Steam generator

Abstract

A steam generator device has a first and a second chamber, and walls mutually isolating the two chambers. Reagents which react together to generate steam when in mutual contact are mutually separated by a barrier, and disposed in the first chamber. An opening member forms a first opening between the chambers and a second opening through the barrier. Hence the reagents come into contact via said second opening, the reagents react thereby generating steam, and the steam flows through the first opening into the second chamber.

1 - 29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . A steam generator device comprising walls defining a first chamber and a second chamber; a wall isolating the first chamber from the second chamber, the first chamber holding a first substance and a second substance; a further wall separating the first and second substances from one another, said first and second substances reacting together to generate steam when in mutual contact; and an opening device for forming a first opening through said isolating wall and a second opening through said further wall; characterised in that said opening device is supported and aligned with respect to its use position and comprises a portion for piercing said further wall, which portion is supported in said first chamber and is movable to pierce said further wall to form said second opening therethrough; whereby said first and second substances come into contact via said second opening, said first and second substances reacting together thereby generating said steam, which steam flows through said first opening.  
   
   
       31 . A steam generator device according to  claim 30 , wherein said isolating wall is common to the first and second chambers.  
   
   
       32 . A steam generator device according to  claim 30 , wherein said first and second chambers are arranged such that steam can pass from one to the other after said isolating wall is breached, said chambers having no common wall.  
   
   
       33 . A steam generator device according to  claim 30 , wherein the first substance is a fluent substance comprising water, and the second substance comprises quicklime.  
   
   
       34 . A steam generator device according to  claim 30 , wherein the heat of reaction of the first and second substances evaporates water to generate steam.  
   
   
       35 . A steam generator device according to  claim 33 , comprising a first container and a second container, the first container holding the first substance and the second container holding the second substance, wherein the second container has a portion disposed beneath the first container, whereby said first substance can flow through the second opening into said quicklime.  
   
   
       36 . A steam generator device according to  claim 30 , wherein the steam generator device has a non-return valve for preventing flow of material in the opposite direction to said flow of steam.  
   
   
       37 . Apparatus for heating a substance, the apparatus comprising a steam generator device according to  claim 30 , wherein said substance is disposed in said second chamber such that steam passes through at least some of said substance after flowing through said first opening.