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