SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF A DEPLOYABLE KITCHEN

Abstract

A deployable kitchen includes an enclosure, an appliance within the enclosure, and a recapture plenum. The appliance includes a housing and a burner unit that is within the housing. The appliance defines cooling passage between the housing and the burner unit. The cooling passage is in thermal communication with the burner unit such that an airflow through the cooling passage establishes an air buffer between the burner unit and the housing. The housing includes a face that defines an outlet of the cooling passage. The recapture plenum encloses the face of the housing such that the recapture plenum receives an exhaust portion of the airflow after the airflow is conveyed through the cooling passage. The recapture plenum is configured to be in fluid communication with a heating vent within the deployable kitchen.

Description

BACKGROUND

The embodiments described herein relate generally to deployable kitchens, and more particularly to systems and methods for managing, recapturing, and/or routing the heat produced by appliances within the deployable kitchen.

It is often necessary to cook for significant numbers of people at locations that do not have access to permanent kitchen facilities. For example, military units need deployable kitchens to support operations when personnel are deployed. Such deployable kitchens should be capable of preparing and feeding a large number of troops in a short period of time (e.g., more than 500 meals within less than three hours). Such deployable kitchens should also be energy efficient to conserve limited amounts of fuel, water, and other resources that may be available for field feeding. As another example, disaster relief operations need transportable kitchen appliances to provide food service for disaster zones and relief centers. Additionally, restaurants and caterers may use deployable kitchens to cook at remote locations, such as beaches, wooded areas, street fairs, etc.

Some known deployable kitchens include appliances for food preparation within a truck or trailer that can be transported to the area of need. Other known deployable kitchens can be housed within a standardized shipping container (e.g., a 20-ft International Organization for Standardization (ISO) container). Such deployable kitchens are referred to as containerized kitchens and can include movable walls (referred to as wings or wing walls) that allow for expanded space within the kitchen area when in the deployed configuration. Some known containerized kitchens include appliances (e.g., griddles and cooking pot assemblies) that use open flame burners to produce the heat for cooking. This can result in undesirable emissions (smoke and noxious gases) and excessive heat being produced within the kitchen environment. Accordingly, some known deployable kitchens have sought to use closed burners to facilitate exhausting the combustion products outside of the kitchen environment.

Known systems for exhausting gases and heat from within the kitchen environment, however, are generally configured without considerations for improving thermal efficiency or being adaptable for the wide range of environmental conditions within which the deployable kitchen may be used. Thus, a need exists for systems and methods of managing, recapturing, and/or routing the heat produced by appliances within deployable kitchens.

SUMMARY

This summary introduces certain aspects of the embodiments described herein to provide a basic understanding. This summary is not an extensive overview of the inventive subject matter, and it is not intended to identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope of the inventive subject matter.

In some embodiments, a deployable kitchen includes an enclosure, an appliance within the enclosure, and a recapture plenum. The appliance includes a housing and a burner unit that is within the housing. The appliance defines cooling passage between the housing and the burner unit. The cooling passage is in thermal communication with the burner unit such that an airflow through the cooling passage establishes an air buffer between the burner unit and the housing. The housing includes a face that defines an outlet of the cooling passage. The recapture plenum encloses the face of the housing such that the recapture plenum receives an exhaust portion of the airflow after the airflow is conveyed through the cooling passage. The recapture plenum is configured to be in fluid communication with a heating vent within the deployable kitchen.

In some embodiments, the deployable kitchen includes a diverter in fluid communication with the recapture plenum. The diverter has a first position in which the diverter is configured to selectively place the recapture plenum in fluid communication with an exhaust vent of the deployable kitchen upon a first ambient condition. The diverter has a second position in which the diverter configured to selectively place the recapture plenum in fluid communication with the heating vent upon a second ambient condition.

In some embodiments, the appliance includes an exhaust hood and an exhaust plenum. The exhaust hood is coupled to the housing via the exhaust plenum and the recapture plenum is in fluid communication with the exhaust vent via the exhaust plenum on a condition that the diverter is in the first position. In some embodiments, the deployable kitchen includes a heating duct in fluid communication with the heating vent. The recapture plenum is in fluid communication with the heating vent via the heating duct on a condition that the diverter is in the second position.

In some embodiments, the housing includes a front face and the face of the housing enclosed by the recapture plenum is a rear face positioned between the front face and a wall of the enclosure. The front face defines an inlet of the cooling passage. In some embodiments, the appliance includes a fan in fluid communication with the cooling passage. The fan is configured to produce the airflow through the cooling passage.

In some embodiments, a deployable kitchen includes an enclosure, an appliance within the enclosure, and a nested duct structure. The enclosure includes a movable wing that has a first wing face separated from a second wing face by a set of internal dividers to define a heating passage within the movable wing. The appliance includes a burner unit and an exhaust plenum. The nested duct structure includes an inner duct, an outer duct, and a recapture duct. The inner duct is in fluid communication with the burner unit. The outer duct is in fluid communication with the exhaust plenum. The inner duct and the outer duct define an exhaust flow path from within the deployable kitchen toward an exterior volume outside the enclosure. The recapture duct positioned between the inner duct and the outer duct and defines an intake opening, a heat-recapture flow path, and an outlet opening. The heat-recapture flow path is in thermal communication with both the inner duct and the outer duct. The inlet opening of the recapture duct is configured to receive an intake air and the outlet opening of the recapture duct is in fluid communication with the heating passage within the movable wing. A heated portion of air introduced to the heating passage has a temperature that is greater than the intake air received by the intake opening on a condition that the burner unit is operating.

In some embodiments, the enclosure further includes a fixed floor and a hinge. The movable wing is movably coupled to the fixed floor via the hinge and is movable between a wall position and a floor position. The first wing face is configured as an exterior wall of the enclosure on a condition that the movable wing is in the wall position. The second wing face is configured as a floor portion on a condition that the movable wing is in the floor position. The second wing face is configured as an interior wall on a condition that the movable wing is in the wall position. The heating passage is configured to heat the second wing face via the heated portion of air on the condition that the movable wing is in the floor position.

In some embodiments, the movable wing includes a seal portion positioned to fluidically couple the heat passage to the recapture duct on the condition that the movable wing is in the floor position. The heat passage is fluidically decoupled from the recapture duct on the condition that the movable wing is in the wall position. In some embodiments, the movable wing defines an exhaust outlet positioned between the heat passage and the exterior volume.

In some embodiments, the deployable kitchen includes a flexible conduit positioned between the heat passage in the recapture duct and configured to fluidically couple the heat passage to the recapture duct.

In some embodiments, the deployable kitchen includes a blower in fluid communication with the recapture duct. The blower is positioned to selectively convey the portion of air through the heat-recapture flow path.

In some embodiments, the deployable kitchen includes a damper in fluid communication with the recapture duct. The damper has a first position in which the damper is configured to selectively place the recapture duct in fluid communication with the exterior volume surrounding the enclosure upon a first ambient condition. The damper has a second position in which the damper is configured to selectively place the recapture duct in fluid communication with ambient air within the kitchen upon a second ambient condition.

In some embodiments, the recapture duct includes a set of flow modifiers configured to reduce a velocity of the portion of air within the heat-recapture flow path and increase a dwell time of the portion of air within the heat-recapture flow path.

In some embodiments, the appliance includes an exhaust hood and an exhaust plenum. The exhaust hood is coupled to the housing via the exhaust plenum. The recapture duct includes a serpentine portion positioned within the exhaust plenum.

In some embodiments, the appliance is a first appliance and the deployable kitchen includes a coupling tap. The coupling tap is configured to establish a heated air supply to a second appliance.

In some embodiments, a deployable kitchen includes an enclosure having a fixed floor, a serpentine heating conduit coupled to the fixed floor, an appliance within the enclosure, and a nested duct structure. The appliance includes a burner unit and an exhaust plenum. The nested duct structure includes an inner duct, an outer duct, and a recapture conduit. The inner duct is in fluid communication with the burner unit. The outer duct is in fluid communication with the exhaust plenum. The recapture conduit is positioned between the inner duct and the outer duct. The recapture conduit is in thermal communication with both the inner duct and the outer duct and contains a heat transfer media. The recapture conduit is in fluid communication with the serpentine heating conduit such that the heat transfer media receives a portion of heat from at least one of the inner duct or the outer duct and transfers a portion of heat to the fixed floor.

In some embodiments, the deployable kitchen includes a circulation pump fluidly coupled to one of the serpentine heating conduit or the recapture conduit to establish a circulatory flow of the heat transfer media within the serpentine heating conduit and the recapture conduit.

In some embodiments, a deployable kitchen includes an enclosure, a potable water reservoir position within enclosure, an appliance within the enclosure, and a nested duct structure. The appliance includes a burner unit and an exhaust plenum. The nested duct structure includes an inner duct, an outer duct, and a recapture conduit. The inner duct is in fluid communication with the burner unit. The outer duct is in fluid communication with the exhaust plenum. The recapture conduit is positioned between the inner duct and the outer duct. The recapture conduit is in thermal communication with both the inner duct and the outer duct and contains potable water. The recapture conduit is in fluid communication with the potable water reservoir. The recapture conduit is configured to receive a portion of heat from at least one of the inner duct or the outer duct and transfer heated potable water to the potable water reservoir.

In some embodiments, a deployable kitchen includes an enclosure, an appliance within the enclosure, and a duct structure. The enclosure includes a fixed floor and a movable wing. The fixed floor defines a floor heating passage and the movable wing defines a wing heating passage. The appliance includes a burner unit and an exhaust plenum. The duct structure includes a first duct in fluid communication with the burner unit, a second duct in fluid communication with the exhaust plenum, and a recapture duct in thermal communication with at least one of the first duct or the second duct. The first duct and the second duct define an exhaust flow path from within the deployable kitchen toward an exterior volume outside of the enclosure. The recapture duct defines an intake opening, a heat-recapture flow path, and an outlet opening. The outlet opening of the recapture duct is in fluid communication with at least one of the floor heating passage or the wing heating passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a deployable kitchen, according to an embodiment, in a first (i.e., storage) configuration (FIG. 1) and a second (i.e., deployed) configuration (FIG. 2).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the deployable kitchen shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the second configuration, with the outer covering removed to show the internal service volume of the kitchen.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a movable wing of the deployable kitchen shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the deployable kitchen shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the movable wing being moved between a wall position and a floor position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an appliance of the deployable kitchen shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are front view (FIG. 7) and side view (FIG. 8) schematic illustrations of an appliance of a deployable kitchen, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the appliance shown schematically in FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 10 is a top view schematic illustration of a portion of a deployable kitchen, according to an embodiment, showing a portion of a fixed floor and a movable wing.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the movable wing shown in FIG. 10, taken along the line X-X in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side view schematic illustration of a portion of a deployable kitchen according to an embodiment, showing a duct assembly with a recapture duct.

FIG. 13 is a rear view schematic illustration of the portion of a deployable kitchen shown in FIG. 12, showing the duct assembly.

FIG. 14 is a front view schematic illustration of the portion of a deployable kitchen shown in FIG. 12, showing the appliance and the exhaust plenum.

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of the portion of a duct assembly according to an embodiment, showing a recapture damper.

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of the portion of a deployable kitchen according to an embodiment, showing a fixed floor and a duct assembly with a recapture conduit.

FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of the portion of a deployable kitchen according to an embodiment, showing a potable water reservoir and a duct assembly with a recapture conduit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments described herein relate to deployable kitchens configured for improved thermal performance. The systems, methods, and structures disclosed herein provide for routing of airflow to within and/or away from the kitchen service volume to efficiently remove heat and combustion products from the service volume. The systems, methods, and structures disclosed herein include duct assemblies that can recapture heat from exhaust gases to heat the service volume, which can be beneficial when the kitchen is deployed in cold temperature environments. In some embodiments, the recaptured heat can increase the temperature of an airflow that is conveyed into heating vents within the deployable kitchen. In some embodiments, the recaptured heat can increase the temperature of an airflow that is conveyed into a heating passage within a movable wing of the deployable kitchen, which allows the kitchen to be heated from a portion of the floor (e.g., when the movable wing is in the floor position). In some embodiments, the recaptured heat can increase the temperature of an airflow that is conveyed into a heating passage within a fixed floor portion of the kitchen enclosure.

In some embodiments, the deployable kitchen can include a duct or a plenum assembly that recaptures heat from any suitable source, including combustion gas from the burners, heat produced by the cooking surfaces (e.g., that is exhausted via a hood), and heat produced by cooling the housing surfaces of the appliances. In some embodiments, the deployable kitchen can include a diverter to allow for selectively changing the airflow characteristics. In this manner, the heat recapture can be disabled and the hot gas can be conveyed via an exhaust vent of the deployable kitchen at a first ambient condition (e.g., in hot weather, when heating of the kitchen is not desired). The heat recapture can be enabled (or partially enabled) to produce heating within the deployable kitchen at a second ambient condition (e.g., in cold weather, when heating of the kitchen is desired).

In some embodiments, the deployable kitchen can include a mechanism to allow heat energy produced via a cooking operation (e.g., energy produced while operating a griddle or cooking pot appliance) to be used for other aspects of the kitchen operation, such as heating potable water. In other embodiments, the deployable kitchen can include a mechanism to allow heat energy produced via a cooking operation to be used for operations outside of the deployable kitchen. Specifically, the deployable kitchen can include a coupling tap where heated air can be supplied to any suitable adjacent equipment.

The embodiments described herein can be included in any suitable deployable kitchen including food trucks, mobile kitchen trailers (such as the wheeled kitchens shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,322,661 entitled “Mobile Kitchen,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), self-contained deployable kitchens (such as the containerized kitchens used by the U.S. Army), deployable kitchens that are connectable to external power sources (such as the expeditionary field kitchens used by the U.S. Marine Corps), and any other suitable structure that includes one or more cooking appliances that can deployed.

As used herein, the term “about” when used in connection with a referenced numeric indication means the referenced numeric indication plus or minus up to 10% of that referenced numeric indication. For example, the language “about 50” covers the range of 45 to 55. Similarly, the language “about 5” covers the range of 4.5 to 5.5.

In addition, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “includes”, “has”, and the like specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, components, etc. but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups.

As used herein, specific words chosen to describe one or more embodiments and optional elements or features are not intended to limit the invention. For example, spatially relative terms-such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, “proximal”, “distal”, and the like—may be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. These spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different positions (i.e., translational placements) and orientations (i.e., rotational placements) of a device in use or operation in addition to the position and orientation shown in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be “above” or “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can encompass both positions and orientations of above and below. A device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Likewise, descriptions of movement along (translation) and around (rotation) various axes include various spatial device positions and orientations.

Similarly, geometric terms, such as “parallel”, “perpendicular”, “round”, or “square”, are not intended to require absolute mathematical precision, unless the context indicates otherwise. Instead, such geometric terms allow for variations due to manufacturing or equivalent functions. For example, if an element is described as “round” or “generally round”, a component that is not precisely circular (e.g., one that is slightly oblong or is a many-sided polygon) is still encompassed by this description.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a deployable kitchen 1000, according to an embodiment. The deployable kitchen 1000 is configured to transition between a first (undeployed) configuration (FIG. 1) and a second (i.e., deployed) configuration (FIG. 2). When in the undeployed configuration, the deployable kitchen 1000 can be stored or transported (e.g., via ship, trailer transport, aircraft shipping, or any other suitable method of transport) for later use. When in the deployed configuration (FIGS. 2 and 3), the deployable kitchen 1000 can be expanded to provide a service region (or volume) 1102 for cooking and feeding services.

The deployable kitchen 1000 includes an enclosure 1100 and at least one cooking appliance 1200 (see FIG. 6). The deployable kitchen 1000 can include other suitable food service components, such as preparation tables, storage racks, heating racks, and utensils. As shown in FIG. 3, the enclosure 1100 includes a fixed floor 1120, a fixed roof 1122, and two movable wings 1150. The enclosure 1100 also includes a frame assembly 1510, a fabric section 1540 (see FIG. 2), and optional roof sections 1520. Referring to FIG. 1, the enclosure 1100 defines a longitudinal axis (L_O), a lateral axis (L_A), and a vertical axis (V_H).

The movable wings 1150 are wall structures that are pivotably mounted to the fixed floor 1120, which allows for the enclosure 1100 (and the deployable kitchen 1000) to move between the first configuration (FIG. 1) and the second configuration (FIGS. 2 and 3). Specifically, the wings 1150 are each coupled to the fixed floor 1120 by a set of hinges 1144 (see FIG. 5). In this manner, the wings 1150 can move relative to the fixed floor 1120 between a wall position (FIG. 1) and a floor position (FIGS. 2 and 3). Each movable wing 1150 includes a first wing face (or surface) 1152 and a second wing face (or surface) 1154. The first wing face 1152 is an exterior wall of the enclosure 1100 on a condition that the movable wing 1150 is in the wall position. The second wing face 1154 is an interior wall on a condition that the movable wing is in the wall position. The second wing face 1154 also functions as a floor portion on a condition that the movable wing 1150 is in the floor position (FIGS. 2 and 3).

In some embodiments, the enclosure 1100 is constructed to meet the dimensional requirements of ISO Standards 661 and 1161 when the enclosure is in the first configuration. In this manner the deployable kitchen 1000 can be easily transported by truck, rail, sea, or air. Moreover, the enclosure can be constructed from materials and can have the moisture sealing and structural integrity to comply with Coast Guard requirements for shipment by sea, and arrangement in a stacked configuration.

Referring to FIG. 6, the appliance 1200 includes a housing 1202 that contains a burner unit (not shown in FIG. 6, but shown schematically as the burner unit 2210 in FIG. 7). Thus, the appliance 1200 is a closed burner system and the combustion gas can be exhausted according to any of the plenums or duct systems described herein, which reduces the heat load within the service region 1102 of the enclosure 1100. The housing is coupled to an exhaust plenum 1240 and an exhaust hood 1230. In this manner, the appliance 1200 (and any of the appliances described herein) can be integrated (or co-joined) with the exhaust hood to so that the routing of combustion exhaust (from the burner) and the cooking exhaust (via the exhaust hood 1230) can be done in a manner to optimize the thermal performance, according to any of the systems described herein. The appliance housing 1202 includes a cooking surface 1204, a front face 1208, a rear face (not shown in FIG. 6), and two side faces. The appliance housing defines one or more cooling passages that at least partially surrounds the burner unit. As shown, the front face 1208 includes air inlets and the rear face includes air outlets for the cooling passage(s) within the appliance housing 1202. Thus, in use airflow within the appliance housing 1202 can provide an insulative effect to prevent the housing 1202 from reaching undesirably high temperatures. Similarly stated, in use airflow within the appliance housing 1202 can establish an air buffer between the burner unit and the appliance housing 1202.

Although the appliance 1200 is shown as a griddle, in other embodiments, the appliance 1200 (and any of the appliances described herein) can be any suitable cooking appliance, such as a cooking pot heater, an oven, a warming rack, a tray ration heater, or the like.

Any of the deployable kitchens described herein (including the deployable kitchen 1000) can include a recapture plenum that receives a portion of the exhaust airflow from the cooling passage of an appliance. For example, FIGS. 7-9 show a portion of a deployable kitchen 2000 that has an appliance 2200 in fluid communication with a recapture plenum 2310. The deployable kitchen 2000 includes an enclosure, similar to the enclosure 1100 within which the appliance 2200 is contained. The appliance 2200 includes a housing 2202 that contains a burner unit 2210. The burner unit 2210 can be any suitable burner unit that combusts fuel to produce heat. For example, in some embodiments, the burner unit 2210 (and any of the burner units described herein) can be an atomization burner that employs low pressure air to facilitate atomization of the liquid fuel. Such burners can include, for example, the AIRTRONIC™ burner produced by Babington Technology, Inc., which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,322,661 entitled “Mobile Kitchen,” and U.S. Pat. No. 7,798,138 entitled “Convention Oven Indirectly Heated by a Fuel Burner,” each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The burner 2210 (and any of the burners disclosed herein) can also include the FLEXIFRE™ burner produced by Babington Technology, Inc., which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 11,105,504 entitled “Atomization Burner with Flexible Fire Rate,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The burner 2210 is enclosed within the housing 2202 of the appliance, and thus the appliance 2200 is a closed burner system that allows the combustion gas to be exhausted according to any of the plenums or duct systems described herein.

As shown, the appliance housing 2202 includes a cooking surface 2204, a front face 2208, a rear face 2206 (see FIG. 8), and two side faces. The appliance housing 2202 defines a cooling passage 2220 that at least partially surrounds the burner unit 2210. The front face 2208 includes an air inlet 2224 and the rear face includes an air outlet 2222 for the cooling passage 2220 within the appliance housing 2202. In some embodiments, the appliance 2200 can include one or more fans 2226 that produces an airflow into the air inlet 2224, through the cooling passage 2220 and out of the air outlet 2222. Thus, in use airflow AB₁ within the appliance housing 2202 can provide an insulative effect to prevent the housing 2202 from reaching undesirably high temperatures. Similarly stated, in use airflow within the appliance housing 2202 can establish an air buffer between the burner unit and the appliance housing 2202.

The recapture plenum 2310 encloses at least a portion of the rear face 2206 of the appliance housing 2202 such that the exhaust portion EP₁ of the cooling airflow through the appliance is received within the recapture plenum 2310. The recapture plenum 2310 can be any suitable structure coupled to or surrounding the portion of the rear face 2206 of the appliance housing 2202. For example, in some embodiments, the recapture plenum 2310 (and any of the recapture plenums described herein) can be a separately constructed plenum having three sides that is coupled to the rear face 2206 of the housing 2202. In other embodiments, the recapture plenum can be at least partially formed from one or more walls of the enclosure (e.g., the enclosure 1100), such as, for example, an end wall within the enclosure that separates the service volume (i.e., the “working area” of the kitchen, shown by the volume 1102) from a mechanical volume (i.e., a volume within the enclosure where support components, such as a generator or portions of an environmental conditioning unit (ECU) are housed). In yet other embodiments, the recapture plenum can be integrated within the appliance housing 2202. Although the air outlet 2222 is shown as being on the rear face 2206 of the appliance housing 2202 and the recapture plenum 2310 is shown as enclosing a portion of the rear face 2206, in other embodiments, the cooling air outlet can be on any suitable surface of the appliance, and the recapture plenum can enclose such portions of the appliance.

Referring to FIG. 8, the recapture plenum 2310 configured to be in fluid communication with a heating vent 2320 within the deployable kitchen 2000. Specifically, deployable kitchen can include a duct 2322 that connects the recapture plenum 2310 to the heating vent 2320. In this manner, air that is heated as it flows through the cooling passage 2220 is rerouted to heat the working area of the deployable condition, which may be desirable in cold weather conditions. In some embodiments (e.g., warm weather operations), it is not desirable to convey the heated exhaust air into other portion of the deployable kitchen. Thus, in some embodiments, the kitchen 2000 optionally includes a diverter 2330 in fluid communication with the recapture plenum 2310. The diverter can be a valve, a damper, or any other suitable device for diverter the airflow within the recapture plenum 2310. Specifically, the diverter 2330 has a first position (or configuration) that selectively places the recapture plenum 2310 in fluid communication with an exhaust vent or plenum 2240 upon a first ambient condition (e.g., warm weather). The exhaust plenum 2240 can be coupled to the appliance housing 2202 and also to an exhaust hood 2230. Thus, when the diverter 2330 is in the first position, the heated air within the recapture plenum 2310 is conveyed outside of the enclosure (e.g., along with the combustion exhaust and/or the cooking exhaust from the exhaust hood 2230. The diverter has a second position (or configuration) that selectively places the recapture plenum 2310 in fluid communication with the heating vent 2320 upon a second ambient condition. In this manner, when heating of the kitchen is desirable, the recapture of the heated air can be selectively enabled (by transitioning the diverter to its second position).

Although the recapture plenum 2310 is described as being selectively fluidically coupled to the vent 2320, in other embodiments, the recapture plenum 2310 can be selectively placed in fluid communication with any suitable structure for receiving the heated air that flows therethrough. For example, in some embodiments, the recapture plenum 2310 can be selectively fluidically coupled to a coupling tap (similar to the outlet tap 3301 described below) that can facilitate conveyance of the heated air to another appliance or even a location outside of the enclosure for further beneficial use. In other embodiments, the recapture plenum 2310 can be selectively fluidically coupled to a heating passage within one of the movable wings (similar to the heating passage 3160 described below). In yet other embodiments, the recapture plenum 2310 can be selectively fluidically coupled to a heating passage within the fixed floor (e.g., the fixed floor 1120) or the fixed roof (e.g., the fixed roof 1122) of the enclosure.

Any of the deployable kitchens described herein (including the deployable kitchen 1000 and 2000) can include a movable wing that receives a portion of the exhaust airflow from any of a cooling passage of an appliance (e.g., as shown by the recapture duct 2310 described above) or an airflow that is heated from the combustion exhaust or cooking exhaust from the exhaust hood. By recapturing a portion of the energy in the exhaust (e.g., to produce useful heating in cold weather applications), the overall energy efficiency of the deployable kitchen can be improved. For example, FIGS. 10-13 show a portion of a deployable kitchen 3000 that has an enclosure with at least on movable wing 3150, an appliance 3200 within the enclosure, and a duct assembly 3340 (also referred to as a nested duct structure). The deployable kitchen 3000 is configured to transition between a first (undeployed) configuration and a second configuration (deployed), similar to the deployable kitchen 1000 described above. As shown in FIG. 10, the enclosure includes a fixed floor 3120 and at least one movable wing 3150. The enclosure can also include a fixed roof, a frame assembly (similar to the frame assembly 1510), and a fabric section (similar to the fabric section 1540).

The movable wing 3150 is a wall structure that is pivotably mounted to the fixed floor 3120, which allows for the enclosure (and therefore the deployable kitchen 3000) to move between the first configuration and the second configuration. Specifically, the wing 3150 is coupled to the fixed floor 3120 by a set of hinges 3144 (see FIG. 10). In this manner, the wings 3150 can move relative to the fixed floor 3120 between a wall position and a floor position. The movable wing 3150 includes a first wing face (or surface) 3152, a second wing face (or surface) 3154, and a set of internal dividers 3156. The first wing face 3152 is an exterior wall of the enclosure on a condition that the movable wing 3150 is in the wall position. The second wing face 3154 is an interior wall on a condition that the movable wing is in the wall position. The second wing face 3154 also functions as a floor portion on a condition that the movable wing 3150 is in the floor position (FIG. 10). The internal dividers 3156 define a heating passage 3160 within the movable wing 3150. As described herein, the heating passage 3160 can be fluidically coupled to the recapture duct 3346 to allow heated air (from the duct assembly 3340) can flow through the heating passage 3160 to heat the floor of the deployable kitchen 3000. Specifically, referring to FIG. 11, the internal dividers 3156 can define openings 3158 through which heated air can flow, as shown by the arrows. In some embodiments, the openings 3158 can be of similar size and shape. In other embodiments, the openings 3158 can have different sizes and/or shapes to tune a flow of the heated portion of air introduced to the heating passage 3160. For example, in some embodiments, the openings 3158 can be smaller towards the exit portion of the wing 3150 to ensure that the air pressure (and flow) within the heating passage 3160 is consistent. In yet other embodiments, one or more of the dividers can include an adjuster 3157 that can be moved to adjust the flow of air within the heating passage 3160. In some embodiments, the wing 3150 includes an exhaust outlet 3162.

Referring to FIG. 12, the appliance 3200 includes a housing 3202 that contains a burner unit 3210. The burner unit 3210 can be any suitable burner unit that combusts fuel to produce heat. For example, in some embodiments, the burner unit 3210 (and any of the burner units described herein) can be an atomization burner that employs low pressure air to facilitate atomization of the liquid fuel. The burner 3210 is enclosed within the housing 3202 of the appliance, and thus, the appliance 3200 is a closed burner system, the exhaust gas from which is conveyed outside of the deployable kitchen 3000 via the duct assembly 3340. The housing is coupled to an exhaust plenum 3240 and an exhaust hood 3230. In this manner, the appliance 3200 is integrated (or co-joined) with the exhaust hood 3230 to so that the routing of combustion exhaust (from the burner) and the cooking exhaust (via the exhaust hood 3230) can be done in a manner to optimize the thermal performance via the duct assembly 3340. Although not shown in FIG. 12, in some embodiments the appliance 3200 can include a recapture plenum similar to the plenum 2310 described above.

The duct assembly 3340 includes a first duct 3342, a second duct 3344 and a recapture duct 3346. The first duct 3342 (shown as an inner duct) is in fluid communication with the burner unit 3210, and defines an exhaust flow path from within the deployable kitchen toward an exterior volume outside the enclosure (see the arrow EE). In this manner, the combustion exhaust from the burner unit 3210 is conveyed via the first duct 3342 out of the service volume of the deployable kitchen. The second duct 3344 (shown as an outer duct) is in fluid communication with the exhaust plenum 3240, and defines an exhaust flow path from within the deployable kitchen toward an exterior volume outside the enclosure (see the arrow EE). In this manner, the cooking exhaust from the exhaust hood 3230 (including any particulate matter, smoke etc.) is conveyed via the second duct 3344 out of the service volume of the deployable kitchen. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13, the first duct 3342 can be nested within the second duct 3344. In this manner, the hottest exhaust airflow (i.e., from the burner combustion) is at least partially enclosed within the cooler exhaust airflow (i.e., from the exhaust hood). In other embodiments, however, the first duct 3342 and the second duct 3344 can be in any suitable configuration.

The recapture duct 3346 is positioned between the first duct 3342 and the second duct 3344 and defines an intake opening 3348, a heat-recapture flow path, and an outlet opening 3350 (see FIG. 10). The heat-recapture flow path is in thermal communication with both the first duct 3342 and the second duct 3344. In this manner, heat can be transferred between the exhaust gas in the first duct 3342 and/or the second duct 3344 and fluid flowing within the recapture duct 3346. The outlet opening 3350 of the recapture duct 3346 is in fluid communication with the heating passage 3160 within the movable wing 3150. In some embodiments, a flexible conduit can positioned between the outlet 3350 of the recapture duct 3246 and the heating passage 3160. In some embodiments, the system can include a blower 3180 to facilitate flow of air through the recapture duct 3146 and the heating passage 3160. In some embodiments, the movable wing 3150 includes a seal portion 3170 positioned to fluidically couple the heat passage 3160 to the recapture duct 3146 on the condition that the movable wing is in the floor position.

In some embodiments, the outlet opening 3350 of the recapture duct 3346 is selectively placed in fluid communication with the heating passage 3160 within the movable wing 3150. For example, in some embodiments, the heat passage 3160 is fluidically isolated from the recapture duct 3146 on the condition that the movable wing is in the wall position. In other embodiments, the system includes a damper 3360 in fluid communication with the recapture duct 3346. The damper 3360 can shut off airflow through the recapture duct 3346 (and therefore the heating passage 3150). In some embodiments, the damper 3360 has a first position (or configuration) in which the damper is configured to selectively place the recapture duct 3346 in fluid communication with the exterior volume surrounding the enclosure upon a first ambient condition, as shown by the arrow AI₁ in FIG. 15. The damper 3360 has a second position (or configuration) in which the damper is configured to selectively place the recapture duct 3346 in fluid communication with ambient air within the kitchen upon a second ambient condition, as shown by the arrow AI₂ in FIG. 15. In this manner, the flow of air through the recapture duct 3346 can be shut off, or can be adjusted to be a mixture of external air and recirculated air from within the deployable kitchen (which may be advantageous in very cold temperature applications).

Referring to FIG. 13, in some embodiments, the recapture duct can include a set of flow modifiers 3347. The flow modifiers 3347 can be configured increase flow turbulence of the portion of air within the heat-recapture flow path to improve heat transfer to the air within the recapture duct 3346. The flow modifiers 3347 can be configured to adjust or reduce a velocity of the portion of air within the heat-recapture flow path, which can lead to an increase in the dwell time of the portion of air within the heat-recapture flow path.

Referring to FIG. 14, in some embodiments, the recapture duct includes a tortuous path or serpentine portion 3249 positioned within the exhaust plenum 3240. The inclusion of a tortuous path can increase the heat transfer to the air within the recapture duct 3346.

Although the outlet opening 3150 of the recapture duct 3146 is shown as being fluidically coupled to a movable wing 3150, in other embodiments, the outlet opening 3150 can be coupled to a coupling tap 3301 that can facilitate conveyance of the heated air to another appliance or even a location outside of the enclosure for further beneficial use. In other embodiments, the recapture duct 3146 can be selectively fluidically coupled to a heating passage within one of the fixed floor (e.g., the fixed floor 1120) or the fixed roof (e.g., the fixed roof 1122) of the enclosure.

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of a portion of a deployable kitchen 4000 according to an embodiment. The deployable kitchen 4000 has an enclosure having a fixed floor 4120 and including an appliance 4200 within the enclosure, and a duct assembly 4340 (also referred to as a nested duct structure). The duct assembly 4340 includes a first duct 4342, a second duct 4344 and a recapture conduit 4370. The first duct 4342 is in fluid communication with the burner unit, and defines an exhaust flow path from within the deployable kitchen toward an exterior volume outside the enclosure. The second duct 4344 is in fluid communication with the exhaust plenum, and defines an exhaust flow path from within the deployable kitchen toward an exterior volume outside the enclosure. The recapture conduit 4370 can include a heat transfer media (e.g., a liquid coolant, a phase change media, or the like). The recapture conduit is in thermal communication with both the first duct 4342 and the second duct 4344. The recapture conduit 4470 is selectively placed in fluid communication with a heat transfer conduit 4122 within the fixed floor 4120.

FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of a portion of a deployable kitchen 5000 according to an embodiment. The deployable kitchen 5000 has an enclosure having a fixed floor 5120 and including an appliance 5200 within the enclosure, and a duct assembly 5340 (also referred to as a nested duct structure). The duct assembly 5340 includes a first duct 5342, a second duct 5344 and a recapture conduit 5370. The first duct 5342 is in fluid communication with the burner unit, and defines an exhaust flow path from within the deployable kitchen toward an exterior volume outside the enclosure. The second duct 5344 is in fluid communication with the exhaust plenum, and defines an exhaust flow path from within the deployable kitchen toward an exterior volume outside the enclosure. The recapture conduit 5370 can include a heat transfer media (e.g., a liquid coolant, a phase change media, or the like). The recapture conduit is in thermal communication with both the first duct 5342 and the second duct 5344. The recapture conduit 5470 is selectively placed in fluid communication with a potable water reservoir 5400.

The components of any of the deployable kitchens described herein can be constructed from any suitable material or combination of material. For example, any of the plenums, hoods, ducts, vents, nested ducts, or duct assemblies described herein can be constructed from stainless steel, aluminum, or any other metal or combination of metals that can accommodate the temperatures and conditions to which the component is exposed. In some embodiments, any of the plenums, hoods, ducts, vents, nested ducts, or duct assemblies described herein can include a surface coating formulated to reduce corrosion that may result due to exposure to water, exhaust gas constituents, or particulate emissions from cooking. In some embodiments, any of the plenums, hoods, ducts, vents, nested ducts, or duct assemblies described herein can include an insulative material.

Although the duct assembly 3340 is shown as having generally rectangular cross-sectional shapes, in other embodiments, any of the ducts, plenums or flow structures described herein can have any suitable shape (e.g., oval, circular, rectangular).

While some embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Where methods and/or schematics described above indicate certain events and/or flow patterns occurring in certain order, the ordering of certain events and/or operations may be modified. While the embodiments have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made.

Although some embodiments have been described as having particular features and/or combinations of components, other embodiments are possible having a combination of any features and/or components from any of embodiments as discussed above. Aspects have been described in the general context of deployable kitchens, but inventive aspects are not necessarily limited to use in deployable kitchens. For example, any of the embodiments described herein can be used in conjunction with any suitable kitchen or enclosure with heat generating appliances.

For example, in some embodiments, and of the duct assemblies or heat recapture systems described here in can be used in connection with a deployable service enclosure that contains manufacturing or fabrication equipment. Such manufacturing or fabrication equipment can include cutting tools (e.g., a lathe, a milling machine, a surface grinder, or drill press), welding equipment, metal forming equipment or the like. In such embodiments, the deployable service enclosure can include cooling systems (either air cooling or liquid cooling) to cool the equipment within the enclosure. The deployable service enclosure can include any of the recapture conduits, recapture ducts, and/or duct assemblies described herein to recapture waste heat for selectively heating the working volume of the deployable service enclosure.

In some embodiments, and of the duct assemblies or heat recapture systems described here in can be used in connection with a deployable laboratory that contains various lab equipment. Such lab equipment can include burner units (as described herein), heaters for processing samples, or the like. In such embodiments, the deployable laboratory can include cooling systems (either air cooling or liquid cooling) to cool the laboratory equipment and/or to exhaust combustion products from within the enclosure. The deployable laboratory can include any of the recapture conduits, recapture ducts, and/or duct assemblies described herein to recapture waste heat for selectively heating the working volume of the deployable laboratory.

In some embodiments, and of the duct assemblies or heat recapture systems described here in can be used in connection with a deployable data center that contains various computing equipment. Such computing equipment can include burner units (as described herein), heaters for processing samples, or the like. In such embodiments, the deployable laboratory can include cooling systems (either air cooling or liquid cooling) to cool the data center within the enclosure. The deployable data center can include any of the recapture conduits, recapture ducts, and/or duct assemblies described herein to recapture waste heat for selectively heating the working volume of the data center.

Claims

1. A deployable kitchen, comprising: an enclosure;an appliance positioned within the enclosure, the appliance including a housing and a burner unit, wherein: the burner unit is within the housing,the appliance defines a cooling passage between the housing and the burner unit, the cooling passage is in thermal communication with the burner unit such that an airflow through the cooling passage establishes an air buffer between the burner unit and the housing, andthe housing includes a face that defines an outlet of the cooling passage; anda recapture plenum enclosing the face of the housing such that the recapture plenum receives an exhaust portion of the airflow after being conveyed through the cooling passage, the recapture plenum configured to be in fluid communication with a heating vent within the deployable kitchen.

2. The deployable kitchen of claim 1, further comprising: a diverter in fluid communication with the recapture plenum, wherein: the diverter has a first position configured to selectively place the recapture plenum in fluid communication with an exhaust vent of the deployable kitchen upon a first ambient condition, andthe diverter has a second position configured to selectively place the recapture plenum in fluid communication with the heating vent upon a second ambient condition.

3. The deployable kitchen of claim 2, wherein: the appliance includes an exhaust hood and an exhaust plenum;the exhaust hood is coupled to the housing via the exhaust plenum; andthe recapture plenum is in fluid communication with the exhaust vent via the exhaust plenum on a condition that the diverter is in the first position.

4. The deployable kitchen of claim 2, further comprising: a heating duct in fluid communication with the heating vent; andthe recapture plenum is in fluid communication with the heating vent via the heating duct on a condition that the diverter is in the second position.

5. The deployable kitchen of claim 1, wherein: the housing includes a front face;the face of the housing enclosed by the recapture plenum is a rear face positioned between the front face and a wall of the enclosure;the front face defines an inlet of the cooling passage; andthe burner unit is an atomizing burner is configured to combust a distillate fuel.

6.-8. (canceled)

9. A deployable kitchen, comprising: an enclosure including a movable wing, the movable wing has a first wing face separated from a second wing face by a plurality of internal dividers to define a heating passage within the movable wing;an appliance positioned within the enclosure, the appliance including a burner unit and an exhaust plenum; anda nested duct structure including an inner duct in fluid communication with the burner unit, an outer duct in fluid communication with the exhaust plenum, and a recapture duct positioned between the inner duct and the outer duct, wherein: the inner duct and the outer duct define an exhaust flow path from within the deployable kitchen toward an exterior volume outside the enclosure,the recapture duct defines an intake opening, a heat-recapture flow path, and an outlet opening, the heat-recapture flow path being in thermal communication with both the inner duct and the outer duct,the intake opening of the recapture duct is configured to receive an intake air,the outlet opening of the recapture duct is in fluid communication with the heating passage within the movable wing, anda heated portion of air introduced to the heating passage has a temperature that is greater than the intake air received by the intake opening on a condition that the burner unit is operating.

10. The deployable kitchen of claim 9, wherein: the enclosure further includes a fixed floor and a hinge;the movable wing is movably coupled to the fixed floor via the hinge;the movable wing is movable between a wall position and a floor position;the first wing face is configured as an exterior wall of the enclosure on a condition that the movable wing is in the wall position,the second wing face configured as a floor portion on a condition that the movable wing is in the floor position and as an interior wall on a condition that the movable wing is in the wall position, andthe heating passage is configured to heat the second wing face via the heated portion of air on the condition that the movable wing is in the floor position.

11. The deployable kitchen of claim 10, wherein: the movable wing includes a seal portion positioned to fluidically couple the heat passage to the recapture duct on the condition that the movable wing is in the floor position; andthe heat passage is fluidically decoupled from the recapture duct on the condition that the movable wing is in the wall position.

12. The deployable kitchen of claim 9, further comprising: a flexible conduit positioned between the heat passage in the recapture duct and configured to fluidically couple the heat passage to the recapture duct.

13. The deployable kitchen of claim 9, wherein: the movable wing defines an exhaust outlet positioned between the heat passage and the exterior volume.

14. The deployable kitchen of claim 9, further comprising: a blower in fluid communication with the recapture duct, the blower being positioned to selectively convey the portion of air through the heat-recapture flow path.

15. The deployable kitchen of claim 9, further comprising: a damper in fluid communication with the recapture duct, wherein: the damper has a first position in which the damper is configured to selectively place the recapture duct in fluid communication with the exterior volume surrounding the enclosure upon a first ambient condition, andthe damper has a second position in which the damper is configured to selectively place the recapture duct in fluid communication with ambient air within the kitchen upon a second ambient condition.

16. The deployable kitchen of claim 9, wherein: the recapture duct includes a plurality of flow modifiers, the flow modifiers being configured to reduce a velocity of the portion of air within the heat-recapture flow path and increase a dwell time of the portion of air within the heat-recapture flow path.

17. The deployable kitchen of claim 9, wherein: the appliance includes an exhaust hood and an exhaust plenum;the exhaust hood is coupled to the housing via the exhaust plenum; andthe recapture duct includes a serpentine portion positioned within the exhaust plenum.

18. The deployable kitchen of claim 9, wherein: the heating passage is a torturous flow path.

19. The deployable kitchen of claim 18, wherein the internal dividers of the plurality of internal dividers define a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings being sized and positioned to tune a flow of the heated portion of air introduced to the heating passage.

20. The deployable kitchen of claim 9, wherein: the appliance is a first appliance;the deployable kitchen includes a coupling tap; andthe coupling tap is configured to establish a heated air supply to a second appliance.

21. The deployable kitchen of claim 9, wherein: the recapture duct is in axial alignment with the inner duct and the outer duct.

22. A deployable kitchen comprising: an enclosure including a fixed floor;a serpentine heating conduit coupled to the fixed floor;an appliance positioned within the enclosure, the appliance including a burner unit and an exhaust plenum; anda nested duct structure including an inner duct in fluid communication with the burner unit, an outer duct in fluid communication with the exhaust plenum, and a recapture conduit positioned between the inner duct and the outer duct, wherein the recapture conduit is in thermal communication with both the inner duct and the outer duct, contains a heat transfer media, and is in fluid communication with the serpentine heating conduit, the heat transfer media being configured to receive a portion of heat from at least one of the inner duct or the outer duct and transfer a portion of heat to the fixed floor.

23. The deployable kitchen of claim 22, further comprising: a circulation pump fluidly coupled to one of the serpentine heating conduit or the recapture conduit to establish a circulatory flow of the heat transfer media within the serpentine heating conduit and the recapture conduit.

24-25. (canceled)