GB2138127A - Improvements in or relating to extractors - Google Patents

Abstract

An extractor comprises a housing (1) having an inlet (2) at the bottom thereof for receiving fumes and an outlet (6) at the top thereof for discharging fumes, a spray nozzle (15) disposed in the housing (1) for spraying cleaning solution into the path of the fumes, a rotary baffle (8) disposed in the housing (1) for recovering cleaning solution and entrained matter from the fumes, and a cleaning nozzle (17) disposed above the rotary baffle (8) for spraying cleaning solution downwards. A filter (14) and a sliding cover plate 3 are also provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in orretating to extractors This invention relates to improvements in or relating toextractorsancf, in particutarrto an extractorfor cleaning and discharging intothe atmosphere hot exhaust aircontaining smoke, oils andfats emitted during use of ranges, fryers and other heat-generating cooking appliances.

In a previously proposed extractor, cleaning solution is sprayed into hot air entering a housing through an inletformed in the bottom of the housing to entrain dust, oils and fats, and the water, oils and fats are then eliminated by means of a rotary baffle disposed above the inlet. The hot air is discharged through an outlet at the top of the housing into a duct which communicates with the atmosphere. An extractorfan disposed in the duct draws airthrough the extractor and discharges the same into the atmosphere.

However, spraying cleaning solution into the hot exhaust air is not adequate completely to remove water, oils, and fats. In previously proposed extractors, therefore, a small amount of such foreign substances remains deposited on the surface of the rotary baffle even if the centrifugal effect of the rotary baffle is employed to remove such foreign substances. As a result, the operation ofthe rotary baffle is obstructed after a comparatively short period of time and a small amount of foreign substances may be discharged into the atmosphere with the exhaust air.

It is an object ofthe present invention to enable the provision of an extractorwherebythe above disadvantages may be overcome or at least mitigated.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an extractorforextracting and cleaning fumes generated during use of a cooking appliance, which extractor comprises a housing having an inletforreceiving fumes and an outletfor discharging fumes, a spray nozzledisposed in the housing forspraying cleaning solution intothe path of the fumes, means disposed in the housing for recovering cleaning solution from the fumes and means for directing cleaning solution onto the recovering means.

A preferred extractor in accordance with this invention is equipped with cleaning nozzles which inject cleaning solution towards a rotary baffle from above and below so that a dusty housing interior and rotary baffle can be automatically cleaned as required.

For a better understanding, of the present invention, and to show howthe same may be put into effect, reference will now be made, byway of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE lisa front elevational view of an extractor in accordance with the invention, and FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side-sectionalviewofthe extractor of Figure 1.

The extractor housing 1 is hollow and box-like in shape. A drain gutter is provided atthe bottom and to the rearofthe housing 1.Akaseplatelinspectlorl door 3, which can be freely sEtd back and forth, extends from bottom front end towards the bottom rear end of the housing 1 above the drain gutter 2, sloping downwards towards the rearofthe housing 1. An inlet 4 is provided above and in front of the drain gutter 2, and an outlet 6 is provided the top of the housing 1 to connectthe same to a duct 5.

Aguideframe7 is provided insidethe housing 1 so that an air passage is created to transfer hot exhaust airfrom a lower to an upper cavity. Insidetheguide frame 7, a rotary baffle 8 is mounted. The shaftofthe rotary baffle 8 is inserted into a bearing 9which is fastened to a mounting plate 10. Both ends of the mounting plate 10 are placed on respective frame 11 attached to the guide frame 7. Also, both ends ofthe mounting plate 10 are bent at 10' to prevent transverse displacement and rotation thereof so that the rotary baffle 8 is correctly mounted, permitting removal thereof.

A partition plate 13, in which a venthole 12 is made, is provided beneath the rotary baffle 8. Under the partition plate 13, a filter 14 comprising grid or mesh type plates is mounted in such a manner asto allow removal thereof.

A spray nozzle 15 is installed underthe filter 14 to spray an aqueous solution of detergent across the iower cavity to clean hot exhaust air combing into the body 1 via the inlet 4 above the drain gutter 2, by removing dust, oils and fats, and otherforeign substances. An angular cleaning-solution reflector 16 is attached to a rear panel of the housing 1. The reflector plate 1 6faces towards the spray nozzle 15 and directs the sprayed cleaning solution down into the drain gutter 2.

A shower-type cleaning noule 17 is installed above the rotary baffle 8 inside the housing 1 to inject cleaning solution downwards. The cleaning solution is injected as required so that the rotary baffle 8, guide frame 7 and other relevant components are cleaned.

A hood 18 is installed at the base ofthe housing 1, and a drain pipe 19 is connected to the drain gutter 2.

In cases where the extractor is wide as shown in Figure 1, (for example to service a number of cooking appliances placed side by side) a numberof rotary baffles 8 and attachements such as filters 14, spray nozzles 15 and cleaning nozzles 17 are installed.

When the extractor is installed above a range or other heat-generating cooking appliance and the extractor fan inside the duct 5 is actuated, hot exhaust air coming outfrom the cooking appliance and utensils is sucked up into the housing 1 viathe inlet4 and an inlet above the drain gutter 2. While the spray nozzle 15 directs a jet of cleaning solution into the incoming hot exhaust air, a large proportion of the foreign substances present is removed. When the exhaust air passes through the filter 14, the remaining foreign substance is eliminated. That is, the exhaust air is considerably cleaned and cooled before reaching the rotary baffle 8. As a result, contamination ofthe rotary baffle 8 is minimized and its efficiency of rotation is maintained even after long periods of service.

The rotary baffle 8 rotates while the extractor fan in the duct 5 operates to cause a forced updraft of exhaust air. While in rotation, the rotary baffle 8 centrifuges the rising exhaust airto eliminate the remaining oils, fats and water or pick up the same on its blades.

After being cleaned of oils, fats and water in the above manner,the exhaust air is introduced intothe duct5 viathe outlet6and discharged intothe atmosphere as clean air.

To eliminatefornign substances which are deposited on the rotary baffle 8, guide frame 7 and other relevant parts ofthe extractor after prolonged periods of use, the cleaning nozzle 17 is used as necessary to inject cleaning solution over the above-mentioned components and parts. Also, the rotary baffle 8 can be removed from the guide frame7forcleaning or other maintenance purposes as required. Furthermore, the filter 14 can be removed and cleaned if required.

When the filter 14, rotary baffle8orothercompo- nent is to be inspected for cleanliness, the baseplatel inspection door3 is pulled out to gain access to the lower cavity of the housing 1 so that the components can be inspected with ease. With the baseplate/ inspection door3 pulled out, it is possible to take out the filter 14, partition plate 13, rotary baffle 8, and other accessible parts.

The cleaning solution, which is contained in a tank that permits the adjustment of cleaning solution concentration, is pumped to the spray nozzle 15 and cleaning nozzle 17. lfforeign substance deposits are stubborn,the cleaning solution concentration is increased as necessary. The washings are discharged intothe drain pipe 17 via a strainer; heavily contaminated washings are discarded but those which are still usable are circulated for reuse.

During normal operation, the extractor is placed underthecontrol of a timer which is set continuously to switch between two modes, that is, short-term fresh cleaning solution supply and long-term circulation, to ensure constant, propersupply of cleaning solution to the spray nozzle 15.

In summary, a cleaning nozzle 17 is installed above a rotary baffle 8so that whenever the rotary baffle 18 orothercomponents in the housing 1 become contaminated they can be automatically cleaned as appropriate, ensuring long-term, trouble-free operation ofthe extractor.

Claims (12)

1. An extractorfor extracting and cleaning fumes generated during use of a cooking appliance, which extractor comprises a housing having an inletfor receiving fumes and an outlet for discharging fumes, a spray nozzle disposed in the housing for spraying cleaning solution into the path ofthefumes, means disposed in the housing for recovering cleaning solution from the fumes and means for directing cleaning solution onto the recovering means.

2. An extractor according to Claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a further opening and a movable doorfor closing thefurther opening.

3. An extractor according to Claim 1 or2, which further comprises a drain for draining cleaning solution from the housing.

4. An extractor according to Claim 3, which further comprises means for returning at least some of the cleaning solution, which has been drained from the housing, to the spray nozzle.

5. An extractor according to Claim 3 or 4, which further comprises a deflector for deflecting cleaning solution, which has been sprayed from the spray nozzle,towardsan inletofthedrain.

6. An extractor according to anyone ofthe preceding claims, wherein the meansforrecovering cleaning solution from the fumes comprises a rotary baffle.

7. An extractor according to Claim 6, wherein the rotary baffle is detachably mounted in the housing.

8. An extractor according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the meansfor directing cleaning solution onto the recovering means comprises a shower-type cleaning nozzle disposed above the recovering means.

9. An extractor according to anyone ofthe preceding claims, which further comprises means disposed between the spray nozzle and the recovering meansforfiltering the fumes.

10. An extractor according to Claim 9, wherein the filtering means is detachably mounted in the housing.

11. An extractor, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawing.

12. Any novel feature or combination offeatures described herein.