Suction nozzle for evaporators including positive resistivity temperature coefficient heaters

Abstract

A nozzle for a vaporizer device includes a vapor inlet and an aerosol outlet. A first plurality of air inlets and a second plurality of air inlets are disposed between the vapor inlet and the aerosol outlet and are configured to provide an air flow. The air flow forms a first vortex and a second vortex. The air flow mixes with the vapor entering from the vapor inlet and forms an aerosol that leaves through the aerosol outlet. Related devices, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Description

[0001] Cross-referencing

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 978,236, filed February 18, 2020, entitled “Mouthpiece for Vaporizer Including Positive Temperature Coefficient of Resistivity Heater,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety to the extent permitted. Technical Field

[0003] The subject matter described herein relates to evaporator devices, such as portable personal evaporator devices, for generating an inhalable aerosol from one or more evaporable materials and including a heating element and a mouthpiece utilizing a semiconductor material having a nonlinear positive resistivity temperature coefficient (PTCR). Background Technology

[0004] A vaporizer device, also known as an electronic vaporizer device or e-vaporizer device, is used to deliver an aerosol containing one or more active ingredients (sometimes referred to as "vapor") by the user inhaling it through the vaporizer. An electronic cigarette, also known as an e-cigarette, is a type of vaporizer device that is typically battery-powered and used to simulate the experience of smoking, but does not burn tobacco or other substances. When using a vaporizer device, the user inhales an aerosol, commonly referred to as vapor, which can be generated by a heating element that evaporates (typically refers to at least partially converting a liquid or solid into a gaseous phase) an evaporable material. This evaporable material can be a liquid, solution, solid, wax, or any other form compatible with the use of the specific vaporizer device.

[0005] To receive an inhalable aerosol produced by an evaporator device, in some examples, a user may activate the evaporator device by inhalation, by pressing a button, or by some other method. Inhalation, as a commonly used term (and also used herein), refers to the act of a user inhaling air in such a manner that a volume of air is drawn through the evaporator device, causing the evaporated evaporable material to combine with the air to produce an inhalable aerosol. A typical method by which an evaporator device (e.g., which may include an air inlet, an air outlet fluidly connected to a mouthpiece, and an evaporation chamber therebetween) produces an inhalable aerosol from evaporable material involves heating the evaporable material in the evaporation chamber (sometimes also called a heating chamber), causing the evaporable material to transform into a gaseous (vapor) phase. An evaporation chamber generally refers to a region or volume within an evaporator device in which a heat source heats the evaporable material to produce a mixture of air and evaporable material, achieving some equilibrium between a gaseous phase and a condensed phase (e.g., liquid and / or solid).

[0006] Certain components of a vapor-phase evaporable material may condense after evaporation due to cooling and / or pressure changes, forming an aerosol that comprises condensate (e.g., liquid and / or solid) particles suspended in at least some of the air inhaled into the evaporator device by suction. If the evaporable material comprises a semi-volatile compound (e.g., a compound such as nicotine that has a relatively low vapor pressure at inhalation temperature and pressure), the inhalable aerosol may comprise a semi-volatile compound in some local equilibrium between the vapor and condensate phases. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In one aspect, a nozzle for an evaporator device includes a vapor inlet, an aerosol outlet, a first plurality of air inlets, and a second plurality of air inlets. The first plurality of air inlets are disposed between the vapor inlet and the aerosol outlet and configured to provide a first plurality of airflows. The first plurality of airflows form a first vortex. The first vortex has a first axis of rotation and a first direction of rotation about the first axis of rotation. The second plurality of air inlets are also disposed between the vapor inlet and the aerosol outlet and configured to provide a second plurality of airflows. The second plurality of airflows form a second vortex. The second vortex has a second axis of rotation and a second direction of rotation about the second axis of rotation. The first and second plurality of airflows are configured to mix with vapor entering from the vapor inlet and form an aerosol exiting through the aerosol outlet.

[0008] One or more of the following features may be included in any feasible combination. For example, each of the first plurality of air inlets may be a circular orifice formed through a certain thickness of the nozzle and at an angle between approximately 15 and 45 degrees to the outer surface of the nozzle. The interior of each circular orifice at the angle may open toward a first direction of rotation. Each of the second plurality of air inlets may also be a circular orifice formed through a certain thickness of the nozzle and at an angle between approximately 15 and 45 degrees to the outer surface of the nozzle. The interior of each circular orifice at the angle of the second plurality of air inlets may open toward a second direction of rotation. The first and second directions of rotation may be opposite directions. For example, the first direction of rotation may be counterclockwise, and the second direction of rotation may be clockwise. The first and second axes of rotation may not be parallel. The first and second plurality of air inlets may provide turbulent mixing of inlet air with vapor entering the nozzle from the vapor inlet. The first and second plurality of air inlets may be arranged in a plane. The first and second plurality of air inlets may each be arranged in a circular pattern. The cross-sectional area of ​​the vapor inlet may be at least four times the cross-sectional area of ​​the aerosol outlet. The vapor inlet may have a vapor inlet temperature, and the aerosol outlet may have an aerosol outlet temperature, and the difference between the vapor inlet temperature and the aerosol outlet temperature may be at least 100°C.

[0009] In another aspect, an evaporator device includes a housing containing an air inlet. The evaporator device also includes a heating element within the housing. The heating element comprises a material with a nonlinear positive resistivity temperature coefficient. The evaporator device further includes a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the heating element and arranged to receive an airflow from the air inlet. The heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat between the heating element and the airflow to generate a heated airflow. The heated airflow exiting the heat exchanger is configured to evaporate an evaporable material. The evaporator device also includes a suction nozzle configured to receive the evaporated evaporable material through a vapor inlet. The suction nozzle has a vapor inlet, an aerosol outlet, a first plurality of air inlets, and a second plurality of air inlets. The first plurality of air inlets are disposed between the vapor inlet and the aerosol outlet and are configured to provide a first plurality of airflows. The first plurality of airflows form a first vortex. The first vortex has a first axis of rotation and a first direction of rotation about the first axis of rotation. The second plurality of air inlets are also disposed between the vapor inlet and the aerosol outlet and are configured to provide a second plurality of airflows. The second plurality of airflows form a second vortex. The second vortex has a second axis of rotation and a second direction of rotation about the second axis of rotation. The first and second multiple air streams are configured to mix with the evaporating evaporable material entering from the vapor inlet and form an aerosol exiting through the aerosol outlet.

[0010] One or more of the following features may be included in any feasible combination. For example, each of the first plurality of air inlets may be a circular orifice formed through a certain thickness of the nozzle and at an angle between approximately 15 and 45 degrees to the outer surface of the nozzle. The interior of each circular orifice at the angle may open toward a first direction of rotation. Each of the second plurality of air inlets may also be a circular orifice formed through a certain thickness of the nozzle and at an angle between approximately 15 and 45 degrees to the outer surface of the nozzle. The interior of each circular orifice at the angle of the second plurality of air inlets may open toward a second direction of rotation. The first and second directions of rotation may be opposite directions. For example, the first direction of rotation may be counterclockwise, and the second direction of rotation may be clockwise. The first and second axes of rotation may not be parallel. The first and second plurality of air inlets may provide turbulent mixing of inlet air with vapor entering the nozzle from the vapor inlet. The first and second plurality of air inlets may be arranged in a plane. The first and second plurality of air inlets may each be arranged in a circular pattern. The cross-sectional area of ​​the vapor inlet may be at least four times the cross-sectional area of ​​the aerosol outlet. The vapor inlet may have a vapor inlet temperature, and the aerosol outlet may have an aerosol outlet temperature, with the difference between the vapor inlet temperature and the aerosol outlet temperature being at least 100°C. The heat exchanger may include a first heat exchanger thermally coupled to a first side of the heating element. The heat exchanger may include a second heat exchanger thermally coupled to a second side of the heating element. The heat exchanger may include multiple finned features. The heat exchanger may be made of aluminum, copper, steel, stainless steel, or titanium. The heat exchanger may be made by extruding a thermally conductive material. The device may include a distributor located in the airflow path, the distributor being configured to allow a portion of the airflow to bypass the heat exchanger. The housing may include a heater assembly cover housing the heat exchanger. The device may include a power source configured to provide electrical energy to heat the heating element. The device may include a cartridge located downstream of the heating element and oriented to receive heated airflow, wherein downstream is relative to the airflow. The housing may include a connector configured to couple the housing to the cartridge containing evaporable material. The evaporable material may be a solid evaporable material.

[0011] The evaporator assembly may include a cartridge configured to contain evaporable material. The cartridge may include a first air inlet. The housing may include a connector configured to couple the housing to the cartridge. The cartridge may include a solid evaporable material. The cartridge may include a reservoir, a liquid evaporable material within the reservoir, and a wicker in fluid communication with the liquid evaporable material, wherein the cartridge is configured to receive a heated gas flow and direct the heated gas flow across the wicker. The cartridge may include a nozzle, and the wicker may be located in an airflow path between a heating element and the nozzle. The cartridge may include a second air inlet configured to draw a second gas flow into the cartridge for mixing with the heated gas flow and in a condensation chamber located downstream of the heat exchanger and the evaporable material in an airflow path. The cartridge may include a reservoir, a liquid evaporable material within the reservoir, and a wicker in fluid communication with the liquid evaporable material. The wicker may be arranged to receive a heated gas flow from a heat exchanger to produce vapor and / or evaporation of the evaporable material in the form of a first aerosol. A solid evaporable material can be arranged to receive vapor and / or a first aerosol and generate a second aerosol. A nozzle can be configured to receive the second aerosol after the vapor and / or the first aerosol has passed through the solid evaporable material.

[0012] The evaporator device may include a first cartridge containing an evaporable material, a first air inlet, and a wicking device. The evaporable material may be a liquid evaporable material, and the wicking device may be in fluid communication with the liquid evaporable material. The wicking device may be arranged to receive a heated airflow from a heat exchanger through the first air inlet to cause the evaporable material to evaporate, thereby generating vapor and / or a first aerosol. The evaporator device may also include a second cartridge containing a solid evaporable material and a nozzle. The solid evaporable material may be arranged to receive vapor and / or the first aerosol to generate a second aerosol. The nozzle may be configured to receive the second aerosol after the vapor and / or the first aerosol has passed through the solid evaporable material. The first cartridge may be detachably coupled to a housing. The second cartridge may be detachably coupled to the housing and / or the first cartridge. Both the first and second cartridges may be disposable cartridges. The second cartridge may include a second air inlet for mixing ambient temperature air with the evaporated evaporable material after it has passed through the solid evaporable material. The device may include a fiber body arranged to receive and cool a second aerosol after the vapor and / or the first aerosol has passed through a solid evaporable material.

[0013] Nonlinear positive resistivity temperature coefficient materials include a resistivity transition region in which the resistivity increases over a certain temperature range, such that when a heating element is heated to a temperature above a first temperature within the resistivity transition region, the current from the power source decreases to a level that limits further temperature increases of the heating element. The resistivity transition region may begin at a first temperature between 150°C and 350°C. It may also begin at a first temperature between 220°C and 300°C. Furthermore, it may begin at a first temperature between 240°C and 280°C. The increase in resistivity within the temperature range of the resistivity transition region may include an increase factor of at least 10, at least 100, or at least 1000. The increase factor characterizes the relative change in resistivity between the resistivity at the first temperature associated with the start of the resistivity transition region and the resistivity at a second temperature associated with the end of the resistivity transition region. The resistivity transition region may begin at a first temperature, and the resistivity of the heating element at temperatures below the first temperature may be between 0.2 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm, between 2.0 ohm-cm and 20 ohm-cm, or between 20 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm.

[0014] The device may include a power supply configured to provide current to a heating element at a voltage between 3 volts and 50 volts, a pressure sensor, and a controller coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to detect suction and, in response, electrically connect the power supply to the heating element. The housing may be cylindrical, the heating element may be cylindrical, and the heat exchanger may be cylindrical. Alternatively, the housing may be rectangular, the heating element may be rectangular, and the heat exchanger may be rectangular. The power supply may provide direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC).

[0015] The evaporator unit may include an input terminal configured to electrically connect power to the PTCR heating element (PTCR heater) in response to user input. The input terminal may include a button. The PTCR heating element of the evaporator unit is self-regulating to maintain a predetermined temperature upon startup. The evaporator unit does not require a pressure sensor and / or a controller coupled to a pressure sensor to electrically connect power to the PTCR heating element and regulate its temperature.

[0016] On the other hand, an evaporator device utilizing a heated gas flow to evaporate a solid evaporable material includes a housing comprising an air inlet and a power source configured to supply current at a given voltage, and a PTCR heater assembly within the housing. The PTCR heater assembly includes a heating element located within the housing and configured to be electrically coupled to the power source to receive current. The PTCR heating element comprises a PTCR material having a resistivity that varies based on temperature. The resistivity includes a resistivity transition region in which the resistivity increases over a certain temperature range, such that when the PTCR heating element is heated to a temperature above the transition region, the current from the power source decreases to a level that limits further temperature increases of the PTCR heating element. The heater assembly also includes a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the heating element and arranged to receive the gas flow from the air inlet. The heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat between the heating element and the gas flow to generate a heated gas flow. The heated gas flow exiting the heat exchanger is configured to evaporate the solid evaporable material. The evaporator device also includes a suction nozzle configured to receive the evaporated evaporable material through a vapor inlet. The nozzle has a vapor inlet, an aerosol outlet, a first plurality of air inlets, and a second plurality of air inlets. The first plurality of air inlets are disposed between the vapor inlet and the aerosol outlet and configured to provide a first plurality of airflows. The first plurality of airflows form a first vortex. The first vortex has a first axis of rotation and a first direction of rotation about the first axis of rotation. The second plurality of air inlets are also disposed between the vapor inlet and the aerosol outlet and configured to provide a second plurality of airflows. The second plurality of airflows form a second vortex. The second vortex has a second axis of rotation and a second direction of rotation about the second axis of rotation. The first and second plurality of airflows are configured to mix with evaporating evaporable material entering from the vapor inlet and form an aerosol exiting through the aerosol outlet.

[0017] One or more of the following features may be included in any feasible combination. For example, each of the first plurality of air inlets may be a circular orifice formed through a certain thickness of the nozzle and at an angle between approximately 15 and 45 degrees to the outer surface of the nozzle. The interior of each circular orifice at the angle may open toward a first direction of rotation. Each of the second plurality of air inlets may also be a circular orifice formed through a certain thickness of the nozzle and at an angle between approximately 15 and 45 degrees to the outer surface of the nozzle. The interior of each circular orifice at the angle of the second plurality of air inlets may open toward a second direction of rotation. The first and second directions of rotation may be opposite directions. For example, the first direction of rotation may be counterclockwise, and the second direction of rotation may be clockwise. The first and second axes of rotation may not be parallel. The first and second plurality of air inlets may provide turbulent mixing of inlet air with vapor entering the nozzle from the vapor inlet. The first and second plurality of air inlets may be arranged in a plane. The first and second plurality of air inlets may each be arranged in a circular pattern. The cross-sectional area of ​​the vapor inlet may be at least four times the cross-sectional area of ​​the aerosol outlet. The vapor inlet may have a vapor inlet temperature, and the aerosol outlet may have an aerosol outlet temperature, with the difference between the vapor inlet temperature and the aerosol outlet temperature being at least 100°C. A solid evaporable material may be included in the evaporator device. The solid evaporable material may be a tobacco-containing medium. The evaporator device may include an input configured to electrically connect a power source to the PTCR heating element in response to a user input. The input may include a button. The evaporator device may not include a controller. The evaporator device may not include a pressure sensor. On the other hand, the evaporator device includes a pressure sensor and a controller coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to detect inhalation and, in response, electrically connect a power source to the PTCR heating element. The heat exchanger may include a first heat exchanger thermally coupled to a first side of the heating element. The heat exchanger may include a second heat exchanger thermally coupled to a second side of the heating element. The heat exchanger may include multiple finned features. The heat exchanger may be made of aluminum, copper, steel, stainless steel, or titanium. The heat exchanger may be extruded from a thermally conductive material. The heat exchanger may be made of a metal foam, such as an aluminum foam. The PTCR heater assembly may include a heater assembly cover. The heater assembly cover may include a non-conductive material. The heater assembly cover may include a non-thermally conductive material. The heater assembly cover may include a metal with a non-conductive coating that isolates the heater assembly cover from the heat exchanger. The heater assembly cover may contain polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0018] The resistivity transition region can begin at a first temperature between 150°C and 350°C. It can also begin at a first temperature between 220°C and 300°C. Alternatively, it can begin at a first temperature between 240°C and 280°C. The first temperature can be greater than 225°C. The PTCR heating element can be heated to an operating temperature between 240°C and 280°C. The PTCR heating element can be heated to an operating temperature between 245°C and 255°C. The PTCR heating element can be heated to an operating temperature of approximately 250°C. The PTCR heater assembly can increase the resistivity by an increase factor of at least 10, at least 100, or at least 1000 within the temperature range of the resistivity transition region. The increase factor characterizes the relative change in resistivity between the resistivity at the first temperature associated with the start of the resistivity transition region and the resistivity at the second temperature associated with the end of the resistivity transition region. The resistivity transition region can begin at a first temperature and end at a second temperature, wherein the difference between the first and second temperatures is 500°C or less, 200°C or less, 100°C or less, or 50°C or less. The resistivity transition region can begin at the first temperature, and the resistivity of the PTCR heating element at temperatures below the first temperature is between 0.2 ohm-cm and 2.0 ohm-cm, between 2.0 ohm-cm and 20 ohm-cm, or between 20 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm.

[0019] In another aspect, a method of evaporating an evaporable material includes receiving user input through an evaporator device and heating a gas stream using a PTCR heater assembly to generate a heated gas stream. The PTCR heater assembly includes a heat exchanger thermally coupled to a PTCR heating element. The PTCR heating element is configured to be electrically coupled to a power source. The PTCR heating element includes a temperature-varying resistivity. The resistivity includes a resistivity transition region comprising an increase in resistivity over a temperature range from a first temperature to a second temperature, such that when the PTCR heating element heats between the first and second temperatures, the current from the power source is reduced to a level that limits further temperature rise of the PTCR heating element due to current. The method also includes evaporating the evaporable material with the heated gas stream. The evaporable material may include nicotine.

[0020] Details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become more apparent from the specification, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This explains the thermoelectric behavior within isotropic PTCR materials;

[0022] Figure 2This is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary evaporator apparatus according to some embodiments of the present subject, which can utilize convection heating to provide uniform heating of an evaporable material;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of an exemplary evaporator device and a container with a liquid evaporable material, which can provide uniform heating to the evaporable material using convection heating;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary evaporator device having a liquid evaporable material.

[0025] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary evaporator device having a solid evaporable material (e.g., a heat-not-burning product);

[0026] Figure 6 This is a block diagram of an exemplary evaporator device and a container having a liquid evaporable material and a solid evaporable material, which can provide uniform heating to the evaporable material using convection heating;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a block diagram of an exemplary evaporator device with multiple feed boxes;

[0028] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary evaporator device having both liquid evaporable materials and solid evaporable materials.

[0029] Figure 9 This is an exemplary resistivity versus temperature curve illustrating a nonlinear positive resistivity temperature coefficient (PTCR) material.

[0030] Figure 10 Presented Figure 9 A table showing the resistivity versus temperature curve data for a nonlinear PTCR semiconductor material;

[0031] Figure 11 This is an exemplary resistivity versus temperature curve illustrating a nonlinear positive resistivity temperature coefficient (PTCR) material.

[0032] Figure 12A This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary PTCR heating element capable of improving evaporator heating;

[0033] Figure 12B yes Figure 9 A cross-section of an exemplary PTCR heating element is shown in Figure A;

[0034] Figures 13A to 13E The modeling temperature of an exemplary PTCR heater is shown;

[0035] Figures 14A to 14FThe modeling temperature of an exemplary PTCR heater is shown;

[0036] Figure 15 The modeled temperature of an exemplary heater is shown after applying a voltage for 6.0 seconds in a free convection state;

[0037] Figure 16A The modeled surface temperature of an exemplary heater as a function of time is shown;

[0038] Figure 16B The maximum surface temperature of an exemplary heater as a function of time is shown in the modeling and measurement.

[0039] Figure 16C The modeling and measurement of the average surface temperature of an exemplary heater as a function of time are shown;

[0040] Figure 17 The transient current response of an exemplary heater as a function of time is shown;

[0041] Figure 18 This is a perspective view of an exemplary evaporator assembly, which includes a PTCR heater and a heat exchanger element capable of achieving convective heating and improving uniform heating of the evaporable material;

[0042] Figure 19 This is an exploded view of a rectangular PTCR evaporator, including an exploded view of an exemplary evaporator assembly;

[0043] Figure 20 This is a perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly;

[0044] Figure 21 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly and a disposable rectangular product;

[0045] Figure 22 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly and a disposable rectangular product after 0.2 seconds of activation;

[0046] Figure 23 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly and a disposable rectangular product after 0.5 seconds of activation;

[0047] Figure 24 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly and a disposable rectangular product after 1.0 second of activation;

[0048] Figure 25 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly and a disposable rectangular product after 2.0 seconds of activation;

[0049] Figure 26This is a three-dimensional perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly and a disposable rectangular product after 3.0 seconds of activation;

[0050] Figure 27 This is a perspective view of an exemplary PTCR heater with a cylindrical geometry;

[0051] Figure 28 This is an exploded view showing an exemplary cylindrical PTCR heater;

[0052] Figure 29 This is a perspective view of an exemplary assembly of a PTCR heater;

[0053] Figure 30 This is a perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporator after the outer cover and cylindrical distributor have been removed;

[0054] Figure 31 This is a perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation apparatus;

[0055] Figure 32 This is a graph showing the logarithm of resistivity as a function of temperature for an exemplary cylindrical evaporation apparatus with a PTCR heater.

[0056] Figure 33 This is a cross-sectional view showing a temperature simulation of an exemplary embodiment of a cylindrical evaporator with a PTCR heater;

[0057] Figures 34A to 34G This is an exemplary embodiment of a cylindrical evaporation apparatus with a PTCR heater, which displays the transient response of temperature as a color shear plot.

[0058] Figure 35 A perspective view and an end view of the nozzle, including multiple air inlets, are shown;

[0059] Figure 36 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of the suction nozzle attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly;

[0060] Figure 37 It is a three-dimensional perspective view of the nozzle attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern without an active air inlet;

[0061] Figure 38 This is a transparent end view observed through the aerosol outlet of a nozzle that includes multiple air inlets, showing the airflow pattern.

[0062] Figure 39 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of the suction nozzle attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporation assembly, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern after 0.1 seconds of activation;

[0063] Figure 40This is a three-dimensional perspective view of the suction nozzle attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporation assembly, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern after 0.2 seconds of activation;

[0064] Figure 41 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of the nozzle attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporation assembly, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern after 0.3 seconds of activation;

[0065] Figure 42 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of the suction nozzle attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporation assembly, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern after 0.4 seconds of activation;

[0066] Figure 43 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of the suction nozzle attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporation assembly, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern after 0.5 seconds of activation;

[0067] Figure 44 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of the suction nozzle attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporation assembly, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern after 1.0 second of activation;

[0068] Figure 45 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of the nozzle attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporation assembly, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern after 2.0 seconds of activation;

[0069] Figure 46 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of the nozzle attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporation assembly, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern after 3.0 seconds of activation;

[0070] Figure 47 The illustration shows the air temperature leaving the nozzle as a function of time for an exemplary evaporator device including a PTCR heater;

[0071] Figure 48 The illustration shows the current response as a function of time for an exemplary evaporator device including a PTCR heater; and

[0072] Figure 49 This is a top view of the suction nozzle attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly, showing the differential current density within the PTCR heater in response to the cold ambient airflow entering the PTCR heater assembly.

[0073] The same reference numerals in the figures denote the same elements where possible. Detailed Implementation

[0074] Some aspects of the current topic involve evaporator heaters that utilize nonlinear positive resistivity temperature coefficient (PTCR) heating elements (also known as PTCR heaters) as convection heaters. In such convection heaters for evaporators, air is heated by the heating element and passes through or through an evaporable material to form vapor and / or aerosol for inhalation. In embodiments, the evaporable material may include solid evaporable materials (e.g., loose tobacco material commonly used in heated non-burning (HNB) evaporators) and / or liquid evaporable materials (e.g., pre-filled cartridges / cartridges, pods, and the like). PTCR heating elements for convection heating can make the heating of the evaporable material more uniform. Improved heating uniformity can provide many advantages, including avoiding temperature differences within the evaporable material, which acts as an insulator, preventing contamination of the heating element, etc. And because the heating element can be formed from a PTCR material, the heating element can be temperature self-limiting and will not heat beyond a certain temperature within a known applied voltage range, thereby avoiding the formation of unwanted and potentially hazardous chemical byproducts.

[0075] The thermal power generation characteristics within isotropic PTCR materials are that, when subjected to a voltage gradient, the thermal power generation within the isotropic PTCR material is... Each control volume Controlling volume Heat to the temperature within the PTCR transition zone and maintain that temperature. Within a wide range, such as Figure 1 As shown in Figure A, thermal power generation can be represented as: Where P is the thermal power generation, and vol is the control volume (e.g., ...). ), and ρ is resistivity.

[0076] By utilizing PTCR heating elements, some implementations allow the temperature to be controlled within the applied voltage range without requiring temperature sensors, electronic circuits, microprocessors, and / or algorithms that provide power control to the heating element.

[0077] As used herein, the term solid evaporable material generally refers to evaporable materials that include solid materials. For example, some evaporator devices heat materials derived from plant leaves or other plant components to extract plant-specific flavorings and other products as vapors. These plant materials can be chopped and mixed with a variety of plant products, including tobacco, into a homogenized configuration, in which case nicotine and / or nicotine compounds can be generated and delivered to the user of such an evaporator device in the form of an aerosol. The homogenized configuration may also include evaporable liquids, such as propylene glycol and glycerin, to increase the vapor density and aerosol generated during heating. To avoid the generation of unwanted harmful or potentially harmful components (HPHC), this type of evaporator device benefits from a heater with temperature control measures. Evaporator devices that, as described above, heat plant leaves or homogenized configurations to maintain the temperature below the combustion level are generally referred to as heated non-combustible (HNB) devices.

[0078] As used herein, the term liquid evaporable material generally refers to an evaporable material that does not contain solid material. Liquid evaporable materials may include, for example, liquids, solutions, waxes, or any other form compatible with the use of a particular evaporator device. In embodiments, liquid evaporable materials may include any form suitable for drawing evaporable material into an evaporation chamber using a wicking device or wicking element. Liquid evaporable materials may include plant-derived components, such as nicotine and / or nicotine compounds. Liquid evaporable materials may include evaporable liquids, such as propylene glycol and glycerin.

[0079] Evaporator devices operate by heating the evaporable material to a suitable temperature to produce an aerosol, without causing the evaporable material to burn or carbonize. One type of evaporator device is more complex because it utilizes relatively tight temperature control to prevent overheating and the formation of associated HPHC. This complexity, due to the inherent non-uniformity of the evaporable material to be heated and the associated spatially inconsistent thermal properties, typically requires electronic circuitry including microprocessors, which is often difficult in HNB devices. This can lead to overheating regions and the potential formation of HPHC. Furthermore, some existing solutions fail to control the localized temperatures within the evaporator device, resulting in a high probability of evaporable material formation and HPHC in overheating regions.

[0080] Another type of evaporator device is simpler because it does not provide temperature control measures, which may make the evaporator device cheaper to construct but includes the risk of overheating and thus leading to unwanted chemical byproducts.

[0081] In HNB evaporator devices (e.g., where the evaporable material is solid), some existing methods lack the ability to apply uniform temperatures for one or more of the following reasons. For example, the solid evaporable material to be heated has a low thermal diffusivity, making the diffusion of high temperatures from the heating element into the solid evaporable material both slow and resulting in a high thermal gradient. As a result, non-uniform heating may be unavoidable. As another example, if heating element temperature control is employed, it typically deals with an average temperature, such that heating a non-uniform solid evaporable material through high temperatures within the heating element can lead to high temperatures within the solid evaporable material itself. As yet another example, to allow heating of the insulation material, some existing HNB devices require a preheating time of 30 seconds or more, accompanied by costs related to energy consumption, battery consumption, and user inconvenience.

[0082] In evaporator devices that evaporate fluid by bringing a heating element into contact with the fluid to be evaporated, contamination of the heating element can occur, potentially impairing performance. A solution to this problem could be to integrate the heating element into a disposable component of the evaporator, allowing the heating element to be replaced with each new disposable component, thus limiting but not eliminating contamination of the heating element.

[0083] To overcome the difficulty of uniformly heating evaporable materials, some embodiments of this subject matter can be configured to preheat air using one or more PTCR heating elements in conjunction with a heat exchanger. When a user draws air into the evaporator device, the incoming airflow is heated to a controlled temperature as it passes through the heat exchanger, and then passes through or across the evaporable material to be heated. The evaporable material can be a solid material (e.g., as in HNB material) or a liquid (e.g., a fluid along with a porous wicking device). In embodiments, the airflow may pass through the heat exchanger, then through and / or across a porous wicking device filled with liquid evaporable material, then through the solid evaporable material (e.g., HNB material), and then reach the user. In embodiments, the geometry for cooling the air inflow may include, for example, a balanced air inlet (i.e., a second air inlet) between the wicking device and the user. Furthermore, this subject matter can provide a PTCR heater with inherent temperature control, for example, for a given power supply voltage range (which in some embodiments can vary by a factor of ten or more), which will not exceed the designed peak temperature. This approach can lead to improved uniform heating of the evaporable material compared to some conventional methods.

[0084] Furthermore, using this convection heating method, the PTCR heating element can be placed upstream of the wicking device, fluid container, and / or evaporable material, allowing the PTCR heating element to be completely removed from any disposable component of the mechanism. Including the PTCR heating element in the non-disposable parts of the evaporator unit avoids unnecessary waste.

[0085] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary evaporator device 100 according to some embodiments of the present subject matter, which can provide uniform heating to an evaporable material using convection heating. The exemplary evaporator device 100 includes an air inlet 105, a PTCR heater 110 with a heat exchanger, and a power source 115, such as a battery, capacitor, and / or the like. The exemplary evaporator device 100 may include a housing 120 that may be coupled to one or more of the PTCR heater 110 with a heat exchanger and the power source 115. In embodiments, the exemplary evaporator device 100 may include an optional controller 102 and an optional pressure sensor 107. In embodiments, the housing 120 may define the air inlet 105.

[0086] The PTCR heater 110 with heat exchangers may include a heating element formed of PTCR material, which will be described in more detail below. The heat exchanger may be thermally coupled to the heating element and may be configured to transfer heat between the heating element and an airflow passing through and / or through the PTCR heater 110 with heat exchangers to generate a heated airflow. The PTCR heater 110 with heat exchangers may include multiple heat exchangers, for example, coupled to different sides of the heating element, and may include a flow divider for diverting the airflow through and / or across the fins of the heat exchangers to improve heat transfer. References below... Figures 9 to 34G An exemplary PTCR heater 110 with a heat exchanger will be discussed in more detail.

[0087] The exemplary evaporator device 100 may include connector 117 ( Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 8 (As shown in the diagram), for coupling housing 120 to one or more cartridges 125 comprising evaporable material 130. In an embodiment, cartridge 125 may include a nozzle 135. In an embodiment, the coupling may be decoupled, allowing a user to easily couple and disconnect cartridge 125 from evaporator unit 100 via connector 117.

[0088] When the evaporator assembly 100 is coupled to the feed box 125, the evaporator assembly 100 and the feed box 125 can be arranged to define an airflow path from the air inlet 105, through and / or across the PTCR heater 110 with a heat exchanger, through the first air inlet of the feed box, through the evaporable material 130, and out of the nozzle 135.

[0089] An optional controller 102 (e.g., a processor, circuitry, etc. capable of performing logic) is used to control the transfer of heat so that the evaporable material is converted from a condensed form (e.g., solid, liquid, solution, suspension, at least a portion of unprocessed plant material, etc.) to a gaseous phase. The optional controller may be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0090] Power source 115 may include any power source suitable for applying power to PTCR heater 110 with heat exchanger. For example, power source 115 may include a battery, capacitor (even with resistive-capacitor (RC) decay) and / or the like. In embodiments, power source 115 may provide a voltage selectable from a wide range of voltages. For example, in some embodiments, power source 115 may provide a voltage between 3 volts and 50 volts or higher. In embodiments, the voltage supplied to PTCR heater 110 with heat exchanger may vary by an order of magnitude with little impact on the performance of PTCR heater 110 with heat exchanger. In embodiments, power source 115 may include multiple power sources, which may be selected based on operating conditions and / or desired evaporator device performance.

[0091] During operation, the user can draw in air through nozzle 135 (e.g., suction), which can be detected by an optional controller 102 using an optional pressure sensor 107. In response to the detection of suction, the optional controller 102 can cause current from power supply 115 to be applied to the PTCR heater 110 with a heat exchanger, thereby heating the PTCR heater 110 with the heat exchanger. Because the PTCR heater 110 with the heat exchanger is formed of PTCR material, the heating will be self-limiting and the heating element will not overheat.

[0092] The airflow passes through air inlet 105 and over and / or through a PTCR heater 110 with a heat exchanger, uniformly heating the air in the airflow. The heated airflow continues to the evaporable material 130, uniformly heating the evaporable material 130 and forming vapor (gas). The evaporable material 130 may include a liquid, solution, solid, wax, or any other form. In an embodiment, the incoming air along the airflow path passes over, through, and similarly traverses areas or chambers (e.g., atomizers) in which the gaseous evaporable material is entrained into the air.

[0093] The entrained vaporized material can condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path, allowing an inhalable dose of the vaporized material in aerosol form to be delivered to the mouthpiece 135 for the user to inhale as vapor and / or aerosol. In one embodiment, the cartridge 125 includes a balancing air inlet (i.e., a second air inlet) 140 for supplying ambient temperature air to mix with the heated airflow entering the cartridge through the first air inlet. The ambient temperature air can be mixed with the heated airflow in a condensation chamber. The balancing air inlet 140 is positioned after the heated airflow has passed through the vaporized material (e.g., downstream of the heat exchanger and the vaporized material) to cool the heated airflow before the user inhales it. In one embodiment, the balancing air inlet 140 is integrated with the mouthpiece 135.

[0094] Activation of the PTCR heating element can be triggered by automatically detected suction based on one or more signals generated by one or more sensors, such as optional pressure sensor 107 or a sensor configured to detect changes in absolute pressure along the airflow path relative to ambient pressure (or optionally measure changes in absolute pressure), one or more motion sensors of the evaporator, one or more flow sensors of the evaporator, or a capacitive lip sensor of the evaporator; receiving signals from a computing device communicating with the evaporator in response to detecting user interaction with one or more input devices (e.g., buttons or other tactile controls of the evaporator, such as manual toggle switches, push-button switches, pressure switches, etc.); and / or determining by other methods that suction is occurring or about to occur.

[0095] As mentioned in the preceding paragraph, an evaporator consistent with embodiments of the present subject can be configured to connect (e.g., wirelessly or via a wired connection) to a computing device (or optionally two or more devices) that communicates with the evaporator. For this purpose, optional controller 102 may include communication hardware. Optional controller 102 may also include memory. The computing device may be a component of an evaporator system that also includes the evaporator, and the computing device may include its own communication hardware that can establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware of the evaporator. For example, a computing device used as part of an evaporator system may include a general-purpose computing device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, some other portable device, such as a smartwatch, etc.) that executes software to generate a user interface that allows the user of the device to interact with the evaporator. In other embodiments of the present subject, such a device used as part of an evaporator system may be dedicated hardware, such as a remote control or other wireless or wired devices having one or more physical or software interface controls (e.g., configurable on a screen or other display device and accessible to a user via a touch-sensitive screen or some other input device, such as a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor button, etc.). The evaporator may also include one or more output features or devices for providing information to the user.

[0096] The computing device, as part of the vaporizer system as defined above, can be used for any one or more functions, such as dose control (e.g., dose monitoring, dose setting, dose limiting, user tracking, etc.), session control (e.g., session monitoring, session setting, session limiting, user tracking, etc.), nicotine delivery control (e.g., switching between nicotine and non-nicotine vaporizable materials, adjusting the amount of nicotine delivered, etc.), obtaining location information (e.g., the location of other users, retailer / commercial location, vaping location, 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 the manufacturer or warranty maintenance organization, etc.), engaging in social activities with other users (e.g., gaming, social media communication, interacting with one or more groups, etc.). The terms "conducting a session," "session," "vaporizer session," or "vapor session" are generally used to refer to a period of time specifically dedicated to using the vaporizer. This period may include time intervals, dose counts, amount of vaporizable material, etc.

[0097] In examples where the computing device provides signals related to the activation of the PTCR heating element, or in other examples where the computing device is coupled to the evaporator to achieve various control or other functions, the computing device executes one or more sets of computer instructions to provide a user interface and low-level data processing. 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 evaporator to activate the PTCR heating element to its full operating temperature for producing an inhalable dose of vapor / aerosol. Other functions of the evaporator can be controlled through user interaction with a user interface on the computing device communicating with the evaporator.

[0098] The temperature of the PTCR heating element in the evaporator can depend on a variety of factors, including conductive heat transferred to other parts of the evaporator and / or the environment, latent heat loss due to the evaporation of the evaporable material from the integral wicking element and / or atomizer, and convective heat loss due to airflow (e.g., air moving through the integral heating element or atomizer when a user inhales on the evaporator). As described above, in order to reliably activate or heat the PTCR heating element to the desired temperature, in some embodiments of this subject, the evaporator may utilize a signal from an optional pressure sensor 107 to determine when the user inhales. The optional pressure sensor 107 may be located in and / or connected (e.g., via a channel or other path) to an airflow path connecting an air inlet 105 (allowing air to enter the device) and an outlet (e.g., in a mouthpiece 135) through which the user inhales the generated vapor and / or aerosol, such that the optional pressure sensor experiences pressure changes as the air travels from the air inlet 105 through the evaporator device to the air outlet. In embodiments of the present subject, the PTCR heating element may be optionally activated in association with a user's suction, for example by automatically detecting suction, such as by detecting pressure changes in the airflow path via an optional pressure sensor 107. In embodiments, a switch is an input device that can be used to electrically complete a circuit between the power supply and the PTCR heating element. In embodiments, the input device includes relays, solenoids, and / or solid-state devices that can be used to electrically complete a circuit between the power supply and the PTCR heating element to activate the evaporator device.

[0099] Typically, the optional pressure sensor 107 (and any other sensors) may be located on or coupled to the optional controller 102 (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board) via an electrical or electronic connection, physically or wirelessly. For accurate measurement and to maintain the durability of the evaporator, it is beneficial to provide a resilient seal to separate the airflow path from other parts of the evaporator. A seal (which may be a gasket) may be configured to at least partially surround the optional pressure sensor 107, such that the connection of the optional pressure sensor 107 to the internal circuitry of the evaporator is separated from the portion of the optional pressure sensor 107 exposed to the airflow path. In examples of cartridge-based evaporators, the seal or gasket may also separate portions of one or more electrical connections between the evaporator body and the evaporator cartridge. This arrangement of gaskets or seals in the evaporator can help mitigate the potentially damaging effects on evaporator components due to interactions with environmental factors such as water in the vapor or liquid phase, other fluids (e.g., evaporable materials), and / or reduce air escape from the airflow path designed into the evaporator. Unwanted air, liquid, or other fluids passing through and / or contacting the circuitry of the evaporator can cause various undesirable effects, such as altered pressure readings, and / or the accumulation of unwanted materials (e.g., moisture), evaporable materials, etc., in various parts of the evaporator. These unwanted materials, evaporable materials, etc., can lead to poor pressure signals, degradation of optional pressure sensors or other components, and / or a shortened evaporator lifespan. Leaks in seals or gaskets can also cause the user to inhale air passing through parts of the evaporator unit that contain or are made of materials that may not be suitable for inhalation.

[0100] In one embodiment, the material box 125 may include a fiber body for cooling the evaporable material 130 after the heated airflow passes through it.

[0101] As described above, the evaporable material 130 may include solid evaporable materials (e.g., HNB materials) and / or liquid evaporable materials (e.g., liquids, solutions, etc.). Figure 3This is a block diagram of an exemplary evaporator assembly 100 and a cartridge 125 containing liquid evaporable material, which can provide uniform heating to the evaporable material using convection heating. The evaporable material 130 includes an atomizer comprising a porous wick 150 in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir or storage tank 145. The porous wick 150 is located within the path of the heated airflow between a PTCR heater 110 with a heat exchanger and a nozzle 135. The porous wick 150 is positioned such that during operation, the heated airflow passes through and / or through the porous wick 150, which is filled to saturation with the evaporable fluid. The liquid evaporable material filling the porous wick 150 evaporates to form vapor and / or aerosol. In an embodiment, the porous wick 150 may allow air to enter the storage tank 145 to replace the removed liquid volume. In other words, capillary action draws the liquid evaporable material into the wicker 150 for evaporation by a heated gas flow, and in some embodiments of this subject matter, air can be returned through the wicker to the reservoir 145 to at least partially balance the pressure in the reservoir 145. Other methods that allow air to return to the reservoir 145 to balance the pressure are also within the scope of this subject matter. Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary evaporator device having a liquid evaporable material, and Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary evaporator device having a solid evaporable material (e.g., an HNB product).

[0102] In embodiments, the evaporable material 130 may include both liquid evaporable materials and solid evaporable materials. For example, Figure 6 This is a block diagram of an exemplary evaporator device 100 and a cartridge 125 having liquid and solid evaporable materials, which can provide uniform heating to the evaporable materials using convection heating. The evaporable material 130 includes a reservoir 145 containing the liquid evaporable material; a wick 150 in fluid communication with the liquid evaporable material; and solid evaporable material 155 located downstream of the porous wick 150 (relative to the airflow). The porous wick 150 is arranged to receive a heated airflow from a heater 110 with a heat exchanger to evaporate the evaporable material, thereby producing vapor and / or a first aerosol. The solid evaporable material 155 is arranged to receive vapor and / or the first aerosol from the wick and produce a second aerosol. A nozzle 135 is configured to receive the second aerosol after the evaporated evaporable material has passed through the solid evaporable material 155. By combining both the liquid and solid evaporable materials, an improved flavor can be achieved. Furthermore, by utilizing convection heating via PTCR material to evaporate both liquid and solid evaporable materials, only a single heater is needed to heat both materials.

[0103] In this embodiment, liquid evaporable materials and solid evaporable materials may be contained in different containers. For example, Figure 7 This is a block diagram of an exemplary evaporator device 100 with multiple cartridges. A first cartridge 605 includes a liquid evaporable material (including a reservoir 145 and a porous wicking device 150), while a second cartridge 610 includes a solid evaporable material 130, which can be uniformly heated by convection heating. The first cartridge 605 can be detachably coupled to the evaporator device 100, and the second cartridge 610 can be detachably coupled to the first cartridge 605. As shown, the first cartridge 605 includes a reservoir 145 (e.g., a canister), liquid evaporable material within the reservoir 145, and a wicking device 150 in fluid communication with the liquid evaporable material. When the first cartridge 605 is coupled to the evaporator device 100, the wicking device 150 is arranged to receive a heated gas flow from a heater 110 with a heat exchanger to evaporate the evaporable material, thereby generating vapor and / or a first aerosol. The second cartridge 610 includes a solid evaporable material 130, a balance air inlet 140, and a nozzle 135. When the second cartridge 610 is coupled to the first cartridge, the solid evaporable material 130 is arranged to receive vapor and / or aerosol from the wicking device 150 and generate a second aerosol. The nozzle 135 is configured to receive the second aerosol after the vapor and / or first aerosol has passed through the solid evaporable material 155. In an embodiment, the balance air inlet (i.e., the second air inlet) 140 may provide ambient temperature air to cool the heated first aerosol that has passed through the solid evaporable material 155. Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary evaporator device incorporating both liquid and solid evaporable materials.

[0104] Compared to conventional conductive heating methods, this convective heating method can offer several advantages for evaporating solid materials (e.g., HNB materials). For example, instead of poorly conducting heat along directions orthogonal to the airflow into the insulating material (e.g., solid evaporable material), resulting in volatiles and differential porosity in the evaporable material to be heated, some embodiments of this subject can provide incoming preheated air that enters the evaporable material uniformly as corrugations covering the cross-section of the evaporable material. The volatiles are then released in a direction parallel to the flow of the heated air, while the porosity increases. As another example, the problem of differential flow paths can be eliminated in some embodiments due to the uniform release of volatiles across the cross-section and the simultaneous increase in porosity. As yet another example, the problem of deteriorated conductive heat transfer through the product can be eliminated in some embodiments of this subject. As yet another example, some embodiments of this subject can eliminate the previously required preheating period, allowing the aerosol to be supplied on demand from the heated evaporable material.

[0105] Similarly, this convection heating method can offer several advantages for evaporating liquid evaporable materials. For example, instead of directly applying heat to the liquid evaporable material using a heating element that is in direct contact with it, some embodiments of this subject can provide incoming preheated air that acts as corrugations uniformly covering the cross-section of a porous wicker saturated with the fluid to be evaporated, thereby avoiding the potential for temperature differences and contamination of the heating element.

[0106] As another example, unwanted aerosol condensation within the device can be minimized by placing the wick near and upstream (relative to the airflow) a solid evaporable material (e.g., loose tobacco leaves).

[0107] Furthermore, because no specific thermal feedback is required, the inherent temperature control behavior of the PTCR heater simplifies the power delivery circuitry. This simplification is further achieved by eliminating the need for a typical power delivery system that supplies a relatively constant voltage to the power source. In this implementation, the applied voltage can vary by more than an order of magnitude without significantly affecting the resulting heating element temperature.

[0108] An exemplary PTCR heater will now be described in more detail. PTCR comprises a semiconductor material having a resistivity that changes non-linearly with increasing temperature. Typical PTCR materials have relatively low resistivity when the temperature is kept below the temperature transition region. Above the temperature transition region, the resistivity of the PTCR material is higher than that of the same PTCR material at temperatures below the temperature transition region. Within the temperature transition region of 50 degrees Celsius or lower, the resistivity change can increase by several orders of magnitude.

[0109] Heating elements can achieve inherent temperature control using nonlinear PTCR materials. For example, a heating element at ambient temperature can be connected to a power source that provides a voltage gradient and the resulting current. Since the resistivity of the heating element is relatively low at ambient temperature (e.g., below the transition region), current will flow through it. When current flows through the nonlinear PTCR material, the resistance generates heat (e.g., energy dissipation). This generated heat raises the temperature of the heating element, causing a change in its resistivity. When the temperature of the heating element reaches the transition region, the resistivity increases significantly over a small temperature range. This change in resistivity can be caused by the physical properties of the material. For example, a phase transition may occur within the material. This increase in resistivity (leading to an overall increase in resistance) reduces the current, thereby reducing heat generation. The transition region includes a temperature inflection point where the generated heat is insufficient to further raise the temperature of the heating element, thus limiting its temperature. As long as the power source remains connected and supplies current, the heating element will maintain a uniform temperature with minimal temperature variation. In this case, the power applied to the PTCR heating element can be expressed by the formula P.I =Voltage 2 The heat loss of a PTCR heating element can be expressed as resistance. L It represents, and includes any combination of conduction, convection, radiation, and latent heat. During steady-state operation, P I =P L With P L As the temperature of the PTCR heating element increases, its resistance decreases, thus increasing the current flowing through the PTCR heating element. L As the temperature of the PTCR heating element decreases, its resistance increases, thus reducing the current flowing through the PTCR heating element. L As the resistance approaches zero, the resistance of a PTCR heating element increases logarithmically. The limited operating temperature of a PTCR heating element can be affected by factors such as the element material, element geometry, element resistivity as a function of temperature characteristics, power supply, and circuit characteristics (e.g., voltage gradient, current, time-varying characteristics).

[0110] Figure 9 This is a graph illustrating an exemplary resistivity versus temperature curve for a nonlinear PTCR material. The vertical axis is logarithmic. Heating elements (referred to as PTCR heaters) made of (e.g., formed from) nonlinear PTCR materials can possess advantageous characteristics. For example, when a sufficient voltage gradient is applied (e.g., ...), In this case, the PTCR heater will generate heat and raise the temperature until the transition zone is reached. Figure 9 In the curve shown, the transition region spans between temperatures T1 and T2. Figure 9 In the curves shown, the resistivity versus temperature curve is non-linear between T1 and T2, but in other embodiments, the resistivity versus temperature curve may be approximately linear, linear, or other shapes. At some temperatures above T1, the resistivity of the non-linear PTCR material will increase to a point where further temperature increases will cease because the total resistance will increase to a point limiting the current. In other words, the implementation of the PTCR heater can be considered temperature-self-limiting, and given a known range of applied voltage, it will not heat above the temperature just above the lower point T1 of the temperature transition region.

[0111] The performance of PTCR heaters can depend on Figure 9The behavior of PTCR and the geometry of the heater are considered. A PTCR heater with a relatively long and narrow geometry and electrical contacts for applying differential voltage at each end of the longer dimension of the PTCR heater may be ineffective because the resistivity of the nonlinear PTCR material is generally too high below temperature T1. Nonlinear PTCR materials with steep transition regions (where the temperature difference between T1 and T2 is less than 10°C) can cause all voltages to drop to a small fraction of the length of the long and narrow geometry and introduce unavoidable spatial inhomogeneities within any material. Therefore, some embodiments of PTCR heaters include electrode configurations for the PTCR heater such that nonlinear PTCR material is provided within a parallel circuit. In some embodiments that can provide improved heating uniformity, the geometry of the PTCR heater may include thin segments of nonlinear PTCR material sandwiched between electrical conductors or conductive coatings to which differential voltages can be applied.

[0112] Figure 10 Presented for Figure 9The table shows resistivity-temperature curve data for the nonlinear PTCR semiconductor material. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 100 ohm-cm at 100°C, and between 50,000 ohm-cm and 150,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 20 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 100°C, and between 100,000 ohm-cm and 200,000 ohm-cm at 265°C. In yet another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity less than 100 ohm-cm at 100°C, and greater than 100,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. Finally, in yet another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity less than 100 ohm-cm at 100°C, and greater than 250,000 ohm-cm at 275°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity of less than 100 ohm-cm at 100°C and a resistivity of greater than 300,000 ohm-cm at 295°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 325,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In yet another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 350,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 375,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 400,000 ohm-cm at 280°C.In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 450,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 500,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 150,000 ohm-cm and 325,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 150,000 ohm-cm and 375,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 150,000 ohm-cm and 400,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 150,000 ohm-cm and 450,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 150,000 ohm-cm and 500,000 ohm-cm at 280°C.In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 200,000 ohm-cm and 325,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 200,000 ohm-cm and 350,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 200,000 ohm-cm and 375,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 200,000 ohm-cm and 400,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 200,000 ohm-cm and 450,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 200,000 ohm-cm and 500,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 50 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 50000 ohm-cm and 125000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 100 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 50000 ohm-cm and 150000 ohm-cm at 260°C.In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 50000 ohm-cm and 175000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 50000 ohm-cm and 200000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 250 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 50,000 ohm-cm and 250,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 50,000 ohm-cm and 300,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 20 ohm-cm and 50 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 75000 ohm-cm and 125000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 20 ohm-cm and 100 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 75000 ohm-cm and 150000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 20 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 75000 ohm-cm and 175000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 20 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 75000 ohm-cm and 200000 ohm-cm at 260°C.In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 20 ohm-cm and 250 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 75000 ohm-cm and 250000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 20 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 75000 ohm-cm and 300000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 75 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 30 ohm-cm and 50 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 125,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 75 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 30 ohm-cm and 100 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 150,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 75 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 30 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 175,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 75 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 30 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 200,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 75 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 30 ohm-cm and 250 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 250,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 75 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 30 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 300,000 ohm-cm at 260°C.In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 50 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 325,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 100 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 350,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 375,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 400,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 250 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 450,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 500,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 20 ohm-cm and 50 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 150,000 ohm-cm and 325,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 20 ohm-cm and 100 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 150,000 ohm-cm and 350,000 ohm-cm at 280°C.In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 20 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 150,000 ohm-cm and 375,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 20 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 150,000 ohm-cm and 400,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 20 ohm-cm and 250 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 150,000 ohm-cm and 450,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 20 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 150,000 ohm-cm and 500,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 30 ohm-cm and 50 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 200,000 ohm-cm and 325,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 30 ohm-cm and 100 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 200,000 ohm-cm and 350,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 30 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 200,000 ohm-cm and 375,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 30 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 200,000 ohm-cm and 400,000 ohm-cm at 280°C.In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 30 ohm-cm and 250 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 200,000 ohm-cm and 450,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 25°C, a resistivity between 30 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 150°C, and a resistivity between 200,000 ohm-cm and 500,000 ohm-cm at 280°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 50,000 ohm-cm and 125,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 50,000 ohm-cm and 150,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 50,000 ohm-cm and 175,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 50,000 ohm-cm and 200,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 50,000 ohm-cm and 250,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 10 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 50,000 ohm-cm and 300,000 ohm-cm at 260°C.In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 75000 ohm-cm and 125000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 75000 ohm-cm and 150000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 75000 ohm-cm and 175000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 75000 ohm-cm and 200000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 75000 ohm-cm and 250000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 50 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 75000 ohm-cm and 300000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 75 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 110 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 125,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 75 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 150 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 150,000 ohm-cm at 260°C.In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 75 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 175,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 75 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 300 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 200,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 75 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 400 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 250,000 ohm-cm at 260°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element has a resistivity between 75 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 50°C, a resistivity between 90 ohm-cm and 500 ohm-cm at 100°C, and a resistivity between 100,000 ohm-cm and 300,000 ohm-cm at 260°C.

[0113] Figure 11 The figure illustrates another exemplary PTCR resistivity versus temperature curve. In this example, the PTCR material has a density of 5700 kg / m³. 3 The heat capacity is 520 J / kg K, and the thermal conductivity is 2.1 W / m K. The resistivity initially increases after approximately 440 K, then increases sharply between 503 K and 518 K. At 298 K, the resistivity of the PTCR material forming the PTCR heating element is 0.168 ohm-m, while at 373 K, the resistivity is 0.105 ohm-m, and at 518 K, the resistivity is 3.669 ohm-m. In some exemplary embodiments, the PTCR material has a heat capacity of 5000 kg / m K. 3 and 7000kg / m 3 The density between 450 J / kg K and 600 J / kg K, and the thermal conductivity between 1.5 W / m K and 3.0 W / m.

[0114] Figure 12A This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary PTCR heating element 50 capable of improving evaporator heating. A thin segment of the nonlinear PTCR material 10 is shown. Figure 12A In this structure, a nonlinear PTCR material 10 is sandwiched between conductive layers 20, which are then attached to conductive leads 30, allowing a differential voltage to be applied to the conductive leads 30. Figure 9 B is Figure 12A The cross-section of the exemplary PTCR heating element 50 shown is illustrated.

[0115] In some exemplary embodiments, the PTCR heater 50 includes Figure 12A The geometry shown, with a nonlinear PTCR material thickness of 0.5 mm (height) and 5.0 mm in other dimensions (length and width), is effective in evaporator devices using, for example, a combined fluid containing propylene glycol and glycerol. The electrical properties of the nonlinear PTCR material include the following values: T1 values ​​between 150°C and 300°C, for example, between 220°C and 280°C; resistivity at temperatures below T1 between 0.01 Ohm-m and 100 Ohm-m, for example, between 0.1 Ohm-m and 1 Ohm-m; a resistivity change between T1 and T2 with an increase factor exceeding 10, for example, exceeding 100; and a temperature difference between T1 and T2 less than 200°C, for example, less than 50°C.

[0116] Figures 13A to 13E The modeling temperature of an exemplary PTCR heater 50 is shown. In the example shown, the nonlinear PTCR material 10 includes a flat geometry with dimensions of 5mm × 5mm × 0.5mm; the conductive layer 20 is formed of silver (Ag) with dimensions of 5mm × 5mm × 0.025mm; and the conductive leads 30 are formed of copper (Cu) with dimensions of 12mm × 2mm × 0.2mm. The nonlinear PTCR material 10 includes, as... Figure 32 The PTCR resistivity versus temperature curve shown has a non-linear transition region from approximately 240°C to approximately 300°C. A voltage of 3 to 6 volts is applied across the conductive lead 30 of the exemplary PTCR heater 50. Under these conditions, the temperature of the exemplary PTCR heater 50 in open air with free convection airflow will increase, as... Figures 13A to 13E The modeling series shown illustrates the time intervals after applying a differential voltage for 0.0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 seconds. As shown, the temperature is relatively uniform beyond 1.0 second, and the peak temperature at the surface of conductive layer 20 is less than 270°C.

[0117] Figures 14A to 14FModeling temperatures for another example of the PTCR heater 50 are shown. A gradient temperature scale is shown on the left side of each figure, where red represents the hottest temperature of approximately 255°C and proceeds sequentially through the colors of the visible spectrum (i.e., red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet) to the coldest temperature of approximately 23°C. In each example shown, the nonlinear PTCR material 10 comprises a flat geometry with dimensions of approximately 5 mm × 5 mm × 0.5 mm; a conductive layer 20 is formed of silver (Ag) with dimensions of approximately 5 mm × 5 mm × 0.025 mm; and conductive leads 30 are formed of copper (Cu) with dimensions of approximately 12 mm × 2 mm × 0.2 mm. The flat geometry may include two parallel sides, each side comprising the conductive layer 20 to which the conductive leads 30 are attached. The conductive leads 30 are centrally attached to the conductive layer 20 on each side of the PTCR heating element 50 via connectors 40. In embodiments, connectors 40 are clamps, clips, conductive paste, high-temperature, lead-free solder, and / or combinations thereof.

[0118] Figure 14A The temperature is shown 1.0 second after activation by applying current to the PTCR heating element 50. The purple conductive lead 30 remains at approximately 25°C. The temperature of most of the PTCR material 10 and the conductive layer 20 has risen to approximately 120°C, with the area in the center including the connector 40 being slightly cooler at approximately 80°C.

[0119] Figure 14B The temperature is shown after 2.0 seconds of activation by applying current to the PTCR heating element 50. The temperature of the blue / green conductive lead 30 has increased to approximately 90°C. The temperature of most of the PTCR material 10 and the conductive layer 20 has increased to approximately 210°C, with the area in the center including the connector 40 being cooler at approximately 160°C.

[0120] Figure 14C The temperature is shown after 3.0 seconds of activation by applying current to the PTCR heating element 50. The temperature of the green conductive lead 30 has increased to approximately 140°C. The temperature of most of the PTCR material 10 and the conductive layer 20 has increased to approximately 250°C, with the area in the center including the connector 40 being cooler at approximately 200°C.

[0121] Figure 14D The temperature is shown after 4.0 seconds of activation by applying current to the PTCR heating element 50. The temperature of the green conductive lead 30 has increased to approximately 160°C. Most of the PTCR material 10 and the conductive layer 20 remain at approximately 250°C, with the area in the center including the connector 40 being cooler at approximately 215°C.

[0122] Figure 14EThe temperature is shown after 5.0 seconds of activation by applying current to the PTCR heater 50. The temperature of the green / yellow conductive lead 30 has increased to approximately 180°C. Most of the PTCR material 10 and the conductive layer 20 remain at a temperature of approximately 250°C, with the area in the center including the connector 40 being cooler at approximately 225°C.

[0123] Figure 14F The temperature is shown after 6.0 seconds of activation by applying current to the PTCR heating element 50. The temperature of the yellow conductive lead 30 has increased to approximately 200°C. Most of the PTCR material 10 and the conductive layer 20 remain at approximately 250°C, with the area in the center including the connector 40 being just slightly cooler at approximately 235°C. Figure 15 The modeled temperature of an exemplary heater is shown after applying a voltage for 6.0 seconds in a free convection state.

[0124] Figure 16A The modeled surface temperature of an exemplary PTCR heating element as a function of time is shown. In the model, the surface temperature of the PTCR heater starts at 25°C (i.e., room temperature) at time zero. After current is applied, the surface temperature rises linearly for about 2 seconds to approximately 225°C. After about 2 seconds, the rate of temperature increase gradually decreases, reaching a steady-state operating temperature of approximately 250°C, which is reached approximately 3 seconds after activation. In the model, it is assumed that the nonlinear PTCR material is in a non-contact, free convection state, and the emitted radiation is measured from a distance. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element is heated to an operating temperature between 240°C and 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element is heated to an operating temperature between 245°C and 255°C. In yet another embodiment, the PTCR heating element is heated to an operating temperature of approximately 250°C.

[0125] Figure 16BThe illustration shows the modeling and measurement of the maximum surface temperature as a function of time for an exemplary PTCR heater. Four measurements were repeated using an infrared camera to measure the maximum surface temperature of the PTCR heater as a function of time, and then plotted against a model of the maximum surface temperature. In the model, it is assumed that the nonlinear PTCR material is in a non-contact, free-convection state, and the emitted radiation is measured at a distance. In each case, the maximum surface temperature of the PTCR heating element starts at approximately 25°C (i.e., room temperature) at time zero. After current is applied, the maximum surface temperature increases linearly for approximately 2 seconds, reaching a temperature of approximately 225°C. After approximately 2 seconds, the rate of temperature increase gradually decreases, reaching a steady-state operating temperature of approximately 250°C, which is reached approximately 3 seconds after activation. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element is heated to an operating temperature between 240°C and 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element is heated to an operating temperature between 245°C and 255°C. In yet another embodiment, the PTCR heating element is heated to an operating temperature of approximately 250°C.

[0126] Figure 16C The illustration shows the modeling and measurement of the average surface temperature as a function of time for an exemplary PTCR heating element. Measurements were repeated four times using an infrared camera to measure the average surface temperature of the PTCR heating element as a function of time, and then this was modeled and plotted against the average surface temperature. In the model, it is assumed that the nonlinear PTCR material is in a non-contact, free-convection state, and the emitted radiation is measured at a distance. In each case, the average surface temperature of the PTCR heating element starts at approximately 25°C (i.e., room temperature) at time zero. After current is applied, the maximum surface temperature increases linearly for approximately 2 seconds, reaching a temperature of approximately 225°C. After approximately 2 seconds, the rate of temperature increase gradually decreases, reaching a steady-state operating temperature of approximately 250°C, which is reached approximately 3 seconds after activation. In one embodiment, the PTCR heating element is heated to an operating temperature between 240°C and 280°C. In another embodiment, the PTCR heating element is heated to an operating temperature between 245°C and 255°C. In yet another embodiment, the PTCR heating element is heated to an operating temperature of approximately 250°C.

[0127] Figure 17 The transient current response as a function of time for an exemplary heater consistent with the implementation of the present subject is shown. In the figure, the current is measured in amperes, increases at a near-linear rate, and reaches peak consumption approximately 1.5 seconds after activation. Thereafter, as the PTCR heater reaches its self-regulating operating temperature, the resistance increases rapidly to reduce current consumption.

[0128] Uniform temperature can be an ideal performance characteristic of PTCR heaters, offering significant advantages over series coil heaters, which include a series heater with a power input controlled by a temperature sensor, electronic circuitry with a microprocessor, and sophisticated algorithms dedicated to temperature control. These existing series heaters can have total power modulated in response to a temperature measurement at a point or to an estimated average temperature estimated by combining the total resistivity with the TCR (temperature coefficient of resistivity) of a typical series heating element. However, in some series heaters, the temperature within the series heater can vary by 40°C or higher due to localized differences in the thermal mass of the surrounding medium, and localized differences in the loss of the probed medium, resulting in variations in localized resistivity along the series heater.

[0129] In some embodiments, the PTCR heater 50 is composed of a component having a... Figure 9 The materials shown have the same or similar nonlinear PTCR resistivity versus temperature curves, and have, for example, the following characteristics: Figures 12A to 12B The parallel geometry shown, and the presence of a sufficient (e.g., 3V to 6V) differential voltage applied to the conductive leads 30, will allow each given control volume within this PTCR heater to have a narrow temperature range, typically less than 10°C. This can be achieved even under varying heat loads. By controlling the material and geometric arrangement of the PTCR heating elements, a range less than 10°C can be customized for evaporation.

[0130] Alternative PTCR heater designs and geometries are possible.

[0131] In one embodiment, the PTCR heater may include a heat exchanger for preheating the air entering and passing through the evaporable material. Figure 18 This is a perspective view of an exemplary PTCR heater assembly 395, which includes a PTCR heater 390 and a heat exchanger element 320, the heat exchanger element being capable of convective heating and improved uniform heating of the evaporable material.

[0132] An exemplary PTCR heater assembly 395 (also referred to as a rectangular PTCR air heater assembly) includes a PTCR heater 390 comprising PTCR material 300 sandwiched between conductive layers 305. In contact with the conductive layers 305 is a heat exchanger element 320, which may be made of, for example, aluminum or other thermally conductive materials. The heat exchanger element 320 may be formed or assembled from thermally conductive materials by extrusion. In embodiments, the heat exchanger element 320 may be a metal foam, such as an aluminum foam. The heat exchanger element 320 may be formed by extrusion, machining, milling, casting, foaming, printing, injection molding, forging, stamping, sintering, and other metal forming methods. Surrounding the heat exchanger element 320 is a heater assembly cover 350. In embodiments, the heater assembly cover 350 comprises a non-conductive material. In embodiments, the heater assembly cover 350 comprises a non-thermally conductive material. In embodiments, the heater assembly cover 350 comprises a metal with a non-conductive coating that isolates the heater assembly cover 350 from the heat exchanger element 320. In one embodiment, the heater assembly cover 350 comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0133] Figure 19 This is an exploded view of a PTCR evaporation assembly 398, including an exploded view of an exemplary PTCR heater assembly 395. In some embodiments, the PTCR evaporation assembly 398 is rectangular. The PTCR evaporation assembly 398 includes an exemplary PTCR heater assembly 395 and a product cap 380 for receiving a disposable product 360. In some embodiments, both the product cap 380 and the disposable product 360 are rectangular. In one embodiment, the disposable product 360 within the product cap 380 may include a disposable product containing a solid evaporable material. In another embodiment, the product cap 380 is a disposable liquid cartridge (e.g., a pod) configured to receive a liquid evaporable material. In yet another embodiment, the product cap 380 is a disposable liquid cartridge (e.g., a pod) including a first air inlet and / or a wicking device, and is configured to receive a liquid evaporable material.

[0134] Figure 20 This is a perspective view of an exemplary assembled PTCR evaporator assembly 398. A product cap 380, containing a disposable product, can be attached to an adjacent portion on the opposite side of the heater assembly cap 350, the PTCR heater assembly, and / or the product cap 380 via interference fit, press fit, snap-fit ​​coupling, magnetic coupling, adhesive, or other fastening methods. The product cap 380 can be releasably attached, allowing it to be detached from the evaporator unit to replace the disposable product and then reassembled.

[0135] Figure 21This is a perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly 398 and a disposable product 360. In one embodiment, the disposable product 360 and product cap 380 may include a disposable product containing a solid evaporable material. In another embodiment, the disposable product 360 and product cap 380 may include a disposable liquid cartridge (e.g., a pod) containing a liquid evaporable material. In yet another embodiment, the disposable product 360 and product cap 380 may include a disposable liquid cartridge (e.g., a pod) having a first air inlet and / or a wicking device, and containing a liquid evaporable material. Although Figure 21 The PTCR heater is not shown, but it is inserted into the volume portion 304 between the heat exchanger elements 320. Compared to having only a PTCR heater (without a heat exchanger) to heat the incoming air, the heat exchanger element 320 provides an increased surface area for heating more incoming air. Surrounding the heat exchanger element 320 is a heater assembly cover 350. In this embodiment, the flow rate of the incoming air through the PTCR heater assembly 395 is approximately 1.4 liters per minute. The heat exchanger element 320 can reach a steady-state temperature exceeding 200°C to rapidly heat the incoming air. The heat exchanger element 320 can be designed to have a specific surface area (mm²) 2 / mm 3 This maximizes heat transfer, providing improved heat transfer from the PTCR heater to the heat exchanger element 320, and also provides improved heat transfer from the heat exchanger element 320 to the incoming air. Figure 21 As shown, the heat exchanger element 320 can be a finned design made of a thermally conductive material (such as metals, such as aluminum, copper, steel, stainless steel, titanium).

[0136] Figure 22 This is a perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly 398 and a disposable product 360 approximately 0.2 seconds after the PTCR heater 390 is activated. The PTCR heater 390 heats a heat exchanger element 320, which transfers heat to air entering the PTCR heater assembly 395. The air exiting the PTCR heater assembly 395 has been heated to a temperature between approximately 110°C and approximately 160°C. The heated airflow flows through the disposable product 360 (e.g., a tobacco-containing medium) at a flow rate of approximately 1.4 liters per minute. The vapor and / or aerosol exiting the PTCR evaporation assembly 398 comprises evaporated material released from the disposable product 360 at a temperature between approximately 50°C and approximately 150°C.

[0137] Figure 23This is a perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly 398 and a disposable product 360 approximately 0.5 seconds after the PTCR heater 390 is activated. The PTCR heater 390 heats a heat exchanger element 320, which transfers heat to air entering the PTCR heater assembly 395. The air exiting the PTCR heater assembly 395 has been heated to a temperature between approximately 150°C and approximately 210°C. The heated airflow flows through the disposable product 360 (e.g., a tobacco-containing medium) at a flow rate of approximately 1.4 liters per minute. The vapor and / or aerosol exiting the PTCR evaporation assembly 398 comprises evaporated material released from the disposable product 360 at a temperature between approximately 100°C and approximately 210°C.

[0138] Figure 24 This is a perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly 398 and a disposable product 360 approximately 1.0 second after the PTCR heater 390 is activated. The PTCR heater 390 heats a heat exchanger element 320, which transfers heat to air entering the PTCR heater assembly 395. The air exiting the PTCR heater assembly 395 has been heated to a temperature between approximately 170°C and approximately 230°C. The heated airflow flows through the disposable product 360 (e.g., a tobacco-containing medium) at a flow rate of approximately 1.4 liters per minute. The vapor and / or aerosol exiting the PTCR evaporation assembly 398 comprises evaporated material released from the disposable product 360 at a temperature between approximately 110°C and approximately 220°C.

[0139] Figure 25 This is a perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly 398 and a disposable product 360 approximately 2.0 seconds after the PTCR heater 390 is activated. The PTCR heater 390 heats a heat exchanger element 320, which transfers heat to air entering the PTCR heater assembly 395. The air exiting the PTCR heater assembly 395 has been heated to a temperature between approximately 180°C and approximately 240°C. The heated airflow flows through the disposable product 360 (e.g., a tobacco-containing medium) at a flow rate of approximately 1.4 liters per minute. The vapor and / or aerosol exiting the PTCR evaporation assembly 398 comprises evaporated material released from the disposable product 360 at a temperature between approximately 120°C and approximately 230°C.

[0140] Figure 26This is a perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly 398 and a disposable product 360 approximately 3.0 seconds after the PTCR heater 390 is activated. The PTCR heater 390 heats a heat exchanger element 320, which transfers heat to air entering the PTCR heater assembly 395. The air exiting the PTCR heater assembly 395 has been heated to a temperature between approximately 180°C and approximately 240°C. The heated airflow flows through the disposable product 360 (e.g., a tobacco-containing medium) at a flow rate of approximately 1.4 liters per minute. The vapor and / or aerosol exiting the PTCR evaporation assembly 398 comprises evaporated material released from the disposable product 360 at a temperature between approximately 120°C and approximately 230°C.

[0141] The current subject matter is not limited to rectangular geometry. In implementations, the PTCR heater is a polygon that is not rectangular. For example, alternative designs for PTCR heaters may differ from planar geometry in many configurations produced by extrusion or injection molding. For example, Figure 27 This is a perspective view of an exemplary PTCR heater 290 having a cylindrical geometry. In this example, the PTCR heater 290 includes PTCR material 200 having surface conductive layers 205, each of which is cylindrical.

[0142] Figure 28 This is an exploded view showing an exemplary PTCR heater assembly 295, which includes an exemplary PTCR heater 290, an external heat exchanger 210, an internal heat exchanger 220, a distributor 230, and a heater assembly cover 250, each of which is cylindrical. Figure 29 This is a perspective view of an exemplary PTCR heater assembly 295. Figure 30 This is a perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly 298, with the outer cover and distributor 230 removed, thus showing the orientation of the PTCR heater 290, external heat exchanger 210, and internal heat exchanger 220 aligned with the disposable product 260.

[0143] Figure 31 This is a perspective view of an exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly 298, which includes a PTCR heater 290, an external heat exchanger 210, an internal heat exchanger 220, a distributor 230, a heater assembly cover 250, and a product cover 280 (in...). Figure 18 In the middle, the product cover obscured 260 disposable products.

[0144] Figure 32 This is a graph showing the logarithm of resistivity as a function of temperature for an exemplary evaporation apparatus with a PTCR heater. Figure 32The performance shown is an example calculation based on the performance of an exemplary embodiment characterizing the cylindrical PTCR evaporation assembly 298. The exemplary PTCR evaporation assembly 298 is an HNB device, wherein the solid evaporable material (e.g., an HNB product) is treated as a porous medium in the calculation as a disposable product 260, with a specific surface area of ​​[missing information]. density Convection heat transfer constant The specific surface area can be calculated as S. vol =S m xρ=10000cm 2 / g×1000g / kg×m 2 / 10000cm 2 ,and The volumetric heat transfer coefficient is derived from this.

[0145] For the above calculations, the environmental conditions were a standard pressure of 1 atmosphere and a temperature of 20.05°C. The input airflow rate was constant at 1.4 l / m, and the voltage applied across the opposing conductive layer 205 was constant at 3.7 volts. Figure 32 In addition to the PTCR behavior shown, no current limit is applied.

[0146] The calculated evaporation device with a PTCR heater includes a conductive layer 205 of silver, a cylindrical external heat exchanger 210 and a cylindrical internal heat exchanger 220 (which is an aluminum extrusion), a distributor 230 made of PTFE and a heater assembly cover 250, and a product cover 280 made of paper.

[0147] Figure 33 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating a temperature simulation of an exemplary embodiment of the PTCR evaporation assembly 298, which is also mentioned above in conjunction with... Figure 32 The PTCR evaporation assembly 298 is described. It includes a PTCR heater assembly 295 for heating a disposable product (e.g., a solid evaporable material) 260. Figures 34A to 34G An exemplary embodiment of a PTCR evaporation assembly 298 with a PTCR heater assembly 295 displays the transient temperature response as a color cross-sectional view. Figures 34A to 34G This indicates that the temperature anywhere will not exceed 280℃, far below the 260℃ combustion temperature of disposable products. It is also possible to... Figures 34A to 34G As can be seen, the heating of disposable products (such as solid evaporable materials) 260 proceeds in a wave-like manner from upstream to downstream, thereby eliminating cross-sectional hot spots and voids with varying porosities.

[0148] Figure 35A perspective view and end view of a nozzle 335 having a vapor inlet 341, an aerosol outlet 342, and a plurality of air inlets are shown. The plurality of air inlets includes a first plurality of air inlets 340a and a second plurality of air inlets 340b. The first plurality of air inlets 340a includes 14 holes (each hole being an air inlet), and the second plurality of air inlets 340b includes an additional 14 holes (each hole being an air inlet). In some embodiments, the first plurality of air inlets 340a includes between 4 and 24 holes, and the second plurality of air inlets 340b includes between 4 and 24 holes. Each hole of the plurality of air inlets may be circular and have a diameter of approximately 0.4 mm. In some embodiments, each hole of the plurality of air inlets may be circular and have a diameter between approximately 0.2 mm and approximately 0.6 mm. Each hole of the plurality of air inlets may be arranged in a plane. Each hole can be formed through a certain thickness of the nozzle 335 at an angle α of approximately 30 degrees to the outer surface of the nozzle 335. In some embodiments, each orifice is formed at an angle α between approximately 15 and 45 degrees to the outer surface of the nozzle 335, extending through a certain thickness of the nozzle 335. The angle α of each orifice of the first plurality of air inlets 340a may each have an angle α interior that opens in the same direction relative to the angle interior of adjacent orifices. The angle α of each orifice of the second plurality of air inlets 340b may each have an angle α interior that opens in the same direction relative to the angle interior of adjacent orifices. The nozzle 335 may be narrowed from the vapor inlet 341 to the aerosol outlet 342. The cross-sectional area of ​​the vapor inlet 341 may be at least four times larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the aerosol outlet 342. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the vapor inlet 341 may be approximately 1.5 to 6 times the cross-sectional area of ​​the aerosol outlet 342.

[0149] Figure 36 This is a perspective view of the nozzle 335 attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395. The vapor inlet of the nozzle 335 can be attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395 by interference fit, press fit, snap fit coupling, magnetic coupling, adhesive, and other fastening measures. The nozzle 335 can be releasably attached to the product cap 380, allowing the two pieces to be separated for replacement of the evaporable product and then reattached. In other embodiments, the product cap 380 can be removed from the evaporator assembly 390 to replace the evaporable product contained therein and then reattached. In this embodiment, the first plurality of air inlets 340a may include eight holes, and the second plurality of air inlets 340b may include an additional eight holes. The narrowed body of the nozzle 335 provides a comfortable and adjustable fit for a user inhaling the aerosol exiting through the aerosol outlet 342.

[0150] Figure 37This is a three-dimensional perspective view of the suction nozzle 335 attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern, without any benefit from the air entering the first plurality of air inlets 340a and the second plurality of air inlets 340b. The airflow is essentially laminar, with poor mixing as it passes through the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395 and the attached suction nozzle 335. The incoming air across the heat exchanger element 320 is rapidly heated to over 200°C before passing through the disposable rectangular product. Figure 37 As shown, the aerosol exits from the aerosol outlet 342 of the nozzle 335 and has been cooled to an average temperature between 100°C and 160°C. The difference between the vapor inlet temperature and the aerosol outlet temperature is less than 100°C.

[0151] Figure 38 This is a transparent end view observed through the aerosol outlet of a nozzle 335, which includes multiple air inlets, showing the airflow pattern. The multiple air inlets include a first plurality of air inlets 340a and a second plurality of air inlets 340b. Figure 38 As shown, the first plurality of air inlets 340a includes eight holes (each hole being an air inlet), and the second plurality of air inlets 340b includes another eight holes (each hole being an air inlet). As mentioned above regarding... Figure 35 The discussion posits that each hole can be formed at an angle α between approximately 15 and 45 degrees to the outer surface of the suction nozzle 335, extending through a certain thickness of the nozzle 335. The angle α of each hole in the first plurality of air inlets 340a can each have an angle interior that opens in the same direction relative to the angle interior of adjacent holes. Similarly, the angle α of each hole in the second plurality of air inlets 340b can each have an angle interior that opens in the same direction relative to the angle interior of adjacent holes.

[0152] Each of the multiple air inlets is arranged in a plane. The plane formed by the holes of the first plurality of air inlets 340a and the second plurality of air inlets 340b passes through the cross-section of the suction nozzle 335, which is shaped like two overlapping circles. Due to the circular arrangement of the holes and the fact that the interiors of the holes open in the same opposite direction, the air flowing through the holes forms a vortex in a circular motion. A first plurality of airflows traveling through the first plurality of air inlets 340a form a first vortex, and a second plurality of airflows traveling through the second plurality of air inlets 340b form a second vortex. The first vortex has a first axis of rotation and a first direction of rotation about the first axis of rotation. The first direction of rotation is determined by the interior of the angle α for each hole of the first plurality of air inlets 340a. The second vortex has a second axis of rotation and a second direction of rotation about the second axis of rotation. The second direction of rotation is determined by the interior of the angle α for each hole of the second plurality of air inlets 340b. The first and second directions of rotation can be opposite directions. For example, the first direction of rotation is counterclockwise, and the second direction of rotation is clockwise. In other embodiments, the first rotation direction is clockwise and the second rotation direction is counterclockwise. In other embodiments, the first rotation direction is clockwise and the second rotation direction is clockwise, or the first rotation direction is counterclockwise and the second rotation direction is counterclockwise. Due to the narrowing of the nozzle 335, the first and second rotation axes are not parallel. The first and second rotation axes intersect at a point outside the evaporator assembly at the aerosol outlet.

[0153] The vortices generated within mouthpiece 335 help mix air entering through multiple air inlets to cool the aerosol exiting through the aerosol outlet. By generating counter-rotating vortices (i.e., a first vortex rotating counter-clockwise and a second vortex rotating clockwise, or vice versa), the collision of the first and second multiple airflows creates turbulence, further improving the mixing of the inlet air with the vapor / aerosol within the mouthpiece. Due to the conservation of angular momentum, the narrowing of mouthpiece 335 from the vapor inlet to the aerosol outlet causes the vortices to rotate faster, creating additional turbulence and improving mixing. The turbulence mixed within mouthpiece 335 creates a more uniform temperature profile for the aerosol exiting through the aerosol outlet without excessive pressure drop. This provides the user with an improved experience, allowing them to inhale the aerosol at a comfortable temperature without requiring excessive sucking effort. The turbulent mixing within the mouthpiece 335 also produces smaller aerosol droplets, which are suitable for delivering the aerosol to the user's deep lung tissue and prevent aerosol deposition in the user's mouth or throat.

[0154] Although this design is described with the air inlet of the nozzle configured to generate two vortices, it is possible to consider generating more than two vortices within the nozzle. While a single vortex can provide some mixing of the inlet air with the aerosol within the nozzle, a portion of the heated aerosol may flow along the axis of a single vortex and exit the aerosol outlet without sufficient cooling.

[0155] Figure 39 This is a perspective view of the suction nozzle 335 attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern 0.1 seconds after the PTCR heater is activated. The air exiting the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395 has been heated to a temperature between approximately 70°C and approximately 90°C. The air entering the first plurality of air inlets 340a and the second plurality of air inlets 340b is at room temperature (between approximately 20°C and approximately 25°C) and mixes with the vapor entering the vapor inlet of the suction nozzle 335. The aerosol exiting from the aerosol outlet 342 of the suction nozzle 335 has been cooled to a temperature between approximately 20°C and approximately 50°C.

[0156] Figure 40 This is a perspective view of the suction nozzle 335 attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern 0.2 seconds after the PTCR heater is activated. The air exiting the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395 has been heated to a temperature between approximately 110°C and approximately 160°C. The air entering the first plurality of air inlets 340a and the second plurality of air inlets 340b is at room temperature (between approximately 20°C and approximately 25°C) and mixes with the vapor entering the vapor inlet of the suction nozzle 335. The aerosol exiting from the aerosol outlet 342 of the suction nozzle 335 has been cooled to a temperature between approximately 25°C and approximately 60°C.

[0157] Figure 41 This is a perspective view of the suction nozzle 335 attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern 0.3 seconds after the PTCR heater is activated. The air exiting the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395 has been heated to a temperature between approximately 140°C and approximately 180°C. The air entering the first plurality of air inlets 340a and the second plurality of air inlets 340b is at room temperature (between approximately 20°C and approximately 25°C) and mixes with the vapor entering the vapor inlet of the suction nozzle 335. The aerosol exiting from the aerosol outlet 342 of the suction nozzle 335 has been cooled to a temperature between approximately 40°C and approximately 80°C.

[0158] Figure 42This is a perspective view of the suction nozzle 335 attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern 0.4 seconds after the PTCR heater is activated. The air exiting the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395 has been heated to a temperature between approximately 150°C and approximately 200°C. The air entering the first plurality of air inlets 340a and the second plurality of air inlets 340b is at room temperature (between approximately 20°C and approximately 25°C) and mixes with the vapor entering the vapor inlet of the suction nozzle 335. The aerosol exiting from the aerosol outlet 342 of the suction nozzle 335 has been cooled to a temperature between approximately 50°C and approximately 90°C.

[0159] Figure 43 This is a perspective view of the suction nozzle 335 attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern 0.5 seconds after the PTCR heater is activated. The air exiting the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395 has been heated to a temperature between approximately 160°C and approximately 210°C. The air entering the first plurality of air inlets 340a and the second plurality of air inlets 340b is at room temperature (between approximately 20°C and approximately 25°C) and mixes with the vapor entering the vapor inlet of the suction nozzle 335. The aerosol exiting from the aerosol outlet 342 of the suction nozzle 335 has been cooled to a temperature between approximately 50°C and approximately 90°C.

[0160] Figure 44 This is a perspective view of the suction nozzle 335 attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern 1.0 second after the PTCR heater is activated. The air exiting the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395 has been heated to a temperature between approximately 160°C and approximately 210°C. The air entering the first plurality of air inlets 340a and the second plurality of air inlets 340b is at room temperature (between approximately 20°C and approximately 25°C) and mixes with the vapor entering the vapor inlet of the suction nozzle 335. The aerosol exiting from the aerosol outlet 342 of the suction nozzle 335 has been cooled to a temperature between approximately 55°C and approximately 100°C. The difference between the vapor inlet temperature and the aerosol outlet temperature is at least 100°C.

[0161] Figure 45 This is a perspective view of the suction nozzle 335 attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern 2.0 seconds after the PTCR heater is activated. The air exiting the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395 has been heated to a temperature between approximately 170°C and approximately 220°C. The air entering the first plurality of air inlets 340a and the second plurality of air inlets 340b is at room temperature (between approximately 20°C and approximately 25°C) and mixes with the vapor entering the vapor inlet of the suction nozzle 335. The aerosol exiting the aerosol outlet 342 of the suction nozzle 335 has been cooled to a temperature between approximately 60°C and approximately 100°C. The difference between the vapor inlet temperature and the aerosol outlet temperature is at least 100°C.

[0162] Figure 46 This is a perspective view of the suction nozzle 335 attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395, showing the airflow and temperature field pattern 3.0 seconds after the PTCR heater is activated. The air exiting the PTCR rectangular evaporator assembly 395 has been heated to a temperature between approximately 190°C and approximately 240°C. The air entering the first plurality of air inlets 340a and the second plurality of air inlets 340b is at room temperature (between approximately 20°C and approximately 25°C) and mixes with the vapor entering the vapor inlet of the suction nozzle 335. The aerosol exiting from the aerosol outlet 342 of the suction nozzle 335 has been cooled to a temperature between approximately 60°C and approximately 100°C. The difference between the vapor inlet temperature and the aerosol outlet temperature is at least 100°C.

[0163] Figure 47 The illustration shows the air temperature leaving the nozzle as a function of time for an exemplary evaporator device with a PTCR heater. The air temperature leaving the nozzle rises sharply at a rate of approximately 6,000 °C / min between 0 and 0.4 seconds. Between 0.4 and 0.6 seconds, the rate of temperature change for the air leaving the nozzle decreases significantly until a steady-state rate of approximately 188 °C / min is reached from 0.6 to 3.0 seconds.

[0164] Figure 48 The illustration shows the current response as a function of time for an exemplary evaporator device with a PTCR heater. Upon activation, the PTCR heater draws approximately 43 amps until about 0.2 seconds after activation. Between 0.2 and 0.3 seconds after activation, the current surges to a peak of approximately 47 amps, then decreases to a steady-state current of approximately 2 amps about 2 seconds after activation.

[0165] Figure 49 A top view of the nozzle 335 attached to the PTCR rectangular evaporation assembly 398 is shown, with the product cap and lid removed. Figure 49 The heat exchanger elements and conductive coating were also removed to reveal the exposed PTCR material 300. The PTCR material 300 is color-coded to represent the current density two seconds after the start of a transient simulation, with air exiting from the aerosol outlet 342 of the nozzle 335 at a flow rate of 1.4 liters per minute and a voltage difference of 3.7 volts applied to the PTCR material 300 arranged between the conductive coatings. The ambient airflow on the opposite side of the aerosol outlet 342 causes a greater heat load near the ambient air inlet side (upstream side) compared to the opposite side (downstream side). Figure 49 As shown, the varying thermal loads result in varying current densities within the PTCR material 300. A current density graph is also shown, ranging from 50,000 amperes / m² to 100,000 amperes / m². Figure 49 and Figure 1 The principle of PTCR material presented in this paper is consistent with that of PTCR material.

[0166] Any of the aforementioned nozzles can be attached to any of the aforementioned PTCR evaporation assemblies. For example, any of the aforementioned nozzles can be detachably attached to any of the aforementioned PTCR evaporation assemblies via interference fit, press fit, snap-fit ​​coupling, magnetic coupling, adhesive, and other fastening measures. In an embodiment, the nozzle is separated from the PTCR evaporation assembly to replace the evaporable material contained therein, and then recoupled.

[0167] In the foregoing description and claims, phrases such as “at least one” or “one or more” may appear after a list of elements or features. The term “and / or” may also appear in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implied or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it is used, the phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually, or any of the listed elements or features in combination with any additional listed elements or features. For example, the phrases “at least one of A and B,” “one or more of A and B,” and “A and / or B” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similar interpretation applies to lists containing three or more items. For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, and / or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.” Furthermore, the term “based on” as used above and in the claims is intended to mean “at least partially based on,” thus allowing for the inclusion of features or elements not listed.

[0168] The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems, devices, methods, and / or articles, depending on the desired configuration. The embodiments listed in the foregoing description do not represent all embodiments consistent with the subject matter described herein. Rather, they are merely examples of aspects consistent with the described subject matter. While some variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions may be made. In particular, further features and / or variations may be provided in addition to the features and / or variations listed herein. For example, the embodiments described above can be directed to various combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features and / or combinations and sub-combinations of several further features disclosed above. Furthermore, the logical flows described in the figures and / or the logical flows described herein do not necessarily require the specific order or sequence shown to achieve the desired result. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A nozzle for an evaporator device, comprising: Vapor inlet and aerosol outlet; a first plurality of air inlets disposed between the vapor inlet and the aerosol outlet and configured to provide a first plurality of air streams, the first plurality of air streams forming a first vortex having a first axis of rotation and a first direction of rotation about the first axis of rotation; and a second plurality of air inlets disposed between the vapor inlet and the aerosol outlet and configured to provide a second plurality of air streams, the second plurality of air streams forming a second vortex having a second axis of rotation and a second direction of rotation about the second axis of rotation, wherein the first plurality of air streams and the second plurality of air streams are configured to mix with vapor entering from the vapor inlet and form an aerosol that exits through the aerosol outlet.

2. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein each inlet of the first plurality of air inlets is a circular hole formed through a thickness of the nozzle and at an angle between 15 and 45 degrees to an outer surface of the nozzle. 3 . The nozzle according to claim 2 , wherein an inner portion of the angle of each circular hole is open toward the first rotation direction.

4. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein each inlet of the second plurality of air inlets is a circular hole formed through a thickness of the nozzle at an angle between 15 and 45 degrees to an outer surface of the nozzle. 5 . The nozzle according to claim 4 , wherein an inner portion of the angle for each circular hole is open toward the second rotation direction.

6. The nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction are opposite directions.

7. The nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first rotational direction is counter-clockwise and the second rotational direction is clockwise.

8. The nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are non-parallel.

9. The nozzle of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first plurality of air inlets and the second plurality of air inlets provide turbulent mixing of inlet air with vapour entering the nozzle from the vapour inlet.

10. The nozzle of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first plurality of air inlets and the second plurality of air inlets are arranged in a plane.

11. The nozzle of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first plurality of air inlets and the second plurality of air inlets are each arranged in a circular shape.

12. A mouthpiece according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the vapour inlet is at least four times the cross-sectional area of ​​the aerosol outlet.

13. The mouthpiece of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the vapour inlet has a vapour inlet temperature and the aerosol outlet has an aerosol outlet temperature, and the difference between the vapour inlet temperature and the aerosol outlet temperature is at least 100°C.

14. An evaporator device comprising: a housing including an air inlet; a heating element within the housing, the heating element comprising a non-linear positive temperature coefficient of resistivity material; a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the heating element and arranged to receive the airflow from the air inlet, the heat exchanger being configured to transfer heat between the heating element and the airflow to generate a heated airflow, wherein the heated airflow exiting the heat exchanger is configured to evaporate a vaporizable material; and a mouthpiece configured to receive the vaporized vaporizable material through a vapor inlet, the mouthpiece comprising a first plurality of air inlets and a second plurality of air inlets, wherein the first plurality of air inlets are disposed between the vapor inlet and the aerosol outlet and are configured to provide a first plurality of air flows, the first plurality of air flows forming a second plurality of air flows. a vortex, the first vortex having a first rotation axis and a first rotation direction about the first rotation axis, wherein the second plurality of air inlets are disposed between the vapor inlet and the aerosol outlet and are configured to provide a second plurality of air streams, the second plurality of air streams forming a second vortex, the second vortex having a second rotation axis, the second vortex having a second rotation axis and a second rotation direction about the second rotation axis, and wherein the first plurality of air streams and the second plurality of air streams are configured to mix with the vaporized vaporizable material entering from the vapor inlet and form an aerosol that exits through the aerosol outlet.

15. The evaporator device of claim 14, wherein each inlet of the first plurality of air inlets is a circular hole formed through a thickness of the nozzle and at an angle between 15 and 45 degrees to an outer surface of the nozzle.

16. The evaporator device of claim 15, wherein an interior of the angle for each circular aperture is open toward the first rotational direction.

17. The evaporator device of claim 14, wherein each inlet of the second plurality of air inlets is a circular hole formed through a thickness of the nozzle at an angle between 15 and 45 degrees to an outer surface of the nozzle.

18. The evaporator device of claim 17, wherein an interior of the angle for each circular aperture is open toward the second rotational direction.

19. The evaporator device of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction are opposite directions.

20. The evaporator device of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the first rotational direction is counterclockwise and the second rotational direction is clockwise.

21. The evaporator device of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are non-parallel.

22. The evaporator device of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the first plurality of air inlets and the second plurality of air inlets provide turbulent mixing of inlet air with vapor entering the nozzle from the vapor inlet.

23. The evaporator device of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the first plurality of air inlets and the second plurality of air inlets are arranged in a plane.

24. The evaporator device of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the first plurality of air inlets and the second plurality of air inlets are each arranged in a circular shape.

25. A vaporiser device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the vapour inlet is at least four times the cross-sectional area of ​​the aerosol outlet.

26. A vaporizer device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the vapor inlet has a vapor inlet temperature and the aerosol outlet has an aerosol outlet temperature, and the difference between the vapor inlet temperature and the aerosol outlet temperature is at least 100°C.

27. The evaporator device of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a first heat exchanger thermally coupled to a first side of the heating element, the heat exchanger comprises a second heat exchanger thermally coupled to a second side of the heating element.

28. The evaporator device of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of fin features.

29. The evaporator device of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the heat exchanger is made of aluminum, copper, steel, or titanium.

30. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the heat exchanger is made of stainless steel.

31. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the heat exchanger is extruded from a thermally conductive material.

32. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the heat exchanger is made of metal foam.

33. The evaporator device of claim 32, wherein the metal foam is aluminum foam.

34. The evaporator device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, further comprising: A flow splitter is located in the air flow path and is configured to bypass a portion of the air flow through the heat exchanger.

35. An evaporator device as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the housing includes a heater assembly cover housing the heat exchanger.

36. The evaporator device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, further comprising: A power source is configured to provide electrical energy to the heating element.

37. The evaporator device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, further comprising: A product cover contains the vaporizable material.

38. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the vaporisable material is a solid vaporisable material.

39. The vaporizer device of claim 37, wherein the product cover comprises a cartridge having a first air inlet.

40. The vaporizer device of claim 39, wherein the housing comprises a connector configured to couple the housing to a cartridge containing the vaporizable material.

41. The vaporizer device of claim 40, wherein the cartridge comprises a solid vaporizable material.

42. The vaporizer device of claim 39, wherein the cartridge comprises a reservoir, a liquid vaporizable material within the reservoir, and a wick in fluid communication with the liquid vaporizable material, wherein the cartridge is configured to receive a heated airflow through the first air inlet and direct the heated airflow over the wick.

43. The vaporizer device of claim 42, wherein the cartridge includes a nozzle and the wick is located in the path of the heated air flow between the heating element and the nozzle.

44. The evaporator device of claim 39, wherein the cartridge comprises a second air inlet configured to draw a second air flow into the cartridge to mix with the heated air flow.

45. An evaporator device according to claim 44, wherein the second air inlet is located in a nozzle of the cartridge.

46. ​​The vaporizer device of claim 40, wherein the cartridge comprises: A reservoir for containing the vaporizable material, wherein the vaporizable material is a liquid vaporizable material; a wick in fluid communication with the liquid vaporizable material, the wick being arranged to receive a heated airflow from the heat exchanger to vaporize the vaporizable material to produce a vapor and / or a first aerosol; a solid vaporizable material, the solid vaporizable material being arranged to receive the vapor and / or the first aerosol to produce a second aerosol; and a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece being configured to receive the second aerosol after the vapor and / or the first aerosol passes through the solid vaporizable material.

47. The evaporator device of any one of claims 14 to 18, further comprising: a first cartridge comprising the vaporizable material, a first air inlet, and a wick, wherein the vaporizable material is a liquid vaporizable material, and the wick is in fluid communication with the liquid vaporizable material, the wick being arranged to receive the heated airflow from the heat exchanger through the first air inlet to vaporize the vaporizable material, thereby generating a vapor and / or a first aerosol; and a second cartridge comprising a solid vaporizable material and a nozzle, the solid vaporizable material being arranged to receive the vapor and / or the first aerosol to generate a second aerosol, and the nozzle being configured to receive the second aerosol after the vapor and / or the first aerosol passes through the solid vaporizable material, wherein the first cartridge is detachably coupled to the housing, and wherein the second cartridge is detachably coupled to the housing and / or the first cartridge.

48. The vaporizer device of claim 47, wherein the first cartridge and the second cartridge are disposable cartridges.

49. The vaporizer device of claim 47, wherein the second cartridge comprises a second air inlet for mixing ambient temperature air with the second aerosol.

50. The evaporator device of claim 47, further comprising: A fiber body is arranged to receive and cool the second aerosol after the vapor and / or the first aerosol passes through the solid vaporizable material.

51. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the non-linear positive temperature coefficient of resistivity material includes a resistivity transition region in which the resistivity increases over a certain temperature range, so that when the heating element is heated to a temperature above a first temperature within the resistivity transition region, the current from the power supply is reduced to a level that limits further temperature increase of the heating element.

52. The evaporator device of claim 51, wherein the resistivity transition region begins at the first temperature between 150°C and 350°C.

53. The evaporator device of claim 52, wherein the resistivity transition region begins at the first temperature between 220°C and 300°C.

54. The evaporator device of claim 53, wherein the resistivity transition region begins at the first temperature between 240°C and 280°C.

55. The evaporator device of claim 51, wherein the increase in resistivity within the temperature range of the resistivity transition zone comprises an increase factor of at least 10, the increase factor characterizing a relative change in resistivity between the resistivity at a first temperature associated with the beginning of the resistivity transition zone and the resistivity at a second temperature associated with the end of the resistivity transition zone.

56. The evaporator device of claim 51, wherein the resistivity transition region begins at the first temperature and the resistivity of the heating element at temperatures below the first temperature is between 0.2 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm.

57. The evaporator device of any one of claims 14 to 18, further comprising: a power supply configured to provide a voltage between 3 volts and 50 volts to the heating element; Pressure sensor; and a controller coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to detect inhalation and, in response, electrically connect the power source to the heating element.

58. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the housing is cylindrical, the heating element is cylindrical, and the heat exchanger is cylindrical.

59. An evaporator device as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the housing is rectangular, the heating element is rectangular and the heat exchanger is rectangular.

60. An evaporator device for evaporating a solid vaporizable material using a heated gas stream, the evaporator device comprising: a housing including an air inlet and a power source configured to provide an electric current at a certain voltage; a PTCR heater assembly within the housing, the PTCR heater assembly including a heating element within the housing and configured to be electrically coupled to the power source to receive the electric current, the PTCR heating element including a PTCR material having a resistivity that varies based on temperature, the resistivity having a resistivity transition zone in which the resistivity increases over a certain temperature range such that when the PTCR heating element is heated to above a first temperature within the transition zone, the current from the power source is reduced to a level that limits further temperature increase of the PTCR heating element; and a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the heating element and arranged to receive an airflow from the air inlet, the heat exchanger configured to transfer heat between the heating element and the airflow to produce the heated airflow, wherein the heated airflow exiting the heat exchanger is configured to cause the solid The vaporizable material evaporates; and a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece being configured to receive the evaporated solid vaporizable material through a vapor inlet, the mouthpiece comprising a first plurality of air inlets, and a second plurality of air inlets, wherein the first plurality of air inlets are disposed between the vapor inlet and the aerosol outlet and are configured to provide a first plurality of air streams, the first plurality of air streams forming a first vortex, the first vortex having a first rotation axis and a first rotation direction around the first rotation axis, wherein the second plurality of air inlets are disposed between the vapor inlet and the aerosol outlet and are configured to provide a second plurality of air streams, the second plurality of air streams forming a second vortex, the second vortex having a second rotation axis, the second vortex having a second rotation axis and a second rotation direction around the second rotation axis, and wherein the first plurality of air streams and the second plurality of air streams are configured to mix with the evaporated solid vaporizable material entering from the vapor inlet and form an aerosol that exits through the aerosol outlet.

61. The evaporator device of claim 60, wherein each inlet of the first plurality of air inlets is a circular hole formed through a thickness of the nozzle and at an angle between 15 and 45 degrees to an outer surface of the nozzle.

62. The evaporator device of claim 61, wherein an interior of the angle for each circular aperture is open toward the first rotational direction.

63. The evaporator device of claim 60, wherein each inlet of the second plurality of air inlets is a circular hole formed through a thickness of the nozzle at an angle between 15 and 45 degrees to an outer surface of the nozzle.

64. The evaporator device of claim 63, wherein an interior portion of the angle for each circular aperture is open toward the second rotational direction.

65. An evaporator device as claimed in any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction are opposite directions.

66. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the first rotational direction is counterclockwise and the second rotational direction is clockwise.

67. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are non-parallel.

68. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the first plurality of air inlets and the second plurality of air inlets provide turbulent mixing of inlet air with vapor entering the nozzle from the vapor inlet.

69. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the first plurality of air inlets and the second plurality of air inlets are arranged in a plane.

70. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the first plurality of air inlets and the second plurality of air inlets are each arranged in a circular shape.

71. A vaporizer device according to any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the vapor inlet is at least four times the cross-sectional area of ​​the aerosol outlet.

72. A vaporizer device according to any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the vapor inlet has a vapor inlet temperature and the aerosol outlet has an aerosol outlet temperature, and the difference between the vapor inlet temperature and the aerosol outlet temperature is at least 100°C.

73. The evaporator device of claim 60, further comprising: The solid vaporizable material.

74. The vaporizer device of any one of claims 60 or 73, wherein the solid vaporizable material is a tobacco-containing medium.

75. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, further comprising: An input is configured to electrically connect the power source to the PTCR heating element in response to a user input.

76. The evaporator device of claim 75, wherein the input comprises a button.

77. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the evaporator device does not include a controller.

78. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the evaporator device does not comprise a pressure sensor.

79. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, further comprising: Pressure sensor; and a controller coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to detect inhalation and, in response, electrically connect the power source to the PTCR heating element.

80. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the resistivity transition region starts at the first temperature between 150°C and 350°C.

81. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the resistivity transition region begins at a first temperature between 220°C and 300°C.

82. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the resistivity transition region begins at a first temperature between 240°C and 280°C.

83. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the first temperature is greater than 225°C.

84. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the PTCR heating element is heated to an operating temperature between 240°C and 280°C.

85. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the PTCR heating element is heated to an operating temperature between 245°C and 255°C.

86. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the PTCR heating element is heated to an operating temperature of 250°C.

87. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the increase in resistivity within the temperature range of the resistivity transition zone includes an increase factor of at least 10, wherein the increase factor characterizes the relative change in resistivity between the resistivity at a first temperature associated with the beginning of the resistivity transition zone and the resistivity at a second temperature associated with the end of the resistivity transition zone.

88. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the increase in resistivity within the temperature range of the resistivity transition zone includes an increase factor of at least 100, wherein the increase factor characterizes the relative change in resistivity between the resistivity at a first temperature associated with the beginning of the resistivity transition zone and the resistivity at a second temperature associated with the end of the resistivity transition zone.

89. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the increase in resistivity within the temperature range of the resistivity transition zone includes an increase factor of at least 1000, wherein the increase factor characterizes the relative change in resistivity between the resistivity at a first temperature associated with the beginning of the resistivity transition zone and the resistivity at a second temperature associated with the end of the resistivity transition zone.

90. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the resistivity transition region begins at the first temperature and ends at a second temperature, the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature being 500°C or less.

91. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the resistivity transition region begins at the first temperature and ends at a second temperature, the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature being 200°C or less.

92. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the resistivity transition region begins at the first temperature and ends at a second temperature, the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature being 100°C or less.

93. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the resistivity transition region begins at the first temperature and ends at a second temperature, the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature being 50°C or less.

94. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the resistivity transition region begins at the first temperature and the resistivity of the PTCR heating element at a temperature below the first temperature is between 20 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm.

95. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the resistivity transition region begins at the first temperature and the resistivity of the PTCR heating element at a temperature below the first temperature is between 2.0 ohm-cm and 20 ohm-cm.

96. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the resistivity transition region begins at the first temperature and the resistivity of the PTCR heating element at a temperature below the first temperature is between 0.2 ohm-cm and 2.0 ohm-cm.

97. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the increase in resistivity within the temperature range of the resistivity transition zone includes an increase factor of at least 100, the increase factor characterizing the relative change in resistivity between the resistivity at a first temperature associated with the beginning of the resistivity transition zone and the resistivity at a second temperature associated with the end of the resistivity transition zone; wherein the first temperature is between 150°C and 350°C; wherein the PTCR heating element is heated above the first temperature to an operating temperature between 240°C and 280°C; wherein the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is 200°C or less; wherein the resistivity of the PTCR heating element at a temperature below the first temperature is between 2 ohm-cm and 200 ohm-cm.

98. A vaporizer device according to any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the power supply is configured to provide a voltage between 3 volts and 6 volts.

99. A vaporizer device as claimed in any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the power source is a battery.

100. The vaporizer device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the solid vaporizable material comprises nicotine.

101. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a first heat exchanger thermally coupled to a first side of the heating element, and the heat exchanger comprises a second heat exchanger thermally coupled to a second side of the heating element.

102. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of fin features.

103. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the heat exchanger is made of aluminum, copper, steel, or titanium.

104. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the heat exchanger is made of stainless steel.

105. An evaporator device as claimed in any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the heat exchanger is extruded from a thermally conductive material.

106. An evaporator device according to any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the heat exchanger is made of metal foam.

107. The evaporator device of claim 106, wherein the metal foam is aluminum foam.

108. The evaporator device of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein the PTCR heater assembly further comprises: Heater assembly cover.

109. The evaporator device of claim 108, wherein the heater assembly cover comprises a non-conductive material.

110. The evaporator device of claim 108, wherein the heater assembly cover comprises a thermally non-conductive material.

111. The evaporator device of claim 108, wherein the heater assembly cover comprises metal with a non-conductive coating that isolates the heater assembly cover from the heat exchanger.

112. The vaporizer device of claim 108, wherein the heater assembly cover comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

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