that of the liquid supply pipes.

La face supérieure 158 du contre-plateau 58 (figure 2) est avantageusement munie d'une série de gorges 62 concentriques et formant chacune un circuit fermé. Les gorges 62 ont pour but à la fois de réaliser un piégeage des gouttes d'eau non évaporées afin d'empêcher que ces gouttes ne se déplacent vers la périphérie du contre-plateau 58 et pénètrent dans la cavité réceptrice de vapeur, et d'assurer une répartition homogène de la vapeur et du film d'eau à évaporer sur toute la surface 158 du contre-plateau 58. Ainsi, on forme de préférence un ensemble de gorges 62 équidistantes et régulièrement réparties sur la surface 158 autour de la partie centrale 258 située en face de l'arrivée de liquide par le canal 40. Les plateaux 39 et 58 et les gorges 62 présentent avantageusement une symétrie par rapport à deux axes rectangulaires se coupant sensiblement au niveau de la partie faisant face à l'orifice de sortie 142 du canal 40 d'alimentation en fluide.The upper face 158 of the counter plate 58 (FIG. 2) is advantageously provided with a series of concentric grooves 62 and each forming a closed circuit. The grooves 62 have the purpose of both trapping the drops of water which has not evaporated in order to prevent these drops from moving towards the periphery of the counter-plate 58 and entering the vapor-receiving cavity, and ensure a uniform distribution of the vapor and the film of water to be evaporated over the entire surface 158 of the counter plate 58. Thus, preferably forms a set of grooves 62 equidistant and regularly distributed over the surface 158 around the central part 258 located opposite the liquid inlet via the channel 40. The plates 39 and 58 and the grooves 62 advantageously have a symmetry by with respect to two rectangular axes substantially intersecting at the level of the part facing the outlet orifice 142 of the fluid supply channel 40.

Dans le cas où les plateaux 39 et 58 du générateur de vapeur présentent une forme oblongue, comme représenté sur les figures 2 et 3, chaque plateau peut comprendre une partie centrale allongée rectangulaire prolongée à ses deux extrémités latérales par des demi-disques. Dans ce cas, les gorges 62 présentent avantageusement deux parties rectilignes 162 (figure 2) parallèles à l'axe longitudinal du plateau 58, et deux portions circulaires 262 d'extrémité dont le centre de courbure est confondu avec le centre de courbure d'une partie arrondie d'extrémité du plateau 58 lui-même. Cette configuration assure une très bonne répartition de la vapeur et donc de la pression depuis le centre 258 du plateau 58 jusqu'à la périphérie de celui-ci qui se trouve au voisinage de la cavité 60. Par ailleurs, l'absence de gorges radiales reliant les diverses gorges 62 entre elles assure une retenue des gouttes d'eau non vaporisées. Il est à noter que l'eau arrivant par le canal 40 est véritablement écrasée en forme de film mince entre les plateaux 39 et 58. Cet écrasement intervient quel que soit même l'entartrage éventuel des surfaces 139 et 158, puisque l'espacement entre ces surfaces n'est pas fixe, mais est conditionné d'une part, par la force exercée par les ressorts 59 pour appliquer le plateau 58 contre le corps chauffant 39 et, d'autre part, par la pression du liquide arrivant par le canal 40, lequel liquide tend à écarter très légèrement le plateau 58 pour permettre le passage d'un film mince de liquide entre les deux surfaces 139 et 158, lequel film est alors transformé quasi-instantanément en vapeur au contact des parois chaudes 139 et 158. En effet, le plateau inférieur 58 reste toujours au voisinage immédiat du plateau supérieur chauffant 39 et, lors d'un fonctionnement intermittent, a même sa face supérieure 158 plaquée contre la plaque inférieure chauffante 139 du plateau 39, puisqu'aucune pression de liquide ne s'oppose à l'action des ressorts 59. La face 158 est alors chauffée de façon très efficace.In the case where the plates 39 and 58 of the steam generator have an oblong shape, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each plate can comprise an elongated rectangular central part extended at its two lateral ends by half-discs. In this case, the grooves 62 advantageously have two rectilinear parts 162 (FIG. 2) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate 58, and two circular end portions 262 whose center of curvature coincides with the center of curvature of a rounded end portion of the tray 58 itself. This configuration ensures a very good distribution of the vapor and therefore of the pressure from the center 258 of the plate 58 to the periphery thereof which is in the vicinity of the cavity 60. Furthermore, the absence of radial grooves connecting the various grooves 62 together ensures retention of the non-vaporized water drops. It should be noted that the water arriving through the channel 40 is truly crushed in the form of a thin film between the plates 39 and 58. This crushing occurs regardless of even the possible scaling of the surfaces 139 and 158, since the spacing between these surfaces is not fixed, but is conditioned on the one hand, by the force exerted by the springs 59 to apply the plate 58 against the heating body 39 and, on the other hand, by the pressure of the liquid arriving through the channel 40, which liquid tends to move the plate 58 very slightly apart to allow the passage of a thin film of liquid between the two surfaces 139 and 158, which film is then transformed almost instantaneously into vapor in contact with the hot walls 139 and 158. Indeed, the lower plate 58 always remains in the immediate vicinity of the upper heating plate 39 and, during intermittent operation, even has its upper face 158 pressed against the lower heating plate 139 of the plate 39, since no pressure no liquid opposes the action of the springs 59. The face 158 is then heated very effectively.

Il est préférable que la face 139 du plateau supérieur 39 soit parfaitement lisse. Toutefois, dans certains cas, et notamment pour des configurations particulières des plateaux, certaines gorges peuvent être ménagées dans la paroi 139 du plateau 39.It is preferable that the face 139 of the upper plate 39 is perfectly smooth. However, in certain cases, and in particular for particular configurations of the plates, certain grooves can be provided in the wall 139 of the plate 39.

Naturellement, les formes les plus diverses peuvent être adoptées pour les plateaux 39 et 58. Ainsi, on peut prévoir une configuration en étoile. Une forme parfaitement circulaire est également très avantageuse. Ainsi, sur les figures 2 et 3, il suffit de supprimer la partie rectangulaire centrale des plateaux 39 et 58 et des gorges 162 pour disposer de plateaux en forme de disques circulaires, le plateau inférieur 58 comprenant des gorges 262 également parfaitement circulaires (figure 7).Naturally, the most diverse shapes can be adopted for the plates 39 and 58. Thus, one can provide a star configuration. A perfectly circular shape is also very advantageous. Thus, in FIGS. 2 and 3, it suffices to remove the central rectangular part of the plates 39 and 58 and of the grooves 162 to have plates in the form of circular disks, the lower plate 58 comprising grooves 262 also perfectly circular (FIG. 7 ).

Les figures 5 et 6 représentent des variantes de réalisation de plateaux inférieurs 58 allongés qui comprennent des moyens supplémentaires pour faciliter la répartition de la vapeur dans le sens longitudinal. On notera que les moyens mis en oeuvre sur les figures 5 et 6 ou des moyens équivalents, peuvent être utilisés chaque fois que le générateur de vapeur présente des plateaux 39 et 58 qui ne sont pas de révolution autour de l'axe de l'orifice d'amenée de fluide. Dans ce cas en effet, contrairement au cas de la figure 7, la répartition de la vapeur pourraît être rendue plus difficile dans les directions de plus grandes dimensions des plateaux.Figures 5 and 6 show alternative embodiments of elongated lower trays 58 which include additional means to facilitate the distribution of the steam in the longitudinal direction. It will be noted that the means used in FIGS. 5 and 6, or equivalent means, can be used each time the steam generator has plates 39 and 58 which are not of revolution around the axis of the orifice. fluid supply. In this case, in fact, unlike in the case of FIG. 7, the distribution of the steam could be made more difficult in the directions of larger dimensions of the plates.

Afin d'améliorer la répartition de la vapeur dans le cas de la figure 5, on a aménagé, dans le plateau 58, en plus d'un groupe de gorges concentriques 362, 662 centrées sur la zone 258 située en regard de l'orifice de sortie de fluide, des gorges rectilignes 462 s'étendant le long de l'axe longitudinal du plateau 58 et en communication avec la gorge 362 la plus proche de la zone 258. Toutefois, il est important de noter que les gorges radiales 462 se terminent à distance de la première gorge concentrique 662 entourant la gorge annulaire centrale 362, afin d'éviter toute communication entre deux gorges concentriques voisines. Le nombre de gorges radiales et de gorges concentriques fermées peut naturellement varier en fonction des applications et surtout des dimensions du plateau 58.In order to improve the distribution of the steam in the case of FIG. 5, in the tray 58, there is arranged in addition to a group of concentric grooves 362, 662 centered on the zone 258 located opposite the orifice fluid outlet, rectilinear grooves 462 extending along the longitudinal axis of the plate 58 and in communication with the groove 362 closest to the zone 258. However, it is important to note that the radial grooves 462 terminate at a distance from the first concentric groove 662 surrounding the central annular groove 362, in order to avoid any communication between two neighboring concentric grooves. The number of radial grooves and closed concentric grooves can naturally vary depending on the applications and especially the dimensions of the plate 58.

Sur la figure 6, des orifices de sortie de vapeur 63 sont ménagés au voisinage de la parite périphérique du plateau 58, et de préférence au centre de courbure des parties arrondies du plateau. Ces orifices sont en communication avec une partie de la chambre 61 de la figure 1, laquelle chambre constitue alors avec la cavité périphérique 60 une zone de récupération de vapeur. En effet, la vapeur peut toujours s'évacuer par la partie périphérique du plateau 58. Toutefois, les orifices supplémentaires de sortie de vapeur contribuent à créer un appel de vapeur qui facilite le transfert de celle-ci le long de l'axe longitudinal du plateau 58. Afin d'empêcher tout passage de gouttes d'eau par les orifices 63, des gorges annulaires 562 sont formées autour des orifices 63. Une ou plusieurs gorges périphériques 662 sont formées sur le plateau 58 de la manière décrite plus haut afin de piéger l'eau lors de l'évacuation de la vapeur au niveau du rebord extérieur du plateau 58.In FIG. 6, steam outlet orifices 63 are formed in the vicinity of the peripheral parity of the plate 58, and preferably at the center of curvature of the rounded parts of the plate. These orifices are in communication with a part of the chamber 61 of FIG. 1, which chamber then constitutes with the peripheral cavity 60 a vapor recovery zone. In fact, the steam can always be evacuated through the peripheral part of the tray 58. However, the additional steam outlet orifices contribute to creating a vapor call which facilitates the transfer of the latter along the longitudinal axis of the tray 58. In order to prevent any passage of drops of water through the orifices 63, annular grooves 562 are formed around the orifices 63. One or more peripheral grooves 662 are formed on the tray 58 in the manner described above in order to trap water during the evacuation of steam at the outer edge of the tray 58.

Les gorges 62 peuvent présenter diverses formes selon les applications envisagées. Une section en U, telle que représentée sur la figure 1, est très facile à réaliser. Toutefois, un profil correspondant à celui représenté sur la figure 4 est également avantageux. En effet, cette forme de gorge 62 comprend un décrochement progressif 162 à partir du côté de la gorge le plus proche de la zone 258 d'introduction du liquide sur le plateau 58, puis une seconde partie de paroi plus raide du côté opposé de la gorge. La première partie de paroi 162 peut ainsi être légèrement convexe avec un grand rayon de courbure, tandis qu'après un point d'inflexion constituant le fond de la gorge, la partie de paroi opposée à la première partie 162 est plus raide et concave. On sait que par effet Coanda le fluide a tendance à suivre et s'attacher à la paroi, ce qui, avec la forme décrite sur la figure 4, assure un meilleur piègeage des gouttes d'eau dans le fond de la gorge. La face supérieure 139 du plateau supérieur 39 peut dans ce cas comprendre une rainure 144 de faible profondeur, au moins dans la partie située en regard de la partie de gorge 162 afin de constituer un décrochement brusque qui interdit aux gouttes d'eau de s'attacher à la paroi supérieure.The grooves 62 can have various shapes depending on the applications envisaged. A U-shaped section, as shown in Figure 1, is very easy to make. However, a profile corresponding to that shown in Figure 4 is also advantageous. In fact, this shape of groove 62 comprises a gradual step 162 from the side of the groove closest to the zone 258 for introducing the liquid onto the plate 58, then a second part of a stiffer wall on the opposite side of the groove. The first wall part 162 can thus be slightly convex with a large radius of curvature, while after an inflection point constituting the bottom of the groove, the wall part opposite to the first part 162 is stiffer and concave. We know that by Coanda effect the fluid tends to follow and attach to the wall, which, with the shape described in Figure 4, ensures better trapping of water drops in the back of the throat. The upper face 139 of the upper plate 39 can in this case comprise a groove 144 of shallow depth, at least in the part opposite the groove part 162 in order to constitute a sudden detachment which prevents drops of water from s' attach to the top wall.

La semelle 55 qui constitue le fond de la chambre de vapeur 61 dans le cas d'une application à un fer ou une presse à repasser peut comprendre de façon classique des trous de passage pour la vapeur. Toutefois, pour une meilleure répartition de la vapeur, il est préférable que ces trous de passage ne débouchent pas de façon ponctuelle sur la face inférieure de la semelle 55, mais dans des rainures étroites 57 (figures 1 et 3) qui marquent moins le linge à repasser.The sole 55 which constitutes the bottom of the steam chamber 61 in the case of an application to an iron or an ironing press can conventionally comprise passage holes for the steam. However, for a better distribution of the vapor, it is preferable that these passage holes do not emerge punctually on the underside of the soleplate 55, but in narrow grooves 57 (Figures 1 and 3) which mark the laundry less to redo.

Dans le dispositif générateur de vapeur selon l'invention, il est important qu'un plateau supérieur chauffant qui incorpore un canal d'alimentation en liquide sous pression coopère avec un plateau inférieur appliqué au moyen de ressorts contre la face inférieure du plateau supérieur qui constitue l'une des deux surfaces d'évaporation. La présence de gorges dans le plateau inférieur de même que la réalisation d'une surface d'évaporation lisse coopérant avec au moins des parties lisses correspondantes du plateau inférieur constituent également des caractéristiques importantes. Toutefois, diverses variantes de réalisation peuvent être envisagées. Ainsi, le plateau supérieur 39 et au moins une partie de la semelle 55, dont les positions relatives sont fixes, peuvent être réalisés d'une seule pièce par moulage de fonderie. Le contre-plateau 58 peut dans ce cas être introduit par le bas, lors du montage, à travers une partie centrale démontable de la semelle 55.In the steam generator device according to the invention, it is important that an upper heating plate which incorporates a pressurized liquid supply channel cooperates with a lower plate applied by means of springs against the lower face of the upper plate which constitutes one of the two evaporation surfaces. The presence of grooves in the lower plate as well as the creation of a smooth evaporation surface cooperating with at least corresponding smooth parts of the lower plate also constitute important characteristics. However, various alternative embodiments can be envisaged. Thus, the upper plate 39 and at least part of the sole 55, the relative positions of which are fixed, can be produced in one piece by foundry molding. The counter-plate 58 can in this case be introduced from below, during assembly, through a removable central part of the sole 55.

La figure 8 montre précisément une variante de réalisation du générateur de la figure 1 dans laquelle le plateau supérieur 39, son rebord externe et son rebord inférieur d'appui 53 sont montés d'une seule pièce avec une partie 55b formant semelle, notamment pour une application à un fer ou une presse à repasser. La semelle 55 est alors constituée par une partie périphérique 55b et une partie centrale 55a rapportée par des moyens de liaison 54 sur le plateau 39 et placée en alignement avec la partie 55b. Ce mode de réalisation permet notamment d'introduire ou de retirer le plateau 58 par le bas en retirant simplement la plaque 55a, qui peut être de faible épaisseur. Comme cela est visible sur les figures 8 et 9, la partie 55b de la semelle peut comprendre des nervures de rigidification 55c qui servent en même temps de fentes de distribution de vapeur dans le cas où les fentes 57 des nervures 55c sont en communication avec la chambre 61. On notera que le mode de réalisation des figures 8 et 9 assure une parfaite étanchéité à la vapeur dans la partie supérieure. En effet, le plateau supérieur 39 et ses parties périphériques 53, 55b constituent un capot étanche de sorte que toute la vapeur formée ne peut s'échapper que par le dessous de la semelle 55.FIG. 8 precisely shows an alternative embodiment of the generator of FIG. 1 in which the upper plate 39, its outer rim and its lower bearing rim 53 are mounted in one piece with a part 55b forming the sole, in particular for a application to an iron or ironing press. The sole 55 is then constituted by a peripheral part 55b and a central part 55a attached by connection means 54 on the plate 39 and placed in alignment with the part 55b. This embodiment makes it possible in particular to introduce or remove the plate 58 from below by simply removing the plate 55a, which can be of small thickness. As can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the part 55b of the sole may include stiffening ribs 55c which at the same time serve as steam distribution slots in the case where the slots 57 of the ribs 55c are in communication with the chamber 61. It will be noted that the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 ensures perfect vapor tightness in the upper part. Indeed, the upper plate 39 and its peripheral parts 53, 55b constitute a tight cover so that all the vapor formed can escape only from below the sole 55.

De nombreuses modifications et adjonctions peuvent être apportées aux dispositifs décrits sans sortir du cadre de l'invention. Ainsi, dans certains cas, si le générateur de vapeur présente une surface importante, plusieurs canaux d'arrivée d'eau peuvent être formés dans le plateau supérieur 39. Dans ce cas naturellement, les orifices d'arrivée d'eau doivent toujours être libres, c'est-à-dire sans injecteur ou pulvérisateur situés à distance les uns des autres, et entourés chacun d'un réseau de gorges concentriques du type décrit plus haut.Many modifications and additions can be made to the devices described without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, in certain cases, if the steam generator has a large surface area, several water inlet channels can be formed in the upper plate 39. In this case, naturally, the water inlet orifices must always be free , that is to say without injector or sprayer located at a distance from each other, and each surrounded by a network of concentric grooves of the type described above.

Par ailleurs, comme on l'a dit précédemment, les faces 139 et 158 (sauf la présence des gorges 62) des plateaux 39 et 58 sont de préférence planes. Toutefois, ces faces 139 et 158 pourraient présenter également une forme légèrement bombée, par exemple sphérique ou cylindrique avec un même relativement grand rayon de courbure, les faces 139 et 158 étant donc toujours complémentaires l'une de l'autre.Furthermore, as mentioned above, the faces 139 and 158 (except the presence of grooves 62) of the plates 39 and 58 are preferably flat. However, these faces 139 and 158 could also have a slightly convex shape, for example spherical or cylindrical with the same relatively large radius of curvature, the faces 139 and 158 therefore being always complementary to each other.

On a représenté sur la figure 10 un autre mode de réalisation du générateur de vapeur conforme à la présente invention. Dans ce mode de réalisation, contrairement à ceux précédemment décrits, le plateau chauffant 39a est disposé sous le plateau mobile 58a, mais le fonctionnement reste le même dans la mesure où l'évaporation de l'eau introduite par le canal central 40a ménagé dans le plateau chauffant 39a, se produit toujours au contact des faces 139a et 158a respectivement des plateaux 39a et 58a, lesquelles faces 139a et 158a sont situées en regard l'une de l'autre et sont appliquées l'une contre l'autre sous l'action des ressorts 59a qui exercent sur le plateau 58a une pression vers le bas. Une résistance chauffante 56a est incorporée dans le plateau 39a et se trouve comme dans les modes de réalisation précédents située dans un plan sensiblement parallèle aux surfaces d'évaporation 139a et 158a.FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the steam generator according to the present invention. In this embodiment, unlike those previously described, the heating plate 39a is arranged under the movable plate 58a, but the operation remains the same insofar as the evaporation of the water introduced by the central channel 40a formed in the heating plate 39a, always occurs in contact with the faces 139a and 158a respectively of the plates 39a and 58a, which faces 139a and 158a are located opposite one another and are applied one against the other under the action of the springs 59a which exert downward pressure on the plate 58a. A heating resistor 56a is incorporated in the plate 39a and is located, as in the previous embodiments, situated in a plane substantially parallel to the evaporation surfaces 139a and 158a.

Le canal 40a d'amenée de fluide sous pression débouche de préférence dans un chambrage 143, ce qui permet de n'utiliser pour l'alimentation en fluide dans le canal 40a que des pressions relativement modestes obtenues avec de petites pompes d'usage courant tout en assurant qu'au niveau du chambrage 143, la pression excercée par le fluide contrebalance bien celle exercée par les ressorts 59a de manière à ménager le mince passage nécessaire pour le film de fluide à évaporer- entre les surfaces 139a et 158a.The pressurized fluid supply channel 40a preferably opens into a recess 143, which makes it possible to use, for the supply of fluid in the channel 40a, only relatively modest pressures obtained with small pumps in common use ensuring that at the level of the recess 143, the pressure exerted by the fluid well counterbalances that exerted by the springs 59a so as to provide the thin passage necessary for the film of fluid to be evaporated between the surfaces 139a and 158a.

On notera que dans le cas du mode de réalisation de la figure 10, les gorges 62a analogues aux gorges 62 sont ménagées dans le plateau inférieur qui est alors le plateau fixe 39a. La vapeur qui s'échappe à la périphérie des plateaux 39a et 58a est recueillie dans la cavité périphérique 60a et peut être évacuée par le conduit 61 a situé à la partie supérieure du générateur de vapeur. Le carter extérieur supérieur 155 sur lequel prennent appui les ressorts 59a, est rendu solidaire du plateau inférieur 39a, par exemple par des moyens de liaison 54a.It will be noted that in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 10, the grooves 62a similar to the grooves 62 are formed in the lower plate which is then the fixed plate 39a. The steam which escapes at the periphery of the plates 39a and 58a is collected in the peripheral cavity 60a and can be evacuated by the conduit 61a situated at the upper part of the steam generator. The upper outer casing 155 on which the springs 59a bear, is made integral with the lower plate 39a, for example by connection means 54a.

Il existe de préférence un faible jeu à froid entre la face latérale extérieure 64a du plateau inférieur 39a et la face latérale correspondante du carter 155. Ce jeu peut toutefois être prévu pour qu'à chaud, c'est-à-dire lorsque le générateur est en fonctionnement, la dilatation du plateau 39a, chauffé par la résistance 56a, permette de réaliser automatiquement le centrage et l'étanchéité entre le plateau 39a et le carter 155, la face latérale 64a venant alors en contact avec le carter 155.There is preferably a slight cold clearance between the external lateral face 64a of the lower plate 39a and the corresponding lateral face of the casing 155. This clearance can however be provided so that when hot, that is to say when the generator is in operation, the expansion of the plate 39a, heated by the resistor 56a, allows centering and sealing to be carried out automatically between the plate 39a and the casing 155, the lateral face 64a then coming into contact with the casing 155.

D'une manière générale, la présence d'un plateau chauffant 39a situé sous le plateau mobile 58a conduit à un meilleur rendement thermique du générateur de vapeur.Generally, the presence of a heating plate 39a located under the movable plate 58a leads to better thermal efficiency of the steam generator.

Le générateur de la figure 10 pourrait comme les modes de réalisation précédents être appliqué à une presse à repasser, et être par exemple incorporé au plateau inférieur. Ce générateur pour la production instantanée de vapeur est également particulièrement adapté pour constituer un élément indépendant incorporable à des dispositifs tels que des décolleuses de papiers peints par exemple.The generator of Figure 10 could like the previous embodiments be applied to an ironing press, and be for example incorporated into the lower plate. This generator for instantaneous steam production is also particularly suitable for constituting an independent element which can be incorporated into devices such as wallpaper strippers for example.

Claims (10)

1. A steam generator with direct evaporation, without accumulation of pressurised steam, comprising a first plate (39, 39a) provided with an inlet channel (40, 40a) for a pressurised fluid to be evaporated, a second plate (58, 58a) independent of the first plate and superposed thereon, a steam recovery cavity (60, 60a) in communication with a peripheral part of the first and second plates, and an electric resistor (56, 56a) located at least approximately in a plane parallel to said first and second plates, characterised in that the pressurised fluid inlet channel (40, 40a) opens out freely from the first plate (39, 39a) perpendicularly thereto and to the second plate (58, 58a), in a central part of the generator, and has an outlet diameter greater than about 2,5 mm, and the face (158, 158a) of the second plate located opposite the first plate is maintained applied against the corresponding face (139, 139a) of the first plate by elastic return means (59, 59a).
2. A steam generator according to claim 1, characterised in that the upper face of that of the first and second plates located in the lower part is provided with an assembly of concentric grooves (62, 62a).
3. A steam generator according to claim 2, characterised in that said concentric grooves (62, 62a) define a plurality of concentric closed circuits without communication with one another.
4. A steam generator according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the section of said concentric grooves (62, 62a) is in the form of a U.
5. A steam generator according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that said concentric grooves (62, 62a) have an asymmetrical section and comprise walls whose slope is less on the side nearest the fluid supply than on the opposite side, a progressive downward shoulder is made from the side of the grooves nearest the fluid supply, the grooves having a lower face comprising a convex surface (162) of large radius of curvature, followed by a concave surface of smaii radius of curvature, and a shallow groove (144) is formed in the lower face of that of the first and second plates located in high position, at least in the parts located opposite the parts of concentric grooves of slight slope.
6. A steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the electric heating resistor (56, 56a) is integrated in the first plate (39, 39a) and the lower face (139, 158a) of that of the first and second plates located in high position constitutes an evaporation surface which cooperates with the evaporation surface constituted by the upper face (158, 139a) of that of the firsthand second plates located in lower position.
7. A steam generator according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that it presents a symmetry of revolution around the supply channel (40, 40a) of the fluid to be evaporated.
8. A steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 and 7, characterised in that the lower face (139, 158a) of that of the first and second plates located in high position is perfectly smooth.
9. A generator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that that of the first and second plates located in the lower part comprises additional localised means constituted by portions of radial groove (462) and/or steam escape orifices (63) surrounded by circular grooves (562) to promote the circulation of steam in the directions of greatest dimension of the plate.
10. A steam press, characterised in that it comprises a steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a steam chamber (61) is situated under the second plate (58) located in lower position, immediately above the press sole (55), the first plate (39) is fast with the press sole, and the elastic return means (59) exerting an action on the second plate (58) to apply the latter against the lower face (139) of the first plate (39) abbutt on the press sole (55).
EP80401054A 1979-08-03 1980-07-11 Instantaneous evaporation steam generator Expired EP0023855B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7920025 1979-08-03
FR7920025A FR2462654A1 (en) 1979-08-03 1979-08-03 STEAM GENERATOR WITH DIRECT EVAPORATION AND APPLICATION TO IRONING PRESSES

Publications (2)

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EP0023855A1 EP0023855A1 (en) 1981-02-11
EP0023855B1 true EP0023855B1 (en) 1983-06-22

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EP80401054A Expired EP0023855B1 (en) 1979-08-03 1980-07-11 Instantaneous evaporation steam generator

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US (1) US4352252A (en)
EP (1) EP0023855B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE3905T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3063884D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2462654A1 (en)

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US4479315A (en) * 1983-09-16 1984-10-30 Leonard Automatics, Inc. Steaming apparatus for a vertical side chest in a trouser presser
GB8627734D0 (en) * 1986-11-20 1986-12-17 Black & Decker Inc Hand-held steam generating device
US5371828A (en) * 1991-08-28 1994-12-06 Mks Instruments, Inc. System for delivering and vaporizing liquid at a continuous and constant volumetric rate and pressure
US5349767A (en) * 1993-05-10 1994-09-27 The Singer Company N.V. Steam ironing press including pump and heating control circuits
FR2712070B1 (en) * 1993-11-02 1996-01-26 Brenot Claude Tray steam generator.
US5553188A (en) * 1995-02-24 1996-09-03 Mks Instruments, Inc. Vaporizer and liquid delivery system using same
FR2778969B1 (en) 1998-05-25 2000-08-18 Claude Brenot STEAM GENERATOR WITH DIRECT EVAPORATION TRAY
FR2818734B1 (en) * 2000-12-22 2005-07-22 Rowenta Werke Gmbh INSTANTANEOUS STEAM GENERATOR
IT1394382B1 (en) * 2009-06-23 2012-06-15 Dierre Finanziaria S P A INSTANT STEAM GENERATOR
CN104776418B (en) * 2014-01-10 2017-01-25 台州市大江实业有限公司 Column body structure of saturated water generation device
CN104776413B (en) 2014-01-10 2017-12-01 台州市大江实业有限公司 System occurs for a kind of steam power
CN104776414B (en) 2014-01-10 2017-02-08 台州市大江实业有限公司 Steam power generation system and method
CN104776415B (en) * 2014-01-10 2017-01-04 台州市大江实业有限公司 Saturated water generating device
EP3132653A4 (en) 2014-04-16 2018-06-06 Spectrum Brands, Inc. Portable container system for heating a beverage
WO2015160890A1 (en) * 2014-04-16 2015-10-22 Spectrum Brands, Inc. Cooking appliance using thin-film heating element
HUE040158T2 (en) * 2014-08-26 2019-02-28 Koninklijke Philips Nv Steam iron
CN108779601B (en) * 2016-05-02 2020-02-11 皇家飞利浦有限公司 Steam iron with thermal bridge device

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US1150355A (en) * 1914-12-08 1915-08-17 Edwin F French Garment-pressing machine.
US1680608A (en) * 1925-08-03 1928-08-14 Garbutt Allie Glenn Flash boiler
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WO1979000408A1 (en) * 1977-12-19 1979-07-12 C Brenot Steam ironing press

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2462654B1 (en) 1982-05-14
ATE3905T1 (en) 1983-07-15
DE3063884D1 (en) 1983-07-28
US4352252A (en) 1982-10-05
FR2462654A1 (en) 1981-02-13
EP0023855A1 (en) 1981-02-11

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