Patents by Inventor Russell Robison

Russell Robison has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12331935
    Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Publication number: 20220290871
    Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Patent number: 11371719
    Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Publication number: 20200049353
    Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Patent number: 10488056
    Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Publication number: 20180347826
    Abstract: A commercial cooking equipment exhaust hood system includes a hood structure including an inlet opening to an exhaust flow path through the hood. A filter unit is positioned along the exhaust flow path. An electrostatic precipitator unit is downstream of the filter unit. The electrostatic precipitator includes an ionizing section upstream of a collecting section. The ionizing section includes a plurality of ionizing flow paths having side profile patterns that vary in width between at least one wide section and at least one narrow section. The collecting section includes a plurality of collecting flow paths with side profile patterns of substantially uniform width and a repeating undulating side profile pattern. A UV light source may also be provided within the hood, with a controller operatively connected to control the UV light source via a dimmer to enable selective production various UV levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Patent number: 9958168
    Abstract: Controlling an exhaust hood system having multiple hood sections each with an exhaust output having an associated damper, each exhaust output feeding to a common downstream fan, where damper position and fan speed control an exhaust flow rate through each hood section, involves monitoring at least one condition of each hood section and, based upon the monitoring, establishing a target flow rate for each hood section; based upon a sum of the target flow rates, establishing a fan speed; and monitoring an actual flow rate through each hood section and responsively controlling damper position to achieve the target flow rate for the hood section. Adjusting fan speed and damper position until damper position for at least one hood section achieves a predetermined open position, while at the same time each hood section satisfies its associated target flow rate, can reduce energy costs associated with system operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Bruce Lukens, Michael Borntrager
  • Patent number: 9702566
    Abstract: Controlling an exhaust hood system having multiple hood sections each with an exhaust output having an associated damper, each exhaust output feeding to a common downstream fan, where damper position and fan speed control an exhaust flow rate through each hood section, involves monitoring at least one condition of each hood section and, based upon the monitoring, establishing a target flow rate for each hood section; based upon a sum of the target flow rates, establishing a fan speed; and monitoring an actual flow rate through each hood section and responsively controlling damper position to achieve the target flow rate for the hood section. Adjusting fan speed and damper position until damper position for at least one hood section achieves a predetermined open position, while at the same time each hood section satisfies its associated target flow rate, can reduce energy costs associated with system operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Bruce Lukens, Michael Borntrager
  • Publication number: 20160255907
    Abstract: A noise-attenuating apparatus removably couple to footwear for reducing sounds associated with walking on wilderness terrain. The noise-attenuating apparatus includes a base having one end corresponding to the toe box of a shoe and a second end corresponding to the heel of a shoe. The noise-attenuating apparatus further including at least one platform disposed on the underside of the base corresponding to the toe box of the shoe and at least one platform disposed on the underside of the base corresponding to the heel of the shoe. The at least one platform disposed on the underside of the base corresponding to the toe box end having at least one sound-dampening pad. At least one platform disposed on the underside of the base corresponding to the heel end coupled to at least one sound-dampening cover. A securing system coupled to the base and adapted for securing the base to the shoe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventor: Russell Robison
  • Publication number: 20150211748
    Abstract: Controlling an exhaust hood system having multiple hood sections each with an exhaust output having an associated damper, each exhaust output feeding to a common downstream fan, where damper position and fan speed control an exhaust flow rate through each hood section, involves monitoring at least one condition of each hood section and, based upon the monitoring, establishing a target flow rate for each hood section; based upon a sum of the target flow rates, establishing a fan speed; and monitoring an actual flow rate through each hood section and responsively controlling damper position to achieve the target flow rate for the hood section. Adjusting fan speed and damper position until damper position for at least one hood section achieves a predetermined open position, while at the same time each hood section satisfies its associated target flow rate, can reduce energy costs associated with system operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Bruce Lukens, Michael Borntrager
  • Publication number: 20150211749
    Abstract: Controlling an exhaust hood system having multiple hood sections each with an exhaust output having an associated damper, each exhaust output feeding to a common downstream fan, where damper position and fan speed control an exhaust flow rate through each hood section, involves monitoring at least one condition of each hood section and, based upon the monitoring, establishing a target flow rate for each hood section; based upon a sum of the target flow rates, establishing a fan speed; and monitoring an actual flow rate through each hood section and responsively controlling damper position to achieve the target flow rate for the hood section. Adjusting fan speed and damper position until damper position for at least one hood section achieves a predetermined open position, while at the same time each hood section satisfies its associated target flow rate, can reduce energy costs associated with system operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Bruce Lukens, Michael Borntrager
  • Patent number: 8939142
    Abstract: An exhaust system includes a hood structure having one or more of (i) an exhaust flow infeed surface extending downward from a lower end of the filter unit that helps to feed the thermal plume toward the filter unit, (ii) a bypass flow transition surface extending upward from the upper end of the filter unit and then forward to aid bypass flow in circulating back toward the filter aperture and (iii) a front wall structure that includes a downwardly extending wall portion with a chamfered and/or curved transition portion at its lower end and a rearwardly extending wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: ITW Food Equipment Group LLC
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Bruce Lukens
  • Publication number: 20130291855
    Abstract: An exhaust system includes a hood structure having one or more of (i) an exhaust flow infeed surface extending downward from a lower end of the filter unit that helps to feed the thermal plume toward the filter unit, (ii) a bypass flow transition surface extending upward from the upper end of the filter unit and then forward to aid bypass flow in circulating back toward the filter aperture and (iii) a front wall structure that includes a downwardly extending wall portion with a chamfered and/or curved transition portion at its lower end and a rearwardly extending wall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Bruce Lukens
  • Patent number: 8505530
    Abstract: An exhaust system includes a hood structure having one or more of (i) an exhaust flow infeed surface extending downward from a lower end of the filter unit that helps to feed the thermal plume toward the filter unit, (ii) a bypass flow transition surface extending upward from the upper end of the filter unit and then forward to aid bypass flow in circulating back toward the filter aperture and (iii) a front wall structure that includes a downwardly extending wall portion with a chamfered and/or curved transition portion at its lower end and a rearwardly extending wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: ITW Food Equipment Group LLC
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Bruce Lukens
  • Patent number: 8157894
    Abstract: An impact filter suitable for a kitchen exhaust hood is provided with a grease trap to capture grease particles and channel the particles away. The trap can be of different configurations. The filter can be used in various processes to clean air streams, such as filtering processes for removing grease and other cooking exhaust particles and other processes for removing grease particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Kui-Chiu Kwok, Russell Robison
  • Publication number: 20110214565
    Abstract: An impact filter suitable for a kitchen exhaust hood is provided with a grease trap to capture grease particles and channel the particles away. The trap can be of different configurations. The filter can be used in various processes to clean air streams, such as filtering processes for removing grease and other cooking exhaust particles and other processes for removing grease particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Kui-Chiu Kwok, Russell Robison
  • Patent number: 7947123
    Abstract: An impact filter suitable for a kitchen exhaust hood is provided with a grease trap to capture grease particles and channel the particles away. The trap can be of different configurations. The filter can be used in various system layouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kui-Chiu Kwok, Russell Robison
  • Publication number: 20110114076
    Abstract: An exhaust system includes a hood structure having one or more of (i) an exhaust flow infeed surface extending downward from a lower end of the filter unit that helps to feed the thermal plume toward the filter unit, (ii) a bypass flow transition surface extending upward from the upper end of the filter unit and then forward to aid bypass flow in circulating back toward the filter aperture and (iii) a front wall structure that includes a downwardly extending wall portion with a chamfered and/or curved transition portion at its lower end and a rearwardly extending wall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Bruce Lukens
  • Publication number: 20090042500
    Abstract: A ventilator assembly for removing contaminants in cooking exhaust includes a hood portion having a hood plenum and an exhaust portion downstream of and in fluid communication with the hood plenum. An electro-static precipitator is disposed in the hood plenum or the exhaust portion, and at least one ultra-violet lamp is disposed upstream of the electro-static precipitator for cleaning the electro-static precipitator. The ultra-violet radiation reacts with the cooking exhaust and removes collected contaminants from an electro-static cell of the electro-static precipitator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Russell Robison, Keven Hass, Bruce Lukens
  • Publication number: 20080135041
    Abstract: A ventilator assembly for removing contaminants in cooking exhaust includes a hood portion having a hood plenum, and a duct portion in fluid communication with the hood portion, where the duct portion has an inside cross-sectional area that is less than half of an average inside cross-sectional area of the hoodplenum. A fan is in fluid communication with the duct portion for drawing the cooking exhaust through the hood portion to the duct portion. At least one ultra-violet lamp is disposed in the duct portion, where the ultra-violet radiation from the lamp reacts with the cooking exhaust to generate ozone for oxidizing contaminants in the cooking exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Russell Robison