Kitchen canopy with degreaser unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen canopy exhaust systems with ultraviolet light systems for removing grease and cooking fumes are inefficient due to the accumulation of grease on UV-C sources, reducing their effectiveness and potentially causing fires and hygiene issues, as they require frequent cleaning or increased power to maintain efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A kitchen canopy with a degreaser unit positioned on the side of the exhaust air flow duct, utilizing UV-C sources that radiate in a solid angle of at least 3π steradians and reach full capacity within thirty minutes, ensuring effective exposure of cooking exhaust to ultraviolet radiation without obstructing the air flow, and optionally featuring multiple UV-C sources arranged to maximize radiant flux.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ultraviolet lamps are placed in the flow path of cooking exhaust for removing grease, then grease removal efficiency is improved, but grease accumulates on the lamps causing reduced effectiveness and potential fire hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful accumulation problem by positioning the UV-C source on the side wall of the exhaust duct rather than in the direct flow path. This separation prevents grease from depositing on the lamp surface while still allowing the radiation to effectively treat the passing exhaust gases, thus maintaining reliability while preserving grease removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary positioning arrangement where the UV-C source is mounted on the side wall at a specific distance from the exhaust flow. This intermediary position allows the radiation to reach the grease-laden air without the lamp being directly exposed to grease deposition, solving the contradiction between effectiveness and reliability
2Productivity
If ultraviolet light systems are made more powerful to maintain grease removal efficiency, then grease extraction effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the UV-C radiation precisely where it is most needed - in the path of the exhaust flow through strategic side-wall positioning. This localized effective radiation achieves high grease removal efficiency without requiring excessive overall power, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial parameter of UV-C source positioning from centralized/in-line to side-wall mounted configuration. This parameter change optimizes the radiation-grease interaction efficiency, allowing less powerful lamps to achieve the same treatment effect by eliminating the waste of radiation on grease-deposited surfaces
3Productivity
If ultraviolet lamps are washed regularly to maintain effectiveness, then grease removal efficiency is maintained, but cooking operations are interrupted and extra work is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lamp from the direct grease flow path and mounts it on the side wall, which prevents grease accumulation in the first place. This eliminates the need for regular washing operations, ensuring continuous cooking operations without interruption while maintaining grease removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The side-wall positioning design makes the UV-C source self-protecting against grease deposition. The geometry of the installation causes grease to flow past the lamp rather than onto it, making the system self-maintaining and eliminating the need for manual cleaning interventions
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
This configuration enhances the extraction of grease and cooking odors, reducing the risk of contamination and fires, maintaining hygiene levels, and allowing for the use of less powerful UV-C sources, thereby reducing operational costs and improving the reliability of the system.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ultraviolet source for generating ultraviolet radiation
Implementation Method 2
said at least one ultraviolet source further generates OH-radicals for removing impurities from the air flow
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a degreaser unit for removing grease from an air flow inside a kitchen canopy. The degreaser unit comprises at least one ultraviolet source for generating ultraviolet radiation, wherein the solid angle of said radiation is at least 2π steradians. The degreaser unit is suitable to be fixed inside a hood of the kitchen canopy on a side of an opening of an air duct of the kitchen canopy. The invention further relates to a kitchen canopy comprising at least one degreaser unit and a kit for retrofitting a kitchen canopy.