This disclosure relates to implementations of an induction heating system.
Smoking is the practice of burning a substance and breathing in the resulting smoke so that any active chemical compounds contained within the smoke are absorbed into the bloodstream. Various plants, mostly dried leaves (e.g., tobacco, marijuana, etc.), are used around the world for smoking due to the various chemical compounds (e.g., nicotine, THC, etc.) they contain and the effects these chemicals have on the human body. The combustion of the plant material being smoked results in the release of not only the desired active chemical compound (e.g., nicotine, THC, etc.) but also a variety of known carcinogenic compounds and other potentially harmful chemicals. Therefore, it would be desirable if there was a way to heat a substance (e.g., tobacco, marijuana, etc.) sufficiently to release the desired active chemical compound(s) without causing it to combust and release carcinogens and other potentially harmful chemicals.
Implementations of an induction heating system are provided. In some implementations, the induction heating system may be configured for use with a smoking pipe, water pipe, and/or vaporizer. In some implementations, the induction heating system may be used to vaporize the active chemical (e.g., nicotine, THC, etc.) in a smokeable product (e.g., tobacco or medicinal herbs) without combustion. In this way, the aerosolized active chemical may then be inhaled by a user.
In some implementations, an induction heating system comprises a bowl, a first current bearing wire (i.e., a field coil), a second current bearing wire (i.e., a field coil), a power source (e.g., one or more batteries), and a first switch.
In some implementations, the bowl may comprise a bottom, a cylindrical side wall extending upwardly therefrom defining a bowl interior (or chamber), and an upper rim. In some implementations, the chamber of the bowl may be configured to be packed with a smokeable product(s) (e.g., tobacco, medicinal herbs, etc.). In some implementations, the bowl may further comprise a hole (also known as a draft hole) in the bottom. In this way, the bowl may be configured for use with a vaporizer, a traditional water pipe, and/or smoking pipe.
In some implementations, the bowl may be composed of any magnetically permeable material (e.g., steel, ferrite, etc.). In some implementations, the bowl may have a coating (e.g., titanium nitride) thereon to minimize or prevent oxidation (e.g., rust).
In some implementations, a portion of the first current bearing wire and the second current bearing wire are wrapped about the bowl, forming a coil thereabout. In some implementations, the current bearing wires are wrapped about the side wall of the bowl, between the bottom and upper rim thereof. In this way, the bowl is heated by eddy currents and/or magnetic hysteresis when current is passed through the current bearing wires. In some implementations, the current bearing wires are wrapped in an interleaved configuration about the cylindrical side wall of the bowl.
In some implementations, the power source may be conductively connected to either the first current bearing wire or the second current bearing wire through the use of a first switch (e.g., a field-effect transistor). In this way, the flow of current from the power source is alternated between the first current bearing wire and the second current bearing wire. Alternating the flow of current between the current bearing wires changes the magnetic field.
In some implementations, a layer of insulating material (e.g., ceramic insulation tape) may be placed between the bowl and the portions of the current bearing wires wrapped thereabout. In this way, heat generated through induction may be better retained by the bowl.
In another example implementation, the current bearing wires may be wrapped in an adjacent configuration about the cylindrical side wall of the bowl. When the current bearing wires are in the adjacent configuration, the first current bearing wire may be positioned above the second current bearing wire relative to the bottom of the bowl.
In yet another example implementation, the induction heating system may comprise a single current bearing wire wrapped thereabout, a power source, a first switch (e.g., a field-effect transistor), and a second switch (e.g., a field-effect transistor). In some implementations, the power source may be conductively connected to the current bearing wire through both the first switch and the second switch. In some implementations, through the use of the first switch and the second switch, the direction of the current through the current bearing wire is alternated. In this way, the rapidly alternating magnetic field generated thereby heats the bowl.
In still yet another example implementation, the induction heating system may comprise a bowl having a first current bearing wire and a second current bearing wire wrapped thereabout in an interleaved configuration, a power source, a first switch (e.g., a field-effect transistor), and a second switch (e.g., a field-effect transistor). In some implementations, the power source may be conductively connected to the first current bearing wire and the second current bearing wire through the first switch and the second switch, respectively. In some implementations, through the use of the first switch and the second switch, the induction heating system may be configured so that the first current bearing wire and the second current bearing wire are energized for different lengths of time that may or may not overlap. In this way, a greater degree of control may be had over the temperature of the bowl.
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In some implementations, the bowl 110 may be configured to be secured to the smoke inlet tube of a vaporizer, water pipe and/or the shank of a smoking pipe. In some implementations, the bowl 110, 510 may be configured to be secured within an interior portion of a pipe and/or vaporizer (not shown).
In some implementations, the bowl 110 may be composed of steel. In some implementations, the bowl 110 may be composed of ferrite. In some implementations, the bowl 110 may be composed of any magnetically permeable material.
In some implementations, the bowl 110 may have a coating (e.g., titanium nitride) thereon to minimize or prevent oxidation (e.g., rust). In some implementations, the coating used to minimize or prevent oxidation of the bowl 110 may be any material, or combination of materials, that is resistant to high temperatures and/or is non-toxic to humans if inhaled.
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In some implementations, a layer of insulating material (e.g., ceramic insulation tape) may be placed between the bowl 110 and the portions of the current bearing wires 120, 130 wrapped thereabout. In this way, heat generated through induction may be better retained by the bowl 110. In some implementations, there may be no insulating material placed between the bowl 110 and the portions of the current bearing wires 120, 130 wrapped thereabout.
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In some implementations, the switch 142 may be configured to include a third pole and thereby configured to create a delay between the first current bearing wire 125 and the second current bearing wire 130 being energized (see, e.g.,
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In some implementations, through the use of the first switch 742 and the second switch 744, the induction heating system 700 may be configured so that the first current bearing wire 720 and the second current bearing wire 730 may be energized for the same or different lengths of time that may or may not overlap. In this way, a greater degree of control may be had over the heating of the bowl 710.
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In some implementations, the first switch 742 and the second switch 744 may be configured to conductively connect the first current bearing wire 720 and the second current bearing wire 730, respectively, to the power source 740 at different times (i.e., only a single current bearing wire (720 or 730) may have current passing therethrough at any given time). In this way, the bowl 710 may be heated by eddy currents and/or magnetic hysteresis while current is passed through either the first current bearing wire 720 or the second current bearing wire 730.
In some implementations, the first switch 742 and the second switch 744 may be configured to conductively connect the first current bearing wire 720 and the second current bearing wire 730, respectively, to the power source 740 during overlapping intervals of time. In this way, the bowl 710 may be heated by eddy currents and/or magnetic hysteresis when current is passed through one or both current bearing wires 720, 730.
In some implementations, the first switch 742 and the second switch 744 may be configured to not conductively connect the first current bearing wire 720 and the second current bearing wire 730, respectively, to the power source 740 during overlapping intervals of time.
Although not shown in the drawings, it will be understood that suitable wiring connects the electronic components of the induction heating systems 100, 200, 300, 700 disclosed herein. It would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, that in some implementations, the induction heating system 100, 200, 300, 700 may be incorporated into a larger electrical circuit for use as part of a vaporizer, smoking pipe, and/or water pipe (see, e.g.,
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In some implementations, the bowl 510 may be used in place of the bowl 110.
In some implementations, a top or lid may be used to cover the chamber 116, 516 of the bowl 110, 510. In this way, heat generated within the chamber 116, 516 may be trapped therein. In some implementations, a top or lid may not be used to cover the chamber 116, 516. In some implementations, the top or lid may be configured to secure about the upper rim 118, 518 of the bowl 110, 510.
In some implementations, the bowl may be a hollow cylinder without a top or a bottom that is configured to receive and retain a cartridge containing a liquid, or a secondary bowl, therein. In some implementations, the secondary bowl may be composed of a magnetically permeable material (e.g., steel, ferrite, etc.). In some implementations, the secondary bowl may be composed of ceramic. In some implementations, when the secondary bowl is resting within a hollow cylinder bowl, the secondary bowl may be heated by thermal conduction and/or through induction heating if the secondary bowl is composed of a magnetically permeable material.
Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in some implementations” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.
The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.
While operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/292,586, filed on Feb. 8, 2016, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62292586 | Feb 2016 | US |