E-Fluid Constant Pressure Atomizer
An E-fluid atomizer used with the handpiece for an e-cigarette that includes at least one sliding plunger disc made of magnetically attractive material located inside a cartridge that includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. Disposed between the inner and outer cylinders is a gap filled with an elongated cylindrical coil assembly configured to create a magnetic force on the plunger disc when energized thereby forcing the disc downward in the inner cylinder filled with E-fluid. Located below the cylinders is an inner sleeve and insulator. Formed in the insulator is a combustion chamber containing a heating element. E-fluid flows into the combustion chamber and undergoes combustion with the heating element. Located below the inner sleeve and insulator is an end cap that includes a neck that attaches to a threaded port on the handpiece. Located inside the neck is an electrical element that connects to wires that connect to the coil assembly, the heating element and a battery mounted inside the handpiece.
This non-provisional patent application is based on and claims the filing date benefits of U.S. Provisional patent application (62/724,546) filed on Aug. 29, 2018 and U.S. provisional patent application (62/713,853) filed on Aug. 2, 2018.
Notice is given this patent document contains original material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile or digital download reproduction of all or part of the patent document, but otherwise reserves all copyrights.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to atomizers used with the handset used with e-cigarettes that control the amount of E-fluid delivered to a heating element inside the handset and thereby control the amount of vapor produced by the e-cigarette.
2. Description of the Related ArtAn electronic cigarette, hereinafter called an e-cigarette, is a replacement smoking device to smoking tobacco from a cigarette, cigar or pipe. An e-cigarette includes a hand-piece with a built-in rechargeable battery and an external switch. The upper end of the handpiece attaches to a replaceable atomizer or cartridge filled with a combustible liquid called an E-fluid. An atomizer includes a e-fluid storage cavity and a lower combustion chamber containing a battery powered heating element. Some cartridges include only an E-fluid storage cavity and no combustion chamber and heating element. Such cartridges must be used with handpieces that include a heating element. Mounted on the upper end of the atomizer and cartridge is a mouthpiece that delivers vapor to the user.
The atomizer's heating element and the handpiece's heating element are electrically connected to a battery located inside the handpiece. Mounted on the handpiece is a manual switch that selectively activates the heating element and vaporizes E-fluid deposited in the combustion chamber. The vapor is then mixed with outside air and delivered to the mouthpiece and inhaled.
The storage cavity inside the atomizer and cartridge are filled with an E-fluid made up of a mixture of propylene glycol, glycerin, nicotine and flavorings. The concentration of these ingredients varies between E-fluid products causing the viscosities of the E-fluid products to vary. In most atomizers and cartridges, the flow of E-fluid into the combustion chamber is gravity controlled. Because the viscosity of an E-fluid affects its flow into the combustion chamber, the amount of E-fluid vaporized and the amount of vapor produced varies from one E-fluid product to the next. Also, as the volume of E-fluid in the atomizer decreases, the gravitational forces exerted on the E-fluid decreases causing interruptions in the flow of E-fluid into the combustion chamber and reduced vapor.
What is needed is an improved E-fluid atomizer for an e-cigarette that forces the E-fluid into the combustion chamber at a constant rate as the volume of E-fluid in the storage cavity is reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn improved atomizer for an E-cigarette that produces a constant amount of vapor produced by combusting a constant amount of E-fluid delivered to the combustion chamber regardless of the type of E-fluid used or the remaining volume of E-fluid in the atomizer.
Described therein is an atomizer that used one to two magnets that produce a constant downward force on the top surface of the E-fluid stored in the atomizer or cartridge's storage cavity. In one embodiment, the atomizer includes an inner cylinder containing a storage cavity filled with E-fluid. Located inside the storage cavity is a transversely aligned plunger disc made of magnetic material or ferrous attractive material. The plunger disc is configured to slide longitudinally inside an inner cylinder and apply a downward force to the top surface of the E-fluid.
Disposed around the inner cylinder is a cylindrical coil assembly configured to produce a uniform, continuous magnetic field parallel to the inner cylinder's longitudinal axis. When an electric current is applied to the coil assembly, the plunger disc is pulled downward inside the inner cylinder and applying a force against the top surface of the E-fluid at a constant rate.
The coil assembly is attached to a battery in the handpiece. The size of the coil assembly and the number of windings will produce enough force on the plunger disc to apply uniform pressure on the top surface of the E-fluid as it moves downward in the coil assembly regardless of the volume of the E-fluid inside the inner cylinder.
In one embodiment the inner cylinder may be surrounded by an outer cylinder. A gap is formed between an outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. Disposed inside the gap is a coil assembly.
Covering the lower opening of the inner cylinder is a cylindrical inner sleeve. Formed inside the inner sleeve is a combustion chamber. A plurality of fluid inlet vents are formed on the upper end of the inner sleeve that allow E-fluid to flow from the inner cylinder into the combustion chamber.
Located inside the inner sleeve's inner cavity and adjacent to the sleeve's upper end is an optional porous filament disc. Located inside the inner cavity and below the filament disc is a heating element. During operation, the filament disc acts as a wick that draws E-fluid from the inner cylinder into the inner cavity and contact the heating element to vaporize the E-fluid. Formed on the sidewalls of the inner sleeve are vapor ports that enable vaporized E-fluid to escape the inner cavity.
Extending into the sleeve's inner cavity is a cylindrical insulator made of non-conductive material, such as silicone or a thermo-polymer. The insulator includes a top opening and cylindrical sidewalls that partially fit inside the sidewalls on the sleeve. Formed inside the insulator is a second inner cavity. Extending downward from the insulator's end wall is a lower neck with a barbed lip. Coaxially aligned inside the neck and communicating with the second inner cavity is center bore. Formed on the end wall of the inner sleeve are two wire openings.
Attached to the outer cylinder and encasing the insulator and the inner is a coaxially aligned end cap. The end cap that a large cylindrical body and an axially aligned lower threaded neck. The threaded neck includes a center bore that receives an electrical element. After assembly, the electrical element extends downward from the end cap and connects to compatible electrical contacts on the handpiece. Wires extend from the electrical element inside the end cap to the heating element located inside the inner sleeve and to the coil assembly between the inner and outer cylinders.
The end cap also includes air conduits that allows outside air to flow into the end cap and mixture with vapor formed inside the combustion chamber. The end cap also includes air/mixture conduits that allow the air/vapor mixture to flow into the gap formed between the inner and outer cylinders.
The atomizer also includes a mouthpiece with a main inhalation bore and lateral conduits that communicate with the gap formed between the inner and outer cylinders.
During use, a switch on the handpiece is activated which energizes the heating element and the coil assembly. The coil assembly draws the plunger disc downward inside the inner cylinder towards the lower sleeve. Constant force is exerted on the top surface of the E-fluid forcing it through the inlet ports on the sleeve and into the combustion chamber. Outside air then travels through the end cap and mixes with the vaporized E-fluid and then flows into the gap formed between the inner and outer cylinders and eventually into the mouthpiece.
Also disclosed is second embodiment of the atomizer configured to be used with a cartridge filled with E-fluid. In the second embodiment, the atomizer includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder with a cylindrical coil assembly between them. The atomizer includes a modified end cap that attaches to the lower ends of the two cylinders. Formed on the inside surface of the end cap is a center bore with internal threads configured to attach to the external threads formed on the neck of the cartridge. The electrical element on the end cap extends upward and contacts the heating element located inside the end cap. During use, outside air travels through the end cap and mixes with the vaporized E-fluid and then flows into the gap formed between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder and eventually into the mouthpiece.
The space located inside the inner cylinder is empty and configured to receive the cylindrical body used on a cartridge. The second embodiment of the atomizer may be distributed as a kit with a plug configured to fit transversely and slide downward inside the storage cavity filled with E-fluid in a cartridge. The plug is made of magnetic or ferrous containing material is placed over the top surface on the E-fluid. Because some cartridges may include an axially aligned inhalation tube, the plug may include a center bore configured to fit around the inhalation tube allowing the plug to slide downward inside the cartridge. The threaded lower neck on the atomizer is then attached to the threaded center bore formed on the handpiece. The electrical element on the atomizer extends upward and contacts the electrical element on the end cap on the atomizer to energize the heating element.
When the switch on the handpiece is activated, the coil assembly on the adapter and the heating element are energized. The plug is forced downward inside the storage cavity formed in the cartridge and forces the E-fluid into the heating element vaporized and then flows into the inhalation tube to the mouthpiece.
Shown in the
As shown more clearly in
Located inside the inner cylinder 40 is a sliding plunger disc 30 configured to extend across the storage space inside the inner cylinder 40. When the inner cylinder 40 is filled with E-fluid 150, the plunger disc 30 presses against the top surface of the E-fluid 150 and forces it downward inside the storage space. The plunger disc 30 has an outer diameter that acts as a seal that presses against the inside surface 41 of the inner cylinder 40 to prevent the E-fluid 150 from flow upward and around the plunger disc 30.
Located below the outer cylinder 60 is an inner sleeve 70, a heating element 90, and an end cap 110. The inner sleeve 70 shown more clearly in
Mounted inside the inner sleeve 70 is an optional filament disc 80. During use, the inlet holes 74 formed on the top surface 71 of the inner sleeve 70 allows E-fluid 150 to flow from the lower cavity 75 and contact the filament disc 80. During use, the filament disc 80 acts as a wick that draws E-fluid 150 downward and contact a heating element 90 located in the lower insulator 100.
Below the inner sleeve 70, the filament disc 80 and the heating element 90 is a cylindrical-shaped, lower insulator 100 shown in
Disposed inside the insulator 100 is a heating element 90 is configured to sufficiently heat and vaporize E-fluid 150 deposited in the second cavity 104. In the embodiment shown in the Figs, the heating element 90 is a flat spiral-shaped structure that rest on the bottom surface of the insulator 100.
Below and encasing the inner sleeve 70 and the insulator 100 is the cylindrical end cap 110, shown more clearly in
The lower neck 116 on the end cap 110 includes a center bore 118 and external threads 120. During assembly, the top section 132 on an electrical element 130 extends into the center bore 118 and contacts to the heating element 90 located inside the insulator 100. The opposite ends of the electrical element 130 extends downward and extends into the connection port 225 formed on the handpiece 200. The electrical element 130 includes two connectors that connects to compatible electrical contacts (not shown) on the handpiece 200.
When the user activates the manual switch 210 on the handpiece 200, an electric current from the battery 220 is delivered to the coil assembly 50. More specifically, the coil assembly 50 is energized by the battery 220 inside the handpiece 200. To energize the coil assembly 50, a short wire runs from the end cap 110 to the one end of the coil assembly 50. A second short wire extends from the center electrode 130 and connects to the opposite end of the coil assembly 50. When the switch 210 in the handpiece 200 is closed, the electric current flows between the battery 220, the end cap 110, the electrode 130 and to the coil assembly 50.
The windings of the coil assembly 50 produced a magnetic attractive force that draws the plunger disc 30 downward and apply a force to the E-fluid 150. In the embodiment in the
Referring to
During use, the plunger disc 30 must travel substantially the entire length of the inner cylinder 40. The coil assembly 50 and 50′ creates a constant, downward pulling magnetic force on the plunger disc 30 when an electric current is applied thereto. The strength of the coil assembly 50 depends on the strength of the electric current (1.2 to 1.5 volts DC) volts, the diameter of the coil assembly 50 (approximately 0.5 inches) and the number of windings 52 on the coil assembly 50 (approximately 30 to 60). For any atomizer design, the coil assembly 50 is precisely tuned for the size and shape of the inner cylinder 40 and for E-fluids 150 with a known viscosity range.
Also disclosed is second embodiment of the atomizer, called a modified atomizer 400 configured to be used with a replaceable modified cartridge 600 also filled with E-fluid 150. The modified atomizer 400 includes an inner cylinder 440 and an outer cylinder 460 with a cylindrical coil assembly 450 between them. Formed inside the inner cylinder 440 is an inner cavity 445 in which a modified cartridge 600 is inserted.
Attached to the top edges of the two cylinders 440 and 460 is a top ring 470. The center area on the top ring 470 is open thereby allowing a modified cartridge 600 to be inserted therein.
The modified atomizer 400, as shown in
The center bore 514 extends through the modified end cap 510. Formed on the inside surface of the center bore 514 is a circular recessed bore 532. The region below the recessed bore 532 includes internal threads 534 configured to attach to the external threads formed on the neck 120′ used with the modified cartridge 600. Located in the 120′ of the modified cartridge 600 is an electrical element 130′. When the modified cartridge 600 is inserted into the modified atomizer 400, the neck 120 fits into the bore 532 and meshes with threads 534. The electrical element 550 on the modified end cap 510 then extends upward and contacts the electrical element 130′ on the modified atomizer 10′ (see
During use, outside air travels through the end cap 510 and mixes with vaporized E-fluid 150 and then flows into the gap formed between the inner cylinder 440 and the outer cylinder 460 and eventually into the mouthpiece 900.
The modified cartridge 600 includes an outer cylinder 660 filled with E-fluid 150, a longitudinally aligned inhalation tube 700 located inside the outer cylinder 660, a built-in heating element 650 and a mouthpiece 900. In one embodiment, the modified cartridge 600 includes the plunger disc 920 and guide disc 950 configured to fit transversely and slide downward inside the cartridge 600. The plunger disc 920 is made of magnetic or ferrous containing material is placed over the top end of the cartridge 600 filled with E-fluid 150. The plunger disc 920 includes a center bore 920 configured to fit around the inhalation tube 700 allowing the plunger disc 920 to slide downward inside the cartridge 600.
As stated above, the threaded lower neck on the modified cartridge 600 is then attached to the threaded center bore formed on the modified atomizer 400. The electrical element 530 on the modified atomizer 400 extends upward and contacts the electrical element on the atomizer 600 to energize its heating element 650. When the switch 220 on the handpiece 200 is activated, the coil assembly 450 on the modified atomizer 400 and the heating element 650 in the cartridge 600 are energized. The plunger disc 920 forces E-fluid 150 against the heating element 650 and vaporized. The air/vapor mixture then flows upward into the inhalation tube 700 and eventually to the mouthpiece 900.
The modified atomizer 400 is used with the modified cartridge 600 that includes a plunger disc 920, a guide disc 950, an internal heating element 650, a lower neck and an electrical element 130 compatible with the modified atomizer 400. The modified atomizer 400 may also be distributed as a kit with a plunger disc 920 and guide disc 950 with instructions that the end user removes the mouthpiece 900 from the cartridge 600 and insert the plunger disc 920 and guide disc 950 therein.
In the embodiments shown, the plunger disc 30, 920 may be a neodymium magnet approximately 0.0229559 Teslas. It should be understood the plunger disc 30, 920 may also be flat disc made of magnetic attractive metals.
Regarding the coil assembly 50 50′ and 450, the windings have to be done in a certain direction otherwise the electromagnetic force might cancel each other out if manufactured wrong. If the windings were wound in one way, clockwise or anticlockwise, those directions must be consistent. Using a plunger disc 30 not magnetized, the polarity of the coil assembly 50, 50′, 450 does not matter.
In compliance with the statute, the invention described has been described in language specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown comprises the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted under the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
1. An atomizer (10) for an e-cigarette (5) that includes a handpiece (200) with a switch 210, a battery (220), and a cartridge connection port (225), the atomizer (10) comprising:
- a. an outer cylinder (25) with a storage cavity (61) configured to be filled with hold E-fluid (150), an upper end opening and a lower end opening, the outer cylinder (25) includes a longitudinally aligned air/vapor passageway (60, 700);
- b. a transversely aligned plunger disc (30) located inside the storage cavity (61), the plunger disc (30) configured to slide longitudinally inside the storage cavity (61), the plunger disc (30) being made of magnetic or ferrous containing material that is attracted to a magnetic field disposed around the storage cavity (61);
- c. a coil assembly (50) located around the storage cavity (61), the coil assembly (50) configured to produce a magnetic field when electrically energized and force the plunger disc (30) downward inside the storage cavity (61) thereby applying a downward force on E-fluid (150) in the in the storage cavity (61);
- d. a mouthpiece (20) disposed over the upper end opening on the outer cylinder (25);
- e. an end cap (110) inserted into the lower opening on the outer cylinder (25), the end cap (110) includes a hollow upper body and a lower neck configured to connect to a connection port (225) on the handpiece (200);
- f. an insulator (100) located inside the end cap (110);
- g. a heating element (90) located inside the insulator; (100)
- h. an electrical element (130) configured to heat the heating element (90) when the switch (210) is activated; and
- i. electrical connectors that connect the coil assembly (50) to the switch (210).
2. The atomizer (10) as recited in claim 1, further including an inner sleeve containing a filament disc (80).
3. The atomizer (10) as recited in claim 2, wherein the inner sleeve (70) in an inverted U-shape structure with a top surface (71) and pendent sidewalls (76), the top surface (71) includes fluid inlet holes (74) and the sidewalls include outlet ports (77).
4. The atomizer (10) as recited in claim 1, further including an inner cylinder (40) located inside the outer cylinder (25).
5. The atomizer (10) as recited in claim 4, further include a gap (66) formed between the outer cylinder (25) and the inner cylinder (40), located inside the gap is the coil assembly (50).
6. The atomizer (10) as recited in claim 1 wherein the coil assembly (50) is a segmented structure with a plurality of coil segments (54-59) separated by gaps (52).
7. The atomizer (10) as recited in claim 1, wherein the end cap (110) includes air holes formed on the lower neck (116) of the end cap (110).
8. An atomizer (10) used with an e-cigarette (5) that includes a handpiece (200) with an internal battery (220), and a cartridge connection port (225), the atomizer (10) comprising;
- an outer container (25) with storage cavity (61) filled with a vaporizing fluid (150), a mouthpiece (20) attached to the outer cylinder (25), a coil assembly (50) located inside the outer cylinder (25) and surrounding a storage cavity (61), a combustion chamber, a heating element (90) located in the combustion chamber and configured to vaporize fluid (150) delivered to the combustion chamber (104), electrical connectors that connect the heating element (90) and the coil assembly (50) to the connecting port (225) on the handpiece (200), a vapor passageway (66) formed in the outer cylinder (25) that enables vapor produced by the heating element (90) to flow into the mouthpiece (20); and
- a plunger disc (30) located inside the storage cavity (61) configured to move inside in the storage cavity (61) and force the fluid (150) into the combustion chamber when an electrical current is applied to the coil assembly (50) to create a magnetic field.
9. The atomizer (10) as recited in claim 8, wherein said outer container (25) includes a coaxially aligned inner cylinder (40) and an outer cylinder (60).
10. The atomizer (10) as recited in claim 9, wherein a gap (66) is formed between the inner cylinder (40) and the outer cylinder (60).
11. The atomizer (10) as recited in claim 10 wherein the coil assembly (50) is located inside the gap (66) formed between the inner cylinder (40) the outer cylinder (60).
12. The atomizer (10) as recited in claim 8 wherein the coil assembly (50′) is a segmented structure with a plurality of coil segments (54-59) separated by gaps (52).
13. The atomizer (10) as recited in claim 11 wherein the outer cylinder (25) is made of transparent material and the coil assembly (50′) is a segmented structure with a plurality of coil segments (54-59) separated by gaps (52).
14. The atomizer (10) as recited in claim 8 wherein the plunger disc (30) is a magnet.
15. The atomizer (10) as recited in claim 8 wherein the plunger disc (30) is made of magnetically attractive material.
16. A smoking fluid atomizer (10) that attaches to a handpiece (200) that includes a battery (220), a switch and a cartridge connection port (225), said atomizer (10) comprising:
- a. a container (25) with a storage cavity (61);
- b. a mouthpiece (20) attached to the container (25), the mouthpiece (20) includes a tip opening that communicates with the vapor passageway formed in the container (25);
- c. a plunger disc (30) located inside the storage cavity (61) in the container (25), the plunger disc (30) configured to force fluid inside the storage cavity (61) downward towards the lower opening in the container (25) when said plunger disc (30) moves inside the storage cavity (61), the plunger disc (30) being made of magnetic or ferrous containing material that is forced in at least one direction inside the storage cavity (61 when a magnetic field is created around the storage cavity (61);
- d. a coil assembly (50) located near said storage cavity configured to produce a magnetic field around the storage cavity (61) when electrically energized that causes the plunger disc (30) to move inside the storage cavity (61);
- e. an end cap (110) located below the container (25);
- f. a heating element (90) located inside the end cap (110);
- g. a conduit that transports vapor produced by the heating element (90) to the mouthpiece (20); and
- h. a coupler for connecting the atomizer to the cartridge connection port (225) on the handpiece (200).
17. The atomizer as recited in claim 16, wherein the coil assembly (50) is coupled to the switch (210) and the battery (220) in the handpiece (200) that selectively energizes the coil assembly (50).
18. The atomizer as recited in claim 16, wherein the heating element (90) is coupled to the switch (210) and the battery (220) in the handpiece (200) that selectively energizes the heating element (90).
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 2, 2019
Publication Date: Feb 6, 2020
Inventors: Larry D Fenner, Jr. (Bellingham, WA), Nicholas R Greene (Bellingham, WA)
Application Number: 16/530,580