초록 ▼

A steam cleaning system for ridding a workpiece of contaminants by directing a jet of steam onto the workpiece. The system includes a steam generator characterized by a central cavity having walls for containing water fed into it from a water inlet conduit. The steam generator includes a heating ele

A steam cleaning system for ridding a workpiece of contaminants by directing a jet of steam onto the workpiece. The system includes a steam generator characterized by a central cavity having walls for containing water fed into it from a water inlet conduit. The steam generator includes a heating element for heating the cavity walls to vaporize water located in proximity to the walls. At least a portion of the cavity walls are provided with a thin porous layer of non-corrodible material to form a surface substantially free of major surface irregularities. The porous layer promotes water vaporization, flashing it into steam. Steam formed in the cavity may be superheated for discharge onto the workpiece through an external nozzle. The system components, including the water pump, are made of non-corrodible, preferably non-lubricated materials to prevent contamination of the workpiece and increase the service life of the pump.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A steam cleaning system for ridding a workpiece of contaminants by directing a jet of steam onto the workpiece, the system comprising:a steam generator characterized by a central cavity having smooth walls for containing water introduced into the cavity;heating means in

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A steam cleaning system for ridding a workpiece of contaminants by directing a jet of steam onto the workpiece, the system comprising:a steam generator characterized by a central cavity having smooth walls for containing water introduced into the cavity;heating means in the steam generator for heating the smooth walls of the cavity to heat and vaporize water adjacent to the cavity walls into water droplets; anda smooth, uniformly porous layer of non-corrodible material in heat transfer relation with at least a portion of the smooth walls of the cavity, the pores of the porous layer providing intercommunicating fluid paths enabling the escape of heated vapors formed between the water and the porous layer.