Control for an induction-based aerosol delivery device

• US 10,104,912 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2016
• Issued: 10/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC. (British American Tobacco PLC)
• Original Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC. (British American Tobacco PLC)
• Inventors: Sur, Rajesh
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hung D
• Application Number:
  US15/002,056
• Publication Number:
  US 20170202266A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 219601, 219607, 219609, 219611, 219624, 219628, 219629, 219630, 219634, 219635, 219643, 219644, 219675, 131328, 131329, 131330, 392387, 392386, 392390, 392394, 392398, 392401, 392404, 392441, 392444, 392447, 392497, 392502
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/465 specially adapted for induction heating
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/50 Control or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/041 using heaters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/06 Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0024 with an on-off output signal, e.g. from a switch
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0007 introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0468 non-physiological
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0211 Ceramics
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0216 Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0294 Piezoelectric materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/13 with means for the detection of operative contact with patient, e.g. lip sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/368 by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. IR waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 : by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 : by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 : Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 : battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8256 : being integrated in the case or housing of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8262 : connectable to external power source, e.g. connecting to automobile battery through the cigarette lighter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8293 : Solar
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/04 : Sources of current
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/105 : using a susceptor
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/108 : for heating a fluid

Abstract

An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a substrate configured to carry an aerosol precursor composition, and includes an induction transmitter, induction receiver and control component. The induction transmitter is configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field. The induction receiver is positioned in proximity to the substrate, and configured to generate heat when exposed to the oscillating magnetic field and thereby vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition. The control component is configured to direct current to the induction transmitter to drive the induction transmitter to generate the oscillating magnetic field, with the control component being configured to direct the current according to a zero voltage switching (ZVS) inverter topology.

Claims

1. An aerosol delivery device comprising:

a substrate or liquid transport element configured to provide an aerosol precursor composition;

an induction transmitter configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field;

an induction receiver configured to generate heat when exposed to the oscillating magnetic field and thereby vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition provided by the substrate or liquid transport element; and

a control component configured to direct current to the induction transmitter to drive the induction transmitter to generate the oscillating magnetic field, the control component being configured to direct the current according to a zero voltage switching (ZVS) inverter topology,

wherein the control component further includes first and second switches that are alternately switchable to effect the ZVS inverter topology,

wherein the control component and induction transmitter include respectively a capacitor and coil that form a tank circuit, and

wherein the control component being configured to direct the current includes being configured to direct the current in cycles each of which includes a positive half in which the first and second switches are alternately switchable to charge the capacitor and direct current in a positive direction through the coil, and a negative half in which the first and second switches are alternately switchable to cause the capacitor to discharge and thereby direct current in a negative direction through the coil.

2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 further comprising a power source including a supercapacitor,

wherein the control component being configured to direct the current to the induction transmitter includes being configured to direct the current from supercapacitor to the induction transmitter.

3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the power source further includes terminals connectable with a source of energy from which the supercapacitor is chargeable.

4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 3, wherein the power source further comprises the source of energy, and the source of energy is or includes a solid-state battery or lithium-ion battery.

5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the control component further includes high-side and low-side drivers for respectively the first and second switches.

6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 further comprising a Hall effect current sensor positioned proximate the induction receiver and configured to produce a measurement of current through the induction receiver, the control component being configured to receive the measurement and control operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device in response thereto.

7. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the induction transmitter is configured to at least partially surround the induction receiver.

8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 7, wherein the induction transmitter defines a tubular or coiled configuration.

9. A control body coupled or coupleable with a cartridge that is equipped with an induction receiver and contains an aerosol precursor composition, the control body being coupled or coupleable with the cartridge to form an aerosol delivery device in which the induction receiver is configured to generate heat when exposed to an oscillating magnetic field and thereby vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition, the control body comprising:

an induction transmitter configured to generate the oscillating magnetic field; and

a control component configured to direct current to the induction transmitter to drive the induction transmitter to generate the oscillating magnetic field, the control component being configured to direct the current according to a zero voltage switching (ZVS) inverter topology,

wherein the control component further includes first and second switches that are alternately switchable to effect the ZVS inverter topology,

wherein the control component and induction transmitter include respectively a capacitor and coil that form a tank circuit, and

wherein the control component being configured to direct the current includes being configured to direct the current in cycles each of which includes a positive half in which the first and second switches are alternately switchable to charge the capacitor and direct current in a positive direction through the coil, and a negative half in which the first and second switches are alternately switchable to cause the capacitor to discharge and thereby direct current in a negative direction through the coil.

10. The control body of claim 9 further comprising a power source including a supercapacitor,

wherein the control component being configured to direct the current to the induction transmitter includes being configured to direct the current from supercapacitor to the induction transmitter.

11. The control body of claim 10, wherein the power source further includes terminals connectable with a source of energy from which the supercapacitor is chargeable.

12. The control body of claim 11, wherein the power source further comprises the source of energy, and the source of energy is or includes a solid-state battery or lithium-ion battery.

13. The control body of claim 9, wherein the control component further includes high-side and low-side drivers for respectively the first and second switches.

14. The control body of claim 9, wherein the control component is further configured to receive a measurement of current through the induction receiver, the control component being configured to receive the measurement from a Hall effect current sensor positioned proximate the induction receiver, and control operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device in response to the measurement.

15. The control body of claim 9, wherein the induction transmitter is configured to at least partially surround the induction receiver when the control body is coupled with the cartridge.

16. The control body of claim 15, wherein the induction transmitter defines a tubular or coiled configuration.