Patent Publication Number: US-2022232893-A1

Title: Convection and conduction vaporizer and method for operating the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/857,311 filed on Jun. 5, 2019, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention described herein is directed to a vaporizer and, in particular, to a vaporizer designed to heat a substance for vaporization via convection and conduction heating. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     There are a variety of different types of vaporizers or vape devices that are designed to heat a substance until portions of it vaporize for inhalation by a user. One type of commercially available vaporizer sold under the trademark VOLCANO is designed to heat the substance for vaporization via convection heat. The vaporizer is designed so that the vaporized substance flows into an intermediate storage container or bag, from which the vapor can later be selectively inhaled by a user. The vaporizer is not necessarily designed for a user to directly inhale vaporized substance as it exits the vaporizer. Further, while the vaporizer generally works well for its intended purpose, a user of the vaporizer must press buttons or adjust knobs on the vaporizer to adjust a desired temperature of heated air flowing through the vaporizer and to instruct the vaporizer to begin pumping heated air through the substance. 
     Other commercially available vaporizers sold under the trademarks CRAFTY and MIGHTY include a heating cartridge that is positioned in a bore of a heating block or heat exchanger. The heating cartridge heats the heating block, which forms part of an air flow path that air passes through before it reaches the substance for vaporization. The air is heated by the heating block as it travels through the air flow path. In order to heat the air to a desired temperature before it reaches the substance, the heating block must be pre-heated by the heater to a relatively high temperature. The bore in the heating block is typically formed with a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the heating cartridge so that the heating cartridge can be inserted into the bore without damaging the heating cartridge. This construction may leave a small gap between the heating cartridge and heating block, which lowers the thermal conductivity between the heating cartridge and heating block, thereby requiring more time and energy input to heat the heating block to a desired temperature. Further, the gap may cause a delay between increasing power to the heating cartridge and a resulting temperature increase of the heating block based on the power increase. This delay may cause a temperature regulation control loop of the vaporizer to increase power to the heating cartridge to a level that heats the heating block above a desired temperature. Further, these vaporizers are designed for direct inhalation and not for use with an intermediate storage container. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the invention described herein is directed to a heater assembly for a vaporizer. The heater assembly includes a heat exchanger comprising a side wall with an interior surface defining a bore, wherein the interior surface comprises at least one ridge and at least one groove adjacent to the ridge. A heater is positioned in the bore. The ridge and groove in the interior surface allow the heater to be pressed into the bore without damaging the heater, and provide an enhanced contact surface area between the heater and heat exchanger, which improves the thermal conductivity between the heater and heat exchanger. 
     The ridge and the groove may be helical and formed with a tap. The heater may be press fit into the bore. A first diameter of the interior surface may be measured from a root of the groove on one side of the interior surface to one of the root of the groove on the opposite side of the interior surface or a second root of another groove on the opposite side of the interior surface. A second diameter of the interior surface may be measured from a crest of the ridge on one side of the interior surface to one of the crest of the ridge on the opposite side of the interior surface or a second crest of another ridge on the opposite side of the interior surface. The heater may have a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter and less than the first diameter. The difference between the first diameter and the third diameter (i.e., the clearance between the heater and the groove) may be between approximately 0.03 to 0.05 mm or approximately 0.04 mm. The difference between the third diameter and the second diameter (i.e., the interference between the heater and the ridge) may be between approximately 0.06 to 0.10 mm or approximately 0.08 mm. 
     A method of assembling a heater assembly for a vaporizer includes pressing a heater into a bore of a heat exchanger so that the heater deforms a ridge of an interior surface defining the bore and presses at least a portion of the ridge into a groove of the interior surface that is adjacent the ridge. The method may include forming the groove as a helical groove with a tap before pressing the heater into the bore. The heater may be pressed into the bore with a force of between approximately 1 to 3 kN. 
     An air management system for a vaporizer in accordance with another aspect of the invention described herein includes a valve defining a valve inlet, a valve outlet, a bypass outlet, and a bypass inlet. The valve includes a valve body movable between a first position, in which the valve inlet is in fluid communication with the valve outlet through the valve, and a second position, in which the valve inlet is in fluid communication with the bypass outlet through the valve and the bypass inlet is in fluid communication with the valve outlet through the valve. The air management system includes a pump. The pump includes a pump inlet in fluid communication with the bypass outlet, and the pump includes a pump outlet in fluid communication with the bypass input. With the pump on, air may be drawn by the pump through the valve inlet and pumped through the valve outlet (e.g., when the vaporizer is used with an intermediate storage container). With the pump off, air may be drawn through the valve inlet and valve outlet without traveling through the pump (e.g., when the vaporizer is used for direct inhalation). 
     The valve housing may define an inlet chamber in fluid communication with the valve inlet. A valve chamber may be in fluid communication with the valve outlet. The inlet chamber may be in fluid communication with the valve chamber through an interior valve opening when the valve body is in the first position. The valve body may block the interior valve opening when the valve body is in the second position. The bypass outlet may be in fluid communication with the inlet chamber, with the bypass outlet positioned above the interior valve opening, the interior valve opening positioned above the valve outlet, and the valve outlet positioned above the bypass inlet. The pump may be operable in an on position, in which it draws air through the valve inlet, the bypass outlet, and the pump inlet and then forces the air through the pump outlet and the bypass inlet, and an off position. Air entering the bypass inlet may force the valve body up to the second position when the pump is operated in the on position, and the valve body may remain in the first position via gravity when the pump is operated in the off position. 
     A system for generating a workflow sequence for a vaporizer in accordance with another aspect of the invention described herein includes a microcontroller programmed to (a) receive a plurality of task selections that are arranged in a task order, each of the task selections associated with a task selected from a plurality of tasks; (b) generate a workflow sequence for the vaporizer based on the plurality of task selections and the task order, the workflow sequence configured to instruct the vaporizer to sequentially perform the tasks associated with the plurality of task selections in the task order such that only one task is performed by the vaporizer at a time; and (c) cause transmission of the workflow sequence to the vaporizer. 
     The microcontroller may be further programmed to receive a loop instruction that is associated with at least one of the task selections and at least one of the tasks. The workflow sequence being configured to instruct the vaporizer to perform the at least one of the tasks associated with the loop instruction in a continuous loop for a loop duration or a number of loops such that upon completion of a last task of the at least one of the tasks associated with the loop instruction the vaporizer begins a first task of the at least one of the tasks associated with the loop instruction if the loop duration or the number of loops has not expired. 
     The plurality of tasks may include providing power to a heater of the vaporizer until a temperature sensed by the vaporizer reaches a temperature set point. The plurality of tasks may include altering the temperature set point by a temperature delta value. The plurality of tasks may include providing power to a pump of the vaporizer for a pump duration, wherein the microcontroller is programmed to receive the pump duration. The plurality of tasks may include waiting for a delay time, wherein the microcontroller is programmed to receive the delay time. 
     A system for generating a workflow sequence for a vaporizer in accordance with another aspect of the invention described herein includes a vaporizer and an application configured to be installed on a personal computing device. The application is configured to enable the personal computing device to (a) receive a plurality of task selections that are arranged in a task order, each of the task selections associated with a task selected from a plurality of tasks; (b) generate a workflow sequence for the vaporizer based on the plurality of task selections and the task order, the workflow sequence configured to instruct the vaporizer to sequentially perform the tasks associated with the plurality of task selections in the task order such that only one task is performed by the vaporizer at a time; and (c) transmit the workflow sequence to the vaporizer. The application may be configured to enable the personal computing device to receive a loop instruction as described above, and the plurality of tasks may include those described above. 
     A method for generating a workflow sequence for a vaporizer in accordance with another aspect of the invention described herein includes receiving a plurality of task selections that are arranged in a task order, each of the task selections associated with a task selected from a plurality of tasks; generating a workflow sequence for the vaporizer based on the plurality of task selections and the task order, the workflow sequence configured to instruct the vaporizer to sequentially perform the tasks associated with the plurality of task selections in the task order such that only one task is performed by the vaporizer at a time; and transmitting the workflow sequence to the vaporizer. The method may further include receiving a loop instruction as described above, and the plurality of tasks may include those described above. 
     A vaporizer in accordance with another aspect of the invention described herein includes a microcontroller programmed to (a) receive a plurality of task selections that are arranged in a task order, each of the task selections associated with a task selected from a plurality of tasks; and (b) sequentially perform the tasks associated with the plurality of task selections in the task order such that only one task is performed by the vaporizer at a time. The microcontroller may be programmed to receive a loop instruction as described above, and the plurality of tasks may include those described above. 
     Additional aspects of the invention, together with the advantages and novel features appurtenant thereto, will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned from the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of vaporizer in accordance with the invention described herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the vaporizer shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the vaporizer shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the vaporizer shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of internal components of the vaporizer shown in  FIG. 1  with a housing removed; 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the internal components of the vaporizer; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken through the line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken through the line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a heater assembly of the vaporizer shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a detailed view of the section A shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger of the heater assembly shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a detail view of the section B shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13A  is a schematic view of an air management system of the vaporizer shown in  FIG. 1  showing a valve body in a first position; 
         FIG. 13B  is a schematic view similar to  FIG. 13A  showing the valve body in a second position; 
         FIGS. 14A-14D  show steps of generating an exemplary workflow sequence for a vaporizer using an application on a personal computing device; 
         FIGS. 15A-15B  show steps of generating another exemplary workflow sequence for a vaporizer using an application on a personal computing device; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an inner chamber housing of the vaporizer shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an outer chamber housing joined to the inner chamber housing shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a partial cross-sectional view of the vaporizer shown in  FIG. 1  showing a filling chamber of the vaporizer; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the vaporizer shown in  FIG. 1  when used for direct inhalation; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the vaporizer shown in  FIG. 1  when used with an intermediate storage container; and 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the outer chamber housing shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A vaporizer in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention described herein is identified generally as  10  in  FIG. 1 . Vaporizer  10  includes a housing  12 , a heater assembly  14  ( FIG. 7 ), an air management system  16  ( FIG. 5 ), and a control system  18  ( FIG. 6 ). As described below, vaporizer  10  is generally configured to receive and retain a substance for vaporization, which may be, for example, a dry plant based material, such as  cannabis  or tobacco, or a fluid. Vaporizer  10  vaporizes or aerosolizes the substance or desired portions of the substance by heating it through a combination of convection, conduction, and radiation. Vaporizer  10  is designed so that it may vaporize a desired portion of the substance for inhalation by the user (e.g., desired cannabinoids and/or terpenes of  cannabis  plant material). 
     Housing  12  of vaporizer  10  includes an outer housing  20  shown in  FIG. 1  and an inner housing  22  shown in  FIG. 7 . Outer housing  20  includes a side wall  24  and a base  26 . Side wall  24  is generally shaped as an inverted cone to resemble a volcano and defines an upper opening  28  and a lower opening  30  that receives a portion of base  26 . An opening  31  in a front portion of side wall  24  allows access to a display screen  146  and a user input device  148  described in more detail below. Base  26  is generally bowl shaped, as shown in  FIG. 7 , and receives portions of air management system  16  and control system  18 . Base  26  is coupled to side wall  24  with a plurality of fasteners, one of which is identified as  32  in  FIG. 7 . A bottom wall  27   a  of base  26 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , includes an access door  27   b  that removably clips to bottom wall  27   a . Access door  27   b  permits access to a removable filter  128  ( FIG. 5 ) as described below. Referring to  FIG. 4 , an opening  27   c  is further formed in base  26  allowing access to a power receptacle  150  described below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , inner housing  22  includes a cover  34  that mounts to base  26  and side wall  24  with fasteners  32 . Cover  34  generally covers an upper opening  35  of base  26 . Inner housing  22  further includes a heater assembly mount  36  and an insulating sheath  38 . Heater assembly mount  36  is mounted to cover  34  in a position that is between cover  34  and base  26 . Insulating sheath  38  is mounted to an upper portion of heater assembly mount  36 . Insulating sheath  38  defines a generally cylindrical cavity within which heater assembly  14  is positioned. Insulating sheath  38  has a generally cylindrical side wall  40  and a flange  42  projecting radially outward from side wall  40 . A seal  44  is positioned between flange  42  and cover  34 . Insulating sheath  38  further includes a bottom wall  46  that is coupled to side wall  40  and a lower portion of heater assembly  14 . A seal  48  is positioned between heater assembly  14  and bottom wall  46 . An upper portion of insulating sheath  38  defines an opening  50  that is positioned above heater assembly  14 . A screen  51  extends between upper ends of insulating sheath  38  and side wall  24  to generally prevent contaminants from entering the space between side wall  24  and cover  34  while allowing air to flow through the space. An interior chamber  52  defined by housing  12  generally encloses heater assembly  14 , air management system  16  and control system  18 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 2 , insulating sheath  38  includes three protrusions  53   a - c  that are arranged generally concentric with opening  50  and spaced radially outward from opening  50 . The protrusions  53   a - c  are threaded on an exterior surface and configured to engage the threads of an inner chamber housing  200  ( FIG. 16 ) that is configured to retain a substance for vaporization in a filling chamber  202  as described in more detail below. The threaded connection between insulating sheath  38  and inner chamber housing  200  may be a quarter turn latch mechanism or any other suitable type of reversible latching mechanism for coupling insulating sheath  38  and inner chamber housing  200 . 
     While vaporizer  10  is shown and described above as a tabletop apparatus it is also within the scope of the invention for vaporizer  10  to be a hand-held apparatus. 
     Heater Assembly 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , heater assembly  14  includes a heat exchanger  54 , a heater  56 , and a tube  58 . Heat exchanger  54  is designed to transfer heat between heater  56 , air flowing through heat exchanger  54 , and a substance for vaporization that is placed within filling chamber  202  ( FIG. 18 ). Heat exchanger  54  includes a side wall  59  with an interior surface  60  that defines a bore  62  extending through the heat exchanger  54 . A helical guide  64  extends outward from an exterior surface  66  of the side wall  59 . The helical guide  64  generally wraps around side wall  59  from the bottom of side wall  59  to the top of side wall  59 . The outer edge of helical guide  64  is positioned within tube  58  to define an air flow path  68 . Air flow path  68  is a generally helical groove defined by tube  58 , exterior surface  66  of side wall  59 , and helical guide  64 . 
     Bottom wall  46  includes a hose coupler  70 , which is a hollow cylindrical protrusion extending radially outward from insulating sheath  38 . Hose coupler  70  is in fluid communication with air flow path  68  through an opening  72  in bottom wall  46 . Hose coupler  70  is coupled to an air hose of air management system  16  as described in more detail below. Seal  48  seals between tube  58  and bottom wall  46  to generally prevent the leakage of air between tube  58  and bottom wall  46  as it enters air flow path  68 . Air traveling through opening  72  is heated by heat exchanger  54  as the air spirals upward through air flow path  68 . The air flow path  68  is designed so that the air remains in contact with a relatively large surface area of heat exchanger  54  for a length of time sufficient to transfer a desired amount of heat from heat exchanger  54  to the air. 
     Heat exchanger  54  includes an upper wall  74  with a generally bowl shaped surface. A plurality of openings, one of which is identified as  76 , extend through upper wall  74 . Openings  76  are in fluid communication with air flow path  68  and allow air from air flow path  68  to flow upward through filling chamber  202  and the substance for vaporization placed therein. A groove formed in upper wall  74  receives a screen  78  to prevent contamination of heater assembly  14  while still allowing air flow upward through opening  50  and into filling chamber  202 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 17-18 , inner chamber housing  200  and an outer chamber housing  204  are configured for attachment to insulating sheath  38  above heat exchanger  54 . A substance for vaporization is retained between inner chamber housing  200  and outer chamber housing  204  and heated by heat exchanger  54 , heater  56  and the heated air flowing upward through opening  50  and filling chamber  202 . Referring to  FIG. 16 , inner chamber housing  200  includes a central bowl  206  that defines filling chamber  202 . Filling chamber  202  is designed to receive a substance for vaporization. The central bowl  206  includes a screened bottom  208  allowing heated air to flow upward from air flow path  68  into filling chamber  202 . An outer ring  210  extends around a periphery of the inner chamber housing  200  and includes a ribbed outer surface to enhance a user&#39;s ability to grip the outer surface. Three attachment surfaces, one of which is identified as  212  extend downward from outer ring  210 . The attachment surfaces  212  include threads that are designed to engage the threads of protrusions  53   a - c  ( FIG. 2 ) for releasably coupling inner chamber housing  200  to insulating sheath  38 . The threaded connection is identified as  214  in  FIG. 18  and may require just a quarter turn of the inner chamber housing  200  to connect it to insulating sheath  38 . Central bowl  206  is coaxial with heat exchanger  54  and heater  56  when inner chamber housing  200  is joined to insulating sheath  38 . The central bowl  206  may be made from metal or a material with a high thermal conductivity. When inner chamber housing  200  is joined to insulating sheath  38 , central bowl  206  extends downward through the opening  50  shown in  FIG. 9 , such that the bottom of central bowl  206  contacts heat exchanger  54 . As heater  56  heats heat exchanger  54 , there is conductive heat transfer from heat exchanger  54  to central bowl  206 . Central bowl  206  in turn conductively heats the substance contained within filling chamber  202  that is in contact with central bowl  206 . The substance contained within filling chamber  202  may also be heated via radiation as heat from heater  56 , heat exchanger  54 , and central bowl  206  transfers through the air to the substance contained within filling chamber  202 . The substance for vaporization placed within filling chamber  202  is also heated via convection as heated air exits air flow path  68  and flows upward through filling chamber  202 . Heating the substance within filling chamber  202  via conduction, radiation, and convection allows vaporizer  10  to be used for direct inhalation and with an intermediate storage container as described below with respect to  FIGS. 19 and 20 . 
     The heat exchanger  54  and the central bowl  206  of the inner chamber housing  200  may be formed from ceramic coated aluminum. The ceramic coating reduces wear and friction between the upper wall  74  of the heat exchanger  54  and the lower surface of the central bowl  206  when the inner chamber housing  200  is rotated to engage and disengage it from the insulating sheath  38 . The aluminum is thermally conductive to permit conductive heat transfer from the heater  56  to the heat exchanger  54 , central bowl  206 , and substance contained within the filling chamber  202 . Other thermally conductive materials that are configured, or coated with a material, to reduce wear and friction between the heat exchanger  54  and the central bowl  206  may also be used. In one exemplary embodiment, the central bowl  206  may be made from ceramic coated aluminum, and the heat exchanger  54  may be made from aluminum. In this embodiment, a separate washer (not shown) made from ceramic coated aluminum may clip to the top of the heat exchanger  54  in a position above and in contact with the heat exchanger  54 . The washer may contact the central bowl  206  when the inner chamber housing  200  is engaged with the insulating sheath  38 . The washer may conduct heat from the heat exchanger  54  to the central bowl  206 , while the ceramic coatings of the washer and central bowl  206  serve to reduce wear and friction when the parts are rotated relative to each other. 
     Outer chamber housing  204  ( FIGS. 17 and 21 ) removably attaches to inner chamber housing  200  and is designed to substantially enclose filling chamber  202  when vaporizer  10  is in use. Outer chamber housing  204  includes a central tube  216  with an upper opening  218  that is in fluid communication with the filling chamber  202 . Outer chamber housing  204  includes a ribbed outer surface  220  to enhance a user&#39;s ability to grip and rotate outer chamber housing  204 . Outer chamber housing  204  includes threads  221  that engage threads  222  ( FIG. 16 ) of inner chamber housing  200  in a similar manner as the threaded connection between inner chamber housing  200  and insulating sheath  38 . Outer chamber housing  204  is removable from inner chamber housing  200  for access to filling chamber  202 . The central tube  216  of outer chamber housing  204  is configured for releasable connection with an adapter of a direct inhalation tube and an adapter of an intermediate storage container as described in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 19 and 20 . When outer chamber housing  204  is connected to inner chamber housing  200  and inner chamber housing  200  is connected to insulating sheath  38 , the connections fit tightly and may be sealed so that the heated air flowing upward from heater assembly  14  to filling chamber  202  and the heated air and vaporized substance flowing upward from filling chamber  202  through opening  218  does not leak between the connected components. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 21 , outer chamber housing  204  includes an external housing  234  and an internal housing  236 . The external housing  234  may be formed from an polymeric material such as plastic. The internal housing  236  may be formed from a thermally conductive material such as stainless steel or other suitable metallic material. External housing  234  includes the ribbed outer surface  220  that forms a ring around a central section  238 . Spokes, one of which is identified as  240 , connect the ribbed outer surface  220  with central section  238 . Central section  238  includes a dome portion  238   a  and an external tube  238   b  extending upward from a center of dome portion  238   a . Internal housing  236  likewise includes a dome portion  236   a  and an internal tube  236   b . Internal tube  236   b  is positioned within external tube  238   b  and together with external tube  238   b  forms central tube  216 . Dome portion  236   a  of internal housing  236  fits over the central bowl  206  of inner chamber housing  200  ( FIG. 16 ) to substantially enclose filling chamber  202  when inner chamber housing  200  and outer chamber housing  204  are coupled together. A screen  242  extends across dome portion  236   a  to generally prevent a substance within filling chamber  202  from being drawn out of filling chamber  202  through opening  218 . Screen  242  may be formed from stainless steel. A seal  244  extends around internal tube  236   b  sealing between an upper end of external tube  238   b  and a side wall of internal tube  236   b  to prevent leakage of vaporized substance from filling chamber  202 . An isolation ring  246  fits around an upper portion of internal tube  236   b  between seal  244  and an upper end of internal tube  236   b . Isolation ring  246  may be made from a material with low thermal conductivity (e.g., a polymeric material such as plastic) so that isolation ring  246  is not heated to a temperature that can burn users or damage components placed in contact with it. 
     A temperature sensor  80  is positioned within a port  82  at an upper portion of heat exchanger  54  for measuring the temperature of heat exchanger  54 . Temperature sensor  80  may be press fit into port  82  for improving thermal conduction between temperature sensor  80  and heat exchanger  54 . 
     Heater  56  fits tightly within the bore  62  through heat exchanger  54  in order to improve thermal conduction between heater  56  and heat exchanger  54 . To accomplish this, interior surface  60  surrounding bore  62  includes at least one groove and at least one ridge adjacent to the groove. The ridge deforms into the groove when the heater  56  is press fit into the bore  62 . Referring to  FIGS. 10-12 , one exemplary embodiment of ridged and grooved interior surface  60  is shown. As shown in  FIG. 11 , interior surface  60  is generally cylindrical and includes at least one ridge and one groove that extend in a helical or spiraled manner from the bottom of heat exchanger  54  to adjacent the top of heat exchanger  54 . 
       FIGS. 10 and 12  show interior surface  60  in greater detail as including two generally parallel ridges  84  and  86  and two grooves  88  and  90  positioned between adjacent ridges  84  and  86  in an alternating manner. Ridges  84  and  86  extend radially inward past grooves  88  and  90  such that a first diameter of interior surface  60  from a root of a groove  88  or  90  on one side of interior surface  60  to the root of the groove  88  or  90  on the other side of interior surface  60  is greater than a second diameter of interior surface  60  from a crest of a ridge  84  or  86  on one side of interior surface  60  to the crest of the ridge  84  or  86  on the other side of interior surface  60 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the first diameter D 1  of groove  90  may be slightly less than the first diameter dl of groove  88 . The second diameter D 2  of ridge  84  may be substantially the same as the second diameter of ridge  86 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , heater  56  has a generally cylindrical outer surface  92  that is press fit into bore  62 . Outer surface  92  of heater  56  has a third diameter D 3  that is less than the first diameter D 1  of groove  90  and the first diameter dl of groove  88 . Third diameter D 3  of heater  56  is greater than the second diameter D 2  of ridge  84  and ridge  86 . Half of the difference between third diameter D 3  and second diameter D 2  is shown as x in  FIG. 10 , which represents the interference between heater  56  and ridges  84  and  86  when heater  56  is pressed into bore  62 . Half of the difference between D 1  and D 3  is shown as y in  FIG. 10 , which represents the clearance between heater  56  and groove  90 . There is also a clearance between heater  56  and groove  88  that is greater than the clearance y. When heater  56  is pressed into bore  62 , the outer surface  92  of heater  56  deforms ridges  84  and  86  and presses at least a portion of the ridges  84  and  86  into an adjacent groove  88  or  90 . Outer surface  92  of heater  56  may be formed from a material that is harder than the interior surface  60  of heat exchanger  54  to allow heater  56  to deform ridges  84  and  86  as it is pressed into bore  62 . The clearance y between heater  56  and groove  90  and the clearance between heater  56  and groove  88  provides space for the deformed portion of ridges  84  and  86  to occupy as heater  56  is pressed into bore  62 . 
     When heater  56  is fully pressed into bore  62 , heater  56  is in close abutting contact with large portions of interior surface  60  due to the ridges  84  and  86  deforming into and occupying at least portions of the grooves  88  and  90 . This close abutting contact increases the surface area of contact between heater  56  and heat exchanger  54  thereby lowering the resistance to conductive heat transfer between heater  56  and heat exchanger  54 , which generally improves and speeds up the heating of air passing through air flow path  68 . By heating the air passing through air flow path  68  faster, a user is able to utilize vaporizer  10  at a desired temperature sooner. If heater assembly  14  is used with a vaporizer that is battery operated (as is within the scope of the invention), less energy from the battery is needed to heat the air to a desired temperature thereby improving battery life. Further, the low resistance to conductive heat transfer between heater  56  and heat exchanger  54  allows heat exchanger  54  to heat up faster for a given temperature of heater  56  and amount of power input to heater  56 . As described below, the power input to heater  56  may be regulated by a microcontroller of the vaporizer  10  based on a temperature of heat exchanger  54  (as measured by a temperature sensor  80 ) and a temperature set point for the temperature of heat exchanger  54  (the temperature set point for heat exchanger  54  may be calculated based on a desired temperature set point for the air exiting air flow path  68 ). Heating heat exchanger  54  faster for a given power input to heater  56  enhances the vaporizer&#39;s ability to heat the heat exchanger  54  to the desired temperature set point without overshooting the temperature set point. There is less delay between increasing the power input to heater  56  and how that increased power input affects the temperature of heat exchanger  54 . Less delay reduces the likelihood that the power input to heater  56  will be increased to a level that will cause heat exchanger  54  to reach a temperature that is greater than the desired temperature set point. 
     The ridges  84  and  86  and grooves  88  and  90  also allow heater  56  to be pressed into the bore  62  with reasonable levels of force that will not damage heater  56  and heat exchanger  54 . The volumes occupied by the clearance y and clearance between heater  56  and groove  88  are larger than the volumes of the deformed portion of ridges  84  and  86  so that heater  56  may be pressed into bore  62  at a reasonable level of force that does not damage heater  56  or heat exchanger  54 . For example, in one embodiment, heater  56  may be pressed into bore  62  with a force of between 1 to 3 kN. Further, heater  56  may be cooled and/or heat exchanger  54  may be heated prior to insertion of heater  56  in bore  62  to lower the force necessary to press fit heater  56  in bore  62 . 
     The ridges  84  and  86  and grooves  88  and  90  of interior surface  60  may be formed with a thread molding tap, for example an ISO metric thread molding tap. As the thread molding tap is rotated within bore  62 , the tap may form the groove  88  in interior surface  60  and displace the material previously within groove  88  to form ridges  84  and  86  on either side of groove  88 . Groove  90  may be the original diameter of interior surface  60  before ridges  84  and  86  and groove  88  are formed with the tap. Other types of thread molding taps may be used, for example, thread molding taps that form American National threads, Unified National threads, Whitworth threads, Sharp V threads, Buttress threads, or any other suitable type of threads. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the difference between the first diameter D 1  of groove  90  and the third diameter D 3  of heater  56  may be between approximately 0.03 to 0.05 mm or approximately 0.04 mm, which creates a clearance y ( FIG. 10 ) of between approximately 0.01 to 0.03 mm or approximately 0.02 mm. Further, the difference between the third diameter D 3  of heater  56  and the second diameter D 2  of ridges  84  and  86  may be between approximately 0.04 to 0.12 mm, between approximately 0.06 to 0.10 mm, or approximately 0.08 mm. Thus, the interference x ( FIG. 10 ) may be between approximately 0.02 to 0.06 mm, between approximately 0.03 to 0.05 mm, or approximately 0.04 mm. In one exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the bore  62  before formation of ridges  84  and  86  and grooves  88  and  90  is between approximately 10 to 10.015 mm, ridges  84  and  86  and groove  88  are formed with an ISO metric M10 tap, and the third diameter D 3  of heater  56  is between approximately 9.96 to 9.98 mm. 
     While interior surface  60  is shown in the drawings and described above with helical ridges  84  and  86  and grooves  88  and  90  that extend from the bottom to the top of the heat exchanger  54 , it is within the scope of the invention for interior surface  60  to include at least one ridge and at least one groove with a shape other than helical. The at least one ridge and at least one groove being formed so that the heater  56  can be press fit into bore  62  with a level of force that does not damage heater  56  or heat exchanger  54 , the at least one ridge deforms into the at least one groove when the heater  56  is pressed into the bore  62 , and heater  56  fits tightly within bore  62  such that there is good thermal conductivity between heater  56  and heat exchanger  54 . By way of example, interior surface  60  may include a plurality of alternating grooves and ridges. The alternating grooves and ridges may be arranged to extend circumferentially around the interior surface  60  and spaced axially, or alternatively, the grooves and ridges may be arranged such that they extend axially along the interior surface  60  in a direction aligned with an axial centerline of bore  62  and spaced circumferentially. Further, the alternating grooves and ridges may be formed to resemble rifling in interior surface  60  such that they extend axially and curve circumferentially as the grooves and ridges move from the bottom of heat exchanger  54  to the top of heat exchanger  54 . The at least one groove and at least one ridge may be formed in any other suitable manner to accomplish the objectives described above. If the at least one groove and at least one ridge are formed in an alternate manner, the first diameter of interior surface  60  described above may be measured from a root of a groove on one side of the interior surface to a second root of another groove on the opposite side of the interior surface. The second diameter of interior surface  60  may be measured from a crest of a ridge on one side of the interior surface to a second crest of another ridge on the opposite side of the interior surface. 
     Exemplary materials from which heat exchanger  54  is formed may include aluminum, copper, brass, steel, magnesium, titanium, or any other suitable metal or material with good thermal conductivity. The outer casing of heater  56  may be formed from stainless steel or any other suitable material that is harder than the material from which the interior surface  60  of heat exchanger  54  is formed. 
     Air Management System 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , air management system  16  includes a valve  94  and a pump  96 . As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 13A , valve  94  includes a valve housing  98  and a valve body  100  that is positioned in the valve housing  98 . As shown in  FIG. 13A , valve housing  98  defines a valve inlet  102 , a valve outlet  104 , a bypass outlet  106 , and a bypass inlet  108 . A first hose  110  connects the bypass outlet  106  to a pump inlet  112 . A second hose  114  connects a pump outlet  116  to the bypass inlet  108 . A third hose  118  connects valve outlet  104  to hose coupler  70 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , to place valve outlet  104  in fluid communication with air flow path  68  through heater assembly  14 . Valve housing  98  further defines an inlet chamber  120 , a valve chamber  122 , and an interior valve opening  124  between inlet chamber  120  and valve chamber  122 . Inlet chamber  120  is in fluid communication with valve inlet  102  and bypass outlet  106 . Valve chamber  122  is in fluid communication with valve outlet  104  and bypass inlet  108 . Valve body  100  is positioned in valve chamber  122 . Bypass outlet  106  is positioned above interior valve opening  124 , interior valve opening  124  is positioned above valve outlet  104 , and valve outlet  104  is positioned above bypass inlet  108 . 
     A portion of base  26  forms a chamber  126  that is in fluid communication with valve inlet  102 . A filter  128  is positioned in a lower portion of chamber  126  adjacent access door  27   b , which permits a user to remove and replace filter  128 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , holes are formed in access door  27   b  allowing ambient air to enter chamber  126  and valve inlet  102  after passing through filter  128 . 
     Valve body  100  is a piston that is movable within valve chamber  122  from a first position shown in  FIG. 13A  to a second position shown in  FIG. 13B . Two elastomeric rings  130  and  132  extend around valve body  100 . Elastomeric ring  130  engages an interior surface of valve housing  98  adjacent interior valve opening  124  when valve body  100  is in the second position shown in  FIG. 13B . In this manner, elastomeric ring  130  acts as a seal when valve body  100  is in the second position to prevent fluid flow between inlet chamber  120  and valve chamber  122  through interior valve opening  124 . Elastomeric ring  132  engages protrusions at a bottom of valve chamber  122  when valve body  100  is in the first position shown in  FIG. 13A . Elastomeric ring  132  acts to reduce the noise of air management system  16  when valve body  100  falls from the second position of  FIG. 13B  to the first position of  FIG. 13A . 
     Pump  96  may be a diaphragm pump with a flow rate of between approximately 8 to 15 L/min through pump outlet  116  and a maximum pressure of approximately 300 mbar at pump outlet  116 . Pump inlet  112  is in fluid communication with bypass outlet  106 , inlet chamber  120 , and valve inlet  102  for receiving ambient air through access door  27   b . When pump  96  is operated in an on position (i.e., when power is provided to pump), as shown in  FIG. 13B , pump  96  draws air through valve inlet  102 , bypass outlet  106 , pump inlet  112  and pumps the air at a higher pressure through pump outlet  116 . Pump outlet  116  is in fluid communication with bypass inlet  108 . The high pressure air entering bypass inlet  108  forces valve body  100  upward to its second position sealing inlet chamber  120  from valve chamber  122 . The high pressure air exits valve chamber  122  through valve outlet  104  and travels through third hose  118  to the air flow path  68  of heater assembly  14 . By blocking interior valve opening  124  to seal valve chamber  122  from inlet chamber  120 , valve body  100  ensures that pump  96  draws air through valve inlet  102  and access door  27   b  and not through valve chamber  122 . Further, valve body  100  ensures that the high pressure air exiting pump  96  travels through valve outlet  104  to heater assembly  14 . Valve body  100  blocks fluid flow through valve  94  from valve inlet  102  to valve outlet  104  when valve body  100  is in the second position. Rather, air must pass through pump  96  to travel from valve inlet  102  to valve outlet  104  when valve body  100  is in the second position. Valve inlet  102  is in fluid communication with bypass outlet  106  through valve  94 , and bypass inlet  108  is in fluid communication with valve outlet  104  through valve  94 . 
     When pump  96  is in an off position (i.e., when power is not provided to pump  96 ), valve body  100  falls to its first position shown in  FIG. 13A  via gravity. Valve body  100  remains in the first position via gravity when pump  96  is off. In the first position, the valve inlet  102  is in fluid communication with valve outlet  104  through the valve  94 . Valve body  100  does not block the interior valve opening  124  such that inlet chamber  120  is in fluid communication with valve chamber  122 . 
     Thus, valve  94  allows operation of vaporizer  10  in two modes, a pump on mode and a pump off mode. In the pump on mode shown in  FIG. 13B , air is drawn by pump  96  through valve inlet  102  and pumped through valve outlet  104  at a relatively high pressure. The pump on mode may be used, for example, when vaporizer  10  is used with an intermediate storage container  224  as shown in  FIG. 20 . When used in this manner, pump  96  pumps air into air flow path  68 , where it is heated by heater assembly  14 . The heated air flows through filling chamber  202  and a substance for vaporization contained therein. The heated air and vaporized substance flows into the intermediate storage container  224  for later inhalation by a user. The pump on mode may also be used when a user directly inhales vaporized substance exiting filling chamber  202 . 
     In the pump off mode shown in  FIG. 13A , a user may directly inhale vaporized substance from filling chamber  202  (e.g., through a tube  226  joined to outer chamber housing  204  as shown in  FIG. 19 ). As the user draws air and vaporized substance through tube  226  and filling chamber  202 , air flows through valve  94  as shown in  FIG. 13A . The air is heated by heater assembly  14 , the heated air passes through the substance in filling chamber  202  for vaporization, and the user inhales the heated air and vaporized substance. In the pump off mode, the inhalation airpath is relatively short from filling chamber  202  to valve inlet  102  and access door  27   b , and the inhalation airpath has a relatively large dimension to offer low resistance when a user draws air through vaporizer  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , two seals  134  and  136  are positioned between valve housing  98  and base  26  of vaporizer  10  to prevent leakage of air in or out of valve chamber  122 . Further, valve  94  includes a pressure relief valve  138  located at a bottom of valve housing  98  above access door  27   b . Pressure relief valve  138  allows air to flow out of valve chamber  122  when an air pressure within valve chamber  122  exceeds a desired level. For example, if pump  96  is powered on and fills an intermediate storage container, pressure relief valve  138  may open to prevent overfilling of the intermediate storage container. Pressure relief valve  138  is a one way valve that does not allow air to enter valve chamber  122 . 
     Control System 
     Control system  18  of vaporizer  10  includes at least one microcontroller (not shown) that may be positioned on either of circuit boards  140  or  142  shown in  FIG. 5 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 6 , control system  18  includes a power system  144 , a display screen  146 , and a user input device  148 . The microcontroller is configured to receive input signals and to store and process instructions for controlling the operation of vaporizer  10  as described herein. Power system  144  is configured to receive power from an external source and provide power to heater  56  and pump  96  upon receiving a heating power signal or a pump power signal from the microcontroller. The power system  144  includes a power receptacle  150  that is electrically coupled to circuit board  140  and wires  152 ,  154 , and  156  ( FIG. 6 ) connecting circuit board  140  to heater  56 , pump  96 , and circuit board  142 . Power receptacle  150  is configured for coupling to a power cord connected to AC mains power directly or through a transformer. Power system  144  may further include a battery that is rechargeable or single-use in addition to or in lieu of power receptacle  150 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , display screen  146  is mounted to circuit board  142  on a front of vaporizer  10 . Display screen  146  displays certain operational variables of vaporizer  10 . For example, display screen  146  may display a target temperature or temperature set point for the air exiting heater assembly  14  and an actual temperature for the air exiting heater assembly  14 . Display screen  146  may further display indicators for showing whether the vaporizer  10  is powered on and wirelessly connected via Bluetooth or other means with a computing device. Control system  18  may include a wireless transceiver for sending signals to and receiving signals from a computing device. Control system  18  may also include an input/output port for communicating with a computing device over a wired connection. 
     User input device  148  includes pressure sensitive sections that a user may press to send instructions to vaporizer  10 . User input device  148  includes a plus section  158 , a minus section  160 , a heat section  162 , and an air section  164 . The plus section  158  and the minus section  160  raise and lower, respectively, a temperature set point for the air exiting heater assembly  14 . The heat section  162  when depressed causes the microcontroller to send a heating power signal to power system  144 , which then sends power to heater  56  to raise the temperature of heat exchanger  54  to a level that corresponds with the temperature set point for the air exiting heater assembly  14  and entering filling chamber  202 . The air section  164  when depressed causes the microcontroller to send a pump power signal to power system  144 , which then sends power to pump  96 . When pump  96  is powered on, as described above, the pump  96  causes pressurized air to flow through the heater assembly  14  and filling chamber  202 . User input device  148  may be designed with other types of user input devices other than pressure sensitive sections. For example, user input device  148  may include a plurality of buttons, switches, and/or knobs. 
     Temperature sensor  80  ( FIG. 9 ) is electrically coupled to circuit board  140  and the microcontroller. Temperature sensor  80  senses the temperature of an upper portion of heat exchanger  54  adjacent filling chamber  202 . The microcontroller receives the sensed temperature and uses it to adjust a level of power provided to heater  56 . For example, if the temperature of heat exchanger  54  sensed by temperature sensor  80  is equal to or above a desired temperature of heat exchanger  54 , the microcontroller causes power system  144  to turn off power to heater  56 . If the difference between the sensed temperature and the desired temperature of heat exchanger  54  is greater than a predetermined value, the microcontroller may cause power system  144  to send a maximum amount of power to heater  56  (e.g., 250 W). As the sensed temperature approaches the desired temperature of heat exchanger  54 , the microcontroller may cause power system  144  to gradually lower the amount of power provided to heater  56  to prevent or reduce the risk of heating heat exchanger  54  to a temperature that is greater than the desired temperature. Temperature sensor  80  may comprise any type of sensor configured to sense the temperature of heat exchanger  54 , such as a thermistor, a thermocouple, a bandgap temperature sensor, an analog temperature sensor, a digital temperature sensor, or a light sensor. 
     Workflow Management 
     Another aspect of the invention described herein is directed to a system and a method for generating a workflow sequence for a vaporizer, for example vaporizer  10 . The system includes vaporizer  10  and an application  166  configured to be installed on a personal computing device  168 , as shown in  FIG. 14A . Although personal computing device  168  is shown as a mobile phone in  FIG. 14A , personal computing device may be any type of computing device such as a computer, a tablet, a watch, or any other suitable type of computing device. Further, the application  166  may be installed directly on vaporizer  10 , in which case a personal computing device  168  is not necessary for the system and method described below. 
     Application  166  is configured to enable the personal computing device  168  to (a) receive a plurality of task selections from a user that are arranged in a task order, wherein each of the task selections is associated with a task selected from a plurality of tasks; (b) generate a workflow sequence for the vaporizer based on the plurality of task selections and the task order, wherein the workflow sequence is configured to instruct vaporizer  10  to sequentially perform the tasks associated with the plurality of task selections in the task order such that only one task is performed by vaporizer  10  at a time; and (c) transmit the workflow sequence to vaporizer  10 . 
     The plurality of tasks for selection by the user may include: (1) providing power to heater  56  until a temperature sensed by vaporizer  10  reaches a temperature set point; (2) providing power to pump  96  for a pump duration; (3) waiting for a delay time; and (4) ceasing the providing of power to heater  56 .  FIG. 14A  shows these tasks as (1) “SET HEAT”; (2) “SET PUMP ON”; (3) “WAIT”; and (4) “STOP HEAT”. The plurality of tasks for selection by the user may further include altering the temperature set point by a temperature delta value, which is shown in  FIG. 15A  with a temperature delta value of +5° C. as “INCREASE HEAT +5° C.” 
     The task of providing power to heater  56  until a temperature sensed by vaporizer  10  reaches a temperature set point may include providing power to the heater  56  until the temperature of heat exchanger  54  sensed by temperature sensor  80  reaches a temperature set point. The temperature set point may be determined by the vaporizer  10  or the personal computing device  168  based on a second temperature set point that is input by the user to the personal computing device  168  using the application  166  or stored by the application  166  as a default value. The vaporizer  10  or the personal computing device  168  may store an algorithm that correlates the second temperature set point input by the user with the temperature set point. The algorithm may be based on the particular dimensions of the vaporizer  10  and the specifications of heater  56  and pump  96 . The second temperature set point may be associated with the temperature of heated air as it exits the air flow path  68  and enters the filling chamber  202 . 
     For the task of altering the temperature set point by a temperature delta value the personal computing device  168  may receive a second temperature delta value from a user using application  166 . The second temperature delta value may also be a default value stored by the application  166 . The temperature delta value may be a positive or negative number and represents the amount of degrees to raise or lower a previously set temperature set point for heat exchanger  54 . The second temperature delta value may be a positive or negative number and represents the amount of degrees to raise or lower a previously set second temperature set point for the temperature of heated air in filling chamber  202 . The second temperature delta value may be input by the user to the personal computing device  168  using the application  166  or may be a default value provided by the application  166 . The temperature delta value may be determined by the vaporizer  10  or the personal computing device  168  based on the second temperature delta value using an algorithm in a similar manner as described above. 
     For the task of providing power to the pump for a pump duration the personal computing device  168  may receive the pump duration from a user using application  166 . The pump duration may also be a default value stored by the application  166 . The pump duration represents a duration of time that power is provided to the pump  96  of vaporizer  10  to place the pump  96  in its on position. 
     For the task of waiting for a delay time the personal computing device  168  may receive the delay time from a user using application  166 . The delay time may also be a default value stored by the application  166 . The delay time represents a duration of time that power is not provided to the pump  96  of vaporizer  10 , thereby placing pump  96  in its off position. The delay time may also represent a duration of time that power is not provided to the heater  56  of vaporizer  10 . 
       FIGS. 14A-D  show steps of using application  166  to create a workflow sequence for vaporizer  10 . As shown in  FIG. 14A , application  166  displays on personal computing device  168  a plurality of tasks  170  at the bottom of the display screen. The tasks include “SET HEAT”, “SET PUMP ON”, “WAIT”, and “STOP HEAT”. A user may select one of the tasks for inclusion in the workflow sequence by placing his or her finger on the desired task and dragging it to an upper portion of the display screen. The upper portion of the display screen is a visual representation of the workflow sequence  172  being created by the user. The first selected task shown in  FIG. 14A  is “SET HEAT TO 160° C.”. This task may be selected by the user or may be a first default task that application  166  displays for each workflow sequence. The 160° C. is the second temperature set point described above that represents the temperature of heated air in filling chamber  202 . To change the second temperature set point, the user may press the task and input or select a different second temperature set point. For example, the process for selecting a different second temperature set point may be as shown in  FIG. 14C  and described below for the process of selecting a pump duration. 
       FIG. 14B  shows a second task selection being made as a user drags “SET PUMP ON” from the plurality of tasks  170  to the visual representation of the workflow sequence  172 . The second task selection is placed underneath the first task selection to indicate a task order  20  for vaporizer  10  to carry out the tasks (i.e., the vaporizer  10  when carrying out the workflow sequence first heats the air within filling chamber  202  to 160° C. and then turns on pump  96 ). 
       FIG. 14C  shows selection of a pump duration for the second task selection. The user presses the second task selection to display a pop-up box with different pump durations. The user may scroll through the pump durations to select a desired pump duration. Alternatively, the user may use a keyboard feature of personal computing device  168  to type in a desired pump duration. 
     In  FIG. 14D , the visual representation of the workflow sequence  172  shows six task selections linearly arranged in a task order. When vaporizer  10  carries out the workflow sequence shown, vaporizer  10  will first turn on heater  56  until the temperature of air within filling chamber  202  is at 160° C. Heater  56  is then turned off, and pump  96  is turned on for thirty seconds. After thirty seconds, pump  96  is turned off, and vaporizer  10  waits twenty seconds before proceeding to the fourth task. The fourth task is to turn the heater  56  back on until the temperature of air within filling chamber  202  is at 180° C. The heater  56  is then turned off before proceeding to the fifth task, which is to turn the pump  96  on for fifteen seconds. After fifteen seconds, pump  96  is turned off, and the vaporizer  10  waits for twenty seconds before proceeding to the next task. No other tasks are shown in  FIG. 14D , but any number of additional tasks may be added following the final task shown. Once the task selections and task order are finalized, the personal computing device  168  generates a workflow sequence for vaporizer  10  based on the task selections and the task order. The workflow sequence is configured to instruct vaporizer  10  to sequentially perform the tasks associated with the plurality of task selections in the task order such that only one task is performed by vaporizer  10  at a time. The personal computing device  168  then transmits the workflow sequence to vaporizer  10 . For example, personal computing device  168  may wirelessly transmit the workflow sequence to a transceiver of vaporizer  10 , which then sends the workflow sequence to the microcontroller or memory for storage. The microcontroller of vaporizer  10  may access the workflow sequence and operate vaporizer  10  in accordance with the workflow sequence. A user of vaporizer  10  may, for example, use display screen  146  to select a workflow sequence stored by vaporizer  10  that is then carried out by the microcontroller of vaporizer  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15A-B , application  166  is further configured to enable personal computing device  168  to receive a loop instruction  176  that is associated with at least one of the task selections made by a user and the corresponding tasks. A workflow sequence including a loop instruction is configured to instruct vaporizer  10  to perform the tasks associated with the loop instruction in a continuous loop for either a loop duration or a number of loops such that upon completion of the last task associated with the loop instruction vaporizer  10  begins a first task associated with the loop instruction if the loop duration or number of loops has not expired. 
     An exemplary workflow sequence  178  including a loop instruction  176  is shown in  FIGS. 15A-B . To create workflow sequence  178 , the user may select and place task selections using personal computing device  168  in a similar manner as described above in connection with  FIGS. 14A-D .  FIG. 15A  shows an initial task selection of “SET HEAT TO 160° C.” followed by task selections of “WAIT 20 SEC” and “INCREASE HEAT +5° C.”. Loop instruction  176  is associated with the latter two task selections and is identified by a box that surrounds the task selections associated with the loop instruction  176 . At the top of the box appears “LOOP” and at the bottom of the box appears “REPEAT FOR 10 MINS”, which indicates that a loop duration for the loop is ten minutes. While the loop instruction  176  is shown associated with two tasks, it may be associated with any number of desirable tasks, including a single task. The user may press the “REPEAT FOR 10 MINS” box in order to select an alternate loop duration. Alternatively, the user may select a desired number of loops.  FIG. 15B  shows a user altering the time delay associated with the “WAIT 20 SEC” task selection in a similar manner as described above with respect to  FIG. 14C . 
     When vaporizer  10  carries out the workflow sequence shown in  FIGS. 15A-B , vaporizer  10  will first turn on heater  56  until the temperature of air within filling chamber  202  is at 160° C. Heater  56  is then turned off, and the vaporizer  10  begins performing the tasks associated with the loop instruction  176  for a loop duration of ten minutes. The first task associated with the loop instruction  176  causes the vaporizer  10  to wait for twenty seconds before proceeding to the next task. After twenty seconds, the vaporizer  10  increases the heat of heater  56  by five degrees Celsius to 165 degrees Celsius. The vaporizer  10  then proceeds back to the first task of the loop and waits another twenty seconds before increasing the heat of heater  56  again by five degrees Celsius. The vaporizer  10  continues to perform this loop until the loop duration often minutes has expired, at which point the workflow sequence shown in  FIGS. 15A-B  is complete. If a number of loops is selected for loop instruction  176 , the vaporizer  10  would perform the two tasks in the loop until it has performed each of the two tasks in the loop a number of times equal to the selected number of loops. 
     Once the task selections and task order are finalized, the personal computing device  168  generates a workflow sequence for vaporizer  10  based on the task selections and the task order in the same manner as described above for  FIGS. 14A-D . 
     In addition to or in lieu of creating workflow sequences using an application  166  installed on a personal computing device  168 , vaporizer  10  may be configured to receive task selections and generate workflow sequences in the same manner as described above with respect to  FIGS. 14A-D  and  15 A-B. The microcontroller of vaporizer  10  may be configured to receive tasks selected by a user and arranged in a task order and receive variables for the tasks, such as the second temperature set point, pump duration, delay time, temperature delta value, loop duration, and number of loops described above. The display screen  146  and user input device  148  may be configured to display the tasks for selection and allow the user to select and order tasks in a similar manner as described above with respect to application  166 . The microcontroller may further be configured to sequentially perform the tasks associated with the task selections in the task order such that only one task is performed by the vaporizer  10  at a time. 
     Generating a workflow sequence that is performed by the vaporizer  10  allows a user to consistently operate vaporizer  10  in a desired manner without the need to manually change temperature settings for heater  56  and without the need to manually turn on and off pump  96 . This allows the user to enjoy a consistent experience from one vaporizer session to the next. 
     To use vaporizer  10 , a user may set up a desired workflow sequence or sequences as described above and cause personal computing device  168  to send the desired workflow sequence to the vaporizer  10 . Alternatively, the user may use the vaporizer  10  itself to create a desired workflow sequence. The user may then place a substance for vaporization in filling chamber  202  by separating inner chamber housing  200  from outer chamber housing  204  to access filling chamber  202 . Outer chamber housing  204  is then threaded on to inner chamber housing  200  as shown in  FIG. 17 , and inner chamber housing  200  is threaded on to insulating sheath  38  as shown in  FIG. 18 . The user may connect an adapter  228  of intermediate storage container (or bag or balloon)  224  to the central tube  216  of outer chamber housing  204 , as shown in  FIG. 20 , so that the intermediate storage container  224  receives heated air and vaporized substance exiting the filling chamber  202 . Alternatively, the user may connect an adapter  230  of tube  226  to the central tube  216  of outer chamber housing  204 , as shown in  FIG. 19 , so that the user may directly inhale the vaporized substance exiting the filling chamber  202  through a mouthpiece  232 . 
     The user then powers on vaporizer  10  and selects the desired workflow sequence using user input device  148 . Alternatively, the user may use personal computing device  168  to send instructions to vaporizer  10  to begin the desired workflow sequence. The vaporizer  10  proceeds to execute the tasks in the selected workflow sequence, which may include causing the heating of heat exchanger  54  and the pumping of air through air flow path  68  to heat the air. The substance within filling chamber  202  heats up to a temperature where it begins to vaporize due to radiant heat from heat exchanger  54 , heater  56 , and central bowl  206 , conductive heating from contact with central bowl  206 , and convective heating from the heated air passing through the filling chamber  202 . If using intermediate storage container  224  shown in  FIG. 20 , the pump  96  pumps heated air and vaporized substance into the intermediate storage container  224 , the intermediate storage container  224  is removed when full, and the vaporized substance may be selectively inhaled by the user from the intermediate storage container  224  using a mouthpiece (not shown) that is inserted in adapter  228 . The intermediate storage container  224  may operate in a substantially similar manner as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,524, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. If using a direct inhalation device, such as tube  226  shown in  FIG. 19 , the user may directly inhale the vaporized substance using mouthpiece  232  as the substance vaporizes. Further, if using a direct inhalation device such as tube  226 , the workflow sequence may not include a task of activating pump  96  such that the user uses tube  226  to draw air through the filling chamber  202  and heater assembly  14 , as described above. 
     Instead of using a workflow sequence, the user may operate the vaporizer  10  manually by using the user input device  148  to set a desired temperature set point for the air in filling chamber  202 . The user may then press the heat section  162  of user input device  148  to power on heater  56 . Heater  56  heats heat exchanger  54  to a temperature that correlates with the temperature set point for the air in filling chamber  202 . Once heater  56  has heated the heat exchanger  54  to the desired temperature, the user may press the air section  164  of user input device  148  to start pump  96  for filling an intermediate storage container or the user may begin to directly inhale the vaporized substance from the vaporizer  10 . 
     From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objectives herein-above set forth, together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the invention. 
     Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. 
     While specific embodiments have been shown and discussed, various modifications may of course be made, and the invention is not limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts and steps described herein, except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims. Further, it will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.