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).
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Patent number: 12331935Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 27, 2022Date of Patent: June 17, 2025Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Publication number: 20220290871Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Patent number: 11371719Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 16, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Publication number: 20200049353Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Patent number: 10488056Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 1, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Publication number: 20180347826Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Patent number: 9958168Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Russell Robison, Bruce Lukens, Michael Borntrager
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Patent number: 9702566Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Russell Robison, Bruce Lukens, Michael Borntrager
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Publication number: 20160255907Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2015Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventor: Russell Robison
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Publication number: 20150211748Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Russell Robison, Bruce Lukens, Michael Borntrager
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Publication number: 20150211749Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Russell Robison, Bruce Lukens, Michael Borntrager
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Patent number: 8939142Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 5, 2013Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: ITW Food Equipment Group LLCInventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Bruce Lukens
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Publication number: 20130291855Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Bruce Lukens
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Patent number: 8505530Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 19, 2009Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: ITW Food Equipment Group LLCInventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Bruce Lukens
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Patent number: 8157894Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventors: Kui-Chiu Kwok, Russell Robison
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Publication number: 20110214565Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: September 8, 2011Inventors: Kui-Chiu Kwok, Russell Robison
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Patent number: 7947123Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2007Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Kui-Chiu Kwok, Russell Robison
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Publication number: 20110114076Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: Russell Robison, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Bruce Lukens
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Publication number: 20090042500Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventors: Russell Robison, Keven Hass, Bruce Lukens
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Publication number: 20080135041Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2006Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventor: Russell Robison