Kitchen Hood Assembly with Integrated Cleaning and Fire Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing commercial kitchen hood systems require separate hardware and control systems for cleaning and fire suppression, leading to duplicate equipment and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a combination cleaning and fire suppression system within the kitchen hood assembly, utilizing a hood structure with a riser, exhaust blower, spray bar, surfactant injector, and fire sensor to switch between cleaning and fire suppression modes by injecting water or aqueous solution for both purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cleaning and fire suppression systems are used, then each system can be optimized for its specific function, but duplicate hardware and control systems are required
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 system, and control mechanisms serve dual purposes: delivering cleaning solutions during normal operation and suppressing fires when activated by the fire detection system. This merging eliminates duplicate hardware while maintaining the functional capabilities of both systems through a unified structural platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system employs universal components that perform multiple functions. The spray bar and nozzles function both as cleaning devices (delivering detergent solutions) and fire suppression devices (delivering water or fire-retardant solutions). The water supply system, pump, and control circuitry serve both cleaning operations and fire emergency response, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining specialized functionality through software/control logic.
2Ease of operation
If separate control systems are used for cleaning and fire suppression, then each function can be independently controlled, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically switches between cleaning mode and fire suppression mode based on system state and detected conditions. A single control circuitry receives inputs from both the cleaning control interface and fire detection sensors, then dynamically adjusts the system's function. The spray bar system can be dynamically directed to deliver different solutions (cleaning detergent vs. fire suppressant) based on real-time operational requirements, maintaining independent control capabilities while using a unified control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary that mediates between the cleaning control interface and fire detection system. Rather than requiring completely separate control systems, the intermediary control circuitry integrates signals from both sources and coordinates the appropriate response. This mediator approach allows independent control of cleaning operations and fire safety monitoring while using a shared execution platform (pump, spray bar, nozzles).
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 integrated system effectively cleans the kitchen hood and suppresses fires using the same structure and system, reducing duplication and enhancing operational efficiency while meeting fire suppression standards.
Implementation Method 1
spray water and a surfactant within the kitchen hood to clean the same
Implementation Method 2
spray water and a surfactant into the kitchen hood to know down and suppress the fire
Implementation Method 3
An exhaust blower is provided for forcing an exhaust stream of air into and through the riser
Data Source
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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.