Abstract: A ventilation assembly and methods of forming the same includes a ventilation grille having reducing acoustic bodies configured to attenuate sound of the ventilation assembly. Arrangement of the acoustic bodies can form phononic crystal to attenuate sound and can be tuned to desired sound bands to reduce sounds.

Abstract: A air inlet for an air handling unit includes an intake grate that extends around a central axis and is configured to admit an airflow therethrough. The air inlet further includes an outlet duct arranged to lie along the central axis and positioned radially inward of the intake grate. The air inlet further includes a debris collection housing.

Abstract: A ventilation assembly and methods of forming the same includes a ventilation grille having reducing acoustic bodies configured to attenuate sound of the ventilation assembly. Arrangement of the acoustic bodies can form phononic crystal to attenuate sound and can be tuned to desired sound bands to reduce sounds.

Abstract: A range hood includes a hood canopy configured to collect and exhaust effluents from a cook top and a hood skirt coupled to an outer edge of the hood canopy. The hood skirt has a front surface that faces outwardly away from an interior effluent-collection region defined by the hood canopy and the hood skirt. A removable trim is coupled to the hood skirt.

Abstract: A range hood for a microwave includes a range-hood mount and a pair of hood slides coupled to the range-hood mount. Each hood slide includes portions that are configured to move relative to the range-hood mount between a retracted position and an extended position. The range hood further includes an expandable hood extension coupled to the pair of slides and configured to move from a collapsed configuration, when the pair of slides are arranged in the retracted position, to an expanded configuration, when the pair of slides are in the extended position.

Abstract: A ventilation assembly and methods of forming the same includes a ventilation grille having reducing acoustic bodies configured to attenuate sound of the ventilation assembly. Arrangement of the acoustic bodies can form phononic crystal to attenuate sound and can be tuned to desired sound bands to reduce sounds.

Abstract: A ventilation assembly and methods of forming the same includes a ventilation grille having reducing acoustic bodies configured to attenuate sound of the ventilation assembly. Arrangement of the acoustic bodies can form phononic crystal to attenuate sound and can be tuned to desired sound bands to reduce sounds.

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: A ventilation assembly and methods of forming the same includes a ventilation grille having reducing acoustic bodies configured to attenuate sound of the ventilation assembly. Arrangement of the acoustic bodies can form phononic crystal to attenuate sound and can be tuned to desired sound bands to reduce sounds.

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: 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: A central vacuum system for collecting debris can include an autonomous vacuum system and a central vacuum fluidly connected to a remote intake port, the central vacuum being operable to generate a central airflow into the remote intake port. The autonomous vacuum system can comprise a collection bin fluidly connected to a debris intake and further include an onboard vacuum operable to generate a suction airflow from the debris intake into the collection bin to the onboard vacuum to draw debris through the debris intake into the collection bin. The autonomous vacuum system can further comprise an output connector fluidly connected to the collection bin. The output connector can be coupled to a remote intake port fluidly connected to a central vacuum operable to generate a central airflow to draw debris from the collection bin into the remote intake port positioned in the remote space.

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: A downdraft ventilation system can comprise: a movable chimney; an actuator configured to couple to and move the movable chimney; and a safety mechanism. The safety mechanism can include: a fixed bracket configured to engage the movable chimney member; a floating bracket configured to be positioned within and releasably engaged to the fixed bracket, the floating bracket configured to couple to the actuator; an energy storage member having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to engage the fixed bracket and the second end configured to engage the floating bracket; and at least one limit switch configured to engage the fixed bracket and the floating bracket, the at least one limit switch configured to remove power to the actuator when an obstruction of the movable chimney causes the floating bracket and the fixed bracket to disengage.

Abstract: A heating apparatus or platen is provided with a heating surface adjacent a heat exchange fluid area defined by the heating surface attached by side walls and end plates to a retainer plate. A flow through system pumps heat exchange fluid through a platen with holes in end plates. Optional walls partition the heat exchange fluid area into flow channels in the platen. An alternative circulating flow system circulates heat exchange fluid in a closed platen with solid end plates. A u-shaped wall and at least one internal wall create a continuous fluid flow channel inside the closed platen. Flow systems pump a heat exchange fluid through heat exchange fluid area for heating by at least one internal heating element within the platen. The temperature of the heat exchange fluid remains relatively constant as it passes through the platen from heat conduction by the internal heating elements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to dry veneer or other items by vaporization of moisture in the item. Apparatus has an insulated chamber with a frame and a drawer with a door. A mesh surface of the drawer supports item for drying with a heater at sub-atmospheric pressure inside of the chamber. Item is placed on the layer of mesh of the drawer of the apparatus and secured with fasteners such as another layer of mesh. The drawer with fastened item is placed into the chamber of the apparatus. With the drawer fully engaged within the chamber, the drying apparatus is closed with an airtight seal. A pump draws a vacuum in the chamber and heat is directed at the item to raise the temperature of the item to less than 160° F., particularly between 120° F. to 150° F. Apparatus can dry veneer in less than five minutes.

Abstract: A heating apparatus or platen is provided with a heating surface adjacent a heat exchange fluid area defined by the heating surface attached by side walls and end plates to a retainer plate. A flow through system pumps heat exchange fluid through a platen with holes in end plates. Optional walls partition the heat exchange fluid area into flow channels in the platen. An alternative circulating flow system circulates heat exchange fluid in a closed platen with solid end plates. A u-shaped wall and at least one internal wall create a continuous fluid flow channel inside the closed platen. Flow systems pump a heat exchange fluid through heat exchange fluid area for heating by at least one internal heating element within the platen. The temperature of the heat exchange fluid remains relatively constant as it passes through the platen from heat conduction by the internal heating elements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to dry veneer or other items by vaporization of moisture in the item. Apparatus has an insulated chamber with a frame and a drawer with a door. A mesh surface of the drawer supports item for drying with a heater at sub-atmospheric pressure inside of the chamber. Item is placed on the layer of mesh of the drawer of the apparatus and secured with fasteners such as another layer of mesh. The drawer with fastened item is placed into the chamber of the apparatus. With the drawer fully engaged within the chamber, the drying apparatus is closed with an airtight seal. A pump draws a vacuum in the chamber and heat is directed at the item to raise the temperature of the item to less than 160° F., particularly between 120° F. to 150° F. Apparatus can dry veneer in less than five minutes.