Patent Publication Number: US-10788222-B2

Title: Cooking exhaust systems having one or more airflow features

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to systems for aiding cooking operations, and more particularly to systems for enhancing cooking engagement and managing exhaust airflows with a cooktop appliance. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cooktop or range appliances generally include heating elements for heating cooking utensils, such as pots, pans, and griddles. A variety of configurations can be used for the heating elements located on the cooking surface of the cooktop. The number of heating elements or positions available for heating on the range appliance can include, for example, four, six, or more depending upon the intended application and preferences of the buyer. These heating elements can vary in size, location, and capability across the appliance. 
     Unfortunately, existing systems can provide an unsatisfactory user experience and can inhibit a user&#39;s desired interactions. Recipe books are often cumbersome and difficult to use while cooking. Pages may rip, stain, burn, or become otherwise damaged during use. Moreover, printed materials do not allow for immediate real-time guidance or information. Electronic devices that are connected to the Internet, such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone, may allow for immediate interaction with remote information servers or individuals. However, such devices are generally not suitable for use in tandem with a cooktop appliance. A user may be forced to repeatedly move away from the cooktop appliance in order to view the device or provide any input instructions. Moreover, the extreme environment near a cooktop appliance may risk damaging the device. For instance, a display of the device may be rendered unusable. Food or steam may obscure the display. In some cases, heat or exhaust fumes may be directed to the display, increasing the potential for display failure. 
     As a result, improved systems are needed for facilitating user engagement and interaction during use of a cooktop appliance. In particular, it may be advantageous to provide a user engagement system to permit the viewing or accessing images and information while using a cooktop appliance. In some cases, it may be advantageous to further provide a user engagement system configured to protect one or more electronic components from the extreme environment near or above a cooktop appliance. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an exhaust system is provided. The exhaust system may include a casing, an image monitor, and an air handler. The casing may define an air inlet and an air outlet above a cooktop appliance. The image monitor may be supported on the casing above a cooktop surface. The image monitor may include an imagining surface extending in a lateral direction between a first edge and a second edge. The air handler may be mounted within the casing in fluid communication between the air inlet and the air outlet to motivate an airflow therethrough. The air outlet may be defined proximal to the first edge and defines a coolant airflow path extending along the lateral direction across the imaging surface from the first edge. 
     In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an exhaust system is provided. The exhaust system may include a casing, an image monitor, and air handler. The casing may define an air inlet, a first air outlet, and a second air outlet above a cooktop appliance. The image monitor may be supported on the casing above a cooktop surface. The image monitor may include an imagining surface extending in a lateral direction between a first edge and a second edge. The air handler may be mounted within the casing downstream from the air inlet to motivate an airflow therethrough. The first air outlet may be defined proximal to the first edge and may define a first coolant airflow path extending along the lateral direction across the imaging surface from the first edge. The second air outlet may be defined proximal to the second edge and may define a second coolant airflow path extending along the lateral direction across the imaging surface from the second edge. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG. 1  provides a front perspective view of a system according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  provides a side schematic view of the exemplary system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  provides a bottom perspective view of a portion of the exemplary system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  provides a perspective view of an interactive assembly of a system according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  provides a top perspective view of the exemplary interactive assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  provides a cross-sectional schematic view of an interactive assembly of a system according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  provides a front perspective view of an interactive assembly of a system according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  provides a front perspective view of an interactive assembly of a system according to other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  provides a front perspective view of an interactive assembly of a system according to still other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  provides a front perspective view of an interactive assembly of a system according to yet other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     In order to aid understanding of this disclosure, several terms are defined below. The defined terms are understood to have meanings commonly recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the arts relevant to the present disclosure. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. 
     Turning to the figures,  FIGS. 1 through 3  provide various views of a system  100  according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. System  100  generally includes an interactive assembly  110  having a controller  510 A in operable communication with an image monitor  112  that is generally positioned above a cooktop appliance  300 . 
     As shown cooktop appliance  300  defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, for example, at a cabinet  310 . The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system. As shown, cooktop appliance  300  extends along the vertical direction V between a top portion  312  and a bottom portion  314 ; along the lateral direction L between a left side portion and a right side portion; and along the traverse direction T between a front portion and a rear portion. 
     Cooktop appliance  300  can include a chassis or cabinet  310  and a cooktop surface  324  having one or more heating elements  326  for use in, for example, heating or cooking operations. In some exemplary embodiments, cooktop surface  324  is constructed with ceramic glass. In other embodiments, however, cooktop surface  324  may include of another suitable material, such as a metallic material (e.g., steel) or another suitable non-metallic material. Heating elements  326  may be various sizes and may employ any suitable method for heating or cooking an object, such as a cooking utensil (not shown), and its contents. In certain embodiments, for example, heating element  326  uses a heat transfer method, such as electric coils or gas burners, to heat the cooking utensil. In another embodiment, however, heating element  326  uses an induction heating method to heat the cooking utensil directly. In turn, heating element  326  may include a gas burner element, resistive heat element, radiant heat element, induction element, or another suitable heating element. 
     In some embodiments, cooktop appliance  300  includes an insulated cabinet  310  that defines a cooking chamber  328  selectively covered by a door  330 . One or more heating elements  332  (e.g., top broiling elements or bottom baking elements) may be enclosed within cabinet  310  to heat cooking chamber  328 . Heating elements  332  within cooking chamber  328  may be provided as any suitable element for cooking the contents of cooking chamber  328 , such as an electric resistive heating element, a gas burner, a microwave element, a halogen element, etc. Thus, cooktop appliance  300  may be referred to as an oven range appliance. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, cooktop appliance  300  is provided by way of example only, and the present subject matter may be used in the context of any suitable cooking appliance, such as a double oven range appliance or a standalone cooktop (e.g., fitted integrally with a surface of a kitchen counter). Thus, the example embodiments illustrated in figures are not intended to limit the present subject matter to any particular cooking chamber or heating element configuration, except as otherwise indicated. 
     As illustrated, a user interface panel  334  may be provided on cooktop appliance  300 . Although shown at a front portion of cooktop appliance  300 , another suitable location or structure (e.g., a backsplash) for supporting user interface panel  334  may be provided in alternative embodiments. In some embodiments, user interface panel  334  includes input components or controls  336 , such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical input devices. Controls  336  may include, for example, rotary dials, knobs, push buttons, and touch pads. A controller  510 C is in communication with user interface panel  334  and controls  336  through which a user may select various operational features or modes and monitor progress of cooktop appliance  300 . In additional or alternative embodiments, user interface panel  334  includes a display component, such as a digital or analog display in communication with a controller  510 C and configured to provide operational feedback to a user. In certain embodiments, user interface panel  334  represents a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. 
     As shown, controller  510 C is communicatively coupled (i.e., in operative communication) with user interface panel  334  and its controls  336 . Controller  510 C may also be communicatively coupled with various operational components of cooktop appliance  300  as well, such as heating elements (e.g.,  326 ,  332 ), sensors, etc. Input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between controller  510 C and the various operational components of cooktop appliance  300 . Thus, controller  510 C can selectively activate and operate these various components. Various components of cooktop appliance  300  are communicatively coupled with controller  510 C via one or more communication lines such as, for example, conductive signal lines, shared communication busses, or wireless communications bands. 
     In some embodiments, controller  510 C includes one or more memory devices and one or more processors. The processors can be any combination of general or special purpose processors, CPUs, or the like that can execute programming instructions or control code associated with operation of cooktop appliance  300 . The memory devices (i.e., memory) may represent random access memory such as DRAM or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller  510 C may be constructed without using a processor, for example, using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. 
     In certain embodiments, controller  510 C includes a network interface such that controller  510 C can connect to and communicate over one or more networks with one or more network nodes. Controller  510 C can also include one or more transmitting, receiving, or transceiving components for transmitting/receiving communications with other devices communicatively coupled with cooktop appliance  300 . Additionally or alternatively, one or more transmitting, receiving, or transceiving components can be located off board controller  510 C. Generally, controller  510 C can be positioned in any suitable location throughout cooktop appliance  300 . For example, controller  510 C may be located proximate to user interface panel  334  toward a front portion of cooktop appliance  300 . 
     In some embodiments, cooktop controller  510 C is provided as or as part of controller  510 A. In alternative embodiments, cooktop controller  510 C is a discrete unit in selective operable communication with controller  510 A (e.g., through one or more wired or wireless channels). 
     As shown, one or more casings (e.g., hood casing  116 ) may be provided above cooktop appliance  300  along the vertical direction V. For example, a hood casing  116  may be positioned above cooktop appliance  300 . Hood casing  116  includes a plurality of outer walls and generally extends along the vertical direction V between a top end  118  and a bottom end  120 ; along the lateral direction L between a first side end  122  and a second side end  124 ; and along the transverse direction T between a front end  126  and a rear end  128 . In some embodiments, hood casing  116  is spaced apart from cooktop surface  324  along the vertical direction V. An open region  130  may thus be defined along the vertical direction V between cooktop surface  324  and bottom end  120 . 
     In optional embodiments, hood casing  116  is formed as a range hood. As will be described in detail below, a ventilation assembly (e.g.,  FIG. 6 ) within hood casing  116  may thus direct an airflow from the open region  130  and through hood casing  116 . However, a range hood is provided by way of example only. Other configurations may be used within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, hood casing  116  could be part of a microwave or other appliance designed to be located over cooktop surface  324 . Moreover, although a generally rectangular shape is illustrated, any suitable shape or style may be adapted to form the structure of hood casing  116 . 
     In some embodiments, a lighting assembly  134  is provided above cooktop surface  324  (e.g., along the vertical direction V). For instance, lighting assembly  134  may be mounted to hood casing  116  (e.g., directly above cooktop surface  324 ). Generally, lighting assembly  134  includes one or more selectable light sources directed toward cooktop surface  324 . In other words, lighting assembly  134  is oriented to project a light (as indicated at arrows  136 ) to cooktop appliance  300  through open region  130  and illuminate at least a portion of cooktop surface  324 . The light sources may include any suitable light-emitting elements, such as one or more light emitting diode (LED), incandescent bulb, fluorescent bulb, halogen bulb, etc. 
     During use, lighting assembly  134  may be selectively activated to illuminate a portion of cooktop appliance  300  (e.g., cooktop surface  324 ) based on a received light visibility signal. For instance, lighting assembly  134  may be activated by controller  510 A based on direct user input (e.g., depressing a dedicated switch, a gesture control signal, voice control signal, etc.). In other words, the light visibility signal may be an isolated user input signal. Alternatively, the light visibility signal may be an automatically-generated signal that does not require direct user input. The light visibility signal may indicate additional light is needed above cooktop appliance  300 . In turn, controller  510 A may automatically activate lighting assembly  134  based on a determined condition. Optionally, one or more camera assemblies may be mounted to hood casing  116  and directed toward cooktop appliance  300  or an area in front of cooktop appliance  300  (e.g., to operate with or independently of lighting assembly  134 ). 
     In some embodiments, image monitor  112  is provided above cooktop surface  324  (e.g., along the vertical direction V). For instance, image monitor  112  may be mounted to or supported on hood casing  116  (e.g., directly above cooktop surface  324 ) proximal to the front end  126 . Generally, image monitor  112  may be any suitable type of mechanism for visually presenting a digital (e.g., interactive) image. For example, image monitor  112  may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a plasma display panel (PDP), a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, etc. Thus, image monitor  112  includes an imaging surface  138  (e.g., screen or display panel) at which the digital image is presented or displayed as an optically-viewable picture (e.g., static image or dynamic video) to a user. As shown, the imaging surface  138  extends in the lateral direction L between a first edge  232  and second edge  234 . Optionally, a protective transparent panel (e.g., formed from a transparent glass, plastic, etc.) may be positioned across or over imaging surface  138 . In some such embodiments, the protective transparent panel is mounted within or supported on hood casing  116  forward from imaging surface  138  along the transverse direction T. 
     The optically-viewable picture at the imaging surface  138  may correspond to any suitable signal or data received or stored by interactive assembly  110  (e.g., at controller  510 A). As an example, image monitor  112  may present recipe information in the form of viewable text or images. As another example, image monitor  112  may present a remotely captured image, such as a live (e.g., real-time) dynamic video stream received from a separate user or device. As yet another example, image monitor  112  may present a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows a user to select or manipulate various operational features of interactive assembly  110  or cooktop appliance  300 . During use of such GUI embodiments, a user may engage, select, or adjust the image presented at image monitor  112  through any suitable input, such as gesture controls detected through a camera assembly, voice controls detected through one or more microphones, associated touch panels (e.g., capacitance or resistance touch panel) or sensors overlaid across imaging surface  138 , etc. 
     As illustrated, the imaging surface  138  generally faces, or is directed away from, cooktop surface  324 . In particular, the imaging surface  138  is directed toward the area forward from the cooktop appliance  300 . During use, a user standing in front of cooktop appliance  300  may thus see the optically-viewable picture (e.g., recipe, dynamic video stream, graphical user interface, etc.) displayed at the imaging surface  138 . Optionally, the imaging surface  138  may be positioned at a rearward non-orthogonal angle relative to the vertical direction V. In other words, the imaging surface  138  may be inclined such that an upper edge of the imaging surface  138  is closer to the rear end  128  of hood casing  116  than a lower edge of the imaging surface  138  is. In some such embodiments, the non-orthogonal angle is between 1° and 15° relative to the vertical direction V. In certain embodiments, the non-orthogonal angle is between 2° and 7° relative to the vertical direction V. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4 through 6 , various views are provided of interactive assembly  110  according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, hood casing  116  extends in the vertical direction V from a top end  118  to a bottom end  120 , the transverse direction T between a front end  126  and the rear end  128 , and in the lateral direction L from the first side end  122  to a second side end  124 . One or more air inlets  210  and air outlets  212  may be defined by hood casing  116  (e.g., through one or more external walls of hood casing  116 ). Moreover, one or more air handlers  216  (e.g., fans or blowers) may be provided in fluid communication with hood casing  116  to motivate an airflow through one or more passages or cavities defined within hood casing  116  between the air inlet  210  and the air outlets  212 . Thus, an air handler  216  may be mounted within hood casing  116  downstream from at least one air inlet  210  and upstream from at least one air outlet  212 . 
     In some embodiments, an air inlet  210  is defined at a position proximal to the top end  118  (e.g., above image monitor  112  relative to the vertical direction V), while one or more of air outlets  212  are defined at a position (e.g., discrete positions) proximal to the front end  126 . Additionally or alternatively, the air inlet  210  may be defined through the hood casing  116  behind the image monitor  112  relative to the transverse direction T. As shown, for instance in  FIG. 5 , air inlet  210  may include a plurality of inlet apertures defined through a top wall of hood casing  116 . In optional embodiments, the inlet apertures include a first aperture set  218  that is spaced apart from a second aperture set  220  (e.g., along the lateral direction L). First aperture set  218  may be proximal to first side end  122  and second aperture set  220  may be proximal to second side end  124 . Thus, air may be drawn into hood casing  116  from both first side end  122  and second side end  124 . 
     One or more air passages are defined in fluid communication between air inlet  210  and air outlets  212 . As an example, an air intake passage  222  may be defined within hood casing  116  downstream from air inlet  210 . For instance, air intake passage  222  may be defined at a location between the front end  126  and the rear end  128 . Optionally, intake passage  222  may provide a common cavity open to both first aperture set  218  and second aperture set  220 . Additionally or alternatively, air intake passage  222  may extend generally along the vertical direction V and rearward along the transverse direction T (e.g., behind or rearward from image monitor  112 ). One or more outlet passages  224  are defined downstream of intake passage  222 . For instance, an outlet passage  224  may extend laterally about image monitor  112  to direct air to one or more air outlets  212  at the first edge  232  or the second edge  234 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 7 through 10 , a front perspective view is provided of multiple exemplary embodiments. As shown, in exemplary embodiments a common or shared air handler  216  is positioned in fluid communication between air intake passage  222  and air outlet passage  224 . Common air handler  216  may be provided as any suitable blower or fan (e.g., radial fan, tangential fan, etc.) positioned within hood casing  116  to actively rotate or motivate air therethrough. In particular, common air handler  216  may be positioned upstream from each air outlet  212 . As an example, common air handler  216  may be mounted to or on an internal duct wall  230  separating air intake passage  222  from air outlet passage  224 . Common air handler  216  may thus motivate an airflow (e.g., as indicated arrows  228 ) from air inlet  210  to one or more air outlets  212  simultaneously, such as a first air outlet  212 A at the first edge  232  and a second air outlet  212 B at the second edge  234 . Alternative embodiments may include multiple discrete air handlers mounted in fluid parallel with each other (e.g., to motivate parallel airflow is to discrete corresponding air outlets). 
     In some embodiments, an internal wall  240  is positioned between the image monitor  112  and one or both of the intake passage  222  or the air outlet passage  224  along the transverse direction T (e.g., such that internal wall  240  separates image monitor  112  and intake passage  222  or outlet passage  224 ). Advantageously, the airflow across internal wall  240  may convectively cool the electronic components within hood casing  116  (e.g., image monitor  112 ). Moreover, cooling may occur without passing the airflow directly across such electronic components. 
     Generally, at least one air outlet or set of air outlets  212  is provided at or proximal to one of the edges  232 ,  234  of the image monitor  112 . For instance, an air outlet  212  may be defined through hood casing proximal to the first edge  232 . The air outlet  212  may be directed along or across the imaging surface  138 . In some such embodiments, the air outlet  212  is positioned below the air inlets  210 . As illustrated, the first air outlet  212  may define a coolant airflow path (e.g., coolant airflow path  250 ) along imaging surface  138 . Thus, the coolant airflow path  250  may extend, for instance, along the lateral direction L and across at least a portion of the imaging surface  138 . During use, at least a portion of the airflow motivated by the air handler  216  may be directed from the intake passage  222  and to the ambient environment as it flows along the imaging surface  138 . Optionally, coolant airflow path  250  may be defined parallel to the imaging surface  138 . Advantageously, the first coolant airflow path  250 A may draw heat from the image monitor  112  and further prevent gas, fumes, or moisture from accumulating on the imaging surface  138 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, the air outlets  212  are defined along the bezel panel  256  of the image monitor  112  (e.g., as multiple vertically spaced apertures, or alternatively, as a single continuous vertical aperture). As shown, bezel panel  256  may frame imaging surface  138  the transverse direction T and lateral direction L. In other words, bezel panel  256  may extend about a perimeter of imaging surface  138  at a position forward therefrom. At least a portion of bezel panel  256  may hold, for instance, a front panel of imaging surface  138  in place (e.g., such that movement of the front panel in the transverse direction T is restricted). The lateral front plate  254  ( FIG. 6 ) is formed at least in part by a front portion of bezel panel  256 . The air outlets  212  may be defined between the bezel panel  256  and the imaging surface  138 . Coolant airflow path  250  may be formed directly on imaging surface  138 . 
     Turning especially to  FIG. 7 , in some embodiments, the outlet or set of outlets  212  are defined proximate to the first edge  232  and define a coolant airflow path  250  that generally extends along the lateral direction L from the first edge  232  to the second edge  234 . During use, a coolant airflow from the hood casing  116  may thus flow in a single direction along imaging surface  138 . 
     However, in other exemplary embodiments, such as those shown in  FIGS. 8 through 10 , include multiple discrete outlets or sets of outlets (e.g., first outlets  212 A and second outlets  212 B). In some such embodiments, a first air outlet or set of outlets  212 A is defined proximal to the first edge  232  and define a first coolant airflow path  250 A extending therefrom along the lateral direction L and across the imaging surface  138 . A second air outlet or set of outlets  212 B is defined proximal to the second edge  234  and define a second coolant airflow path  250 B extending therefrom along the lateral direction L and across the imaging surface  138 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in certain exemplary embodiments, the first coolant airflow path  250 A is collinear with the second coolant airflow path  250 B. Each coolant airflow path  250 A,  250 B may be parallel to the lateral direction L. Each of the first outlets  212 A may be positioned at the same height as a corresponding outlet of the second outlets  212 B. The outlets  212 A and  212 B may thus be laterally spaced in parallel along the vertical direction V. During use, the first coolant airflow path  250 A and second coolant airflow path  250 B may interact or encounter each other along a portion of the imaging surface  138  (e.g., at a midpoint between the first edge  232  and the second edge  234 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in still other exemplary embodiments, the first coolant airflow path  250 A is spaced apart from the second coolant airflow path  250 B along the vertical direction V. Each coolant airflow path  250 A,  250 B may be parallel to the lateral direction L. Each of the first outlets  212 A may be positioned at a different height from each outlet of the second outlets  212 B. For instance, of the entirety of the first outlet or outlets  212 A may be above the entirety of the second outlet or outlets  212 B. The outlets  212 A and  212 B may thus be spaced apart from each other along the vertical direction V. During use, the first coolant airflow path  250 A and second coolant airflow path  250 B may be generally isolated to avoid interaction along the imaging surface  138 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , in yet other exemplary embodiments, the first coolant airflow path  250 A is defined at an angle (e.g., nonparallel angle γA) relative to the lateral direction L. In other words, the first coolant airflow path  250 A will be nonparallel to lateral direction L. A first nonparallel angle γA (e.g., positive angle or negative angle) may be defined between the first coolant airflow path  250 A and the lateral direction L. The second coolant airflow path  250 B may be defined at an angle (e.g., nonparallel angle γB) relative to lateral direction L as well. In other words, the second coolant airflow path  250 B may be nonparallel to lateral direction L. A second nonparallel angle γB (e.g., positive or negative angle) may be defined between the second coolant airflow path  250 B in the lateral direction L. The second nonparallel angle γB (e.g., magnitude thereof) may be equal to or unique from the first nonparallel angle γA. Each of the first outlets  212 A may be positioned at the same height or different heights as the second outlets  212 B. During use, the first coolant airflow path  250 A and second coolant airflow path  250 B may interact along a portion of the imaging surface  138  (e.g., at a midpoint between the first edge  232  and the second edge  234 ). 
     Returning to  FIG. 6 , in certain embodiments, an exhaust passage  258  is defined within the hood casing  116 . As shown exhaust passage  258  may extend in fluid isolation from air intake passage  222  and air outlet passage  224 . One or more interior exhaust duct walls  260  may separate the air passages  222 ,  224  and exhaust passage  258 . An exhaust inlet  262  and an exhaust outlet  264  are defined in fluid communication with exhaust passage  258  (e.g., through one or more external walls of hood casing  116 ). In some embodiments, exhaust inlet  262  is defined through hood casing  116  proximal the bottom end  120  (e.g., through a bottom wall or directly above cooktop surface  324 — FIG. 2 ). In additional or alternative embodiments, exhaust outlet  264  is defined through hood casing  116  proximal to the top end  118  (e.g., through a top wall of hood casing  116 ). Optionally, exhaust outlet  264  may include a plurality of exhaust apertures, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In some such embodiments, exhaust outlet  264  may be positioned between the first aperture set  218  and the second aperture set  220  along the lateral direction L. Each of the first aperture set  218  and the second aperture set  220  that may be laterally spaced apart from the exhaust outlet  264  (e.g., to restrict the flow of exhaust to the air inlet  210 ). 
     An exhaust air handler  266  may be mounted within exhaust passage  258 . As would be understood, exhaust air handler  266  may be provided as any suitable blower or fan (e.g., radial fan, tangential fan, etc.) positioned within hood casing  116  to actively rotated or motivate air, steam, or exhaust fumes through exhaust passage  258 . During use, the heat, steam, or exhaust fumes  246  may be motivated by exhaust air handler  266  from open region  130  ( FIG. 2 ) to exhaust passage  258  through exhaust inlet  262  into exhaust outlet  264  (e.g., as indicated at arrows  268 ). Optionally, one or more filters (not pictured) may be provided at exhaust inlet  262  (e.g., between open region  130  and exhaust passage  258 ) to clean the air, steam, or exhaust fumes (e.g., at  246 ) as it enters hood casing  116 . For instance, a grease filter having a suitable coarse filter medium, such as a metallic mesh including aluminum or stainless steel, may be mounted across exhaust inlet  262 . Additionally or alternatively, an odor filter having a suitable fine filter medium, such as a mesh or block including activated carbon, may be mounted across exhaust inlet  262 . Optionally, the odor filter may be positioned above or downstream from the grease filter. 
     As illustrated, at least a portion of exhaust passage  258  may be tapered downstream from exhaust air handler  266 . For instance, an angled top plate  270  may be positioned proximate to top end  118  within exhaust passage  258 . Angled top plate  270  may extend, for instance downward, from exhaust outlet  264 , thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of exhaust passage  258  and accelerating the flow rate of air or exhaust gases (e.g., at  268 ) upstream of exhaust outlet  264 . As air or exhaust gases flow from exhaust outlet  264 , the accelerated flow rate induced by angled top plate  270  may advantageously prevent exhaust gases from flowing to air inlet  210 . 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.