Induction cook top system with integrated ventilator

• US 7,687,748 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2005
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: Western Industries Incorporated (B-G Western Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gagas, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROBINSON, DANIEL LEON
• Application Number:
  US11/194,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20070023420A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,702 Days
• Field of Search: 219/623, 219/621, 219/620, 219/757, 219/632, 126/21, 361/381
• US Class Current: 219/623
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 15/2042 Devices for removing cooking fumes structurally associated with a cooking range e.g. downdraft F24C15/2007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/1263 using coil cooling arrangements

Abstract

An indoor or outdoor induction cook top system with integrated downdraft or telescoping ventilator uses cross flow or centrifugal blower technology. The system is controlled by an electronic or mechanical controller through a touch device, a slide, or knob. These provide precise control and an efficient way of removal of gases/fumes. A smooth glass cook top incorporates the induction hobs and a downdraft. The ventilator'"'"'s blower assembly has a fan and a filter. The system uses sensors to detect temperature, fire, effluent, filter change requirements, fan speed, power, and voltage. The system has programmable operations and numerous set points.

Claims

1. A cook top comprising:

a housing having a unitary body;

an induction heating element surrounded by and affixed to the housing to form an integrated structure with the housing;

a passage bound by the housing, the passage having an outlet, a first inlet positioned on a side of the induction heating element opposite the outlet, and a second inlet separate from the first inlet and fluidly connected to a cooking area located above the induction heating element;

a blower fluidly connected to a plenum and aligned with the outlet of the passage; and

a vent fluidly connecting to the plenum such that operation of the blower draws air through the unitary body of the housing and removes effluent from the cooking area and provides a cooling flow across the induction heating element.

2. The cook top of claim 1, further comprising a glass cooking surface attached to the housing such that the glass cooking surface does not interfere with either of the first or second inlets.

3. The cook top of claim 2, further comprising a drive system for retractably extending the plenum above the cooking area.

4. The cook top of claim 1, further comprising a filter located in the channel such that the filter traverses the passage between the second inlet and the outlet.

5. The cook top of claim 1, wherein the blower includes at least one of:

a system that manages air and effluent from the cook top and cooling air from the induction heating element, a regulator for electrical current to a blower motor such that power output can be changed as needed, a tangential fan to circulate air downward, a cross flow fan, a centrifugal fan, a fan that can be remotely located in attached duct work, a fixed speed fan, a variable speed fan to control air movement, a squirrel cage wheel fan, a fan with adjustable speeds that may be preset, a fan used as a power vent for removing air, a re-circulating system, a mechanism for sucking air from the cook top, a fan for management of heat build up and controlled by a heat sensor, a large chamber plenum assembly, and a fan to move air through a heat exchanger.

6. The cook top of claim 1,

wherein the induction heating element is one of a first pair of induction heating elements that are surrounded by and affixed to the housing to form an integrated unit with the housing, and further comprising a second pair of induction heating elements that are surrounded by and affixed to the housing to form the integrated unit.

7. The cook top of claim 1, wherein the first inlet includes a first portion positioned outboard of a first pair of heating elements and a second portion positioned outboard of a second pair of heating elements.

8. The cook top of claim 7, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the first inlet are oriented generally perpendicular to the second inlet and the outlet of the passage.

9. The cook top of claim 1, further comprising a plenum that slidably passes through a cooking area.

10. A cook top comprising:

a housing having a unitary body;

an induction heating element surrounded by and affixed to the housing to form an integrated structure with the housing;

a passage bound by the housing, the passage having an outlet, a first inlet positioned on a side of the induction heating element opposite the outlet, and a second inlet separate from the first inlet and fluidly connected to a cooking area located above the induction heating element;

a blower fluidly connected to a plenum and aligned with the outlet of the passage; and

a vent fluidly connecting to the plenum such that operation of the blower draws air through the unitary body of the housing and removes effluent from the cooking area and provides a cooling flow across the induction heating element,

wherein the induction heating element is one of a first pair of induction heating elements that are surrounded by and affixed to the housing to form an integrated units with the housing, and further comprising a second pair of induction heating elements that are surrounded by and affixed to the housing to form the integrated unit, the outlet of the passage extending generally laterally between the pairs of heating elements.

11. The cook top of claim 10, wherein the first inlet includes a first portion positioned outboard of the first pair of heating elements and a second position positioned outboard of the second pair of heating elements.

12. The cook top of claim 11, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the first inlet are oriented generally perpendicular to second inlet and the outlet of the passage.

13. The cook top of claim 10, further comprising a glass cooking surface attached to the housing such that the glass cooking surface does not interfere with either of the first or second inlets.

14. The cook top of claim 10, further comprising a drive system for retractably extending the plenum above the cooking area.

15. The cook top of claim 10, further comprising a filter located in the channel such that the filter traverses the passage between the second inlet and the outlet.

16. A cook top comprising:

at least one induction heating element having a cooking surface located thereabove;

a cook top vent for removing at least one of air and effluent from the cook top to a lower cavity; and

a blower assembly in fluid communication with the vent, wherein the blower assembly includes;

a system that manages at least of the air and effluent from the cook top and cooling air from the induction heating element,

a regulator for electrical current to a blower motor such that power output can be changed as needed,

a fan that circulates air downward from the cooking surface and that is controlled to at least one of;

reduce moisture build up on the cook top under control of a humidity sensor and reduce heat build up on the cook top under control a heat sensor, and

a plenum assembly coupling the vent to the fan.

17. The cook top of claim 16

wherein the induction heating element is one of a first pair of induction heating elements that are surrounded by and affixed to the housing, and further comprising a second pair of induction heating elements that are surrounded by and affixed to the housing and an outlet of a passage extending generally laterally between the pairs of heating elements.

18. The cook top of claim 16 further comprising:

a base and wherein the at least one induction heating element is a first induction heating element affixed to the base;

a second induction heating element affixed to the base;

a cooking surface affixed to the base generally above the first and second induction heating elements; and

wherein the plenum assembly includes a ventilation passage communicating air from a cavity containing the induction heating elements.

19. The cook top of claim 18, further comprising the cooking surface is generally continuous and includes an opening cooperating with the ventilation passage.

20. The cook top of claim 16 wherein the blower assembly is contained within a box that contains the induction heating element.