FLUE FOR COOKING APPLIANCE

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to exhaust ducts. Particular embodiments of the invention relate to exhaust ducts for domestic cooking appliances where the exhaust duct has a fluing effect.

BACKGROUND

There are many cooking appliances, such as slide in ranges and free standing ranges, in homes today. Many of these cooking appliances generate heat to cook food items and, as a result, generate exhaust gases that must be vented from a cooking compartment in the cooking appliance. Some cooking appliances rely on convection alone to channel exhaust gases from the cooking compartment. However, in some cases convection alone does not remove exhaust gases at a desired rate.

Accordingly, an improved system is desired for effectively removing exhaust gases from the cooking compartment of a domestic cooking appliance.

SUMMARY

A domestic cooking appliance in accordance with embodiments of the invention includes an exhaust duct that, due to its shape, creates a fluing effect that generates a negative pressure in the duct that promotes removal of the exhaust gases from the cooking compartment.

In one aspect, a domestic cooking appliance includes a cooking compartment for housing a food item to be cooked by the domestic cooking appliance; a heating element that heats the cooking compartment; an exhaust opening in the cooking compartment, the exhaust opening being configured to allow exhaust gases to exit the cooking compartment; and an exhaust duct having a main body, an inlet opening, and an outlet opening. The inlet opening is fluidly connected to the exhaust opening, the outlet opening has an outlet opening cross-sectional area, the inlet opening has an inlet opening cross-sectional area, and the outlet opening cross-sectional area is smaller than the inlet opening cross-sectional area such that a fluing effect is created. The outlet opening of the exhaust duct is fluidly connected to an environment outside of the domestic cooking appliance, and the exhaust gases follow an exhaust gas path that flows, in order, from the cooking compartment to the exhaust opening to the inlet opening through the main body to the outlet opening to the environment.

In some embodiments, the main body has a central section positioned between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and the central section has a cross-sectional shape that is oval or circular.

In some embodiments, the inlet opening is rectangular in shape.

In some embodiments, the outlet opening is oval or circular in shape.

In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of the exhaust duct smoothly transitions from the inlet opening cross-sectional area to the outlet opening cross-sectional area along an entire length of the exhaust duct from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

Some embodiments include an insulation sleeve positioned around the exhaust duct.

In some embodiments, the insulation sleeve is an uninterrupted sleeve that completely surrounds a perimeter of at least the central section of the exhaust duct.

Some embodiments inluce an exhaust plenum attached to the outlet opening of the exhaust duct, wherein the exhaust plenum is fluidly connected to the environment at a location remote from the outlet opening.

Some embodiments include an insulation sleeve positioned around the exhaust duct, wherein the insulation sleeve is an uninterrupted sleeve that completely surrounds a perimeter of at least the central section of the exhaust duct.

In one aspect, an exhaust duct channels exhaust gasses from an exhaust opening in a cooking compartment of a domestic cooking appliance. The exhaust duct includes a main body; an inlet opening at one end of the main body, the inlet opening being adjacent to, and fluidly connected to, the exhaust opening; and an outlet opening at an end of the main body opposite to the inlet opening. The outlet opening has an outlet opening cross-sectional area, the inlet opening has an inlet opening cross-sectional area, and the outlet opening cross-sectional area is smaller than the inlet opening cross-sectional area such that a fluing effect is created, and the exhaust duct is configured such that the exhaust gases follow an exhaust gas path that flows, in order, from the cooking compartment to the exhaust opening to the inlet opening through the main body to the outlet opening to the environment

In some embodiments, the main body has a central section positioned between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and the central section has a cross-sectional shape that is oval or circular.

In some embodiments, the inlet opening is rectangular in shape.

In some embodiments, the outlet opening is oval or circular in shape.

Some embodiments include an insulation sleeve positioned around the exhaust duct.

In some embodiments, the insulation sleeve is an uninterrupted sleeve that completely surrounds a perimeter of at least the central section of the exhaust duct.

Some embodiments include an exhaust plenum attached to the outlet opening of the exhaust duct, wherein the exhaust plenum is fluidly connected to the environment at a location remote from the outlet opening.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking appliance in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 with parts removed;

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the cooking appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the cooking appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a duct in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a part of a duct in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the part shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the part shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the part shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the part shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a part of a duct in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the part shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the part shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a partial front view of the part shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a partial rear view of the part shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 shows an example of a duct in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 17 shows an example of an insulation sleeve in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 18 shows the insulation sleeve of FIG. 17 installed on the duct of FIG. 16.

All drawings are schematic and not necessarily to scale. Parts given a reference numerical designation in one figure may be considered to be the same parts where they appear in other figures without a numerical designation for brevity unless specifically labeled with a different part number and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

In the description of embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms such as “attached,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “fixed” refers to two structures that cannot be separated without damaging one of the structures. The term “filled” refers to a state that includes completely filled or partially filled.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

As stated above, there are many cooking appliances, such as slide in ranges and free standing ranges, in homes today. Many of these cooking appliances generate heat to cook food items and, as a result, generate exhaust gases that must be vented from a cooking compartment in the cooking appliance. Some cooking appliances rely on convection alone to channel exhaust gases from the cooking compartment. However, in some cases convection alone does not remove exhaust gases at a desired rate. Accordingly, an improved system is desired for effectively removing exhaust gases from the cooking compartment of a domestic cooking appliance.

Embodiments of the invention use an exhaust duct that is shaped such that it creates a fluing effect on the exhaust gases. This fluing effect is caused by a decreasing cross-sectional area in the down stream direction. The fluing effect is increased by a smooth tapering of the exhaust duct as it transitions from a larger cross-section to a smaller cross-section.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a cooking appliance, in this example a slide in range, 100. Appliance 100 has a cooking compartment 110 in which a food item is placed in order to apply heat through a heating element (not shown) to cook the food item. Cooking compartment 110 is accessed by way of a door 120. In this example, door 120 is hinged on the bottom edge so that it pivots forward and downward to provide access to cooking compartment 110. Other examples have doors that pivot to one side, multiple doors, sliding doors, or some other type of closure to cooking compartment 110. On the top of appliance 100 is located a cook top 130 that has, in this example, multiple gas burners 140. Gas burners 140 can produce heat for cooking by burning natural gas, propane, or some other gas. Other examples can have electric heating elements, induction heating elements, some other type of heating element, or a combination of types of heating elements. A control panel 150 has a number of control elements for controlling the various functions of cooking appliance 100. A number of control knobs 160 are also provided, in this example, for controlling the level of each gas burner 140.

FIG. 2 shows appliance 100 with the cooking grates and catch pans removed so that more detail can be seen. A surface 170 is shown below gas burners 140. Surface 170 is located above an upper wall of cooking compartment 110 (see FIG. 4) and creates a space between the cook top portion containing gas burners 140 and the oven portion containing cooking compartment 110. Two exhaust ducts 200 are shown extending through surface 170.

FIG. 3 shows exhaust ducts 200 extending from cooking compartment 110, through surface 170, and into a plenum 300. In this example, exhaust duct 200 has two parts, lower portion 210 and upper portion 220 (described in more detain below).

FIG. 4 is a partial view of domestic appliance 100 showing two exhaust ducts 200 extending from cooking compartment 110 to plenum 300. In this example, exhaust duct 200 has two parts, lower portion 210 and upper portion 220 (described in more detain below). FIGS. 3 and 4 show just one possible configuration and route of exhaust ducts 200. Other configurations and routes are also within the scope of the invention. It is also noted that although two exhaust ducts 200 are shown, fewer or more exhaust ducts 200 can be used. For example, a smaller available space could require the use of three or more exhaust ducts 200 to properly vent cooking compartment 110.

FIG. 5 shows an example of exhaust duct 200 attached to plenum 300. In this example, an outlet opening 227 of exhaust duct 200 is open to plenum 300 such that any exhaust gases that flow through exhaust duct 200 flow into plenum 300. This figure also shows that this example of exhaust duct 200 is made of two pieces, lower portion 210 and upper portion 220.

Embodiments of exhaust duct 200 create a fluing effect by using an outlet opening 227 that is smaller in cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening in lower portion 210. This can be achieved by a decrease in cross-sectional area along a portion of, or all of, exhaust duct 200. In some embodiments, the entire decrease in cross-sectional area happens in lower portion 210, in other embodiments the entire decrease in cross-sectional area happens in upper portion 220, and in other embodiments the decrease in cross-sectional area happens in both lower portion 210 and upper portion 220.

FIG. 6 shows lower portion 210 of exhaust duct 200 as having an inlet section 212 that is, in this example, rectangular in cross-section. In other embodiments, inlet section 212 is round, oval, triangular, polygonal, or some other shape. In this example, lower portion 210 has an outlet section 216 that has a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of inlet section 212. A central section 214 smoothly transitions from inlet section 212 to outlet section 216. This transition from a larger cross-sectional area to a smaller cross-sectional area creates a fluing effect that helps draw exhaust gases from cooking compartment 110, up through lower portion 210, and out of outlet section 216. Making the transition a smooth transition increase the efficiency of the fluing effect by decreasing fluid flow losses. In one example, inlet section 212 is a rectangle that is 66mm x 49 mm and outlet section 216 is an oval shape that is 60mm x 40mm. Other shapes and sizes can be used for inlet section 212 and outlet section 216. FIG. 6 shows a hole 211 that is used to fasten lower portion 210 to cooking compartment 110 or some other part of appliance 100. Lower portion 210 can be fastened to appliance 100 by, for example, a screw, bolt, rivet, or other fastener. A hole 215 is shown that is used to fasten lower portion 210 to upper portion 220. The two portions can be fastened together by, for example, a screw, bolt, rivet, or other fastener.

FIG. 7 is a top view of lower portion 210 showing outlet opening 217 in outlet section 216. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of lower portion 210 showing inlet opening 213 in inlet section 212. In this view inlet opening 213 can clearly be seen as having a rectangular cross-section. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the term “rectangular” refers to the general shape of the opening and includes rectangles with radiused corners. The smooth transitioning of central section 214 is also shown in both FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 9 is a front view of lower portion 210 showing that, in this example, inlet section 212 has a slightly larger width than outlet section 216 (this feature can also be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8). Other examples can have a different ratio of widths including a ratio in which inlet section 212 has a smaller width than outlet section 216. FIG. 10 is a side view of lower portion 210. This example's smooth transitioning of central section 214 is also shown in both FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 11 shows an example of upper portion 220. In this example, upper portion 220 has in inlet section 222, a central section 224, and an outlet section 226. Inlet section 222 has an inlet opening 223, and outlet section 226 has outlet opening 227. In this example, inlet section 222 slides over outlet section 216 of lower portion 210 to form a single duct. Upper portion 220 is fastened to lower portion 210 by a fastener that extends through a hole 221 of upper portion 220 and hole 215 of lower portion 210. The two portions can be fastened together by, for example, a screw, bolt, rivet, or other fastener. As explained above, outlet opening 227 of upper portion 220 is fluidly connected and, in this example, mechanically connected to plenum 300.

FIG. 12 is a top view of upper portion 220 and shows that upper portion 220 reduces in width as it transitions from inlet section 222 to outlet section 226. FIG. 13 is a side view of upper portion 220. FIG. 14 is a partial front view of upper portion 220 and FIG. 15 is a partial rear view of upper portion 220. It can be seen in FIGS. 12, 14 and 15 that inlet section 222 is larger in cross-section than central section 224. In this example, this larger cross-section is to provide a receptacle for receiving outlet section 216 of lower portion 210, as shown in FIG. 16.

In many domestic cooking appliances it is advantageous to reduce the heat transfer from exhaust duct 200 to surrounding parts of the appliance. FIG. 17 shows an insulation sleeve 400 that is sized appropriately to be slipped over exhaust duct 200 to provide thermal insulation. FIG. 18 shows insulation sleeve 400 in place around exhaust duct 200. In some embodiments, insulation sleeve 400 is installed on exhaust duct 200 after upper portion 220 is fastened to lower portion 210. In some embodiments, insulation sleeve 400 is slid over upper portion 220 first and then pushed or pulled down toward lower portion 210. In some embodiments, insulation sleeve 400 covers substantially all of exhaust duct 200. In some embodiments, insulation sleeve 400 covers only a portion of exhaust duct 200. In some embodiments, the heat kept inside exhaust duct 200 by insulation sleeve 400 increases the fluing action by reducing a temperature reduction in the exhaust gases in exhaust duct 200 as those gases travel from inlet section 212 of lower portion 210 to outlet section 226 of upper portion 220.

The tubular shape, in this example, of upper portion 220 and at least a part of lower portion 210 make it easier to install the tubular shaped insulation sleeve 400. The tubular insulation sleeve 400 shown in the figures can require less labor to install, and provide better thermal insulation, than a multi-piece insulation system.

While the foregoing description and drawings represent exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope and range of equivalents of the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. In addition, numerous variations in the methods/processes described herein may be made within the scope of the present disclosure. One skilled in the art will further appreciate that the embodiments may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the disclosure, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles described herein. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the disclosure, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents. In addition, all combinations of any and all of the features described in the disclosure, in any combination, are part of the invention.

Claims

1. A domestic cooking appliance, comprising: a cooking compartment for housing a food item to be cooked by the domestic cooking appliance;a heating element that heats the cooking compartment;an exhaust opening in the cooking compartment, the exhaust opening being configured to allow exhaust gases to exit the cooking compartment; andan exhaust duct having a main body, an inlet opening, and an outlet opening, the inlet opening being fluidly connected to the exhaust opening, the outlet opening having an outlet opening cross-sectional area, the inlet opening having an inlet opening cross-sectional area, and the outlet opening cross-sectional area being smaller than the inlet opening cross-sectional area such that a fluing effect is created,wherein the outlet opening of the exhaust duct is fluidly connected to an environment outside of the domestic cooking appliance, andthe exhaust gases follow an exhaust gas path that flows, in order, from the cooking compartment to the exhaust opening to the inlet opening through the main body to the outlet opening to the environment.
2. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the main body has a central section positioned between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and the central section has a cross-sectional shape that is oval or circular.
3. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 2, wherein the inlet opening is rectangular in shape.
4. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein the outlet opening is oval or circular in shape.
5. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 4, wherein a cross-sectional area of the exhaust duct smoothly transitions from the inlet opening cross-sectional area to the outlet opening cross-sectional area along an entire length of the exhaust duct from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
6. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 5, further comprising an insulation sleeve positioned around the exhaust duct.
7. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 6, wherein the insulation sleeve is an uninterrupted sleeve that completely surrounds a perimeter of at least the central section of the exhaust duct.
8. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 7, further comprising an exhaust plenum attached to the outlet opening of the exhaust duct, wherein the exhaust plenum is fluidly connected to the environment at a location remote from the outlet opening.
9. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 2, further comprising an insulation sleeve positioned around the exhaust duct, wherein the insulation sleeve is an uninterrupted sleeve that completely surrounds a perimeter of at least the central section of the exhaust duct.
10. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 9, wherein a cross-sectional area of the exhaust duct smoothly transitions from the inlet opening cross-sectional area to the outlet opening cross-sectional area along an entire length of the exhaust duct from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
11. An exhaust duct for channeling exhaust gasses from an exhaust opening in a cooking compartment of a domestic cooking appliance, the exhaust duct comprising: a main body;an inlet opening at one end of the main body, the inlet opening being adjacent to, and fluidly connected to, the exhaust opening; andan outlet opening at an end of the main body opposite to the inlet opening,wherein the outlet opening has an outlet opening cross-sectional area, the inlet opening has an inlet opening cross-sectional area, and the outlet opening cross-sectional area is smaller than the inlet opening cross-sectional area such that a fluing effect is created, andthe exhaust duct is configured such that the exhaust gases follow an exhaust gas path that flows, in order, from the cooking compartment to the exhaust opening to the inlet opening through the main body to the outlet opening to the environment.
12. The exhaust duct of claim 11, wherein the main body has a central section positioned between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and the central section has a cross-sectional shape that is oval or circular.
13. The exhaust duct of claim 12, wherein the inlet opening is rectangular in shape.
14. The exhaust duct of claim 13, wherein the outlet opening is oval or circular in shape.
15. The exhaust duct of claim 14, wherein a cross-sectional area of the exhaust duct smoothly transitions from the inlet opening cross-sectional area to the outlet opening cross-sectional area along an entire length of the exhaust duct from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
16. The exhaust duct of claim 15, further comprising an insulation sleeve positioned around the exhaust duct.
17. The exhaust duct of claim 16, wherein the insulation sleeve is an uninterrupted sleeve that completely surrounds a perimeter of at least the central section of the exhaust duct.
18. The exhaust duct of claim 17, further comprising an exhaust plenum attached to the outlet opening of the exhaust duct, wherein the exhaust plenum is fluidly connected to the environment at a location remote from the outlet opening.
19. The exhaust duct of claim 12, further comprising an insulation sleeve positioned around the exhaust duct, wherein the insulation sleeve is an uninterrupted sleeve that completely surrounds a perimeter of at least the central section of the exhaust duct.
20. The exhaust duct of claim 19, wherein a cross-sectional area of the exhaust duct smoothly transitions from the inlet opening cross-sectional area to the outlet opening cross-sectional area along an entire length of the exhaust duct from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

FLUE FOR COOKING APPLIANCE

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Description

Claims