Autonomous ventilation system

Abstract

An autonomous ventilation system includes a variable-speed exhaust fan, a controller, an exhaust hood, and a spillage sensor. The exhaust fan removes air contaminants from an area. The controller is coupled to the exhaust fan and adjusts the speed of the exhaust fan. The exhaust hood is coupled to the exhaust fan and directs air contaminants to the exhaust fan. The spillage sensor is coupled to the controller, detects changes in an environmental parameter in a spillage zone adjacent to the exhaust hood, and communicates information relating to detected changes in the environmental parameter to the controller. The controller adjusts the speed of the exhaust fan in response to information relating to detected changes in the environmental parameter.

1 . A method of exhausting or ventilating an area, the method comprising:
 detecting an environmental parameter in a region adjacent to an edge of the exhaust hood using a spillage probe assembly; and   controlling one or more variable-speed fans responsively to the detected environmental parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spillage probe assembly includes:
 a housing having a panel and attachment portions extending from respective ends of said panel so as to attach the housing to the exhaust hood, the housing defining an open region between the panel and a portion of the exhaust hood facing said panel;   a spillage sensor arranged within said open region, the spillage sensor being configured to detect the environmental parameter due to air escaping the exhaust hood and passing through the open region; and   a sensor support arranged within said open region and coupling the spillage sensor to the housing such that the spillage sensor can be slidably repositioned.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more variable-speed fans include an exhaust fan coupled to the exhaust hood and operable to remove fumes from an interior of the exhaust hood. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more variable-speed fans include a supply fan operable to deliver air to said area. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controlling one or more variable-speed fans is responsive to a difference between a temperature detected by the spillage sensor and ambient temperature in said area. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the environmental parameter includes at least one of temperature and air flow rate in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controlling one or more variable-speed fans includes increasing a fan speed thereof in response to a change in the detected environmental parameter indicative of escaping air from the exhaust hood. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controlling one or more variable-speed fans comprises:
 setting a first speed for the one or more variable-speed fans responsively to at least one of: a user pressing a button while the one or more variable-speed fans are off; arrival of a predetermined start time; turning on of cooking equipment; and the environmental parameter meeting or exceeding a first predetermined threshold; and   setting a second speed for the one or more variable-speed fans responsively to at least one of: a user pressing a button while the one or more variable-speed fans are at the first speed; and the environmental parameter meeting or exceeding a second predetermined threshold,   wherein the second speed is greater than the first speed.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the controlling one or more variable-speed fans further comprises turning off the one or more variable-speed fans responsively to at least one of: turning off of the cooking equipment; arrival of a predetermined stop time; expiration of a predetermined time interval after pressing of the button by the user; and the environmental parameter falls below the first predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second speed is a maximum speed for the one or more variable-speed fans. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second predetermined thresholds are the same. 
     
     
         12 . A method of exhausting or ventilating an area, the method comprising:
 detecting an environmental parameter in a region adjacent to an edge of the exhaust hood using a spillage probe assembly;   responsively to the detected environmental parameter meeting or exceeding a first predetermined threshold when one or more variable-speed fans are off, controlling one or more variable-speed fans to have a first speed; and   responsively to the detected environmental parameter meeting or exceeding a second predetermined threshold when the one or more variable-speed fans have the first speed, controlling the one or more variable-speed fans to have a second speed greater than the first speed.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second speed is a maximum speed for the one or more variable-speed fans. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second predetermined thresholds are the same. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the environmental parameter includes at least one of temperature and air flow rate in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more variable-speed fans includes an exhaust fan coupled to the exhaust hood and operable to remove fumes from an interior of the exhaust hood.