This invention relates to cooling ingestible gases in a gas consumption system. The process is commonly referred to as smoking but it now encompasses more than igniting a plant substance and breathing in the smoke. It has expanded to include breathing in vapors created by a variety of processes such as e-cigarettes, atomizers or vaporizing substances like waxes or liquids by heating them enough to start vaporizing. The process can be generically called the consumption of ingestible gas.
Historically, there have been many attempts to cool ingestible gas.
Early attempts to cool smoke was by adding a filter as in patent U.S. Pat. No. 2,827,903 in 1956. The filter did provide a small amount of cooling because it could absorb some of the heat and it was not as effective as people would want but it was inexpensive, easy to implement and did not place any additional burdens on the user.
Other attempts used water to serve as a cooling agent by passing the gas through. This was true of many water pipes, also called bongs. The water method of cooling was used in U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,475A but we know it wasn't effective enough because of the quantity of innovations and changes in the marketplace to offer the water more effective cooling.
Another attempt to cool the smoke was to add a secondary tube that would allow more ambient air to mix with the smoke. This method was used in U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,785. The major issues with this method include changing the concentration of any active ingredient because of the additional volume of air and the inability to cool the gas below ambient air temperature.
Another attempt to cool the smoke was to elongate the path that the smoke travels and possibly change the material of the path to conduct more heat away, also known as cooling, from the smoke. This method was used in U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,026. This method can cool the smoke but still has the limitation of only reaching a minimum temperature similar to the temperature of ambient air and in most cases.
Another attempt to cool the smoke was to use two independent approaches in one system, elongated path and water cooling. This method was used in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,014,353A and 4,029,109A. The hot air is pulled through an elongated path at the beginning of the process and then the gas is sent through the water for further cooling. The elongated path still could, at best, reach ambient air temperature and the water, if not cooled through some other process, will typically reach a temperature close to the temperature of ambient air so the resultant cooling would not be sufficient to reach the desired temperature range. Also, as the person was smoking, the water temperature would increase due to the contact with the smoke and change the experience over time.
Another attempt to cool the smoke was to use ice alone to cool the gas. This method was used in U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,950 in 1979. The issues with this method were inconveniencing the user by requiring access to ice to achieve the cold temperatures and managing the ice because if it melted and the user did not have access to more, they would not have a consistently pleasant experience. Also, as the water melted, it needed to be monitored and drained so it didn't block or enter the device where the substance was heated.
Another attempt was to cool the smoke with water and ice separately as in
Another attempt was to cool the smoke by using the cool side of a thermoelectric cooling device. This method was used in U.S. Pat. No. 3,084,698 in a pipe in 1960. The thermoelectric devices were used in-line in a pipe. One tried to use the heat from the smoke to generate electricity (Seebeck effect) and use that electricity to power another thermoelectric cooling device (Peltier effect) to cool the smoke as it passed. The problem is that the electricity generation is very inefficient and couldn't possibly provide enough electricity to the thermoelectric cooler to cool it enough to be in the goal temperature range.
Another attempt was to cool the smoke using a thermoelectric device and a liquid coolant pump to cool the smoke. This method was used in US Patent 20160044960A1. Overall, it was a much more complicated design and relied on several electronic devices which I believe increases the overall cost and more importantly, the probability of failure. Because of its complexity, it had many hoses and enclosed portions that were exposed to the smoke and would be very difficult to clean and service.
The ELECTRONIC INGESTIBLE GAS COOLER (EIGC), in the preferred embodiment, was conceived to make the experience of ingesting smoke or vapor a more pleasant and enjoyable experience by cooling the ingestible gas and thereby minimizing any discomfort or pain during consumption. The gas is first cooled by water and then cooled as it moves through the elongated path located inside the heat collection device which is in turn cooled by a thermoelectric device(TEC), heat sink and fan. The EIGC is easy to operate, requires minimal effort to prepare, provides a consistent experience for an almost unlimited amount of time and has the ability to interface with a variety of input and output accessories and devices.
The drawings included in this set of documents are meant to show the features and major parts of the invention, the Electronic Ingestible Gas Cooler (EIGC), as well as how the parts would be assembled to create one or more embodiments of the system. They could be used to infer the operation of the EIGC but we recommend that the drawings be used in conjunction with the detailed description in order to understand how to build the system, operate the system, and understand how the system works. These drawings are not means to represent all the details of the system by themselves and the group of drawings included in this submission are not meant to cover all embodiments of the EIGC.
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These descriptions are referring to the preferred embodiment of the EIGC but is not meant to limit the number or type of embodiments of this invention.
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All the parts are numbered the same as in
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This picture depicts how the EIGC can interface with an input and preparation device called a nail(60). The nail is inserted into the stem(13) and is held in place by gravity and friction. This picture also depicts how it can interface on the output side into another device like a water pipe(61). The user would use the water pipe to create the suction to pull the gaseous mixture that is prepared in the nail(60).
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This is a picture of a standard water pipe with a feature called the ice catch(72) which traps ice(71) in the neck(70). This is a common method of cooling the gas.
All these patterns could exist as elongated paths(4) in the heat collection device(2). They have an input and output port and the distance is at least 3 times the shortest distance from the input to the output port.
It is understood that the detailed description is an attempt to robustly define the invention and that is what we are attempting to do as well as possible. Assuming that, we also assume that there can be specific details that a person of ordinary skill in the art know and can understand, evaluate and implement without any mention. Also, it is assumed that they also have knowledge of well-known terminology, methods, procedures and devices and these things do not have to be exhaustively described or explained. Unless specifically defined, the technical terminology used herein is meant to have the meaning that one having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs.
It is also understood that common terms that are typically found in dictionaries or are part of societal language norms, should be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with their usage keeping in mind the context of the relevant art.
It is also understood that a considerable amount of effort is focused on using the preferred embodiment to not only show a working implementation of the invention but also to illustrate/help explain the invention. This focus, along with the descriptions and explanations are not intended to limit the number or type of embodiments that are possible. Any description of an embodiment is meant to demonstrate alternative implementations of the cooling system but are not meant to represent all of the possible embodiments of this type of system.
If any adjectives, positive or negative, are used to describe an item in the application, does not mean it is an indication of a choice either for or against said item.
The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
The term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
The terms with root words including but not limited to “include”, “comprise” means that the listed items are a part of the item, concept, group or set being discussed but this does not preclude other items also being present.
The phrase “includes but is not limited to” as a preface, is meant to mean that all of the listed items are included and that there could be other items that are not listed that should also be included.
The phase “such as” is meant to have the same meaning as “includes but is not limited to” described above unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
“easy” will be a description of the effort that an ordinary user would be expected to exert to be able to perform a task and it should not require any specialized tools, skills or great effort.
“core functionality” will mean the EICS simultaneously contains the thermoelectric cooling device that will transfer the heat away from the heat collection device as the gas moves along the elongated path that is at least 3 times the distance from the input to the output port, the ability to support water for cooling, ability to either have or attach input and output devices, the ability to keep the heat collection device between 0.5 and 7 degrees centigrade.
substance is meant to include any liquid, gas or solid compounds and/or mixtures that would be heated, burned, vaporized, atomized to produce a gaseous mixture that can be ingested through the mouth and/or nose and in most cases, inhaled into the lungs. This could include but is not limited to tobacco, waxes, gases and liquids.
heat spreading device will mean a device that exchanges heat in one area and spreads the heat to a greater surface area. An example of a heat spreading device is a heat sink that typically accepts the heat on a small flat area and distributes or spreads the heat, typically through conduction to multiple fins that are thin and flat. Other examples include but are not limited to vapor chambers and heat pipes.
The box(1) or casing for the Electronic Ingestible Gas Cooler (EIGC) houses many of the parts in the interior including but not limited to the heat collection device(2), thermoelectric cooling device(8), heat sink(9) and fan(10). The box(1) houses adapters like the stem(13) and the hookah hose adapter(15) that could interface with a variety of input and output devices. It also houses an electronic switch(12), an electrical connector(7) and had air vents(6). There was an interior wall that runs from the left wall to the right wall. In the wall, there is a cutout(8A) designed to allow the thermoelectric cooler(8) to contact the heat collection device(2).
The heat collection device(2) containing the elongated path(4) and the water receptacle(5) has two cooling mechanisms using the water and the thermoelectric cooling device (8). The elongated path(4) is designed to increase the distance that the gas has to travel, provide a very thermally conductive surface for the gas to transfer its heat to, and provide a trough where the gas could be significantly cooled from 3 sides. The reason for not having the elongated path open on one side is to provide the physical access for cleaning.
The shape of the heat collection device(2) itself could be a variety of shapes as long as it could support an elongated path, have a flat surface on the back to attach to a thermoelectric cooling device, could support a water receptacle, could support input and output adapters.
The glass window(4) is designed to fit in a cavity in the front plate covering(19) and because it is dear, gives the user the ability to easily see the elongated path and the water reservoir. They could see if the water needed to be replaced or if more water needed to be added, they could also see if the gaseous mixture is moving through the IGCS as expected. The glass window(3) is made of borosilicate glass and is fastened to the front plate covering(19) with a silicon adhesive.
The front plate cover(19) attaches to the box(1) using 4 screws in the corners. It is designed with a receptacle to hold the glass window(3). It provides a view into the elongated path(4) and the water reservoir(5).
The water reservoir(5) is actually the first part of the elongated path(4) and is located next to the elongated path(4). The water reservoir is wider than the rest of the elongated path(4) so it can hold water and be the first part of the cooling process. The user has the choice of adding water and using the cooling and filtering process or using the EICS without any water.
The electrical power jack(7A) is the 12 volt DC receptacle that accepts a plug from a transformer that plugs into 110/120 volt A/C wall power and transforms it to 12 volt DC. The decision to use 12 volt was mainly to get enough power into the thermoelectric cooler so it could quickly cool the heat collection device. From the 12V current, the electricity is used to power the thermoelectric cooler(8), the fan(10) and the electronic switch(12).
The air vent(6) located on the right side of the box(1) is an exhaust vent. The fan(10) has ambient air fed to it through the air vent(20) on the back plate(11). The fan(10) pushes the aft into the heat sink(9) fins which directs the warm air stream to the vents on the right and left sides of the box(1) and then outside of the box(1) to the ambient air.
The thermoelectric cooler cutout(8A) is a designed to fit the thermoelectric cooler(8) snugly and allow it to contact the heat collection device(2) on its entire surface.
The heat sink(9) is a heat spreading device that is attached to the hot side of the thermoelectric cooler and allows the heat to transfer to the base of the heat sink(9) and continue moving to the fins (spreading)via conduction. The material for the heat sink is aluminum which has a high thermal conductivity. The heat sink is attached to the thermoelectric cooler(8) with a thermal paste.
The back plate(11) is attached to the box(1) with four screws in the corners. Its purpose is to enclose the parts in the box(1). It has a vent(20) cut out of the back plate(11). This vent(20) is where the ambient air flows into the box(1) because of the negative pressure generated by the fan(10).
The fan(10) is positioned to push air into the heat sink(9) so the air could convect the heat from the heat sink(9) and push the air, carrying the heat, out of the sides of the box(1). By convecting the heat away from the thermoelectric cooler(8), it allows the thermoelectric cooler(8) to move more heat from the heat collecting device(2), which in turn allowed the heat collecting device(2) to move more heat from the gas while in the elongated path(9).
The thermoelectric cooling device(8) is a semi-conductor based electronic device that given a source of electricity, can act as a heat pump. It is typically a thin rectangular solid piece that would move heat from one face to the other and thereby create a hot side and a cold side. The thermoelectric cooler(8) is placed between the heat collection device(2) and the heat sink(9). Between each pair of devices is a thermal paste designed to increase the heat conduction between the two devices. Once connected and fed electricity, the thermoelectric cooler(8) moves the heat from the heat collection device(2) and to the heat sink(9).
The electronic switch(12) is used to change the flow of electricity from the power source to the EICS, on or off, by completing or breaking the electrical circuit at the first connection point after the electricity enters the box(1).
The electricity could also be cut off or enabled where the EICS is plugged in to the A/C wall outlet or where the power cord is plugged into the electrical jack(7) on the box(1).
The stem(13) is designed to allow the attachment of a substance preparation system or device including but not limited to bowls(14), atomizers, a splitter that allows multiple bowl(14) or a nail that vaporizes wax or liquids. The top portion is an industry standard adapter that supports standard tapered glass joints from the chemical lab industry. The adapter can be made of materials including but not limited to glass, metal, ceramic or quartz or any material that is food safe and can withstand the heat from a flame or smoldering substance.
The bowl(14) is a device designed to produce smoke or some type of vapor by putting the substance in the concave part of the device. The substance is then heated or burned using some type of heating device. The bottom of the bowl has an adapter that is shaped like a standard tapered male end used in the chemical lab industry. It goes into the top of the stem(13) and is held by gravity and friction with no other fastening means. In this embodiment, it is made of food grade aluminum and can withstand the heat generated by the burning substance and simultaneously, not get hot enough to burn the user.
The hookah hose connector adapter(15) is used to interface the hookah hose connector(16) to the box(1) and enable the gas to flow from the elongated path(4) to the hookah hose(17). It is an adapter that is screwed into the hookah adapter hole(15A). The hookah hose connector(16) is placed into the hookah hose connector adapter(15) and is held in place by gravity and friction. The adapter is made of food grade aluminum.
The hookah adapter hole(15A) is where the hookah hose connector adapter(15) would be seated.
The hookah hose connector(16) fits into the hookah hose connector adapter(15) and is secured by gravity and friction. The back side of the hookah hose connector(16) can attach to a hookah hose(17).
The hookah hose(17) is a hookah industry standard food grade silicone rubber tube with a fixed diameter. The silicone rubber is heat resistant. Its purpose is to allow the gas to travel from the hookah hose connector(16) to the hookah handle(18) and next to the user. It is also an inexpensive device that is considered easily replaceable.
The hookah handle(18) connects to the hookah hose(17) via a standard ribbed section at the end of the hookah handle(18) by sliding the hookah hose(17) over the ribbed section that holds via pressure and friction. It is a connection that is designed to be taken off and put back on easily and supports changing the hookah hose(17) or the hookah handle(18).
To assemble the front plate cover, take the glass window(3) and using a food grade silicone adhesive, attach it to the made to fit cutout in back of the front plate cover(19).
To assemble the heat collection device(2) with the box(1), take the heat collection device(2) and orient it so the path is facing away from the box(1) and the two adapter holes(13B, 15B) are on the top. Insert the heat collection device into the front cavity of the box(1) and keep pushing until it is flush with the middle wall of the box(1). Turn the box(1) around and insert the 4 screws in the corners of the heat collection device(2).
To attach the pre-assembled front plate cover to the box(1), spread the silicone adhesive around the inside edge of the front plate cover(19), align the front plate cover(19) with the front box(1) and press them together. Insert the 4 screws in the corners of the front plate cover(19) and tighten them snugly.
To assemble the components on the right side of the box(1), gather the electrical power jack(7) and the box(1). To mount the electrical power jack(7), push the side with the two wires through the hole beneath the vent(6) and seat it flush to the box(1). Take the threaded ring and attach it to the back of the electrical power jack(7) and tighten unto it is firmly snugged up to the box(1). Test it by wiggling the wire and seeing if there is any movement in the electrical power jack(7).
To assemble the components related to the thermoelectric cooling process, gather the thermoelectric cooler(8), 12V transformer, heat sink(9) and fan(10) along with the thermal compound. Connect the two wires from the 12V transformer to the thermoelectric cooler(8) and after 5 to 10 seconds, feel which side is hot and which is cold and mark it with a dot. Take the box(1) and have the back cavity facing you. Orient the thermoelectric cooler(8) with the cool side facing the heat collection device(2). Take the thermal compound, which is paste-like and spread it on the thermoelectric cooler like spreading butter and make sure it reaches everywhere on the square wafer surface. Take the thermoelectric cooler(8) and place the cool side with the paste against the heat collection device(2) through the thermoelectric cooler cutout(8A). As you lightly press the thermoelectric cooler(8) toward the heat collection device(2), wiggle it a little to aid with spreading the thermal compound. Place and spread the thermal compound on the warm side of the thermoelectric cooler(8). Take the heat sink(9) and place a very thin layer of the thermal compound on the center portion of the flat side of the heat sink(9) about the size of the thermoelectric cooler (approximately 40 mm square). Take the flat side of the heat sink(9) that contains the thermal compound and press it against the warm side of the thermoelectric cooler(8). Wiggle the heat sink(9) a little to help spread the thermal compound. Take the fan and attach it to the 12V transformer to see which direction it is blowing. Next, align the fan(10) over the fin side of the heat sink(9) so the fan(10) is blowing into the fins of the heat sink(9). Take the 4 screws and thread them through the holes in the heat sink(9) and into the pre-drilled holes in the middle wall of the box(1). Tighten them to be snug but not tight as this could damage the thermoelectric cooler(8) or fan(10).
To assemble the electrical system, identify the wires for the thermoelectric cooler(8), fan(10), electrical switch(12) and the electrical power jack(7) along with solder and a soldering tool. The devices are currently wired in a serial fashion starting with the + side wire coming out of the electrical power jack(7) and into the electrical switch(12, then the − side coming out of the electrical switch(12) and connecting to the + side of the thermoelectric cooler(8), then the − side coming out of the thermoelectric cooler(8) and into the + side of the fan(10) and finally from the − side of the fan(10) back to the − side of the electrical power jack(7). Make all the connections with solder and pack the wiring into the back cavity. The wiring should correspond to
Attach the adaptors by collecting the stem(13), the bowl(14), the hookah connector adaptor(15), hookah hose connector(16), hookah hose(17) and the hookah handle(18). Take the stem(13) and screw it into the stem mounting hole(13A). Take the hookah connector adaptor(15) and screw it into the end user hole(15A). Take the bowl(14) and place it into the upper opening on the stem(13). Take the hookah hose connector(16) and attach it to the hookah hose(17) by pressing it together over the ridges. Take the tapered side of the hookah hose connector(16) and place it in the hookah hose connector adaptor(15). Lastly, take the hookah hose(17) and push it onto the ridged connection on the hookah handle(18). All the adaptors for the input and output should be in place.
Start testing by plugging the 12V transformer into the wall outlet. The device should start in the off mode. If we press the electronic switch(12), the sound from the fan(10) should be apparent and the light on the electronic switch should be on. Place hands on the right and left sides of the box(1) near the vents(6) and the airflow should be pushing out of both sides and the air should be warm. Place hand on the vent(20) in the back and it should be pulling air into the system. Open the front plate cover(19) and place a finger on the elongated path(9) and it should feel cool. Attach the front plate cover(19). Move hands around the edges of the door to see if there are any gas leaks. Pour some water into the stem(13) opening to fill the water reservoir about halfway. Since the glass window(3) exists, it can help guide the user to fill the water to the appropriate level. Check to see if there is any evidence of water leaks in the area around the water reservoir(10). The last step is to get a substance, place it in the bowl and light it with a lighter or hempwick and inhale the gas through the hookah handle. The gas should be cool. The movement of the gas through the water reservoir(10) and the elongated path(9) should be able to be monitored visually. Press the switch and everything should turn off and after several minutes, the heat collection device(2) could be touched and it should not feel as cool.
The user will plug in the EIGC. Press the button to turn on the device. Pour a few ounces of water into the stem(13) which will allow the water to enter the water reservoir(5). After a few minutes the device reaches the desired temperature range and is ready to deliver a cooled gas consumption experience. The user would heat or burn their particular substance and consume the gas. After the user finishes, they press the button and turn off the device.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63166835 | Mar 2021 | US |