Range Hood With Integrated CO Monitor

• US 20070125364A1
• Filed: 11/29/2006
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Crnkovich, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US11/564,647
• Publication Number:
  US 20070125364A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 126/299.R
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 15/2021 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety systems

Abstract

A range hood having a carbon monoxide sensor positioned therein is provided. The vent fan of the range hood is activated upon the detection of carbon monoxide so as to increase the ventilation of the cooking area. A visual and/or audible alarm may also be provided. If carbon monoxide levels increase or persist, the range hood may increase the speed of the vent fan to provide additional ventilation. Continued presence of carbon monoxide will result in the sounding of a warning. Interface to external warning devices and systems is also provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus configured for installation over a cooking appliance, comprising:

a vent fan;

an exhaust in fluid communication with the vent fan whereby air drawn by the vent fan is exhausted through the exhaust; and

a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor positioned therein; and

wherein the CO sensor turns on the vent fan when the CO sensor detects a presence of CO; and

wherein the CO sensor increases a speed of the vent fan when a level of CO detected by the CO sensor remains above a predetermined safe level after a first predetermined period.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CO sensor is positioned to sense air in proximity to the cooking appliance.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CO sensor increases the speed of the fan at predetermined intervals is the level of CO does not drop below the predetermined safe level.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CO sensor increases the speed of the fan continuously until a drop in the level of CO is detected.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CO sensor generates an alarm when the level of CO detected by the CO sensor remains above the predetermined safe level after a second predetermined period.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the CO sensor transmits an alarm activation signal to an external CO detector to activate its alarm.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the CO sensor transmits a text message to a smart home gateway.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a visual indicator, and wherein the CO sensor activates the visual indicator when the CO sensor detects a presence of CO.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the visual indicator is an light emitting diode (LED).

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an audible indicator, and wherein the CO sensor activates the audible indicator when the CO sensor detects a presence of CO.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an audible indicator and a visual indicator, and wherein the CO sensor activates the audible indicator and the visual indicator when the CO sensor detects a presence of CO.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CO sensor is a self-testing CO sensor.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising an audible alarm, and wherein the audible alarm is triggered when the self-testing CO sensor determines that it is not functioning properly.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a visual alarm, and wherein the visual alarm is triggered when the self-testing CO sensor determines that it is not functioning properly.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CO sensor turns on the vent fan when the CO sensor detects a level of CO above a predetermined threshold.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CO sensor turns on the vent fan when the CO sensor detects a level of CO for a period of time.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the level of CO is inversely related to the period of time.

18. A method of increasing the safety of cooking with a gas cooking appliance, comprising the steps of:

monitoring for carbon monoxide (CO) in proximity to the gas cooking appliance;

energizing an exhaust fan located over the gas cooking appliance when the step of monitoring detects the presence of CO; and

increasing the speed of the exhaust fan when the step of monitoring continues to detect the presence of CO above a predetermined safe level after a period of time.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of providing an indication of the presence of CO when the step of monitoring detects the presence of CO.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of providing an indication of the presence of CO comprises the step of transmitting a radio frequency alarm activation signal to an external CO detector to cause it to sound its alarm.