U.S. patent application number 14/513148 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-16 for cooking exhaust filter system.
This patent application is currently assigned to John Bean Technologies Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is John Bean Technologies Corporation. Invention is credited to Troy Ora Baumgardner, William Douglas Medley, Adam Jay Ramsdell.
Application Number | 20150101589 14/513148 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51795795 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150101589 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baumgardner; Troy Ora ; et
al. |
April 16, 2015 |
COOKING EXHAUST FILTER SYSTEM
Abstract
A cooking exhaust filter system 10 includes a collection duct
structure 12 positionable over a cooking location CL. The transfer
duct 14 receives the cooking exhaust from the collection duct
structure 12 and changes the direction of flow of the cooking
exhaust to direct such exhaust against an abutment. From such
abutment, the cooking exhaust flows through the baffle assembly 18
which forces the cooking exhaust to flow in a helical path thereby
forcing the particles in the cooking exhaust to the outside of the
flow stream and against the walls of the baffle assembly to adhere
thereto. The exhaust gas then flows through an outlet duct system
into the atmosphere.
Inventors: |
Baumgardner; Troy Ora;
(Huron, OH) ; Medley; William Douglas; (Clyde,
OH) ; Ramsdell; Adam Jay; (Sandusky, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
John Bean Technologies Corporation |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
John Bean Technologies
Corporation
Chicago
IL
|
Family ID: |
51795795 |
Appl. No.: |
14/513148 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61889684 |
Oct 11, 2013 |
|
|
|
61891309 |
Oct 15, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/299D ;
126/299F |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/2035 20130101;
F24C 15/2042 20130101; F24C 15/2021 20130101; F24C 15/20
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/299.D ;
126/299.F |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/20 20060101
F24C015/20 |
Claims
1. A cooking exhaust filter system for separating entrained
particles from the cooking exhaust gas, comprising: (a) a
collection duct structure positionable at a cooking location, said
collection duct structure comprising one or more inlet openings in
the collection duct structure to receive cooking exhaust from the
cooking location; (b) a transfer duct in fluid flow communication
with the collection duct structure and configured to change the
direction of flow of the cooking exhaust received from the
collection duct, thereby to induce the exhaust gas particulates to
fall out of suspension from the cooking exhaust gas; and (c) a
baffle assembly in fluid flow communication with the transfer duct,
said baffle assembly comprising a baffle structure configured to
receive the cooking exhaust gas from the transfer duct and cause
such cooking exhaust gas to flow in a non-linear path to induce
exhaust particulates to shift out of the flow stream of the cooking
exhaust gas thereby to separate from the cooking exhaust gas.
2. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 1, wherein
the collection duct structure comprises an elongated duct
positionable to extend over the cooking location.
3. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 2, wherein
the one or more inlet openings of the collection duct structure
extend along at least one of the underside, sides, and top of the
elongated collection duct.
4. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 3, wherein
the one or more inlet openings of the exhaust duct structure
comprises one or more slits in the elongated collection duct.
5. The cooking exhaust filter system of claim 1, wherein the
collection duct structure is in fluid flow communication with a
source of makeup air to mix with the cooking exhaust flowing
through the collection duct structure.
6. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 1, wherein
the transfer duct includes an outlet at a location remote from the
collection duct structure, and further comprising an abutment
adjacent the outlet of the transfer duct, against which the cooking
exhaust flowing through the transfer duct impinges, thereby to
induce the exhaust particulates to fall out of suspension from the
cooking exhaust gas.
7. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 1, wherein
the transfer duct comprising a section extending in the downward
direction and including an outlet at the bottom end of the transfer
duct.
8. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 7, further
comprising an impingement surface spaced below the outlet of the
transfer duct, against which the cooking exhaust exiting the
transfer duct impinges, thereby to induce particulates to fall out
of suspension from the cooking exhaust gas.
9. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 7, wherein
the baffle assembly surrounds at least a portion of the downwardly
directed transfer duct section.
10. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 9, wherein
said baffle assembly comprising baffle walls that direct the
exhaust gas to flow in a path that is at least partially in a shape
selected from circular, spiral, helical, serpentine, and
toroidal.
11. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 9, wherein
the baffle assembly comprised baffle walls that force the exhaust
gas to flow in a non-linear path to facilitate the exhaust
particles to separate out of suspension from the cooking exhaust
gas.
12. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 11,
wherein the non-linear path of flow of the cooking exhaust gas is
in the upward direction.
13. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 1, wherein
the baffle assembly at least partially surrounds the transfer
duct.
14. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 1, wherein
the baffle assembly comprises baffles arranged to force the cooking
exhaust gas to flow in an arcuate path to induce the particulates
in the cooking exhaust gas to fall out of suspension.
15. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 14,
wherein the arcuate path of flow of the exhaust gas through the
baffle assembly extends around the transfer duct.
16. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 14,
wherein said baffle assembly comprises baffles positioned to force
the cooking exhaust gas to flow in a path that is at least
partially in a shape selected from circular, spiral, helical,
serpentine, or toroidal.
17. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 1, further
comprising one or more of the following components located
downstream of the baffle assembly: (a) a water mister to remove
odors from the cooking exhaust; (b) a heat exchanger to remove heat
from the cooking exhaust; and (c) a fan to draw the cooking exhaust
through the cooking exhaust filter system.
18. A cooking exhaust filter system for separating entrained
particulates from cooking exhaust gas, comprising: (a) an elongated
collection duct disposable over a cooking location, said collection
duct comprising one or more inlet openings extending along the duct
to receive the cooking exhaust from the cooking location; and (b) a
baffle assembly in fluid flow communication with the collection
duct, said baffle assembly comprising baffle walls which direct the
cooking exhaust to flow along a path that is at least partially
arcuate in shape and calculated to force particles entrained in the
cooking exhaust to the outside of the cooking exhaust flow to
coalesce on the surfaces of the baffle walls and thereby fall out
of suspension from the cooking exhaust gas.
19. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 18,
wherein the path of travel of the cooking exhaust through the
baffle assembly is selected from the group consisting of arcuate,
circular, spiral, helical, serpentine, and toroidal.
20. The cooking exhaust filter system according to claim 18,
further comprising: (a) a transfer duct in fluid flow communication
with the collection duct, said transfer duct having a section
ending at an outlet in flow communication with the baffle assembly;
and (b) an abutment spaced from the transfer duct outlet against
which the cooking exhaust flowing through the transfer duct
impinges.
21. A baffle assembly for a cooking exhaust filter system for
separating entrained particulates from a cooking exhaust gas
stream, said baffle assembly comprising: baffle walls which direct
the cooking exhaust gas stream to flow along a path that is at
least partially non-linear and configured to force particles
entrained in the cooking exhaust gas stream to the outside of the
cooking exhaust gas stream to coalesce on the surfaces of the
baffle walls and thereby fall out of suspension from the cooking
exhaust gas stream.
22. The baffle assembly according to claim 21, wherein the
non-linear path of travel of the cooking exhaust stream through the
baffle assembly is selected from the group consisting of arcuate,
circular, spiral, helical, serpentine, and toroidal.
23. The baffle assembly according to claim 21, in fluid flow
communication with the transfer duct, said transfer duct in fluid
flow communication with a source of cooking exhaust gas, said
transfer duct ending at an outlet in fluid flow communication with
the baffle assembly, said transfer duct outlet spaced from an
abutment against which the cooking exhaust gas stream flowing
through the transfer duct impinges.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/889684, filed Oct. 11, 2013, and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/891309, filed Oct. 15, 2013, the
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in
their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The exhaust from cooking and frying processes mainly
consists of steam, water vapor, smoke, lipid, and other entrained
particles. When such exhaust is released into the atmosphere
without sufficient removal of the lipids and other entrained
particles, some of the lipid particles drift and some coalesce or
are captured by condensing water and fall back to earth. As a
result, the surface directly surrounding the exhaust ducting from
the cooking and frying operations can be damaged by oil puddling
when the water evaporates. Removing oil particles, especially
larger oil particles, prior to releasing the exhaust gas to
atmosphere improves the environmental condition and prevents
structural deterioration.
[0003] Moreover, the emissions from food processing operations are
subject to environmental regulations. One source of such emissions
is the exhaust from cooking and frying processes. Entrained
particulates which are not removed from the cooking or frying
process exhaust are subject to air quality regulations. As such,
efforts have been made to remove particulates, including lipid
particles, from cooking and frying exhaust. However, to date, such
efforts typically have required either expensive equipment and/or
the frequent cleaning of the filter system or replacement of
filters or other components thereby causing significant costs in
either personnel or replacement parts.
[0004] Past efforts to separate particulate matter from the cooking
or frying exhaust include the use of filters, whether alone or in
conjunction with mist eliminators. Such filters typically are
composed of a mesh or screens. Particulates from the exhaust are
trapped between the wires of the mesh/screen filter and begin to
fill the open area within the filter, thereby requiring the filter
to either be cleaned or replaced to remain functional.
[0005] Failure to clean or replace a filter can result in less
exhaust being removed and eventually complete clogging of the
filter. Also, if the exhaust fan pulls too much exhaust through the
filters, particulates and oil droplets which have been trapped can
be forced through the filter and entrained back into the air stream
and thus into the environment.
[0006] Other efforts to remove particulate matter from cooking and
frying exhaust include water scrubbers, which require a constant
spraying water source. In turn, the water must be recycled or
reused for the process to be economically and environmentally
acceptable. This adds to the cost of the water scrubber.
[0007] Rotocyclones also have been utilized in an effort to remove
particulate matter from cooking and frying exhaust. However, such
cyclones are expensive and require electricity for operation and
often also require water.
[0008] In addition, thermal oxidizers have been used to remove
particulate matter from cooking or frying exhaust. Such thermal
oxidizers have high initial cost and require a continuous fuel
source to operate the oxidizers. Thus, there is a need for an
inexpensive, low maintenance but effective system for removing
particulate matter from cooking and frying exhaust.
SUMMARY
[0009] A cooking exhaust filter system separates entrained
particles from cooking exhaust gas. The system includes a
collection duct structure positionable at a cooking location, with
the duct structure having one or more inlet openings to receive
cooking exhaust from the cooking location. The filter system also
includes a transfer duct in fluid flow communication with the
collection duct structure and configured to change the direction of
flow of the cooking exhaust received from the collection duct,
thereby to induce exhaust gas particles to fall out of suspension
from the cooking exhaust gas. The filter system also includes a
baffle assembly in fluid flow communication with the transfer duct.
The baffle assembly includes a baffle structure configured to
receive the cooking exhaust gas from the transfer duct and cause
such cooking exhaust gas to flow in a non-linear path thereby to
induce particulates to shift or otherwise fall out of the flow
stream of the cooking exhaust thereby to separate from the cooking
exhaust gas.
[0010] In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the
collection duct structure includes an elongated duct positionable
to extend over the cooking location. One or more inlet openings are
provided in the collection duct structure through which the cooking
exhaust gas flows into the duct structure.
[0011] In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the transfer
duct includes an outlet at a location remote from the collection
duct structure, and an abutment is provided adjacent the outlet of
the transfer duct against which the cooking exhaust flowing through
the transfer duct impinges, thereby to induce the particulates in
the cooking exhaust to fall out of suspension from the cooking
exhaust gas.
[0012] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention, the transfer duct includes a section extending in the
downward direction and including an outlet at the bottom of the
transfer duct. The impingement surface is spaced below the outlet
of the transfer duct against which the cooking exhaust exiting the
transfer impinges.
[0013] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
disclosure, the baffle assembly surrounds at least a portion of the
downwardly directed transfer duct section. In this regard, the
baffle assembly includes walls that direct the exhaust gas to flow
in a path that is at least partially in a shape selected from
curved, arcuate, circular, spiral, helical, serpentine, and
toroidal.
[0014] In a further aspect of the present invention, a baffle
assembly is provided for a cooking exhaust filter system for
separating entrained particulates from a cooking exhaust gas
stream. The baffle assembly includes walls which direct the cooking
exhaust gas stream to flow along a path that is at least partially
non-linear and configured to force particles entrained in the
cooking exhaust gas stream to the outside of the cooking exhaust
gas stream so as to coalesce on surfaces of the baffle walls and
thereby fall out of suspension from the cooking exhaust gas
stream.
[0015] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
disclosure, the non-linear path of the cooking exhaust stream
through the baffle assembly is selected from the group consisting
of arcuate, curved, circular, spiral, helical, serpentine, and
toroidal.
[0016] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
disclosure, the baffle assembly is in fluid flow communication with
a transfer duct, which in turn is in fluid flow communication with
the source of cooking exhaust gas.
[0017] The transfer duct ends at an outlet in fluid flow
communication with the baffle assembly. Also, the outlet of the
transfer duct is spaced from an abutment against which the cooking
exhaust gas stream flowing through the transfer duct impinges.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages
of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same
become better understood by reference to the following detailed
description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the present disclosure with
portions shown in cross section and portions shown
schematically;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of FIG. 1; and
[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements,
is intended as a description of various embodiments of the
disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only
embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is
provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be
construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The
illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms
disclosed. Similarly, any steps described herein may be
interchangeable with other steps, or combinations of steps, in
order to achieve the same or substantially similar result.
[0024] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one
skilled in the art, however, that many embodiments of the present
disclosure may be practiced without some or all of the specific
details. In some instances, well-known process steps have not been
described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various
aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated
that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any
combination of features described herein.
[0025] A cooking exhaust filter system 10 includes in basic form a
collection duct structure 12 which is positionable over a cooking
location CL. The system 10 also includes a transfer duct 14 in
fluid flow communication with the collection duct structure 12 to
change the direction of flow of the cooking exhaust and direct the
cooking exhaust against an abutment 16. From such abutment, the
cooking exhaust flows through a baffle assembly 18 which forces the
cooking exhaust to flow in a helical path thereby forcing the
particles in the exhaust gas to the outside and against the walls
of the baffle assembly to adhere thereto. The exhaust gas then
flows through an outlet duct system 20 to the atmosphere.
[0026] Next, describing the cooking exhaust filter system 10 in
greater detail, the collection duct structure 12, as shown in FIGS.
1 and 2, is in the form of an elongated duct 22 extending laterally
over a cooking location CL. The duct 22 may be supported by a frame
structure 24 for supporting the duct 22 stationary relative to the
cooking location CL.
[0027] An inlet opening in the form of a slot 23 is formed along
the bottom of the duct 22. Cooking exhaust is drawn through the
slot 23 and into the duct 22 for travel through system 10. The
curtain of cooking exhaust entering the duct 22 through slot 23
hits or impacts against the upper inside wall of the duct opposite
the slot and separates and swirls to the left and right as
schematically depicted by arrows 26 and 28 in FIG. 2, and then
moves along the duct toward the transfer duct 14. The sudden change
in direction of the cooking exhaust hitting the upper inside
surface of the duct 22 forces larger entrained particulates out of
suspension causing the particulates to run or drain down the inside
surface of the duct 22 and then downwardly out through the inlet
slot 23 and back into the cooking location CL. This is the first
location in which particulates are separated from the cooking
exhaust by the present filter system 10.
[0028] The duct 22 includes an inlet end opening 29 to allow makeup
air to enter the duct 22. It is desirable to maintain a high
exhaust velocity of the cooking exhaust passing through the filter
system 10. It is not desirable to pull all of the flow through the
system 10 from the cooking location. Rather, it is desirable to
maintain a steam blanket over the hot oil at the cooking location
which helps prevent degradation of the cooking oil. If the steam
blanket is removed by the exhaust system 10, then the cooking oil
will be detrimentally degraded. Thus, the opening 24 at the end of
the duct 22 allows ambient air to be drawn into the system 10 to
maintain a high exhaust velocity while retaining the steam blanket
over the cooking location. Although the inlet end opening 29 is
shown as located in the end of the duct 22, it is to be understood
that the inlet opening for the makeup air can be at other locations
along the duct 22.
[0029] The exhaust gas that is collected in the collection duct
structure 12 flows along the duct 22 and into the transfer duct 14.
The transfer duct 14 includes an upper elbow 30 that directs the
cooking exhaust downwardly through an upright or vertical section
32 as represented by arrow 34. The upright section 32 terminates at
a bottom outlet 36. The exhaust gas exiting the transfer duct 14 at
outlet 36 impinges against an abutment 16 in the form of the bottom
wall of baffle assembly 18. When the cooking exhaust changes
direction within elbow 30, such change in direction causes
entrained particles to fall out of suspension in the cooking
exhaust and flow down the sidewalls of the transfer duct upright
section 32 out the outlet 36 to be collected in a collection
container 40 disposed below baffle assembly 18. Also, the
impingement of the cooking exhaust against the abutment 16 causes
particulates in the cooking exhaust to fall out of suspension and
drain downwardly into the collection container 40.
[0030] Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the lower portion of
outlet duct system 20 is in the form of a baffle assembly 18 which
is structured around the upright section 32 of the transfer duct
14. The baffle assembly 18 includes a series of auger-shaped
partitions 44 that fill the annular space between the inside
diameter of the circular baffle assembly 18 and the circular
exterior of transfer duct upright section 32. The partitions 44
create a helical path through which the cooking exhaust must pass
upwardly through the baffle assembly 18. The minimal open area
within the spiral path created by the partitions 44 increases the
flow velocity of the cooking exhaust, and the constant rotational
forces acting on the cooking exhaust forces particulates, including
smaller particulates, to the outside of the flow and against the
inside wall of the baffle assembly. Such particles coalesce on the
wall such that the velocity of the cooking exhaust is not able to
maintain such particles in suspension. As such, the particles
migrate to the bottom of the baffle assembly and into the
collection canister 40.
[0031] The cooking exhaust, minus the particulates that have been
separated from the exhaust gas, continue up the exhaust stack 50 of
the outlet ducting system 20 past a damper plate 52 and eventually
to the ambient A. An exhaust fan, not shown, is located downstream
of the exhaust stack 50, to draw the exhaust and makeup air through
system 10 to the ambient A.
[0032] The exhaust fan is sized and the dimensions and placement of
the partitions 44 are designed for the quantity of exhaust desired
to be passed through system 10. The exhaust fan at full power
should not pull so much cooking exhaust so as to re-entrain
particles that have separated from the exhaust gas. Also, it is
desirable that the cooking exhaust passing through baffle assembly
18 flow at high enough speed to cause smaller particulates to
coalesce on the inside walls of the baffle assembly.
[0033] As in FIGS. 1 and 3, brackets 60 extend laterally from
baffle assembly 18 for mounting of the system 10 in place. Also
referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a fire or smoke detector 70 is located
in the exhaust stack 50 to monitor the presence of a fire within
the system 10. If a fire is detected, a fire suppression system
will release CO.sub.2 through a nozzle in the exhaust stack 50 (not
shown) to suppress the fire. Also, if a fire occurs, the damper
plate 52 can be closed.
[0034] Also, although not shown, one or more cleaning nozzles may
be incorporated into exhaust stack 50 or other locations in the
system 10 to spray detergent or degreaser and hot water into the
exhaust stack 50 for cleaning the stack as well as the baffle
assembly 18.
[0035] It will be appreciated that system 10 is quite
straightforward in structure, requiring no water and no power
source other than to power the exhaust fan 52. Further, no cleaning
of the system 10 is required during the cooking or frying
process.
[0036] It will be appreciated that the size of the particulates
forced out of suspension from the cooking exhaust will be dependent
on the velocity of the cooking exhaust through the system 10. The
smallest particles, as discussed above, are removed from the
cooking exhaust in the baffle assembly 18. In the baffle assembly
18, particles as small as 5 .mu.m (0.005 mm) can be removed. It is
estimated that a high percentage, i.e., up to 99%, of the
particulates in the cooking exhaust can be removed via system
10.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment for the present
disclosure wherein cooking exhaust filter system 10' includes the
cooking exhaust filter system 10 described above with additional
components located downstream of the baffle assembly 18.
Accordingly, those portions of the cooking exhaust filter system
10' that are the same as cooking exhaust filter system 10 are
identified with the same part numbers.
[0038] Cooking exhaust filter system 10' may include a heat
exchanger 70 positioned downstream of baffle assembly 18. The heat
exchanger 70 serves to remove or recapture heat from the cooking
exhaust stream flowing through exhaust stack 40. The extracted heat
can be used for different purposes, for example, as part of a
facilities heating system, to heat water, or for other purposes.
Inlet and outlet lines 72 and 74 are provided for directing the
medium to be heated into the heat exchanger 70 and removing the
heated medium from the heat exchanger in a well-known manner.
[0039] The cooking exhaust filter system 10' may also include a
water mist system 80 which helps reduce the odor in the cooking
exhaust stream. Such water mist systems are articles of
commerce.
[0040] The cooking exhaust filter system 10' further includes an
exhaust fan 90 to draw the cooking exhaust and makeup air through
the cooking exhaust filter system 10'. Such exhaust fan has been
described above with respect to cooking exhaust filter system 10,
and thus such description will not be repeated here.
[0041] It will be appreciated that cooking exhaust filter system
10' may optionally include heat exchanger 70 and/or water mist
system 80. Also, heat exchanger 70 and/or water mist system 80 may
be positioned in orientations other than as shown in FIG. 4.
[0042] While an embodiment of the present disclosure has been
illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various
changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention. In this regard, filter system 10 or
10', rather than utilize a transfer duct, such as transfer duct 14,
can be configured so that the collection duct structure 12
communicates directly with the baffle assembly 18. Perhaps to
compensate for the function of the elbow 30 of the transfer duct
and/or abutment 16, the configuration of the baffle assembly may be
adjusted, for example in size or length, to remove from the cooking
exhaust stream the particulates that would otherwise have been
removed by the transfer duct.
[0043] Further, it is to be appreciated that the baffle assembly,
similar to baffle assembly 18, can be employed or installed as a
unit to new or existing cooking exhaust systems for the purpose of
moving entrained particulates from the cooking exhaust. In this
regard, the baffle assembly 18 may have to be modified somewhat so
as to be compatible for use in such new or existing cooking exhaust
systems. The baffle assembly 18 may be designed to be compatible
with a particular volumetric flow rate of the cooking exhaust as
well as to be compatible with the space available for installation
of the baffle assembly.
[0044] In addition, the orientations of the components of system 10
can be other than as illustrated and described. For example, the
transfer duct 14 may be disposed other than in a downward vertical
direction as shown. Also, the baffle assembly 18 may be other than
in an upright vertical orientation as shown, for example, the
baffle assembly may be in tilted, horizontal, or other orientation.
Further, the baffle assembly 18 may be configured so that the
arcuate travel path of the cooking exhaust stream may be other than
helical. For instance, the travel path may be, at least in part, in
a circular, in a spiral, in a serpentine, or in a toroidal shape,
or other non-linear, arcuate, or curved shape, thereby to force
particulates to the outside of the exhaust gas flow and against the
wall of the baffle assembly 18.
[0045] In addition, rather than utilizing a singular slot or slit
23 as an entrance/inlet opening to duct 22, openings of other
shapes may be employed in the duct 22. Also, rather than allowing
the larger entrained particles that fall out of suspension within
duct 22 to simply fall back into the cooking zone, a collection
device can be utilized to collect such particulates, for either
reuse or disposal. In addition, other than being located at the
bottom of duct 27, the slot(s), slit(s), or other opening(s) can be
positioned at the top or on the side(s) or at other locations,
about the circumference of the duct, thereby the particles that
fall out of suspension may be directed to a desired location rather
than simply falling back into the cooking location (CL). Moreover,
the duct 22 can be inclined so that the entrained particles exit
the duct 22 at a specific location for falling back into the
cooking zone or into a collection receptacle.
* * * * *