Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses an electronic smoking article comprising one or more microheaters. The microheaters are in electrical connection with an electrical power source.

Many smoking devices have been proposed through the years as improvements upon, or alternatives to, smoking products that require combusting tobacco for use. Many of those devices purportedly have been designed to provide the sensations associated with cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking, but without delivering considerable quantities of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products that result from the burning of tobacco. To this end, there have been proposed numerous smoking products, flavor generators and medicinal inhalers that utilize electrical energy to vaporize or heat a volatile material, or attempt to provide the sensations of cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking without burning tobacco to a significant degree. See, for example, the various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and heat generating sources set forth in the background art described in <CIT>. See also, for example, the various types of smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and electrically-powered heat generating sources referenced by brand name and commercial source in <CIT> Additionally, various types of electrically powered aerosol and vapor delivery devices also have been proposed in <CIT>. and <CIT>, as well as <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

It would be desirable to provide functionality for control of a microfluidic system of an aerosol delivery device.

The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. The present disclosure includes, without limitation, the following:.

The aerosol delivery device of above, wherein the sensor is or includes an optical liquid-level sensor configured to measure the reflectance of light at the heating element, and the control component is configured to determine the volume of aerosol precursor composition based on the reflectance so measured.

The aerosol delivery device of above, wherein the sensor is or includes a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the heating element, and the control component is configured to determine the volume of aerosol precursor composition based on the temperature so measured.

The aerosol delivery device of above, wherein the valve is or includes a single-phase induction motor having a motor speed that is variable and proportional to the rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition, and wherein the control component being configured to control the valve includes being configured to control the valve to respectively decrease or increase the motor speed and thereby the rate.

The aerosol delivery device of above, wherein the predetermined threshold volume includes first and second threshold volumes, and wherein the control component being configured to control the valve includes being configured to control the valve to decrease or increase the rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition in response to the volume being respectively above the first threshold volume or below the second threshold volume.

The aerosol delivery device of above, wherein the first and second threshold volumes are respectively <NUM> milliliters (mL) and <NUM>, and wherein the control component being configured to control the valve to decrease or increase the rate includes being configured to control the valve to incrementally decrease or increase the rate until respectively the flow of aerosol precursor composition stops or the volume is greater than <NUM>.

The aerosol delivery device of above, wherein the control component being configured to control the valve includes being configured to control the valve only in instances in which a flow of liquid through at least a portion of the housing is detected, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the flow of liquid and generate a second corresponding signal, and wherein the control component is configured to receive the second corresponding signal and control the valve to further decrease or increase the rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition in proportion to the pressure so measured.

The aerosol delivery device of above, wherein the control component being configured to control the valve includes being configured to control the valve only in instances in which a flow of liquid through at least a portion of the housing is detected, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises pressure and humidity sensors configured to measure a pressure of the flow of liquid, a volumetric pressure, and a humidity of an environment of the aerosol delivery device, and generate second corresponding signals, wherein the control component being configured to receive the corresponding signal further includes being configured to receive the second corresponding signals, and the control component being configured to determine the volume of the aerosol precursor composition further includes being configured to determine an optimal rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition based on the volume of the aerosol precursor composition so determined, and the pressure of the flow of liquid, the volumetric pressure and the humidity so measured, and wherein the control component being configured to control the valve to includes being configured to control the valve to decrease or increase the rate to match the optimal rate so determined.

The aerosol delivery device of above, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises a liquid-flow sensor configured to measure the rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition to the heating element; and a display controllable to present the rate so measured.

The aerosol delivery device of above, wherein the reservoir is a refillable reservoir, and the aerosol delivery device further comprises a liquid-level sensor configured to measure a volume of the aerosol precursor composition within the refillable reservoir and generate a second corresponding signal; and a communication interface configured to enable wireless communication of the second corresponding signal or another signal that conveys the volume of the aerosol precursor composition within the refillable reservoir so measured to a remote ordering system configured to automatically order a container for refilling the reservoir in response to the volume being below a second predetermined threshold.

A control body coupled or coupleable with a cartridge to form an aerosol delivery device, the cartridge defining a reservoir configured to retain aerosol precursor composition, and being equipped with an atomizer controllable to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition and a valve configured to control a flow of aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir to the atomizer, the control body comprising:.

The control body of above, wherein the sensor is or includes an optical liquid-level sensor configured to measure the reflectance of light at the heating element, and the control component is configured to determine the volume of aerosol precursor composition based on the reflectance so measured.

The control body of above, wherein the sensor is or includes a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the heating element, and the control component is configured to determine the volume of aerosol precursor composition based on the temperature so measured.

The control body of above, wherein the valve is or includes a single-phase induction motor having a motor speed that is variable and proportional to the rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition, and wherein the control component being configured to control the valve includes being configured to control the valve to respectively decrease or increase the motor speed and thereby the rate.

The control body of above, wherein the predetermined threshold volume includes first and second threshold volumes, and wherein the control component being configured to control the valve includes being configured to control the valve to decrease or increase the rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition in response to the volume being respectively above the first threshold volume or below the second threshold volume.

The control body of above, wherein the first and second threshold volumes are respectively <NUM> milliliters (mL) and <NUM>, and wherein the control component being configured to control the valve to decrease or increase the rate includes being configured to control the valve to incrementally decrease or increase the rate until respectively the flow of aerosol precursor composition stops or the volume is greater than <NUM>.

The control body of above, wherein the control component being configured to control the valve includes being configured to control the valve only in instances in which a flow of liquid through at least a portion of the housing is detected, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the flow of liquid and generate a second corresponding signal, and wherein the control component is configured to receive the second corresponding signal and control the valve to further decrease or increase the rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition in proportion to the pressure so measured.

The control body of above, wherein the control component being configured to control the valve includes being configured to control the valve only in instances in which a flow of liquid through at least a portion of the housing is detected, wherein the control body further comprises pressure and humidity sensors configured to measure a pressure of the flow of liquid , a volumetric pressure, and a humidity of an environment of the aerosol delivery device, and generate second corresponding signals, wherein the control component being configured to receive the corresponding signal further includes being configured to receive the second corresponding signals, and the control component being configured to determine the volume of the aerosol precursor composition further includes being configured to determine an optimal rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition based on the volume of the aerosol precursor composition so determined, and the pressure of the flow of liquid, the volumetric pressure and the humidity so measured, and wherein the control component being configured to control the valve to includes being configured to control the valve to decrease or increase the rate to match the optimal rate so determined.

The control body of above, wherein the control body further comprises a liquid-flow sensor configured to measure the rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition to the heating element; and a display controllable to present the rate so measured.

The control body of above, wherein the reservoir is a refillable reservoir, and the aerosol delivery device further comprises a liquid-level sensor configured to measure a volume of the aerosol precursor composition within the refillable reservoir and generate a second corresponding signal; and a communication interface configured to enable wireless communication of the second corresponding signal or another signal that conveys the volume of the aerosol precursor composition within the refillable reservoir so measured to a remote ordering system configured to automatically order a container for refilling the reservoir in response to the volume being below a second predetermined threshold.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combined or otherwise recited in a specific example implementation described herein. This disclosure is intended to be read holistically such that any separable features or elements of the disclosure, in any of its aspects and example implementations, should be viewed as combinable, unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise. It will therefore be appreciated that this Brief Summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example implementations so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Other example implementations, aspects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of some described example implementations.

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to example implementations thereof. These example implementations are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein; rather, these implementations are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the" and the like include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As described hereinafter, example implementations of the present disclosure relate to aerosol delivery systems. Aerosol delivery systems according to the present disclosure use electrical energy to heat a material (preferably without combusting the material to any significant degree) to form an inhalable substance; and components of such systems have the form of articles most preferably are sufficiently compact to be considered hand-held devices. That is, use of components of preferred aerosol delivery systems does not result in the production of smoke in the sense that aerosol results principally from byproducts of combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather, use of those preferred systems results in the production of vapors resulting from volatilization or vaporization of certain components incorporated therein. In some example implementations, components of aerosol delivery systems may be characterized as electronic cigarettes, and those electronic cigarettes most preferably incorporate tobacco and/or components derived from tobacco, and hence deliver tobacco derived components in aerosol form.

Aerosol generating pieces of certain preferred aerosol delivery systems may provide many of the sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalation rituals, types of tastes or flavors, organoleptic effects, physical feel, use rituals, visual cues such as those provided by visible aerosol, and the like) of smoking a cigarette, cigar or pipe that is employed by lighting and burning tobacco (and hence inhaling tobacco smoke), without any substantial degree of combustion of any component thereof. For example, the user of an aerosol generating piece of the present disclosure can hold and use that piece much like a smoker employs a traditional type of smoking article, draw on one end of that piece for inhalation of aerosol produced by that piece, take or draw puffs at selected intervals of time, and the like.

Aerosol delivery systems of the present disclosure also can be characterized as being vapor-producing articles or medicament delivery articles. Thus, such articles or devices can be adapted so as to provide one or more substances (e.g., flavors and/or pharmaceutical active ingredients) in an inhalable form or state. For example, inhalable substances can be substantially in the form of a vapor (i.e., a substance that is in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical point). Alternatively, inhalable substances can be in the form of an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas). For purposes of simplicity, the term "aerosol" as used herein is meant to include vapors, gases and aerosols of a form or type suitable for human inhalation, whether or not visible, and whether or not of a form that might be considered to be smoke-like.

Aerosol delivery systems of the present disclosure generally include a number of components provided within an outer body or shell, which may be referred to as a housing. The overall design of the outer body or shell can vary, and the format or configuration of the outer body that can define the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device can vary. Typically, an elongated body resembling the shape of a cigarette or cigar can be a formed from a single, unitary housing or the elongated housing can be formed of two or more separable bodies. For example, an aerosol delivery device can comprise an elongated shell or body that can be substantially tubular in shape and, as such, resemble the shape of a conventional cigarette or cigar. In one example, all of the components of the aerosol delivery device are contained within one housing. Alternatively, an aerosol delivery device can comprise two or more housings that are joined and are separable. For example, an aerosol delivery device can possess at one end a control body comprising a housing containing one or more reusable components (e.g., an accumulator such as a rechargeable battery and/or supercapacitor, and various electronics for controlling the operation of that article), and at the other end and removably coupleable thereto, an outer body or shell containing a disposable portion (e.g., a disposable flavor-containing cartridge).

Aerosol delivery systems of the present disclosure most preferably comprise some combination of a power source (i.e., an electrical power source), at least one control component (e.g., means for actuating, controlling, regulating and ceasing power for heat generation, such as by controlling electrical current flow the power source to other components of the article - e.g., a microprocessor, individually or as part of a microcontroller), a heater or heat generation member (e.g., an electrical resistance heating element or other component, which alone or in combination with one or more further elements may be commonly referred to as an "atomizer"), an aerosol precursor composition (e.g., commonly a liquid capable of yielding an aerosol upon application of sufficient heat, such as ingredients commonly referred to as "smoke juice," "e-liquid" and "e-juice"), and a mouthend region or tip for allowing draw upon the aerosol delivery device for aerosol inhalation (e.g., a defined airflow path through the article such that aerosol generated can be withdrawn therefrom upon draw).

More specific formats, configurations and arrangements of components within the aerosol delivery systems of the present disclosure will be evident in light of the further disclosure provided hereinafter. Additionally, the selection and arrangement of various aerosol delivery system components can be appreciated upon consideration of the commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices, such as those representative products referenced in background art section of the present disclosure.

In various examples, an aerosol delivery device can comprise a reservoir configured to retain the aerosol precursor composition. The reservoir particularly can be formed of a porous material (e.g., a fibrous material) and thus may be referred to as a porous substrate (e.g., a fibrous substrate).

A fibrous substrate useful as a reservoir in an aerosol delivery device can be a woven or nonwoven material formed of a plurality of fibers or filaments and can be formed of one or both of natural fibers and synthetic fibers. For example, a fibrous substrate may comprise a fiberglass material a cellulose acetate material, a carbon material, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material, a rayon material, or an organic cotton material can be used. A reservoir may be substantially in the form of a container and may include a fibrous material included therein.

<FIG> illustrates a side view of an aerosol delivery device <NUM> including a control body <NUM> and a cartridge <NUM>, according to various example implementations of the present disclosure. In particular, <FIG> illustrates the control body and the cartridge coupled to one another. The control body and the cartridge may be detachably aligned in a functioning relationship. Various mechanisms may connect the cartridge to the control body to result in a threaded engagement, a press-fit engagement, an interference fit, a magnetic engagement or the like. The aerosol delivery device may be substantially rod-like, substantially tubular shaped, or substantially cylindrically shaped in some example implementations when the cartridge and the control body are in an assembled configuration. The aerosol delivery device may also be substantially rectangular or rhomboidal in cross-section, which may lend itself to greater compatibility with a substantially flat or thin-film power source or supercapacitor , such as a power source including a flat battery. The cartridge and control body may include separate, respective housings or outer bodies, which may be formed of any of a number of different materials. The housing may be formed of any suitable, structurally-sound material. In some examples, the housing may be formed of a metal or alloy, such as stainless steel, aluminum or the like. Other suitable materials include various plastics (e.g., polycarbonate), metal-plating over plastic, ceramics and the like.

In some example implementations, one or both of the control body <NUM> or the cartridge <NUM> of the aerosol delivery device <NUM> may be referred to as being disposable or as being reusable. For example, the control body may have a replaceable battery, rechargeable battery (e.g., rechargeable thin-film solid state battery) or rechargeable supercapacitor, and thus may be combined with any type of recharging technology, including connection to a typical wall outlet, connection to a car charger (i.e., a cigarette lighter receptacle), connection to a computer, such as through a universal serial bus (USB) cable or connector, connection to a photovoltaic cell (sometimes referred to as a solar cell) or solar panel of solar cells, wireless connection to a Radio Frequency (RF), wireless connection to induction-based charging pads, or connection to a RF-to-DC converter. Further, in some example implementations, the cartridge may comprise a single-use cartridge, as disclosed in <CIT>.

<FIG> more particularly illustrates the aerosol delivery device <NUM>, in accordance with some example implementations. As seen in the cut-away view illustrated therein, again, the aerosol delivery device can comprise a control body <NUM> and a cartridge <NUM> each of which include a number of respective components. The components illustrated in <FIG> are representative of the components that may be present in a control body and cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope of components that are encompassed by the present disclosure. As shown, for example, the control body can be formed of a control body shell <NUM> that can include a control component <NUM> (e.g., a microprocessor, individually or as part of a microcontroller), a flow sensor <NUM>, a power source <NUM> and one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) <NUM>, and such components can be variably aligned. The power source may include, for example, a battery (single-use or rechargeable), lithium-ion battery, solid-state battery (SSB), thin-film SSB, supercapacitor or the like, or some combination thereof. Some examples of a suitable power source are provided in <CIT>. The LED may be one example of a suitable visual indicator with which the aerosol delivery device <NUM> may be equipped. Other indicators such as audio indicators (e.g., speakers), haptic indicators (e.g., vibration motors) or the like can be included in addition to or as an alternative to visual indicators such as the LED.

The cartridge <NUM> can be formed of a cartridge shell <NUM> enclosing a reservoir <NUM> configured to retain the aerosol precursor composition, and including a heater <NUM> (sometimes referred to as a heating element). In various configurations, this structure may be referred to as a tank; and accordingly, the terms "cartridge," "tank" and the like may be used interchangeably to refer to a shell or other housing enclosing a reservoir for aerosol precursor composition, and including a heater.

As shown, in some examples, the reservoir <NUM> may be in fluid communication with a liquid transport element <NUM> adapted to wick or otherwise transport an aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir housing to the heater <NUM>. In some examples, a valve <NUM> may be positioned between the reservoir and heater, and configured to control a flow of aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir to the heater.

Various examples of materials configured to produce heat when electrical current is applied therethrough may be employed to form the heater <NUM>. The heater in some of these examples may be a resistive heating element such as a wire coil. Example materials from which the wire coil may be formed include titanium (Ti), platinum (Pt), nichrome (NiCrFe) Kanthal (FeCrAl), Nichrome, Molybdenum disilicide (MoSi<NUM>), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), Molybdenum disilicide doped with Aluminum (Mo(Si,Al)<NUM>), graphite and graphite-based materials (e.g., carbon-based foams and yarns), silver palladium (AgPd) conductive inks, boron doped silica, and ceramics (e.g., positive or negative temperature coefficient ceramics). Example implementations of heaters or heating members useful in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are further described below, and can be incorporated into devices such as illustrated in <FIG> as described herein.

For example, in some implementations, the heater <NUM> includes an electrically-conductive carbon element disposed adjacent to a heat-conductive substrate, such as that disclosed in <CIT>. In such an arrangement, the heater may be configured to receive the aerosol precursor from the reservoir <NUM> onto the heat-conductive substrate. In this manner, the aerosol precursor may be delivered into engagement with or onto the heat-conductive substrate to form the aerosol in response to heat from the electrically-conductive carbon element conducted through the heat-conductive substrate. In some aspects, the liquid-transport element <NUM> may be operably engaged between the reservoir and the heat-conductive substrate, and configured to deliver the aerosol precursor from the reservoir and onto the heat-conductive substrate. In these implementations, the liquid-transport element may comprise, for example, a pump apparatus or a wick arrangement.

In one particular aspect, the reservoir <NUM> is configured to dispense the aerosol precursor on a surface of the heat-conductive substrate of the heater <NUM>. Accordingly, in such instances, the heat-conductive substrate may have the electrically-conductive carbon element mounted on, applied to, or otherwise engaged with a surface of the heat conductive substrate, and the aerosol precursor may be dispensed by the liquid-transport element <NUM> onto an opposing surface of the heat-conductive substrate. The heat from the electrically-conductive carbon element is conducted through the heat-conductive substrate, wherein contact or other engagement between the aerosol precursor and the heated surface causes the aerosol precursor to form an aerosol in response to the heat. In some embodiments, the electrically-conductive carbon element may comprise an electrically-conductive graphene element, more particularly, an electrically conductive square graphene sheet or graphene foil, or a plurality of electrically conductive square graphene sheets or graphene foils stacked together.

An opening <NUM> may be present in the cartridge shell <NUM> (e.g., at the mouthend) to allow for egress of formed aerosol from the cartridge <NUM>.

The cartridge <NUM> also may include one or more electronic components <NUM>, which may include an integrated circuit, a memory component, a sensor, or the like. The electronic components may be adapted to communicate with the control component <NUM> and/or with an external device by wired or wireless means. The electronic components may be positioned anywhere within the cartridge or a base <NUM> thereof.

Although the control component <NUM> and the flow sensor <NUM> are illustrated separately, it is understood that the control component and the flow sensor may be combined as an electronic circuit board with the air flow sensor attached directly thereto. Further, the electronic circuit board may be positioned horizontally relative the illustration of <FIG> in that the electronic circuit board can be lengthwise parallel to the central axis of the control body. In some examples, the air flow sensor may comprise its own circuit board or other base element to which it can be attached. In some examples, a flexible circuit board may be utilized. A flexible circuit board may be configured into a variety of shapes, include substantially tubular shapes. In some examples, a flexible circuit board may be combined with, layered onto, or form part or all of a heater substrate as further described below.

The control body <NUM> and the cartridge <NUM> may include components adapted to facilitate a fluid engagement therebetween. As illustrated in <FIG>, the control body can include a coupler <NUM> having a cavity <NUM> therein. The base <NUM> of the cartridge can be adapted to engage the coupler and can include a projection <NUM> adapted to fit within the cavity. Such engagement can facilitate a stable connection between the control body and the cartridge as well as establish an electrical connection between the power source <NUM> and control component <NUM> in the control body and the heater <NUM> in the cartridge. Further, the control body shell <NUM> can include an air intake <NUM>, which may be a notch in the shell where it connects to the coupler that allows for passage of ambient air around the coupler and into the shell where it then passes through the cavity <NUM> of the coupler and into the cartridge through the projection <NUM>.

A coupler and a base useful according to the present disclosure are described in <CIT> For example, the coupler <NUM> as seen in <FIG> may define an outer periphery <NUM> configured to mate with an inner periphery <NUM> of the base <NUM>. In one example the inner periphery of the base may define a radius that is substantially equal to, or slightly greater than, a radius of the outer periphery of the coupler. Further, the coupler may define one or more protrusions <NUM> at the outer periphery configured to engage one or more recesses <NUM> defined at the inner periphery of the base. However, various other examples of structures, shapes and components may be employed to couple the base to the coupler. In some examples the connection between the base of the cartridge <NUM> and the coupler of the control body <NUM> may be substantially permanent, whereas in other examples the connection therebetween may be releasable such that, for example, the control body may be reused with one or more additional cartridges that may be disposable and/or refillable.

The aerosol delivery device <NUM> may be substantially rod-like or substantially tubular shaped or substantially cylindrically shaped in some examples. In other examples, further shapes and dimensions are encompassed - e.g., a rectangular or triangular cross-section, multifaceted shapes, or the like.

The reservoir <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> can be a container or can be a fibrous reservoir, as presently described. For example, the reservoir can comprise one or more layers of nonwoven fibers substantially formed into the shape of a tube encircling the interior of the cartridge shell <NUM>, in this example. An aerosol precursor composition can be retained in the reservoir. Liquid components, for example, can be sorptively retained by the reservoir. The reservoir can be in fluid connection with the liquid transport element <NUM>. The liquid transport element can transport the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir via capillary action to the heater <NUM> that is in the form of a metal wire coil in this example. As such, the heater is in a heating arrangement with the liquid transport element. Example implementations of reservoirs and transport elements useful in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are further described below, and such reservoirs and/or transport elements can be incorporated into devices such as illustrated in <FIG> as described herein. In particular, specific combinations of heating members and transport elements as further described below may be incorporated into devices such as illustrated in <FIG> as described herein.

In use, when a user draws on the aerosol delivery device <NUM>, airflow is detected by the flow sensor <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> is activated to vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition. Drawing upon the mouthend of the aerosol delivery device causes ambient air to enter the air intake <NUM> and pass through the cavity <NUM> in the coupler <NUM> and the central opening in the projection <NUM> of the base <NUM>. In the cartridge <NUM>, the drawn air combines with the formed vapor to form an aerosol. The aerosol is whisked, aspirated or otherwise drawn away from the heater and out the opening <NUM> in the mouthend of the aerosol delivery device.

In some examples, the aerosol delivery device <NUM> may include a number of additional software-controlled functions. For example, the aerosol delivery device may include a power-source protection circuit configured to detect power-source input, loads on the power-source terminals, and charging input. The power-source protection circuit may include short-circuit protection, under-voltage lock out and/or over-voltage charge protection. The aerosol delivery device may also include components for ambient temperature measurement, and its control component <NUM> may be configured to control at least one functional element to inhibit power-source charging - particularly of any battery - if the ambient temperature is below a certain temperature (e.g., <NUM>) or above a certain temperature (e.g., <NUM>) prior to start of charging or during charging.

Power delivery from the power source <NUM> may vary over the course of each puff on the device <NUM> according to a power control mechanism. The device may include a "long puff" safety timer such that in the event that a user or component failure (e.g., flow sensor <NUM>) causes the device to attempt to puff continuously, the control component <NUM> may control at least one functional element to terminate the puff automatically after some period of time (e.g., four seconds). Further, the time between puffs on the device may be restricted to less than a period of time (e.g., <NUM> seconds). A watchdog safety timer may automatically reset the aerosol delivery device if its control component or software running on it becomes unstable and does not service the timer within an appropriate time interval (e.g., eight seconds). Further safety protection may be provided in the event of a defective or otherwise failed flow sensor <NUM>, such as by permanently disabling the aerosol delivery device in order to prevent inadvertent heating. A puffing limit switch may deactivate the device in the event of a pressure sensor fail causing the device to continuously activate without stopping after the four second maximum puff time.

The aerosol delivery device <NUM> may include a puff tracking algorithm configured for heater lockout once a defined number of puffs has been achieved for an attached cartridge (based on the number of available puffs calculated in light of the e-liquid charge in the cartridge). The aerosol delivery device may also contain a sensor chip that measures, in real-time, the amount of aerosol precursor in the reservoir. If the aerosol precursor composition level is substantially low, or the reservoir is empty, the aerosol delivery device may prevent current from being delivered and thereby prevent overheating the heating element. The aerosol delivery device may include a sleep, standby or low-power mode function whereby power delivery may be automatically cut off after a defined period of non-use. Further safety protection may be provided in that all charge/discharge cycles of the power source <NUM> may be monitored by the control component <NUM> over its lifetime. After the power source has attained the equivalent of a predetermined number (e.g., <NUM>) of full discharge and full recharge cycles, it may be declared depleted, and the control component may control at least one functional element to prevent further charging of the power source. The aerosol device may also have a mechanical switch or a proximity based sensor switch to activate the heater <NUM> in lieu of a flow sensor configured to detect the flow of air through the aerosol delivery device and thereby effect activation of the heater.

The aerosol delivery device <NUM> can incorporate the sensor <NUM> or another sensor or detector for control of supply of electric power to the heater <NUM> when aerosol generation is desired (e.g., upon draw during use). As such, for example, there is provided a manner or method of turning off power to the heater when the aerosol delivery device is not be drawn upon during use, and for turning on power to actuate or trigger the generation of heat by the heater during draw. Additional representative types of sensing or detection mechanisms, structure and configuration thereof, components thereof, and general methods of operation thereof, are described in <CIT>. , <CIT>, and <CIT>.

The aerosol delivery device <NUM> most preferably incorporates the control component <NUM> or another control mechanism for controlling the amount of electric power to the heater <NUM> during draw. Representative types of electronic components, structure and configuration thereof, features thereof, and general methods of operation thereof, are described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

Representative types of substrates, reservoirs or other components for supporting the aerosol precursor are described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>. Additionally, various wicking materials, and the configuration and operation of those wicking materials within certain types of electronic cigarettes, are set forth in <CIT>.

The aerosol precursor composition, also referred to as a vapor precursor composition, may comprise a variety of components including, by way of example, a polyhydric alcohol (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol or a mixture thereof), nicotine, tobacco, tobacco extract and/or flavorants. Representative types of aerosol precursor components and formulations also are set forth and characterized in <CIT> and <CIT>. ; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>. ; and <CIT>, as well as <CIT> Other aerosol precursors that may be employed include the aerosol precursors that have been incorporated in the VUSE® product by R. Reynolds Vapor Company, the BLU™ product by Imperial Tobacco Group PLC, the MISTIC MENTHOL product by Mistic Ecigs, and the VYPE product by CN Creative Ltd. Also desirable are the so-called "smoke juices" for electronic cigarettes that have been available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC.

Additional representative types of components that yield visual cues or indicators may be employed in the aerosol delivery device <NUM>, such as visual indicators and related components, audio indicators, haptic indicators and the like. Examples of suitable LED components, and the configurations and uses thereof, are described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

Yet other features, controls or components that can be incorporated into aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure are described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

The control component <NUM> includes a number of electronic components, and in some examples may be formed of a printed circuit board (PCB) that supports and electrically connects the electronic components. The electronic components may include a microprocessor or processor core, and a memory. In some examples, the control component may include a microcontroller with integrated processor core and memory, and may further include one or more integrated input/output peripherals. In some examples, the control component may be coupled to a communication interface <NUM> to enable wireless communication with one or more networks, computing devices or other appropriately-enabled devices. Examples of suitable communication interfaces are disclosed in <CIT> And examples of suitable manners according to which the aerosol delivery device may be configured to wirelessly communicate are disclosed in <CIT>, and <CIT>.

As previously indicated, in some examples, a valve <NUM> may be positioned between the reservoir <NUM> and heater <NUM>, and configured to control a flow of aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir to the heater. In at least some of these examples, the control body <NUM> may include a sensor <NUM> configured to measure a reflectance (e.g., reflectance of light) at, or temperature of, the heater, from which the control component <NUM> may determine a volume of aerosol precursor composition at the heater and control the valve.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> more particularly illustrate various components of the control body <NUM> and the cartridge <NUM>, according to example implementations of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, the sensor <NUM> may be configured to measure a reflectance or temperature of the heater <NUM> and generate a corresponding signal (i.e., a signal corresponding to the reflectance or temperature so measured). The control component <NUM> may be configured to receive the corresponding signal and determine a volume of aerosol precursor composition at the heater based on the reflectance or temperature so measured. And the control component may be configured to control the valve <NUM> to decrease or increase a rate of the flow (volumetric flow rate) of aerosol precursor composition in response to the volume being respectively above or below a predetermined threshold volume.

In some examples, the predetermined threshold volume includes first and second threshold volumes, and the control component <NUM> may control the valve <NUM> to decrease or increase the rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition in response to the volume being respectively above the first threshold volume or below the second threshold volume. According to some examples, the first and second threshold volumes may respectively be <NUM> milliliters (mL) and <NUM>. Further, in some examples, and the control component may control the valve to incrementally decrease or increase the rate until respectively the flow of aerosol precursor composition stops or the volume is greater than the first threshold volume (e.g., <NUM>).

In some example implementations, the valve <NUM> is or includes a single-phase induction motor having a motor speed that is variable and proportional to the rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition. In these examples, the control component <NUM> may control the valve to respectively decrease or increase the motor speed and thereby the rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition.

As also shown in <FIG>, in some examples, the sensor <NUM> is or includes an optical liquid-level sensor <NUM> configured to measure the reflectance of light the heater <NUM> (e.g., the reflectance of the heater through the liquid thereat), and which may include an inductive-capacitive resonant circuit. Examples of suitable optical liquid-level sensors are disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT>. Examples of suitable optical liquid-level sensors may include the Digital Ambient Light Sensor (ALS) with High Precision Human Eye Response (OPT3001) commercial product manufactured by Texas Instruments. In these examples, the control component <NUM> may be configured to determine the volume of aerosol precursor composition based on the reflectance so measured. Various methods may be utilized to determine the volume of aerosol precursor composition at the heater <NUM> from the measured reflectance. For example, in an instance in which the sensor <NUM> includes the optical liquid-level sensor <NUM>, when the volume of aerosol precursor composition at the heater <NUM> is high, the lux value of luminescence is low because the aerosol precursor composition (liquid) absorbs the light at the heater. In an instance in which there is no aerosol precursor composition at the heater, the light shines through the sensor and the lux value of luminescence is high and thereby indicates that the volume of aerosol precursor composition at the heating element is low. In some implementations, at least a portion of the heater may be marked such that the marking may point to the volume being half-full, full or empty based on the reflectance of light at the heater. Accordingly, as used herein, determining the volume of aerosol precursor composition may refer to determining a relative volume of aerosol precursor composition at the heating element.

In some examples, the sensor <NUM> is or includes a temperature sensor <NUM> configured to measure the temperature of the heater <NUM>. In these examples, the control component may be configured to determine the volume of aerosol precursor composition based on the temperature so measured. Various methods may be utilized to determine the volume of aerosol precursor composition at the heater <NUM> from the measured temperature. For example, if the volume of aerosol precursor composition at the heater is constant, then the measured temperature is also constant provided the current delivered thereto is constant throughout a given puff duration. If the temperature increases it indicates that the volume of aerosol precursor composition at the heater is low. If the temperature decreases it indicates more aerosol precursor composition may be available than required and thus the liquid-level at the heater should be decreased. Examples of suitable temperature sensors may include the Multi-Sensor High Accuracy Digital Temperature Measurement System (LTC2983) commercial product manufactured by Linear Technology. In some examples in which the temperature sensor is coupled with a resistance temperature detector (RTD) or thermocouple, the temperature sensor may measure temperature up to <NUM> degrees Celsius.

It should be noted that while the illustrated implementation of <FIG> includes both the optical liquid-level sensor <NUM> and the temperature sensor <NUM>, the sensor <NUM> of example implementations discussed herein may be or include either or both the optical liquid-level sensor and the temperature sensor. For instance, in some example implementations, the optical liquid-level sensor may be utilized as a primary sensor for determining the volume of aerosol precursor composition at the heater <NUM>, and the temperature sensor may be only utilized as a back-up sensor in the event that the optical liquid-level sensor malfunctions.

As previously indicated, the control component <NUM> is configured to control the valve <NUM> based on the volume of aerosol precursor composition at the heater <NUM>. In some example implementations, the control component may be configured to control the valve <NUM> only in instances in which a flow of liquid through at least a portion of the aerosol delivery device <NUM> is detected by the flow sensor <NUM>. In these examples, the control body may include a number of sensors in addition to the sensor <NUM> for further control of the valve. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the control body <NUM> may include a pressure sensor <NUM> configured to measure a pressure of the flow of liquid through the aerosol delivery device and generate a second signal corresponding to the pressure so measured. Suitable pressure sensors may include the Single Channel, <NUM> to <NUM> Msps, <NUM>-Bit A/D Converter (ADC121S101) and <NUM>-Bit, <NUM> to <NUM> kSPS, Differential Input, MicroPower ADC (ADC1 <NUM> S626) commercial products manufactured by Texas Instruments. In these examples, the liquid flow rate may be directly proportional to the pressure. The control component may be configured to receive the second corresponding signal and control the valve to further decrease or increase the rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition in proportion to the pressure so measured.

In another example, the pressure sensor <NUM> may be configured to measure a pressure of the flow of liquid through the aerosol delivery device and an atmospheric pressure and generate second signals corresponding to respectively the pressure of the flow of liquid and the volumetric pressure (e.g., volumetric liquid pressure). In these examples, the pressure is inversely proportional to the liquid flow rate such that a single sensor may be utilized to measure the pressure and liquid flow rate. The control body may also comprise a humidity sensor <NUM> configured to measure a humidity of the environment and generate a second signal corresponding to the humidity so measured.

In these implementations, the control component <NUM> may be configured to receive the second corresponding signals, and determine an optimal rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition based on the volume of the aerosol precursor composition so determined, and the pressure of the flow of liquid, the volumetric pressure and the humidity so measured. In some examples, an optimal rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition may include a constant rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition. In these examples, various methods may be utilized to determine the optimal rate based on a number of parameters. For example, by providing a constant volume of aerosol precursor composition over a puff duration, the rate of flow may be constant (e.g., optimal rate = volume/puff duration). In some examples, the volume may be determined by a cross-sectional area, depth or thickness of the aerosol precursor composition such that by providing a constant cross-sectional area, depth or thickness, and puff duration, the rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition may be constant. The control component may then control the valve <NUM> to decrease or increase the rate to match the optimal rate so determined. It should be noted that as discussed herein a "match" may be or include a substantial or approximate match of the optimal rate with respect to and within an acceptable error of the design specifications of the valve, engineering tolerances, and the like.

In addition to the valve <NUM>, other functional element(s) of the aerosol delivery device <NUM> may be controlled in any of a number of different manners. As shown in <FIG>, for example, a display <NUM> may be controlled to present the rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition to the heater <NUM>. In particular, the control body <NUM> may comprise a liquid-flow sensor <NUM> configured to measure the rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition to the heater, and a display <NUM> controllable to present the rate so measured. That is, the control component <NUM> may control the display to present the rate so measured.

As another example, the reservoir <NUM> may be a refillable reservoir and the control body <NUM> may comprise a liquid-level sensor <NUM> configured to measure a volume of the aerosol precursor composition within the refillable reservoir and generate a second signal corresponding signal. In these examples, the communication interface <NUM> may be configured to enable wireless communication of the second corresponding signal or another signal that conveys the volume of the aerosol precursor composition within the refillable reservoir so measured to a remote ordering system <NUM>. The remote ordering system may then be configured to automatically order a container for refilling the reservoir in response to the volume being below a second predetermined threshold. In some of these examples, the communication interface may further initiate payment of the order using near-field communication.

The foregoing description of use of the article(s) can be applied to the various example implementations described herein through minor modifications, which can be apparent to the person of skill in the art in light of the further disclosure provided herein. The above description of use, however, is not intended to limit the use of the article but is provided to comply with all necessary requirements of disclosure of the present disclosure. Any of the elements shown in the article(s) illustrated in <FIG> or as otherwise described above may be included in an aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
An aerosol delivery device comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) defining a reservoir (<NUM>) configured to retain aerosol precursor composition; and contained within the housing (<NUM>),
an atomizer (<NUM>) controllable to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition;
a valve (<NUM>) configured to control a flow of aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir (<NUM>) to the atomizer (<NUM>);
a sensor (<NUM>) configured to measure a reflectance or temperature of the atomizer (<NUM>) and generate a corresponding signal; and
a control component (<NUM>) configured to receive the corresponding signal and determine a volume of aerosol precursor composition at the atomizer (<NUM>), distinct from aerosol precursor composition in the reservoir, based on the reflectance or temperature so measured, the control component (<NUM>) being configured to control the valve (<NUM>) to decrease or increase a rate of the flow of aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir to the atomizer in response to the volume being respectively above or below a predetermined threshold volume.