초록 ▼

A connectionless steam cooker has an insulated housing that surrounds an internal cooking compartment accessible through a door. A supply of water is held in the compartment and immerses a plate-like heating element mounted at the floor, preferably of the electrical resistance type. A steam outlet l

A connectionless steam cooker has an insulated housing that surrounds an internal cooking compartment accessible through a door. A supply of water is held in the compartment and immerses a plate-like heating element mounted at the floor, preferably of the electrical resistance type. A steam outlet located above the maximum water level is in fluid communication with and adjacent an electrically-operated solenoid valve that is normally open to atmosphere. A temperature sensor in close physical proximity to the steam outlet and the solenoid valve closes the solenoid wherein the sensed steam temperature is at or above a set level. The outlet steam is also connected to a pair of water column pressure-responsive microswitches. One microswitch controls power to the heating element. It is set closely, e.g. to cycle between ON and OFF in response to a sensed pressure range of 1 and 3 inches of water W.C.) The second microswitch responds to a higher set pressure (e.g. 9 inches W.C.) indicative of an unsafe over-pressure to open the solenoid valve to vent the steam to atmosphere. The heating element is mounted with a tilt with respect to the horizontal water level. Two heat-sensing elements are secured on upper and lower portions of the tilted heater plate, preferably diagonally opposite corners. The temperature sensors are each set to produce an output alarm signal when the adjacent region of the heating element is not immersed in water.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A connectionless steam cooker comprising:A) a housing, B) a cooking compartment located within the housing that is accessible through a door mounted on the housing, said cooking compartment holding a supply of water, C) a heating element disposed to heat said water supply to produce steam in said

1. A connectionless steam cooker comprising:A) a housing, B) a cooking compartment located within the housing that is accessible through a door mounted on the housing, said cooking compartment holding a supply of water, C) a heating element disposed to heat said water supply to produce steam in said cooking compartment, D) a steam outlet formed in said housing and in fluid communication with the interior of said cooking compartment at a point above the level of said water supply, and E) an automatic electric steam trap connected to said steam outlet, said steam trap being normally open to the atmosphere, and closing when the temperature of the steam in the cooking cavity measured adjacent said steam outlet is at or over a preselected operating temperature.