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Abstract

A liquid heating apparatus capable of using low pressure steam and having a temperature control system to automatically control the output temperature of a heated liquid. The apparatus includes a tubular housing having an internal annular seal, and a liquid nozzle, that is connected to a source of liquid to be heated, is mounted for axial movement in the housing relative to the seat. The annular space between the nozzle and the seat that defines an annular diverging passage which communicates with a source of steam under pressure. The steam is accelerated as it is discharged through the diverging passage into contact with the stream of liquid being discharged from the liquid nozzle. The liquid and steam then pass through a converging mixing chamber where the momentum energy of the steam transfers to the liquid as the steam condenses on the liquid. The mixture then passes into a diverging diffuser section and the heated liquid is discharged from the diffuser through a discharge conduit to a site of use. A power operated control mechanism is operably connected to the liquid nozzle for moving the nozzle within the housing to vary the cross sectional area of the steam outlet passage, and a temperature sensor is mounted in the discharge conduit for sensing the temperature of the discharged liquid and operating the control mechanism to regulate the input of steam to the aperture.

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First Claim