F22 STEAM GENERATION
Classification Context
- Section:
- MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- Class:
- STEAM GENERATION
Description
F22 encompasses the design, construction, and operation of steam generators and boilers used to produce steam for power generation, heating, and industrial processes. This class covers water-tube and fire-tube boilers, superheaters, economizers, and associated auxiliary equipment for converting thermal energy into steam. It includes combustion systems, heat recovery mechanisms, and control devices integral to steam generation plants, excluding steam engines and turbines themselves (covered in F01) and the utilization of generated steam in specific applications (covered in downstream classes).
Filing statistics
IPC F22 recorded 67,315 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 3 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 4,017 in 2013 to 7,365 in 2023 (+83%), peaking at 8,396 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class F22 are XIAN THERMAL POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE COMPANY (922 applications), MIURA COMPANY (416 applications) and HARBIN BOILER COMPANY (390 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
F22 comprises 3 subclasses with filings; the largest is F22B with 69.4% of the class's 67,315 applications between 2013 and 2023.
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F22B, Methods of Steam Generation; Steam Boilers | Methods of Steam Generation; Steam Boilers | 46,730 | 69.4% |
| 2 | F22D, Preheating, or Accumulating Preheated, Feed-Water for Steam Generation; Feed-Water Supply for Steam Generation; Controlling Water Level for Steam Generation; Auxiliary Devices for Promoting Water Circulation Within Steam Boilers | Preheating, or Accumulating Preheated, Feed-Water for Steam Generation; Feed-Water Supply for Steam Generation; Controlling Water Level for Steam Generation; Auxiliary Devices for Promoting Water Circulation Within Steam Boilers | 15,397 | 22.9% |
| 3 | F22G, Superheating of Steam | Superheating of Steam | 5,188 | 7.7% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Related Keywords
3 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- F22B METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS
- F22D PREHEATING, OR ACCUMULATING PREHEATED, FEED-WATER FOR STEAM GENERATION; FEED-WATER SUPPLY FOR STEAM GENERATION; CONTROLLING WATER LEVEL FOR STEAM GENERATION; AUXILIARY DEVICES FOR PROMOTING WATER CIRCULATION WITHIN STEAM BOILERS
- F22G SUPERHEATING OF STEAM
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- XIAN THERMAL POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE COMPANY 922
- MIURA COMPANY 416
- HARBIN BOILER COMPANY 390
- MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS 303
- XIAN JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY 287
- SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) 257
- HUADIAN ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE 253
- SIEMENS DE 247
- MIDEA 243
- NORTH CHINA ELECTRIC POWER UNIVERSITY 223