Patent ID: 6575157
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: F24C

Abstract:
A downdraft cooking system comprising:a countertop; a cooktop including a plurality of heating element zones and an opening, said cooktop being arranged along the countertop; cabinetry arranged below both the countertop and the cooktop; a plenum disposed, at least in part, below the cooktop and behind portions of the cabinetry, said plenum being exposed to the opening in the cooktop; and a fan unit exposed to the plenum for developing a venting flow of air to withdrawn cooking byproducts through the opening and into the plenum from above the cooktop during a cooking operation, said fan unit including a motor having a housing directly exposed upon opening the cabinetry, said fan unit further including a heat shield disposed about and preventing direct contact with at least a portion of the housing, wherein the heat shield constitutes an open mesh sleeve.