Abstract: An electrical load system includes one or more electrical loads, a power transfer switch, and an electronic control system. The power transfer switch is coupled with and can provide power to one or more electrical loads from a first power source or a second power source. The electronic control system evaluates a source impedance of the first source and controls the power transfer switch in response to the source impedance of the first source indicating a fault condition of the first power source that would interrupt power from the first power source to the one or more electrical loads prior to the fault condition disrupting power from the first power source to the one or more electrical loads.

Abstract: An electrical load system includes one or more electrical loads, a power transfer switch, and an electronic control system. The power transfer switch is coupled with and can provide power to one or more electrical loads from a first power source or a second power source. The electronic control system evaluates a source impedance of the first source and controls the power transfer switch in response to the source impedance of the first source indicating a fault condition of the first power source that would interrupt power from the first power source to the one or more electrical loads prior to the fault condition disrupting power from the first power source to the one or more electrical loads.

Abstract: Thermal cleaning of an electrically heated smoking device, and in particular the removal of condensates formed within the smoking device as a result of extended periods of use, is achieved with a cleaning system that utilizes inductive heating that provides efficient and intense localized heating in the cleaning process. The thermal power of the inductive heating process is increased or the power necessary to activate the inductive heating process is decreased by the addition of a magnetic shell by itself or in combination with a magnetic pin.

Abstract: An electrically heated cigarette smoking device includes a heater unit, heater blades for applying heat to portions of a cigarette that is supported within the heater unit, the heater unit having an opening adapted to receive an end of a cigarette and adapted to position the end of the cigarette in proximity to the heater blades, and the heater unit defining at least part of a suction flow passage through which ambient air is drawn into contact with the cigarette when a smoker draws on the cigarette positioned in the heater unit. The heater unit is mounted within a partition that positions the heater unit relative to the housing and at least partially defines a bypass flow passage in fluid communication with ambient air surrounding the housing, the partition further defining a flow diverting passage leading from the bypass flow passage to the suction flow passage and through which ambient air is drawn from the bypass flow passage when a smoker puffs on a cigarette inserted in the heater unit opening.

Abstract: An electrically heated cigarette smoking device includes a heater unit, heater blades for applying heat to portions of a cigarette that is supported within the heater unit, the heater unit having an opening adapted to receive an end of a cigarette and adapted to position the end of the cigarette in proximity to the heater blades, and the heater unit defining at least part of a suction flow passage through which ambient air is drawn into contact with the cigarette when a smoker draws on the cigarette positioned in the heater unit. The heater unit is mounted within a partition that positions the heater unit relative to the housing and at least partially defines a bypass flow passage in fluid communication with ambient air surrounding the housing, the partition further defining a flow diverting passage leading from the bypass flow passage to the suction flow passage and through which ambient air is drawn from the bypass flow passage when a smoker puffs on a cigarette inserted in the heater unit opening.

Abstract: Inductive heating elements are provided with a specific configuration that results in a thermal wave that moves along a smoking device during a cleaning process, and control circuitry that maintains resonant conditions for maximum efficiency and power transfer during the thermal cleaning of the smoking device. A secondary can is positioned around electrical heater blades that contact the cigarette, and is configured to by preferentially heated by the induction of current within the can for the removal of condensates formed within the smoking device through extended periods of use.

Abstract: Thermal cleaning of an electrically heated smoking device, and in particular the removal of condensates formed within the smoking device as a result of extended periods of use, is achieved with a cleaning system that utilizes inductive heating that provides efficient and intense localized heating in the cleaning process. The thermal power of the inductive heating process is increased or the power necessary to activate the inductive heating process is decreased by the addition of a magnetic shell by itself or in combination with a magnetic pin.

Abstract: Inductive heating elements are provided with a specific configuration that results in a thermal wave that moves along a smoking device during a cleaning process, and control circuitry that maintains resonant conditions for maximum efficiency and power transfer during the thermal cleaning of the smoking device. A secondary can is positioned around electrical heater blades that contact the cigarette, and is configured to be preferentially heated by the induction of current within the can for the removal of condensates formed within the smoking device through extended periods of use.

Abstract: An electrically heated cigarette smoking device includes a heater unit, heater blades for applying heat to portions of a cigarette that is supported within the heater unit, the heater unit having an opening adapted to receive an end of a cigarette and adapted to position the end of the cigarette in proximity to the heater blades, and the heater unit defining at least part of a suction flow passage through which ambient air is drawn into contact with the cigarette when a smoker draws on the cigarette positioned in the heater unit. The heater unit is mounted within a partition that positions the heater unit relative to the housing and at least partially defines a bypass flow passage in fluid communication with ambient air surrounding the housing, the partition further defining a flow diverting passage leading from the bypass flow passage to the suction flow passage and through which ambient air is drawn from the bypass flow passage when a smoker puffs on a cigarette inserted in the heater unit opening.

Abstract: An aerosol generator includes an induction heating arrangement to vaporize fluid contained in a fluid passage. The vapor is then expelled from the fluid passage into the air creating a mist that forms the aerosol. The aerosol generator includes an excitation coil that inductively heats a heating element which transfers heat to the fluid in the fluid passage. The fluid passage can be located in a metal tube which can be removably mounted in the aerosol generator.

Abstract: An aerosol generator includes an induction heating arrangement to vaporize fluid contained in a fluid passage. The vapor is then expelled from the fluid passage into the air creating a mist that forms the aerosol. The aerosol generator includes an excitation coil that inductively heats a heating element which transfers heat to the fluid in the fluid passage. The fluid passage can be located in a metal tube which can be removably mounted in the aerosol generator.

Abstract: A novel controller in an electrical smoking system and method, wherein the method includes the steps of: establishing a preferred thermal pathway to be executed with each heater activation responsively to a puff on an electrically heated cigarette; configuring a power cycle in accordance with the desired thermal pathway; dividing the power cycle into at least first and second phases each having a respective, predetermined time period and total energy input for each phase; and adjusting a respective duty cycle (or other power-adjusting factor) in each phase of the power cycle responsively to a voltage reading of the power source such that the established, respective total energy input of each phase is achieved during the time period of each power cycle.

Abstract: An induction heating source is provided for use with an electrical smoking article. The induction heating source provides an alternating electromagnetic field which inductively heats a susceptor in thermal proximity with tobacco flavor medium to generate aerosols. A plurality of induction heaters are employed and/or the tobacco flavor medium is translated with respect to the induction heater or susceptor. The tobacco flavor medium can form an intimate structure with the susceptor and can take the form of a cylindrical cigarette or a web.

Abstract: A provided heater comprises a supporting hub and a plurality of electrically resistive heater blades defining a receptacle to receive an inserted cigarette. Each blade comprises a first heater blade leg having a first end and a second end and extending at the first end from the supporting hub, a second heater blade leg having a first end and a second end, and a connecting section connecting the second end of the first leg and the first end of the second leg. The second end of the second leg extends toward the supporting hub and is electrically insulated therefrom. A resistive heating circuit is formed to heat the electrically resistive heater blade which in turn heats the inserted cigarette. The first and second legs are separated by a gap to permit entrainment of flavor substances into the heated cigarette upon drawing by a smoker.

Abstract: An ionization detector dynamic calibration monitor that regulates the high voltage power supply to the detector. In a preferred embodiment, a voltage boost current source provides an input voltage for a power out voltage regulator and for a +14.75 volt board regulator. The board regulator provides a voltage reference for various circuitry, and provides a voltage reference for coarse calibration and display calibration adjustment circuitry. The power voltage regulator provides the high voltage power supply drive signal. An error amplifier drives an integrator, which, in turn, drives a bargraph display. An optically-isolated output circuit drives an external alarm or relay. In an alternative embodiment, the pulse width of a detected circuit is linearized and converted to an analog control signal. The analog control signal drives conventional power supply control circuitry.

Abstract: A scintillation tube dynamic calibration monitor that regulates the high voltage power supply to a detector. In a preferred embodiment, a voltage boost current source provides an input voltage for a power out voltage regulator and for a +14.75 volt board regulator. The board regulator provides a voltage reference for various circuitry, and provides a voltage reference for coarse calibration and display calibration adjustment circuitry. The power voltage regulator provides the high voltage power supply drive signal. An error amplifier drives an integrator, which, in turn, drives a bargraph display. An optically-isolated output circuit drives an external alarm or relay. In an alternative embodiment, the pulse width of a detected circuit is linearized and converted to an analog control signal. The analog control signal drives conventional power supply control circuitry.