US2020011539A1PendingUtilityA1

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 method for providing steam to a convection oven cooking cavity, comprising:
 placing a trough tray around at least a portion of at least one generally annular heating element that surrounds at least a portion of a fan blade of a convection fan assembly;   filling said trough tray assembly with a fluid; and   heating said fluid in said trough tray assembly with said at least one generally annular heating element to generate steam to be blown into said cooking cavity of the convection oven by said convection fan assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The method for providing steam to a convection oven cooking cavity of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said trough tray assembly includes a trough tray portion having walls that surround at least a portion of said at least one generally annular heating element.   
     
     
         3 . The method for providing steam to a convection oven cooking cavity of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said trough tray assembly includes a trough supply portion shaped to receive said fluid and direct said fluid to the trough tray portion.   
     
     
         4 . The method for providing steam to a convection oven coking chamber of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said trough tray portion and said trough supply portion are a unitary piece.   
     
     
         5 . The method for providing steam to a convection oven cooking chamber of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said trough tray assembly is made from a high temperature-resistant material.   
     
     
         6 . The method for providing steam to a convection oven cooking chamber of  claim 5 , wherein:
 said high temperature-resistant material includes a metal.   
     
     
         7 . The method for providing steam to a convection oven cooking chamber of  claim 5 , wherein:
 said high temperature-resistant material includes a polymeric material.   
     
     
         8 . The method for providing steam to a convection oven cooking chamber of  claim 5 , wherein:
 said high temperature-resistant material includes a ceramic material.   
     
     
         9 . The method for providing steam to a convection oven cooking chamber of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said at least one generally annular heating elements is a calrod heater.   
     
     
         10 . A method for providing seam to a convection oven, comprising:
 placing a trough tray assembly around at least a portion of a heating element that surrounds at least a portion of a flan blade of a convection fan;   filling said trough tray assembly with a fluid; and   heating said fluid in said trough tray assembly with said heating element to generate steam in the convection oven.   
     
     
         11 . The method for providing steam to a convection oven of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said trough tray assembly includes a trough tray portion having walls that surround at least a portion of said heating element.   
     
     
         12 . The method for providing steam to a convection oven of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said trough tray assembly includes a trough supply portion shaped to receive fluid and direct it to said trough tray portion.   
     
     
         13 . The method for providing steam to a convection oven of  claim 12 , wherein:
 said trough tray portion of said trough supply portion are a unitary piece.   
     
     
         14 . The method for providing steam to a convection oven of  claim 12 , wherein:
 said trough tray assembly is made from a high temperature-resistant material.   
     
     
         15 . The method for providing steam to a convection oven of  claim 14 , wherein:
 said high temperature-resistant material includes a polymeric material.   
     
     
         16 . The method for providing steam to a convection oven of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said fluid is water with an additive.   
     
     
         17 . A method for providing fluid to a steam assembly in a convection oven, comprising:
 placing a trough tray portion around at least a portion of at least one heating element in a convection fan assembly;   placing a trough supply portion above at least a portion of said trough tray portion to receive and direct fluid into said trough tray portion; and   supplying a fluid to said trough supply portion so that said fluid can be heated by said at least one heating element to generate steam.   
     
     
         18 . The method for providing fluid to a steam assembly in a convection oven of  claim 17 , wherein:
 said fluid supplying step includes positioning at least one valve above said trough supply portion.   
     
     
         19 . The method for providing fluid to a steam assembly in a convection oven of  claim 18 , wherein:
 said at least one valve is an electronically controlled valve.   
     
     
         20 . The method for providing fluid to a steam assembly in a convection oven of  claim 18 , wherein:
 said fluid supplying step includes a conduction break to prevent heat from traveling to said at least one valve.

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