Patent Publication Number: US-2007122127-A1

Title: Highly superheated vapor generating system and method

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention pertains to superheated vapor generators and systems for delivering highly superheated vapor flows as well as methods of fabrication and use of such superheated vapor generators and systems for providing desired flows of highly superheated vapor including substantially continuous flows.  
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
      Prior patents include U.S. Pat No. 6,006,009 (the &#39;009 Patent), U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,556 (the &#39;556 Patent) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,037 (the &#39;037 Patent) owned by the inventor and applicant herein, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/484,019 owned by the applicant and inventor herein for Superheated Vapor Generator and Control System and Method, all incorporated by reference herein, references cited in connection with aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,037 including U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,505,656; 2,753,212; 2,861,838; 2,983,450; 3,039,454; 3,218,741; 3,718,805 and 3,721,802 and patents cited in connection with said U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,556 including U.S. Pat. Nos. 377,228; 2,652,645; 3,436,852; 3,119,004; 3,869,815; 4,255,646; 3,508,354; 3,823,497; and 2,576,976.  
      The aforesaid references in the main refer to apparatus and methods for generating steam from liquid drawn from a reservoir.  
      The &#39;037 Patent discloses apparatus for generating superheated steam or other vapor from liquid drawn from a self-contained reservoir and includes means in the form of a nozzle for directing superheated steam or other vapor to desired locations. The &#39;556 Patent discloses improvements relative to the &#39;037 Patent. Said co-pending application discloses further improvements.  
      Equipment disclosed in the aforesaid patents and co-pending application is employable for effecting, among other things, cleaning and/or sterilization. This apparatus has proved highly useful for such purposes. In operation, such equipment provides flows of superheated vapor upon activation of a control member.  
      The vapor stream issues, in particular applications, from either a port mounted on the generator or from a wand/extender whereby distance of the transported vapor may be extended to one hundred feet or more. Of course, there is an unavoidable loss of pressure and exit temperature in such apparatus employing extenders for transporting the superheated vapor over appreciable distances.  
      Advantages of transporting superheated high pressure vapor with high heat are particularly apparent in applications such as sterilizing narrow or relatively inaccessible sites such as air conditioning and heating ducts, destroying and removing mold from surfaces which may be small or relatively inaccessible, among many others.  
      Further advantages of such extended transportation of superheated vapor at high pressure are in the capability to sterilize or clean areas which require use of explosion proof equipment in their vicinity, whereby the controls and electrical aspects of the system are substantially removed from the sensitive regions.  
      In addition, regardless of the distance of transport of superheated vapor, there are numerous benefits and advantages in connection with even further increasing temperatures of the superheated vapor from those provided by existing systems. Some of these advantages include the final product, i.e., superheated vapor, even further removal of moisture content and correspondingly greater proportion of vapor as opposed to liquid. This provides a greater capability of delivering extreme heat and temperature to selected targets as for example regions for soldering or welding, with relative security against explosion.  
      Accordingly, there has been a felt but unfulfilled need for systems and methods for increasing the temperature and pressure of superheated vapor issuing from superheated vapor generators for the purpose of increasing efficiency and delivery of such vapor at varying distances from the source of the vapor.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      A system and method for further heating superheated vapor comprises means connectable to superheated vapor generator apparatus for receiving and disseminating superheated vapor and for further heating said superheated vapor prior to dissemination and comprises the steps of producing superheated vapor, circulating said superheated vapor for dissemination and further heating prior to issuance of said superheated vapor. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a system in accordance with the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a section through the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a section of a vapor generator member in accordance with the invention taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a partial sectional view of a vapor generator member in accordance with the invention taken along the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view, partly broken away and partly in section at line  7 - 7 , of a heating element in accordance with the invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a vapor control member in accordance with the invention;  
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along the line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIG. 9  is a diagram of electrical circuitry employed with the invention;  
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along the line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 2 ; and,  
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a vapor control member in accordance with the invention;  
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view, partly broken away and partially disassembled, of a vapor control member in accordance with the invention; and  
       FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram of a method in accordance with the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , inclusive, a superheated vapor generation and control apparatus  10  includes a base  12  forming the bottom of a housing  14 , which functions as a container to system  10 . The top and sides of housing  14  are fastened to base  12  and are removable to afford access to the interior of system  10 .  
      Controls of system  10  are disposed upon a control panel  16  on housing  14 . A power switch  18 , is included in panel  16  and comprises a bi-polar arrangement of conventional type controlling drawing of power from an external source, i.e., determining whether system  10  is “on” or “off,” as is more fully described hereinbelow.  
      Disposed upon control panel  16  adjoining switch  18  is a removable line fue holder  20 . A power light  22  is disposed on panel  16  and functions to indicate power in system, as more fully described hereinbelow.  
      Also disposed on the control panel  16  is a manual vapor heating switch  24  which participates in controlling the generation of steam and/or superheated vapor, as described. An amber vapor generator light  26  is disposed on the control panel  16  adjacent power indicator  22 . Light  26  as described hereinbelow is an indicator of the operation of thermostats of a vapor generator, (described in more detail below) in the system  10 .  
      A footswitch electric receptacle  28  is disposed in a lower part of panel  16  and accommodates a foot switch (not shown) for controlling superheated vapor production.  
      A power line  30  is accommodated in a fitting  32  attached to the panel  16  around a slot  34  for passage therethrough of the power line  30 .  
      An amber heating chamber light  36  is positioned on panel  16  adjacent power light  22  and is electrically connected as described hereinbelow to remain on while a heating clement described below is drawing current. A liquid pick-up tube inlet  38  is defined in control panel  13  to receive a liquid pick-up tube  40 .  
      At the top of housing  14  is disposed carrying handle  42 . In a rear panel  46  of housing  14 , an aperture  48  is defined; secured on both sides of aperture  48  is a gasket-type fitting  50 . Aperture  48  and gasket  50  accommodate and receive a vapor exit pipe  52 . A quick disconnect connector member  54  is disposed at an outer end of pipe  52  and connectable to a vapor control member or wand  56 . The wand  56  contains a grip handle  58  in which is disposed a vapor control switch operable by a vapor control push button  60 . A tube  62  extends outwardly from the control member handle  58 . A vapor control power connector  64  connects between the vapor control  60  and into a socket  64  and is mounted in rear panel  46 . Connected to tube  62  is a nozzle  65 .  
      The instant disclosure incorporates by reference U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,556 to Max Friedheim, inventor on the instant Application.  
      Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a support plate  66  is fastened to base  12 , which in turn rests upon feet  68 .  
      A mounting plate  70  is fastened to support  66 . Fastened to mounting plate  70  is a pump  72 . Pump  72  includes a cylinder  74  receiving a piston  76  which reciprocates within cylinder  74 . Piston  74  is pivotably and connected to a rod  78  with a pivoting member  80  at the opposite end of the rod from the pivotable connection between the rod  78  and the piston  76 . A substantially square cam  82  is pivotably attached to pivot member  80  and pivots and is rotatable on a shaft  84  mounted and pivotably journalled in plate  70 . In particular applications, cam  82  is at least ⅞ inch square. This configuration of the cam  82  has been found to add leverage beyond that achieved by the device in the &#39;037 patent and to eliminate possible vapor lock in the fluid line as fluid enters the vaporization chamber, in addition to providing more efficient prevention of back pressure of steam build-up within the vaporization chamber. This is of moment in system  10  due to the substantial heat generated in a smaller area than in the device of the &#39;037 patent.  
      An electric motor  86  is mounted upon mounting plate  70  and rotates shaft  84 . Electric motor  86  is wired to withstand heat generated in system  10 . Cam  82  is rotated by shaft  84 , which in turn rotates on a sleeve in pivot member  80 . An inlet fitting  88  accommodates inflow of liquid from inlet port  38  through inlet conduit  40 . A first check valve  90  is connected to inlet fitting and is shown in detail in  FIG. 10 . As described in further detail herein below in connection with  FIG. 10 , check valve  90  not only blocks backflow and prevents intake of solids into the apparatus but also affects by particular parameters the liquid content of superheated vapor produced by system  10 .  
      An elbow fitting  92  is connected to check valve  90  and accommodates flow of liquid therethrough to a T-fitting  94 . T-fitting  94  is connected to the fluid intake inlet  88 . Connected to T-fitting  94  is a second check valve  100  which in turn is connected to an elbow fitting  96 . Check valve  100 , is identical to and is described in detail hereinbelow in conjunction with the description of check valve  90 .  
      From fitting  96  fluid passes through a fitting  104  which is connectable to a tube  106 , depicted as coiled for economy of space utilization. Tube  106  leads into a superheated vapor generator  120 . A sleeve  107  is secured to tube  106  at its point of entry into generator  120 . Sleeve  107  is preferably composed of aluminum and is welded to tube  106 . Sleeve  107  preferably extends substantially ¾″ above the top surface of generator  120  and is secured to generator  120  at an exterior weld  109  and an interior weld  111 .  
      A male connector  110  is fastened to screw  112  mounted in panel  16  and connected to vapor switch  24 . A bracket  114  fastened to plate  12  provides support and mounting for the vapor generator  108 .  
      Electric gear motor  86  is secured by fasteners  115  to mounting bracket  70 . Electric gear motor  86  is of conventional type and in a preferred embodiment provides 366 RPM at 115 volts. Motor  86  drives pump  72  by means of cam  82  journalled on shaft  84  which in turn is driven by motor  86 . A pair of buffer members  113  upon motor  106  are in contact with bracket  70  for the purpose of minimizing the effect of vibration upon the structure.  
      Referring in particular to  FIGS. 3, 4 , and  8 , vapor generator  120  comprises metal castings in two parts welded together at  122  defining a vaporization chamber  126 . Generator  120  is detachably positioned within housing  14  and is secured thereto at bracket  114  as noted hereinabove, and rests on washers  124  between plate  66  and bracket  114 . A vaporization chamber  126  is defined centrally within generator  120 . The bottom section is longer to allow room for a heating clement  132  described below. As depicted, chamber  126  is substantially spherical; however, other configurations may be employed in accordance with the invention. In the depicted spherical configuration, the periphery of chamber  126  is substantially spherical; however, other configurations may be employed in accordance with the invention. In the depicted spherical configuration, the periphery of chamber  16  is referred to on occasion as a wall. In other configurations in accordance with the invention such periphery may comprise more than one wall.  
      The peripheral surface  125  of chamber  16  is cut in a plurality of ridges and grooves  127 ,  127 ′ respectively. The depth of the grooves  127  and the height of the ridges  127 ′ are irregular, with the height and depth in a particular embodiment varying substantially randomly between 0.030-0.050 inch. The ridges and grooves  127 ,  127 ′ are in the form of substantially concentric circles about an axis of generator  120 .  
      In addition, cross-grain series or ridges and grooves are defined in the wall  125  of chamber  126  and denoted by numerals  128 ,  128 ′; respectively The cross-grain ridges and grooves  128 ,  128 ′ are, like the ridges and grooves  127 ,  127 ′ of random and irregular dimensions. The depicted structure is exemplary only, other configurations and structures (such as perforations and etching) being usable in particular applications of the invention.  
      Defined in generator  120  is a receptacle  130  for receiving and accommodating a heating element cartridge  132  depicted in detail in  FIG. 6 . Heating cartridge  132  is affixed in receptacle  130  by means of cement of conventional type which is resistant to high temperatures. Receptacle  130  is open at both ends, traversing the length of generator  120 . At a receiving end, receptacle  130  defines an aperture  134  which is dimensioned to receive cartridge  132 ; At its opposite end, receptacle  130  opens to aperture  136  that is preferably smaller than aperture  134 . Aperture  136  is dimensioned to accommodate a pin or tamping member (not shown) for thrusting through receptacle  130  to the base of cartridge  132  thereby ejecting cartridge  132  when desired. Thus, a spent or broken cartridge can be removed for repair or replacement in an economical, cost efficient, and expeditious manner.  
      As depicted in  FIG. 6 , heating cartridge  132  is of generally cylindrical configuration. Cartridge  132  defines an included volume  138  which contains a coil of resistance wire  140 . An outer sheath  142  of heating cartridge  132  is fabricated of high temperature alloy of conventional type. One end of heating cartridge  132  is closed by end plate  144 ; adjoining the opposite end of heating cartridge  132  is a terminal block  146 . Terminal block  146  comprises a bracket for supporting a pair of leads  150 ,  152 . Leads,  150 ,  152  are enclosed in temperature insulation sheaths  154 ,  156 , respectively. Sheaths  154 ,  156  may be of standard material such as high temperature fiberglass for the purpose of protecting against the elevated temperatures produced by heating cartridge  132 . Heating cartridge  132  has a seal  158  substantially flush with the end of cartridge  142  and comprising thermally insulated material such as epoxy or cement.  
      The entire generator  120  is sheathed in insulated material such as fiberglass (not shown). The heat generated is such that the entire generator normally heats to 500° F. and above, creating an oven-like effect surrounding the chamber  126  and its contents. A first thermostat  160  is positioned in thermal contact with generator  120 ; thermostat  160  is preferably set to turn off at approximately 500° F., plus or minus ten percent (10%). Electrical terminals  164  accommodate wires (not shown) connecting to the electrical system of system  10  so as to turn off the power to the heating element  132  when the desired temperature is reached. Preferably thermostat  160  is flush mounted to the generator  120  as, for example, by screwing the thermostat into a slot together with conventional means (not shown) to prevent slippage of thermostat  160 .  
      A second thermostat  166  is depicted as positioned approximately 90° along the circumference or generator  120  from first thermostat  160 . Other positions, of course, may be employed in accordance with the invention. Second thermostat  166  is mounted in generator  120  and has a pair of electrical terminals  168  connectable to the apparatus. As fully described hereinbelow, second thermostat  166  is set to cut off current to heating cartridge  132  in the event of failure of first thermostat  160  such that the temperature of the chamber  126  shall not exceed 550° F.  
       FIG. 7  depicts vapor control member or wand  56  in detail. Wand  56  comprises a conduit member  57 , a handle member  58 , a tube  62  as previously discussed connected to nozzle  65 . The conduit  57  comprises braided steel cable  180  over hose  183  fabricated of heat resistant material such as that marketed under the trademark Teflon and in the preferred embodiment is substantially  42  inches long. An insulative sheath  182  is disposed over cable  180  and electrical wires  184  are disposed therebetween preferably Teflon-coated and covered by heat insulation tubing such as fiberglass.  
      Handle  58  includes a central bore  188 . An insulator sheath  190  is disposed around handle  58 . Insulation sheath  190  may comprise rubber or other conventional material.  
      Disposed within central bore  188  is a continuation of cable  180  covered by insulation  182  and wires  183 ,  184 . Switch  60  controls the operation of wand  56 . Switch  60  is of conventional type, for example a single-pole spring operated mechanism. Conduit member  57  is fastened to tube  62  by fitting  198 . Tube  62  is received in an aperture  200  at the outer end of handle  58  and may be fabricated of brass or other durable non-corrosible material.  
      Depicted in  FIG. 10  in detail is check valve  90 . Check valves  90 ,  100  are identical to one another. Thus, the description herein is applicable to both. Check valve  90  defines a central bore  220  having at an input end an inlet  222  and an outlet  224  at an output end. The junction of inlet  222  and bore  220  is configured to form a seat  226  for a valve ball member  228  in bore  220 . A valve cap member  230  disposed adjacent the outlet  224  defines a central bore  232  and is held by frictional engagement with inner walls  234  of bore  220 . A valve spring  236  is disposed between ball  228  and cap member  230 . It has been discovered that the liquid content of superheated vapor produced by the system  10  can be controlled by means of regulating check valves  90 ,  100  as, for example, by use of a thinner cap member  230  depressing the spring less (with smaller spring tension) such that less liquid is present in the superheated vapor whereas a thicker cap member (more spring tension) depresses the spring more, causing a greater proportion of liquid to be present in the superheated vapor.  
      The electrical circuitry for the system is depicted in  FIG. 9 . Power switch  18  controls the on/off condition of the entire system. Switch  24  is a manual vapor generator switch which as noted above is mounted on control panel  16 . Wand switch  192  is actuated by push button  60  and like switch  24  controls vapor generation but is contained in the wand  56  for case of operation of the device. Switches  24 ,  192  control the on/off condition of pump motor  72 . A terminal block  202  is fastened to base plate  12  and contains terminals  204  which provide electrical connections for the electrical circuitry of system  10 .  
      A spark suppressor  206  is depicted as being connected with first thermostat  160  and second thermostat  166 . The purpose of spark suppressor  206  is to prevent the respective thermostats from arcing. In the event that spark suppressor  206  and the first thermostat  160  should fail, creating the danger of overheating and destruction of the unit, the second thermostat  166  at 550° F. will cut off. A thermofuse  207  cuts in upon failure of the second thermostat  166  and will break the generator circuit at 650° F.  
      Red light  26  is connected to be on when the first thermostat  160  has cut out while the second thermostat  166  continues to operate, thus notifying the operator of a change in condition in the system.  
      The white light  22  is illuminated when power switch  18  is closed (i.e. When the power switch is turned on). The amber light  36  is on when heating element  132  is drawing current. Light  36  remains on so long as heating element  132  draws current. When light  36  goes out, this indicates that generator  120  has reached its operating temperature. A foot jack switch control  208  is connected to and mounted upon the foot switch receptacle  28  on panel  16  and performs the same function as switches  24 ,  192 . Removeable power line fuse  20  is depicted as in series with power switch  18 . A relay arrangement may be employed to supply current to the heating element immediately upon actuation of any of the vapor control switches so as to maintain, in conjunction with the thermostats, a substantially constant power supply and temperature for vapor generation.  
      Heating cartridge  132  preferably delivers substantially 1000 watts of power to maintain temperature of the vapor generator  120  at 500° F. Other power delivery rates and operating temperatures, higher and lower, may be employed in accordance with the invention. The motor RPM is substantially equal to 366 and the pump delivery rate is preferably 4.9 gallons per hour. Other motor RPM and pump delivery rates may be employed in accordance with the invention.  
      The foregoing dimensions are exemplary only of the preferred embodiment and, or course, other specific dimensions may be employed in accordance with the invention.  
      In operation, system  10  is connected by hose  40  to source of liquid (not shown). The liquid may be any of a broad range related to the purposes for which the system  10  is to be used. In a typical cleaning context in which the system is employed to loosen and dissolve dirt as on machinery or circuit boards or in corners of a room, 100% undiluted water, distilled or deionized, may be employed. Additives such as detergents or disinfectants may be employed provided that they are stable at the operating temperatures of the system. The proportions of additives and water may be varied depending on the application. The solution may contain vaporizers, emulsifiers, degreasers, oxidants, alkalis, deodorizers, antiseptics, germicides, or the like. In addition, the liquid may comprise humidifiers, fresheners, and other reagents which the user may wish to impart to the air or to a surface or object.  
      Particular applications of the system include cleaning of equipment, circuit boards and/or surfaces and spaces such as rooms in connection with maintenance or janitorial work. Wand  56  provides the capability for precise direction of the vapor flow even to small objectives and in particular allows impingement of the vapor into small, confined, or relatively inaccessible objects or spaces. Apparatus in accordance with the invention provides a general purpose cleaning capability with particular applicability to remote or relatively inaccessible areas, objects and small parts.  
      The invention may be employed in connection with burnishing or cleaning of small parts such as time-piece apparatus, in connection with metal plating, printing and photo-engraving, lapidary and stone cutting activity, manufacture and/or repair of electronic components, removal of such things as wallpaper, labels and the like, in connection with dry-cleaning, sanitizing and sterilizing of eating implements, in connection with optical and optometric laboratory and office work, with jewelry, dental and medical offices and operating theatres, miniature instrument manufacture and repair, and biological and analytic laboratories, among many other applications. Use of apparatus in accordance with the invention is particularly advantageous in that its flexibility permits cleaning of parts to be accomplished with a minimum of disassembly, degreasing and decontamination whereby cleaning is made environmentally compatible.  
      A particularly useful application of the invention is in connection with the cleaning and maintenance of military equipment, including weapons and related items. This has become timely in view of the current emphasis on repair and maintenance as opposed to acquisition of new items.  
      The operator directs the tube  62  toward the object to receive superheated vapor, which issues from tube  62 . The superheated vapor such as steam, is “dry”, i.e., having a high proportion of gas as opposed to content of fluid droplets. This has a favorable effect in that the amount of liquid included in the vapor is so small that the residue does not interfere with further cleaning and does not require a cleanup, the amount of fluid residue being so small that it can normally be readily removed by a cloth or paper towel. Pooling of liquid is virtually eliminated. The material removed by a towel in the form of a residue is easily disposed of, particularly in cases where any removed contaminants are non-hazardous or non-toxic.  
      By use of the invention, the operator gains the capability of precisely directing relatively dry vapor to the object targeted. The operator can control the amount of heat transferred to any target by varying the distance between the end of the tube  62  and the object of the heat, decreasing the distance and increasing the heat applied, increasing the distance and decreasing the heat applied. The invention produces a jet of superheated vapor of a temperature of approximately 500° F. at the nozzle.  
      Superheated vapor issues at relatively high pressure, approximately 120-200 and higher psi for single vaporization units and to at least 300+ psi for multiple vaporization generator systems as disclosed and claimed in the &#39;009 Patent. As a result of this pressure range, the superheated vapor impinges upon, and into such relatively hard-to-reach spaces as portholes, crevices, and the like, such pressure range being greater than available with prior devices.  
      Recovery times of superheated vapor generators in accordance with the invention are decreased in contrast to those available with prior devices.  
      Relatively more rapid recovery of vaporization chambers in accordance with the invention enables employment of smaller chambers and fewer chambers (when used in a multi-chamber arrangement as depicted and described in the &#39;009 Patent) which is useful in connection with applications requiring large and/or substantially continuous outputs of superheated vapor.  
      In addition, increased output pressure of superheated vapor from wand  56  results in longer and higher-volume output streams. Application of heat causes contaminants to soften, liquefy, and generally decompose or disengage from the surfaces on which they are disposed. This applies to such normally hard-to-clean substances as grease, oil, grime, paste, glue, and carbon. For removal of tenacious contaminants, heat applied by the invention initiates cleaning. Then a cleaner or emulsifier may be applied in conventional fashion at which point a further flow of superheated vapor from the invention completes removal of the contaminant.  
      Other applications for the invention are, among others, lubrication, particularly of relatively inaccessible and small parts. Lubrication applied in this manner is a most effective type of hot lubrication in that the surface having been first cleaned by use of the invention in a cleaning mode, the lubricant can be applied by disposing lubricant on the now clean, heated parts by conventional means and then subjecting the parts to a flow of superheated vapor, causing the lubricant to be dispersed evenly throughout and upon the object to be lubricated.  
      The vapor output pressure increase due to use of improved generators including interior thermal elements affords greater flexibility and effectiveness for system  10 . Output superheated vapor may be employed in a longer stream than previously feasible or with greater contact effectiveness at previous stream lengths, or a combination of these, as well as providing the capability of producing streams having greater widths and the like, much as in the variable stream patterns available with conventional garden hoses and nozzles.  
      A method for fabricating superheated vapor generators in accordance with the invention is depicted and described in the &#39;556 Patent and the &#39;037 Patent incorporated by reference herein.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 10 ,  11 , nozzle  65  comprises a conduit section  238  and an outlet/vent  240 .  
      Disposed in thermal contact with nozzle  65  is heating means  242  comprising heating wires  244  disposed in a heat insulative sheath  246 . In the depicted embodiment, heating wires  244  with sheath  246  are wrapped around conduit  238 ; other placements and configurations of heating means  242  may be employed in accordance with the invention.  
      Heating means  242  is electrically connected to an independent source of power  248  (shown schematically only) and is coupled to and regulated by an independent temperature regulator  250  of conventional type (shown schematically only), to provide and maintain a selected temperature range and to prevent burnout. Temperatures in the range 1500-2000° F. and higher may be employed in accordance with the invention. In particular applications such temperature at nozzle  65  may be below or above the aforesaid temperature range but above the temperature at which superheated vapor enters conduit  62  from vapor generator  120 , thus providing added energy and efficiency to superheated vapor issued from system  10  through vent  240 .  
      As noted, wand  56  is connected by quick disconnect  54  to generator  120  via pipe  52 . Accordingly, wand  56  is deployable separately from system  10 . In particular applications, wand  56  is connectable to various vapor generators as, for example, conventional steam boilers or other vaporizing devices.  
      Temperature of superheated vapor issued from vent  240  may be 1500° -2000° F. or higher (or lower if desired). The final product, superheated vapor substantially devoid of liquid content, may be sufficiently hot to perform numerous tasks as, for example, to melt solder and weld and in the application utilizing superheated steam vapor, without waste water, at elevated pressure of 500 psi or more with safety against explosion for any internal pressure buildup. In applications providing superheated vapor entering conduit  62  from devices such as vapor generator  120  nozzle  65  and associated apparatus provide added energy and efficiency to superheated vapor issued from system  10  through vent  240 .  
      A method for providing and directing highly superheated vapor includes the steps of providing superheated vapor and subjecting the superheated vapor to means for further heating and directing the superheated vapor.  
      There have therefore been provided an improved highly superheated vapor generator and control system and method. Though a particular embodiment has been described and depicted herein, the scope of the invention is defined by claims to be filed pursuant to law and interpreted in light of the specification and drawings.