Abstract: A ventilation unit for installation in a ventilation system. The ventilation unit can include a motor coupled to a fan element and a power source. The ventilation unit can also include a calibration module having one of a voltage and current regulator for adjusting the performance of the ventilation unit based on at least one characteristic of the ventilation system.

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: 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 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: A modular range hood having a backbone module attachable to a cabinet or other support structure, wherein a shell and at least one ventilation module can be coupled to the backbone module to provide desired aesthetic characteristics and/or functionality. The backbone module can have a mounting feature for receiving a fastener or configured to otherwise secure the backbone module to an underside mounting position of the cabinet or other support structure. The backbone module can provide a standardized base to which different shells and ventilation modules can be coupled to provide a modular range hood having the desired aesthetic characteristics and/or functionality. Similarly, the standardized backbone module can simplify installation by standardizing the mounting of the modular range hood to the cabinet or other support structure irrespective the shell and ventilation module attached to the range hood.

Abstract: A mounting bracket mountable to the underside of the cabinet prior to the range hood and configured to engage and support the range hood as the range hood is secured to the cabinet. The mounting bracket having a support feature engagable to the range hood to hold the range hood proximate the cabinet while fasteners are sunk to secure the range hood to the cabinet. The mounting brackets are pre-positioned on the cabinet such that range hood is aligned with the cabinet when the range hood is supported by the support feature. The smaller mounting brackets can be more easily mounted in the proper position on the cabinet then the larger range hood speeding the installation process and reducing errors.

Abstract: A downdraft ventilation system includes a vertically movable chimney with two ventilation inlets and a baffle arranged within the chimney between the inlets. The combination of upper and lower ventilation inlets and internal baffle can function to increase the amount of cooking emission captured and exhausted by the downdraft system.

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: Embodiments of the invention provide a range hood system including a housing, a ventilation system including an inlet and a fan, an illumination source, and a user interface coupled with a control system. In some embodiments, a fan speed can be varied, and in some further embodiments, the range hood system can include a filter change indicator and fan delay-off feature. In some other embodiments, the illumination intensity can be varied to provide variable illumination intensity to the range top surface. Some embodiments can include a clock, a timer coupled to an audible alarm, and a fan delay-off time coupled to a user interface. In some other embodiments, a heat sensor can be coupled to a component of a range hood system, and a heat sentry mode can display a status on a user interface, and can operate a fan if the temperature exceeds a preset limit.

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.