INTELLIGENT VENTILATING SAFETY RANGE HOOD CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20140230662A1
• Filed: 02/21/2013
• Published: 08/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rain Mountain LLC
• Original Assignee: Rain Mountain LLC
• Inventors: Siegel, Robert, Lewandowski, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,677,772 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/344
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 15/2021 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety systems

Abstract

An improved control system for a range hood that is capable of automatically responding to various air quality parameters including heat, smoke, carbon monoxide, humidity, and others. The system contains a number of features that, combining aspects of open-loop and closed loop control, manage the system dynamics for smoother operation, respond to both level and rate signals and compensate for background conditions and sensor variability by using relative values.

Claims

1. A method for range ventilation, the method comprising:

configuring one or more sensors to;

sense one or more hazards generated in the operation of a residential cooking appliance; and

communicate with a processor;

sensing information related to the one or more hazards via the sensor;

determining a response based on the information; and

implementing the response to protect a user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining a response based on the information comprises the following steps:

reading a user-selected control setting; and

comparing the information with the user-selected control setting.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining a response based on the information comprises the following steps:

sampling ambient elements related to the one or more hazards to determine a set of background conditions;

setting one or more threshold levels based on the background conditions; and

comparing the information with the threshold levels.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sensing information related to the one or more hazards comprises the following steps:

sensing levels of the one or more hazards over a prescribed time interval; and

calculating the rate of change of the one or more hazards.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of implementing the response to protect the user comprises setting one or more fans at speeds associated with the rate of change of the one or more hazards.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of implementing the response to protect the user comprises activating one or more fans.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the following steps:

gradually reducing the speed of at least one of the one or more fans;

repeating the step of sensing information related to the one or more hazards via the sensor;

assessing an appropriate response; and

controlling the one or more fans based on the appropriate response.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of implementing the response to protect a user comprises notifying the user of the presence of potentially harmful conditions with a notification via at least one of a user interface, colored lights, flashing lights, an alphanumeric display, electronic remote messaging and an audible alarm.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

judging a proximity of the user; and

adjusting the notification based on the proximity of the user.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of implementing the response to protect a user comprises opening a damper to allow exhaust to be diverted outside.

11. A system for controlling range ventilation, the system comprising:

one or more sensors;

a processor;

wherein said one or more sensors are configured to;

sense information related to one or more hazards generated in the operation of a residential cooking appliance; and

communicate with said processor; and

wherein said processor is capable of;

determining a response based on the information; and

implementing the response to protect a user.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a control capable of accepting a user-selected input, wherein said control transmits the user-selected input to said processor, and said processor compares the information with the user-selected input to determine the response.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising one or more additional sensors, wherein said one or more additional sensors are capable of sampling ambient elements related to the one or more hazards to determine a set of background conditions and sending the background conditions to said processor, and wherein said processor sets one or more threshold levels based on the background conditions and compares the information with the threshold levels to determine the response.

14. The system of claim 11, further comprising a timer, wherein said timer can be independent from or integral with said processor, wherein said timer is used to designate a time interval such that said sensors sense the levels of the one or more hazards over the time interval, and wherein said processor calculates the rate of change of the one or more hazards.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising one or more fans, wherein said processor sets said one or more fans to a speed associated with the rate of change of the one or more hazards.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising one or more fans, wherein said one or more fans are activated by said processor to protect the user.

17. The system of claim 11, further comprising one or more fans, wherein said processor is capable of controlling the speed of said one or more fans.

18. The system of claim 11, further comprising a notification system capable of providing a notification, wherein said notification system comprises a user interface, colored lights, an alphanumeric display, an electronic remote messaging component, and/or an audible alarm.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a proximity unit capable of judging the proximity of the user, wherein the notification is adjusted based on the proximity of the user.

20. The system of claim 11, further comprising a damper, wherein said damper is capable of diverting exhaust inside and outside.