197results about "Electrode boilers" patented technology

A hot beverage brewing apparatus. A pressurized hot liquid delivery system provides liquid under pressure within a range of acceptable brewing temperatures without any mechanical pump. Water is apportioned into sealable tank volumes, one of which is heated to boil the liquid and produce steam under pressure. The pressurized steam displaces the liquid from the tank volumes in proportion and at a temperature that is within the acceptable brewing range. The hot liquid under pressure is directed to a capsule receiving station to infuse a material in a capsule. The capsule dispenses the brewed beverage without contacting the brewing apparatus.

The present invention provides a glow discharge cell comprising an electrically conductive cylindrical vessel having a first end and a second end, and at least one inlet and one outlet; a hollow electrode aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel and extending at least from the first end to the second end of the cylindrical vessel, wherein the hollow electrode has an inlet and an outlet; a first insulator that seals the first end of the cylindrical vessel around the hollow electrode and maintains a substantially equidistant gap between the cylindrical vessel and the hollow electrode; a second insulator that seals the second end of the cylindrical vessel around the hollow electrode and maintains the substantially equidistant gap between the cylindrical vessel and the hollow electrode; a non-conductive granular material disposed within the gap, wherein the non-conductive granular material (a) allows an electrically conductive fluid to flow between the cylindrical vessel and the hollow electrode, and (b) prevents electrical arcing between the cylindrical vessel and the hollow electrode during a electric glow discharge; and wherein the electric glow discharge is created whenever: (a) the glow discharge cell is connected to an electrical power source such that the cylindrical vessel is an anode and the hollow electrode is a cathode, and (b) the electrically conductive fluid is introduced into the gap.

The Direct Electric Resistance Liquid Heater comprises a liquid heating chamber containing a plurality of electrodes. The electrodes are spaced apart to create a plurality of channels through which the liquid to be heated passes. The electrodes are each connected to a power supply by one or more switches. A controller controls the switches based upon data received from a temperature sensor, sensing the temperature of the liquid, and / or an electric current sensor, sensing the current utilized by the liquid heater. Selection of the number and spacing of the electrodes, and the number of switches, provides the controller with various current levels options to apply to the liquid to be heated. The current levels available due to the number and spacing of the electrodes and the number of switches, span the range from minimum current to maximum current such that the controller can incrementally increase or decrease the current applied to the liquid to be heated without disrupting other users of the same power source.

A humidifier configured to determine when the humidifier requires cleaning. The humidifier includes a tank for containing water, a heater for heating the water in the tank to generate steam, and one or more water level sensors for detecting the level of water in the tank, including detecting water at first level and a second level, where the first level is lower than the second level. The humidifier further includes a drain valve for draining water from the tank and a controller. The controller is configured to open the drain valve to drain water from the tank, measure a time interval required for the water to drain from the second level to the first level, and compare the time interval against a threshold value. If the time interval exceeds the threshold value, then the controller is configured to provide an indication to clean the humidifier. Methods are also disclosed.

A steam generating device and a washing machine having the same are disclosed. The steam generating device includes a lower housing including a main portion for receiving a heater, and connecting portions extending outwardly from the main portion, the lower housing defining a water chamber for containing water, an upper housing connected to the connecting portions, the upper housing defining a steam chamber for containing steam, a water level sensor for sensing a level of water contained in the water chamber, and a receptacle for protecting the water level sensor. The receptacle has an opening for allowing water to be introduced into the receptacle, and is substantially aligned with an inner surface of the lower housing or is arranged at a position spaced apart from the heater by a longer distance than the inner surface of the lower housing.

An arc-electrolysis steam generator apparatus and method of use thereof, wherein the steam generator comprises an arc-plasma electrolysis process utilizing a high pressure vessel and electrodes exposed to high frequency, high energy pulses. An inductor is placed around an arc-electrolysis unit, wherein the inductor captures electromagnetic energy and a plasma effect that produces high electrical energy pulses generated by the plasma arc performing work against its own magnetic field; thereby, supplementing the steam energy recovered from water.

There is provided a method for electrically energizing and heating a platinum or platinum-alloy composite tube structure having a structure including a first main tube, a second main tube, and a branch tube connecting the first main tube and the second main tube, which prevents a local part of the branch tube from being electrically energized and heated in an excessive or insufficient manner. There is provided a method for electrically energizing and heating a platinum or platinum-alloy composite tube structure having a structure including a first main tube, a second main tube, and a branch tube connecting the first main tube and the second main tube, the method comprising dividing an energizing path for the branch tube into a first energizing path from the first main tube to the branch tube and a second energizing path from the branch tube to the second main tube; and performing energization control for the first energizing path and energization control for the second energizing path independently of each other.

An assembly is provided for heating a liquid, such as coffee. The assembly includes a container in which the liquid is retained, first and second electrodes associated with the container, an energy source with which the container can be engaged such that the first electrode comes into contact with the energy source, and a control circuit for supplying voltage from the energy source to the first electrode so that current will pass from the first electrode through the liquid and to the second electrode. Liquid in the container contacts the first and second electrodes and provides an electrical path from the first electrode to the second electrode.

A hollow tubular body for molten glass in which local-overheating is reduced at the time of conduction heating. The hollow tubular body has a platinum or platinum alloy hollow tube, used for conduction heating, wherein a platinum or platinum alloy ring electrode is joined to the outer circumference of the hollow tube, a lead-out electrode is joined to an outer edge of the ring electrode, and a thick portion is provided in at least the joint portion closest to the lead-out electrode, of the ring electrode and in the vicinity thereof.

A hollow tubular body for molten glass by which local-overheating in the electrode for conduction heating is prevented. A hollow tubular body having a platinum or platinum alloy hollow tube, used for conduction heating is characterized in that a ring electrode is joined to the outer circumference of the hollow tube, at least one lead-out electrode is joined to an outer edge of the ring electrode, and the ring electrode comprises a core portion of electrode of platinum or platinum alloy and a thick portion of platinum or platinum alloy or of a metallic material other than platinum or platinum alloy, provided at an outer side of the core portion of electrode.

The present application relates to apparatus for generating steam. It comprises a water inlet, a evaporation surface, and a heater disposed adjacent to the evaporation surface to heat the evaporation surface to a predetermined temperature such that water fed onto the evaporation surface via the water inlet forms a film on the evaporation surface and is evaporated. The apparatus is configured so that water is fed to one or more regions of the evaporation surface, and the temperature of the water fed onto the evaporation surface is lower than the predetermined temperature, so that scale on the or each region of the evaporation surface to which water is fed cools at a different rate at which water on a remainder of the evaporation surface cools. This causes scale on the evaporation surface to break apart and be dislodged from the evaporation surface.

A steam generator for efficiently generating fine steam particles is provided. Water supplied from a water tank is heated by a heater to generate steam in a steam chamber. The steam generator has a discharge generating portion, which is composed of a pair of electrodes, an intermediate electrode disposed therebetween, and a voltage applying unit for applying a voltage between the electrodes to generate discharges between the electrodes and the intermediate electrode. The steam generated in the steam chamber is exposed to the discharges, so that fine steam particles are efficiently sprayed out from the steam generator.

The application discloses a fully submerged electrode steam boiler with a circulating device. The steam boiler comprises a boiler shell, a partition plate and a heating device; the partition plate isarranged in the boiler shell and divides the boiler shell into a lower half cavity and an upper half cavity which are independent and communicates with each other; the heating device is arranged in the upper half cavity; the lower half cavity is provided with a water replenishing port, and the upper half cavity is provided with a first outlet. The steam boiler also comprises a circulating water inlet, a circulating water outlet and a circulating power device; the circulating water inlet is arranged on the lower half cavity; the circulating water outlet is arranged on the upper half cavity; thecirculating power device is respectively connected with the circulating water inlet and the circulating water outlet; and the circulating power device is used for conveying the water in the upper half cavity to the lower half cavity.

The invention discloses a full-immersion type electrode steam boiler. The full-immersion type electrode steam boiler comprises a shell, wherein a water supplementing opening and a steam outlet are formed in the shell; the full-immersion type electrode steam boiler further comprises phase electrodes and null electrodes, wherein the phase electrodes and the null electrodes are arranged in the shell,and the phase electrodes and the null electrodes are used for jointly heating water in the shell into steam; and when the shell is filled with the water, the phase electrodes and the null electrodesare completely immersed in the water.

A humidifier has a tank (10) and a boiling chamber (12), and a heater (14) disposed in said boiling chamber. Said humidifier tank and said boiling chamber communicate with each other near said boiling chamber's top and again near said boiling chamber's bottom, so that convection and the upward motion of steam bubbles create a circulation of water between said humidifier tank and said boiling chamber. A jet pump (38, 40, 42 & 44) is disposed in said humidifier tank so that said humidifier tank can be emptied with force, and without requiring water and minerals to pass through a drain valve. A boilover tank (54) communicates with said humidifier tank at a vertical level above the normal operating water level (48), so that if steam bubbles reach a specific height in said humidifier tank they will spill over into said boilover chamber. Controls are disposed in said boilover tank for monitoring the amount of water in said boilover tank and generating a signal.

A hot beverage brewing apparatus. A pressurized hot liquid delivery system provides liquid under pressure within a range of acceptable brewing temperatures without any mechanical pump. Water is apportioned into sealable tank volumes, one of which is heated to boil the liquid and produce steam under pressure. The pressurized steam displaces the liquid from the tank volumes in proportion and at a temperature that is within the acceptable brewing range. The hot liquid under pressure is directed to a capsule receiving station to infuse a material in a capsule. The capsule dispenses the brewed beverage without contacting the brewing apparatus.

A water level sensor for a steam humidifier. The water level sensor includes a plurality of conductive probes, where the plurality of conductive probes includes at least one common probe and a plurality of water level probes. Each of the conductive probes are separated from each other conductive probe. The water level sensor further includes a non-conductive overmolding covering at least a portion of each of the conductive probes. The non-conductive overmolding defines a flange configured to seal an opening in a tank of the steam humidifier and an electrical connection point configured to receive an electrical connector for providing electrical connections to each of the conductive probes. A steam humidifier is also disclosed.

A humidifier configured to determine when the humidifier requires cleaning. The humidifier includes a tank for containing water, a heater for heating the water in the tank to generate steam, and one or more water level sensors for detecting the level of water in the tank, including detecting water at first level and a second level, where the first level is lower than the second level. The humidifier further includes a drain valve for draining water from the tank and a controller. The controller is configured to open the drain valve to drain water from the tank, measure a time interval required for the water to drain from the second level to the first level, and compare the time interval against a threshold value. If the time interval exceeds the threshold value, then the controller is configured to provide an indication to clean the humidifier. Methods are also disclosed.

The invention relates to an apparatus for heating an electrically conductive fluid, such as potable water, and to a method of heating the same. The heating apparatus includes a plurality of electrodes in an array, and a controller for selectively energizing the plurality of electrodes, in different combinations, to thereby adjust the electrical resistance observed across the electrode array, in order to maximize the current drawn by the apparatus.

A semiconductor processing system includes a gas supply system configured to supply water vapor into a process chamber that accommodates a target substrate. The gas supply system is provided with a gas generating apparatus for generating water vapor from purified water. The gas generating apparatus includes a first vaporizing section configured to spray the purified water along with a carrier gas and heat the purified water, so as to generate preparatory water vapor containing mist, and a second vaporizing section configured to vaporize mist contained in the preparatory water vapor, so as to generate process water vapor from the preparatory water vapor. In the second vaporizing section, a thin film having a mesh structure is disposed across a passage for the preparatory water vapor and configured to trap mist between the first vaporizing section and the process chamber.

An instant water heater utilizing positive temperature coefficient plastic electrically conductive material structures for electrodes. The heating of the water is not generated by the electrodes, but instead by the resistance of the water to the electrical current flowing between them. The material of the electrodes undergoes a phase change at certain temperatures when whereby it converts from electrically conductive to electrically non-conductive at a predetermined temperature. The output temperature of the water is determined by a combination of the area of the electrodes that confront one another, the water's conductivity, the flow rate of the water and the current limiting capability of the conductive electrode materials positive temperature coefficient, which reduces or stops the heating of the water when the intended water temperature is achieved.

The invention relates to an electrode boiler that is adapted for use in a marine environment. The boiler includes a container (5) holding water, a number of electrodes (7a - f) submerged in said water, a source of AC electric power connected with said electrodes, means for supplying water to said container, means for removing hot water or steam from said container and means for holding the water in said container at a pre-defined level. In order to secure an even production from the electrodes even when the boiler is tilted, the electrodes are even in number and are arranged in a circle, wherein electrodes (7a - 7d; 7b - 7e; 7c - 7f) that are located at 180 DEG distance along said circle are connected to each other and to one phase of electric power from said source.