Vapor delivery systems and methods

Abstract

There is provided an electronically controlled, breath actuated vaporization device for generating vaporized material for inhalation by a user. The vaporization device includes a vaporization chamber for accommodating material to be vaporized and a mesh heater or other heater supported upstream of the vaporization chamber which is operable to heat air that passes through the mesh heater or other heater during an inhalation event. A closed loop control scheme may be employed to control heat generated by the heater to maintain a temperature of the air delivered to the vaporization chamber at or within a predetermined tolerance of a desired vaporization temperature for at least a majority of a duration of the inhalation event.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]Technical Field[0002]This disclosure generally relates to vapor delivery systems and methods and, more particularly, to vaporization devices suitable for selectively delivering vaporized material (e.g., plant material, including plant material extracts, concentrates, and derivatives) for inhalation by a user, components thereof and related methods.[0003]Description of the Related Art[0004]Vaporization devices suitable for selectively delivering vaporized plant material for inhalation by a user are well known in the art. Such devices, however, may suffer from a variety of deficiencies and drawbacks, such as, for example, inefficient heat management and delayed vapor delivery arising from prolonged device warmup.BRIEF SUMMARY[0005]Embodiments described herein provide vaporization devices suitable for selectively delivering vaporized plant material (or other materials) in an efficient and reliable manner for inhalation by a user. Embodiments include vaporization devices...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]Embodiments described herein provide vaporization devices suitable for selectively delivering vaporized plant material (or other materials) in an efficient and reliable manner for inhalation by a user. Embodiments include vaporization devices comprising a closed loop temperature control technique to drive current from a power source to a forced convection air heater to provide rapid, on-demand vapor delivery. Embodiments may further include breath detection functionality to assist in delivering the vaporized material on-demand. Embodiments may be provided in multi-part form factors including, for example, a vaporization head detachable from a base assembly, which includes the system electronics. The vaporization head includes a vaporization chamber for receiving the material to be vaporized. The vaporization head may be configured to dissipate heat and sufficiently cool the vapor stream for safe and comfortable inhalation by the user. Advantageously, the vaporization devices may be configured to enable a user to safely inhale vaporized plant material on-demand without significant delay despite fluctuations in inhalation strength, inhalation duration, ambient environmental conditions, and / or plant material characteristics (e.g., size, moisture content), thereby enhancing user experience.

Problems solved by technology

Such devices, however, may suffer from a variety of deficiencies and drawbacks, such as, for example, inefficient heat management and delayed vapor delivery arising from prolonged device warmup.

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