Cooking system with ventilator and blower

Abstract

An indoor or outdoor cooking system with integrated downdraft or elevating 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 cook top incorporates the heating elements and a downdraft. The ventilator's blower assembly has a fan and a filter. The system may use sensors to detect temperature, fire, effluent, filter change requirements, fan speed, power, and voltage. The system has programmable operations and numerous set points.

1 . An appliance comprising: 
 a cook top having at least one cooking element;    a vent system operably connected to the cook top; and    a cross-flow blower assembly operably connected to the vent system.    
   
   
       2 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the cooking elements is an induction hob assembly.  
   
   
       3 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of a centrifugal blower motor, squirrel cage wheel, blower housing assembly, large plenum chamber assembly are replaced with the cross-flow blower assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-flow blower assembly further comprises a cross-flow fan, a wheel, and a housing that are attached below the cooktop and provide direct communication to an opening in the vent system.  
   
   
       5 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising storage space below the blower assembly.  
   
   
       6 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-flow blower assembly further comprises a fan, a variable speed fan motor, an electrical current regulator such that motor power output can be increased or decreased to change the air output accordingly as needed, and a detector for monitoring airflow draw.  
   
   
       7 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the vent system includes at least one of: an automatic, semi-automatic, or manual controlled ventilator, and a user interface to set, operate, and adjust the ventilator.  
   
   
       8 . The appliance of  claim 6 , wherein the fan motor has multiple selectable or preset speed levels.  
   
   
       9 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-flow blower assembly further comprises a fan that is used as a power vent for removing air and mixing air, and for management of moisture; and sensor for sensing the same.  
   
   
       10 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further including at least one of: 
 controls for controlling the vent system that are integrated with the cook top;    electronic controls that use: a tactile, membrane, piezo, capacitance, resistance, induction system, touch panel, or keypad for selection of operations;    controls constructed of glass, metal or plastic; operating functions made by touching a surface of the cook top constructed of glass, metal, or plastic;    controls flush, raised, recessed, or remotely installed in any plane or on any surface of the appliance; and    a control remotely controlled by wired or by wireless electronics and located not on the appliance.    
   
   
       11 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further including a control display mounted on a top, front, or side of the vent system or appliance for easy viewing.  
   
   
       12 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further including an electronic control housing that is detachable from vent system.  
   
   
       13 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further including a control device with graphics.  
   
   
       14 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the cook top is a slide-in, drop-in, or outdoor unit type.  
   
   
       15 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further including at least one additional cross-flow blower assembly and vent system.  
   
   
       16 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further including at least one of: an AC or DC powered electronic, mechanical, electromechanical sensor for detecting at least one of temperature, resistance, and current to aid in the control of the assembly.  
   
   
       17 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further including at least one of: 
 a sensor used for detecting and controlling speed for a fan/blower;    an airflow sensor for detecting the flow of air past a filter;    a sensor to scan the surface of the work area for an item placed on the work area and to control automatic operation of the vent system;    an ultrasonic flow, digital CO2 gas, and NDIR gas sensor that has the ability to detect backpressure in an exhaust stream from or as a result of strong winds at a house discharge vent;    a sound-activated system for controlling a vent system; and    blower operations synched with cooking controls.    
   
   
       18 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the vent system is at least one of: fixed, retractable, and free-standing when used with a counter, island, wall, or mobile unit.  
   
   
       19 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further including warmer drawer below the assembly.  
   
   
       20 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further including at least one of: a display for showing operation, function, speed, blocked filter, or time; an LED, LCD, Plasma, dot matrix, or vacuum fluorescent mechanism; and a rotating or popup display.  
   
   
       21 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further including at least one of: a true timed on/off control; a programmable set point; programmable set time; programmable set operation; programmable set temperature for turn on; and programmable filter change requirement based on air flow.  
   
   
       22 . An appliance comprising: 
 at least one cooking element;    a ventilator in communication with the element;    a cross-flow blower in communication with the ventilator; and    a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the blower.    
   
   
       23 . A cooking system comprising: 
 a burner;    a ventilator operably communicating with the burner;    a blower assembly operably connected to the ventilator;    a filter drawer placed below the ventilator; and    a filter placed at an angle in the drawer.