Patent ID: 8019208

Claim:
A steam-generating system for generating steam for use within a steam bath environment comprising: a water-holding tank having a water inlet port and a steam outlet port; a valve operatively positioned with respect to the water inlet port for permitting the ingress of water into the tank when opened, and for blocking the ingress of water into the tank when closed; a level sensor responsive to the level of water within the tank for selectively opening and closing said valve to substantially maintain the water near a desired level; an electrically conductive heating element positioned within the tank and responsive to the passage of electricity through the element to heat the water to its boiling point; a body of highly thermally-conductive material positioned upstream of the water-holding tank, and having an internal water-conducting passageway for directing incoming water from a water supply to the inlet port, said body of highly thermally-conductive material being in thermal contact with the water, and a thermostat for maintaining the water within the tank at substantially a desired temperature, the thermostat including a solid state switching device in thermal contact with said highly thermally-conductive material so that the switching device is cooled via heat transfer to the water via the highly thermally-conductive material.