Adjustable downdraft ventilator
AssigneeWestern Industries, Inc.
InventorsJohn M. Gagas, Daniel E. Stair, II, Richard C. Hochschild, Jr., David G. Dembinski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An indoor or outdoor downdraft ventilator moves via an electronic controller through preferably a touch keypad. This provides precise control and an efficient way of removal of gases/fumes off a cook top. The electronically controlled telescoping downdraft creates a nearly infinite and selectable range of heights above a cook top from which to properly collect and draw in, filter, re-circulate, or expel exhaust. The downdraft incorporates a lighting system to illuminate the work surface and sensors to detect temperature, filter change requirements, speed, stop points, power, resistance, voltage, and program med operations.
Claims15
A downdraft ventilator system comprising:
- a telescoping hood;
- a shaft in fluid communication with the hood for removing of gases and odors;
- an electronic controller to move the hood to user selected heights above a cook top, wherein the user selected height of the hood can be established anywhere along a continuously variable range of heights defined between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position;
- a heat exchanger in communication with the shaft;
- a top trim having a fixed outer rim edge with a movable center plate, wherein the outer rim is fastened to a support frame to secure the system in place, wherein the plate can rise and retract with the elevating hood;
- ducting to move air back in and out of the shaft;
- a retractable shelf connected to the hood;
- and
- a retractable hinged flap connected to the hood that extends outwardly when the hood is raised and aids in extraction of cooking vapors.
A cooking appliance comprising:
- a work surface;
- a housing mounted beneath the work surface;
- a movable downdraft ventilator operably attached to the work surface and having an inner cavity, the movable downdraft ventilator being retractable into and extendable out of the housing, and wherein the ventilator includes:
- a telescoping hood
- a shaft in fluid communication with the hood for removing of gases and odors;
- an electronic controller to move the hood to user selected heights above a cook top, wherein the user selected height of the hood can be established anywhere along a continuously variable range of heights defined between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position;
- a heat exchanger in communication with the shaft;
- a top trim having a fixed outer rim edge with a movable center plate, wherein the outer rim is fastened to a support frame to secure the system in place, wherein the plate can rise and retract with the elevating hood;
- ducting to move air back in and out of the shaft;
- a retractable shelf connected to the hood;
- and
- a retractable hinged flap connected to the hood that extends outwardly when the hood is raised and aids in extraction of cooking vapors;
- a blower operably connected to the ventilator for moving air through the inner cavity;
- a motor having an output shaft coupled to the movable downdraft ventilator, and operative to drive the output shaft in a first direction to move the downdraft ventilator away from the inner cavity and operative to drive the output shaft in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to move the downdraft ventilator toward the inner cavity in response to command signals provided to the motor from the electronic control unit;
- and
- wherein the motor is operative to selectively position the movable downdraft ventilator at one of a plurality of user-desired positions, which include a fully raised position, a fully lowered position, and at least one partially raised position defined between the fully raised position and the fully lowered position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.