Heat reclamation apparatus and method

Abstract

A kitchen heat reclamation apparatus includes a heat producing kitchen apparatus, and a chute positioned near a portion of the heat producing kitchen apparatus that produces heated air. An air handler moves at least a portion of the heated air produced by the heat producing kitchen apparatus along a heated air path that passes through the chute. A heat extractor is associated with the chute. The heat extractor removes heat from the air before exhausting the air to the atmosphere. The heat removed by the heat extractor can be used in other areas of a building or can be used to generate electricity.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A kitchen heat reclamation apparatus comprising:
 a heat producing kitchen apparatus;   a chute positioned near a portion of the heat producing kitchen apparatus that produces heated air;   an air handler for moving at least a portion of the heated air produced by the heat producing kitchen apparatus along a heated air path that passes through the chute; and   a heat extractor positioned in the chute, the heat extractor removing heat from the air before exhausting the air to the atmosphere.   
     
     
         2 . The kitchen heat reclamation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the heat extractor includes a fluid flow path therein, the apparatus further including a heat transfer fluid movable through the fluid flow path in the heat extractor, the heat transfer fluid input to the heat extractor at a first temperature and output from the heat extractor at a second temperature higher than the first temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The kitchen heat reclamation apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an extractor pump for moving the heat transfer fluid through the heat extractor. 
     
     
         4 . The kitchen heat reclamation apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the extractor pump can be used to vary the speed of the fluid to vary the amount of heat removed from the heated air by the heat extractor. 
     
     
         5 . The kitchen heat reclamation apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second fluid flow path in fluid communication with the fluid flow path in the heat extractor, the second fluid flow path delivering fluid to a plenum from where heat is delivered to a building. 
     
     
         6 . The kitchen heat reclamation apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a coil positioned in the plenum, the second fluid flow path flowing through the coil in the plenum. 
     
     
         7 . The kitchen heat reclamation apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second fluid flow path in fluid communication with the fluid flow path in the heat extractor, the second fluid flow path delivering fluid to a tank for regulating the heat of the heated fluid, wherein heat from where tank is delivered to an element needing heat. 
     
     
         8 . The kitchen heat reclamation apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising an aquastat for measuring a temperature of the fluid in flow path of the extractor. 
     
     
         9 . The kitchen heat reclamation apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising:
 an aquastat for measuring a temperature of the fluid in flow path of the extractor; and 
 
       a baffle that redirects the heated air produced by the heat producing kitchen apparatus to a position outside the chute in response to the aquastat reading a temperature higher than a threshold temperature. 
     
     
         10 . The kitchen heat reclamation apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an electrical generator associated with the heated air path. 
     
     
         11 . The kitchen heat reclamation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the electrical generator associated with the heated air path includes a thermal electric generator. 
     
     
         12 . The kitchen heat reclamation apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising
 an inclined surface associated with the chute; and 
 a thermo electric generator attached to the inclined surface, the inclined surface in the heated air pathway, the inclined surface made of a thermally conductive material that transfers heat from the heated air, through the inclined surface, and to the thermo electric generator. 
 
     
     
         13 . The kitchen heat reclamation apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising:
 an aquastat for measuring a temperature of the fluid in flow path of the extractor; 
 a first baffle that redirects the heated air produced by the heat producing kitchen apparatus to a position away from the extractor when the temperature of fluid flow is above a threshold temperature; 
 an inclined surface associated with the chute; and 
 a thermo electric generator attached to the inclined surface, the inclined surface in the heated air pathway, the inclined surface made of a thermally conductive material that transfers heat from the heated air, through the inclined surface, and to the thermo electric generator; and 
 a second baffle that redirects the heated air produced by the heat producing kitchen apparatus to a position away from the thermo electric generator. 
 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus for recycling heat from a heat producing kitchen apparatus comprising:
 a chute;   an air handler for moving heated air along a heated air path that passes through the chute;   a heat extractor associated with the chute, the heat extractor positioned to remove heat from the heated air path; and   mounting hardware for mounting the chute, air handler and heat extractor to a heat producing kitchen apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for recycling heat from a heat producing kitchen apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the mounting hardware includes a mounting bracket. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus for recycling heat from a heat producing kitchen apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the chute is made of a material that could be used for a back splash of a heat producing kitchen apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus for recycling heat from a heat producing kitchen apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the chute is made of a material that could be used for a back splash of a heat producing kitchen apparatus, the chute further comprising a shelf attached to the chute at a position above the heat producing kitchen apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus for recycling heat from a heat producing kitchen apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the heat extractor includes a fluid flow path through the heat extractor, the fluid flow path including:
 a fluid input; and 
 a fluid output. 
 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus for recycling heat from a heat producing kitchen apparatus of  claim 18  further including an aquastat for measuring the temperature of the fluid along the fluid flow path through the heat extractor. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus for recycling heat from a heat producing kitchen apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the chute includes an inclined surface, the apparatus further comprising a thermal electric generator thermally coupled to the inclined surface. 
     
     
         21 . A method of reclaiming heat or recycling heat from a heat producing kitchen appliance comprising:
 directing an air flow over a heat producing portion of the heat producing kitchen appliance to a thermal extraction device; and   moving a fluid through the thermal extraction device to transfer the heat from the air to the fluid;   moving the fluid to another location where the heat is extracted; and   exhausting the air which has had heat removed therefrom to the atmosphere.