(19)
(11)EP 3 564 588 A1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43)Date of publication:
06.11.2019 Bulletin 2019/45

(21)Application number: 18000426.9

(22)Date of filing:  04.05.2018
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
F24C 15/20(2006.01)
(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA ME
Designated Validation States:
KH MA MD TN

(71)Applicant: Berling Aero IP UG (Haftungsbeschränkt)
49479 Ibbenbüren (DE)

(72)Inventor:
  • The designation of the inventor has not yet been filed
     ()

(74)Representative: Geskes, Christoph et al
Geskes Patent- und Rechtsanwälte Postfach 51 06 28
50942 Köln
50942 Köln (DE)

 
Remarks:
Claims 16-42 are deemed to be abandoned due to non-payment of the claims fees (Rule 45(3) EPC).
 


(54)EXTRACTOR DEVICE


(57) In general, the invention relates to a device, in particular to an extractor device for a cooktop. The invention relates to the device and its use, to a stove, and to a kit and process for making a stove.
The invention relates to a device comprising as device parts:
a. a housing bordering an interior and an outside, wherein the housing has a top side, a bottom side and a perimeter wall located between the top and bottom sides,
b. an inlet located at the top side, providing fluid connection between the outside and the interior via a first flow cross sectional area,
c. an outlet providing fluid connection between the interior and the outside,
d. a compartment located in the interior, the compartment having a deflector surface, and
e. an impeller located in the compartment, the impeller having an axis;
wherein the impeller is adapted and arranged to produce a flow along a flow path, the device parts being in the following order along the flow path:
i.) the outside,
ii.) the impeller,
iii.) the deflector surface, and
the outside.




Description

Field of the Invention



[0001] In general, the invention relates to a device, in particular to an extractor device for a cooktop. The invention relates to the device and its use, to a stove, and to a kit and process for making a stove.

Background



[0002] A cooktop (or hob) is a common device for food preparation. The heating element in a cooktop can for example be electrical, gas or magneto-inductive. Waste gas from cooking, which can carry for example water, oils, and other organic constituents are a known problem. Waste gas can be produced for example by volatilisation and spitting, for instance from saucepans and frying pans. Waste gas can deposit constituents on cooktops or elsewhere, can disseminate odours, and can affect room humidity. One approach to mitigating the effects of waste gases is an extractor hood which is located above the cooktop. In order to allow room for cooking, an extractor hood in necessarily rather remote from the cooktop. Even with a high flow rate into the hood, the extraction of waste gases can be unsatisfactory and in particular droplets from spitting are not extracted. Furthermore, extractor hoods occupy valuable space in the kitchen which could otherwise be employed for storage. One approach based on an extractor hood is disclosed in Chinese patent application CN 106642266 A, in which an improved filter is provided at the extractor inlet. Another approach as disclosed in Belgian patent application BE 1000997 (A6) is based on a surrounding air curtain. There remains a need for improved means of mitigating against waste gas from a cooktop.

Brief Description



[0003] Generally, it is an object of the invention to at least partially overcome a disadvantage arising in the state of the art.

[0004] It is an object to provide a device for extracting waste gas from a cooktop.

[0005] It is an object to provide a device for extracting waste gas through an aperture in a cooktop.

[0006] It is an object to provide a device for extracting waste gas to the side of a cooktop.

[0007] It is an object to provide a device for extracting waste gas from a cooktop in which the extraction means is located below the cooktop.

[0008] It is an object to provide a device with reduced physical size, preferably a device which can fit underneath a standard cooktop, preferably underneath a 60cm x 60cm cooktop.

[0009] It is an object to provide a device with an increased energy efficiency.

[0010] It is an object to provide a device which can be easily mounted into and dismounted from a stove.

[0011] It is an object to provide a device which can be easily assembled and disassembled.

[0012] It is an object to provide a device which can be easily cleaned.

[0013] It is an object to provide a device requiring less frequent filter changes.

[0014] It is an object to provide a device for removing waste material from a flow, preferably from a waste gas from cooking.

[0015] It is an object to provide a device for removing a fat from a flow, preferably from a waste gas from cooking.

[0016] It is an object to provide a device for removing H2O from a flow, preferably from a waste gas from cooking.

[0017] It is an object to provide a device for removing odour from a flow, preferably from a waste gas from cooking.

[0018] It is an object to provide an improved process for making a stove comprising a cooktop and an extraction means.

[0019] It is an object to provide a process for making a stove comprising an extraction means which has a lower requirement for tools.

[0020] It is an object to provide an improved kit for making a stove comprising a cooktop and an extraction means.

[0021] It is an object to provide a kit for making a stove comprising an extraction means which has a lower requirement for tools.

[0022] A contribution to achieving at least one of the above objects is made by the following embodiments.
  1. |1| A device comprising as device parts:
    1. a. a housing bordering an interior and an outside, wherein the housing has a top side, a bottom side and a perimeter wall located between the top and bottom sides,
    2. b. an inlet located at the top side, providing fluid connection between the outside and the interior via a first flow cross sectional area,
    3. c. an outlet providing fluid connection between the interior and the outside,
    4. d. a compartment located in the interior, the compartment having a deflector surface, and
    5. e. an impeller located in the compartment, the impeller having an axis;
    wherein the impeller is adapted and arranged to produce a flow along a flow path, the device parts being in the following order along the flow path:
    1. i.) the outside,
    2. ii.) the impeller,
    3. iii.) the deflector surface, and
    4. iv.) the outside.
  2. |2| The device according to embodiment |1|, wherein the flow path arrives at the impeller with an arrival path vector and departs from the impeller with a departure path vector, wherein the angle between the arrival path vector and the departure path vector is in the range from 45° to 135°, preferably in the range from 60° to 120°, more preferably in the range from 70° to 110°, most preferably in the range from 80° to 100°.
  3. |3| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a first pressure Po is the pressure of the outside, a second pressure Pc is the pressure in the compartment and the device is adapted and arranged to produce an overpressure ΔP in the range from 102 to 103 Pa, preferably in the range from 2·102 to 8·102 Pa, more preferably in the range from 3·102 to 6·102 Pa, wherein the overpressure ΔP is the second pressure minus the first pressure according to the following equation:

  4. |4| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the device is adapted and arranged to operate with a maximum resistance to the flow at any point along the flow path between the outside and the impeller below 1000 Pa, preferably below 500 Pa, more preferably below 200 Pa, most preferably below 50 Pa.
  5. |5| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the device is adapted and arranged to operate with a total resistance to the flow along the flow path between the outside and the impeller below 4 N, preferably below 2 N, more preferably below 0.5 N, most preferably below 0.2 N.
  6. |6| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the device is adapted and arranged to produce an incident angle in the range from 180° to 135°, preferably in the range from 180° to 150°, more preferably in the range from 180° to 160°, most preferably in the range from 180° to 170°, wherein a departure vector is the path vector with which the flow path departs from the impeller, a first normal vector is a vector normal to the deflector surface and the incident angle is the angle between the departure vector and the first normal vector.
  7. |7| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the device is adapted and arranged to produce an incident speed in the range from 1 to 20 m/s, preferably in the range from 2 to 10 m/s, more preferably in the range from 3 to 8 m/s, wherein the incident speed is the speed of the flow upon contact with the deflector surface.
  8. |8| The device, wherein the device is adapted and arranged to produce a departure speed in the range from 1 to 20 m/s, preferably in the range from 2 to 10 m/s, more preferably in the range from 3 to 8 m/s, wherein the departure speed is the speed with which the flow departs from the impeller.
  9. |9| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a second flow cross-sectional area is the minimum flow cross-sectional area along the flow path between the inlet and the impeller and the ratio of the first flow cross-sectional area to the second flow cross-sectional area is in the range from 1:1 to 5:1, preferably in the range from 1:1 to 3:1, more preferably in the range from 1:1 to 2:1, most preferably in the range from 1:1 to 4:3.
  10. |10| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the impeller comprises a plurality of impeller blades, preferably 5 to 30, more preferably 8 to 25 impeller blades, more preferably 10 to 20 impeller blades.
  11. |11| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the impeller comprises a vertical impeller blade.
  12. |12| The device according to embodiment |11|, wherein the impeller blade has a convex horizontal cross-section, preferably a lensoidal horizontal cross-section.
  13. |13| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the flow is compressed along the flow path through the impeller, preferably first compressed and subsequently rarefied.
  14. |14| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the impeller is adjusted and arranged to apply to the flow a component of force perpendicular to the axis.
  15. |15| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the impeller is adjusted and arranged to produce a rotational component of the flow in the compartment about the axis.
  16. |16| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising a baffle on the flow path after the compartment.
  17. |17| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the impeller is adjusted and arranged to produce a rotational component of the flow in the compartment about the axis in a first sense and the device comprises a baffle on the flow path after the compartment which is adjusted and arranged to reduce the rotational component of the flow about the axis in the first sense.
  18. |18| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the compartment has a collection surface, wherein the collection surface faces towards the inlet.
  19. |19| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising a fixing neck protruding outwards from the inlet, the fixing neck being adapted and arranged to engage with an aperture.
  20. |20| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising a filter located on the flow path after the deflector surface. The cross-sectional area of the filter is preferably greater than the first path cross-sectional area, preferably at least 2 times as large, more preferably at least 3 times as large, most preferably at least 5 times as large. The filter preferably is for odour reduction. If the device comprises a baffle, the filter is preferably after the baffle on the flow path. The filter may be at the outlet. The filter may be incorporated into the perimeter wall.
  21. |21| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least two of the device parts are adapted and arranged to engage with each other slideably.
  22. |22| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein one or more of the following pairs of device parts are adapted and arranged to engage with each other slideably:
    1. a. the impeller and the compartment,
    2. b. the baffle and the compartment,
    3. c. the housing and the compartment,
    4. d. the housing and a filter.
  23. |23| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least two of the device parts are adapted and arranged to be disassembled without a tool.
  24. |24| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein one or more of the following pairs of device parts are adapted and arranged to be disassembled without a tool:
    1. a. the impeller and the compartment,
    2. b. the baffle and the compartment,
    3. c. the housing and the compartment,
    4. d. the housing and a filter.
  25. |25| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the housing can be opened without a tool.
  26. |26| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a first volume is the volume of the interior and a second volume is the volume of the compartment, wherein the ratio of the first volume to the second volume is in the range from 20:1 to 2:1, preferably in the range from 15:1 to 3:1, more preferably in the range from 10:1 to 4:1.
  27. |27| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the device satisfies one or more of the following:
    1. a. the volume of the interior being in the range from 0.02 to 0.9 m3, preferably in the range from 0.05 to 0.4 m3, more preferably in the range from 0.08 to 0.2 m3,
    2. b. a first dimension being the height of the housing, a second dimension being the largest extension of the housing perpendicular to the height, wherein the ratio of the first dimension to the second dimension is in the range from 1:5 to 2:1, preferably in the range from 1:4 to 1:1, more preferably in the range from 1:3 to 1:2
    3. c. a third dimension being the maximum horizontal extension of the housing, wherein the third dimension is less than 90 cm, preferably less than 84 cm, more preferably less than 80 cm, most preferably less than 75 cm.
  28. |28| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a filter is integrated in the perimeter wall.
  29. |29| The device according to embodiment |28|, wherein the filter is integrated in 10 to 100 % of the perimeter wall by area, preferably 20 to 80%, more preferably 40 to 60 %.
  30. |30| The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising an inlet neck protruding outwards from the inlet, wherein the inlet neck is adapted and arranged to deviate a flow through it by more than 30°, preferably more than 60°, more preferably more than 80°.
  31. |31| A kit comprising as kit parts:
    1. a. the device according to any of the embodiments |1| to |30|, and
    2. b. a surface having a top side, a bottom side and an aperture;
    wherein the device and the bottom side of the surface are adapted and arranged to engage, thereby providing fluid connection between the aperture and the inlet.
  32. |32| The kit according to embodiment |31|, wherein the device and the bottom side of the surface are engageable by movement of the device relative to the surface parallel to the plane of the surface.
  33. |33| The kit according to embodiment |31| or |32|, comprising a hollow spacer having a further aperture, the hollow spacer being adapted and arranged to engage with the top side of the surface, thereby providing fluid connection between the aperture and the further aperture, wherein the further aperture is displaced at least 5 cm from the aperture when the hollow spacer is engaged with the aperture, preferably at least 8 cm, more preferably at least 10 cm.
  34. |34| A process for making a stove comprising as process steps:
    1. a. providing the kit according to one of the embodiments |31| to |33|,
    2. b. engaging at least two of the kit parts with each other.
  35. |35| A stove obtainable by the process according to embodiment |34|.
  36. |36| A stove comprising as stove elements:
    1. a. the device according to any of the embodiments |1| to |30|, and
    2. b. a cooker top.
  37. |37| The stove according to embodiment |36|, wherein the cooker top has an aperture and the device is engaged with the aperture.
  38. |38| The stove according to embodiment [36| or |37|, wherein the cooker top has an aperture and wherein the device is positioned below the aperture.
  39. |39| The stove according to embodiment |36|, wherein the cooker top has a surface, wherein the device is positioned on or above the surface.
  40. |40| Use of the device according to any of the embodiments |1| to |30| or the kit according to any of the embodiments |31| to |33| for extracting waste gas from a cooker top.
  41. |41| Use of the device according to any of the embodiments |1| to |30| or the kit according to any of the embodiments |31| to |33| for reducing cooking odours.
  42. |42| Use of the device according to any of the embodiments |1| to |30| or the kit according to any of the embodiments |31| to |33| for improving a kitchen.

Detailed Description



[0023] A cooktop, as used in this document, preferably comprises one or more heating devices on a surface, the cooktop being adapted and arranged for cooking food. Preferred heating devices are one or more selected from the list consisting of: resistive, inductive, radiative and chemical, preferably resistive, inductive and chemical. A preferred radiative heating device is a microwave heater. A preferred chemical heating device is a gas heater, preferably a gas ring. A preferred resistive heating device is an electrically-resistive element, preferably an electric heater ring. A preferred inductive heating device is a magnetic induction heater. Disclosure made in this document in relation to a cooktop also applies in relation to a hob and to a stovetop.

[0024] A stove, as used in this document, is an apparatus which is adapted and arranged to produce heat, preferably for cooking food. Preferred stoves comprise a cooktop. Stoves may comprise an oven.

[0025] The term parallel as used in this document can relate to two vectors, to one vector and one plane or to two planes. A vector which is parallel to a plane is perpendicular to a vector normal to the plane. Two planes are parallel if a normal vector to the first plane is parallel to a normal vector to the second plane. Parallel vectors or planes preferably have a direction which differs by less than 30°, preferably less than 20°, more preferably less than 10°, most preferably less than 5°.

[0026] The term perpendicular as used in this document can relate to two vectors, to one vector and one plane or to two planes. A vector which is perpendicular to a plane is parallel to a vector normal to the plane. Two planes are perpendicular if a normal vector to the first plane is perpendicular to a normal vector to the second plane. Perpendicular vectors or planes preferably have a direction which differs by an angle in the range from 60° to 90°, preferably from 70° to 90°, more preferably from 80° to 90°, most preferably range from 85° to 90°.

[0027] As used in this document, a vector which is normal to a plane at a given point is perpendicular to all vectors in the plane at that point. If the plane is flat, the normal vector is perpendicular to all vectors in the plane.

[0028] The top and bottom sides of the housing define a vertical direction. The term "vertical" preferably means parallel to this vertical direction. The term horizontal preferably means perpendicular to this vertical direction.

Flow and Flow Path



[0029] The device of the invention is preferably adapted and arranged to produce a flow, preferably a flow entering the housing through the inlet and exiting the housing through the outlet. A flow moves along a flow path. Preferred flows are fluids, preferably gases. Preferred flows comprise air. Preferred flows are vapours or aerosols or mixtures of both. Preferred flows comprise a material which is not gaseous at ambient temperature and pressure, preferably a liquid or a solid or both. In one embodiment, the flow comprises a gas and a liquid, the liquid preferably being either diffused or suspended in the gas. In one embodiment, the flow comprises a gas and a solid, the solid preferably being either diffused or suspended in the gas. Preferred constituents of the flow are one or more selected from the group consisting of: air, H2O, an oil and an organic compound other than an oil. H2O is preferably present either as a gas or as liquid droplets or both, preferably liquid droplets. Oil is preferably present as liquid droplets or solid droplets or both, preferably liquid droplets. Other organic compounds are preferably present as solid particles or liquid droplets. Preferred oils are triglycerides. Some preferred oils in this context are cooking oils, preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of: almond oil, avocado oil, canola oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower and walnut oil. The flow at the inlet is preferably at an elevated temperature, preferably in the range from 20 to 150°C, more preferably in the range from 40 to 100°C, most preferably in the range from 50 to 80°C.

[0030] The flow is along the flow path, which describes the route taken by the flow through the device and in particular the order in which the flow arrives at the various device parts. Along the flow path between the inlet and the impeller, the flow is preferably confined to move through a column carved out by translation of a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area being the flow cross-sectional area and the path vector being along the path of maximum flow speed. Preferably, the arrival vector at the impeller is along the axis. Following the impeller, the flow is preferably spread substantially radially with respect to the impeller axis. Immediately following the impeller, the flow is preferably substantially rotationally symmetric. The departure vector is preferably at the angle of maximum flow speed with respect to inclination from the axis. If the flow departing from the impeller is substantially radial, the preferred criteria for the departure vector are preferably satisfied by at least one departure vector departing form the impeller. It is preferred for a radial flow immediately following the impeller to be substantially rotationally symmetric about the axis, the preferred criteria for the departure vector preferably being satisfied around the entire impeller.

Device



[0031] A contribution to achieving at least one of the above objects is made by a device according to embodiment |1|. The embodiments depending on embodiment |1| and further embodiments throughout this document represent preferred embodiments of the device. The device is preferably adapted and arranged to draw an inlet fluid into the interior via the inlet and expel an outlet fluid from the interior via the outlet. The outlet fluid is preferably different to the inlet fluid. In one embodiment, the outlet fluid has a lower content of H2O by weight than the inlet fluid. In one embodiment, the outlet fluid has a lower content of triglyceride than the input fluid. In one embodiment, the outlet fluid has a lower total content than the inlet fluid of suspended or dispersed liquid and suspended or dispersed solid. The device is preferably adapted and arranged to draw the inlet fluid from a cooktop.

[0032] The device is preferably adapted and arranged as a part for a stove. In one embodiment, the device is adapted and arranged to be integrated with complementary parts to obtain a stove. In one embodiment, the device is adapted and arranged to be retrofitted with a stove.

[0033] The device is preferably adapted and arranged to be easily assembled and disassembled. One or more of the device parts are preferably adapted and arranged to be cleaned in a dishwasher.

Housing



[0034] The device of the invention comprises a housing.

[0035] The housing borders an interior and an exterior. The housing preferably extends over at least 50%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably still at least 90% of the border between the interior and the exterior. The housing is preferably a container, the contents of which are located in the interior. Preferably, multiple device parts are located in the interior of the housing.

[0036] The housing has a top side, a bottom side and a perimeter wall located between the top and bottom sides. In one embodiment, the housing is substantially cuboid, the top and bottom sides being opposite faces of the cuboid and the perimeter wall being the remaining four faces of the cuboid. It is preferred for the device to be adapted and arranged to operate in an operating orientation in which the top side is above the bottom side, as defined by the direction of gravity.

[0037] The housing comprises an inlet located at the top side, providing fluid connection between the outside and the interior via a first flow cross sectional area. The device is preferably adapted and arranged to draw fluid from the outside to the interior via the inlet. The housing may have a single inlet or the housing may comprises two or more inlets.

[0038] The housing comprises an outlet providing fluid connection between the interior and the outside. The device is preferably adapted and arranged to expel fluid from the interior to the outside via the outlet. The housing may have a single outlet or the housing may comprises two or more outlets.

[0039] The flow path preferably enters the interior via the inlet and exits the interior via the outlet. In one embodiment, the flow path is confined to the interior between the point at which it enters the interior at the inlet and exits the interior at the outlet.

[0040] In one embodiment, the top side can fit within a square having sides of length 60 cm.

[0041] In one embodiment, the device when oriented with the top side vertically above the bottom side can fit inside a vertically oriented square-based prism having, the lengths of the sides of the square being 60 cm.

Impeller



[0042] The device comprises an impeller which is adapted and arranged to produce a flow along a flow path. The impeller has an axis.

[0043] The impeller is preferably adapted and arranged to draw the flow in along its axis and eject the flow radially outwards in relation to its axis. A preferred impeller is a radial impeller or centrifugal impeller.

[0044] The impeller preferably comprises impeller blades. One or more of the impeller blades preferably all of the impeller blades have a non-uniform thickness, preferably having a thickness which increases from one edge to a maximum thickness and then decrease to another edge. The impeller blades are preferably adapted and arranged to compress the flow as it passes through the impeller, preferably to first compress the flow and subsequently rarefy the flow.

[0045] The impeller is preferably adapted and arranged to compress the flow as it passes through the impeller, preferably to first compress the flow and subsequently rarefy the flow.

[0046] The impeller is preferably adapted and arranged to provide the flow inside the compartment with a rotational component of motion. The impeller blades are preferably adapted and arranged to provide the flow inside the compartment with a rotational component of motion.

[0047] In one embodiment, the impeller is adapted and arranged to effect agglomeration of particles in the flow, preferably liquid or solid particles.

Compartment



[0048] The device comprises a compartment. The compartment comprises a deflection surface, the deflection surface preferably being adjusted and arranged to deviate the flow path following the impeller, preferably in order to remove material from the flow, preferably liquid or solid or both. The compartment preferably comprises a collection surface, the collection surface being adapted and arranged to collect material from the flow, preferably liquid or solid or both.

[0049] The compartment preferably is a container.

[0050] In one embodiment, the compartment has a base. The base is preferably a collection surface. The base preferably is adapted and arranged for collecting material from the flow, preferably liquid or solid or both. The base is preferably substantially planar. The base preferably has a top side which is oriented towards the inlet. In one aspect of this embodiment, the base has a base aperture. A preferred base aperture is adapted and arranged to allow connection between the impeller located inside the compartment and a motor outside the compartment. A preferred base aperture is adapted and arranged to accommodate a drive shaft.

[0051] In one embodiment, the compartment has a compartment perimeter wall. The compartment perimeter wall preferably comprises the deflector surface. The compartment perimeter wall is preferably adapted and arranged to deviate the flow following the impeller. A normal to the compartment perimeter wall is preferably perpendicular to the vertical, in relation to the top and bottom sides of the housing. Preferably, all vectors normal to the compartment perimeter wall are perpendicular to the vertical, in relation to the top and bottom sides of the housing. If the compartment has a base, a normal to the compartment perimeter wall is preferably perpendicular to the base. Preferably, all vectors normal to the compartment perimeter wall are perpendicular to the base. A preferred compartment perimeter wall is a cylinder.

[0052] In one embodiment, the compartment has a lid. The lid preferably reduces the flow cross-sectional area into the compartment or out of the compartment or both. The compartment, lid and impeller are preferably adapted and arranged to allow an overpressure inside the compartment. The lid preferably has a lid aperture adapted and arranged to allow the flow path to enter the compartment. The lid and is preferably adapted and arranged to allow the flow path to exit the compartment.

[0053] In one embodiment, the device has a compartment inlet for the flow path to enter the compartment. The compartment inlet is preferably located in a lid.

[0054] In one embodiment, the device has a compartment outlet for the flow path to exit the compartment. The compartment outlet preferably is preferably located in a lid. The compartment outlet preferably comprises a baffle. The compartment outlet preferably is adapted and arranged to alter the rotational motion of the flow about the axis, preferably reduce rotation of the flow about the axis. The compartment outlet preferably is adapted and arranged to convert rotational motion of the flow about the axis to motion parallel to the axis or radial to the axis or both.

[0055] In one embodiment, the compartment comprises a compartment perimeter wall which is substantially a cylinder which shares the axis with the impeller and a circular base which has a normal parallel to the axis. In one aspect of this embodiment, the base has an aperture, preferably for connection of the impeller to a motor. In one aspect of this embodiment, the compartment has a lid, preferably having a normal parallel to the axis.

[0056] In one embodiment, the compartment is substantially rotationally symmetric about the axis.

Filters



[0057] The device may optionally comprise a filter. A preferred filter reduces odour content in the flow. If the device comprises a filter it is preferably after the impeller on the flow path; more preferably after the impeller and the deflector surface; still more preferably after the impeller, the deflector surface and the baffle or after the impeller, the deflector surface and the compartment; most preferably after the impeller, the deflector surface, the baffle and the compartment.

[0058] A preferred filter is located at the outlet, preferably directly before, directly after or in the outlet. A preferred filter is incorporated in the outlet. A preferred filter is the outlet. A preferred filter is incorporated in the perimeter wall.

Stove



[0059] A contribution to achieving at least one of the above mentioned objects is made by the device according to the invention as part of a stove. To this end, the invention provides a kit comprising the device and a surface, preferably a cooktop; a process for making a stove; a stove comprising the device, and the use of the device in the context of a stove. The device is preferably employed for extracting fluid, especially waste gas, from a cooktop.

[0060] In one embodiment, the stove is adapted and arranged for fluid, preferably waste gas, to enter into the device through an aperture in a cooktop. In another embodiment, the device is located on or above a cooktop, preferably above to the side.

Test Methods



[0061] Maximum resistance to flow [Pa], total resistance to flow [N], and pressure (ambient and inside compartment) are measured according to the DIN EN 61591 norm.

[0062] Flow path is calculated using the openFoam numerical programme and the CFturbo controller.

Figures



[0063] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a stove made up of a device according to the invention and a cooktop.

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a stove made up of an exemplary device according to the invention and a cooktop. The device has a housing 101 having a top side 102, in this case consisting of a glass layer and a plastic layer, a bottom side 103 and perimeter walls 104. The top side 101 has an inlet 105 which in this case is a circular aperture. Inside the housing 101 is a compartment 106 which is a container having a horizontal flat base 107 and a vertical compartment perimeter wall 108. Located inside the compartment 106 is an impeller 109, in this case a centrifugal impeller having a vertical axis which is arranged to draw in at its top along the axis direction and eject radially out with respect to the axis. The compartment 106 has a lid 110, in this case having baffles 111. The compartment 106 has an aperture in its base 107 to allow a motor 112 located externally to the compartment 106, but still inside the housing 101, to be engaged with the impeller 109 via a drive shaft 113. The lid has a compartment inlet which is in fluid connection with the inlet 105 via a tube 114. The lid also has a compartment outlet. In this case, filters 115 are incorporated into the perimeter walls 104. For engagement with the cooktop 116, a fixing neck 117 is provided which provides fluid connection between the inlet/tube 105/114 and an aperture in the cooktop. A mounting 118 allows attachment of the fixing neck 117 to the aperture in the cooktop 116. Between the tube 114 and the fixing neck 117 is located a sensor 119 which can detect whether the fixing neck 117 and the tube 114 are engaged. An optional hollow spacer 120 can be fitted above the aperture in the cooktop 116 in order to raise the inlet for extracting vapour. For assembly, the parts from the bottom side 103 up to the tube constitute can be engaged and disengaged as a whole with the parts from the fixing neck 117 upwards. The tubing 114 is slideably engageable with the fixing neck 117 and the sensor 119 detects whether the two parts are engaged in order to ensure that the device does not run when the parts are not engaged. In use, the impeller 109 produces a flow from the cooktop 116 through the inlet 105 into the compartment 106. In the case where the optional hollow support 120 is employed, the flow instead starts from a point above the cooktop 116. The flow enters the compartment 106 and approaches the impeller 109 along the axis of the impeller. The flow exits the impeller 109 radially outwards with respect to the axis and impacts with the compartment perimeter wall 108, where it is deflected and impurities carried in the flow, such as water, oil and food particles exit from the flow and drop down onto the base 107 of the compartment 106. The impeller 109 also imparts to the flow a rotational component of motion around the axis of the impeller 109. The flow exits the compartment 106 via the compartment outlets in the lid 110. In so doing, the flow is defected by the baffles 111 and the rotational component of the motion is reduced. Once outside the compartment 106, the flow exits the housing 101 via the outlet, in which in this case optional filters 115 are incorporated for reducing odour. Some possible modifications to this setup, which also fall within the scope of the invention, are as follows: Firstly, the filters 115 may simply be omitted and the outlet of the housing is simply one or more apertures. Secondly, the outlet from the housing may be sent to outside the home, for example with tubing. In this case, the filters are likely not necessary. Thirdly, instead of being arranged under the cooktop so as to extract vapour via an aperture in the cooktop, the device could be situated above and to the side of the cooktop equipped with a curved inlet neck attached to the inlet of the device to allow vapour to be collected from the side of the cooktop. The device may be controlled using a control panel, preferably located on or next to the cooktop.

Figure 2 shows schematically a process for making a stove. In a first step 501 the device according to the invention is provided. In a second step 502 a cooktop is provided. In a third step 503 the device is assembled to the cooktop by connecting the inlet of the device with an aperture in the cooktop.

Figure 3 shows the device of the invention employed as a side extractor. The device 304 is fitted with an input neck 303, which is curved and allows gas to be extracted closer to the cooking elements 301 of the cooktop 116. A flow 302 of gas is drawn into the inlet of the device.

Figure 4 shows the flow inside a device according to the invention. The flow enters the device through an inlet 105 and passes along a tube 114 to enter into the compartment 106. The flow enters the impeller 109 along its axis and is ejected radially outwards to collide with the deflector surface 108. The flow in the compartment has a rotational component of motion. Some material, such as oil is released from the flow at the deflector surface 108 and runs down onto the base 107. The flow exits the compartment via outlets in the lid 110, which baffle the flow and convert rotational motion into longitudinal motion. Finally, the flow exits the housing via filters 115 in the perimeter wall 104. The impeller inside the compartment is connected to a motor 112 outside the compartment by a drive shaft 113.


REFERENCE LIST



[0064] 
101
housing
102
top side
103
bottom side
104
perimeter walls
105
inlet
106
compartment
107
base
108
compartment perimeter wall
109
impeller
110
lid
111
baffle(s)
112
motor
113
drive shaft
114
tube
115
filter(s)
116
cooktop
117
fixing neck
118
mounting
119
sensor
120
hollow spacer

Examples


Example 1



[0065] A device was provided according to figures 1 and 4. The dimensions and weight of the device are shown in table 1. The device was engaged with a surface via a circular aperture of diameter 7.5 cm. A waste gas containing H2O and olive oil was provided on the top side of the surface. The fan speed was adjusted so as to obtain a flow speed at the aperture of 3 m/s. The device was run for 10 minutes. Half way through the run, the power consumption of the device, and the odour levels and humidity at the outlet were determined. The filters at the outlets were weighed before and after the run to calculate the weight gain due to filtered material left in the outlet filter.

Comparative Example 2a



[0066] Example 1 was performed but without the compartment or the lid and with a 200 Pa filter positioned in the tube between the inlet and the impeller. The flow expelled from the impeller exited generally into the housing without an immediate deflector surface to deflect it.

Comparative Example 2b



[0067] Example 1 was performed but without the compartment or the lid and with a 500 Pa filter positioned in the tube between the inlet and the impeller. The flow expelled from the impeller exited generally into the housing without an immediate deflector surface to deflect it.

Comparative Example 2c



[0068] Example 1 was performed but without the compartment or the lid and with a 800 Pa filter positioned in the tube between the inlet and the impeller. The flow expelled from the impeller exited generally into the housing without an immediate deflector surface to deflect it.

Comparative Example 3



[0069] The device of comparative example 3 differed from that of the inventive example 1 in that a deflection of the flow was effected by a deviation in the tube before arrival at the impeller. As with the comparative examples 2a-c, no compartment and lid were employed.
Table 1
ExamplePower consumptionWeight gain of outlet filterDevice dimensions [m]·[m]·[m]Device weight [kg]Humidity of outlet flowOdour content in outlet flow DIN EN 61591
1 (inventive) - - 0.5·0.3·0.3 2 - --
2a (comparative) - ++ 0.7·0.7·0.4 3 ++ ++
2b (comparative) + + 0.7·0.7·0.4 3 + +
2c (comparative) ++ - 0.7·0.7·0.4 3 + -
3 (comparative) - - 0.5·0.3·0.3 2 + -
-- = very low, - = low, + = high, ++ = very high



Claims

1. A device comprising as device parts:

a. a housing bordering an interior and an outside, wherein the housing has a top side, a bottom side and a perimeter wall located between the top and bottom sides,

b. an inlet located at the top side, providing fluid connection between the outside and the interior via a first flow cross sectional area,

c. an outlet providing fluid connection between the interior and the outside,

d. a compartment located in the interior, the compartment having a deflector surface, and

e. an impeller located in the compartment, the impeller having an axis;

wherein the impeller is adapted and arranged to produce a flow along a flow path, the device parts being in the following order along the flow path:

i.) the outside,

ii.) the impeller,

iii.) the deflector surface, and

iv.) the outside.


 
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the flow path arrives at the impeller with an arrival path vector and departs from the impeller with a departure path vector, wherein the angle between the arrival path vector and the departure path vector is in the range from 45° to 135°.
 
3. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a first pressure PO is the pressure of the outside, a second pressure PC is the pressure in the compartment and the device is adapted and arranged to produce an overpressure ΔP in the range from 102 to 103 Pa, wherein the overpressure ΔP is the second pressure minus the first pressure according to the following equation:


 
4. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device is adapted and arranged to operate with a maximum resistance to the flow at any point along the flow path between the outside and the impeller below 1000 Pa.
 
5. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device is adapted and arranged to operate with a total resistance to the flow along the flow path between the outside and the impeller below 4 N.
 
6. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device is adapted and arranged to produce an incident angle in the range from 180° to 135°, wherein a departure vector is the path vector with which the flow path departs from the impeller, a first normal vector is a vector normal to the deflector surface and the incident angle is the angle between the departure vector and the first normal vector.
 
7. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device is adapted and arranged to produce an incident speed in the range from 1 to 20 m/s, wherein the incident speed is the speed of the flow upon contact with the deflector surface.
 
8. The device, wherein the device is adapted and arranged to produce a departure speed in the range from 1 to 20 m/s, wherein the departure speed is the speed with which the flow departs from the impeller.
 
9. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a second flow cross-sectional area is the minimum flow cross-sectional area along the flow path between the inlet and the impeller and the ratio of the first flow cross-sectional area to the second flow cross-sectional area is in the range from 1:1 to 5:1.
 
10. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the impeller comprises a plurality of impeller blades.
 
11. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the impeller comprises a vertical impeller blade.
 
12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the impeller blade has a convex horizontal cross-section.
 
13. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the flow is compressed along the flow path through the impeller.
 
14. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the impeller is adjusted and arranged to apply to the flow a component of force perpendicular to the axis.
 
15. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the impeller is adjusted and arranged to produce a rotational component of the flow in the compartment about the axis.
 
16. The device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a baffle on the flow path after the compartment.
 
17. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the impeller is adjusted and arranged to produce a rotational component of the flow in the compartment about the axis in a first sense and the device comprises a baffle on the flow path after the compartment which is adjusted and arranged to reduce the rotational component of the flow about the axis in the first sense.
 
18. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the compartment has a collection surface, wherein the collection surface faces towards the inlet.
 
19. The device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a fixing neck protruding outwards from the inlet, the fixing neck being adapted and arranged to engage with an aperture.
 
20. The device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a filter located on the flow path after the deflector surface.
 
21. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least two of the device parts are adapted and arranged to engage with each other slideably.
 
22. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the following pairs of device parts are adapted and arranged to engage with each other slideably:

a. the impeller and the compartment,

b. the baffle and the compartment,

c. the housing and the compartment,

d. the housing and a filter.


 
23. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least two of the device parts are adapted and arranged to be disassembled without a tool.
 
24. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the following pairs of device parts are adapted and arranged to be disassembled without a tool:

a. the impeller and the compartment,

b. the baffle and the compartment,

c. the housing and the compartment,

d. the housing and a filter.


 
25. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing can be opened without a tool.
 
26. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a first volume is the volume of the interior and a second volume is the volume of the compartment, wherein the ratio of the first volume to the second volume is in the range from 20:1 to 2:1.
 
27. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device satisfies one or more of the following:

a. the volume of the interior being in the range from 0.02 to 0.9 m3,

b. a first dimension being the height of the housing, a second dimension being the largest extension of the housing perpendicular to the height, wherein the ratio of the first dimension to the second dimension is in the range from 1:5 to 2:1,

c. a third dimension being the maximum horizontal extension of the housing, wherein the third dimension is less than 90 cm.


 
28. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a filter is integrated in the perimeter wall.
 
29. The device according to claim 28, wherein the filter is integrated in 10 to 100 % of the perimeter wall by area.
 
30. The device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an inlet neck protruding outwards from the inlet, wherein the inlet neck is adapted and arranged to deviate a flow through it by more than 30°.
 
31. A kit comprising as kit parts:

a. the device according to any of the claims 1 to 30, and

b. a surface having a top side, a bottom side and an aperture;

wherein the device and the bottom side of the surface are adapted and arranged to engage, thereby providing fluid connection between the aperture and the inlet.
 
32. The kit according to claim 31, wherein the device and the bottom side of the surface are engageable by movement of the device relative to the surface parallel to the plane of the surface.
 
33. The kit according to claim 31 or 32, comprising a hollow spacer having a further aperture, the hollow spacer being adapted and arranged to engage with the top side of the surface, thereby providing fluid connection between the aperture and the further aperture, wherein the further aperture is displaced at least 5 cm from the aperture when the hollow spacer is engaged with the aperture.
 
34. A process for making a stove comprising as process steps:

a. providing the kit according to one of the claims 31 to 33,

b. engaging at least two of the kit parts with each other.


 
35. A stove obtainable by the process according to claim 34.
 
36. A stove comprising as stove elements:

a. the device according to any of the claims 1 to 30, and

b. a cooker top.


 
37. The stove according to claim 36, wherein the cooker top has an aperture and the device is engaged with the aperture.
 
38. The stove according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the cooker top has an aperture and wherein the device is positioned below the aperture.
 
39. The stove according to claim 36, wherein the cooker top has a surface, wherein the device is positioned on or above the surface.
 
40. Use of the device according to any of the claims 1 to 30 or the kit according to any of the claims 31 to 33 for extracting waste gas from a cooker top.
 
41. Use of the device according to any of the claims 1 to 30 or the kit according to any of the claims 31 to 33 for reducing cooking odours.
 
42. Use of the device according to any of the claims 1 to 30 or the kit according to any of the claims 31 to 33 for improving a kitchen.
 




Drawing













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Search report




Cited references

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description