Induction-based aerosol delivery device

Abstract

To provide an aerosol delivery device that includes: a substrate 610 configured to carry an aerosol precursor composition; and a resonant transformer 1202 including a transmitter coupling device 302 and a resonant receiver coupling device 602 that is positioned in proximity to the substrate.SOLUTION: The aerosol delivery device also includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) inverter 1204 configured to drive the resonant transformer. The PWM inverter includes: a bridge circuit 1206 coupled to the transmitter coupling device; and a PWM controller 1208 embodied as an integrated circuit and configured to output a PWM signal to the bridge circuit, where the bridge circuit is configured to drive the transmitter coupling device to generate an oscillating magnetic field and induce an alternating voltage in the resonant receiver coupling device when exposed to the oscillating magnetic field. The alternating voltage causes the resonant receiver coupling device to generate heat and thereby vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, such as smoking articles, and more particularly to aerosol delivery devices (e.g., smoking articles commonly referred to as e-cigarettes) that may utilize electrically generated heat for the generation of an aerosol. The smoking article may be configured to heat an aerosol precursor, which may be made from tobacco, may be derived from tobacco, or may otherwise incorporate materials that may incorporate tobacco, and the precursor may form an inhalable substance for human ingestion. [Background technology]

[0002] Many devices have been proposed over the years as an improvement or replacement for smoking products that require the burning of tobacco for use. Many of these devices are purportedly designed to provide the sensations associated with smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes, but without delivering significant amounts of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products resulting from tobacco combustion. To this end, many alternative smoking products, flavor generators and medicinal inhalers have been proposed that utilize electrical energy to vaporize or heat volatile materials or attempt to provide the smoking sensations of cigarettes, cigars or pipes without significantly burning tobacco. See, for example, the various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and heat sources described in the background art described in U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 to Griffith Jr. et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0000638 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 to Sears et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096782 to Ampolini et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0059780 to Davis et al., and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 222,615 to Watson et al., filed July 28, 2016, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. See also, for example, the various embodiments of products and heating configurations described in the background sections of U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594 to Counts et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,371 to Robinson et al., which are incorporated by reference. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,737 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0000638 [Patent Document 4] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 [Patent Document 5] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096782 [Patent Document 6] US Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0059780 [Patent Document 7] U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594 [Patent Document 8] U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,371 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] Various embodiments of the aerosol delivery device use a nebulizer to generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition. Such nebulizers often use direct resistive heating to generate heat. In this regard, the nebulizer may include a heating element including a coil or other member that generates heat via electrical resistance associated with a material through which an electrical current is directed. Electrical current is typically directed through the heating element via a direct electrical connection, such as a wire or connector. However, forming such an electrical connection can complicate assembly of the aerosol delivery device and add potential points of failure. Additionally, in some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may include a control body, which may include a power source, and a cartridge, which may include the nebulizer. In these embodiments, an electrical connection between the cartridge and the control body may be required, which may further complicate the design of the aerosol delivery device. Thus, advances regarding aerosol delivery devices may be desirable.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device configured to generate an aerosol, which in some embodiments may be referred to as an electronic cigarette or a heat-not-burn cigarette. As described below, the aerosol delivery device may include a resonant transformer including a transmitter coupling device (sometimes referred to as an inductive transmitter) and a resonant receiver coupling device (sometimes referred to as an inductive receiver). The transmitter coupling device may include a coil configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field (a magnetic field that changes periodically over time) when an alternating current is conducted through it. The resonant receiver coupling device may be at least partially received within the transmitter coupling device and may include a conductive material. Thereby, conducting an alternating current through the transmitter coupling device may generate eddy currents in the resonant receiver coupling device via induction. The eddy currents flowing through the resistance of the material defining the resonant receiver coupling device may heat it by Joule heating. Thereby, the resonant receiver coupling device, which may define an atomizer, may be wirelessly heated to form an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition disposed proximate to the resonant receiver coupling device. As used herein, wireless heating refers to heating that occurs via a nebulizer that is not physically or electrically connected to a (electrical) power source. For more information, see U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 934,763 to Davis et al., filed November 6, 2015, and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 002,056 to Sur, filed January 20, 2016, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0006] The present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following exemplary embodiments.

[0007] Exemplary embodiment 1: An aerosol delivery device comprising: a substrate configured to carry an aerosol precursor composition; a resonant transformer including a transmitter coupling and a resonant receiver coupling disposed proximate to the substrate; and a pulse width modulated (PWM) inverter configured to drive the resonant transformer, the PWM inverter including a bridge circuit coupled to the transmitter coupling and a PWM controller embodied as an integrated circuit and configured to output a PWM signal to the bridge circuit, the bridge circuit configured to drive the transmitter coupling to generate an oscillating magnetic field and to induce an alternating voltage in the resonant receiver coupling when exposed to the oscillating magnetic field, the alternating voltage generating heat in the resonant receiver coupling, thereby vaporizing components of the aerosol precursor composition.

[0008] Exemplary embodiment 2: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises a power source comprising a rechargeable supercapacitor, a rechargeable solid-state battery, or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and configured to provide power to the PWM inverter.

[0009] Exemplary embodiment 3: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises a constant voltage regulator between the power source and the PWM inverter and configured to maintain a constant voltage level at the PWM inverter.

[0010] Exemplary embodiment 4: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises a power source including a rechargeable supercapacitor and configured to provide power to the PWM inverter.

[0011] Exemplary embodiment 5: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the power source further comprises a terminal connectable to an energy source by which the rechargeable supercapacitor can be charged.

[0012] Exemplary embodiment 6: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the power source further comprises an energy source, and the energy source is or comprises a rechargeable solid-state battery or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

[0013] Exemplary embodiment 7: An aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the bridge circuit is a half bridge composed of a pair of transistors and a pair of diodes.

[0014] Exemplary embodiment 8: An aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the aerosol delivery device further includes a Hall effect current sensor positioned in proximity to the resonant receiver coupling device and configured to generate a measurement of an alternating current induced therein, and a microprocessor configured to receive the measurement and control operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device in response thereto.

[0015] Exemplary embodiment 9: An aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises a high pass filter coupled to the resonant receiver coupling device and configured to filter any DC voltage components from the AC voltage induced in the resonant receiver coupling device, and a non-inverting amplifier circuit coupled to the high pass filter and configured to amplify the AC voltage so filtered.

[0016] Exemplary embodiment 10: An aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the transmitter coupling device is configured to at least partially surround the resonant receiver coupling device.

[0017] Exemplary embodiment 11: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the transmitter coupling device defines a tubular or coiled configuration.

[0018] Exemplary embodiment 12: A control body coupled or connectable to a cartridge equipped with a resonant receiver coupling device arranged in proximity to a substrate configured to carry an aerosol precursor composition, the control body comprising: a transmitter coupling device forming a resonant transformer together with the resonant receiver coupling device when the control body is coupled to the cartridge; and a pulse width modulated (PWM) inverter configured to drive the resonant transformer, the PWM inverter comprising a bridge circuit coupled to the transmitter coupling device; and a PWM controller embodied as an integrated circuit and configured to output a PWM signal to the bridge circuit, the bridge circuit configured to drive the transmitter coupling device to generate an oscillating magnetic field and to induce an alternating voltage in the resonant receiver coupling device when exposed to the oscillating magnetic field, the alternating voltage generating heat in the resonant receiver coupling device, thereby vaporizing components of the aerosol precursor composition.

[0019] Exemplary embodiment 13: A control body of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, further comprising a power source including a rechargeable supercapacitor, a rechargeable solid-state battery or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and configured to supply power to the PWM inverter.

[0020] Exemplary embodiment 14: A control body of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, further comprising a constant voltage regulator between the power source and the PWM inverter and configured to maintain a constant voltage level at the PWM inverter.

[0021] Exemplary embodiment 15: A control body of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, further comprising a power source including a rechargeable supercapacitor and configured to supply power to the PWM inverter.

[0022] Exemplary embodiment 16: A control body of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, wherein the power supply further includes a terminal connectable to an energy source by which the rechargeable supercapacitor can be charged.

[0023] Exemplary embodiment 17: A control body of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, wherein the power supply further includes an energy source, and the energy source is or includes a rechargeable solid-state battery or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

[0024] Exemplary embodiment 18: A control body of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, wherein the bridge circuit is a half bridge composed of a pair of transistors and a pair of diodes.

[0025] Exemplary embodiment 19: A control body of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the transmitter coupling arrangement is configured to at least partially surround the resonant receiver coupling arrangement.

[0026] Exemplary embodiment 20: A control body of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the transmitter coupling device defines a tubular or coiled configuration.

[0027] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four or more features or elements described in the present disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are explicitly combined in a specific exemplary embodiment described herein or are otherwise recited. The present disclosure is intended to be read as a whole such that any separable features or elements of the present disclosure appear combinable, in any of its aspects and exemplary embodiments, unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise.

[0028] It will therefore be understood that this summary is provided only for the purpose of summarizing some exemplary embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. It will therefore be understood that the above exemplary embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed in any way to narrow the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Other exemplary embodiments, aspects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of some described exemplary embodiments.

[0029] Having thus described in general terms above, the present disclosure will now be referenced to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device including a cartridge and a control body, where the cartridge and the control body are coupled to each other, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2]2 shows a perspective view of the aerosol delivery device of FIG. 1 in which the cartridge and the control body are separated from each other, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 2 illustrates an exploded view of the control body of FIG. 1, with the transmitter coupling defining a tubular configuration, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 4] 4 shows a cross-sectional view through the control body of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view through the control body of FIG. 1, with the transmitter coupling defining a coiled configuration, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, with the substrate extending into an interior compartment defined by a container. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view through the cartridge of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view through the cartridge of FIG. 1 including a reservoir substrate within an interior compartment defined by a container according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 10 shows a cross-sectional view through the cartridge of FIG. 1 including a substrate in contact with a resonant receiver coupling device according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 10 shows a cross-sectional view through the cartridge of FIG. 1 including electronic control components according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 7 shows a cross-sectional view through the aerosol delivery device of FIG. 1 including the cartridge of FIG. 6 and the control body of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 1 illustrates circuitry and other components of an aerosol delivery device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 13] 1 illustrates circuitry and other components of an aerosol delivery device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 14] 1 illustrates circuitry and other components of an aerosol delivery device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 15] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating a method of assembling an aerosol delivery device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 16]1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an aerosolization method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof. These exemplary embodiments are described so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," and the like, include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, although the present specification may refer to quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships, and the like, unless otherwise indicated, any one or more, if not all, of these may be absolute or approximate to account for possible permissible variations, such as those due to technical tolerances, and the like.

[0032] As described below, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to aerosol delivery devices. Aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure use electrical energy to heat materials (preferably without significantly burning the materials) to form inhalable substances. The components of such systems are most preferably in the form of items small enough to be considered handheld devices. That is, the use of the components of the preferred aerosol delivery devices does not produce smoke, in the sense that the aerosol is primarily derived from by-products of tobacco combustion or pyrolysis, but rather the use of those preferred systems results in the production of vapors due to volatilization or vaporization of certain components incorporated therein. In some exemplary embodiments, the components of the aerosol delivery devices may be characterized as electronic cigarettes, which most preferably incorporate tobacco and / or tobacco-derived components, thereby delivering the tobacco-derived components in aerosol form.

[0033] The aerosol-generating components of certain preferred aerosol delivery devices may provide numerous sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalation patterns, flavor or flavor types, sensory stimulating effects, physical feel, mode of use, visual stimuli such as those provided by a visible aerosol, etc.) of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe used by lighting and burning tobacco (and thus inhaling tobacco smoke) without substantially burning any of the components. For example, a user of an aerosol-generating component of the present disclosure may hold and use the component, draw on one end of the component to inhale the aerosol generated by the component, and puff for selected time intervals in the same manner as a smoker would use a conventional type of smoking article.

[0034] Although the system is generally described herein with respect to embodiments related to aerosol delivery devices, such as so-called "electronic cigarettes," it should be understood that the features, components, features, and methods may be embodied in many different forms and related to a variety of articles. For example, the description provided herein may be used in combination with embodiments of traditional smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.), non-combustion heated tobacco, and related packaging for any of the products disclosed herein. Thus, it should be understood that the description of the features, components, features, and methods disclosed herein are discussed with respect to embodiments related to aerosol delivery devices by way of example only, and may be embodied and used in a variety of other products and methods.

[0035] The aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure can also be characterized as a vapor-generating article or a drug delivery article. Thus, such an article or device can be adapted to provide one or more substances (e.g., flavors and / or pharmacologic active ingredients) in an inhalable form or state. For example, the inhalable substance can be substantially in vapor form (i.e., a substance in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical point). Alternatively, the inhalable substance can be in aerosol form (i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas). For ease of understanding, the term "aerosol" as used herein is meant to include vapors, gases, and aerosols in any form or type suitable for human inhalation, whether or not visible and whether or not in a form that can be considered smoky.

[0036] In use, the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure can undergo many of the physical actions used by an individual when using a traditional type of smoking article (e.g., a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, which is used by lighting tobacco and inhaling. For example, a user of the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure can hold the article, which is much like a traditional type of smoking article, draw on one end of the article to inhale the aerosol generated by the article, puff at selected time intervals, etc.

[0037] The aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure generally includes many components provided within an outer body or shell, which may be referred to as a housing. The overall design of the outer body or shell may vary, and the type or configuration of the outer body may vary, which may define the overall dimensions and shape of the aerosol delivery device. Typically, an elongated body resembling the shape of a cigarette or cigar may be formed from a single integral housing, or the elongated housing may be formed from two or more separable bodies. For example, the aerosol delivery device may include an elongated shell or body that may be substantially tubular in shape, and thus may resemble the shape of a traditional cigarette or cigar. In one example, all components of the aerosol delivery device are housed within one housing. Alternatively, the aerosol delivery device may include two or more housings that are joined and separable. For example, the aerosol delivery device can have a control body at one end including a housing that houses one or more reusable components (e.g., a storage battery such as a rechargeable battery and / or a rechargeable supercapacitor, and various electronics for controlling the operation of the article) and an outer body or shell at the other end that houses a disposable portion (e.g., a disposable flavor-containing cartridge) removably connectable thereto. More specific forms, configurations and arrangements of components within a single-housing type unit or within a multiple-component separable-housing type unit will become apparent in light of the further disclosure provided herein. Additionally, the design and component arrangements of various aerosol delivery devices can be understood in light of commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices.

[0038] The aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure most preferably includes some combination of a power source (i.e., a source of electrical power), at least one control component (e.g., a means for activating, controlling, regulating, and terminating electrical power for heat generation, such as by controlling the flow of electrical current from the power source to other components of the article (e.g., a microprocessor, either individually or as part of a microcontroller)), a heater or heat generating member (e.g., an electrical resistance heating element or other component, which alone or in combination with one or more additional elements, may commonly be referred to as an "atomizer"), an aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a liquid that can generate an aerosol upon application of sufficient heat, such as ingredients commonly referred to as "smoke juice," "e-liquid," and "e-juice"), and a mouth-end region or tip that allows for drawing into the aerosol delivery device for aerosol inhalation (e.g., a defined air flow path through the article such that the generated aerosol may be drawn therefrom by inhalation).

[0039] The alignment of components within the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure can vary. In certain embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition can be positioned near an end of the aerosol delivery device that can be configured to be placed in close proximity to the mouth of the user to maximize aerosol delivery to the user. However, other configurations are not excluded. In general, the heating element can be positioned sufficiently close to the aerosol precursor composition such that heat from the heating element volatilizes the aerosol precursor (as well as one or more flavorants, medicaments, etc. that may be provided for delivery to the user) to form an aerosol for delivery to the user. When the heating element heats the aerosol precursor composition, an aerosol is formed, released, or generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by the consumer. It should be noted that the foregoing terms mean that references to release, releasing, releases, or released can be rephrased to include form or generate, forming or generating, forms or generates, and formed or generated. Specifically, inhalable substances are released in the form of vapors or aerosols or mixtures thereof, and such terms are used interchangeably herein unless otherwise specified.

[0040] As mentioned above, the aerosol delivery device may incorporate a battery or other power source to provide sufficient current to provide various functions to the aerosol delivery device, such as powering the heater, powering the control system, powering the indicators, etc. The power source may take various embodiments. Preferably, the power source is capable of delivering sufficient power to rapidly heat the heating element to provide aerosol formation, and is capable of powering the aerosol delivery device throughout use for a desired duration. The power source is preferably sized to fit conveniently within the aerosol delivery device so that the aerosol delivery device can be easily handled. In addition, the preferred power source is lightweight enough not to impair the desired smoking experience.

[0041] More specific forms, configurations and arrangements of components within the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure will become apparent in light of the further disclosure provided below. In addition, the selection of various aerosol delivery device components can be understood in light of commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices. In addition, the arrangement of components within the aerosol delivery device can be understood in light of commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices.

[0042] As described below, the present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device may be configured to heat an aerosol precursor composition to generate an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may include a non-combustion heating device configured to heat a solid aerosol precursor composition (extruded tobacco rod) or a semi-solid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., glycerin-loaded tobacco paste). In another embodiment, the aerosol delivery device may be configured to heat a fluid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a liquid aerosol precursor composition) and generate an aerosol from the fluid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a liquid aerosol precursor composition). Such an aerosol delivery device may include a so-called electronic cigarette.

[0043] Regardless of the type of aerosol precursor composition being heated, the aerosol delivery device may include a heating element configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition. In some embodiments, the heating element may include a resistive heating element. The resistive heating element may be configured to generate heat when an electric current is directed therethrough. Such heating elements often include a metallic material and are configured to generate heat as a result of the electrical resistance associated with passing an electric current therethrough. Such a resistive heating element may be placed in close proximity to the aerosol precursor composition. For example, in some embodiments, the resistive heating element may include one or more coils of wire wound around a liquid transport element (e.g., a wick that may include porous ceramic, carbon, cellulose acetate, polyethylene terephthalate, glass fiber, or porous sintered glass) configured to draw the aerosol precursor composition therethrough. Alternatively, the heating element may be placed in contact with a solid or semi-solid aerosol precursor composition. Such a configuration may heat the aerosol precursor composition to generate an aerosol.

[0044] In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge. The control body may be reusable, whereas the cartridge may be configured for a limited number of uses and / or may be configured to be disposable. The cartridge may include an aerosol precursor composition. A heating element may be disposed within the cartridge to heat the aerosol precursor composition. The control body may include a power source, which may be rechargeable or replaceable, such that the control body may be reused with multiple cartridges.

[0045] Although the aerosol delivery devices described above may be used to heat an aerosol precursor composition to generate an aerosol, such configurations may suffer from one or more disadvantages. In this regard, the resistive heating element may include a wire defining one or more coils in contact with the aerosol precursor composition. For example, as described above, the coil may wrap around a liquid transport element (e.g., a wick) to heat and aerosolize the aerosol precursor composition conducted to the heating element through the liquid transport element. However, as a result of the coil defining a relatively small surface area, a portion of the aerosol precursor composition may be heated to an unnecessarily high degree during aerosolization, thereby wasting energy. Alternatively or additionally, a portion of the aerosol precursor composition that is not in contact with the coil of the heating element may be heated to an insufficient degree for aerosolization. Thus, insufficient aerosolization may occur or aerosolization with wasted energy may occur.

[0046] Additionally, as noted above, resistive heating elements generate heat when electrical current is conducted therethrough. Thus, placing a heating element in contact with an aerosol precursor composition can result in carbonization of the aerosol precursor composition. Such carbonization can occur as a result of heat generated by the heating element and / or as a result of electricity traveling through the aerosol precursor composition with the heating element. Carbonization can cause materials to accumulate on the heating element. Such accumulation of materials can adversely affect the taste of the aerosol generated from the aerosol precursor composition.

[0047] As further described above, the aerosol delivery device may include a control body including a power source and a cartridge including a resistive heating element and an aerosol precursor composition. To conduct electrical current to the resistive heating element, the control body and the cartridge may include electrical connectors configured to engage with each other when the cartridge is engaged with the control body. However, the use of such electrical connectors may add complexity to such an aerosol delivery device and increase the cost of such an aerosol delivery device. Furthermore, in embodiments of the aerosol delivery device including a fluid aerosol precursor composition, leakage may occur at terminals or other connectors in the cartridge.

[0048] Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an aerosol delivery device that may avoid some or all of the above problems. In this regard, FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol delivery device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol delivery device may include a cartridge 102 and a control body 104. The cartridge and the control body may be permanently or removably aligned in a functional relationship. In this regard, FIG. 1 illustrates the aerosol delivery device in a coupled configuration, and FIG. 2 illustrates the aerosol delivery device in a separated configuration. Various mechanisms may connect the cartridge to the control body to provide threaded engagement, press-fit engagement, interference fit, magnetic engagement, and the like. In some embodiments, when the cartridge and the control body are in an assembled configuration, the aerosol delivery device may be substantially rod-shaped, substantially tubular, or substantially cylindrical.

[0049] In certain embodiments, one or both of the cartridge 102 and the control body 104 may be referred to as disposable or reusable. For example, the control body may have replaceable or rechargeable batteries, solid-state batteries, thin-film solid-state batteries, rechargeable supercapacitors, etc., and thus may be combined with any type of charging technology, including connection to a wall charger, connection to an automobile charger (i.e., cigarette lighter receptacle), and connection to a computer through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable or connector (e.g., USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, USB Type-C), etc., connection to a photovoltaic (sometimes called solar cell) or solar panel, or a radio frequency (RF) based charger. Additionally, in some embodiments, the cartridge 102 may include a disposable cartridge as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,639 to Chang et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0050] 3 shows an exploded view of the control body 104 of the aerosol delivery device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the control body may include a transmitter coupling device 302, an outer body 304, a flow sensor 306 (e.g., a puff sensor or pressure switch), a control component 308 (e.g., a microprocessor, either separately or as part of a microcontroller), a spacer 310, a power source 312 (e.g., a battery, which may be rechargeable, and / or a rechargeable supercapacitor), a circuit board having an indicator 314 (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED)), a connector circuit 316, and an end cap 318. Examples of power sources are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,484,155 to Peckerar et al. and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 918,926 to Sur et al., filed Oct. 21, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0051] With respect to the flow sensor 306, representative current regulation and other current control components, including various microcontrollers, sensors and switches for aerosol delivery devices are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., U.S. Patent Nos. 4,922,901, 4,947,874 and 4,947,875, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al., and U.S. Patent No. 8,205,622 to Pan, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Reference is also made to the control schemes described in U.S. Patent No. 9,423,152 to Ampolini et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0052] In one embodiment, the indicator 314 may include one or more light emitting diodes, quantum dot-based light emitting diodes, or the like. The indicator may be in communication with the control component 308 through the connector circuit 316 and may be illuminated during a user's draw on a cartridge (e.g., cartridge 102 of FIG. 2) coupled to the control body 104, for example, as detected by the flow sensor 306. The end cap 318 may be configured to make visible the illumination provided thereunder by the indicator. Thus, the indicator may be illuminated during use of the aerosol delivery device 100 to simulate a lit end of a smoking article. However, in other embodiments, the indicator may be provided in various numbers, may take various shapes, and may even be an opening in the outer body (e.g., to emit a sound when such an indicator is present).

[0053] The aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure may utilize additional components. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,154,192 to Sprinkel et al. discloses an indicator for a smoking article; U.S. Patent No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr. discloses a piezoelectric sensor that may be associated with the mouth end of the device that detects the user's lip motion associated with taking a puff and then triggers heating of the heating device; U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al. discloses a puff sensor for controlling energy flow to a heat load array in response to a drop in pressure through the mouthpiece; U.S. Patent No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al. discloses a receptacle in a smoking device that includes an identifier that detects non-uniformity in infrared transparency of an inserted component and a controller that executes a detection routine when a component is inserted into the receptacle; U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al. describes predefined executable power cycles having multiple differential phases; U.S. Patent No. 5,934,289 to Watkins et al. , discloses photonic-optronic components; U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al. discloses means for varying the resistance to draw through a smoking device; U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,545 to Blake et al. discloses particular battery configurations for use in smoking devices; U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,565 to Griffen et al. discloses various charging systems for use with smoking devices; U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al. discloses computer interface means for a smoking device to facilitate charging and enable computer control of the device; U.S. Pat. No. 8,689,804 to Fernando et al. discloses an identification system for a smoking device; and PCT Patent Application Publication WO 2010 / 003480 by Flick discloses a fluid flow sensing system to indicate a puff with an aerosol generating system, all of the foregoing disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0054] Further examples of components related to electronic aerosol delivery articles and disclosed materials or components that may be used herein include; U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,586 to Morgan et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,977 to Higgins et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,176 to Adams et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,287 to White; U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,218 to Voges; U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,883 to Felter et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,461 to Nichols; U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,410 to Hon; U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,253 to Kobayashi; U.S. Pat. No. 7,896,006 to Hamano; U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,756 to Shayan; U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,756 to Hon; Nos. 8,156,944 and 8,375,957; U.S. Patent No. 8,794,231 to Thorens et al.; U.S. Patent No. 8,851,083 to Oglesby et al.; U.S. Patent Nos. 8,915,254 and 8,925,555 to Monsees et al.; U.S. Patent No. 9,220,302 to DePiano et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 0196518 to Hon The specification and US Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0188490; US Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0024834 to Oglesby et al.; US Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0307518 to Wang; PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO2010 / 091593 to Hon and PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO2013 / 089551 to Foo, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, US Patent Application No. 14 / 881,392 to Worm et al., filed on October 13, 2015, discloses a capsule that can be included in an aerosol delivery device and a fob-shape configuration for an aerosol delivery device, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In various embodiments, various materials disclosed by the aforementioned documents may be incorporated into the device, and all of the aforementioned disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0055] Each component of the control body 104 may be at least partially received within the outer body 304. The outer body may extend from an engagement end 304' to an outer end 304". An end cap 318 may be disposed at and engaged with the outer end of the outer body such that the end cap, which may be translucent or transparent, may be illuminated by the indicator 314 to simulate a lit end of a smoking article or perform other functions as described above. The opposite engagement end of the outer body may be configured to engage with the cartridge 102.

[0056] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic partial cross-sectional view through the control body 104 proximate the engagement end 304' of the outer body 304. As illustrated, the transmitter coupling device 302 may extend proximate the engagement end of the outer body. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the transmitter coupling device may define a tubular configuration. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the transmitter coupling device may include a coil support 402 and a coil 404. The coil support, which may define a tubular configuration, may be configured to support the coil so that the coil does not move into contact with the resonant receiver coupling device or other structure and thereby short circuit. The coil support may include a non-conductive material that may be substantially transparent to the oscillating magnetic field generated by the coil. The coil may be embedded within the coil support or otherwise coupled to the coil support. In the illustrated embodiment, the coil engages an inner surface of the coil support to reduce any losses associated with transmitting the oscillating magnetic field to the resonant receiver coupling device. However, in other embodiments, the coil may be disposed on an outer surface of the coil support or may be fully embedded within the coil support. Additionally, in some embodiments, the coil may include electrical traces or wires printed on or otherwise coupled to the coil support. In any embodiment, the coil may define a helical shape.

[0057] 5, the transmitter coupling arrangement 302 may include a coil 404 without a coil support 402. In each embodiment, the transmitter coupling arrangement may define an inner chamber 406 around which the transmitter coupling arrangement extends.

[0058] 3-5, in some embodiments, the transmitter coupling device 302 may be coupled to a support member 320. The support member may be configured to engage the transmitter coupling device and support the transmitter coupling device within the outer body 304. For example, the transmitter coupling device may be embedded within or otherwise coupled to the support member such that the transmitter coupling device is fixedly disposed within the outer body. As a further example, the transmitter coupling device may be injection molded into the support member.

[0059] The support member 320 may engage an inner surface of the outer body 304 to provide alignment of the support member relative to the outer body. As a result of the fixed connection between the support member and the transmitter coupling device 302, the longitudinal axis of the transmitter coupling device may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer body. Thus, the transmitter coupling device may be positioned not to contact the outer body to avoid transmission of electrical current from the transmitter coupling device to the outer body. However, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, an optional insulator 502 may be positioned between the transmitter coupling device 302 and the outer body 304 to prevent contact therebetween. As can be appreciated, the insulator and support member may include any non-conductive material, such as an insulating polymer (e.g., plastic or cellulose), glass, rubber, and porcelain. Alternatively, in embodiments in which the outer body is formed from a non-conductive material, such as plastic, glass, rubber, or porcelain, the transmitter coupling device may contact the outer body.

[0060] As described in more detail below, the transmitter coupling device 302 may be configured to receive electrical current from the power source 312 and wirelessly heat the cartridge 102 (see, e.g., FIG. 2). Thus, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the transmitter coupling device may include an electrical connector 408 configured to provide electrical current thereto. For example, the electrical connector may connect the transmitter coupling device to a control component, whereby electrical current from the power source may be selectively directed to the transmitter coupling device as controlled by the control component. For example, the control component 312 may direct electrical current from the power source (see, e.g., FIG. 3) to the transmitter coupling device upon detection of inhalation at the aerosol delivery device 100 by the flow sensor 306. The electrical connector may include, by way of example, a terminal, a wire, or any other embodiment of a connector configured to transmit electrical current. Additionally, the electrical connector may include a negative electrical connector and a positive electrical connector.

[0061] In some embodiments, the power source 312 may include a battery and / or a rechargeable supercapacitor that may provide direct current. As described elsewhere herein, operation of the aerosol delivery device may require directing alternating current to the transmitter coupling 302 to generate an oscillating magnetic field to induce eddy currents in the resonant receiver coupling. Thus, in some embodiments, the control component 308 of the control body 104 may include an inverter or inverter circuit configured to convert the direct current provided by the power source to the alternating current provided to the transmitter coupling.

[0062] 6 illustrates an exploded view of a cartridge 600, which in some examples may correspond to cartridge 102 of FIG. 1. As shown, cartridge 600 may include a resonant receiver coupling device 602, an outer body 604, a container 606, a sealing member 608, and a substrate 610. The outer body 604 may extend between an engagement end 604' and an outer end 604". Some or all of the remaining components of cartridge 600 may be at least partially disposed within the outer body 604.

[0063] The cartridge 600 may further include a mouthpiece 612. The mouthpiece 612 may be integral with the outer body 604 or the container 606, or a separate component. The mouthpiece 612 may be disposed at an outer end 604″ of the outer body 604.

[0064] 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view through cartridge 600 in an assembled configuration. As shown, container 606 may be received within outer body 604. Further, a sealing member 608 may be engaged with container 606 to define an interior compartment 614. As further shown in FIG. 7, in some embodiments, sealing member 608 may further be engaged with outer body 604.

[0065] In some embodiments, the sealing member 608 may comprise a resilient material, such as a rubber or silicone material. In these embodiments, the sealing material 608 may compress to form a seal between the container 606 and / or the outer body 604. An adhesive may be used to further improve the seal between the sealing member 608 and the container 606 and / or the outer body 604. In another embodiment, the sealing member 608 may comprise a non-resilient material, such as a plastic material or a metal material. In these embodiments, the sealing member 608 may be glued or welded (e.g., via ultrasonic welding) to the container 606 and / or the outer body 604. Thus, through one or more of these mechanisms, the sealing member 608 may substantially seal and close the interior compartment 614.

[0066] The resonant receiver coupling device 602 may engage with the sealing member 608. In one embodiment, the resonant receiver coupling device 602 may be partially embedded within the sealing member 608. For example, the resonant receiver coupling device 602 may be injection molded into the sealing member 608 such that a seal and connection is formed therebetween. Thus, the sealing member 608 may hold the resonant receiver coupling device in a desired position. For example, the resonant receiver coupling device 602 may be positioned such that a longitudinal axis of the resonant receiver coupling device extends substantially coaxially with a longitudinal axis of the outer body 604.

[0067] Additionally, the substrate 610 may engage with the sealing member 608. In one embodiment, the substrate 610 may extend through the sealing member 608. In this regard, the sealing member 608 may define an opening 616 extending therethrough through which the substrate 610 is received. The substrate 610 may thereby extend into the interior compartment 614. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, an end of the substrate 610 may be received within a pocket 618 defined by the receptacle 606. Thus, the receptacle 606 and the sealing member 608 may each engage with the substrate 610 and cooperatively maintain the substrate in a desired position. For example, the longitudinal axis of the substrate 610 may be disposed substantially coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the resonant receiver coupling device 602. As illustrated, the substrate 610 may thereby be disposed in proximity to, but not in contact with, the resonant receiver coupling device 602 in some embodiments. By avoiding direct contact between the substrate 610 and the resonant receiver coupling 602, the inductive coil may remain substantially free of accumulated residue from use, and thus the cartridge may optionally be refilled with aerosol precursor composition and / or new substrate or otherwise reused. However, as described below, in some embodiments, direct contact between the substrate and the resonant receiver coupling may be preferred.

[0068] The substrate 610 may include an aerosol precursor composition. The aerosol precursor composition may include one or more of a solid tobacco material, a semi-solid tobacco material, and a liquid aerosol precursor composition. For example, solid tobacco materials and semi-solid tobacco materials may be used in embodiments of the aerosol delivery device 100 that define so-called non-combustion heat-not-burn cigarettes. Conversely, as a further example, a fluid (e.g., liquid) aerosol precursor composition may be used in embodiments of the aerosol delivery device that define so-called electronic cigarettes.

[0069] Representative types of liquid aerosol precursor components and formulations are described and characterized in U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,254,002 to Chong et al., U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2013 / 0008457 to Zheng et al., U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2015 / 0020823 to Lipowicz et al., and U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2015 / 0020830 to Koller, as well as PCT Pat. Appl. Pub. No. WO 2014 / 182736 to Bowen et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other aerosol precursors that may be used include those incorporated in RJ Reynolds Vapor Company's VUSE® products, Imperial Tobacco Group PLC's BLU products, Mistic Ecigs' MISTIC MENTHOL products, and CN Creative Ltd.'s VYPE products. So-called "smoke juice" for e-cigarettes available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC is also desirable. Effervescent material embodiments may be used with the aerosol precursor, for example, as described in Hunt et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0055494, which is incorporated herein by reference. Further, the use of foamable materials is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,368 to Niazi et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,878 to Wehling et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,264 to Wehling et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,590 to Pather et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,381,667 to Bergquist et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,541 to Crawford et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,828 to Strickland et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 9,307,787 to Sun et al., as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0018539 to Brinkley et al.; and PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 97 / 06786 to Johnson et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0070] Representative types of solid and semi-solid aerosol precursor compositions and formulations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,538 to Thomas et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,726 to Sebastian et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0083150 to Conner et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0157052 to Ademe et al., and U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 755,205 to Nordskog et al., filed June 30, 2015, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0071] In embodiments of the cartridge 102 in which the aerosol precursor composition comprises a liquid or other fluid, the substrate 610 may be configured to hold the aerosol precursor composition therein and release a vapor therefrom upon application of heat thereto by the resonant receiver coupling 602 in a manner described below. In some embodiments, the substrate 610 may hold a sufficient amount of the aerosol precursor composition to last a desired period of time. In other embodiments, it may be preferable to provide an increased volume of the aerosol precursor composition to the cartridge 102. In embodiments in which the substrate is configured to hold a fluid aerosol precursor composition, examples of materials that may be used for the substrate 610 include porous ceramic, carbon, cellulose acetate, polyethylene terephthalate, fiberglass, and porous sintered glass.

[0072] In this regard, as shown by way of example in Figures 6 and 7, in one embodiment, the container 606 may include a reservoir, and the interior compartment 614 may be configured to receive a liquid aerosol precursor composition. In this embodiment, the substrate 610 may include a liquid transport element (e.g., a wick), and the liquid transport element may be configured to receive the aerosol precursor composition from the interior compartment 614 and transport the aerosol precursor composition therealong. Thus, the aerosol precursor composition may be transported from the interior compartment 614 to a position along the longitudinal length of the substrate 610 around which the resonant receiver coupling 602 extends.

[0073] As can be appreciated, the embodiment of cartridge 600 shown in Figure 7 is provided for illustrative purposes only. In this regard, by way of further example, various alternative embodiments of cartridge 102 are provided herein. It should be noted that although the embodiments of cartridge 102 are described separately herein, each of the respective components and features thereof may be combined in any manner unless otherwise stated herein.

[0074] FIG. 8 illustrates another cartridge 800, which may correspond to cartridge 102 of FIG. 1 in some examples. Cartridge 800 is similar to cartridge 700, except that here, sealing member 708 is disposed proximate outer end 604" of outer body 604 rather than engagement end 604'. In this embodiment, container 806 may include an opening 816 extending therethrough, and sealing member 808 may define a pocket 818 for supporting substrate 610 in substantially the same manner as described above. Thus, sealing member 608 may be disposed at engagement end 604' of container 606 (see FIG. 7) or sealing member 808 may be disposed at outer end 604" of container 806 (see FIG. 8).

[0075] In some embodiments, the container may be sufficiently sealed to substantially prevent leakage of the aerosol precursor composition. However, as shown in FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the cartridge 800 may further include a reservoir substrate 820. As can be appreciated, the reservoir substrate 820 may be used in any of the cartridges disclosed herein that include the internal compartment 614.

[0076] In one embodiment, the reservoir substrate 820 may comprise multiple layers of non-woven fibers substantially formed into the shape of a tube that completely or partially surrounds the substrate 610 within the interior compartment 820. In other embodiments, the reservoir substrate 820 may comprise porous ceramic, carbon, cellulose acetate, polyethylene terephthalate, glass fiber, or porous sintered glass. The liquid aerosol precursor composition may thereby be adsorptively retained by the reservoir substrate 820. As a result of contact between the reservoir substrate 820 and the reservoir, the reservoir substrate is in fluid communication with the substrate 610. Thus, the substrate 610 may be configured to transport the liquid aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir substrate 820 within the interior compartment 614 to a location along the longitudinal length of the substrate 610 outside the interior compartment via capillary action or other liquid transport mechanism.

[0077] As noted above, in some embodiments of the cartridge 600, 800, the substrate 610 may be disposed in close proximity to, but not in contact with, the resonant receiver coupling 602. In such a configuration, the lack of direct contact between them may avoid the accumulation of residue on the resonant receiver coupling. However, in other embodiments, the substrate 610 may be in contact with the resonant receiver coupling. In this regard, FIG. 9 illustrates yet another cartridge 900, which may correspond in some instances to the cartridge 102 of FIG. 1 and is similar to the cartridge 600, 800, but in which the substrate 910 may be in contact with the resonant receiver coupling 602. Using this configuration may allow for a relatively large substrate 910 that may accommodate a relatively large amount of the aerosol precursor composition without necessarily increasing the size of the resonant receiver coupling 602. Additionally, the direct contact between the resonant receiver coupling and the substrate may facilitate heat transfer from the resonant receiver coupling to the substrate via convection, which may be much more efficient than radiative heating used in embodiments without direct contact between them. It should therefore be understood that each embodiment of the cartridge disclosed herein may include direct contact between the resonant receiver coupling and the substrate and / or the aerosol precursor composition. As an example, in embodiments where the aerosol precursor composition includes a solid or semi-solid tobacco material, which is less prone to residue build-up on the resonant receiver coupling than a liquid aerosol precursor composition, direct contact between the substrate 910 and the resonant receiver coupling 602 may be used.

[0078] In the embodiment of the cartridge 600, 800 shown in Figures 6-8, the substrate 610 extends into the internal compartment 614. However, in other embodiments, the cartridge may not define an internal compartment. For example, the cartridge 900 shown in Figure 9 does not include an internal compartment. In this regard, the substrate 910 may include a sufficient amount of the aerosol precursor composition, such that the use of an internal compartment may not be required in some embodiments. Thus, for example, the resonant receiver coupling device 602 and the substrate 910 may be substantially coextensive such that their longitudinal ends terminate at substantially the same point. In this regard, the substrate resonant receiver coupling device 602 and / or the substrate 910 may be received within a pocket 922 defined by or otherwise engaged (e.g., directly engaged) with the outer body 904. Thus, in some embodiments, the cartridge 900 may define a relatively simple configuration that may not include a container, a sealing member, or an internal compartment. Such a configuration may reduce the complexity and / or cost of the cartridge 900.

[0079] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the substrate 910 may not extend into the internal compartment, but may instead terminate proximate the outer body 904, for example. As further described above with respect to FIG. 9, in one embodiment, the cartridge 900 may not include a container or internal compartment. However, in another embodiment, the cartridge may include a container defining an internal compartment in which the substrate does not extend into the compartment. This is illustrated in FIG. 10, which shows yet another cartridge 1000 that may correspond to the cartridge 104 of FIG. 1. As shown, the cartridge 1000 may include a container 1006 defining an internal compartment 614 in which the substrate 1010 does not extend into the compartment. In this regard, the resonant receiver coupling device 602 and the substrate 1010 may engage the container or the outer body. For example, in FIG. 10, the resonant receiver coupling device 602 and the substrate 1010 are each engaged with the container 1006. As a further example, as described above, the resonant receiver coupling device 602 may be partially embedded within the container 1006. Additionally, the substrate 1010 may engage a pocket 1022 defined by the container 1006 .

[0080] By configuring cartridge 1000 such that substrate 1010 does not extend into interior compartment 614, the compartment may be used for purposes other than as a reservoir for an aerosol precursor composition. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, in some embodiments, cartridge 1000 may include electronic control component 1024. As described below, electronic control component 1024 may be used to authenticate cartridge 1000 or for other purposes.

[0081] As noted above, each cartridge 102 of the present disclosure is configured to operate in conjunction with a control body 104 to generate an aerosol. By way of example, FIG. 11 illustrates a cartridge 600 engaged with a control body 104. As illustrated, when the control body 104 is engaged with the cartridge 600, the transmitter coupling 302 may at least partially surround, preferably substantially surround, and more preferably completely surround (e.g., by extending around) the resonant receiver coupling 602. Additionally, the transmitter coupling 302 may extend along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the resonant receiver coupling 602, preferably along a majority of the longitudinal length of the resonant receiver coupling, and most preferably along substantially all of the longitudinal length of the resonant receiver coupling.

[0082] The resonant receiver coupling 602 may thus be disposed inside the inner chamber 406, with the transmitter coupling 302 extending therearound. Thus, when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 612 of the cartridge 600, the pressure sensor 306 may detect the inhalation. The control component 308 may then direct a current from the power source 312 (see, e.g., FIG. 3 ) to the transmitter coupling 302, which may then generate an oscillating magnetic field. As a result of the resonant receiver coupling 602 being received within the inner chamber 406, the resonant receiver coupling may be exposed to the oscillating magnetic field generated by the transmitter coupling 302.

[0083] In particular, the transmitter coupling arrangement 302 and the resonant receiver coupling arrangement 602 may form an electrical transformer. In some examples, the resonant transformer and associated circuitry, including a PWM inverter, may be configured to operate in accordance with a suitable wireless power transmission standard, such as the Qi interface standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the Power Matters Alliance (PMA) interface standard developed by the PMA, the Rezence interface standard developed by the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), or the like.

[0084] According to an example embodiment, a change in current in the transmitter coupling arrangement 302, directed by the control component 308 from the power source 312 (see, e.g., FIG. 3 ), generates an alternating electromagnetic field that penetrates the resonant receiver coupling arrangement 602, which may generate electrical eddy currents in the resonant receiver coupling arrangement. The alternating electromagnetic field may be generated by directing an alternating current to the transmitter coupling arrangement 302. As noted above, in some embodiments, the control component 308 may include an inverter or inverter circuit configured to convert the direct current provided by the power source 312 to an alternating current provided to the transmitter coupling arrangement 302.

[0085] Eddy currents flowing through the material defining the resonant receiver coupling device 602 can heat the resonant receiver coupling device by the Joule effect, where the amount of heat generated is proportional to the square of the current multiplied by the electrical resistance of the material of the resonant receiver coupling device. In embodiments of the resonant receiver coupling device 602 that include a magnetic material, heat can also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses. Several factors contribute to the temperature rise of the resonant receiver coupling device 602, including, but not limited to, the proximity to the transmitter coupling device 302, the distribution of the magnetic field, the electrical resistivity of the material of the resonant receiver coupling device, the saturation magnetic flux density, the skin effect or depth, hysteresis losses, magnetic susceptibility, magnetic permeability, and the dipole moment of the material.

[0086] In this regard, both the resonant receiver coupling 602 and the transmitter coupling 302 may include conductive materials. By way of example, the transmitter coupling 302 and / or the resonant receiver coupling 602 may include a variety of conductive materials including metals such as copper and aluminum, alloys of conductive materials (e.g., diamagnetic, paramagnetic or ferromagnetic materials), or other materials such as ceramics or glasses having one or more conductive materials embedded therein. In another embodiment, the resonant receiver coupling may include conductive particles or objects of any of a variety of sizes that are received within a reservoir filled with the aerosol precursor composition. In some embodiments, the resonant receiver coupling may be coated with or otherwise include a thermally conductive passivation layer (e.g., a thin layer of glass) to prevent direct contact with the aerosol precursor composition.

[0087] In this manner, the resonant receiver coupling 602 may be heated. Heat generated by the resonant receiver coupling 602 may heat the substrate 610 containing the aerosol precursor composition such that the aerosol 1102 is generated. Thus, the resonant receiver coupling 602 may comprise a nebulizer. By positioning the resonant receiver coupling 602 at a substantially uniform distance from the periphery of the substrate 610 (e.g., by aligning the longitudinal axes of the substrate and the resonant receiver coupling), the substrate and the aerosol precursor composition may be heated substantially uniformly.

[0088] The aerosol 1102 may travel around or through the resonant receiver coupling 602 and the transmitter coupling 302. For example, as shown, in one embodiment, the resonant receiver coupling 602 may include a mesh, screen, spiral, braid, or other porous structure defining a plurality of openings extending therethrough. In other embodiments, the resonant receiver coupling may include a rod embedded within or otherwise in contact with the aerosol precursor composition, a plurality of beads or particles embedded within or otherwise in contact with the aerosol precursor composition, or a sintered structure. In each of these embodiments, the aerosol 1102 may pass freely through the resonant receiver coupling 602 and / or the substrate, allowing the aerosol to travel through the mouthpiece to the user.

[0089] The aerosol 1102 may mix with air 1104 entering through an inlet 410 (see, e.g., FIG. 4 ), which may be defined in the control body 104 (e.g., in the outer body 304). In this manner, the mixed air and aerosol 1106 may be directed to a user. For example, the mixed air and aerosol 1106 may be directed to a user through one or more through-holes 626 defined in the outer body 604 of the cartridge 600. In some embodiments, the sealing member 608 may further include a through-hole 628 extending therethrough, which may be aligned with the through-hole 626 defined through the outer body 604. However, as may be understood, the flow pattern through the aerosol delivery device 100 may differ from the specific configurations described above in any of a variety of manners without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0090] As further described above, in some embodiments, the cartridge 102 may further include a second electronic control component. For example, the cartridge 1000 shown in FIG. 10 includes a second control component 1024. The second control component 1024 may be configured to enable authentication of the cartridge 1000. In this regard, in some embodiments, the second control component 1024 may be configured to output a code to the control body 104 that the (first) control component 308 (see, for example, FIG. 3) can analyze. Thereby, for example, the control component 308 may conduct a current to the transmitter coupling device 302 only if the cartridge 1000 is verified as authentic. In some embodiments, the second control component may include a terminal that connects to the control body. More preferably, the second control component 1024 may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip configured to wirelessly transmit a code or other information to the control body 104. Thereby, the aerosol delivery device 100 may be used without requiring engagement of an electrical connector between the cartridge and the control body. Additionally, various examples of control components and functions performed thereby are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096782 to Sears et al., which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0091] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the control component 308 of the control body 104 may include an inverter or inverter circuit configured to convert the direct current provided by the power source 312 to the alternating current provided to the transmitter coupling 302. Figures 12, 13 and 14 show a circuit 1200 and other components of an aerosol delivery device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the aerosol delivery device includes a substrate 610 configured to carry an aerosol precursor composition, and a circuit including a resonant transformer 1202 including a transmitter coupling 302 and a resonant receiver coupling 602 disposed proximate to the substrate. The control component 308 of the aerosol delivery device also includes a pulse width modulated (PWM) inverter 1204 configured to drive the resonant transformer.

[0092] As shown, the PWM inverter 1204 includes a bridge circuit 1206 coupled to the transmitter coupling 302, which in some examples is a half bridge consisting of a pair of transistors, such as metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), and a pair of diodes. The PWM inverter also includes a PWM controller 1208 coupled to the bridge circuit. According to some examples, the PWM controller is embodied as an integrated circuit and configured to output a PWM signal to the bridge circuit, which is configured to drive the transmitter coupling to generate an oscillating magnetic field and induce an AC voltage in the resonant receiver coupling 602 when exposed to the oscillating magnetic field. This AC voltage generates heat in the resonant receiver coupling, thereby vaporizing components of the aerosol precursor composition. Examples of suitable PWM controllers include the bq500210 and bq500212A controllers manufactured by Texas Instruments, the STWBC series controllers manufactured by STMicroelectronics, and the like.

[0093] As also shown, in some examples, the aerosol delivery device 100 further includes a power source 312, such as a rechargeable supercapacitor, a rechargeable solid-state battery, or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, configured to provide power to the PWM inverter 1204. In some further examples, the aerosol delivery device further includes a constant voltage regulator 1210 between the power source and the PWM inverter and configured to maintain a constant voltage level at the PWM inverter. Examples of suitable voltage regulators include switching regulators, linear regulators, such as low dropout (LDO) regulators, and the like.

[0094] FIG. 13 shows a power supply 1300, which may correspond to the power supply 312 in some examples. As shown, in some examples, the power supply includes a rechargeable supercapacitor 1302 configured to supply power to the PWM inverter 1204. In some further examples, the power supply further includes a terminal 1304 connectable with an energy source 1306 to which the rechargeable supercapacitor can be charged. As mentioned above, for example, the control body 104 may be combined with any type of recharging technology (e.g., a wall charger, a car charger, a computer, a photovoltaic cell, a solar panel of a solar cell, a wireless RF-based charger). Also, in still further examples, the power supply further includes an energy source, which is or includes a rechargeable solid-state battery or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

[0095] Returning to FIG. 12, in some examples, the aerosol delivery device 100 may further prevent the temperature of the resonant receiver coupling device 602 from reaching or exceeding a threshold temperature. In some of these examples, the control component 308 includes a microprocessor 1212 configured to receive a measurement of the alternating current induced in the resonant receiver coupling device 602, for example, from a Hall effect current sensor 1214 located proximate to the resonant receiver coupling device 602. This Hall effect current sensor may be part of the cartridge 102 or, in some examples, part of the control body 104. The microprocessor may then control the operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device in response to the measurement, such as reducing the temperature of the resonant receiver coupling device 602 if the measurement indicates a temperature equal to or greater than the threshold temperature. One manner of reducing the temperature may be to include an additional air outlet in the aerosol delivery device and control the exhaust of air from the aerosol delivery device 100. Some examples of suitable aerosol delivery devices equipped with Hall effect current sensors are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 993,762 to Sur, filed January 12, 2016, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0096] 14, in some examples, the aerosol delivery device further includes a high pass filter 1402 and a non-inverting amplifier circuit 1404 coupled to the high pass filter. In these examples, the high pass filter is coupled to the resonant receiver coupling device 602 and configured to filter any DC voltage components from the AC voltage induced in the resonant receiver coupling device. The non-inverting amplifier circuit is then configured to amplify the AC voltage so filtered.

[0097] As mentioned above, the present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device that includes a control body that includes a wireless power transmitter configured to receive an electric current from a power source and wirelessly heat a nebulizer. As can be understood, various wireless heating techniques can be used to heat the aerosol precursor composition that may be contained in a reservoir and / or that may be in contact with a substrate. In some embodiments, the nebulizer may be wirelessly heated without transmitting an electric current to the nebulizer.

[0098] In the above-described embodiments, the wireless power transmitter may include a transmitter coupling and the atomizer may include a resonant receiver coupling, whereby eddy currents may be induced in the resonant receiver coupling to generate heat. As further described above, the transmitter coupling may be configured to at least partially surround the resonant receiver coupling. As an additional example, in other embodiments, the atomizer may be wirelessly heated using radiative heating, sonic heating, photonic heating (e.g., by a laser) and / or microwave heating.

[0099] However, in other embodiments, various other techniques and mechanisms may be used to wirelessly heat the atomizer. For example, electrical current may be wirelessly transmitted to the atomizer, and such wireless power transmission techniques may be used with any embodiment of the atomizer, such as a wire coil resistive heating element. Exemplary embodiments of wireless power transmission methods and mechanisms are provided in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 814,866, filed July 31, 2015, to Sebastian et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0100] It should be noted that while the present disclosure generally describes heating a substrate containing an aerosol precursor composition disposed proximate a resonant receiver coupling to generate an aerosol, in other embodiments, the resonant receiver coupling may be configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition directed (e.g., dispensed) thereto. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0117842; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0114409; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0117841, both to Brammer et al., disclose fluid aerosol precursor composition delivery mechanisms and methods, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Such fluid aerosol precursor composition delivery mechanisms and methods may be used to direct the aerosol precursor composition from a reservoir to the resonant receiver coupling to generate an aerosol. In additional embodiments, the resonant receiver coupling may include a hollow needle connected to a reservoir, and as the aerosol precursor composition is vaporized by the needle, capillary action directs the aerosol precursor composition into the needle to refill the needle. It should be further noted that although exemplary shapes and configurations of the resonant receiver and transmitter coupling devices are described herein, a variety of other configurations and shapes may be used.

[0101] 15 illustrates various operations in a method 1500 of assembling an aerosol delivery device according to some exemplary embodiments. As shown in FIG. 15, the method may include, at operation 1502, providing a substrate including an aerosol precursor composition. The method may further include, at operation 1504, providing a resonant receiver coupling device. Additionally, the method may include, at operation 1506, disposing the substrate in proximity to the resonant receiver coupling device. The resonant receiver coupling device may be configured to be exposed to an oscillating magnetic field to heat the aerosol precursor composition and generate an aerosol.

[0102] In some embodiments, disposing the substrate proximate to the resonant receiver coupling in operation 1506 may include disposing the substrate in direct contact with the resonant receiver coupling. Further, disposing the substrate proximate to the resonant receiver coupling in operation 1506 may include disposing the substrate inside the resonant receiver coupling. The method may additionally include loading the substrate with an aerosol precursor composition. The aerosol precursor composition may include a liquid aerosol precursor composition.

[0103] The method may additionally include providing a transmitter coupling arrangement and positioning the transmitter coupling arrangement such that the transmitter coupling arrangement at least partially surrounds the resonant receiver coupling arrangement. Positioning the transmitter coupling arrangement may include positioning the transmitter coupling arrangement out of direct contact with the resonant receiver coupling arrangement.

[0104] The method may additionally include forming a cartridge including the substrate and the resonant receiver coupling. Further, the method may include forming a control body including a transmitter coupling. Positioning the transmitter coupling such that the transmitter coupling at least partially surrounds the resonant receiver coupling may include coupling the cartridge to the control body. Additionally, forming the control body may include coupling a power source to the transmitter coupling.

[0105] FIG. 16 illustrates various operations in an aerosolization method 1600 according to some exemplary embodiments. As shown in FIG. 16, the method may include providing a cartridge in operation 1602. The cartridge may include an aerosol precursor composition and a nebulizer. The method may additionally include providing a control body in operation 1604. The control body may include a power source and a wireless power transmitter. The method may further include directing a current from the power source to the wireless power transmitter in operation 1606. Additionally, the method may include wirelessly heating the nebulizer using the wireless power transmitter to heat the aerosol precursor composition to generate an aerosol in operation 1608.

[0106] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. It is therefore to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol delivery device comprising: a resonant transformer including a transmitter coupling configured to interact with a resonant receiver coupling positioned proximate to a substrate received within the receptacle; a pulse width modulated (PWM) inverter configured to drive a resonant transformer, the PWM inverter configured to drive a transmitter coupling to generate an oscillating magnetic field and to induce an alternating voltage in the resonant receiver coupling when exposed to the oscillating magnetic field, the alternating voltage generating heat in the resonant receiver coupling, thereby vaporizing components of the aerosol precursor composition; and 1. An aerosol delivery device comprising:

2. 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a power supply comprising a rechargeable supercapacitor, a rechargeable solid-state battery, or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and configured to power the PWM inverter.

3. 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, further comprising a constant voltage regulator between the power supply and the PWM inverter and configured to maintain a constant voltage level at the PWM inverter.

4. 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the power supply further comprises terminals connectable to an energy source capable of charging the rechargeable supercapacitor.

5. 5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4, wherein the power source further comprises an energy source, the energy source being or comprising a rechargeable solid-state battery or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

6. The PWM inverter a bridge circuit coupled to the transmitter coupling; a PWM controller configured to output a PWM signal to a bridge circuit configured to drive the transmitter coupling to generate an oscillating magnetic field; 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, comprising:

7. 7. The aerosol delivery device of claim 6, wherein the bridge circuit is a half bridge composed of a pair of transistors and a pair of diodes.

8. a Hall effect current sensor positioned proximate to the resonant receiver coupling and configured to produce a measurement of the alternating current induced therein; 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor configured to receive the measurements and to control operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device in response thereto.

9. a high pass filter coupled to the resonant receiver coupling arrangement and configured to filter any DC voltage component from the AC voltage induced in the resonant receiver coupling arrangement; 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a non-inverting amplifier circuit coupled to the high-pass filter and configured to amplify the AC voltage so filtered.

10. 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the resonant receiver coupling is configured to avoid direct contact with the substrate.

11. 11. The aerosol delivery device of claim 10, wherein the transmitter coupling device defines a tubular or coiled configuration.

12. 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the resonant receiver coupling is porous.

13. 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the aerosol precursor composition comprises a solid tobacco material or a semi-solid tobacco material.

14. a control body coupled or coupleable to a cartridge equipped with a resonant receiver coupling disposed proximate to a substrate configured to carry an aerosol precursor composition, a receptacle configured to receive the substrate; a transmitter coupling that forms a resonant transformer together with the resonant receiver coupling when the control body is coupled to the cartridge; a pulse width modulated (PWM) inverter configured to drive a resonant transformer, the PWM inverter configured to drive a transmitter coupling to generate an oscillating magnetic field and to induce an alternating voltage in the resonant receiver coupling when exposed to the oscillating magnetic field, the alternating voltage generating heat in the resonant receiver coupling, thereby vaporizing components of the aerosol precursor composition; and A control body including:

15. 15. The control body of claim 14, further comprising a power supply comprising a rechargeable supercapacitor, a rechargeable solid-state battery or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and configured to supply power to the PWM inverter.

16. 16. The control body of claim 15, further comprising a constant voltage regulator between the power source and the PWM inverter, the constant voltage regulator being configured to maintain a constant voltage level at the PWM inverter.

17. 16. The control body of claim 15, wherein the power supply further comprises a terminal connectable to an energy source capable of charging the rechargeable supercapacitor.

18. 18. The control body of claim 17, wherein the power supply further comprises an energy source, the energy source being or comprising a rechargeable solid-state battery or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

19. The PWM inverter a bridge circuit coupled to the transmitter coupling; a PWM controller configured to output a PWM signal to a bridge circuit configured to drive the transmitter coupling to generate an oscillating magnetic field; The control body of claim 14, comprising:

20. 20. The control body of claim 19, wherein the bridge circuit is a half bridge composed of a pair of transistors and a pair of diodes.

21. The control body of claim 14 , wherein the resonant receiver coupling device is configured to avoid direct contact with the substrate.

22. 22. The control body of claim 21, wherein the transmitter coupling device defines a tubular or coiled configuration.

23. The control body of claim 14 further comprising an outer body, a flow sensor, and an indicator.

24. 15. The control body of claim 14, wherein the resonant receiver coupling is porous.

25. 1. A method of operating an aerosol delivery device, comprising: using a transmitter coupling device to interact with a resonating receiver coupling device positioned proximate to a substrate received within the receptacle; using a pulse width modulated (PWM) inverter to drive the transmitter coupling to generate an oscillating magnetic field and to induce an alternating voltage in the resonant receiver coupling when exposed to the oscillating magnetic field, the alternating voltage generating heat in the resonant receiver coupling, thereby vaporizing components of the aerosol precursor composition at the substrate; A method comprising:

26. 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising powering the PMW inverter using a power source comprising at least one of a rechargeable supercapacitor, a rechargeable solid-state battery, or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, or any combination thereof.

27. 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of maintaining a constant voltage level at the PWM inverter using a constant voltage regulator between the power source and the PWM inverter.

28. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the power supply further comprises terminals connectable to an energy source to which the power supply is rechargeable.

29. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the energy source is or comprises a rechargeable solid-state battery or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

30. The PWM inverter a bridge circuit coupled to the transmitter coupling; PWM controller and Including, 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the PWM controller outputs a PWM signal to a bridge circuit to drive a transmitter coupling device to generate an oscillating magnetic field.

31. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the bridge circuit is a half bridge composed of a pair of transistors and a pair of diodes.

32. generating a measurement of an alternating current in the resonant receiver coupling using a Hall effect current sensor located proximate to the resonant receiver coupling; using a microprocessor to receive the measurements and control operation of at least one functional element; 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

33. filtering any DC voltage component from the AC voltage induced in the resonant receiver coupling using a high pass filter coupled to the resonant receiver coupling; amplifying the filtered AC voltage using a non-inverting amplifier circuit coupled to the high pass filter; 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

34. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the resonant receiver coupling is configured to not be in direct contact with the substrate.

35. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the transmitter coupling device defines a tubular or coiled configuration.

36. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the resonant receiver coupling is porous.

37. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the aerosol precursor composition comprises a solid tobacco material or a semi-solid tobacco material.

38. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the transmitter coupling device is disposed within a control body that includes an outer body, a flow sensor, and an indicator.

39. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the resonant receiver coupling is porous.

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