Steam generator

Abstract

A steam generator includes a water tank configured to store water, a heat element coupled to the water tank and configured to heat the water in the water tank to produce steam, at least one sensor configured to detect a water level associated with the water tank, a valve configured to supply water to the water tank, and a controller configured to operate the valve to manage the water level in response to the detected water level and at least one variable time period.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A steam generator comprising:
 a water tank configured to store water;   a heat element coupled to the water tank and configured to heat the water in the water tank to produce steam;   at least one sensor configured to detect a water level associated with the water tank;   a valve configured to supply water to the water tank; and   a controller configured to operate the valve to manage the water level in response to the detected water level and at least one variable time period.   
     
     
         2 . The steam generator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one variable time period includes a set a duty cycle period for operation of the valve according to the detected water level, wherein the controller is configured to update the set a duty cycle period and store the updated set a duty cycle period to a memory. 
     
     
         3 . The steam generator of  claim 2 , wherein the duty cycle period comprises an opening duration for the valve and a closing duration or the valve, wherein the controller adjusts at least one of the opening duration and the closing duration for at least one subsequent duty cycle period. 
     
     
         4 . The steam generator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one variable time period includes a set open time period for the valve, wherein the controller is configured to update the set open time period and store the updated set open time period to a memory. 
     
     
         5 . The steam generator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one variable time period includes an initial valve opening time, wherein the controller is configured to update the initial valve loading time and store the updated initial valve loading time to a memory. 
     
     
         6 . The steam generator of  claim 1 , where the controller operates the valve to manage the water level by a variable amount of water per a certain time duration. 
     
     
         7 . The steam generator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises:
 a first probe having a first length into the water tank; and   a second probe having a second length into the water tank.   
     
     
         8 . The steam generator of  claim 7 , wherein the first length is shorter than the second length and corresponds to a high water level. 
     
     
         9 . The steam generator of  claim 7 , wherein the second length is longer than the second length and corresponds to a low water level. 
     
     
         10 . The steam generator of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a probe housing including the first probe and the second probe.   
     
     
         11 . The steam generator of  claim 7 , wherein the probe housing is detachable from the water tank. 
     
     
         12 . The steam generator of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a secondary heater element coupled to the water tank and configured to heat the water in the water tank to a standby temperature.   
     
     
         13 . The steam generator of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate a warning in response to the at least one sensor indicating a low water level. 
     
     
         14 . A method of managing a water level in a steam generator, the method comprising:
 receiving sensor data for a water tank of a steam generator;   monitoring water level at a first probe in the water tank;   monitoring water level at a second probe of the water tank; and   generating a valve command for a fill valve for the water tank in response to the detected water level and at least one variable time period.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one variable time period includes a set a duty cycle period for operation of the valve according to the detected water level, and the method comprises:
 updating the set a duty cycle period and store the updated set a duty cycle period to a memory.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one variable time period includes an opening duration for the valve and a closing duration or the valve, and the method comprises:
 adjusting at least one of the opening duration and the closing duration for at least one subsequent duty cycle period.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one variable time period includes a set open time period for the valve, and the method comprises:
 updating the set open time period and store the updated set open time period to a memory.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one variable time period includes an initial valve opening time,
 and the method comprises:   updating the initial valve loading time and store the updated initial valve loading time to a memory.   
     
     
         19 . A steam bathing system comprising:
 at least one steam outlet;   a water tank configured to store water;   a heat element coupled to the water tank and configured to heat the water in the water tank to produce steam or the at least one steam outlet;   at least one sensor configured to detect a water level associated with the water tank;   a valve configured to supply water to the water tank; and   a controller configured to operate the valve to manage the water level in response to the detected water level and at least one variable time period that is iteratively update over a plurality of duty cycles.   
     
     
         20 . The steam bathing system of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises:
 a first probe having a first length into the water tank; and   a second probe having a second length into the water tank.