Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system capable of reducing negative pressure. The system includes a make-up air system that can be configured and arranged to be installed within a structure, such as a building. The system can also include a pressure switch that is configured and arranged to sense a pressure within an exhaust duct coupled to an exhaust device. The pressure switch can also be configured to communicate an activation signal and a deactivation signal to the make-up air system. In some embodiments, communication of the activation and deactivation signals can be at least partially dependent on the pressure within the exhaust duct. Moreover, the pressure switch can be configured and arranged to be retroactively coupled to at least one of the exhaust duct and the exhaust device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a ventilation system comprising a housing. The housing includes an inlet through which air is received and the housing is capable of being installed within a structure. A ventilating assembly can be supported within an interior of the housing. The ventilating assembly can be operable to generate a flow of air and can be in fluid communication with the inlet. The system can include a thermal damper assembly comprising an aperture and a substantially non-metallic curtain. The damper assembly is capable of being coupled to the housing so that the aperture of the thermal damper assembly and the inlet of the housing are in fluid communication with each other. In some embodiments, the thermal damper assembly is configured and arranged to be uncoupled from the housing after the housing has been installed within the structure to provide access to the interior of the housing.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a downdraft assembly capable of ventilating a cooktop including housing with a frame, a fluid box, and a movement assembly with a belt-lift. In some embodiments, the movement assembly can include a vertically moveable chimney. Some embodiments include a chimney with an upper and lower horizontal member and dual fluid inlets. In some embodiments, a first control panel can be coupled to the housing to activate at least one function of the downdraft assembly while remaining substantially stationary as the chimney moves. Some embodiments include a second control panel coupled chimney. Some embodiments include a visor and at least one illumination source configured and arranged to at least partially illuminate the cooktop. In some embodiments, the visor can articulate to control illumination or the flow of a cooking effluent into at least one of the dual inlets.

Abstract: A method of determining emissions captured can include receiving information indicative of transmission of light through a region nearby an air handling apparatus. The information can include information indicative of a first condition wherein emissions to be captured by the air handling apparatus are suppressed and information indicative of a second condition wherein the emissions to be captured by the air handling apparatus are present. A processor circuit can be used to determine a difference between the information about the transmission of light during the first condition and information about the transmission of light during the second condition. The processor circuit can be used to determine a portion of the emissions captured by the air handling apparatus using information about the determined difference.

Abstract: A method of determining emissions captured can include receiving information indicative of transmission of light through a region nearby an air handling apparatus. The information can include information indicative of a first condition wherein emissions to be captured by the air handling apparatus are suppressed and information indicative of a second condition wherein the emissions to be captured by the air handling apparatus are present. A processor circuit can be used to determine a difference between the information about the transmission of light during the first condition and information about the transmission of light during the second condition. The processor circuit can be used to determine a portion of the emissions captured by the air handling apparatus using information about the determined difference.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a ventilation apparatus including a housing assembly with at least one fluid inlet, and at least one fluid outlet, and an exhaust fan assembly coupled to the housing assembly within an inner region. The exhaust fan assembly can include a scroll positioned within and coupled to the main housing, and a blower wheel positioned within the scroll and mechanically coupled to the motor. The ventilation assembly can include a configurable mounting panel including a main panel and at least one tab, and at least one configurable flange coupled to the main panel and extending outwardly from the main panel. The configurable mounting panel can include at least one bending region with at least one aperture. The ventilation apparatus can also include a muffler including an aperture, an electrical box enclosure including a lid, and a duct connector assembly each coupled with the housing assembly.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a combination lighting and ventilating apparatus for installation in a structure. The apparatus can include a main housing having a first aperture that defines a ventilating inlet and a lighting outlet, a lamp housing recessed within the main housing, having first and second apertures spaced a distance from one another, and having a portion that extends outside of the main housing, and a lamp recessed within the lamp housing and the main housing. In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a fan positioned to draw air into and through the first aperture of the lamp housing, around the lamp, and through the second aperture of the lamp housing. In another aspect of the invention, a method of lighting and ventilating a room using a combination lighting and ventilating apparatus is provided.