Modular services supply arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Exhaust systems in industrial and commercial settings experience significant energy loss due to the withdrawal of conditioned air and the energy required to operate them, with existing solutions failing to effectively minimize air loss and recover valuable energy or materials from exhaust streams, while also facing challenges with fouling and inflexibility in system configuration.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a movable exhaust hood with a shroud and integrated heat exchanger systems that allow for adjustable airflow, energy recovery through heat exchangers, and flexible modular designs for easy reconfiguration, along with ultraviolet light treatment to reduce fouling and improve air quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If exhaust systems withdraw conditioned air to remove contaminants, then air quality is improved, but energy loss increases due to replacement air conditioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers energy from exhaust air streams by capturing heat and cooling before discharge, thereby reducing the energy required to condition replacement air while maintaining effective contaminant removal
2Object-affected harmful factors
If exhaust systems operate with high airflow to ensure contaminant removal, then air quality is improved, but the energy required to operate the exhaust system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of exhaust air through heat exchange processes, recovering energy that would otherwise be wasted, thereby reducing the net energy consumption of the exhaust system while maintaining effective contaminant removal
3Loss of energy
If heat exchangers are used to recover energy from exhaust streams, then energy recovery is improved, but fouling from effluent streams reduces heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary cleaning actions to the exhaust stream before it contacts heat exchanger surfaces, removing fouling contaminants in advance to maintain sustained heat transfer efficiency and reliable energy recovery performance
4Stability of the object's composition
If exhaust systems are permanently configured with fixed connections, then system stability is improved, but flexibility to reconfigure facilities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the exhaust system into modular, independently controllable segments that can be reconfigured through selective operation of individual modules, maintaining system stability through proven design while enabling flexibility through modular arrangement and control strategies
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 approach reduces net energy loss, enables efficient energy recovery, minimizes air contamination, and provides flexibility in system configuration, enhancing operational efficiency and environmental benefits.
Implementation Method 1
integrated heat exchanger systems that allow for adjustable airflow, energy recovery through heat exchangers
Implementation Method 2
ultraviolet light treatment to reduce fouling and improve air quality
Data Source
AI summary
A services supply device for a commercial kitchen includes multiple wall modules that are interconnectable to form a continuous wall. The continuous wall is defined by a pair of common substantially planar surfaces, one at the front side of the wall and one at the back side of the wall, spaced apart by some distance. The interior of the wall between the front and back sides forms a cavity. A portion of the cavity may be configured as an exhaust duct that conveys exhaust fumes away from a cooking appliance serviced by the services supply device, while another portion may be configured as a filter. The exhaust duct may have an inlet positioned on one of the sides of the continuous wall. The individual wall modules may be formed from functional units stacked on top of each other.