INDUCTION HEATING SYSTEM

Abstract

Implementations of an induction heating system are provided. In some implementations, the induction heating system may be configured for use with a smoking pipe, water pipe, and/or vaporizer. In some implementations, the induction heating system may be used to vaporize the active chemical (e.g., nicotine) in a smokeable product (e.g., tobacco) without combustion. In this way, the aerosolized active chemical may then be inhaled by a user. In some implementations, an induction heating system comprises a bowl composed of a magnetically permeable material, a first current bearing wire (i.e., a field coil), a second current bearing wire (i.e., a field coil), a power source, and a first switch. In some implementations, the current bearing wires are wrapped about the cylindrical side wall of the bowl. In this way, the bowl is heated by eddy currents and/or magnetic hysteresis when current is passed through the current bearing wires.

Claims

1. An induction heating system comprising: a bowl, the bowl comprising a bottom, a cylindrical side wall extending upwardly from the bottom defining a chamber, and an upper rim; a first current bearing wire and a second current bearing wire, wherein at least a portion of both the first current bearing wire and the second current bearing wire are wrapped about the side wall of the bowl; and a power source conductively connected to either the first current bearing wire or the second current bearing wire by a first switch; wherein the first switch is configured to alternate the flow of current from the power source between the first current bearing wire and the second current bearing wire.

2. The induction heating system of claim 1, wherein the first current bearing wire and the second current bearing wire are wrapped in an interleaved configuration about the side wall of the bowl.

3. The induction heating system of claim 2, wherein the bowl further comprises a hole through the bottom.

4. The induction heating system of claim 2, wherein the bowl is composed of a magnetically permeable material.

5. The induction heating system of claim 4, wherein the bowl includes a titanium nitride coating thereon.

6. The induction heating system of claim 2, wherein a layer of insulating material is placed between the bowl and the portions of the first current bearing wire and the second current bearing wire wrapped about the side wall of the bowl.

7. The induction heating system of claim 2, wherein the first switch is a field-effect transistor.

8. The induction heating system of claim 1, wherein the first current bearing wire and the second current bearing wire are wrapped in an adjacent configuration about the side wall of the bowl.

9. The induction heating system of claim 8, wherein the bowl further comprises a hole through the bottom.

10. The induction heating system of claim 8, wherein the bowl is composed of a magnetically permeable material.

11. The induction heating system of claim 10, wherein the bowl includes a titanium nitride coating thereon.

12. The induction heating system of claim 8, wherein a layer of insulating material is placed between the bowl and the portions of the first current bearing wire and the second current bearing wire wrapped about the side wall of the bowl.

13. The induction heating system of claim 8, wherein the first switch is a field-effect transistor.

14. An induction heating system comprising: a bowl, the bowl comprising a bottom, a cylindrical side wall extending upwardly from the bottom defining a chamber, and an upper rim; a first current bearing wire, wherein at least a portion of the first current bearing wire is wrapped about the side wall of the bowl; and a power source conductively connected to the first current bearing wire by a first switch and a second switch; wherein the first switch and the second switch are configured to alternate the direction of the flow of current from the power source through the first current bearing wire.

15. The induction heating system of claim 14, wherein the bowl further comprises a hole through the bottom.

16. The induction heating system of claim 14, wherein the bowl is composed of a magnetically permeable material.

17. The induction heating system of claim 16, wherein the bowl includes a titanium nitride coating thereon.

18. The induction heating system of claim 14, wherein a layer of insulating material is placed between the bowl and the portion of the first current bearing wire wrapped about the side wall of the bowl.

19. The induction heating system of claim 14, wherein the first switch is a field-effect transistor and the second switch is a field-effect transistor.

20. An induction heating system comprising: a bowl, the bowl comprising a bottom, a cylindrical side wall extending upwardly from the bottom defining a chamber, and an upper rim; a first current bearing wire and a second current bearing wire, wherein at least a portion of both the first current bearing wire and the second current bearing wire are wrapped about the side wall of the bowl; and a power source conductively connected to the first current bearing wire and the second current bearing wire by a first switch and a second switch, respectively; wherein the first switch and the second switch are configured to independently control the flow of current from the power source through the first current bearing wire and the second current bearing wire.

21. The induction heating system of claim 20, wherein the first current bearing wire and the second current bearing wire are wrapped in an interleaved configuration about the side wall of the bowl.

22. The induction heating system of claim 21, wherein the bowl further comprises a hole through the bottom.

23. The induction heating system of claim 21, wherein the bowl is composed of a magnetically permeable material.

24. The induction heating system of claim 23, wherein the bowl includes a titanium nitride coating thereon.

25. The induction heating system of claim 21, wherein a layer of insulating material is placed between the bowl and the portions of the first current bearing wire and the second current bearing wire wrapped about the side wall of the bowl.

26. The induction heating system of claim 21, wherein the first switch is a field-effect transistor and the second switch is a field-effect transistor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example induction heating system according to the principles of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 1C illustrates an implementation of the induction heating system shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B that includes an on/off switch.

[0016] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate another example induction heating system according to the principles of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate yet another example induction heating system according to the principles of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates an example bowl constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates another example bowl constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0020] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an example implementation of an induction heating system that has been configured for use with a vaporizer.

[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates still yet another example induction heating system according to the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example induction heating system 100 according to the principles of the present disclosure. In some implementations, the induction heating system 100 may be configured for use with a smoking pipe, water pipe, and/or vaporizer (see, e.g., FIG. 6A). In some implementations, the induction heating system 100 may be used to vaporize (i.e., atomize) the active chemical (e.g., nicotine) in a smokeable product (e.g., tobacco or medicinal herbs) without combustion. In this way, the aerosolized active chemical may then be inhaled by a user.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in some implementations, an induction heating system 100 comprises a bowl 110, a first current bearing wire 120 (i.e., a field coil), a second current bearing wire 130 (i.e., a field coil), a power source 140 (e.g., one or more batteries), and a first switch 142.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, in some implementations, the bowl 110 may comprise a bottom 112, a cylindrical side wall 114 extending upwardly therefrom defining a bowl interior 116 (or chamber), and an upper rim 118. In some implementations, the chamber 116 of the bowl 110 may be configured to be packed with a smokeable product(s) (e.g., tobacco, medicinal herbs, etc.). In some implementations, the bowl 110 may further comprise a hole 120 (also known as a draft hole) in the bottom 112 (see, e.g., FIG. 4). In this way, the bowl 110 may be configured for use with a vaporizer, a traditional water pipe, and/or smoking pipe. In some implementations, the bowl 110 may be configured so that air A flows through the opening defined by the upper rim 118, into the interior 116 of the bowl 110, and out of the interior 116 through the hole 120 in the bottom 112 (see, e.g., FIG. 4). In this way, suction may be used to draw the vaporized active chemical(s) (e.g., nicotine) of a smokeable product into the lungs of a user. In some implementations, the bowl 110 may be any shape suitable for use as part of an induction heating system 100.

[0025] In some implementations, the bowl 110 may be configured to be secured to the smoke inlet tube of a vaporizer, water pipe and/or the shank of a smoking pipe. In some implementations, the bowl 110, 510 may be configured to be secured within an interior portion of a pipe and/or vaporizer (not shown).

[0026] In some implementations, the bowl 110 may be composed of steel. In some implementations, the bowl 110 may be composed of ferrite. In some implementations, the bowl 110 may be composed of any magnetically permeable material.

[0027] In some implementations, the bowl 110 may have a coating (e.g., titanium nitride) thereon to minimize or prevent oxidation (e.g., rust). In some implementations, the coating used to minimize or prevent oxidation of the bowl 110 may be any material, or combination of materials, that is resistant to high temperatures and/or is non-toxic to humans if inhaled.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, in some implementations, the hole 120 may be smaller in diameter than the bottom 112 of the bowl 110. In some implementations, the hole 120 may be circular (see, e.g., FIG. 4). In some implementations, the hole 120 may be any suitable shape.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1A, in some implementations, a portion of the first current bearing wire 120 and the second current bearing wire 130 (collectively current bearing wires 120, 130) are wrapped about the bowl 110, forming a coil thereabout. In some implementations, the current bearing wires 120, 130 are wrapped about the side wall 114 of the bowl, between the bottom 112 and upper rim 118 thereof (see, e.g., FIG. 1A). In this way, the bowl 110 is heated by eddy currents and/ or magnetic hysteresis when current is passed through the current bearing wires 120, 130. In some implementations, the current bearing wires 120, 130 are wrapped in an interleaved configuration about the cylindrical side wall 114 of the bowl 110 (see, e.g., FIG. 1A).

[0030] In some implementations, a layer of insulating material (e.g., ceramic insulation tape) may be placed between the bowl 110 and the portions of the current bearing wires 120, 130 wrapped thereabout. In this way, heat generated through induction may be better retained by the bowl 110. In some implementations, there may be no insulating material placed between the bowl 110 and the portions of the current bearing wires 120, 130 wrapped thereabout.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1B, in some implementations, the power source 140 may be conductively connected to either the first current bearing wire 125 or the second current bearing wire 130 through the use of the first switch 142 (e.g., a field-effect transistor). In this way, the flow of current from the power source 140 is alternated between the first current bearing wire 125 and the second current bearing wire 130. Alternating the flow of current between the current bearing wires 125, 130 changes the magnetic field.

[0032] In some implementations, the switch 142 may be configured to include a third pole and thereby configured to create a delay between the first current bearing wire 125 and the second current bearing wire 130 being energized (see, e.g., FIG. 6B). In this way, there may be a period of time in which no heat is being generated by either current bearing wire 120, 130.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1C, in some implementations, the induction heating system (e.g., FIG. 1B, element 100) may be configured to incorporate an on/off switch 160 (e.g., a tactile dome switch).

[0034] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate another example induction heating system 200. The induction heating system 200 is similar to the induction heating system 100 discussed above except the current bearing wires 220, 230 are wrapped in an adjacent configuration about the cylindrical side wall 214 of the bowl 210. In some implementations, when the current bearing wires 220, 230 are in the adjacent configuration, the first current bearing wire 220 is positioned above the second current bearing wire 230 relative to the bottom 212 of the bowl 210 (see, e.g., FIG. 2A). In some implementations, when the current bearing wires 220, 230 are in the adjacent configuration, the second current bearing wire 230 is positioned above the first current bearing wire 220 relative to the bottom 212 of the bowl 210 (not shown).

[0035] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate yet another example induction heating system 300. The induction heating system 300 is similar to the induction heating systems 100, 200 discussed above but instead comprises a bowl 310 having a single current bearing wire 325 (i.e., a field coil) wrapped thereabout, a power source 340, a first switch 342 (e.g., a field-effect transistor), and a second switch 344 (e.g., a field-effect transistor).

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3B, in some implementations, the power source 340 may be conductively connected to the current bearing wire 335 through both the first switch 342 and the second switch 344. In some implementations, through the use of the first switch 342 and the second switch 344, the direction of the flow of current through the current bearing wire 325 is alternated. In this way, the rapidly alternating magnetic field generated thereby heats the bowl 310.

[0037] FIG. 7 illustrates still yet another example induction heating system 700. The induction heating system 700 is similar to the induction heating systems 100, 200, 300 discussed above but instead comprises a bowl 710 having a first current bearing wire 720 and a second current bearing wire 730 wrapped thereabout in an interleaved configuration, a power source 740, a first switch 742 (e.g., a field-effect transistor), and a second switch 744 (e.g., a field-effect transistor). In some implementations, the first switch 742 and the second switch 744 may be configured to independently control the flow of current from the power source 740 to the first current bearing wire 720 and the second current bearing wire 730.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 7, in some implementations, the power source 740 may be conductively connected to the first current bearing wire 720 and the second current bearing wire 730 through the first switch 742 and the second switch 744, respectively. In some implementations, through the use of the first switch 742 and the second switch 744, the first current bearing wire 720 and/or the second current bearing wire 730 may be used to heat the bowl 710.

[0039] In some implementations, through the use of the first switch 742 and the second switch 744, the induction heating system 700 may be configured so that the first current bearing wire 720 and the second current bearing wire 730 may be energized for the same or different lengths of time that may or may not overlap. In this way, a greater degree of control may be had over the heating of the bowl 710.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 7, in some implementations, the first switch 742 and the second switch 744 may be configured to conductively connect the first current bearing wire 720 and the second current bearing wire 730, respectively, to the power source 740 at the same time. In this way, the bowl 710 may be heated by eddy currents and/or magnetic hysteresis when current is passed through both current bearing wires 720, 730.

[0041] In some implementations, the first switch 742 and the second switch 744 may be configured to conductively connect the first current bearing wire 720 and the second current bearing wire 730, respectively, to the power source 740 at different times (i.e., only a single current bearing wire (720 or 730) may have current passing therethrough at any given time). In this way, the bowl 710 may be heated by eddy currents and/or magnetic hysteresis while current is passed through either the first current bearing wire 720 or the second current bearing wire 730.

[0042] In some implementations, the first switch 742 and the second switch 744 may be configured to conductively connect the first current bearing wire 720 and the second current bearing wire 730, respectively, to the power source 740 during overlapping intervals of time. In this way, the bowl 710 may be heated by eddy currents and/or magnetic hysteresis when current is passed through one or both current bearing wires 720, 730.

[0043] In some implementations, the first switch 742 and the second switch 744 may be configured to not conductively connect the first current bearing wire 720 and the second current bearing wire 730, respectively, to the power source 740 during overlapping intervals of time.

[0044] Although not shown in the drawings, it will be understood that suitable wiring connects the electronic components of the induction heating systems 100, 200, 300, 700 disclosed herein. It would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, that in some implementations, the induction heating system 100, 200, 300, 700 may be incorporated into a larger electrical circuit for use as part of a vaporizer, smoking pipe, and/or water pipe (see, e.g., FIGS. 6A and 6B).

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6A, in some implementation an induction heating system (e.g., induction heating system 100) may be configured for use as part of a vaporizer 600 comprising a bore 610, a control switch (e.g., element 160), and an electronic control board 670.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in some implementations, the bore 610 may extend from the bottom 112 of the bowl 110 to an opening 605 in the exterior of the vaporizer 600. In this way, a user may draw the aerosolized chemical(s) generated by heating the smokeable product(s) resting in the chamber 116 of the bowl 110 through the bore 610 and into their mouth and/or lungs.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in some implementations, the electronic control board 670 may be used in conjunction with the control switch (e.g., element 160) to control the operation of the first switch (e.g., 142, 242, 342, 742) and/or the second switch (e.g., 344, 744) of an induction heating system (e.g., 100, 200, 300, 700). In this way, the heat generated by the first field coil (e.g., 120, 220, 325, 720) and/or the second field coil (e.g., 130, 230, 730) may be regulated and/or the induction heating system may be turned on and/or off. In some implementations, the electronic control board 670 may be configured to position the first switch (e.g., 142, 242, 342, 742) and/or the second switch (e.g., 344, 744) into a third state in which neither the first current bearing wire (e.g., 120, 220, 325, 720) and/or the second current bearing wire (e.g., 130, 230, 720) (as appropriate) are being conductively completed thereby (see, e.g., FIG. 6B). In this way, the magnetic field(s) and thereby the amount of heat generated by the first field coil (e.g., 120, 220, 325, 720) and/or the second field coil (e.g., 130, 230, 730) may be regulated (e.g., increased, decreased, or stopped). One of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure would know how to program/configure the electronic control board 670 to work as part of an induction heating system 100, 200, 300, 700.

[0048] FIG. 5 illustrates another example implementation of the bowl 510 in accordance with the present disclosure. The bowl 510 is similar to the bowl 110 disclosed above except that there is no hole 120 through the bottom 512 (see, e.g., FIG. 5). In some implementations the bowl 510 may be configured so that air B flows into, and out of, the bowl interior 516 through the opening defined by the upper rim 518 thereof (see, e.g., FIG. 5).

[0049] In some implementations, the bowl 510 may be used in place of the bowl 110.

[0050] In some implementations, a top or lid may be used to cover the chamber 116, 516 of the bowl 110, 510. In this way, heat generated within the chamber 116, 516 may be trapped therein. In some implementations, a top or lid may not be used to cover the chamber 116, 516. In some implementations, the top or lid may be configured to secure about the upper rim 118, 518 of the bowl 110, 510.

[0051] In some implementations, the bowl may be a hollow cylinder without a top or a bottom that is configured to receive and retain a cartridge containing a liquid, or a secondary bowl, therein. In some implementations, the secondary bowl may be composed of a magnetically permeable material (e.g., steel, ferrite, etc.). In some implementations, the secondary bowl may be composed of ceramic. In some implementations, when the secondary bowl is resting within a hollow cylinder bowl, the secondary bowl may be heated by thermal conduction and/or through induction heating if the secondary bowl is composed of a magnetically permeable material.

[0052] Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in some implementations” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0053] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

[0054] The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.

[0055] While operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.