Patent Publication Number: US-8983282-B2

Title: Electric heater for hookah

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 12/431,955, which is a Continuation-in-Part of Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 12/393,286 filed Feb. 26, 2009, and claims the benefit of priority thereto. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to water pipes for smoking combusted materials, of the type known as hookahs, and more particularly to an electric heating source for hookah type smoking pipes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hookah water pipes have long been used in smoking combusted materials such as tobacco. As traditionally practiced, a hookah provides a water receptacle having an inlet conduit and at least one and often several outlet conduits. Smoke enters the water receptacle through the inlet conduit and is distributed to individual smokers through the outlet conduits, which are typically connected to hoses. Smoke is generated in a bowl in which a combustible substance such as tobacco is placed. A heat source is placed over the tobacco. In traditional practice, ignited charcoal is used as the heat source. The bowl is loaded with tobacco then covered in a small piece of perforated aluminum foil or a glass or metal screen. Lit coals are placed on top of the bowl containing tobacco. The hot air, heated by the charcoal ignites the tobacco, thus producing smoke vapor, which is passed down through the inlet conduit into the water receptacle. 
     Heating the tobacco generates smoke, which when one inhales through the outlet conduit, is drawn into the water receptacle through a supply conduit. The supply conduit is arranged to terminate below the level of the water within the water receptacle to assure filtration of raw smoke obtained from the bowl. The act of breathing air from the head space of the water receptacle induces partial vacuum in the head space, which in turn draws in smoke from the bowl through the supply conduit. 
     This arrangement requires that a fuel such as charcoal be provided and suitably ignited. This heat source must be maintained during smoking so that the combustible material is suitably ignited. With the use of lit charcoal, it is possible for products of combustion, such as volatile gasses and ash to be conducted into the water receptacle along with the smoke. 
     It is difficult at best to regulate the output of a combustion based heat source. The heat generated by ignited charcoal is not ideal because the heat generated is not constant or evenly distributed across the tobacco. Additionally the charcoal dissipates relatively quickly, requiring the addition of more charcoal to maintain proper combustion temperatures. Constant handling of ignited charcoal is an inconvenience to user and poses material risks of burn injury. Further, using ignited charcoal is not preferable as it will release unwanted carbon based compound into the smoke vapors, potentially fouling the flavor of the tobacco or releasing toxins that could cause harm the user. Such smoke and other products of combustion may be objectionable within a closed room or building. 
     Uses of electric heating sources have been proposed to overcome some of these limitations. U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,748 to Wheeler and U.S. Patent Appl. No. US2006/0086365 to Liu presents two such examples. Although an improvement over ignited combustible heat sources, there remain issues with electric heat sources for use with hookah type water pipes. 
     Heater construction material, air flow and distance of the heat source from the tobacco will directly impact the burn rate and vapor quality of tobacco when smoked in a hookah type water pipe. If the heat generated is too high or too close to the tobacco, the temperature will be too high and the ignition rate of the tobacco will be too fast, unnecessarily burning more tobacco than is desirable. If the heat generated is too low or the distance of the heat source too removed, the tobacco will not maintain ignition and the tobacco will be extinguished during idle periods. These considerations affect the smoke quality and the experience of the user. 
     The materials used for the construction of the heater are an important consideration. Many metals will react with air when heated, generating metal oxides or other compounds that can be harmful to the user. For example, when using copper as a material for an electric heater, copper (II) oxide can be generated by heating metallic copper in air. Copper (II) oxide is an irritant that can cause damage to the endocrine and central nervous system. Contact to the eyes or skin can cause irritation. Ingesting copper oxide is known to result in a continuous metallic taste, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. Inhalation of fumes of cupric oxide can lead to damage to the lungs, septum and a disease called metal fume fever, which can result in flu like symptoms. Therefore a need exists to build an electric heater from materials that eliminate dissemination of toxins during use. 
     Different materials will also impact heat generation and heat transfer at the interface of the heat source and tobacco, which is critical to prevent unnecessary burning of tobacco both in terms of rate of burn during smoking and burn rate during idle periods of use. Control of heat output with electric heat sources is very difficult. Ideally, it is preferred to maintain the temperature below 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Above this temperature oxidation is common. Some substances have a high thermal conductivity and will readily transfer heat without distorting the form or shape of the heat transfer substance. Other materials have insulating properties that limit heat generation and heat transfer. Copper has a high thermal conductivity, but may have reactions with air that cause toxic vapors to be released. Therefore a need exist for an electric heater for used with hookah type water pipes that uses materials that adequately generate and transfer heat without reacting to release harmful vapors. 
     Air flow is also an important aspect to the proper burn of tobacco in a hookah type water pipe. Know electric heating systems do not control air flow and simply open air pathways that provide for free air flow rather than restricted or directed air as it is drawn into the bowl and flows across the heater. Free air flow tends to provide cooler air that in turn cools the interface between the heat source and tobacco. This requires higher temperature from the heater to maintain tobacco ignition. With higher temperatures and free air flow, tobacco is burned at a significantly faster rate when active and more energy is required to maintain the temperature. Therefore, a need exists for an electric heater with a managed air flow without increasing heat that optimized the burn rate of tobacco. 
     The distance between the heat source and the tobacco also impact the burn rate and quality of tobacco vapors. If a high temperature electric heater is placed at a significant distance from the tobacco it may still ignite the tobacco, but the heater may be at a temperature that may be dangerously hot and not suitable for the environment in which it is being used. Conversely, a lower temperature electric heater may be place directly on the tobacco to produce vapors. However, a low temperature heater would be inconvenient and require constant monitoring and reigniting of the tobacco. Additionally, an improperly distanced heater would inhibit proper air flow effecting the proper burn of the tobacco. Therefore a need exists for an electric heater for a hookah type water pipe that combines proper materials, air flow control and distance between the heat source and the tobacco to properly ignite tobacco. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention replaces combustion of fuel as the heat source in a hookah type water pipe in favor of an electric heat source. The electric heater may take any one of several forms. In one form, the electric heater may be removably placed on, in or near the bowl or otherwise suspended from or supported on the hookah. A second form is to make the electric heater integral with the bowl or other part of the hookah. A third form is to provide the electric heater as a free standing assembly, which is separate from the hookah, although operably disposed to heat a combustible such as tobacco and allow for smoke to be conducted from the heated combustible to the water receptacle of the hookah. 
     The electric supply may be any standard 110 or 220 volt outlet and controlled such that the wattage consumed is variable. Wattage control of the electric power source may be an optional manual dial or microcontroller based system that monitors wattage and maintains it in a preselected range. Optionally, a thermostatic control may be provided to control wattage and heat output. In another option, a manual variable switch may be used to control wattage and heat output. In yet another option, and tilt sensor may be employed to monitor the position of the heater and automatically shut off the power if it is determined to have tipped. 
     The heating element may comprise an exposed resistive element, or may comprise a covered resistive element. 
     Another means for heating control is regulation of air flowing past the heat source to tobacco or the like which is to be smoked. Regardless of the nature of the power supply and its controller, the electric heater may have a damper to control air flow through holes formed in the top or bottom of the heater and holes formed in the side of the heater. Air flow may also be managed by placement of vents or holes in the heater housing that allow for directed air flow and the regulation of the volume of air flow. 
     It is an object of the current invention to eliminate burning a combustible fuel in a hookah as a heat source for roasting a combustible material such as tobacco. 
     Another object of the invention is to utilize electrical power at inherently safe voltages. 
     A further object of the invention is to control the amount of heated air which is produced by an electric heater. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to eliminate the release of toxins created by the oxidation of metals during heating. 
     Still another object of the invention is to regulate air flow through the heater. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved materials and composition elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a hookah using an electrical heat source for generating smoke according to at least one aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a hookah using an electrical heat source according to at least a second aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged detail view of an alternative to the component seen at the top of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged detail view of an alternative to the component seen at the bottom of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a hookah and a separate, free standing electric heater, according to a further aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a heater which may be used with a hookah according to at least one aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative form of a heater such as the heater of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  is a side cross sectional view of another heater which may be used with a hookah according to at least one aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of another heater which may be used with a hookah according to a further aspect of the invention, partially in section. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a simplified hookah type water pipe  100  having an electrical heat source for igniting combustible substances such as tobacco or other smoking material to generate smoke. The hookah type water pipe  100  may comprise a conventional hookah  10  which comprises a liquid chamber  12 , a smoking chamber  14  for receiving a combustible substance such as tobacco  16  and for generating smoke (not shown) by subjecting the tobacco  16  to heat. As employed herein, the term “chamber” will be understood to encompass both an enclosed or unenclosed space for performing a specified function and also surrounding structure such as walls, floor, etc., as may be necessary to define and maintain structural integrity of the space. 
     In conventional hookahs, heat is generated by placing charcoal (not shown) above or within the smoking chamber  14 . The charcoal may be contained in a partially open cage (not shown) which is placed on the tobacco  16  or otherwise in heat exchange relation thereto. The charcoal is ignited. Heat from the burning charcoal is exposed and transferred to the tobacco  16 . The tobacco  16  is partially combusted, thereby generating smoke. 
     As employed herein, the term “heat exchange relation” will be understood to define any location in which an electric heater may expose a combustible substance to enough heat that the combustible substance partially combusts, thereby generating smoke (for example, in direct contact with, separated by a barrier, above, or below the combustible substance) 
     Smoke is drawn through a smoke supply conduit  18  disposed to conduct gasses and smoke from the smoking chamber  14  to the liquid chamber  12 . Smoke is discharged into the liquid chamber by partial vacuum induced when a person (not shown) using the hookah  10  inhales through a smoking conduit  20  disposed to conduct cooled gasses and smoke from the smoking chamber  12  to the person smoking using the hookah  10 . A hookah such as the hookah  10  may have more than one smoking conduit  20 , including for example the smoking conduit  22 . This enables the hookah  10  to be used for smoking simultaneously by more than one person. The smoking conduits  20 ,  22  may comprise flexible hoses. 
     It will be seen in  FIG. 1  that the liquid chamber  12  is partially filled with water W. The water W is sufficient in volume to cover the lower open end  24  of the smoke supply conduit  18 . When a person inhales through a smoking conduit  20  or  22 , a partial vacuum is induced in the headspace H of the liquid chamber  12 . Smoke and gasses such as air drawn from the smoking chamber  14  pass through the water W and are cooled thereby prior to passing to the headspace H. Inhalation through the smoking conduit continues until the person inhales cooled smoke from the headspace H. Vacuum levels within the liquid chamber  12  may be moderated by an air valve  26  which incorporates a check valve (not separately shown) adapted to allow air to pass from the exterior of the hookah  10  to the headspace H. The unidirectional nature of the check valve prevents smoke and gasses from exiting the liquid chamber  12  through the air valve  26 . 
     The smoking conduits  20 ,  22 , the conduit  28  serving the air valve  26 , and the smoke supply conduit  18  pass through a gasket  30  which is arranged to close the top of the liquid chamber  12  and to pass the smoke supply conduit  17 , the conduit  28 , and each one of the smoking conduits  20 ,  22  from the liquid chamber  12  to the exterior thereof while sealing the smoking chamber  12  against loss of smoke residing therein. 
     In a traditional hookah such as the hookah  10 , a plate  32  projects or radiates outwardly from the smoke supply conduit  18  between the smoking chamber  14  and the gasket  30 . Also in a traditional hookah such as the hookah  10 , the tobacco  16  is contained in a bowl  34 , which bowl  34  may serve as the lower portion of the smoking chamber  14 . The upper portion of the smoking chamber  14  may have a covering member (not shown), may comprise the previously mentioned cage for containing burning charcoal, or may be open to the atmosphere. 
     It should be noted at this point that orientational terms such as upper and lower refer to the orientations depicted in the referenced drawing figures. In turn, the drawing figures depict their subject matter in orientations of normal use, such as supported on a horizontal tabletop or desktop. Therefore, orientational terms must be understood to provide semantic basis for purposes of description, and do not limit the invention or its component parts in any particular way. 
     To further characterize conventional configuration of traditional combustion based hookahs, when the hookah type water pipe  100  is in an operable position resting on a generally horizontal supporting environmental surface, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the liquid chamber  12  is the lowermost component and the smoking chamber  14  is located above the liquid chamber  12  in vertical registry therewith. Also, the liquid chamber,  12 , the gasket  30 , the smoke supply conduit  18 , and the smoking chamber  14  are generally coaxial and disposed in vertical registry with one another. 
     An electric heater  36  may be disposed in heat exchange relation to the smoking chamber  14 . The electric heater  36  may comprise an electric supply circuit (not shown in its entirety, but seen in the view of  FIG. 1  to include an electrical supply conductor  38  and an electrical resistive heating element  40  which is connected to the supply conductor  38 ). As employed herein, the terms “circuit” and “circuitry” will be understood by one skilled in the art to encompass all conductors, components, and connections necessary to accomplish the described functions regardless of whether all such conductors, components, and connections are explicitly shown or described. Similarly, conductors shown or described in the singular will be understood to comprise more than one conductor where necessary to make function operational. 
     The electric supply circuit may be disposed to obtain electrical power at a first voltage and to supply electrical power to the resistive heating element  40  at a second reduced voltage, as will be further explained hereinafter. 
     The electric heater  36  may comprise a support element which holds the heating element  40  at a predetermined constant orientation relative to the smoking chamber  14  when the user is smoking, and a mounting element disposed to mount the support element and the heating element  40  to the smoking chamber  14 . The mounting element may enable manual removal of the support element and the heating element  40  from the smoking chamber. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the support element may be that part of the housing  42  which grips the heating element  40 . The mounting element may be that part of the housing  42  comprising a depending skirt  44  which, when the electric heater  36  is lowered into engagement with the bowl  34 , is retained by gravity or by friction or by both. 
       FIG. 2  shows a hookah type water pipe  200  wherein structure corresponding to the electric heater  36  is integral with the smoking chamber  214 . The smoking chamber  214  may be the structural and functional equivalent of the smoking chamber  14  of  FIG. 1 . The same holds true for smoking conduits  220 ,  222 , an air valve  226 , and a gasket  230 . 
     The smoking chamber  214  provides a place to hold a combustible substance such as tobacco  16 . A drawer or slot (not show) may be integral with the smoking chamber  214  to allow access to the interior for easy placement of the tobacco  16 . An electric heating element  240  is held to the upper wall of the smoking chamber  214  such that heat radiated therefrom ignites the tobacco  16 . The side wall of the smoking chamber  214  preferably has openings  246  for passage of air into the smoking chamber  214 . Air flow is preferably greater from the top through openings above the heating element  240  and more restricted than air flow from opening on the side wall  246 . 
     The hookah type water pipe  200  may comprise a base comprising an electrical chamber  248  for containing a voltage adjuster such as a step down transformer  250  and a plug and cord assembly  252  which is connected to the transformer  250  and which projects from the electrical chamber  248  so as to reach a standard 120 volt or for European countries 240 volt electrical receptacle (not shown) of a building (not shown). The circuitry which connects the plug and cord assembly  252  to the electric heating element  240 , not shown in its entirety, thereby supplies electrical power to the electrical heating element  240  at reduced power from the 120 volt source. The circuitry may include a switch  254  and a tilt sensor (not shown). The tilt sensor will monitor the position of the hookah and automatically switch off the power circuit it the orientation of the hookah is not normal from the table which the hookah rests. 
     Voltage reduced from that of conventional 120 volts may be derived not only by use of the transformer  250 . For example, a hookah such as the hookah  200  may comprise instead a conventional battery charger (not shown) which in addition to rectifying household AC power to DC power, also reduces the voltage. Reduced voltage may be obtained by incorporating a voltage divider (not shown) into the circuitry, by introducing resistors (not shown) into the circuitry, or in any other suitable well know way. 
     Referring momentarily to  FIG. 3 , the voltage adjuster contained within the electrical chamber  248  may comprise a conventional dimming switch  350  which is adjusted by a dial operator  354 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an arrangement wherein a heating element may comprise one or more incandescent lamps  440 A,  440 B. Incandescent lamps  440 A,  440 B may be fabricated from materials which withstand fairly high temperatures, so that despite their usual usage as light sources, the incandescent lamps  440 A,  440 B may be employed as heat sources. The housing  442  of the heater  436  may be ceramic, glass or metal and may house those portions of electrical supply circuitry which is omitted from view in  FIG. 4 . The heater  436  may in other ways be the structural and functional equivalent of the heater  36  of  FIG. 1 , and is preferably constructed from a high grade ceramic. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a hookah type water pipe arrangement includes a hookah  500  which may be for example similar to the hookah  10 . The hookah  500  may be a free standing assembly which is served by an free standing electric heater  536  comprising a base  502 , a rigid generally vertical post  504  disposed to project upwardly from the base  502  essentially a height of the hookah  500  when the base  502  is placed on a generally horizontal supporting environmental surface (not shown), and an electrical conductor  506  which projects from the vertical post  504  and extends to a heater head  538 . The electrical conductor  506  may be flexible. The heater head  538  comprises a housing  542  which encloses a heating element  540  and extends above the heating element  540  where a volume  544  of space exists and air may collect. 
     The heater head  538  must be composed of a material that does not release toxins when heated. Most silica based glass and most ceramics can be used to manufacture the heater head  538 . Metals may be used because they are malleable and easier to form into the header head components. Further, metals are highly conductive and allow for very good heat transfer properties. However, metal, as discussed above, can react with air at high temperatures generated by the heating element  540 . Preferably, the heater head  538  is constructed of electro polished stainless steel 316L, but can be any metal core plated with nickel or gold. Alternatively, the heater head  538  is constructed of a copper core plated with nickel and then further coated with gold. This construction provides for good heat transfer without reacting to air. 
     The electrical conductor  506  is part of a circuit which is disposed to conduct electrical power to the heating element  540 , and to enable the heater head to be placed over the smoking chamber  514  of the hookah  500  while the base  502  of the heater  536  rests on the generally horizontal supporting environmental surface beside the hookah  500 . This is similar to how the heater  36  of  FIG. 1  is placed over the smoking chamber  14  of its respective hookah  10 . It will be seen that the electrical conductor  506  projects from the vertical post  504  at a height about equal to that of the smoking chamber  514 , whereby length of the electrical conductor  506  is minimized while enabling operation when the hookah  500  and the electric heater  536  are placed on the same generally horizontal supporting environmental surface. 
     The housing  542  further includes a plurality of venting holes  546  on the upper portion of the housing  542  and a plurality of venting holes on the side walls  548  of the housing  542 . The configuration of the upper holes  546  and the holes in the side walls  548  are critical to managing proper air flow within the housing  542  during the active air flow state and the idle no air flow state. The upper venting holes  546  are generally greater in number or size in comparison to the side wall venting holes  548  such that a stream of air flow is directed from the top of the housing downward through the volume of space past the heating element  540 . The top down air flow creates a stream of air trigging the Bernoulli effect where the pressure along the perimeter of the air stream path is reduced relative to the air adjacent to the air stream path causing air to be drawn in through the side wall holes  548  and the volume of space in the upper housing  544 , increasing the overall quantity of air flowing past the heating element  540 . As is known, air expands as it is heated. The volume of space  544  allows for expansion of air as the air is drawn into the housing  542  and heated, without allowing the expanding heated air to escape the housing. The heated air can then be pulled past the heating element compounding the heat and providing for higher temperature to ignite the tobacco during the active state. This is desirable as it allows for greater tobacco ignition temperatures with less heat being generated from the heating element  540  directly. With a lower temperature heating element  540 , during the idle period less heat is transferred to the housing. 
     The side wall holes  548  also provide for a means for air to escape the housing during the idle period. Without the side wall holes  548  heat is transferred to the housing  542  as air expands during idle, raising the temperature of the housing to undesirable levels, which in turn causes higher ignition temperatures and rapid burning of tobacco during the active use state. It is important to appreciate that the side wall holes  548  must be smaller in quantity or size than the top holes  546  so that the top to bottom air flow stream is maintained. The key purpose of the side holes  542  is to allow air to expand during the idle state. 
     Another important aspect of the housing  542  design of the current invention is that the diameter of the housing  542  be greater than the diameter of the hookah smoking chamber  514 . Preferably the difference in the diameter is less than a quarter of an inch. The key benefit of this configuration is to allow cool air to backflow into the housing  542  from the bottom portion of the heater head  538  during the idle state. This assists in preventing heat transfer to the housing  538 . In an embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , air flow can be created by ports or holes through the walls of the upper member  860 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a heater for a hookah type water pipe, such as the heater  36 , may comprise a selectively variable damper arrangement disposed to regulate volume and direction of air flow over the heating element, such as the heating element  40 . A heater head  636  may comprise a housing  644  (only the top edge of which is shown) and a housing cap  642  which further comprises a top wall  643  and a perforated closure  645  having a top wall  655 . The housing  644  is analogous to the housing  542 . The top wall  643  may have one or more openings  647  (concealed in  FIG. 6 , but shown in  FIG. 7 ). The top wall  655  of the closure  645  may have corresponding openings  649 . The closure is movably mounted on the top wall  643 , being rotatable about an axis A in  FIG. 6  when grasped and manipulated by a projecting handle  651 . As the closure  645  is rotated, the openings  649  come into registry with and move out of registry with the openings  647  of the top wall  643 . The openings  647  and  649  are disposed to communicate between the electrical heating element and the exterior of the housing cap  642 , thereby enabling air to pass through the air gap and over the electrical heating element. This arrangement of adjustably positioned overlying openings selectively damps or throttles air flow into the heater  636  and over the heating element (not shown) by varying the effective area of the holes  647  and  649  which overlie one another. Of course, the holes  647  and  649  may be moved entirely out of registry to close the holes  647  and  649  to air flow. 
     The heater  636  may be similar to the heater  36  of  FIG. 1 , having supporting structure (not shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) and electrical circuitry serving the electric heating element (not shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). This circuitry may include any of the features of the circuitry described with respect to the previously presented drawing figures and their respective subject matter. The heating element may be partially covered with a perforated material or left uncovered at the bottom so that heat emanating from the heating element will heat combustible substances such as tobacco  16  which has been placed in the smoking chamber of the associated hookah, such as the hookah  10  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a heater  736  which is similar in function to the heater  636 . However, in the heater  736 , air passage openings  747  and  749  are formed on the respective side walls  755  and  753  of the heater housing  742  and the adjustable closure  745 . The closure  745  may be rotatable about an axis A by grasping and manipulating a projecting handle  751 . 
     A heater such as the heaters  636  and  736  may have air passage openings formed on both side walls such as the side walls  753  and  755  and also on the top walls such as the top walls  643  and  655  if desired. 
       FIG. 9  shows a heater position adjustment feature which may be introduced to a heater such as the heater  36 . The heater adjustment feature may selectively vary proximity of the heating element from the floor of the smoking chamber, with the effect of varying proximity of a combustible substance such as tobacco  16  to the heating element of the heater. 
     A heater  836  may comprise an upper member  860  and a lower member  862  which slidably interfit. The lower member  862  may have a side wall  864  and a depending skirt  844 . The depending skirt may be dimensioned and configured to cooperate with the bowl or smoking chamber of an associated hookah, such as the hookah  10  of  FIG. 1 . The lower member  862  may have a shoulder  866  which limits vertical motion of the upper member  860  by interference. 
     The upper member  860  may comprise a top wall  843  to which is mounted a heating element  840 . The heating element  840  may also be mounted to the side wall  870 . A side wall  868  may be dimensioned and configured to fit closely to the side wall  864  of the lower member  862 . The side walls may have dimensions and surfaces arranged such that friction between the outer surface  870  of the side wall  868  and the inner surface  872  of the side wall  864  will resist spontaneous or unintended movement therebetween, while still enabling manual force to reposition the upper member  860  and the lower member  864  as desired. Such adjustment, indicated by an arrow B in  FIG. 9 , varies proximity of the heating element  840  to for example tobacco  16  contained within the smoking chamber of a hookah to which the heater  836  has been mounted. The tobacco  16  is shown representatively, and may be supported in the position shown in  FIG. 9  but not by the heater  836 . For example, the tobacco  16  may be supported by the floor of a bowl, such as the bowl  34  of  FIG. 1 , of the hookah, or may be contained in a cage (not shown) supported by the bowl. Preferably, the heating element  840  is positioned at distance of between 0.25 to 0.5 inches above the tobacco. This distance provides for optimal heat transfer from the heating element  840  to the tobacco  16  while maintaining a standard 120V power supply. 
       FIG. 10  shows a ceramic heater  936  which may be seen as a direct replacement for the combustible charcoal, which traditionally has been used in conventional hookahs. The ceramic heater  936  is preferable over metal heaters and may be contained in a partially open cage above or within the smoking chamber, similar to the smoking chamber  14  of  FIG. 1 . The ceramic heater  936  may be placed either directly on the tobacco or otherwise in heat exchange relation thereto. Preferably, the ceramic heater  936  is at a distance of between one quarter and one half inch above the smoking chamber top edge. This distance provides for the most efficient tobacco ignition while allowing for air flow into the housing during idle periods. 
     The ceramic heater  936  may be similar to the one manufactured by Hotwatt, Inc., and constructed in like fashion. The ceramic heater  936  may comprise a ceramic body  901 , terminated at both ends by the ceramic end seals  904 . The ceramic heater  936  may encase a resistance wire element  902 , packed within a heating element  903 , such as magnesium oxide, that effectively converts the electricity received through the wire element  902  into heat. Either end seal  904  of the ceramic heater  936  may be terminated with flexible insulated lead wires  905 . The flexible insulated lead wires  905  may lead into a voltage adjuster, similar to the voltage adjuster shown in  FIG. 3 , and may ultimately terminate with a plug and cord assembly, such as the plug and cord assembly  252  of  FIG. 3 . Preferably, the ceramic heater  939  is mounted in the heater head  538  with a highly heat resistance ceramic holder (not shown) such as steatite that is of similar density and thermal conductivity as the ceramic heater  939 . The holder prevents unwanted heat transfer to the heater head housing. 
     While the ceramic heater may utilize a simple plug and cord assembly to be plugged directly into a traditional 120 volt outlet, the voltage adjuster will provide means for a user to vary and control the heat output of the ceramic heater  936  at the user&#39;s impulse. The circuitry of the ceramic heater  936  and voltage adjuster may include any of the features of the circuitry described with respect to the previously presented drawings and figures and their respective subject matter. It should be appreciated that the ceramic heater  936  may be used in conjunction with the selectively variable damper arrangement, such as the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     The present invention is susceptible to modifications and variations which may be introduced thereto without departing from the inventive concepts. For example, although the invention has been described as obtaining electrical power using cord and plug assemblies such as the cord and plug assembly  252 , it would be possible to provide electrical storage devices such as an electrochemical cell, a battery of such cells, a capacitor, a super capacitor, an electric double layer capacitor, or any combination of these devices. 
     While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible.