JPH094803A - Steam generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a steam generator for domestic use and industrial use, which is efficient in evaporation, compact, capable of obtaining steam different in characteristics from steam having high humidity to the steam having high dryness, preventing the corrosion of liquid, heated and evaporated, and prominent in durability. CONSTITUTION: This steam generator is constituted of a steam generating boiler body 10, heating and evaporating liquid, a boiler body heating means 14, provided around the steam generating boiler body 10, and a liquid supplying means 18, supplying liquid to the steam generating boiler body 10. Further, the boiler heating means 14 is constituted so as to heat the steam generating boiler body 10 by an exciting coil through induction heating.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a food processing process such as thawing and cooking foods for home and business, air conditioning, indoor cleaning,
The present invention relates to a steam and hot air generator used for clothes pressing, sterilization and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional steam generator is a tank 1 formed of a magnetic material such as steel, as shown in FIG. 10 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-123790, and a tank is heated below the tank. The induction heating coil 2 and the tank 1 are provided with a water storage tank 4 having an opening / closing valve 3 at the bottom.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, since the portion of the bottom surface which is in contact with water of the metal material serving as the heating element is a flat surface, the heat radiation area is limited, and when the evaporation amount is increased, the bottom area is reduced. As the size of the steam generator increases, it becomes difficult to attach the steam generator to the outside of a cooking device such as a microwave oven.

Further, the steam generated is wet steam in a saturated state at 100 ° C. Therefore, it was not possible to obtain steam with high dryness required for steam drying, sterilization and the like.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems. It is possible to efficiently and stably obtain vapors having different characteristics, from vapors having high wetness to vapors having high dryness, with a small apparatus, and to heat and evaporate the vapor. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a steam generator having excellent durability by preventing the corrosion of the generated liquid.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention achieves the above object by means of a vapor generating can body for heating and vaporizing a liquid, a heating means provided around the can body, and a liquid supplying means for supplying the liquid to the vapor generating can body. And form a steam generator.

The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the heating means comprises an exciting coil provided around the steam generating can body.

The liquid supply means has a control valve structure having a flow rate control function capable of adjusting the heating evaporation amount of the liquid and the heating amount of the vapor. Further, it is configured by a pump having a pump function capable of pumping liquid.

On the surface of the steam generating can body is formed a fluororesin film, a metal oxide layer and a water resistant metal layer having a function of preventing the corrosion of the liquid heated and evaporated.

Further, a liquid level sensor is installed which is branched from the supply pipe and detects the liquid level height in the steam generating can.

Further, the liquid level sensor includes a detection chamber branched from the liquid supply pipe to introduce the liquid, a detection prism mounted in the detection chamber, a light emitting element for sending light to the detection prism, and a light receiving element for receiving light from the prism. An optical transmission / reception optical transmission tube for performing photoelectric transmission is provided between each of the elements and the detection prism.

[0012]

According to the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, when the liquid supply means is opened, the liquid is sent from the liquid supply pipe to the steam generating can body. When the liquid level in the steam generating can reaches the set position, alternating current is supplied to the exciting coil. When alternating current is supplied to the exciting coil, the magnetic lines of force generated by the exciting coil penetrate through the steam generating can body. When the direction of the lines of magnetic force changes according to the cycle of the supplied alternating current, an electric force that acts to prevent the change of the lines of magnetic force acts on the steam generating can body, and in the steam generating can body, the direction opposite to the coil current flows. Is induced. The steam generating can body is heated by this induced current. The liquid in the vapor generating can is heated and vaporized to become vapor. Further, the steam is heated by the exciting coil part wound above the liquid surface of the can body, becomes heated steam, flows out from the outflow port, and is sent to the use place.

Further, the liquid supply means having a flow rate control function provided in the middle of the supply pipe controls the liquid supply amount and changes the liquid surface height in the steam generating can body to heat the steam generation amount and steam. The degree is adjusted.

A pump having a liquid pressure feeding function provided in the middle of the supply pipe controls the supply and the supply amount of the liquid from the liquid supply source having no pressure source to the inside of the vapor generating can.

The surface of the steam generating can is protected by a fluororesin film, and the liquid flowing from the supply pipe into the steam generating can evaporates without causing corrosion such as oxidation or electrolytic corrosion on the inner surface of the can.

Further, due to the physical and chemical stability of the metal oxide layer on the surface of the steam generating can body,
The liquid evaporates without causing corrosion such as oxidation and electrolytic corrosion.
In the steam heating section above the liquid surface of the steam generating can body, the steam is heated without causing deterioration of the steam generating can body due to the physical stability of the metal oxide layer at high temperatures.

Also in the steam generating can body whose surface is protected by a corrosion resistant metal layer, the liquid flowing into the steam generating can body from the supply pipe causes corrosion such as oxidation and electrolytic corrosion on the inner surface of the can in the same manner as described above. Evaporate without.

In the structure in which the liquid level sensor for detecting the liquid level inside the steam generating can is installed branching from the supply pipe, the liquid is sent from the liquid supplying pipe to the steam generating can when the liquid supply means is opened. , The liquid level inside the steam generating can stops at the position set by the liquid level sensor. When the liquid level reaches a predetermined level, alternating current is supplied to the exciting coil, and the alternating magnetic field generated heats the steam generating can body. The liquid is heated and evaporated by the heat generated by the can body. The generated steam is heated by the exciting coil part wound above the liquid level sensor level and flows out as heated steam. When vapor generation progresses and the liquid level decreases, the liquid level sensor operates and the liquid level is automatically kept constant, so that the ratio between the amount of steam generated and the degree of heating is kept constant.

Further, in the liquid level sensor composed of the detection prism, the light emitting element and the light receiving element, when the liquid is supplied from the supply pipe and the liquid level in the vapor generating can does not reach the detection prism, the light is emitted from the light emitting element. The received light is reflected by the detection prism. A signal is emitted from the light receiving element of the reflected light, the on-off valve is opened, and the liquid supply is continued. When the liquid supply continues and the liquid level reaches the position of the detection prism,
The light emitted from the light emitting element goes straight through the detection prism, the signal from the light receiving element is stopped, the liquid supply means is closed, the liquid supply is stopped, and the liquid surface is kept constant.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

In the figure, 10 is a steam generating can body for heating and vaporizing water (liquid), a liquid supply pipe 11 for supplying a liquid to the steam generating can body at a lower part, and a steam outflow pipe 12 for sending a steam to a use place at an upper part. Are connected. An exciting coil 14, which is a means for heating the steam generating can body, is wound around the steam generating can body 10 in the vertical direction with a heat insulating material 13 interposed therebetween. On the supply side of the liquid supply pipe 11, a water tank 16 for holding the liquid surface in a pressure balance with the atmospheric pressure via a flexible pipe 15 and a water tray 1
7 connected to a water supply. An on-off valve 18 is provided in the middle of the liquid supply pipe 11 and is used as a liquid supply means for adjusting the supply of water to the steam generating can body 10.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a height adjustment table for the water tank 16 and the water tray 17, which is composed of a fixed table 20, a movable table 21 and a position fixing bolt 22. L1 is a steam generating can body 10
When the open / close valve is opened at the surface of the water, it becomes the same as the water surface of the water tray 16.

In the above structure, when the on-off valve 18 opens,
The water in the water tank 16 flows from the water pan 17 to the liquid supply pipe 11
Is sent to the steam generating can body 10. Steam generator can 10
The water supply to the plant stops when the water level reaches the position of L1. When the water supply reaches the set position, a power supply device (not shown) is started and AC power is sent to the exciting coil 14. The exciting coil 14 generates an alternating magnetic field line around by the sent alternating current. This alternating magnetic field line is the steam generating can body 1
Penetrate through 0. When the direction of the magnetic lines of force changes according to the cycle of the supplied alternating current, an electric force for preventing the change of the magnetic lines of force acts on the steam generating can body 10, and a coil current is generated in the steam generating can body 10. A reverse current is induced. Due to this induced current, the steam generating can body 10 generates heat and the water in the can body is heated. As the heating progresses, the water vaporizes and the space above the water level L1 of the steam generating can body 10 is filled with steam. Since the steam generating can body 10 filled with steam is also heated by the induction current, the steam filled in the can body is further heated. As a result of this heating, the steam becomes heated steam and is sent from the outflow pipe 12 to the use place.

Further, the water level L1 of the steam generating can body 10 moves the movable table 21 of the height adjusting table 19 up and down to raise the bolt 22.
It can be adjusted to any position by fixing with. With this water level adjusting means, it is possible to adjust the ratio between the steam generation amount and the steam heating degree in the steam generating can body 10.

According to the structure of this embodiment, since the heating and vaporizing part of the water is in the form of a can, the structure corresponds to a part of the water channel, and the steam generator can be downsized. Further, since the steam generating can body 10 is heated over the entire length of the can body, steam can be efficiently generated and heated, and the water level L in the can body is increased.
Since 1 is placed at the position where the exciting coil is divided, heating of the steam is also performed at the same time, and steam with a high degree of dryness can be instantly generated.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the liquid supply means 18 has a flow rate control function, and a valve portion is constituted by a main body 25 having an inflow port 23 and an outflow port 24 and a rotary closure 26. Two
Reference numeral 7 is a motor for driving the rotary closure 26. Inlet 23
The liquid supply pipe 11 directly connected to is connected to a water supply source such as water supply.

In the above structure, the motor 27 closes the closure 2
When 6 rotates and the water channel is opened, water is sent to the steam generating can body 10 by the pressure of the water supply source. When the water level to the steam generating can body 10 reaches a position in the region where the exciting coil 14 is wound up, the power supply device is started, AC power is sent to the exciting coil 14, and the steam generating can body 10 receives an AC magnetic field. An induced current is induced by. Due to the heat generation of the steam generating can body 10 due to the induced current, the water in the can body is heated and vaporized as in the above embodiment. Further, in the space above the water level of the steam generating can body 10, the steam is further heated and becomes heated steam and is sent from the outflow pipe 12 to the use place. The water level in the steam generating can body 10 is set by adjusting the water supply amount by changing the opening degree of the closure 26.

According to the structure of this embodiment, since the water level in the steam generating can body 10 can be adjusted by controlling the flow rate of the liquid supply means 18, the dryness and heating degree of the steam can be adjusted by a simple operation. .

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the liquid supply means 18 has a liquid pressure feeding function, and 28 is a housing having an inflow port 29 and an outflow port 30. A plunger 31 and a check valve 32 that reciprocate are arranged in the housing 28. Reference numeral 33 is an exciting coil for driving the plunger 31. The liquid supply pipe 11 directly connected to the inflow port 29 is connected to a water supply source having no water pressure, such as a water storage tank.

In the above structure, when a pulse current is supplied from the power source to the exciting coil 33, the plunger 31 starts reciprocating motion. A pumping action is induced by the change in volume in the housing 28 due to the reciprocating movement of the plunger 31 and the check valve 32. By this pumping action, water is sent from the water storage tank of the water supply source to the steam generating can body 10. When the water level to the steam generating can body 10 reaches a position in the region where the exciting coil 14 is wound up, the power supply device is started in the same manner as described above, AC power is sent to the exciting coil 14, and the steam generating can body 10 receives an alternating current. Induction current is induced by the magnetic field. This induced current causes the steam generating can body 10 to generate heat, and the water in the can body is heated and vaporized. Furthermore, in the space above the water level of the steam generating can body 10,
The steam is further heated and becomes heated steam and is sent from the outflow pipe 12 to the use place. The water level in the steam generating can 10 is set by adjusting the water supply amount by changing the cycle of the pulse current sent to the exciting coil 33.

According to the structure of this embodiment, since the water level in the steam generating can body 10 can be adjusted by controlling the pumping amount of the liquid supply means 18, the dryness and the heating degree of the steam can be adjusted by a simple operation. You can Further, the liquid supply source may be a water storage tank having no pressure source due to the suction and pumping action of the pump, and the degree of freedom in selecting the liquid supply source is expanded.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the material and surface treatment of the steam generating can body 10. The steam generating can body 10 is composed of an iron can body 34 which is a magnetic material, and the inner surface is coated with a fluororesin film 35. A metal plating layer 36 is formed on the outside.

In the above structure, the iron can body 34 constituting the steam generating can body 10 is heated by the induced current, and the water in the can body 34 is heated and vaporized on the surface of the fluororesin film 35. Further, the steam is heated to a high temperature in the upper portion of the iron can body 34 and becomes heated steam and is sent from the outflow pipe 12 to the use place. In this way, the iron can body 34 evaporates water and heats the steam without coming into contact with water and steam.

According to the configuration of this embodiment, since the steam generating can body 10 is an iron material having good magnetic characteristics, the exciting coil 14
Magnetic coupling with is good, and the induction current generation efficiency is improved. Further, since there is no part in contact with iron, water and steam, it is possible to prevent corrosion such as rust.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the material and surface treatment of the steam generating can body 10. The steam generating can body 10 is composed of an iron can body 34 which is a magnetic material. 37 is a metal oxide layer of titanium oxide formed by plasma impact on the inner surface of the iron can body 34,
38 is an alloy layer of iron and titanium. A metal plating layer 36 is formed on the outer side of the iron can body 34.

In the above structure, the iron can body 34, which is the steam generating can body 10, is heated by the induced current, and the water in the can body 34 is heated and vaporized on the surface of the metal oxide layer 37 of titanium oxide.
Further, the steam is heated to a high temperature in the upper portion of the iron can body 34 and becomes heated steam and is sent from the outflow pipe 12 to the use place. In this way, heating of water, evaporation and heating of steam are performed on the surface of the titanium oxide layer 37.

According to the structure of this embodiment, since the metal oxide layer 37 of titanium oxide is stable even in a high temperature state, it is possible to generate high temperature and high dry steam without causing corrosion of iron. .

Further, by forming a water resistant metal layer of nickel, chromium or the like on the inner surface of the steam generating can body 10 by plating, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of corrosion during heating, evaporation and steam heating of water.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment in which the same parts as those in the above embodiment use the same numbers. A liquid level sensor 39 introduces the liquid through the branch pipe 40 from the liquid supply pipe 11. 41 is a float chamber, 42 is a float with magnetism,
Reference numeral 43 is a detector tube in which a reed switch is inserted, and 44 is a lead wire. Atmosphere communication pipe 45 is provided above the float chamber 41.
Is provided. Reference numeral 46 is a valve provided in the water source.

In the above structure, when the liquid supply means 18 is opened and water is sent to the steam generating can body 10 through the liquid supply pipe 11, part of the water flows into the float chamber 41 from the branch pipe 40. The water supply to the steam generating can body 10 progresses, and the float 42
Floats, and the reed switch of the detector tube 43 floats on the float 42.
When it is closed by the magnetism, the water level detection signal is emitted and the liquid supply means 18 is closed, and the water level L2 in the steam generating can body 10 becomes the same water level as the float chamber 41 water level L3 and the water supply is stopped. . When the water supply is stopped, a power supply device (not shown) is started and AC power is sent to the exciting coil 14. When the direction of the magnetic line of force changes in accordance with the cycle of the AC power, an electric force for preventing the change of the magnetic line of force acts in the steam generating can body 10 to induce a current in the direction opposite to the coil current. Due to this induced current, the steam generating can body 10 generates heat and the water in the can body is heated. As the heating progresses, the water vaporizes and is further heated in the space above the water level L2 of the steam generating can body 10, and the steam becomes heated steam and is sent from the outflow pipe 12 to the use place.

When the water level in the steam generating can body 10 is lowered due to vaporization, the float 42 is lowered and the reed switch of the detection pipe 43 is opened, a detection signal of water level drop is issued, the liquid supply means 18 is opened, and water is supplied. . By repeating this, the water level in the steam generating can body 10 is always maintained at a constant water level, and the ratio between the evaporation of water and the heating degree is also constant.

According to the configuration of this embodiment, the steam generating can body 1 is irrespective of the water pressure of the water supply source and the control performance of the liquid supply means.
The water level within 0 can be made constant. As a result, the amount of water evaporation can be adjusted by changing the supplied power while keeping the ratio of water evaporation and heating degree constant.

7, 8 and 9 show another embodiment of the liquid level sensor, 47 is a detection chamber into which liquid is introduced from the liquid supply pipe 11 through the branch pipe 40, and 48 is an atmosphere communication pipe. In the detection chamber 47, a detection body including a detection prism 49, a light transmission tube 50, and a light transmission / reception tube 51 is mounted. Reference numeral 52 is a light emitting element, and 53 is a light receiving element. Fi is transmission light and Fr is reception light.

In the above structure, in the state before the liquid supply means 18 is opened and the water flows into the detection chamber 47, the light sent from the light emitting element 52 is incident on the detection prism 49, and then is entirely reflected by the prism inclined surface. The reflected light enters the light receiving tube 51 (FIG. 8 Fi, Fr) and reaches the light receiving element 53. Light receiving element 5
3 receives this light, sends a signal of water supply to the liquid supply means 18, and water supply is continued. When water is supplied to the steam generating can 10, water flows from the branch pipe 47 into the detection chamber 47, and the detection prism 49 is in the submerged position, the light incident on the detection prism 49 goes straight (FIG. 9FS), Light receiving element 53
Loss of light reception at. In response to the stop of light reception by the light receiving element 53, a water supply stop signal is sent to the liquid supply means 18, and water supply is stopped. By repeating the above operation, the water level of the steam generating can body 10 is kept constant.

According to the structure of this embodiment, the liquid level sensor can be downsized and can be mounted vertically and horizontally, so that the entire apparatus can be made compact. Also, since there are no moving parts, reliability is increased and safety protection parts are reduced.

[0046]

From the above description, the steam generator of the present invention has the following effects. The heating and vaporizing part of water has a pipe shape and can be integrated with the water channel, so that the steam generator becomes small and compact. Further, since the steam generating can body 10 is heated over the entire length of the can body, steam can be efficiently generated and heated, and the steam is heated at the same time by setting the water level in the can body so as to divide the exciting coil. , It is possible to instantly generate steam with high dryness.

2. By adjusting the water level in the steam generating can by controlling the flow rate of the liquid supply means, it is possible to adjust the dryness and heating degree of the steam. It can be used for a wide range of applications such as cooking that requires high wetness steam, sterilization that requires high dryness steam for food preservation, and drying.

3. Since the water level inside the steam generating can can be adjusted by controlling the pumping amount of the liquid supply means, the dryness and heating degree of the steam can be adjusted by a simple operation. In addition, the liquid supply source may be a water storage tank having no pressure source due to the pumping and pumping action of the pump, and the installation of the tank is not limited in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the degree of freedom in selecting the liquid supply source is widened.

4. Fluorine resin layer, metal oxide film layer, and metal plating layer are formed on magnetic material such as iron to form a steam generating can body, so that the exciting coil wound around the steam generating can body and the magnetic circuit are well magnetically coupled. The circuit loss is reduced, and the induction current generation efficiency of the can body is improved. In addition, since there is no part in contact with liquids such as iron and water and gas such as vaporized steam, it is possible to prevent corrosion such as rust generation, so that the steam generating can body can be configured with an inexpensive material. .

5. By forming a metal oxide layer of titanium oxide on the surface of the steam generating can made of a magnetic material such as iron,
Even in a high temperature state, it is possible to generate high-temperature, high-drying heated steam without causing corrosion of iron.

6. By controlling the liquid level in the steam generating can by the liquid level detection sensor, the liquid level in the steam generating can can be maintained at a predetermined position regardless of the pressure of the liquid supply source and the control performance of the liquid supply means. It is possible to generate a stable steam heating degree and a stable steam generation amount. In addition, the amount of evaporation can be adjusted by changing the supplied power without changing the ratio between the evaporation of water and the degree of heating, and steam can be easily supplied according to the load at the place of use.

7. With the liquid level detection configuration based on the light, the liquid level sensor can be downsized, and can be mounted vertically and horizontally, so that the entire apparatus can be made compact.
Further, since there are no moving parts, reliability is increased, and safety protection parts can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the principle of a steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an embodiment of liquid supply means of the steam generator.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the liquid supply means of the steam generator.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a steam generating can of the steam generator.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the steam generating can body of the steam generating apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the principle of a steam generator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a liquid level sensor of the steam generator.

FIG. 8 is an operation model diagram of a liquid level sensor of the steam generator.

FIG. 9 is an operation model diagram of a liquid level sensor of the steam generator.

FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of a conventional steam generator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Steam Generating Canister 11 Liquid Supply Pipe 12 Steam Outflow Pipe 14 Can Body Heating Means 16 Water Tank 18 Liquid Supply Means 39 Liquid Level Sensor

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A steam generator comprising a steam generating can body for heating and vaporizing a liquid, a can body heating means provided around the steam generating can body, and a liquid supplying means for supplying a liquid to the steam generating can body. 2. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the heating means is constituted by an exciting coil provided around the steam generating can body. 3. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply means has a flow rate control function. 4. The vapor generator according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply means has a liquid pressure feeding function. 5. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the steam generating can has a fluororesin film formed on the surface thereof. 6. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the steam generating can body has a metal oxide layer formed on the surface thereof. 7. The steam generating device according to claim 1, wherein the steam generating can body has a water resistant metal layer formed on the surface thereof. 8. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the steam generator is branched from the water supply pipe and is provided with a liquid level sensor for detecting a liquid level position in the steam generating can. 9. A liquid level sensor comprising: a detection chamber into which a liquid is introduced by branching from a liquid supply pipe, a detection prism mounted in the detection chamber, a light emitting element for sending light to the detection prism, and a light receiving element for receiving light from the prism. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the steam generator comprises a transmission / reception optical transmission pipe for each element and a detection prism.