Kitchen Hoods Patents (Class 55/DIG36)
  • Patent number: 4436023
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooking food and extracting smoke is disclosed comprising a grill for use with a heat source, the grill having an upwardly convex cooking surface with ventilation holes formed therein and a peripheral groove for collecting food juices, and further comprising a hood for collecting smoke supported above a grill on a cooking table and duct work leading from within the hood, through the table and away to external exhaust. The apparatus is suited for restaurant dining room use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Inventor: Kensuke Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4411254
    Abstract: Disclosed is a proximity ventilated cooking range adapted for countertop installation in a conventional stack-on kitchen cabinet. The surface heating units and ventilating air intake rest over a cut-out portion of the cabinet countertop with a ventilating air plenum and motor driven fan depending from the top surface of the range and disposed in the underlying cabinet. A housing enclosing an electronic air filtering unit is mounted closely adjacent the ventilating air plenum with a duct connecting the discharge of the fan and the interior of the filter unit housing. After moving through the filter unit, the air exits from the housing through a discharge opening at the front of the cabinet into the kitchen environs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: The Jenn-Air Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Field, Donald J. Simon
  • Patent number: 4411675
    Abstract: An imperforate duct has fluid-inlet and fluid-outlet openings at opposite ends thereof, between which is located a rotor that performs both a ventilating function and a filtering function by way of imperforate, rough surfaces which are adapted to retain solid and liquid particles contained in air or other gas that is being filtered, the rotor being followed by a gas-treating filter through which the fluid passes before emerging from the hood. An aerodynamic block against backflow is located between the inlet opening and the rotor, but not in contact with the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Inventor: Pierre de Castella
  • Patent number: 4382807
    Abstract: A gas cleaning and heat transfer apparatus has a plurality of gas cleaning units that concurrently operate to separate foreign matter from the gas and reduces the temperature of the gas. Each cleaning unit has a heat conducting wall surrounding a tubular passage for carrying gas and foreign matter. A plurality of helical elements located in the passage are positioned in angular relationship relative to each other so that the gas moving through the passage is divided into separate helical gas streams. Heat from the gas in the passage is transferred through the wall to the fluid. The jacket around the cylindrical wall has a generally spiral rib in one embodiment which directs the flow of liquid in the chamber in a spiral path. The heating liquid is pumped to a location where the heat in the liquid is utilized. In another embodiment a spiral fin surrounds the heat conducting wall and a relatively airtight jacket surrounds the fin. Air cools the heat conducting wall as it circulates in the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Assignee: Century 21 Pollution Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Wolodymyr Diachuk
  • Patent number: 4376434
    Abstract: A downwardly and forwardly open shroud for a cooking station converges rearwardly and upwardly toward an outlet duct. A throat region of the shroud is provided with a removable panel having a slotted baffle. A gutter and sump are provided for catching condensate, grease and the like. The panel is easily removed for cleaning, for exchanging with a similar panel having a different size and/or shape of slotted baffle and the sump is placed for easy cleanout. Versions are shown wherein the shroud is wall-mounted at the cooking station or cart-mounted together with a mobile cooking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Assignee: Hardee's Food Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Stahl
  • Patent number: 4373509
    Abstract: A ventilation system for institutional and commercial cooking equipment includes a hood which is placed over the equipment and which attaches to an exhaust duct and fan that removes a relatively constant volume of air from beneath the hood. A make-up air supply divides to form a fresh air duct that connects to the hood and a tempered air duct which also connects to the hood. The fresh air is directed beneath the hood by fresh air registers and the tempered air is directed into the surrounding room by tempered air registers. The relative amounts of fresh air and tempered air can be changed by a damper, but the damper does not significantly alter the total amount of supplied make-up air. The system can thus be adjusted to use more or less tempered air as various combinations of cooking equipment are used without affecting the overall balance of exhaust air and make-up air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Greenheck Fan Corporation
    Inventors: Emery W. Neitzel, Jerome A. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 4372195
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for balancing the inlet air flow against the exhaust air flow in a system for exhausting contaminant-laden air from a work space. The volume of inlet air is controlled in accordance with its temperature so that the weight rate of air through the inlet fan is set at a value approximating the actual or a selected average value of the weight rate of air per minute exhausted by the exhaust fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Inventor: John Dorius
  • Patent number: 4364754
    Abstract: A gas cleaning and heat transfer apparatus associated with a cooking hood assembly to separate foreign matter from gas moving through the hood assembly and transferring heat from the gas to a liquid. The apparatus has a plurality of gas cleaning and heat transfer units. Each unit has a heat conducting wall surrounding a tubular passage accommodating a plurality of helical elements that divide and direct the gas into separate helical gas streams. A spiral ribbed jacket having a liquid accommodating a chamber surrounds the cylindrical wall and directs the flow of a liquid in the chamber in a spiral path. The foreign matter is separated from the gas as it moves in the spiral path through the passage by the combined mechanisms of centrifugal force, adhesion, condensation, and impaction. The liquid surrounding the wall lowers the temperature of the gas adjacent the inside of the wall causing condensation of vapors carried by the gas on the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Century 21 Pollution Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Wolodymyr Diachuk
  • Patent number: 4363642
    Abstract: In a preferred form a restaurant meat broiling range hood is integrated with a fiber bed-type mist eliminating apparatus. Assistance is provided in the preferred form by a pump to draw the gas stream through this apparatus. Electrical and plumbing control systems are shown provided as substantially pre-assembled units for ease of field installation. A unique cleaning system is provided, which is simple to conduct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1982
    Assignee: Hardee's Food Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Stahl
  • Patent number: 4358433
    Abstract: A process for promoting heterogeneous chemical and physical reactions in a gas stream using a casing which is substantially liquid and gas tight having a gas inlet in one end and a gas outlet in the other end; nozzle means within the casing having an entry toward said one end in communication with the gas inlet and an outlet toward said other end, said nozzle means having an effective cross-sectional area of about 2 to about 64 times the effective cross-sectional area of the outlet and the mean angle of convergence of the nozzle being about 6.degree. to about 20.degree.; means in the casing for introduction of reactant liquids and solids into the gas stream before said nozzle means; means for removing liquid and particulate matter from said other end of the casing following desired reaction; and means for separately removing the gas from said other end of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Inventor: Ladislav J. Pircon
  • Patent number: 4354863
    Abstract: A false ceiling for use in removing and/or dissipating contaminants in a room including a plurality of ceiling elements, each of which has an arcuate configuration, the concave surface of which is directed downwardly, and the convex surface of which is directed upwardly, the ceiling elements collecting and draining off contaminants in the form of condensate into collecting channels which are supported by support members on which the ceiling elements are also supported, the ceiling elements being defined by spaced apart parallel arcuate walls that define an air circulating passage therebetween, a plurality of spaced openings being formed in each of the walls to permit the free flow of air therethrough, the location of the openings in one of said walls being staggered relative to the location of the openings in the other of said walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Inventor: Johann Oleszak
  • Patent number: 4351652
    Abstract: A fume hood removes cooking odors such as grease from the air by providing positive contact with a recyclable water-detergent solution, thus serving to condense and emulsify the grease and thereby remove it. Positive contact with the water is caused by having a water-washed screen across the inlet of the hood, the screen having a mesh designed to cause a close interweaving of the air and water. The air then passes through the remainder of the hood and any remaining grease is removed by turbulent contact of air and water in the passage or along the inner sides of the hood. Through a series of one or more sloping dividers in the exhaust hood, the input recycled water may also create additional "waterfall" washing steps.The unit is maintained substantially at room temperature, even though receiving heated contaminated air, due to heat absorption by water evaporation in the washing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Inventor: Walter L. Wisting
  • Patent number: 4350504
    Abstract: A cooking unit having a hood equipped with air cleaning structures and blowers for moving air through the cleaning structures. The air cleaning structures include a pre-filter having spaced baffles for collecting air borne greases and particles. A primary fiber filter and secondary charcoal and oxidizer beds are located downstream of the pre-filter. A high efficiency filter is located downstream of the secondary cleaning beds. A damper behind the pre-filter closes in response to an increase in temperature of the air moving through the filters. A separate heating unit is used to reactivate the charcoal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: Century 21 Pollution Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Wolodymyr Diachuk
  • Patent number: 4346692
    Abstract: A make-up air device for an overhead exhaust hood for a cooking range including a supply air plenum having a controlled air chamber in the outlet passage of the plenum for controlling the volume, velocity and direction of the flow of make-up air from the plenum over the cooking range. The controlled air chamber includes an upper inlet portion projecting into the air plenum space and including variably controlled damper blades. The lower discharge end of the control chamber includes adjustable louvers for controlling the direction of the discharged air. The adjustable louvers may be mounted in the bottom wall of the control chamber or the side wall. When the adjustable louvers are in the bottom wall, the side wall may be perforated to provide a by-pass flow. Moreover, when the adjustable louvers are in the bottom wall, a transverse perforated plate may be installed in the chamber between the inlet dampers and the discharge louvers in order to dampen the velocity of the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Inventor: Lewis C. McCauley
  • Patent number: 4336038
    Abstract: A fibrous filter mat of which all or a part of the fibers are coated totally or at least in part with a mixture of at least two dye components which are insoluble in one another, one of said components being fat- and/or oil-soluble and of a color which contrasts with that of the fiber blend and/or of the other component, the other component being fat- and/or oil-insoluble. The mat is especially suited for kitchen exhaust hoods since entrapment of fats and oils causes a color change as the oil-soluble dye dissolves and spreads out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Wolfram Schultheiss, Harald Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4323373
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cleaning air carrying smoke, grease, ordors and other pollutants. The air having the grease and other pollutants, such as the exhaust air from a restaurant cooking grill, is passed through a filter box in which is mounted two pairs of planar filter members. The air is passed sequentially in halves through a lower pair of the filter members and then through an upper pair of the filter members and out of the filter box. The filter members are continuously scrubbed by a scrubbing solution comprising cold water and a cold water detergent. The water cools the air and grease in the air is congealed, and it acts as a filter, and it removes the congealed grease from the filter members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: Oxford Air Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick F. Fritz
  • Patent number: 4319898
    Abstract: A filter for removing airborne grease has spaced front and rear walls each with a series of transverse louvers extending into the interior of the filter and opening downwardly. A filter media of expanded metal sheets is sandwiched between the front and rear walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: Air Filter Corporation
    Inventor: Max Maierhofer
  • Patent number: 4286572
    Abstract: In a ventilating hood generally for use in conjunction with a heating apparatus, such as a cooker, a housing incorporates both a diverter and a rear support, the two of which join to segregate the incoming air through a supply conduit from the outgoing air traversing through a support arranged filter and into an exhaust outlet. The front wall of the housing, which is spaced from the lower end of the diverter, incorporates a slightly upwardly inclined deflector, which directs substantially all of the air incoming to the hood upwardly and rearwardly directly towards for movement through the filter, and out of the exhaust outlet, and since the air is generally unencumbered by any structure in the path of its flow, it moves in a rather parallel course with the arranged diverter, and rapidly exits carrying the entrained fumes therewith significantly reducing the BTU requirements for operation of this hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: Cambridge Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Searcy, Roger O. Zoellner, Ronald C. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4284421
    Abstract: An air-cleaning, heat-exchange apparatus includes a main housing portion connected by means of an air inlet fan to the kitchen exhaust stack of a restaurant. The apparatus includes a plurality of heat exchangers through which a heat-absorptive fluid is circulated, simultaneously, by means of a suitable fluid pump. These heat exchangers absorb heat from the hot exhaust gas, out of the exhaust stack of the restaurant, which flows over and through these heat exchangers and transfers this heat to the circulating fluid which communicates with remote heat exchangers. These remote heat exchangers further transfer this heat to a stream of air, such as that from a cold-air return duct for supplementing the conventional heating system of the restaurant. Due to the fact that such hot exhaust gas is heavily grease laden, grease will be deposited on virtually all internal surfaces of the apparatus which this exhaust gas contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Inventor: Arthur G. Howard
  • Patent number: 4283209
    Abstract: A separator for removing oil or fat particles from waste air, more specifically from a catering kitchen, has a system of generally parallel rods normal to the direction of the waste air current. The rods are distributed across the full cross-section of the waste air in the duct, and turbulence is produced in the waste air when it passes the rods so that oil and fat is entrained on the rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Inventor: Markus Schmalhofer
  • Patent number: 4281635
    Abstract: Choke attachments are applied to that portion of the inlet of the ventilator serving low pollution cooking units in a row of various types of cooking units in a restaurant kitchen. This reduces the rate of air removal from the kitchen, and in most cases also the rate of air removal from an adjoining dining room, to conserve energy without impairing the efficiency of the ventilator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Gaylord Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Edson C. Gaylord
  • Patent number: 4266529
    Abstract: All the grease extracting baffles are incorporated in a single unit which is removable from the ventilator for cleaning. The baffle arrangement changes the direction of the whole flow of air through the ventilator without dividing the flow, as distinguished from removable grease extractors having a large number of narrow, zigzag baffles with narrow air slots between them and mounted in a frame similar to a porous filter frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: Gaylord Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Edson C. Gaylord
  • Patent number: 4263891
    Abstract: A range ventilator is provided in a space with a heat exchanging partition between the contaminated exhaust air and the inflowing outside air. A duct for the exhaust air is formed between the heat exchanging partition constructed in the form of a cylinder of curved corrugated sheet metal and a cylindrical cover which can be disassembled into two halves, around the middle section of the sheet metal cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Inventor: Ilmar Mets
  • Patent number: 4250870
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed whereby both the inlet and exhaust plenums may be very "wide" (long), yet low in profile, economical to construct, and have very small tendencies to collect or be plugged with grease, while still achieving the important requisite of substantially uniform flow across the entire "width" (length) of the apparatus. One set of baffle or constrictor means is provided in the inlet plenum at regions between the inlet duct and the "sides" (ends) of such plenum. Another baffle or constrictor means is provided in the extended exhaust plenum, at regions between the exhaust duct and the central region of the grease-filter means. The respective baffle or constrictor means are relatively adjacent the ducts. The baffle or constrictor means are preferably fixed or adjustable baffles, or indentations (dimples) in the walls of the plenums. In one embodiment, an air-blocking plate is provided at the air-inlet throat on each "side" of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Inventor: Irvin R. Kuechler
  • Patent number: 4244710
    Abstract: An air purification filter is provided which has a housing; an inlet in the housing for air to be purified; a microporous filter medium, activated charcoal, which is placed in the housing so that the air to be purified passes through this microporous filter medium. The microporous filter medium serves as an electrostatic filter, with the air, including the particulate matter in the air, being charged to one polarity just prior to reaching the microporous filter medium, and with the microporous filter medium itself being directly charged, with an electrode at the downstream surface of the microporous filter medium. In a preferred embodiment an odor neutralizing medium bearing a charge opposite to that of the microporous filter medium is placed upstream of the microporous filter medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Inventor: Manfred R. Burger
  • Patent number: 4235220
    Abstract: An air filtration system for a cooking stove collects exhaust air from the stove with a vent hood, filters grease, particles and odors from the exhaust air and returns the filtered exhaust air to the room in which the stove is used. Exhaust air is cleansed of particles and odors by an activated charcoal filter within a return air conduit leading from the vent hood to the room. An electrically operated fan draws exhaust air into the vent hood, through grease filters and the activated charcoal filter and forces exhaust air back into the room. Regeneration of the activated charcoal filter is provided at selective intervals of time to maintain the effectiveness of the charcoal, and cooling of return air is provided for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Inventor: Robert J. Hepner
  • Patent number: 4231769
    Abstract: A filtered ventilating system for a cooking unit incorporates a hood emplaceable above a cooking unit. An exhaust stack extends from the hood for removing cooking fumes captured by the hood. A barrier wall divides the interior of the hood into inlet and outlet zones open to the cooking unit and exhaust stack, respectively, and is provided with a fume opening to receive a filter for grease and the like. Wash down pipes respectively extend along the exhaust zone of the hood adjacent the filter and along an exhaust stack. A motor rotates the wash down pipes and a suitable supply provides wash liquid to the pipes, which are thus energizable to simultaneously rotate and spray the wash liquid onto adjacent hood, filter and exhaust stack surfaces for cleaning same. Pivot and latch apparatus supports the filter for reversal on the barrier wall, to permit both sides of the filter to be cleaned by liquid from the wash down pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Inventor: Willard K. Ahlrich
  • Patent number: 4231765
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air cleaning apparatus having a rectangular enclosure with air inlet and outlet passages and internal lower and upper baffles which sequentially direct inlet air through lower and upper water curtains which are provided by a recirculating water system. The apparatus also has a separate scrubbing water system to wash the internal surfaces of the apparatus. In operation, the scrubbing system is periodically activated and the reservoir of the recirculating water system is periodically drained and refilled with fresh water. Also disclosed is the method of using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Inventor: Morton J. Scott
  • Patent number: 4211154
    Abstract: Gases such as contaminated exhaust or stale air are induced toward a suction orifice by means of an air nozzle spaced from the orifice and pointing generally in the direction thereof to generate a Venturi effect on the gases at considerable distances from the suction orifice. An auxiliary plate extending generally parallel to and spaced slightly from the exposed wall of the air nozzle has one edge thereof positioned at a point farther away from the suction orifice than the outlet of the air nozzle, so that a secondary Venturi is generated and the capture point of the gases being collected is effectively moved further away from the suction orifice thereby improving the collection effect of the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Inventor: Marion L. Eakes
  • Patent number: 4186727
    Abstract: An air ventilation and washing system for extracting noxious or other impure air, such as is present above the cooking surface of a stove having automatically activated electrical and mechanical fire control apparatus selectively responsive to changes in temperature is disclosed. The air ventilation system has a hood structure providing a make-up air distribution plenum through which air is distributed and pressurized for equal distribution of make-up air along the length of the hood structure. A vortex baffle is provided in the hood between a make-up air cavity and an exhaust cavity to cause efficient mixing of room air and make-up air from the exterior, while protecting personnel from exposure to the exterior make-up air, and a vortex chamber causes the mixing of the make-up air and room air with contaminated air from the stove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Assignee: National Food Service Equipment Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold S. Kaufman, Robert L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4171722
    Abstract: A heat recovery device for recovering waste heat from a hot gas that carries solid and precipitable contaminants of the type given off from the grill area of a fast food restaurant in which a heat exchanger is provided through which these gases are directed for heat exchange with a gas to be heated such as ambient air. The heated air may then be supplied to the interior of the restaurant or to ambient. The two gases are directed through sets of spaced passages in the heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with each other. A filter is used ahead of the heat exchanger for filtering the hot gas. This filter is easily removed for cleaning. A liquid receiving container may be periodically used to replace the filter. This receives a liquid such as a hot detergent solution that may be used to clean the contaminated passages of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1979
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Homer D. Huggins
  • Patent number: 4155348
    Abstract: A ventilator for cooking units particularly of the kind having a forwardly disposed cooking area and a rearwardly disposed, upstanding flue, as for exhausting of combustion products. The ventilator comprises a free-standing floor-supported hood of rectangular box shape and opens forward and downward to receive the cooking unit removably therein. The hood is formed by boxlike inner and outer shells opening forwardly and downwardly with their top, back and opposite side panels spaced to define a single continuous air flow space therebetween. The air flow space is closed except for an inlet adjacent the rear of the hood and an outlet comprising an inverted U-shaped slot disposed near and extending along the front edges of the top and side panels of the inner shell to face into the cooking area and having a pair of flow directing louvers extending therealong. A U-shaped perforated baffle between the shells separates the front and rear parts of the air space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1979
    Inventor: Willard K. Ahlrich
  • Patent number: 4153044
    Abstract: A low profile backshelf type hood having back, top, and side walls is either floor mounted or wall mounted to form a hood enclosure partially surrounding a source fo fumes or vapors. Outside untempered forced air is directed in through the top of the hood and up to the top front of the hood, where it is directed backwardly and downwardly through the enclosure as a narrow curtain at high velocity toward an exhaust opening. A filter is located within the opening and angularly oriented such that the high velocity air curtain engages the upper third of the filter and perpendicularly to the filter. Fumes arising upwardly pass into the exhaust opening along with the injected air, with the exhausted fumes and air then being drawn upwardly and out through an exhaust channel within the hood enclosure ductwork leading to the exhaust fan. Provision is also made for exhausting combustion fumes from gas fired equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Inventor: Louis A. Nett
  • Patent number: 4146016
    Abstract: The specification discloses a kitchen stove hood having two venting modes of operation. The kitchen stove hood is dimensioned to be disposed in a kitchen area over a stove and includes an air intake opening. An air recirculation outlet for recirculating filtered air to the kitchen area and an air vent outlet for venting air from the kitchen area is also included in the kitchen stove hood. A recirculation damper blade is mounted adjacent to the air recirculation outlet and is operable between an open and closed position. A vent damper blade is mounted adjacent to the air vent outlet and is operable between an open and closed position. The damper blades are interconnected by a damper blade linkage assembly which is operable to positively move the recirculation damper blade between its open and closed position while simultaneously moving the vent damper blade between its closed and open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Rangaire Corporation
    Inventors: Leon O. Bowen, Jr., Michael T. McVean
  • Patent number: 4146017
    Abstract: A system for the capture and withdrawal of cooking vapors from above a cooking surface disposed in a room, such as a kitchen, comprising hood means disposed above the cooking surface, means for introducing air from outside the room through an inlet into the space between the cooking surface and the hood to entrain the vapors from the cooking surface, and filter means disposed within the space between the hood and the cooking surface at a vertical height less than the vertical height of the air inlet means for receiving vapor-ladened air and exhausting the same after filtration thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Inventor: Duncan E. Overton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4145194
    Abstract: A filter bed separator for separation of liquid or solid particulates from gas streams and/or for washing of accumulated solids from the filter bed. Each separator contains one or more cylindrical filter bed elements, each comprising a non-matting bed of filter material defining a hollow cylindrical filter bed element having a hollow core, with the filter bed terminating at the walls of a gas inlet duct. The gas inlet duct comprises one or more ducts disposed along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the cylindrical element with the walls of the duct extending from outside the housing of the separator to the inner circumference of the filter bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: Walter R. Horlacher, Jr., Jack L. Owens
  • Patent number: 4143645
    Abstract: The invention comprises a method and an exhaust hood for the removal of heated, fouled air from a defined work area in a room having air tempering equipment, and having a source of fouled air located in the defined work area. The hood comprises an enclosure having a lower opening, the enclosure being positioned above the source of heated, fouled air, and means for supplying make-up air to the hood at a first determined rate. The make-up air is directed downwardly toward the fouled air source at a predetermined angle, thereby causing the make-up air to mix with the convectively rising heated, fouled air. The mixture of make-up air and fouled air is then exhausted at a second predetermined rate, thereby establishing an air stream from the make-up air source to the exhaust area. Contaminants are removed from the air to be exhausted and the make-up air is pre-heated with heat from the exhaust air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1979
    Inventor: Sidney Blumberg
  • Patent number: 4137904
    Abstract: An exhaust hood may be fabricated which will reduce the rate of exhaust air quantities circulated through the exhaust hood and thereby reduce the quantity of make up air supplied to the exhaust hood from the conditioned space with a resultant energy savings. The exhaust hood may include a supply plenum, an exhaust duct and a partial pressure chamber coupled to the supply plenum. A partial pressure is formed within the partial pressure chamber which is provided with at least one venturi slot at its lower extremity. Typically, two venturi slots are employed to produce a partial pressure region exterior to the partial pressure chamber, which region is juxtapositioned to an inlet port provided in the exhaust duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1979
    Assignee: Elsters, Inc.
    Inventor: John O. Dorius
  • Patent number: 4134394
    Abstract: An air ventilation system for use in conjunction with a cooking exhaust hood for exhausting cooking vapors, odors and the like from the air space above a commercial kitchen stove. The exhaust hood defines an air space above the stove and includes an exhaust fan which draws a predetermined amount of air from the air space between the hood and the stove. The hood includes a primary air passage along the internal front perimeter of the hood canopy for inducing air into the air space to replenish a substantial portion of the air exhausted through the hood. Air is supplied to the primary air passage by means of a motorized fan drawing outside air into the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1979
    Inventor: James T. Otenbaker
  • Patent number: 4133300
    Abstract: A ventilating range hood adapted to provide a number of selectable exhaust paths for air brought into the range hood from the ambient. The ventilating hood utilizes an enclosure having a removable plate in the top cover to provide an upwardly directed exhaust path through a cylindrical vent duct or a rectangular vent duct. A second removable plate is provided in the back wall of the enclosure to provide a rearwardly directed exhaust path through a rear vent duct. A removable closure plate is provided on the front wall of the enclosure to provide access to openings in the front wall defining a forwardly directed exhaust path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Assignee: Home Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Fred Burton, Jr., Marshall N. Gartenlaub, Kenneth E. Sampsel
  • Patent number: 4129179
    Abstract: A gaseous source of waste energy, including heat, is passed through a gas to liquid heat exchanger and then a chiller to agitate a water bath and produce evaporation of water for cooling. The heated transfer liquid is passed through a heat exchanger to heat makeup air or the like, while, alternatively, chilled water from the chiller is passed through the heat exchanger to cool the makeup air. The source of waste energy, including heat, is normally a grease extraction ventilator mounted to receive fumes and heated air from cooking equipment. Any other source of waste energy is normally suitable, such as heated air which has risen to the upper portion of a large room or enclosure, such as an auditorium, theater, meeting hall or the like. The heated air removed from such a position is adapted in part to be recirculated, but all of it may be used to furnish heat for heating fresh makeup air. Several forms of chiller, including specialized double compartment chillers, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Assignee: Stainless Equipment Company
    Inventor: Victor D. Molitor
  • Patent number: 4129121
    Abstract: An exhaust hood may be fabricated having a plurality of slots disposed at one side of the cavity formed by the hood to form a substantially streamlined, and uniform air flow across the cavity to efficiently entrain smoke laiden air without requiring large volumes of air flow. This type of air flow pattern within the cavity is obtained by appropriately baffling the air supplied to the multiple slots, forming a number of high velocity venturi slots, and canting oppositely disposed inlet filters away from the outlet slots. The uniform air flow creates a low pressure area which then draws underlying smoke laiden air upward. The hood canopy may be provided with a second source of tempered air to direct comfort condition air through a slot on the face of the hood along the cooking line for the safety and comfort of the workers below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Assignee: Elsters, Inc.
    Inventor: John O. Dorius
  • Patent number: 4127106
    Abstract: A hood assembly for at least partially defining an enclosure in which two or more non-parallel rapidly moving air streams cooperate to entrain minute air borne particles in the enclosure to recover the latter and prevent the escape of the particles through an opening in the forward part of the enclosure. The air defining the air streams may in whole or in part be discharged to the ambient atmosphere substantially free of entrained air borne particles, or the air may be sequentially recycled through the enclosure. The hood assembly is particularly adapted for paint spray booths, but is equally useful and effective, when the air borne particles constitute smoke or fumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1978
    Inventor: Donald D. Jensen
  • Patent number: 4125148
    Abstract: A gaseous source of waste energy, including heat, is passed through a gas to liquid heat exchanger and then a chiller to agitate a water bath and produce evaporation of water for cooling. The heated transfer liquid is passed through a heat exchanger to heat makeup air or the like, while, alternatively, chilled water from the chiller is passed through the heat exchanger to cool the makeup air. Supplemental heating, as by a furnace, or supplemental cooling, as by refrigeration, may be utilized when called for.Separate heat exchangers, as for separate areas, are alternatively supplied with heated transfer liquid or chilled water, or one or more supplied with heated transfer liquid and one or more others supplied with chilled water.The source of waste energy, including heat, is normally fumes and heated air from cooking equipment passed through a grease extraction ventilator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1978
    Assignee: Stainless Equipment Company
    Inventor: Victor D. Molitor
  • Patent number: 4124021
    Abstract: A grease extraction ventilator includes a water bath or water sprays into or through which are directed the products of the gaseous stream rising from cooking equipment and which tends to maintain an ambient temperature. This water is pumped through a heat exchanger for a portion of incoming makeup air directed into the room, the remainder of which is directed toward the intake for smoke and the like, to reduce the amount of air withdrawn from the room by the suction blower. The heat exchanger may also be utilized at a desired location, within or outside of the room in which the ventilator is installed, to heat or cool air or other fluids for heating or other purposes. Air may be directed into the upper portion of the room, such as adjacent the ceiling through a horizontal slot which causes the air to move horizontally to mix with the highest temperature air in the room and flow to portions of the room spaced from the ventilator, thereby avoiding drafts blowing against the cooking personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Assignee: Stainless Equipment Company
    Inventor: Victor D. Molitor
  • Patent number: 4122835
    Abstract: The specification discloses a kitchen stove hood having two venting modes of operation. The kitchen stove hood is dimensioned to be disposed in a kitchen area over a stove and includes an air intake opening. An air recirculation outlet for recirculating filtered air to the kitchen area and an air vent outlet for venting air from the kitchen area is also included in the kitchen stove hood. A recirculation damper blade is mounted adjacent to the air recirculation outlet and is operable between an open and closed position. A vent damper blade is mounted adjacent to the air vent outlet and is operable between an open and closed position. The damper blades are interconnected by a damper blade linkage assembly which is operable to positively move the recirculation damper blade between its open and closed position while simultaneously moving the vent damper blade between its closed and open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: Rangaire Corporation
    Inventors: Leon O. Bowen, Jr., Michael T. McVean
  • Patent number: 4122834
    Abstract: A ventilating, cooling, and heat reclaiming system for use with cooking equipment such as commercial ranges and grills whereby grease laden exhaust air passes through a grease filter or extractor and then past a cooling coil through which water is circulated so as to improve grease removal and reclaim heat from exhaust air to heat outdoor supply air. The heated water from the coil is supplied to a further coil disposed in the path of outdoor supply air via a three way valve having two outlets and a mixing valve. The mixing valve varies temperature of water in the further coil to maintain constant the temperature of the supply air and water not supplied to the further coil is supplied to a hot water generator by the three way valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Inventor: Eugene A. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 4121569
    Abstract: The specification discloses a kitchen stove hood having two venting modes of operation. The kitchen stove hood is dimensioned to be disposed in a kitchen area over a stove and includes an air intake opening. An air recirculation outlet for recirculating filtered air to the kitchen area and an air vent outlet for venting air from the kitchen area is also included in the kitchen stove hood. A recirculation damper blade is mounted adjacent to the air recirculation outlet and is operable between an open and closed position. A vent damper blade is mounted adjacent to the air vent outlet and is operable between an open and closed position. The damper blades are interconnected by a damper blade linkage assembly which is operable to positively move the recirculation damper blade between its open and closed position while simultaneously moving the vent damper blade between its closed and open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Assignee: Rangaire Corporation
    Inventors: Leon O. Bowen, Jr., Michael T. McVean
  • Patent number: 4120290
    Abstract: The specification discloses a kitchen stove hood having two venting modes of operation. The kitchen stove hood is dimensioned to be disposed in a kitchen area over a stove and includes an air intake opening. An air recirculation outlet for recirculating filtered air to the kitchen area and an air vent outlet for venting air from the kitchen area is also included in the kitchen stove hood. A recirculation damper blade is mounted adjacent to the air recirculation outlet and is operable between an open and closed position. A vent damper blade is mounted adjacent to the air vent outlet and is operable between an open and closed position. The damper blades are interconnected by a damper blade linkage assembly which is operable to positively move the recirculation damper blade between its open and closed position while simultaneously moving the vent damper blade between its closed and open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1978
    Assignee: Rangaire Corporation
    Inventors: Leon O. Bowen, Jr., Michael T. McVean
  • Patent number: 4117833
    Abstract: An exhaust hood for kitchens, spray booths, etc., is provided with an air intake plenum having a nozzle spout which is adjustable to inject air from the plenum into the hood on selectively different injection paths. The nozzle spout desirably has an adjustable lip which is perforated. The spout turns on a bearing for adjustment purposes and there are flexible seals between the plenum and the nozzle spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1978
    Inventor: Robert H. Mueller