EP1019655B1 - Process for restoring the level of water in boilers of steam generating machines - Google Patents

Process for restoring the level of water in boilers of steam generating machines Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1019655B1
EP1019655B1 EP98948940A EP98948940A EP1019655B1 EP 1019655 B1 EP1019655 B1 EP 1019655B1 EP 98948940 A EP98948940 A EP 98948940A EP 98948940 A EP98948940 A EP 98948940A EP 1019655 B1 EP1019655 B1 EP 1019655B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pump
boiler
water
level
starting
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP98948940A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1019655A1 (en
Inventor
Gianluigi Comelli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vapor Service Srl
Original Assignee
Vapor Service Srl
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vapor Service Srl filed Critical Vapor Service Srl
Publication of EP1019655A1 publication Critical patent/EP1019655A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1019655B1 publication Critical patent/EP1019655B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process for restoring the level of water in boilers of steam generating machines.
  • the invention applies to the steam generating machines to be associated with various appliances such as flatirons, cleaning devices, air humidifiers, etc., and is directed to obtain a controlled and precise filling of the boiler in order to ensure that the functioning of the steam generator is always in condition of best efficiency.
  • Steam generators are known incorporating a boiler constituted by an hermetically closed container tank, provided with heating resistors having the function of transforming the water into steam.
  • the known boilers normally have a level sensor which provides to disconnect the resistors as soon as the level of the water reaches a predetermined minimum level, as well as to signal to the user such condition so that he can provide for the manual filling of the boiler.
  • Document DE 37 20 583 A1 discloses a process for restoring the level of water in a boiler of a steam generating machine of the type comprising a boiler, an auxiliary water supply, a pump connecting the auxiliary water supply to the boiler, means for detecting a predetermined minimum level of water inside the boiler and a control device for controlling the operation of the pump. According to the cited prior art document, whenever the minimum level of water inside the boiler is detected, the pump is operated for a predetermined constant operating time.
  • Document US 4 948 947 A discloses a process for restoring the level of water in a boiler of a steam generating machine of the type comprising a boiler, an auxiliary water supply, a pump connecting the auxiliary water supply to the boiler, means for detecting a predetermined minimum level of water inside the boiler, means for detecting a predetermined maximum level of water inside the boiler and a control device for controlling the operation of the pump. Whenever the water level inside the boiler reaches the minimum level the pump is started and it is stopped when the water reaches the maximum level.
  • a process for restoring the level of water in a boiler of a steam generating machine of the type comprising a boiler, an auxiliary water tank, a pump connecting the auxiliary water tank to the boiler, means for detecting a predetermined minimum level of water inside the boiler and a control device for controlling the operation of the pump, the said process comprising the following steps:
  • reference numeral 10 indicates generically a detail of a steam generating machine using the process for restoring the level of water in the boiler 11, according to the process according to the invention.
  • Said machine 10 includes a water containing auxiliary tank 12 connected to a pump 13 connected to the boiler 11 through an inlet 14.
  • the water of the tank 12 is introduced, at command, through the pump 13 to fill the boiler 11, where it is progressively heated and then led to evaporation by the electric heating resistor 15 to generate steam which is supplied to the appliance (not shown) through the delivery outlet 16.
  • the pump 13 is automatically operated, by a starting and control device 17, any time the water in the boiler 11 reaches a predetermined minimum level L0 which is calculated in such a manner to maintain the electric resistor 15 always submerged.
  • the reaching of said minimum level L0 is detected by the same inlet conduit 14 which acts as conduction probe as the water level reaches its lower edge 18.
  • the operation of the pump 13 is operatively controlled by the pressure measuring device 19 which, by utilising the continuously detected value of the pressure inside the boiler 11, controls the pump 13, through said starting and control device, to cause the said pump to modify its operating time according to the value of said pressure.
  • the flow rate of the pump 13 is variable depending upon the variation of the pressure in the boiler 11 and changes continuously, during the refilling operations, according to the variation of the quantity of water contained in the boiler 11.
  • the detection of the flow rate of the pump 13 according to the pressure in the boiler 11 allows to ensure under any circumstance and at any time the control of the filling conditions, by modifying the time of operation of the pump 13 to ensure the exact reaching of the maximum level L1.
  • Such detection of the flow rate which is based on the characteristic pressure/flow rate curve of the specific pump 13 used, according to a first solution occurs in a substantially continuous way.
  • said detection occurs with a desired frequency, for instance every second, also depending upon the mechanical features of the pump 13.
  • an instantaneous flow rate reader 21 On the feeding duct connecting the pump 13 to the boiler 11 there is arranged an instantaneous flow rate reader 21.
  • Said reader 21 continuously detects the real instantaneous flow rate of the pump 13, as it changes according to the pressure within the boiler 11, and controls in feedback the starting and control device 17 in such a manner that it modifies the operating time of the pump 13 in order to obtain the desired and precise filling under any operating condition.

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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)
  • Control Of Steam Boilers And Waste-Gas Boilers (AREA)
  • Control Of Non-Electrical Variables (AREA)
  • Engine Equipment That Uses Special Cycles (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for restoring the level of water in boilers (11) of steam generating machines (10) to be associated with appliances such as flatirons, cleaning devices, etc. The steam generating machines comprise a boiler (11), an auxiliary water tank (12), a pump (13) connecting said auxiliary water tank (12) to said boiler (11), a starting and control device (17) for starting and controlling the operation of said pump (13), said starting and control device (17) being associated to means (14) for detecting a predetermined minimum level (L0) of water inside the boiler (11). The operation of the pump (13) is operatively associated with the value of the instantaneous pressure existing at the interior of the boiler (11).

Description

The present invention relates to a process for restoring the level of water in boilers of steam generating machines.
The invention applies to the steam generating machines to be associated with various appliances such as flatirons, cleaning devices, air humidifiers, etc., and is directed to obtain a controlled and precise filling of the boiler in order to ensure that the functioning of the steam generator is always in condition of best efficiency.
Steam generators are known incorporating a boiler constituted by an hermetically closed container tank, provided with heating resistors having the function of transforming the water into steam.
The known boilers normally have a level sensor which provides to disconnect the resistors as soon as the level of the water reaches a predetermined minimum level, as well as to signal to the user such condition so that he can provide for the manual filling of the boiler.
The addition of new water is possible only when said boilers have cooled down or when the steam within them has lost its pressure.
Presently it has been proposed to use, in co-operation with said boilers and within a single casing, auxiliary water tanks which, through pumps started by an input from said level sensor, automatically supply the boiler as soon as the water goes below the said minimum level.
This allows to avoid the waiting times for the cooling of the boiler and/or the waiting times for the lowering of the steam pressure, to reduce the time required to bring the water in the boiler to evaporation temperature, to ensure more safety for the user and to spare the manual filling operations.
According to Italian patent application No. UD 96 A 000 224 published 22 May 1998 in the name of the same applicant as in the present invention, there has been proposed a steam generator with automatic refilling, capable to be set for operating with two functions depending upon the desire of the user. a first function operation with fractioned and frequent automatic restoration of the water and a second function operation with the restoration of the water through the same pump substantially for the total useful capacity of the boiler, which is normally at about 2/3 of its inner volume.
Nevertheless it has occurred a problem with the filling of the boiler in the second function operation. It is, in fact, known that the pump flow rate is a function of the pressure in the container to which the water is fed.
In such a situation, a control based on the pump operation time to effect the filling has resulted to be inaccurate since the water quantity introduced through the pump, in a same period of time, changes depending from the pressure inside the boiler.
This causes operating problems due to the fact that if the boiler is filled too much or to little, with respect to the pre-established maximum level, the working conditions of the appliance connected to the steam generator are not optimal, since there can be produced steam which results to be excessively humid, or scarcely humid, for an effective use.
Document DE 37 20 583 A1 discloses a process for restoring the level of water in a boiler of a steam generating machine of the type comprising a boiler, an auxiliary water supply, a pump connecting the auxiliary water supply to the boiler, means for detecting a predetermined minimum level of water inside the boiler and a control device for controlling the operation of the pump. According to the cited prior art document, whenever the minimum level of water inside the boiler is detected, the pump is operated for a predetermined constant operating time.
Document US 4 948 947 A discloses a process for restoring the level of water in a boiler of a steam generating machine of the type comprising a boiler, an auxiliary water supply, a pump connecting the auxiliary water supply to the boiler, means for detecting a predetermined minimum level of water inside the boiler, means for detecting a predetermined maximum level of water inside the boiler and a control device for controlling the operation of the pump. Whenever the water level inside the boiler reaches the minimum level the pump is started and it is stopped when the water reaches the maximum level.
According to the present invention, there is provided for a process for restoring the level of water in a boiler of a steam generating machine of the type comprising a boiler, an auxiliary water tank, a pump connecting the auxiliary water tank to the boiler, means for detecting a predetermined minimum level of water inside the boiler and a control device for controlling the operation of the pump, the said process comprising the following steps:
  • starting the pump when detecting that the water reaches the predetermined minimum level,
  • detecting the actual pressure within the boiler or the flow rate of the water delivered by the pump to the boiler,
  • determining, on the basis of the detected flow rate or pressure, a pump operating time required for the water to reach a desired maximum filling level in the boiler, and
  • operating the pump for the determined operating time.
Further features of the invention will be apparent form the following detailed description of two preferred embodiments made with reference to the figures of the attached drawing, in which:
  • Figure 1 schematically shows the means for carrying out the process according to the invention;
  • Figure 2 shows a modified embodiment for carrying out the process of the invention.
    • In the figures, reference numeral 10 indicates generically a detail of a steam generating machine using the process for restoring the level of water in the boiler 11, according to the process according to the invention.
    Said machine 10 includes a water containing auxiliary tank 12 connected to a pump 13 connected to the boiler 11 through an inlet 14. The water of the tank 12 is introduced, at command, through the pump 13 to fill the boiler 11, where it is progressively heated and then led to evaporation by the electric heating resistor 15 to generate steam which is supplied to the appliance (not shown) through the delivery outlet 16.
    The pump 13 is automatically operated, by a starting and control device 17, any time the water in the boiler 11 reaches a predetermined minimum level L0 which is calculated in such a manner to maintain the electric resistor 15 always submerged.
    In the specific case, the reaching of said minimum level L0 is detected by the same inlet conduit 14 which acts as conduction probe as the water level reaches its lower edge 18.
    In the embodiment according to Figure 1, whenever the said level L0 is reached the pump 13 is started and operated for the time, checked by the timer 20, which is necessary for reaching the level L1 corresponding to a desired filling maximum level.
    In the specific case, the operation of the pump 13 is operatively controlled by the pressure measuring device 19 which, by utilising the continuously detected value of the pressure inside the boiler 11, controls the pump 13, through said starting and control device, to cause the said pump to modify its operating time according to the value of said pressure.
    The flow rate of the pump 13 is variable depending upon the variation of the pressure in the boiler 11 and changes continuously, during the refilling operations, according to the variation of the quantity of water contained in the boiler 11.
    The detection of the flow rate of the pump 13 according to the pressure in the boiler 11 allows to ensure under any circumstance and at any time the control of the filling conditions, by modifying the time of operation of the pump 13 to ensure the exact reaching of the maximum level L1.
    Such detection of the flow rate, which is based on the characteristic pressure/flow rate curve of the specific pump 13 used, according to a first solution occurs in a substantially continuous way.
    According to another solution, said detection occurs with a desired frequency, for instance every second, also depending upon the mechanical features of the pump 13.
    According to a modified embodiment, shown in Figure 2, on the feeding duct connecting the pump 13 to the boiler 11 there is arranged an instantaneous flow rate reader 21.
    Said reader 21 continuously detects the real instantaneous flow rate of the pump 13, as it changes according to the pressure within the boiler 11, and controls in feedback the starting and control device 17 in such a manner that it modifies the operating time of the pump 13 in order to obtain the desired and precise filling under any operating condition.

    Claims (5)

    1. A process for restoring the level of water in a boiler (11) of a steam generating machine (10) of the type comprising a boiler (11), an auxiliary water tank (12), a pump (13) connecting the auxiliary water tank (12) to the boiler (11) means (14) for detecting a predetermined minimum level (L0) of water inside the boiler (11) and a control device (17) for controlling the operation of the pump (13),
      the process comprising:
      starting the pump (13) when detecting that the water reaches the predetermined minimum level (L0),
      detecting the actual pressure within the boiler (11) or the flow rate of the water delivered by the pump (13) to the boiler (11),
      determining, on the basis of the detected flow rate or pressure, a pump operating time required for the water to reach a desired maximum filling level (L1) in the boiler (11), and
      operating the pump (13) for the determined operating time.
    2. A process according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the instantaneous pressure within the boiler (11) is continuously detected by a pressure measuring device (19) connected in feedback to the starting and control device (17) of the pump (13).
    3. A process according to claim 2, characterized in that the corrections of the operating times of the pump (13) are effected in a continuous manner.
    4. A process according to claim 2, characterized in that the corrections of the operating times of the pump (13) are periodically made at any desired frequency.
    5. A process according to claim 1, characterized in that the operation of the pump (13) is operatively connected with a flow rate reader (21) positioned at the delivery outlet of the said pump and connected in feedback to the starting and control device (17).
    EP98948940A 1997-09-30 1998-09-08 Process for restoring the level of water in boilers of steam generating machines Expired - Lifetime EP1019655B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (3)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    IT97UD000173A IT1295505B1 (en) 1997-09-30 1997-09-30 MAKE-UP PROCEDURE FOR BOILERS IN STEAM GENERATION MACHINES
    ITUD970173U 1997-09-30
    PCT/EP1998/005728 WO1999017056A1 (en) 1997-09-30 1998-09-08 Process for restoring the level of water in boilers of steam generating machines

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1019655A1 EP1019655A1 (en) 2000-07-19
    EP1019655B1 true EP1019655B1 (en) 2002-10-23

    Family

    ID=11422470

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP98948940A Expired - Lifetime EP1019655B1 (en) 1997-09-30 1998-09-08 Process for restoring the level of water in boilers of steam generating machines

    Country Status (8)

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    EP (1) EP1019655B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE226704T1 (en)
    AU (1) AU9538498A (en)
    DE (1) DE69808955T2 (en)
    ES (1) ES2184325T3 (en)
    HR (1) HRP20000246B1 (en)
    IT (1) IT1295505B1 (en)
    WO (1) WO1999017056A1 (en)

    Cited By (1)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    EP4356793A1 (en) * 2022-10-03 2024-04-24 Whirlpool Corporation Liquid level estimation in a steam generation system

    Families Citing this family (7)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    SE0202988D0 (en) † 2002-03-15 2002-10-10 Delaval Holding Ab A method and an arrangement at a dairy farm
    DE102009055144A1 (en) * 2009-12-22 2011-06-30 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, 81739 Steam generating unit for a household appliance and method for generating water vapor
    GB201017461D0 (en) 2010-10-15 2010-12-01 Strix Ltd Electric steam generation
    DE102011006766B4 (en) * 2011-04-05 2014-12-04 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Steam generator and method for controlling the water supply of the steam generator
    DE102012100070A1 (en) * 2012-01-05 2013-07-11 Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg Steam cleaner
    CN104822988B (en) 2012-12-05 2016-10-26 金诺儿 There is the electrode boiler of electrode unit
    CN114278917B (en) * 2022-03-04 2022-11-11 福建新瓦特科技有限公司 Water inlet control method of steam generation system

    Family Cites Families (4)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    DE3720583A1 (en) * 1987-06-22 1989-01-05 Riba Guenther Steam generator with blow-down device
    US4948947A (en) * 1988-07-26 1990-08-14 Pacific Steam Equipment, Inc. Steam 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
    IT1278873B1 (en) * 1995-12-07 1997-11-28 Giuliano Franchini QUICK STEAM PRODUCTION BOILER

    Cited By (1)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    EP4356793A1 (en) * 2022-10-03 2024-04-24 Whirlpool Corporation Liquid level estimation in a steam generation system

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    ATE226704T1 (en) 2002-11-15
    DE69808955D1 (en) 2002-11-28
    DE69808955T2 (en) 2003-11-06
    EP1019655A1 (en) 2000-07-19
    IT1295505B1 (en) 1999-05-12
    ITUD970173A1 (en) 1999-03-30
    WO1999017056A1 (en) 1999-04-08
    HRP20000246A2 (en) 2001-02-28
    AU9538498A (en) 1999-04-23
    HRP20000246B1 (en) 2009-03-31
    ES2184325T3 (en) 2003-04-01

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