WATER INJECTION SYSTEM FOR OVENS AND METHOD OF INJECTION

Abstract

An oven having water injection system comprising an oven including a compartment enclosed on all sides, a water injector, and a first water valve coupled to the water injector, wherein the water valve includes proportional control.

Claims

1. An oven having water injection system comprising: an oven comprising: a compartment enclosed on all sides; a water injector; and a first water valve coupled to the water injector, wherein the water valve includes proportional control.

2. The water injection system of claim 1, further comprising a proportional-integral-derivative controller (PID) controller.

3. The water injection system of claim 1, further comprising a pulse width modulator controller.

4. The water injection system of claim 1, further comprising an analogue system controller.

5. The water injection system of claim 1, further comprising a second water valve coupled to the first water valve.

6. The water injection system of claim 5, wherein the second water valve is an on/off valve configured to act as a safety mechanism.

7. The water injection system of claim 1, further comprising an overpressure valve for condensing the steam and returning water to a galley.

8. The water injection system of claim 7, further comprising a controller that maintains a predefined pressure by manipulating energy provided to the heating elements.

9. The water injection system of claim 1, further comprising a heated bottom of the oven.

10. The water injection system of claim 1, wherein the system the oven is connected to an aircraft galley.

11. A method of operating an aircraft oven comprising: providing water to a reservoir disposed outside of a compartment of the oven; partially opening a water valve; injecting water from the reservoir into the compartment through the water valve onto a water heater; and producing steam on the water heater in order to cook a food.

12. The method of claim 12, wherein the water valve is opened to a point between fully open and fully closed.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the water valve is opened to release water.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the heater is heated by aircraft power.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising opening an on/off valve to allow water to reach the water valve.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising collecting condensed water at the bottom of the oven.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising heating the collected water.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising heating the collected water to a steam temperature.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising collecting a portion of the condensed water and returning the portion to the reservoir.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the water is returned to the reservoir using an on/off valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an oven water injection system according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of an oven in accordance with the disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by reference character 1. The oven system described herein provide for better control of water injection within water ovens.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows an oven cavity 1 defining a confined space where meals are heated prior to consumption. Water is supplied from outside of the oven cavity 1 and is injected onto a water heater 2 within the oven cavity 1 via the water valves 5 and spray nozzle 9, which turns the water into steam and then heats the food provided therein. Water is connected to a galley faucet 10, allowing it to have a larger supply instead of being attached to a heater reservoir which has to be constantly heated. As heat is transferred to the food from the steam, the steam condenses into water, which is then collected at a bottom of the oven cavity 1, and may be recycled for subsequent use. The bottom of the oven cavity 1 is heated such that the collected water will evaporate again. This feature allows for less water use than conventional ovens.

[0011] Water valve 5 is controlled by either a PID controller, a pulse width modulator controller, or an analogue system controller, having a proportional control. Water valve 5 is be equipped with an embedded temperature sensor or pressures valve (not shown) and a controller that maintains a predefined temperature or pressure by manipulating the water provided to the heating elements. When a certain amount of heat or water is required in the oven the controller slowly opens the valve within water injector 9 to spray the water proportionally. This allows a more analog approach of injecting water, instead of opening the pressure valve completely for a certain time, it is only slightly opened. This way less pressure escapes, and a smaller pump is required. Also less water is used since the amount of water released is only as much as necessary for that time, instead of injecting the same amount each time, no matter how much food is getting cooked and to what temperature. The various functions described herein may be controlled by the controller 8, which may be connected to any or all of the controllable and sensing elements described herein, including heater element 2, two supply pumps, cavity drain pumps and valves. PID controllers have a benefit of relatively low noise level, fast warm up time, accurate set point temperature control and fast reaction to disturbances. The key to using a PID function is feedback. Instructions or commands to the controller are used based on individual feedback signals from the motor or sensors being controlled. Their outputs are summed up based on the PID algorithm to drive the motor backwards, forwards, stop, speed up, or slow down. Thus, a valve can be controlled based on an algorithm and controller that reads the air and pressure temperatures within the oven.

[0012] The system can also include overpressure valves 11 for condensing the steam and returning to the galley. The overpressure valves 11 can also include a similar arrangement to the injection valves and be controlled by either a PID controller, a pulse width modulator controller, or an analogue system controller, having a proportional control. The algorithm discussed above can also include the temperature of the collected water, the amount of collected water, and a desired temperature of the food. This versatile valve also allows for user controlled input. For instance, the algorithm can include a user input of how many items or which items are getting cooked, and the algorithm will account for how much water needs to be injected onto the heating element in order to create the desired conditions.

[0013] The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for a water injection system having improved water pressure control. While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure.