Abstract: A duct-free air filtration system including a housing having a hood for capturing air, grease, and smoke, and an elongated exhaust section in fluid communication with the hood. A grease extracting blower unit takes in air, grease, and smoke through the hood and exhausts air and smoke through the exhaust section of the housing with a substantial amount of the grease removed by centrifugal force. A charcoal filter disposed in the exhaust section removes odors from the air exhausted from the grease extracting blower unit and a smoke filter removes smoke from the air passed through the charcoal filter.

Abstract: A blower for use in a kitchen ventilation system includes a set of blades driven by a motor for moving air containing cooking byproducts from a surrounding area and separating out cooking byproducts. A housing at least partially encompasses the set of blades and captures the separated cooking byproducts. A tray engages with the housing, which includes a reservoir for accumulating the captured cooking byproducts, wherein the tray is separable from the housing to allow discarding of the accumulated cooking byproducts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus and system for safely and efficiently evacuating a ventilation hood having at least one blower unit disposed within a hood. The present invention incorporates an upper plenum frame having an opening in the bottom thereof. A squirrel cage fan is disposed about the opening to draw air down through the upper plenum frame, through a lower plenum, and out an exhaust duct connected to the lower plenum. In certain embodiments, the squirrel cage fan is driven at a speed appropriate to liquefy grease suspended in the heated air.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus and system for safely and efficiently controlling a ventilation hood having at least one blower unit disposed within a hood. The blower unit operates at a first speed which is substantially below a threshold speed when a speed controller is in a first setting and a sensor does not detect a trigger condition. The blower unit also operates at or above the threshold speed when the speed controller is in a first setting and the sensor detects the trigger condition. In addition, the blower unit operates at or above the threshold speed when the speed controller is in a second setting, and deactivates when the speed controller is in a third setting.