Range Exhaust Degreasing Conduits for Hood and Flue Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accumulation of grease and other flammable substances on cooking range exhaust surfaces poses a significant fire hazard and is difficult to clean due to the confined and remote nature of the range hood and exhaust flue, leading to costly and messy cleaning processes that often require kitchen closures.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system comprising a fluid delivery system with spray conduits for directing a degreasing composition into the hood and flue, a pump system for conveying the composition, and a collection reservoir, which allows for automated or manual spraying and rinsing of the surfaces, reducing the need for extensive user involvement and minimizing disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual cleaning methods are used for the range hood and exhaust flue, then the cleaning can be performed, but the process is costly, messy, and requires closure of the kitchen
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system enables self-service cleaning of the exhaust flue and hood through automated spray mechanisms. The pump system automatically delivers cleaning solution through conduits positioned within the exhaust structure, allowing the system to clean itself without requiring external manual intervention or kitchen closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes a pump system with fluid conduits to hydraulically deliver cleaning solution through spray openings positioned within the exhaust flue and hood. This pneumatic-hydraulic approach enables automated delivery of cleaning agents to difficult-to-reach areas without manual intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the exhaust flue and backsplash are cleaned regularly to reduce fire hazard, then safety is improved, but the confined and remote areas make cleaning particularly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning conduits are nested within the existing exhaust flue structure. The spray conduits are positioned inside the flue and hood, allowing the cleaning system to access confined and remote areas through the existing structural pathways without requiring external access points.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system with fluid delivery conduits enables hydraulic delivery of cleaning solution directly to the interior surfaces of the flue and hood. This allows thorough cleaning of confined areas that are otherwise inaccessible to manual cleaning methods.
3Extent of automation
If a cleaning system with spray conduits and pump is installed, then automated cleaning is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system serves multiple functions: it delivers cleaning solution through the spray conduits, controls the timing of spray cycles, and can be integrated with the existing exhaust system controls. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate automated mechanisms while achieving comprehensive cleaning automation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively removes grease and contaminants from hard-to-reach areas, reducing fire hazards and maintenance costs while allowing for periodic cleaning with minimal kitchen downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a pump system constructed for conveying the degreasing composition from a degreasing composition source and through the fluid delivery system
Implementation Method 2
The fluid delivery system includes a hood spray conduit constructed for placement within the hood and comprising spray openings for directing a degreasing composition to the backsplash
Implementation Method 3
spraying a degreasing composition on the backsplash and an interior surface of the flue
Implementation Method 4
a collection reservoir constructed to collect degreasing composition run off from the cooking range exhaust
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning system for a cooking range exhaust having a hood, a backsplash, and a flue for exhausting cooking effluent is disclosed. The cleaning system includes a fluid delivery system constructed for placement within the cooking range exhaust. The fluid delivery system includes a hood spray conduit constructed for placement within the hood and comprising spray openings for directing a degreasing composition to the backsplash. The fluid delivery system includes a flue spray conduit constructed for placement within the flue and comprising spray openings for directing the degreasing composition to an interior surface of the flue. The cleaning system includes a pump system constructed for conveying the degreasing composition from a degreasing composition source and through the fluid delivery system. The cleaning system includes a collection reservoir constructed to collect degreasing composition runoff from the cooking range exhaust. A method of cleaning a cooking range exhaust and a self-cleaning exhaust system are also disclosed.