Kitchen Hood Spray Bar for Cleaning and Fire Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Kitchen hood assemblies lack an integrated solution for both cleaning and fire suppression, requiring separate systems and increasing complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

A combination cleaning and fire suppression system that uses a spray bar with nozzles to inject water and surfactant for cleaning, and automatically switches to fire suppression mode upon detection by a sensor, spraying water and surfactant to extinguish fires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate cleaning and fire suppression systems are used in kitchen hood assemblies, then each function can be performed independently, but the overall system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppression capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate cleaning and fire suppression systems into a single integrated system. The spray bar assembly with nozzles, water supply, and control mechanisms serves both cleaning operations and fire suppression functions, eliminating the need for duplicate systems and reducing overall complexity while maintaining both capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spray bar assembly is designed as a multi-functional component that can operate in both cleaning mode and fire suppression mode. The same nozzles, water supply lines, and control system are used for both functions, making the system universal and adaptable to different operational requirements without needing separate dedicated systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate cleaning and fire suppression systems are installed, then both functions are available, but the installation cost and system maintenance cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the cleaning and fire suppression systems into one integrated assembly, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured, installed, and maintained. The shared spray bar, nozzles, and water supply infrastructure lower material costs and installation labor while providing both functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The universal spray bar assembly design allows a single system to perform multiple functions (cleaning and fire suppression), reducing the need for separate dedicated systems. This multi-functionality translates to lower installation costs and simplified maintenance protocols while maintaining full operational versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If an integrated cleaning and fire suppression system is used, then system complexity and cost are reduced, but the system must reliably switch between cleaning mode and fire suppression mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidmode switching reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates a fire detection sensor that provides feedback to the control system. When fire is detected, the sensor signal automatically triggers the fire suppression mode, ensuring reliable and immediate mode switching without manual intervention. The same control system manages both cleaning and fire suppression operations based on real-time conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 cleans the kitchen hood while providing simultaneous fire suppression using the same aqueous solution, reducing complexity and cost by utilizing the same structure and components for both functions, and meets safety standards like UL300.

Implementation Method 1

spray water and a surfactant within the kitchen hood to clean the same

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

An exhaust blower is provided for forcing an exhaust stream of air into and through the riser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

in response to a signal from a fire sensor, spray water and a surfactant into the kitchen hood to know down and suppress the fire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFire detection:

Data Source

PatentUS7963282B2Kitchen hood assembly with a combination cleaning and fire suppression system

Publication Date: 2011.06.21 CAPTIVEAIRE SYSTEMS

AI summary

A kitchen hood assembly includes a combination hood cleaning and fire suppression system. The hood assembly includes a hood structure and a riser connected thereto. An exhaust blower forces an exhaust stream of air into the hood and through the riser. A combination hood cleaning and fire suppression system is incorporated into the hood structure. The combination hood cleaning and fire suppression system includes an elongated spray bar that is connected to a water source and includes a surfactant injector that injects a surfactant into the water being directed to the spray bar. In one mode of operation, the spray bar is effective to clean the hood assembly. In another mode of operation, when a fire is sensed in or in the vicinity of the hood, the same spray bar is utilized to inject an aqueous liquid into the hood to suppress the fire.