Portable steam and heat generator for pest control

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for directing at least one of steam, hot water and hot water vapor along with hot air onto vegetation, the apparatus comprising a source of water and a source of fuel connected and supplying water and fuel to steam generator having a boiler heated by a burner, the apparatus including a valve arrangement between the source of water and fuel and the steam generator, the valve arrangement having a STAND-BY mode and an ON mode, the STAND-BY mode of the valve arrangement providing for a reduced flow of water and fuel to the steam generator to maintain a pilot flame in the burner and sufficient water flow to reduce the response time of the apparatus to generate at least one of steam, hot water and hot water vapor along with hot air as needed when the valve arrangement is placed in the ON mode.

1 . An apparatus for directing at least one of steam, hot water and hot water vapor along with air heated by a burner onto a target area, the apparatus comprising a source of water and a source of fuel connected and supplying water and fuel to a steam generator having a boiler heated by a burner, the apparatus including a valve arrangement between the source of water and fuel and the steam generator, the valve arrangement having a STAND-BY mode and an ON mode, the STAND-BY mode of the valve arrangement providing for a reduced flow of water and fuel to the steam generator to maintain a pilot flame in the burner and sufficient water flow to reduce the response time of the apparatus to generate at least one of steam, hot water and hot water vapor along with hot air as needed when the valve arrangement is placed in the ON mode.  
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve arrangement includes two controls, a first control for controlling the flow of water and a second control for controlling the flow of fuel.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein both the first and second controls comprise an ON position, an OFF position and a STAND BY position, the STAND BY position permitting sufficient flow of fuel to maintain a low flame in the burner and a reduced flow of water.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein both the first and second controls are controlled by a single trigger switch.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the trigger switch is provided with two positions, a first position which activates both the first control and second control to the ON position and a second position which activates both the first control and the second control to the STAND BY position.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein each of the first and second controls comprise the combination of an ON-OFF valve to provide for no flow or full flow of water and fuel and a bypass line with a restricted orifice which bypass the ON-OFF valve to provide for a reduced flow of water and fuel.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the valve arrangement further includes a means for providing varying flow rates of water to the flash boiler to adjust the ratio of steam, superheated steam, hot water and hot water vapor for application to the target area.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the means for providing varying flow rates comprises an adjustable needle valve for the water supply.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein the adjustable needle valves are provided with a plurality of preset positions to vary the amount of water provided to the steam generator.