US 8,312,873 B2Granted

Low depth telescoping downdraft ventilator

AssigneeWestern Industries, Inc.

InventorsJohn M. Gagas, Peter F. Sosso

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Abstract

A low depth telescoping downdraft ventilator controlled by an electronic controller providing a precisely controlled and efficient way of removing gases and fumes is disclosed. The low depth telescoping downdraft ventilator has the ability to fit behind a built-in oven placed below a cook top unit. The telescoping downdraft ventilator has an almost infinitely selectable range of heights above a cook top with a built in oven. The ventilator collects and draws in exhaust fumes and smoke, filters it and re-circulates or expels it either outdoors or indoors. The inner member of the telescoping ventilator may house the exhaust fans and may move up or down without the use of mechanical switches for elevation detection and stopping. The ventilator may have sensors to detect temperatures, filter change need, fan speeds, telescoping stop points, energy consumption, resistance and voltage, enabling programmable set point operation.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A downdraft ventilator comprising:

a housing and an internal member sized to fit within the housing;
wherein the housing and the internal member combine to form a duct, the duct having an intake opening;
wherein the internal member is slidable within the housing so as to be telescoping with respect to the housing, wherein the internal member is slidable between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position;
wherein the internal member includes a rear panel, first and second end panels, and a front panel, and wherein the front panel has an upper perforated surface and a lower perforated surface spaced from each other by a non-perforated surface, and wherein the lower perforated surface remains within the housing when the internal member is at the fully extended position;
an actuator operatively connected to the internal member and the housing, wherein the actuator moves the internal member with respect to the housing;
a first fan positioned at one end of the duct and second fan positioned at a second opposite end of the duct;
and
an electronic control system that controls the actuator and the fans, the electronic control system having a user interface.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/838,621Filed 14 Aug 2007 · us provisional application
Priority: 14 Aug 2006
Published: US 2008/0029081 A17 Feb 2008
Granted: 20 Nov 2012
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

F24C 15/2042
Removing cooking fumes: devices for removing cooking fumes structurally associated with a cooking range e.g. downdraft
F24C 15/2035
Removing cooking fumes: arrangement or mounting of filters
F24C 15/2092
Movable: extendable or pivotable
F24C
Domestic stoves or ranges