U.S. patent application number 10/812338 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-13 for system and method for managing air from a cooktop.
Invention is credited to Najewicz, David Joseph, Patil, Mahendra Madhukar.
Application Number | 20050224069 10/812338 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35059302 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050224069 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patil, Mahendra Madhukar ;
et al. |
October 13, 2005 |
System and method for managing air from a cooktop
Abstract
A kitchen ventilation system includes a sensor for detecting a
chemical composition over an active zone of a cooktop. The system
also includes an air moving device for displacing air including the
chemical composition and an air flow direction control device for
directing air displaced by the air moving device between exhaust
and recirculation flow paths. A control circuitry is coupled to the
sensor, to the air moving device and to the air flow direction
control device for regulating operation of the air moving device
and a position of the air flow direction control device based upon
signals from the sensor.
Inventors: |
Patil, Mahendra Madhukar;
(Bangalore, IN) ; Najewicz, David Joseph;
(Prospect, KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Patrick S. Yoder
FLETCHER YODER
P.O. Box 692289
Houston
TX
77269-2289
US
|
Family ID: |
35059302 |
Appl. No.: |
10/812338 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/299D |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/2021
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/299.00D |
International
Class: |
F24C 015/20 |
Claims
1. A kitchen ventilation system comprising: a sensor for detecting
a chemical composition over an active zone of a cooktop; an air
moving device for displacing air including the chemical
composition; an air flow direction control device for directing air
displaced by the air moving device between exhaust and
recirculation flow paths; and control circuitry coupled to the
sensor, to the air moving device and to the air flow direction
control device for regulating operation of the air moving device
and a position of the air flow direction control device based upon
signals from the sensor.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the chemical composition is
selected from the group comprising of cooking fumes, vapors, smoke
and combustion byproducts.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one
of a heated metal oxide gas sensor, an electro-chemical gas sensor,
pellistors, a hot wire catalytic gas sensor, a semiconductor gas
sensor, a photo ionization smoke detectors, a thermal conductivity
type gas sensor, an ultrasonic gas sensor, a UV flame sensor, an IR
temperature sensor, a heat flux sensor and a air velocity
sensor.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is further configured
to acquire temperature and humidity data over an active zone of the
cooktop.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry comprises
of a controller with a set of pre defined stored programs that can
be individually executed by a user of the system.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry comprises
of a controller configured to compute temperature and humidity
compensated response of an air quality sensor based upon
temperature and humidity data acquired over the active zone of the
cooktop.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry comprises
of a controller that receives and transmits signals pertaining to
the status of air quality and corresponding control and display
signals remotely through at least one of infrared, radio frequency
and electromagnetic transmission modes.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising an air purification
device for reducing content of the chemical composition in the
displaced air.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the air purification device is an
active device.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the air purification device is a
corona discharge device.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the air purification device is a
UV air purification device.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein the air purification device
comprises a filter to facilitate odor destruction and microorganism
destruction.
13. The system of claim 8, wherein the air purification device
comprises grease filter.
14. A method for ventilating air over an active side of a cooktop
comprising: sensing a side of a cooktop on which cooking is
performed; controlling an air moving device for displacing air from
the cooktop and an air flow direction control device for directing
air displaced by the air moving device between exhaust and
recirculation flow paths based upon the sensed side of the
cooktop.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein sensing a side of a cooktop
comprises detecting a chemical composition over the cooktop through
a sensor.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the chemical composition is
selected from a group comprising of cooking fumes, vapors, smoke
and combustion byproducts.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises at least
one of a heated metal oxide gas sensor, an electro-chemical gas
sensor, pellistors, a hot wire catalytic gas sensor, a
semi-conductor gas sensor, a photo ionization smoke detectors, a
thermal conductivity type gas sensor, an ultrasonic gas sensor, a
UV flame sensor, an IR temperature sensor, a heat flux sensor and a
air velocity sensor.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein sensing a side of a cooktop
further comprises acquiring temperature and humidity data over an
active zone of the cooktop.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein the controlling step comprises
of receiving and transmitting signals pertaining to the status of
air quality and corresponding control and display signals remotely
through at least one of infrared, radio frequency and
electromagnetic transmission modes.
20. The method of claim 14, wherein the controlling step comprises
executing a set of pre defined programs stored in a controller by a
user.
21. The method of claim 14, further comprising purifying of the air
over the active side of the cooktop through an air purification
device by reducing content of the chemical composition sensed by
the sensor over the cooktop.
22. A kitchen ventilation system comprising: a sensor for detecting
an operating parameter of a cooktop; an air moving device for
displacing air from the cooktop; an air flow direction control
device for directing air displaced by the air moving device between
exhaust and recirculation flow paths; and control circuitry coupled
to the sensor, to the air moving device and to the air flow
direction control device for regulating operation of the air moving
device and a position of the air flow direction control device
based upon signals from the sensor, wherein operation of the
control circuitry is configurable based upon site-specific factors
of a site in which the ventilation system is installed.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the sensor comprises at least
one of a heated metal oxide gas sensor, an electro-chemical gas
sensor, pellistors, a hot wire catalytic gas sensor, a
semi-conductor gas sensor, a photo ionization smoke detectors, a
thermal conductivity type gas sensor, an ultrasonic gas sensor, a
UV flame sensor, an IR temperature sensor, a heat flux sensor and a
air velocity sensor.
24. The system of claim 22, wherein the operating parameter is a
chemical composition of air over an active zone of the cooktop.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein the chemical composition is
selected from a group comprising of cooking fumes, vapors, smoke
and combustion byproducts.
25. The system of claim 22, wherein the operating parameter is
temperature of air over the active zone of the cooktop.
26. The system of claim 22, wherein the operating parameter is
humidity of air over the active zone of the cooktop.
27. The system of claim 22, wherein the site-specific factors
include at least one of hood width, site dimensions, installation
location, height above the cooktop and type of fuel.
28. The system of claim 22, further comprising an air purification
device for reducing content of the chemical composition in the
displaced air.
29. The system of claim 28, wherein the air purification device is
an active device.
30. The system of claim 28, wherein the air purification device is
a corona discharge device.
31. The system of claim 28, wherein the air purification device is
a UV air purification device.
32. The system of claim 28, wherein the air purification device
comprises a filter to facilitate odor destruction and microorganism
destruction.
33. The system of claim 28, wherein the air purification device
comprises grease filter.
34. A kitchen ventilation system comprising: a sensor for detecting
an operating parameter of a cooktop; an air displacement system
including an air moving device for displacing air from the cooktop,
and an air flow direction control device for directing air
displaced by the air moving device between exhaust and
recirculation flow paths; and control circuitry coupled to the
sensor and to the air displacement system for regulating operation
of the air displacement system based upon signals from the sensor
and upon characteristics of the air displacement system to reduce
acoustic noise of the ventilation system during operation.
35. The system of claim 34, wherein the sensor comprises at least
one of a heated metal oxide gas sensor, an electrochemical gas
sensor, pellistors, a hot wire catalytic gas sensor, a
semi-conductor gas sensor, a photo ionization smoke detectors, a
thermal conductivity type gas sensor, an ultrasonic gas sensor, a
UV flame sensor, an IR temperature sensor, a heat flux sensor and a
air velocity sensor.
36. The system of claim 34, wherein the operating parameter is a
chemical composition of air over an active zone of the cooktop.
37. The system of claim 36, wherein the chemical composition is
selected from a group comprising of cooking fumes, vapors, smoke
and combustion byproducts.
38. The system of claim 34, wherein the operating parameter is
temperature of air over the active zone of the cooktop.
39. The system of claim 34, wherein the operating parameter is
humidity of air over the active zone of the cooktop.
40. The system of claim 34, wherein the characteristics of the air
displacement system comprises a set of operating set point
references for the air displacement system.
41. The system of claim 34, wherein the characteristics of the air
displacement system comprises a set of operating cycle timing
references for the air displacement system.
42. The system of claim 34, wherein the characteristics of the air
displacement system comprises a ventilation rate look-up table for
the air displacement system.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention relates generally to systems for moving,
treating and venting air in a space and, more particularly, to
ventilating systems, such as those used with cooktops and the
like.
[0002] Various types of systems have been designed and are in use
for venting and circulating air in environments such as kitchens.
In general, ventilating and circulating systems serve to remove and
recirculate, or to vent air from above or adjacent to a stove,
cooktop or other device. The systems draw in air and vapors that
may be laden with grease and odors, clean the air, and either
recirculate the air to the room or vent the air to the outside.
Because the vapors and hot air rise, the systems are typically
situated above the cooking surface and associated with a hood,
although other systems may be located adjacent to or even in the
cooking system itself.
[0003] Such kitchen ventilating systems typically include, without
limitation, fans, filters for grease removal and a control system.
Typical kitchen ventilating systems are designed to cover the whole
area of a cooking apparatus with at least one centrifugal fan and a
set of filters for grease removal. However, in many cases a user of
the cooking apparatus performs the cooking activities using only a
limited number of burners among the available number of burners in
the cooking apparatus. The kitchen ventilating systems covering the
whole area of the cooking apparatus in such cases distribute the
static pressure developed by the fan on the entire area of the
cooking apparatus, thus requiring higher capacity fans for
effective capture of the vapors over the cooking surface. Such
conventional systems thus result in relatively high energy
consumption and noise generation.
[0004] In a conventional kitchen ventilating apparatus limited
flexibility is provided to the users in terms of setting the
apparatus in exhaust or ventilation modes. Moreover, while certain
systems permit some degree of regulation of the speed of the fan,
at the fan can most often be set to only one of typically available
two or three pre determined speed options. However, usage of these
limited options may result in situations where insufficient or
excess fan power is delivered, resulting in either poor capture of
flumes or excess energy consumption and noise generated,
respectively.
[0005] Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop a system that
senses the active zone of a cooking apparatus and the target air
constituents to be removed from the air. It would also be
advantageous to provide a system that could utilize this
information to operate the system in a most effective manner, while
maintaining the flexibility to the user for operation of the
system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0006] Briefly, in accordance with one aspect of the present
invention a kitchen ventilation system includes a sensor for
detecting a chemical composition over an active zone of a cooktop.
The system also includes an air moving device for displacing air
including the chemical composition and an air flow direction
control device for directing air displaced by the air moving device
between exhaust and recirculation flow paths. A control circuitry
is coupled to the sensor, to the air moving device and to the air
flow direction control device for regulating operation of the air
moving device and a position of the air flow direction control
device based upon signals from the sensor.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a method for ventilating air over an active side of a cooktop
comprises sensing a side of a cooktop on which cooking is performed
and controlling an air moving device for displacing air from the
cooktop and an air flow direction control device for directing air
displaced by the air moving device between exhaust and
recirculation flow paths based upon the sensed side of the
cooktop.
DRAWINGS
[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood when the following
detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout
the drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical representation of a ventilation
system for treating air adjacent to a cooktop in accordance with
aspects of the present technique;
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary display system and user inputs
of a kitchen ventilation system of the type shown in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical representation of a kitchen
ventilation system of the type shown in FIG. 1, housing the
components over a cooktop;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of steps in exemplary control
logic for identifying the air circulation mode of an air flow
direction control device in a kitchen ventilating system based on
an air quality parameter;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a block diagram representing exemplary logic for
identifying an operating system for a kitchen ventilating system
based upon input duct parameters and installation site
parameters;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of exemplary settings
available for a kitchen ventilating system of the type shown in
FIG. 1, based upon input duct parameters;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of exemplary settings
available for a kitchen ventilating system of the type shown in
FIG. 1, based upon installation site parameters;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of a set of exemplary
operating points available for a kitchen ventilating system of the
type shown in FIG. 1, based upon input duct parameters and
installation site parameters;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary air
circulation mode of an air flow direction control device for a
kitchen ventilating system of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of another air
circulation mode of an air flow direction control device for a
kitchen ventilating system of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 11 depicts the flow of information on internal
references and inputs for a controller of a control circuitry of a
kitchen ventilation system of the type illustrated in the previous
figures; and
[0020] FIG. 12 represents an exemplary overview of the display
system and the power output from a controller of a control
circuitry of the kitchen ventilation system illustrated in the
previous figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, a kitchen ventilating system 10
generally including a series of components disposed in a
ventilating system housing 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the
housing 12 includes sensors 14 for detecting certain vapors and
their constituents, and an air moving device 16, such as a fan for
displacing air. An air flow direction control device 18 controls
the mode of operation of the system by directing air displaced by
the device 16. An air purification device 20 may be included for
cleaning or purifying the displaced air. Also illustrated in FIG. 1
are motors 22 and 24 that drive the air moving device 16, and the
air flow direction control device 18, respectively. Finally, a UV
source 26 may be provided for eliminating certain odors, as
described below.
[0022] The housing 12 and its housed components are shown disposed
over a cooktop 28 for treating air adjacent to a cooktop 28 of a
cooking appliance such as a gas stove, a gas oven and so forth. In
general, vapors, odors, chemical compositions, and so forth will be
created or originate from one of more active zones 30 of the
cooktop 28, typically those over or with which cooking operations
are performed. The sensor 14 is configured to receive inputs 32
regarding the characteristics of the air above and adjacent to an
active zone 30 of the cooktop 28. It should be noted that, as used
herein, the term "active zone" includes an area over the cooktop
where the cooking fumes, vapors, smoke and combustion byproducts
are generated as a result of cooking activities of a user of the
cooking apparatus. Typically, the inputs 32 received by the sensor
14 includes a chemical composition 34 of the air above the active
zone 30 of the cooktop 28.
[0023] Furthermore, the sensor 14 may be configured to capture
temperature 36 and humidity 38 data of the air above and adjacent
to the active zone 30 of the cooktop 28 as a part of the input 32.
As discussed in greater detail below, such data is used by control
circuitry 40 for regulating the operation of the air moving device
16 and a position of the air flow direction control device 18.
[0024] In one embodiment, the air moving device 16 receives signals
related to certain operating parameters (e.g., speed of a fan) from
the control circuitry 40, for generating required static pressure
by the air moving device 16. In another embodiment, the air flow
direction control device 18 receives signals from the control
circuitry 40 and selects a position of the air flow control device
18 for directing air displaced by the air moving device 16 between
exhaust and recirculation flow paths (e.g., positions of a louver
or diverting gate).
[0025] Further, air purification device 20 may be used for air
purification by reducing the concentration of certain chemical
compositions 34 of the displaced air through the air moving device
16. The air purification device 20 according to this embodiment may
include, but is not necessarily limited to, an active device, a
corona discharge device and an ultraviolet air purification device.
In another embodiment, the air purification device 20 may include a
filter to facilitate odor destruction and microorganism destruction
of the displaced air by the air moving device 16. Alternatively, a
UV-based system with the UV source 26 may be used for the
destruction of the odor generated from the cooktop 28 and for the
removal of any microorganisms if present in the air above and
adjacent to the cooktop 28. Moreover, a grease filter may be used
to capture grease entrained in the combustion byproducts from the
cooking apparatus.
[0026] In operation, the sensor 14 detects the active zone 30 of
the cooking apparatus and the target air constituents to be removed
from the air above the active zone 30 of the cooktop 28, and
provides this information to the control circuitry 40. In addition,
the sensor 14 may also be configured to detect the UV intensity of
the UV based odor and microorganism reduction system. This
information may be utilized by the control circuitry 40 for
regulating the operation of the air moving device 16, the air flow
direction control device 18 and the air purification device 20 to
maintain the desired air quality.
[0027] Control circuitry 40 may include an interface 42 for
facilitating interface between the kitchen ventilation system
components, and a controller 44 powered by a power supply 48. The
controller 44 may be hard-wired and housed in a suitable exposed or
covered enclosure fixed on or even within the kitchen ventilating
system housing. Alternatively, the controller 44 may be placed in a
remote location. Further, the controller 44 may receive and
transmit signals pertaining to the status of the air quality and
corresponding control and display signals remotely via means such
as, infrared, radio frequency and electromagnetic transmission
signal transmission media. Additionally, the controller 44 may use
the temperature 36 and humidity 38 data acquired over the cooktop
28 via sensor 14 to compute temperature and humidity-compensated
response of the air quality sensor 14 to assess the change in air
quality on account of elements other than temperature 36 and
humidity 38.
[0028] In general, in a presently contemplated embodiment, the
controller 44 offers a momentary high power operation for a
pre-determined time during start-up, and later changes to an
optimum power mode of operation based on air quality status. In
addition, the controller 44 may have a set of predefined programs
stored that can be individually executed by a user of the
system.
[0029] In a present embodiment, the control circuitry 40 also
includes memory circuitry 46 for storing the pre-defined programs,
internal references 50 for the operation of the components of the
system and so forth. The internal references 50 may include
operating cycle set points 52, operating cycle timings 54, sensor
look up tables 56 for the sensor 14, ventilation rate tables 58 for
the air moving device 16, a timer 60, an internal counter 62, and
so forth. These references and devices may be utilized by the
controller 44 for deciding the operating parameters for the kitchen
ventilating system 10. Further, these operating parameters are
communicated as, or used to derive output signals 68 to the air
moving device 16, the air flow direction control device 18, and the
air purification device 20.
[0030] Such output signals, indicated collectively by reference
numeral 68, are transmitted from the controller 44 to the air
moving device 16, the air flow direction control device 18 and the
air purification device 20 to regulate operation of the system.
Such output signals may include, without limitation, air moving
device speed 70, air moving device status 72, air flow direction
control device status 74 and UV source status 76. The status of the
above mentioned parameters may be made available to a user of the
system via a display system 66 which will be discussed hereinafter.
Also, the controller 44 is configured to receive user inputs 64
which may be used by the controller 44 for deciding the operating
parameters for the kitchen ventilating system 10.
[0031] FIG.2 illustrates an exemplary display system 66 and user
inputs 64 of a kitchen ventilation system of the type shown in FIG.
1. The display system 66 may have different display options to
indicate the status of the different components of the kitchen
ventilation system 10. For example, an air moving device speed LED
or numerical display 78 may be provided that is indicative of the
speed of the air moving device 16. Further, air quality sensitivity
LED or display 80 may be provided to display the information about
the quality of the air above the cooktop 28 as sensed by the sensor
14. In addition, the display system 66 may include a timer display
82, a power-on LED 86 and a "replace filter" display 84 to indicate
the status of the filter used in the air purification device
20.
[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the user inputs 64 typically
includes operation state 88, air circulation mode selection 90,
start or delay option 92, operating cycle selection 94, lamp
control option 96, air quality sensitivity level option 98, counter
reset option 100, and so forth. The operation state 88 may set the
kitchen ventilation system 10 in either manual state or auto state.
The air circulation mode 90 includes settings for placing the air
flow direction control device 18 in exhaust or recirculation
modes.
[0033] FIG. 3 represents, diagrammatically, a kitchen ventilation
system implementation 102 with certain of the components discussed
above over the cooktop 28. In operation, sensor 14 receives the
inputs 32 from the active side 30 of the cooktop 28. Examples of
such sensors for sensing the air quality over the active side 30 of
the cooktop 28 include, without limitation, heated metal oxide
sensors, electro-chemical gas sensors, pellistors, hot wire
catalytic gas sensors, semiconductor gas sensors, photo ionization
smoke detectors, thermal conductivity type gas sensors, ultrasonic
gas sensors, UV flame sensors, IR temperature sensors, heat flux
sensors, air velocity sensors and so forth. Further, additional
sensors for example, passive infrared (PIR) sensors may be used for
detecting movement of any object in the installation location. The
inputs 32 received by the sensor 14 are used by the controller 44
for controlling and operating the components of the kitchen
ventilation system 10. Furthermore, a grease filter 104 may be
provided upstream of the sensor 14 and other components for grease
removal from the air displaced with the air moving device 16.
[0034] Further, the location of the forward side 106 of the cooktop
28 and the aft side 108 of the cooktop 28 may also affect the
operating parameters of the kitchen ventilating system 10. For
example, the forward side 106 of the cooktop 28 may be adjacent to
a wall at the installation site. Alternatively, the forward side
106 of the cooktop 28 may be adjacent to an open space. Similarly,
the aft side 108 of the cooktop 28 may be either adjacent to a wall
or adjacent to an open space. In addition to the sensor 14, as
described above, the air moving device 16 is also coupled to a
sensor 114 for detecting the speed of the air moving device 16.
Further, a sensor 116 is coupled to the air flow direction control
device 18 to detect the status (e.g., position) of the air flow
direction control device 18.
[0035] In the present embodiment, the controller 40 (see FIG. 1) is
coupled to the air moving device 16, air flow direction control
device 18 and the air purification device 20. The controller 40 may
use the inputs from the sensor 14 to operate the air moving device
16 to meet the required performance parameters such as, required
ventilation rate, required operating speed and so forth. Moreover,
based on the quality of the air above the active side 30 of the
cooktop 28, the air flow direction control device 18 may be
directed to a position for operating the air flow direction control
device 18 in the exhaust or recirculation modes. Similarly, the
controller 40 may implement closed loop control of the air moving
device 16 and/or the air flow direction control device 18 by
reference to inputs from sensors 114 and 116.
[0036] In another embodiment, the air purification device 20 is
configured to reduce the content of certain chemical compositions
34 of the air displaced by the air moving device 16. Exemplary air
purification devices 20 include, without limitation, an active
device, a corona device, a UV air purification device and so forth.
Moreover, the air purification device 20 may have a filter to
facilitate odor destruction and microorganism destruction of target
air constituents or compositions as sensed by the sensor 14 above
and adjacent to the active side 30 of the cooktop 28. As will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, the odor and microorganism
destruction may also be achieved through suitable filters such as,
activated carbon. Alternatively, other systems could be used, for
example, a UV radiation system, catalytic oxidizer, ozone generator
and so forth. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art,
the system may convert a part of the UV output from the UV based
odor and microorganism destruction system into visible light by
using a transparent object with suitable phosphor coating. This may
be used for illuminating the cooking space simultaneously along
with odor and microorganism destruction.
[0037] The present configuration of the ventilating system offers
an extremely flexible platform for various types of logical
operation of the system components based upon sensed, input and
reference parameters of the types described above. For example,
FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary control logic 118, in accordance with
but one aspect of the present techniques, for identifying the air
circulation mode of the air flow direction control device 18 in a
kitchen ventilating system 10 based on an air quality parameter.
The control logic begins with step 120, at which an air quality
parameter is sensed via a sensor 14 over the cooktop 28. The air
quality parameter (AQ parameter) may be qualitative or quantitative
attributes of the target chemical composition 34 present in the air
above the active side 30 of the cooktop 28. The target chemical
composition 34 may include, without limitation, cooking fumes,
vapors, smoke and combustion byproducts that are being generated as
a result of cooking activities of a user of the cooking apparatus.
Next, at step 122 the information about the AQ parameter is read
and stored in the system. At step 124, the AQ parameter is compared
with a reference value of the AQ parameter for calibrated pure
(i.e. acceptable quality) air. If the AQ parameter sensed at step
120 is less than the desired value, the system returns to the entry
point 120. However; if the AQ parameter sensed at step 120 is more
than the desired value, the system proceeds to the next step.
[0038] As shown in step 126, the system calculates a ratio of the
AQ parameter as sensed on a first side (AQ1) of the active zone 30
of the cooktop 28 and the second side (AQ2) of the active zone 30
of the cooktop 28. Further, at step 128, this ratio is compared
with a first reference value of the ratio of the AQ parameters on
the two sides. As shown at step 130, if the calculated ratio is
greater than the first reference value, the system sets the airflow
direction control device 18 for first side in exhaust mode and the
sets the airflow direction control device 18 for second side in
re-circulation mode or in off mode; if the calculated ratio is less
than the first reference value, the system proceeds to the step
132.
[0039] Next, at step 132 the calculated ratio of the AQ parameter
on the two sides is compared with a second reference value of the
ratio of the AQ parameters on the two sides. At step 134, if the
calculated ratio is less than second reference value, the system
sets the airflow direction control device 18 for first side in
re-circulation mode or off mode and the sets the airflow direction
control device 18 for second side in exhaust mode. If the
calculated ratio is greater than the second reference value, the
system proceeds to the step 136. At step 136, the system sets the
airflow direction control device 18 for first side in exhaust mode
and the sets the airflow direction control device 18 for second
side in exhaust mode with reference to the limits 138 defining the
air circulation modes for the two sides of the air flow direction
control device 18.
[0040] As another example, the present system configuration affords
site-specific operation programming. As mentioned above, the
various sides and zones of the cooktop may be positioned adjacent
to walls, open areas, and so forth. Similarly, the cooktop may be
provided at specific heights above the cooktop, and the cooktop and
system housing may be of various sizes. FIG. 5 illustrates
exemplary logic 140 for identifying an operating configuration for
the kitchen ventilating system 10 based upon such installation site
parameters, as well as system criteria, such as input duct
parameters. The sequence of steps for selecting an operating system
based on the duct parameters is indicated generally by reference
numeral 142. In general, the sequence begins at step 144 where the
duct length is read by the system. Next, at step 146 the duct
cross-section is made available to the system. At step 148 and step
150 the number of bends in the duct and the type of filter used for
the odor removal of the air are specified as input parameters.
Further, at step 152 the venting option for the current duct is
specified. In practice, these various inputs may be provided
manually at the time of system setup or configuration. At step 154
the operating configuration for the kitchen ventilation system 10
based on the duct inputs and the internal references 50 as
discussed above may be decided. Of course, more or fewer inputs may
be considered in the configuration, as desired.
[0041] Following the selection of the operating configuration based
on the input duct parameters, the characteristics of the system
based on the installation parameters are identified in accordance
with the exemplary step sequence 162. In general, the sequence
begins at step 164 where the width of the hood is read by the
system. At step 166 and step 168 the room dimensions to define the
volume and the installation location are specified as input
parameters respectively. Further, at step 170 and step 172 the
inputs regarding the height of the system above the cooktop and the
type of the fuel used for the cooking apparatus are specified
respectively. Here again, such inputs may be provided manually at
the time of setup or configuration of the system. At step 174 the
operating parameters for the kitchen ventilation system 10 based on
the installation site parameters may be decided. Here again, more
or fewer of these exemplary factors may be considered for system
configuration.
[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates a graphical representation 156 of
exemplary settings available for a kitchen ventilating system of
the type shown in FIG. 1, based upon input duct parameters, and the
various other factors discussed above. Typically, the system
settings are available based on required air static pressure 158
and required flow rate (e.g., in cubic feet per minute, CFM, or
cubic meters per minute) or the air velocity 160 from the plurality
of reference settings 156 available for the system. FIG. 7
illustrates a graphical representation of the reference curves 176
that may be used for deciding the operating system based on the
installation site parameters. In general the system settings are
available based on required air static pressure 178 and required
air flow rate or the air velocity 180 from the plurality of
reference settings 176 available for the system.
[0043] In the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 the
operating system and the settings for the system based on the input
duct parameters and the installation site parameters may be decided
by combining the response of the settings of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The
system settings for the operating point are selected from a
plurality of reference settings 184 based on the static pressure
186 and the flow rate or velocity 188 of the combined response.
Once determined, the system may be set to operate in accordance
with the selected curves, which may be stored in the reference
settings discussed above, thus configuring the system specifically
to the installation.
[0044] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 represent exemplary air circulation modes
190 of an air flow direction control device 18 for a kitchen
ventilating system of FIG. 1. Typically, the air flow direction
control device 18 is disposed upstream of the air moving device 10
in a location 194 within the housing 12 of the kitchen ventilating
system 10. As noted above, the target air above the active side 30
of the cooktop 28 is displaced by the air moving device 16. FIGS. 9
and 10 illustrate the air moving device 16 in somewhat greater
detail as a fan having an inlet 196 and an outlet 198 of the air
moving device 16. Subsequently, based on the signals received from
the control circuitry 40 (see FIG. 1), the air may be directed in
the flow direction 200 as shown in FIG. 9 by placing the air flow
direction control device 16 in a first position 110 to operate the
air flow direction control device 16 in an exhaust mode 192.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, the air may be directed in the
flow direction 204 by placing the air flow direction control device
16 in a second position 112 to operate the air flow direction
control device 16 in a re-circulation mode 202.
[0045] FIG. 11 depicts the flow of information 206 of internal
references and inputs for the controller 44 of the control
circuitry 40 of the kitchen ventilation system 10 for performing
control operations of the type discussed above. The controller 44
receives the sensor inputs 208 from the air above cooktop 28, air
moving device 16, air flow direction control device 18 and the air
purification device 20. The sensor inputs 208 may include, without
limitation, chemical composition 34 of the target air, heat
measurements 210, temperature data 36, humidity data 38, light
intensity of the lamp 212, PIR motion of PIR sensor 214, UV
intensity 216 of the UV source 26, pressure difference 218 for the
filter used for the air purification device 20 and RPM 220 of the
air moving device 16.
[0046] Further, as discussed above, the controller 40 may have a
set of internal references 50 to control and operate the various
components of the kitchen ventilation system 10. The controller 40
may also receive inputs 64 from a user of the system for providing
flexibility to the user for operating the system.
[0047] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary overview 222 of the display
system 66, the power output 224 from the controller 44, and the
output signals 68 from the controller 44 of the control circuitry
40 of the kitchen ventilation system 10. The display system 66
includes, without limitation, air moving device speed LED or
display 78, AQ sensitivity LED or display 80, timer display 82,
replace filter display 84 and power on LED or display 86.
[0048] In the present embodiment, the power output 224 from the
controller 44 may include, without limitation, power output for air
moving device 226, power output for air flow direction control
device 228, power output for excitation of sensors 230, power
output for lamp 232 and power output for the UV system 234.
Further, the signal output 68 transmitted from the controller 44 to
the components of the kitchen ventilation system 10 may include air
moving device speed 70, air moving device status 72, air flow
direction control device status 74, UV source status and so
forth.
[0049] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the
present system thus allows for closed loop control for managing air
above a cooktop 28 based on assessing the status of air quality by
monitoring the level of the target constituents present in the air.
The system is typically installed and used near a cooking appliance
such as, cooking range, oven, or grill for moving and treating
cooking fumes, vapors, smoke and other combustion products
resulting from the cooking activities of a user of the system.
Further, the system as described in the various embodiments
hereinabove, uses the response of the air quality sensors to
generate suitable control and display signals to facilitate
controlling various elements such as, without limitation, operating
speed and status of the air moving device 14, opening or closing of
the air flow direction control device 16, activation and control of
odor removal system and so forth.
[0050] In addition, the system also provides flexibility to a user
for deciding the operating parameters by specifying certain
user-defined inputs. As noted above, the system operates at an
operating point determined by the sensing and control system which
includes parameters such as, operating speed, operating duration
and so forth, thus reducing the acoustic noise of the system during
operation. Similarly, the system provides a very flexible platform
that may be specifically adapted to the configuration and aspects
of the site in which the system is installed to provide optimum
performance.
[0051] The various aspects of the methods described hereinabove
have applications in other environments for managing air. The
embodiments described hereinabove can be used in the heating,
ventilating and air conditioning area for managing air and
maintaining required air characteristics in a space for human
occupancy. The techniques may also be employed in a variety of
appliances for example, a refrigerator deodorizing system may be
controlled using a sensor to detect food odors, a clothes washing
machine may be controlled by sensing a target compound that may be
an ingredient of the washing agent to evaluate the options for the
operation of the washing machine and so forth.
[0052] While only certain features of the invention have been
illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes
will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be
understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such
modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the
invention.
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