Exhaust Flow Control System and Method

Abstract

A system and method for controlling the exhaust flow rate in an exhaust ventilation system including an exhaust hood positioned above a cooking appliance. The method can include measuring a temperature of the exhaust air in the vicinity of the cooking appliance, and measuring a radiant temperature of a surface of the cooking appliance, and determining an appliance status based on the measured exhaust air temperature and radiant temperature, and controlling the exhaust flow rate in response to the determined appliance status.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A combined exhaust flow control system with fire detection alarm and suppression, comprising:
 a control module coupled to sensors and control outputs, the control module coupled to an alarm interface, a fire suppression interface, and an appliance communication interface;   exhaust flow control system in accordance with the present disclosure. In particular, a system  1500  includes a control module  1502  coupled to sensors  1504  and control outputs  1506 . The control module  1502  is also coupled to an alarm interface  1508 , a fire suppression interface  1512 , and an appliance communication interface;   the alarm interface  1508  being coupled to an alarm system  1510 ;   the fire suppression interface  1512  being coupled to a fire suppression system  1514 ;   the appliance communication interface  1516  being coupled to one or more appliances  1518 - 1520 ;   the control module  1502  being capable of communicating and exchanging information with the alarm system  1510 , fire suppression system  1514 , and appliances  1518 - 1520  to determine appliance states;   the control determining from appliance states an optimal exhaust flow rate that provides capture and containment of exhaust fumes;   the control module  1502  may using its sensors provided for control of exhaust may detect a fire or other dangerous condition and communicate detection signals to the alarm system  1510 , the fire suppression system  1514  while information from the appliances  1518 - 1520  can be used by the exhaust flow control system to indicate appliance states and provide accurate exhaust flow control.