Abstract: An autonomous ventilation system includes a variable-speed exhaust fan, a controller, an exhaust hood, and an infrared radiation (“IR”) sensor. The exhaust fan removes air contaminants from an area. The controller is coupled to the exhaust fan and adjusts the speed of the exhaust fan. The exhaust hood is coupled to the exhaust fan and directs air contaminants to the exhaust fan. The IR sensor is coupled to the controller, detects changes in IR index in a zone below the exhaust hood, and communicates information relating to detected changes in IR index to the controller. The controller adjusts the speed of the exhaust fan in response to information relating to detected changes in IR index. The autonomous ventilation system also includes an alignment laser to indicate a point at which the IR sensor is aimed and a field-of-view (“FOV”) indicator to illuminate the zone in which the IR sensor detects changes in IR index.

Abstract: Exhaust capture and containment are enhanced by means of automatic or manual side skirts, a sensitive breach detector based on interference effects, a combination of vertical and horizontal edge jets, and/or corner jets that are directed to the center diagonally from corners. Associated control functions are described.

Abstract: An exhaust device for convection or combi ovens captures exhaust from opening side-opening oven doors with minimal energy waste.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for demand-based control of a cold water spray system of an exhaust ventilation system. Embodiments include determining a demand load of a cooking appliance that generates cooking effluent in a vicinity of an exhaust hood, and determining a temperature of water in the cold water spray system. The cold water spray system is controlled in response to at least one of the determined appliance demand load and the determined temperature of water in the cold water spray system to maintain a low temperature of water in the cold water spray system below a predetermined temperature threshold, thereby enabling efficient removal of contaminants from the exhaust hood by the cold water spray system.

Abstract: Exhaust capture and containment are enhanced by means of automatic or manual side skirts, a sensitive breach detector based on interference effects, a combination of vertical and horizontal edge jets, and/or corner jets that are directed to the center diagonally from corners. Associated control functions are described.

Abstract: Energy recovery devices, systems and methods, and energy recovery control systems and methods for efficient extraction and reuse of waste heat from exhaust fumes generated from cooking appliances.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the exhaust flow rate in an exhaust ventilation system including an exhaust hood positioned above a cooking appliance. The method can include measuring a temperature of the exhaust air in the vicinity of the cooking appliance, and measuring a radiant temperature of a surface of the cooking appliance, and determining an appliance status based on the measured exhaust air temperature and radiant temperature, and controlling the exhaust flow rate in response to the determined appliance status.

Abstract: A chilled beam has separate primary and secondary inlets and plenums each or which generates separate sets of induction jets to draw air through a chilled beam heat exchanger. Various system and method embodiments are described as well as features usable in conventional active chilled beams to facilitate the use variable thermal and ventilation load applications.

Abstract: Exhaust hood methods, devices, and systems are disclosed herein that improve the performance of short-circuit hoods. Such improvements can be provided relatively inexpensively by utilizing existing features of the structure of short-circuit hoods. The resulting enhancement in performance may exceed that of a regular exhaust hood while avoiding the pitfalls associated with make-up air injection into the exhaust hood recess. The components of the short-circuit system that inject make-up and/or conditioned air into the exhaust hood recess can be converted into a combination of horizontal and vertical jets at a lower edge of the exhaust hood. A retrofit jet generator can be installed into the short-circuit system outlets. A series of openings in the jet generator can generate the combination of horizontal and vertical jets at a lower edge of the exhaust hood when air from the make-up air or conditioned air source is supplied thereto.

Abstract: A flow control system for controlling exhaust flow can measure effluent escaping from the exhaust hood at a given flow rate. An interferometric detector can measure fluctuations in fluid properties external to and/or in the vicinity of the exhaust hood. The flow control system may vary a flow rate of the exhaust hood and/or control exhaust hood structures responsive to the measurements to contain the effluent while minimizing the exhaust of air from the occupied space.

Abstract: A device that augments the capture and containment of an exhaust hood using jets is retrofitable to existing exhaust hoods. The device, in embodiments, forms a self-contained system that is separate from the hood and can be installed in existing hoods providing them with increased performance. Various embodiments are shown which are suitable for canopy and backshelf hood designs.

Abstract: A flow control device has a duct section with a plurality of damper blocking elements, each having a major plane. The damper blocking elements are pivotably connected to the duct section and movable in a range that is limited to ensure that, when the duct section is mounted in a preferred orientation, the damper blocking element major planes always form an angle of at least 45 degrees from the horizontal throughout the range. The range is such that the plurality of damper blocking elements can selectively close and open the duct. The blocking elements can completely close the duct, for example, to block natural convection.

Abstract: An exhaust device for convection or combi ovens captures exhaust from opening side-opening oven doors with minimal energy waste.

Abstract: A method of responding to a condition in an exhaust ventilation system that has an exhaust hood includes receiving, at a control module, an exhaust air temperature signal representing a temperature of the exhaust air in a vicinity of the exhaust hood, the exhaust air temperature signal being generated by a temperature sensor. The method also includes receiving a radiant temperature signal representing a temperature of a surface of a cooking appliance that generates the exhaust air, the radiant temperature signal being generated by a radiant temperature sensor. Further, the method includes receiving a pressure signal representing the pressure in the hood and determining a state of the cooking appliance based on the received exhaust air temperature signal, the received radiant temperature signal, and the received pressure signal. Finally, the method responds to the determined appliance state by outputting a control signal from the control module.

Abstract: A ventilation system includes a supply register with a displacement-type diffuser providing a flow of ventilation air at a non-mixing rate that maintains stratification of air in the occupied space. An first exclusive return register is positioned near the ceiling and a second exclusive return register is positioned near the floor. A control system controls the flow of heated or cooled air to the supply register and selectively controls the flow of air into the first or second return registers. During the cooling mode, cooled air flows through the supply register and air is withdrawn only through the first exclusive return register, while in the heating mode warm air flows through the supply register and air is withdrawn only through the second return register.

Abstract: A chilled beam system may incorporate a terminal unit to provide additional heating and cooling capacity including latent cooling. In a system, terminal units may be distributed and connected to cooperate with a primary air stream from a central air handling unit. The chilled beam and/or terminal units may employ features for enhancing heating mode operation. Control embodiments take advantage of the additional capabilities described.

Abstract: An exhaust apparatus for a conveyor oven includes a first hood linked to a duct at a first end of the duct and connected to a frame configured for mounting on the conveyor oven such that the first hood is positioned directly over a conveyor tray of the conveyor oven. The first hood has at least one grease filter and a recess defined at least in part by an interior wall, the hood interior wall having a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, a bottom edge, a top edge, and opposing side edges. The hood interior wall bottom edge is aligned with a top of the conveyor oven and is aligned directly over an access located in the bounding external surface of the conveyor oven when the first hood is mounted on the conveyor oven.