Patent Description:
Vaporizer devices, which can also be referred to as vaporizers, electronic vaporizer devices or e-vaporizer devices, can be used for delivery of an aerosol (or "vapor") containing one or more active ingredients by inhalation of the aerosol by a user of the vaporizing device. For example, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) include a class of vaporizer devices that are typically battery powered and that may be used to simulate the experience of smoking, but without burning of tobacco or other substances.

In use of a vaporizer device, the user inhales an aerosol, commonly called vapor, which may be generated by a heating element that vaporizes (e.g., causing a liquid or solid to at least partially transition to the gas phase) a vaporizable material, which may be liquid, a solution, a solid, a wax, or any other form as may be compatible with use of a specific vaporizer device. The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer can be provided within a cartridge (e.g., a separable part of the vaporizer that contains the vaporizable material in a reservoir or a compartment) that includes a mouthpiece (e.g., for inhalation by a user).

To receive the inhalable aerosol generated by a vaporizer device, a user may, in certain examples, activate the vaporizer device by taking a puff, by pressing a button, or by some other approach. A puff, as the term is generally used (and also used herein), refers to inhalation by the user in a manner that causes a volume of air to be drawn into the vaporizer device such that the inhalable aerosol is generated by a combination of vaporized vaporizable material with the air.

A typical approach by which a vaporizer device generates an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material involves heating the vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber (or a heater chamber) to cause the vaporizable material to be converted to the gas (or vapor) phase. A vaporization chamber generally refers to an area or volume in the vaporizer device within which a heat source (e.g., conductive, convective, and/or radiative) causes heating of a vaporizable material to produce a mixture of air and vaporized vaporizable material to form a vapor for inhalation by a user of the vaporizer device.

The term vaporizer device, as used herein consistent with the current subject matter, generally refers to portable, self-contained, devices that are convenient for personal use. Typically, such devices include batteries and are controlled by one or more switches, buttons, touch sensitive devices, or other user input functionality or the like (which can be referred to generally as controls) on the vaporizer, although a number of devices that may wirelessly communicate with an external controller (e.g., a smartphone, a smart watch, other wearable electronic devices, etc.) have recently become available. The batteries frequently require recharging, which requires an electrical power source such as an electrical outlet. Without recharging the batteries, a conventional vaporizer device will not operate.

Various vaporizable materials having a variety of contents and proportions of such contents can be contained in the cartridge. Some vaporizable materials, for example, may have a smaller percentage of active ingredients per total volume of vaporizable material, such as due to regulations requiring certain active ingredient percentages. As a result, a user may need to vaporize a large amount of vaporizable material (e.g., compared to the overall volume of vaporizable material that can be stored in a cartridge) to achieve a desired effect.

<CIT> discloses an aerosol delivery device which uses the current generated by a fuel cell to power a vaporizer. The fuel cell powers a resistive heater for vaporizing a vaporizable fluid.

<CIT> discloses a micro powered gas-forming device which is powered by a fuel cell. An aerosol precursor substance is provided in liquid form. The fuel cell generates electricity which is used to power a resistive heater.

According to the invention, a cartridge with the feature of claim <NUM> and a system with the features of claim <NUM> are provided. Further embodiments can be gathered from the dependent claims.

In certain aspects of the current subject matter, challenges associated with the availability of electricity to charge a vaporizer device may be addressed by inclusion of one or more of the features described herein or comparable/equivalent approaches as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Aspects of the current subject matter relate to methods, devices, and systems for a vaporizer device powered by a fuel cell.

Some variations of the methods, devices, and systems described herein are drawn to novel vaporizing device consisting of a mouthpiece and a device body containing a fuel cell, a low temperature vaporization chamber, a fuel tank, a regulator may be used to control flow rate of the heat to maintain a stable operating temperature. These devices may provide a mouthpiece made of a high temperature food-safe material, such as ceramic, glass, or high temperature plastics known as PEI resin (brand name Ultem). However, suitable plastic or wood, etc., could also be used but would additionally require an insulating material that would prevent excessive heat reaching the user's lips.

In some variations, one or more of the following features may optionally be included in any feasible combination.

The vaporizer device is powered by a fuel cell. In implementations, the fuel cell may be configured as one or more fuel cell elements with flat saturated media interposed at least partially between the fuel cell elements. The fuel cell elements are in thermal contact with the saturated media. The saturated media can be a nicotine saturated media.

In implementations, a cartridge for a vaporizer device powered by a fuel cell is provided, the cartridge comprising: a first compartment configured to hold a vaporizable material; a second compartment configured to hold a fuel; an outlet fluidically coupled to the second compartment and configured to deliver the fuel to the fuel cell; and a vaporization chamber in fluid communication with the first compartment, the vaporization chamber configured to vaporize the vaporizable material included in the first compartment when the fuel from the second compartment is delivered to the fuel cell.

In implementations, the vaporizable material includes a nicotine formulation. In implementations, a level of the vaporizable material is visible through a transparent portion of the first compartment. In implementations, a level of the fuel is visible through a transparent portion of the second compartment. In implementations, the outlet is disposed at a first end of the cartridge. In implementations, a mouthpiece is disposed at a second end of the cartridge, and wherein the second end is opposite to the first end. In implementations, the cartridge further includes a cannula to fluidically couple the vaporization chamber to the mouthpiece. In implementations, the vaporization chamber is disposed within the mouthpiece. In implementations, the cartridge further includes a cartridge electrical contact disposed on an outer surface of the cartridge, the cartridge electrical contact configured to conduct heat from the fuel cell to the cartridge. In implementations, the cartridge further includes a resistive heater disposed within the vaporization chamber.

In implementations, the cartridge further includes a conductive heating element disposed within the vaporization chamber. In implementations, the cartridge further includes a cartridge thermal contact disposed on an outer surface of the cartridge, the cartridge thermal contact configured to conduct heat from the fuel cell to the cartridge. In implementations, the cartridge further includes a cartridge thermal contact disposed in a recessed portion of the cartridge to conduct heat from the fuel cell to the cartridge. In implementations, the cartridge further includes a wick having a first portion fluidically coupled to the first compartment and a second portion fluidically coupled to the vaporization chamber, the wick configured to transport the vaporizable material into the vaporization chamber. In implementations, the second compartment further includes an expansion chamber configured to reduce a pressure buildup.

In implementations, the fuel cell is a solid oxide fuel cell. In implementations, the fuel cell is a low temperature solid oxide fuel cell. In implementations, the fuel cell operates at a temperature less than or equal to <NUM> degrees Celsius. In implementations, the fuel cell operates at a temperature in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> degrees Celsius.

In another interrelated aspect of the current subject matter, a vaporizer device is provided, comprising: a body; a receptacle disposed at one end of the body, the receptacle configured to receive a cartridge at the proximal end; and a fuel cell disposed within the body.

In implementations, an exterior surface of the body is free of electrical contacts. In implementations, the vaporizer device further includes a first air inlet configured to provide, to the cartridge received at the proximal end, an airflow. In implementations, the first air inlet is disposed on an exterior surface of the body. In implementations, the first air inlet is disposed in the receptacle.

In implementations, the vaporizer device further includes a second air inlet configured to provide an airflow to the fuel cell. The second air inlet can be disposed on an exterior surface of the body. The second air inlet can be disposed in the receptacle. The vaporizer device can further include a device electrical contact configured to electrically couple with a cartridge electrical contact. The vaporizer device can further include a device thermal contact configured to thermally couple with a cartridge thermal contact. The fuel cell is configured to produce heat transferrable to a vaporizable material included in the cartridge. In implementations, the fuel cell is configured to produce electricity transferrable to a resistive heater disposed in the cartridge. The fuel cell can be a solid oxide fuel cell. In particular, the fuel cell can be a low temperature solid oxide fuel cell. The fuel cell may operate at a temperature less than or equal to <NUM> degrees Celsius. In implementations, the fuel cell operates at a temperature in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> degrees Celsius.

In implementations, a system comprising the cartridge and the vaporizer device is provided. The vaporizable material can include a nicotine formulation.

Implementations of the current subject matter include devices relating to vaporizing of one or more materials for inhalation by a user. The term "vaporizer" is used generically in the following description to refer to a vaporizer device. Examples of vaporizers consistent with implementations of the current subject matter include thermal vaporizers or the like. Such vaporizers are generally portable, hand-held devices that heat a vaporizable material to provide an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material.

The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer may be provided within a cartridge (e.g., a part of the vaporizer that contains the vaporizable material in a first compartment or other container and that can be refillable when empty or disposable in favor of a new cartridge containing additional vaporizable material of a same or different type). A vaporizer may be a cartridge-using vaporizer, a cartridge-less vaporizer, or a multi-use vaporizer capable of use with or without a cartridge. For example, a multi-use vaporizer may include a heating chamber configured to receive a vaporizable material directly in the heating chamber and also to receive a cartridge or other replaceable device having a first compartment, a reservoir, a volume, or the like for at least partially containing a usable amount of vaporizable material.

In various implementations, a vaporizer may be configured for use with liquid vaporizable material (e.g., a carrier solution in which an active and/or inactive ingredient(s) are suspended or held in solution or a neat liquid form of the vaporizable material itself) or a solid vaporizable material. A solid vaporizable material may include a plant material that emits some part of the plant material as the vaporizable material (e.g., such that some part of the plant material remains as waste after the vaporizable material is emitted for inhalation by a user) or optionally can be a solid form of the vaporizable material itself (e.g., a "wax") such that all of the solid material can eventually be vaporized for inhalation. A liquid vaporizable material can likewise be capable of being completely vaporized or can include some part of the liquid material that remains after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been consumed.

Referring to the block diagram of <FIG>, a vaporizer <NUM> typically includes a power source <NUM> (i.e. a fuel cell), and a controller <NUM> (e.g., a processor, circuitry, etc. capable of executing logic) for controlling heat to an atomizer <NUM> to cause a vaporizable material stored in reservoir <NUM> to be converted from a condensed form (e.g., a solid, a liquid, a solution, a suspension, a part of an at least partially unprocessed plant material, etc.) to the gas phase. The controller <NUM> may be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain implementations of the current subject matter.

After conversion of the vaporizable material to the gas phase, and depending on the type of vaporizer, the physical and chemical properties of the vaporizable material, and/or other factors, at least some of the gas-phase vaporizable material may condense to form particulate matter in at least a partial local equilibrium with the gas phase as part of an aerosol, which can form some or all of an inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer <NUM> to a user via the mouthpiece <NUM> for a given puff or draw on the vaporizer. It will be understood that the interplay between gas and condensed phases in an aerosol generated by a vaporizer can be complex and dynamic, as factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemistry, flow conditions in airflow paths (both inside the vaporizer and in the airways of a human or other animal), mixing of the gas-phase or aerosol-phase vaporizable material with other air streams, etc. may affect one or more physical parameters of an aerosol. In some vaporizers, and particularly for vaporizers for delivery of more volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose may exist predominantly in the gas phase (i.e., formation of condensed phase particles may be very limited).

Vaporizers for use with liquid vaporizable materials (e.g., neat liquids, suspensions, solutions, mixtures, etc.) typically include an atomizer <NUM> in which a wicking element (also referred to herein as a wick (not shown in <FIG>), which can include any material capable of causing fluid motion by capillary action) conveys an amount of a liquid vaporizable material to a part of the atomizer that includes a heating element (also not shown in <FIG>). The wicking element is generally configured to draw liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir or compartment configured to contain (and that may in use contain) the liquid vaporizable material such that the liquid vaporizable material may be vaporized by heat delivered from a heating element. The wicking element may also optionally allow air to enter the reservoir or compartment to replace the volume of liquid removed. In other words, capillary action pulls liquid vaporizable material into the wick for vaporization by the heating element (described below), and air may, in implementations of the current subject matter, return to the reservoir or compartment through the wick to at least partially equalize pressure in the reservoir or compartment. Other approaches to allowing air back into the reservoir to equalize pressure are also within the scope of the current subject matter.

The heating element can be or include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiative heater, a thermally conductive heater, and a convective heater. One type of heating element is a resistive heating element, which can be constructed of or at least include a material (e.g., a metal or alloy, for example a nickel-chromium alloy, or a non-metallic resistor) configured to dissipate electrical power in the form of heat when electrical current is passed through one or more resistive segments of the heating element. An atomizer can include a heating element that includes resistive coil or other heating element wrapped around, positioned within, integrated into a bulk shape of, pressed into thermal contact with, or otherwise arranged to deliver heat to a wicking element to cause a liquid vaporizable material drawn by the wicking element from a reservoir or compartment to be vaporized for subsequent inhalation by a user in a gas and/or a condensed (e.g., aerosol particles or droplets) phase. Other wicking element, heating element, and/or atomizer assembly configurations are also possible, as discussed further below. For example, in the case of a fuel cell as a power source, fuel may be directly converted to heat to be passed to the wicking element either directly or via a thermally conductive heater.

The heating element may be activated (e.g., a controller, which is optionally part of a vaporizer body as discussed below, may cause current to pass from the power source through a circuit including the resistive heating element, which is optionally part of a vaporizer cartridge as discussed below), in association with a user puffing (e.g., drawing, inhaling, etc.) on a mouthpiece <NUM> of the vaporizer to cause air to flow from an air inlet, along an airflow path that passes an atomizer (e.g., wicking element and heating element), optionally through one or more condensation areas or chambers, to an air outlet in the mouthpiece. Incoming air passing along the airflow path passes over, through, etc. the atomizer, where gas phase vaporizable material is entrained into the air. As noted above, the entrained gas-phase vaporizable material may condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path such that an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material in an aerosol form can be delivered from the air outlet (e.g., in a mouthpiece <NUM> for inhalation by a user).

Activation of the heating element may be caused by automatic detection of the puff based on one or more of signals generated by one or more sensors <NUM>, such as for example a pressure sensor or sensors disposed to detect pressure along the airflow path relative to ambient pressure (or optionally to measure changes in absolute pressure), one or more motion sensors of the vaporizer, one or more flow sensors of the vaporizer, a capacitive lip sensor of the vaporizer; in response to detection of interaction of a user with one or more input devices <NUM> (e.g., buttons or other tactile control devices of the vaporizer <NUM>), receipt of signals from a computing device in communication with the vaporizer; and/or via other approaches for determining that a puff is occurring or imminent.

A vaporizer may be configured to connect (e.g., wirelessly or via a wired connection) to a computing device (or optionally two or more devices) in communication with the vaporizer. To this end, the controller <NUM> may include communication hardware <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may also include a memory <NUM>. A computing device can be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer <NUM>, and can include its own communication hardware, which can establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware <NUM> of the vaporizer <NUM>. For example, a computing device used as part of a vaporizer system may include a general purpose computing device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, some other portable device such as a smartwatch, or the like) that executes software to produce a user interface for enabling a user of the device to interact with a vaporizer. In other implementations of the current subject matter, such a device used as part of a vaporizer system can be a dedicated piece of hardware such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical or soft (e.g., configurable on a screen or other display device and selectable via user interaction with a touch-sensitive screen or some other input device like a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, or the like) interface controls. The vaporizer can also include one or more output <NUM> features or devices for providing information to the user.

A computing device that is part of a vaporizer system as defined above can be used for any of one or more functions, such as controlling dosing (e.g., dose monitoring, dose setting, dose limiting, user tracking, etc.), controlling sessioning (e.g., session monitoring, session setting, session limiting, user tracking, etc.), controlling nicotine delivery (e.g., switching between nicotine and non-nicotine vaporizable material, adjusting an amount of nicotine delivered, etc.), obtaining locational information (e.g., location of other users, retailer/commercial venue locations, vaping locations, relative or absolute location of the vaporizer itself, etc.), vaporizer personalization (e.g., naming the vaporizer, locking/password protecting the vaporizer, adjusting one or more parental controls, associating the vaporizer with a user group, registering the vaporizer with a manufacturer or warranty maintenance organization, etc.), engaging in social activities (e.g., games, social media communications, interacting with one or more groups, etc.) with other users, or the like. The terms "sessioning", "session", "vaporizer session," or "vapor session," are used generically to refer to a period devoted to the use of the vaporizer. The period can include a time period, a number of doses, an amount of vaporizable material, and/or the like.

In the example in which a computing device provides signals related to activation of the resistive heating element, or in other examples of coupling of a computing device with a vaporizer for implementation of various control or other functions, the computing device executes one or more computer instructions sets to provide a user interface and underlying data handling. In one example, detection by the computing device of user interaction with one or more user interface elements can cause the computing device to signal the vaporizer <NUM> to activate the heating element, either to a full operating temperature for creation of an inhalable dose of vapor/aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer may be controlled by an interaction of a user with a user interface on a computing device in communication with the vaporizer.

The temperature of a heating element of a vaporizer <NUM> may depend on a number of factors, including an amount of electrical power delivered to the resistive heating element and/or a duty cycle at which the electrical power is delivered, conductive heat transfer to other parts of the electronic vaporizer and/or to the environment, latent heat losses due to vaporization of a vaporizable material from the wicking element and/or the atomizer as a whole, and convective heat losses due to airflow (e.g., air moving across the heating element or the atomizer as a whole when a user inhales on the electronic vaporizer). As noted above, to reliably activate the heating element or heat the heating element to a desired temperature, a vaporizer may make use of signals from a pressure sensor to determine when a user is inhaling. The pressure sensor can be positioned in the airflow path and/or can be connected (e.g., by a passageway or other path) to an airflow path connecting an inlet for air to enter the device and an outlet via which the user inhales the resulting vapor and/or aerosol such that the pressure sensor experiences pressure changes concurrently with air passing through the vaporizer device from the air inlet to the air outlet. In implementations of the current subject matter, the heating element may be activated in association with a user's puff, for example by automatic detection of the puff, for example by the pressure sensor detecting a pressure change in the airflow path.

Typically, the pressure sensor (as well as any other sensors <NUM>) can be positioned on or coupled (e.g., electrically or electronically connected, either physically or via a wireless connection) to the controller <NUM> (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board). To take measurements accurately and maintain durability of the vaporizer, it can be beneficial to provide a resilient seal <NUM> to separate an airflow path from other parts of the vaporizer. The seal <NUM>, which can be a gasket, may be configured to at least partially surround the pressure sensor such that connections of the pressure sensor to internal circuitry of the vaporizer are separated from a part of the pressure sensor exposed to the airflow path. In an example of a cartridge-based vaporizer, the seal <NUM> may also separate parts of one or more electrical connections between a vaporizer body <NUM> and a vaporizer cartridge <NUM>. Such arrangements of a seal <NUM> in a vaporizer <NUM> can be helpful in mitigating against potentially disruptive impacts on vaporizer components resulting from interactions with environmental factors such as water in the vapor or liquid phases, other fluids such as the vaporizable material, etc. and/or to reduce escape of air from the designed airflow path in the vaporizer. Unwanted air, liquid or other fluid passing and/or contacting circuitry of the vaporizer can cause various unwanted effects, such as alter pressure readings, and/or can result in the buildup of unwanted material, such as moisture, the vaporizable material, etc. in parts of the vaporizer where they may result in poor pressure signal, degradation of the pressure sensor or other components, and/or a shorter life of the vaporizer. Leaks in the seal <NUM> can also result in a user inhaling air that has passed over parts of the vaporizer device containing or constructed of materials that may not be desirable to be inhaled.

A general class of vaporizers that have recently gained popularity includes a vaporizer body <NUM> that includes a controller <NUM>, a power source <NUM> (e.g., battery), one more sensors <NUM>, charging contacts, a seal <NUM>, and a cartridge receptacle <NUM> configured to receive a vaporizer cartridge <NUM> for coupling with the vaporizer body through one or more of a variety of attachment structures. In some examples, vaporizer cartridge <NUM> includes a reservoir <NUM> for containing a liquid vaporizable material and a mouthpiece <NUM> for delivering an inhalable dose to a user. The vaporizer cartridge can include an atomizer <NUM> having a wicking element and a heating element, or alternatively, one or both of the wicking element and the heating element can be part of the vaporizer body. In implementations in which any part of the atomizer <NUM> (e.g., heating element and/or wicking element) is part of the vaporizer body, the vaporizer can be configured to supply liquid vaporizer material from a reservoir or a compartment in the vaporizer cartridge to the atomizer part(s) included in the vaporizer body.

Cartridge-based configurations for vaporizers that generate an inhalable dose of a non-liquid vaporizable material via heating of a non-liquid vaporizable material are also within the scope of the current subject matter. For example, a vaporizer cartridge may include a mass of a plant material that is processed and formed to have direct contact with parts of one or more resistive heating elements, and such a vaporizer cartridge may be configured to be coupled mechanically and electrically to a vaporizer body the includes a processor, a power source, and electrical contacts for connecting to corresponding cartridge contacts for completing a circuit with the one or more resistive heating elements.

In vaporizers in which the power source <NUM> is part of a vaporizer body <NUM> and a heating element is disposed in a vaporizer cartridge <NUM> configured to couple with the vaporizer body <NUM>, the vaporizer <NUM> may include electrical connection features (e.g., means for completing a circuit) for completing a circuit that includes the controller <NUM> (e.g., a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, or the like), the power source, and the heating element. These features may include at least two contacts on a bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> (referred to herein as cartridge contacts <NUM>) and at least two contacts disposed near a base of the cartridge receptacle (referred to herein as receptacle contacts <NUM>) of the vaporizer <NUM> such that the cartridge contacts <NUM> and the receptacle contacts <NUM> make electrical connections when the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> is inserted into and coupled with the cartridge receptacle <NUM>. The circuit completed by these electrical connections can allow delivery of electrical current to the resistive heating element and may further be used for additional functions, such as for example for measuring a resistance of the resistive heating element for use in determining and/or controlling a temperature of the resistive heating element based on a thermal coefficient of resistivity of the resistive heating element, for identifying a cartridge based on one or more electrical characteristics of a resistive heating element or the other circuitry of the vaporizer cartridge, etc..

In some examples of the current subject matter, the at least two cartridge contacts and the at least two receptacle contacts can be configured to electrically or physically connect in either of at least two orientations. In other words, one or more circuits necessary for operation of the vaporizer can be completed by insertion of a vaporizer cartridge <NUM> in the cartridge receptacle <NUM> in a first rotational orientation (around an axis along which the end of the vaporizer cartridge having the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle <NUM> of the vaporizer body <NUM>) such that a first cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts <NUM> is electrically or physically connected to a first receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts <NUM> and a second cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts <NUM> is electrically or physically connected to a second receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts <NUM>. Furthermore, the one or more circuits necessary for operation of the vaporizer can be completed by insertion of a vaporizer cartridge <NUM> in the cartridge receptacle <NUM> in a second rotational orientation such that the first cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts <NUM> is electrically or physically connected to the second receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts <NUM> and the second cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts <NUM> is electrically or physically connected to the first receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts <NUM>. This feature of a vaporizer cartridge <NUM> being reversible insertable into a cartridge receptacle <NUM> of the vaporizer body <NUM> is described further below.

In one example of an attachment structure for coupling a vaporizer cartridge <NUM> to a vaporizer body, the vaporizer body <NUM> includes a detent (e.g., a dimple, protrusion, etc.) protruding inwardly from an inner surface the cartridge receptacle <NUM>. One or more exterior surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> can include corresponding recesses (not shown in <FIG>) that can fit and/or otherwise snap over such detents when an end of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> inserted into the cartridge receptacle <NUM> on the vaporizer body <NUM>. When the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> and the vaporizer body <NUM> are coupled (e.g., by insertion of an end of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> into the cartridge receptacle <NUM> of the vaporizer body <NUM>), the detent into the vaporizer body <NUM> may fit within and/or otherwise be held within the recesses of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> to hold the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> in place when assembled. Such a detent-recess assembly can provide enough support to hold the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> in place to ensure good contact between the at least two cartridge contacts <NUM> and the at least two receptacle contacts <NUM>, while allowing release of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> from the vaporizer body <NUM> when a user pulls with reasonable force on the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> to disengage the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> from the cartridge receptacle <NUM>.

Further to the discussion above about the electrical connections between a vaporizer cartridge and a vaporizer body being reversible such that at least two rotational orientations of the vaporizer cartridge in the cartridge receptacle are possible, in some vaporizers the shape of the vaporizer cartridge, or at least a shape of the end of the vaporizer cartridge that is configured for insertion into the cartridge receptacle may have rotational symmetry of at least order two. In other words, the vaporizer cartridge or at least the insertable end of the vaporizer cartridge may be symmetric upon a rotation of <NUM>° around an axis along which the vaporizer cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle. In such a configuration, the circuitry of the vaporizer may support identical operation regardless of which symmetrical orientation of the vaporizer cartridge occurs.

In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge, or at least an end of the vaporizer cartridge configured for insertion in the cartridge receptacle may have a non-circular cross section transverse to the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle. For example, the non-circular cross section may be approximately rectangular, approximately elliptical (e.g., have an approximately oval shape), non-rectangular but with two sets of parallel or approximately parallel opposing sides (e.g., having a parallelogram-like shape), or other shapes having rotational symmetry of at least order two. In this context, approximately having a shape indicates that a basic likeness to the described shape is apparent, but that sides of the shape in question need not be completely linear and vertices need not be completely sharp. Rounding of both or either of edges or vertices of the cross-sectional shape is contemplated in the description of any non-circular cross section referred to herein.

The at least two cartridge contacts and the at least two receptacle contacts can take various forms. For example, one or both sets of contacts may include conductive pins, tabs, posts, receiving holes for pins or posts, or the like. Some types of contacts may include springs or other urging features to cause better physical and electrical contact between the contacts on the vaporizer cartridge and the vaporizer body.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the vaporizer body <NUM> having a cartridge receptacle <NUM> into which the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> may be releasably inserted. <FIG> shows a top view of the vaporizer <NUM> illustrating the cartridge being positioned for insertion into the vaporizer body <NUM>. When a user puffs on the vaporizer <NUM>, air may pass between an outer surface of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> and an inner surface of a cartridge receptacle <NUM> on the vaporizer body <NUM>. Air can then be drawn into an insertable end <NUM> of the cartridge, through the vaporization chamber that includes or contains the heating element and wick, and out through an outlet of the mouthpiece <NUM> for delivery of the inhalable aerosol to a user. The reservoir <NUM> of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> may be formed in whole or in part from translucent material such that a level of vaporizable material <NUM> is visible along the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>.

In implementations according to the present disclosure, the vaporizer does not require a battery and/or a controller. The power source of the vaporizer is a fuel cell. The fuel cell generates more thermal energy than electrical energy and provides heat directly to the vaporizable material. The vaporizer powered by a fuel cell operates without having the need to be recharged using electricity, which allows the use of the vaporizer in areas that do not have access to electrical power. Additionally, a fuel cell powered vaporizer can heat up more quickly than a conventional battery powered vaporizer. The materials of construction of a fuel cell powered vaporizer may be more environmentally friendly and provide improved recyclability as compared to, for example, a lithium-ion or nickel-cadmium battery powered vaporizer. The fuel cell powered vaporizer can be configured to vaporize a variety of vaporizable materials, having a variety of contents and proportions of such contents. Some vaporizable materials, for example, may have a smaller percentage of active ingredients per total volume of vaporizable material, such as due to regulations requiring certain active ingredient percentages. As a result, a user may need to vaporize a large amount of vaporizable material (e.g., compared to the overall volume of vaporizable material that can be stored in a cartridge) to achieve a desired effect. By using a fuel cell powered vaporizer having superior thermal transfer as compared to a conventional vaporizer, the vaporizer is able to quickly vaporize larger amount of vaporizable material.

The fuel that powers a fuel cell has a much greater energy density than a battery (e.g. a lithium-ion battery). The energy density of the fuel for a fuel cell can be <NUM> times, <NUM> times, and even greater than <NUM> times the energy density of a battery. By utilizing an energy dense fuel, the overall size and weight of the fuel cell powered vaporizer can be reduced. As mentioned above, a fuel cell powered vaporizer can operate for longer periods of time before the fuel is replenished, as compared to the frequent need to recharge a battery powered vaporizer.

In some embodiments, a fuel cell powered vaporizer device may contain a small rechargeable battery, a capacitor, or other auxiliary power source, configured to power other device functions not related to heating a vaporizable material. For example, an auxiliary power source may be used to operate lights or other functions of the vaporizer device without needing to engage the fuel cell.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of a fuel cell stack <NUM>. The fuel cell that powers the vaporizer can be placed in an integrated fuel cell stack <NUM> with the heat produced being directly transferred to the vaporizable material, without the need for an electronic controller to regulate a temperature of resistive heating element. In this manner, the cost of the fuel cell powered vaporizer can be lower than a vaporizer that includes a battery and/or a controller. As shown in <FIG>, the vaporizable material is stored in a saturated media <NUM> and is at least partially interposed between the fuel cell elements <NUM>. In some implementations, the saturated media <NUM> is a nicotine saturated media. In other implementations, the saturated media <NUM> is saturated with a vaporizable material that does not contain nicotine. The fuel cell elements <NUM> are configured to allow air <NUM> and fuel <NUM> to enter the fuel cell elements <NUM>. In implementations, the fuel <NUM> may be a solid, liquid, and/or gas such as hydrogen, alcohol, butane, gasoline and other hydrocarbon fuels. In implementations, the fuel is a liquid hydrocarbon. In implementations, the fuel is an alcohol. In implementations, the fuel is the vaporizable material. For example, a solution comprising propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin can be used as the fuel for the fuel cell. In implementations, the saturated media <NUM> may be any porous material such as paper, cotton, ceramic, silica, etc. In these implementations, heat is transferred from the fuel cell elements <NUM> directly to the saturated media <NUM>. In implementations, the saturated media <NUM> comprises a plurality of sheets. For example, about <NUM> sheets of paper can be used for a saturated media <NUM> that is disposed between two fuel cell elements <NUM> to receive heat and vaporize the vaporizable material contained therein. In implementations, the saturated media <NUM> comprises a porous material, such as a ceramic.

In implementations, each fuel cell element <NUM> within a fuel cell stack can be about <NUM> thick, or can be about <NUM> thick. In implementations, each fuel cell element <NUM> within a fuel cell stack can have a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>. In implementations, the fuel cell stack comprises three or more fuel cell elements <NUM> and two or more saturated media <NUM>.

The implementation shown in <FIG> utilizes an integrated fuel cell stack <NUM> including a saturated media <NUM> containing vaporizable material, such as vaporizable material containing nicotine, positioned between fuel cell elements <NUM>, with the heat produced being directly transferred to the saturated media <NUM> containing vaporizable material without the need for an electronic controller to regulate the temperature. This configuration provides several advantages. For example, heating may be more efficient due to heat from the fuel cell elements <NUM> being directly transferred through thermal conduction to the saturated media <NUM>. Additionally, the amount and rate of heat transfer may be increased, as heat is more quickly transferred to the saturated media <NUM> due to its close contact and increased surface area, as compared to conventional atomizer and wick configurations. Furthermore, the implementation shown in <FIG> may offer increased temperature uniformity, and/or not result in the production of harmful emissions when hydrogen or alcohol are used as a fuel.

In implementations, the fuel cell has an operating temperature of about <NUM> degrees Celsius. In implementations, the fuel cell has an operating temperature below about <NUM> degrees Celsius. In implementations, the fuel cell has an operating temperature in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> degrees Celsius. In implementations, the fuel cell has an operating temperature in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> degrees Celsius. In implementations, the fuel cell operating temperature reforms the fuel prior to an oxidative reaction within the fuel cell.

In implementations, the fuel cell and vaporizable material are contained in separate components of the vaporizer. <FIG> illustrates a block diagram of a vaporizer body <NUM> coupled to a vaporizer cartridge <NUM>. The device body <NUM> includes a fuel cell <NUM> coupled to the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> configured to contain the vaporizable material. In implementations, the coupling between the fuel cell <NUM> and the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> may result in a thermal coupling, a fluidic coupling, an electrical coupling, or combinations thereof. The vaporizer cartridge <NUM> contains a wick <NUM> that is fluidically coupled with a first compartment 201a and a second compartment 201b each configured to hold a vaporizable material. The vaporizer cartridge <NUM> also contains a fuel compartment <NUM> configured to hold a fuel. In implementations, the wick <NUM> may be thermally coupled with the fuel cell <NUM> and may be fluidically coupled to draw vaporizable material from a first compartment 201a and/or a second compartment 201b. In implementations, the fuel may be housed in a separate cartridge coupled to the device body <NUM>, for example, attached an end opposite the vaporizable material cartridge. In implementations, the fuel cell <NUM> is a solid oxide fuel cell or a low temperature solid oxide fuel cell.

In implementations, the fuel cell according to the present disclosure is a solid oxide fuel cell. Solid oxide fuel cells are a class of fuel cells characterized by the use of a solid oxide material as the electrolyte. In general, solid oxide fuel cells use a solid oxide electrolyte to conduct negative oxygen ions from the cathode to the anode. The electrochemical oxidation of the oxygen ions with hydrogen or carbon monoxide thus occurs on the anode side. Solid oxide fuel cells can operate at high temperatures, at or above <NUM> degrees Celsius. Because of these high temperatures, light hydrocarbon fuels, such as methane, propane, butane, alcohol, and the like can be internally reformed within the anode. Solid oxide fuel cells can also be fueled by externally reforming heavier hydrocarbons, such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, or biofuels. Such reformates are mixtures of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, steam and methane, formed by reacting the hydrocarbon fuels with air or steam in the device upstream of the solid oxide fuel cell anode. Solid oxide fuel cell power systems can increase efficiency by using the heat given off by the exothermic electrochemical oxidation within the fuel cell for endothermic steam reforming process. Additionally, solid fuels such as coal and biomass may be gasified to form syngas, which is suitable for fueling solid oxide fuel cells.

In implementations, the fuel cell according to the present disclosure is a low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell. Low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells operate at temperatures less than or equal to <NUM> degrees Celsius. Low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells are more reliable, due to smaller thermal mismatch and easier sealing, and require less insulation and therefore cost less than a traditional solid oxide fuel cell. Low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells can also be started more rapidly and with less energy, due to operating at a lower temperature than that of a traditional solid oxide fuel cell.

<FIG> illustrates an operational diagram of a solid oxide fuel cell element <NUM>. Electrical current <NUM> passes from the anode <NUM> to the cathode <NUM>. Fuel <NUM> enters at an inlet on the side of the fuel cell element <NUM> containing the anode <NUM> and water <NUM> and excess fuel <NUM> exit at an outlet on the side of the fuel cell element <NUM> containing the anode <NUM>, and the excess fuel <NUM> is recycled back into the fuel cell element <NUM>. Air <NUM> enters the fuel cell at an inlet on the side of the fuel cell element <NUM> containing the cathode <NUM> and unused gases <NUM> exit at an outlet on the side of the fuel cell <NUM> containing the cathode <NUM>. Disposed between the anode <NUM> and cathode <NUM> is an electrolyte <NUM>. Fuel <NUM> may be reformed internally within the solid oxide fuel cell <NUM>. In implementations, the electrolyte <NUM> may be an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, etc. In implementations, the fuel cell can be constructed using cerium oxide, nickel oxide, strontium oxide, and combinations thereof. The solid oxide fuel cell element <NUM> provides high combined heat and power efficiency, long-term stability, and fuel flexibility. In implementations, the fuel cell is a solid oxide fuel cell. In implementations, the fuel cell is a low temperature solid oxide fuel cell. In implementations, the fuel cell is an alkaline fuel cell.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of a vaporizer consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. Vaporizer <NUM> includes a vaporizer body <NUM> that contains a fuel cell <NUM> as a power source. Vaporizer <NUM> also includes a cartridge receptacle <NUM> configured to receive a vaporizer cartridge <NUM> for coupling with the vaporizer body <NUM> through one or more of a variety of attachment structures, fluidic couplings, thermal couplings and/or electrical couplings. In implementations, vaporizer cartridge <NUM> includes a first compartment <NUM> for containing a liquid vaporizable material and a mouthpiece <NUM> for delivering an inhalable dose to a user. The vaporizer cartridge <NUM> includes a fuel compartment <NUM> for containing fuel for the fuel cell. In implementations, vaporizer <NUM> does not include a battery and/or a controller. Additional vaporizer features described above may be incorporated into the vaporizer <NUM> mutatis mutandis, and where not mutually exclusive to the features of vaporizer <NUM> described herein.

Fuel compartment <NUM> is configured to contain the fuel for the fuel cell <NUM>. In implementations, the fuel may be a solid, liquid, and/or gas such as hydrogen, alcohol, butane, gasoline and other hydrocarbon fuels. In implementations, the fuel is a liquid hydrocarbon. In implementations, the fuel is an alcohol. In implementations, the fuel is the vaporizable material. For example, a solution comprising propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin can be used as the fuel for the fuel cell.

Additionally or alternatively, the vaporizer <NUM> may include a plurality of fuel compartments configured to contain one or more fuels for the fuel cell <NUM>. The vaporizer <NUM> may, additionally or alternatively, include a plurality of vaporizable material compartments configured to contain one or more vaporizable materials. In implementations, the vaporizable material may serve as the fuel, and the vaporizer <NUM> may have a single compartment configured to contain the vaporizable material.

In implementations, a fuel regulator can be disposed between the fuel compartment <NUM> containing the fuel, and the fuel cell <NUM>. The reaction rate of the fuel cell can be controlled by regulating the flow rate of the fuel and/or oxidizer to the fuel cell. By controlling the reaction rate, the operating temperature of the fuel cell can be controlled, thus controlling the rate of vaporization of the vaporizable material. The fuel regulator can be a valve, a selector switch, a fuel wicking material, and combinations thereof. Similarly, an oxidizer regulator can be disposed between the fuel cell and outside air to meter or regulate oxygen flowing to the fuel cell.

In implementations, a vent valve or fuel vent wick may be disposed in the fuel compartment <NUM> containing the fuel to at least partially equalize pressure with the ambient pressure. Other approaches to allowing air back into the fuel compartment <NUM> to equalize pressure are also within the scope of the current subject matter. In implementations of the current subject matter, the fuel compartment <NUM> containing the fuel is unvented. In implementations of the current subject matter, fuel compartment <NUM> containing the fuel is pressurized.

In implementations, the exhaust from the fuel cell <NUM> can exit in a direction away from a user of the vaporizer. The exhaust from the fuel cell may comprise water vapor, carbon dioxide, and/or unreacted fuel.

Cartridge receptacle <NUM> of vaporizer body <NUM> includes receptacle contacts <NUM> that are configured to couple with cartridge contacts <NUM> of vaporizer cartridge <NUM>. In implementations, receptacle contacts <NUM> fluidically couple, thermally couple, electrically couple, or combinations thereof, to the cartridge contacts <NUM>. In implementations, receptacle contacts <NUM> fluidically couple to cartridge contacts <NUM> to provide fuel from the fuel compartment <NUM> to the fuel cell <NUM>. In implementations, receptacle contacts <NUM> thermally couple to cartridge contacts <NUM> to provide heat from the fuel cell <NUM> to vaporize the vaporizable material. In this manner, thermal contacts in the cartridge receptacle conduct the heat from the fuel cell <NUM> to complementary contacts in the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> that heat the wick saturated with vaporizable material.

Fuel cells may produce electricity in addition to heat. The vaporizer <NUM> can optionally include multiple heating elements. For example, the fuel cell <NUM> can provide electricity produced by the fuel cell to power a resistive heating element. In implementations, receptacle contacts <NUM> electrically couple to cartridge contacts <NUM> to provide electricity from the fuel cell <NUM> to a heating element in vaporizer cartridge <NUM>. The vaporization temperature can be controlled and regulated by adjusting the fuel cell temperature, thermal contact, electrical contact, and/or resistive heating element output. The thermal contacts and/or electrical contacts may optionally be gold-plated, and/or can include other materials. The thermal contacts and/or electrical contacts may optionally be aluminum and/or other material suitable for transferring energy to the atomizer. A heating element of vaporizer <NUM> can be or include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiative heater, and a convective heater.

Certain vaporizers may also or alternatively be configured to create an inhalable dose of gas-phase and/or aerosol-phase vaporizable material via heating of a non-liquid vaporizable material, such as for example a solid-phase vaporizable material (e.g., a wax or the like) or plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves and/or parts of tobacco leaves) containing the vaporizable material.

The fuel cell <NUM> may be activated by a switch, valve, or other means (e.g., a controller, which is optionally part of a vaporizer), to cause fuel and oxygen to flow to the fuel cell producing heat and current that pass from the vaporizer <NUM> to the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>, in association with a user puffing (e.g., drawing, inhaling, etc.) on a mouthpiece <NUM> to cause air to flow from an air inlet, along an airflow path that passes an atomizer <NUM> (e.g., wicking element and heating element), optionally through one or more condensation areas or chambers, to an air outlet in the mouthpiece <NUM>. Incoming air passing along the airflow path passes over, through, etc. the atomizer, where gas phase vaporizable material is entrained into the air. As noted above, the entrained gas-phase vaporizable material may condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path such that an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material in an aerosol form can be delivered from the air outlet (e.g., in a mouthpiece <NUM> for inhalation by a user).

In implementations, vaporizer <NUM> optionally includes a supplemental battery and/or an auxiliary controller. The supplemental battery may be configured to provide supplemental heat to a heating element, to power LEDs and/or the vaporizer when the fuel cell <NUM> is not in use, or to provide power to an auxiliary controller. The supplemental battery may be charged by the fuel cell <NUM>. The vaporizer <NUM> may optionally include an auxiliary controller (e.g., a processor, circuitry, etc. capable of executing logic) configured to control heat to a resistive heating element, to control LED illumination, or to provide other information (e.g. power status, level of vaporizable material, operating temperature, etc.) to the user. The auxiliary controller may receive power from the fuel cell <NUM>, or from the supplemental battery if present.

The term "coupler" as used herein refers to any structure suitable for connecting a detachable object to a receiving object or receptacle, such as a mechanical coupler, a magnetic coupler, a static coupler, a friction coupler, an adhesive coupler, or the like.

Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations and implementations only.

Spatially relative terms, such as "forward", "rearward", "under", "below", "lower", "over", "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures.

It is also understood that each unit Similarly, the terms "upwardly", "downwardly", "vertical", "horizontal" and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

The terms "first" and "second" may be used herein to describe various features/elements (including steps).

For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/- <NUM> % of the stated value (or range of values), +/- <NUM>% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- <NUM>% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- <NUM>% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- <NUM>% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical values given herein should also be understood to include about or approximately that value, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Although various illustrative implementations are described above, any of a number of changes may be made to various implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

For example, the order in which various described method steps are performed may often be changed in alternative implementations, and in other alternative implementations, one or more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optional features of various device and system implementations may be included In implementations and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing description is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.

These computer programs, which can also be referred to programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or code, include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural language, an object-oriented programming language, a functional programming language, a logical programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. The machine-readable medium can alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner, such as for example, as would a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific implementations in which the subject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other implementations may be utilized and derived there from, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A cartridge (<NUM>) for a vaporizer device (<NUM>), the vaporizer device (<NUM>) having a fuel cell (<NUM>), the cartridge (<NUM>) comprising:
a first compartment (<NUM>) configured to hold a vaporizable material;
a second compartment (<NUM>) configured to hold a fuel;
an outlet fluidically coupled to the second compartment and configured to deliver the fuel to the fuel cell (<NUM>);
a vaporization chamber in fluid communication with the first compartment (<NUM>), the vaporization chamber configured to vaporize the vaporizable material included in the first compartment (<NUM>) when the fuel from the second compartment (<NUM>) is delivered to the fuel cell (<NUM>); and
a cartridge thermal contact (<NUM>) disposed on an outer surface of the cartridge (<NUM>), wherein the cartridge thermal contact (<NUM>) conducts heat provided from the fuel cell (<NUM>) to the vaporization chamber to vaporize the vaporizable material.