US2020011538A1PendingUtilityA1

Forced convection steam assembly

63
Assignee: WHIRLPOOL COPriority: Mar 7, 2017Filed: Sep 18, 2019Published: Jan 9, 2020
Est. expiryMar 7, 2037(~10.6 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Timothy A. Mayberry
F24C 15/327F24C 15/003
63
PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

A convection oven includes a convection fan assembly and a trough assembly that surrounds a portion of the heating element(s) of the convection fan assembly. Fluid in the trough assembly is heated and turned into steam by the heating element(s) and blown into the cooking cavity of the convection oven by the convection fan of the convection fan assembly. The steam in the cooking cavity provides moisture to the items that are being cooked and/or heated in the cooking cavity.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A convection fan assembly, comprising:
 a convection fan with at least one fan blade connected to a motor that rotates said convection fan blade;   at least one generally annular heating element surrounding at least a portion of said at least one fan blade;   a trough assembly comprising a trough tray portion having walls surrounding at least a portion of said at least one generally annular heating element, a trough supply portion shaped to receive fluid and direct it to the trough tray portion so that it can be heated by said at least one generally annular heating element and turned into steam which is blown by said convection fan.   
     
     
         2 . The convection fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said trough assembly is manually filled with fluid.   
     
     
         3 . The convection fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said trough tray portion and said trough supply portion are coupled together.   
     
     
         4 . The convection fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said trough tray portion and said trough supply portion are a unitary piece.   
     
     
         5 . The convection fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said trough tray portion and said trough supply portion are made from metal.   
     
     
         6 . The convection fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said trough tray portion and said trough supply portion are made of a high temperature-resistant material.   
     
     
         7 . The convection fan assembly of  claim 6 , wherein:
 said high temperature-resistant material includes a polymeric material.   
     
     
         8 . The convection fan assembly of  claim 6 , wherein:
 said high temperature-resistant material includes a ceramic material.   
     
     
         9 . The convection fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said trough tray is filled with fluid by a drip ball valve positioned above said trough supply portion of said trough assembly.   
     
     
         10 . The convection fan assembly of  claim 9 , wherein:
 said drip ball valve is controlled electronically.   
     
     
         11 . The convection fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said trough assembly is filled with fluid by a fluid line connected to a solenoid valve.   
     
     
         12 . The convection fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said fluid is water with an additive.   
     
     
         13 . The convection fan assembly of  claim 1 , including:
 a fluid delivery system that has a conduction break to prevent heat from damaging any valves in said fluid delivery system.   
     
     
         14 . The convection fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said generally annular heating element includes at least one generally circular heating element.   
     
     
         15 . The convection fan assembly of  claim 14 , wherein:
 said generally annular heating element is a calrod burner.   
     
     
         16 . A convection fan assembly with a steaming device, comprising:
 a convection fan with at least one fan blade;   at least one generally annular heating element surrounding at least a portion of said at least one fan blade;   a trough assembly comprising a trough tray portion having walls surrounding at least a portion of said at least one generally annular heating element, a trough supply portion shaped to direct fluid to the trough tray portion so that said fluid can be heated and turned into steam by said at least one generally annular heating element.   
     
     
         17 . The convection fan assembly with a steaming device of  claim 16 , wherein:
 said trough tray portion and said trough supply portion are made of a high temperature-resistant material.   
     
     
         18 . The convection fan assembly with a steaming device of  claim 16 , wherein:
 said at least one generally annular heating element is a calrod burner.   
     
     
         19 . A convection fan assembly, comprising:
 a convection fan with at least one fan blade;   at least one generally annular heating element surrounding at least a portion of said at least one fan blade;   a trough tray having walls surrounding at least a portion of said at least one generally annular heating element to hold fluid so that said fluid can be heated and turned into steam by said at least one generally annular heating element.   
     
     
         20 . The convection fan assembly of  claim 19 , including a trough supply coupled to said trough tray.

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