Steam generating system

Abstract

A steam generating system for an appliance includes a first tank positioned at a first vertical position and having an upper water outlet and a lower water outlet. A second tank is positioned at a second vertical position that is lower than the first vertical position of the first tank. A first and second interconnecting members respectively connect the upper and lower water outlets of the first tank to the second tank. Together, the first and second interconnecting members fluidically connect the first and second tanks. A valve assembly is positioned along the second interconnecting member to selectively provide access to the second tank from the first tank. Inlet and outlet pumps are respectively coupled to the first and second tanks to supply and discharge water from the steam generating system. The appliance further includes a retractable hose for connecting the steam generating system to a water source.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An appliance, comprising:
 a chassis having an upper wall and a rear wall;   a cooking cavity at least partially surrounded by the chassis;   a first tank mounted on the upper wall of the chassis and having an upper water outlet and a lower water outlet disposed thereon; and   a second tank mounted on the rear wall of the chassis in a position that is vertically lower than a position of the first tank, the second tank including first and second water inlets, wherein the upper water outlet of the first tank is fluidically coupled to the first water inlet of the second tank, and further wherein the lower water outlet of the first tank is fluidically coupled to the second water inlet of the second tank.   
     
     
         2 . The appliance of  claim 1 , including:
 an interconnecting member fluidically coupling the lower water outlet of the first tank to the second water inlet of the second tank.   
     
     
         3 . The appliance of  claim 2 , including:
 a valve assembly disposed along the interconnecting member fluidically coupling the lower water outlet of the first tank to the second water inlet of the second tank, wherein the valve assembly is operable between open and closed conditions to selectively provide access between the first tank and the second tank.   
     
     
         4 . The appliance of  claim 3 , including:
 a second interconnecting member fluidically coupling the upper water outlet of the first tank to the first water inlet of the second tank, wherein the second interconnecting member is an open member.   
     
     
         5 . The appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the upper water outlet of the first tank is disposed on an upper portion of the first tank, and further wherein the first water inlet of the second tank is disposed on an upper portion of the second tank. 
     
     
         6 . The appliance of  claim 1 , including;
 a boiler having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the boiler is operably coupled to a water outlet disposed on a lower portion of the second tank.   
     
     
         7 . The appliance of  claim 6 , including;
 a phase separator having an inlet operably coupled to and in fluid communication with the boiler at the second end of the boiler.   
     
     
         8 . The appliance of  claim 7 , wherein the boiler is vertically disposed, such that the first end of the boiler is positioned below the second end of the boiler, and further wherein the phase separator includes a water outlet disposed above and opening into a cavity of the second tank. 
     
     
         9 . The appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the phase separator further includes a steam outlet operably coupled to a steam inlet, wherein the steam inlet opens into the cooking cavity of the appliance for delivering steam thereto.