Range exhaust cleaning system and method

Abstract

A cleaning system for a cooking range exhaust having a range hood, a backsplash, and an exhaust flue for exhausting cooking effluent is disclosed. The cleaning system can include a fluid delivery system constructed for partial placement within the cooking range exhaust. The fluid delivery system can include a hood spray conduit constructed for placement within the hood and comprising spray openings for directing a degreasing composition to the backsplash. The fluid delivery system can also include a flue spray conduit constructed for placement within or outside the exhaust flue and comprising at least one spray opening for directing the degreasing composition to an interior surface of the flue. The cleaning system can include a pump system constructed for conveying the degreasing composition from a degreasing composition source and through the fluid delivery system. A method of cleaning a cooking range exhaust and a self-cleaning exhaust system are also disclosed.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A cleaning system for cleaning a cooking range exhaust having a hood, a backsplash, and a flue for exhausting cooking effluent, the cleaning system comprising:
 a fluid delivery system constructed for placement within the cooking range exhaust, the fluid delivery system, including
 a hood spray conduit constructed for placement within the hood and adjacent an interior surface of the backsplash defining an outer perimeter portion of the cooking range exhaust, the hood spray conduit longitudinally traversing a substantial portion of the backsplash and comprising a plurality of spray openings for directing a degreasing composition to substantially the entire interior surface of the backsplash, and 
 a flue spray conduit constructed for placement within the flue and comprising a plurality of spray openings for directing the degreasing composition to substantially an entire interior surface of the flue, at least one of the spray openings configured to vertically spray the degreasing composition into a fan subsystem located vertically above a top end of the flue spray conduit; 
   a pump system constructed for conveying the degreasing composition from a degreasing composition source and through the fluid delivery system; and   a collection reservoir constructed to collect degreasing composition run-off from the cooking range exhaust.   
     
     
         22 . The cleaning system of  claim 21 , wherein the cooking range exhaust is coupled to the collection reservoir via a drain trough. 
     
     
         23 . The cleaning system of  claim 22 , wherein the cooking range exhaust is coupled to the collection reservoir via the drain trough and a drain pipe. 
     
     
         24 . The cleaning system of  claim 21 , wherein the degreasing composition run-off includes one or more of the degreasing composition, water used to rinse the degreasing composition from the cooking range exhaust, and cooking effluent removed from the cooking range exhaust by the degreasing composition. 
     
     
         25 . The cleaning system of  claim 21 , wherein the collection reservoir is positioned below a drain outlet of the cooking range exhaust. 
     
     
         26 . The cleaning system of  claim 21 , further comprising one or more filters constructed to catch grease. 
     
     
         27 . The cleaning system of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more filters are removable from the cleaning system. 
     
     
         28 . The cleaning system of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more filters are located within the hood. 
     
     
         29 . The cleaning system of  claim 21 , wherein the pump system is further constructed to convey water from a water source and through the fluid delivery system. 
     
     
         30 . The cleaning system of  claim 21 , wherein the flue spray conduit connects to the hood spray conduit within the cooking range exhaust, and wherein the fluid delivery system further comprises a first connection conduit connecting the hood spray conduit and the flue spray conduit to the pump system. 
     
     
         31 . The cleaning system of  claim 21 , wherein each of the spray openings comprises a fixed spray nozzle. 
     
     
         32 . The cleaning system of  claim 21 , further comprising a user-interface integrated with the pump system allowing control and programming of the pump system. 
     
     
         33 . The cleaning system of  claim 32 , wherein the user-interface instructs the pump system to convey the degreasing composition at a first time and convey water at a second time that is later than the first time. 
     
     
         34 . The cleaning system of  claim 32 , wherein the user-interface includes a memory storing a performance history of the pump system. 
     
     
         35 . The cleaning system of  claim 21 , further comprising at least one non-penetrable mounting clamp constructed to hold the flue spray conduit at least partially within the flue. 
     
     
         36 . The cleaning system of  claim 35 , wherein the at least one non-penetrable mounting clamp terminates in one or more feet that frictionally engage an interior surface of the flue without penetrating the flue. 
     
     
         37 . The cleaning system of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one non-penetrable mounting clamp includes two opposed adjustable legs that extend from opposite sides of a clamp body. 
     
     
         38 . A cleaning system for cleaning a cooking range exhaust having a hood, a backsplash, and a flue for exhausting cooking effluent, the cleaning system comprising:
 a fluid delivery system constructed for placement within the cooking range exhaust, the fluid delivery system, including
 a hood spray conduit constructed for placement within the hood and adjacent an interior surface of the backsplash defining an outer perimeter portion of the cooking range exhaust, the hood spray conduit longitudinally traversing a substantial portion of the backsplash and comprising a plurality of spray openings for directing a degreasing composition to substantially the entire interior surface of the backsplash, and 
 a flue spray conduit constructed for placement within the flue and comprising a plurality of spray openings for directing the degreasing composition to substantially an entire interior surface of the flue, at least one of the spray openings configured to vertically spray the degreasing composition into a fan subsystem located vertically above a top end of the flue spray conduit; 
   a pump system constructed for conveying the degreasing composition from a degreasing composition source and through the fluid delivery system;   one or more removable filters, constructed to catch grease, and located within the hood; and   a collection reservoir constructed to collect degreasing composition run-off from the cooking range exhaust.   
     
     
         39 . The cleaning system of  claim 38 , wherein the cooking range exhaust is coupled to the collection reservoir via a drain trough and a drain pipe. 
     
     
         40 . The cleaning system of  claim 38 , wherein the collection reservoir is positioned below a drain outlet of the cooking range exhaust.