Apparatus, method and computer program

Abstract

An apparatus is described that includes a resonant circuit (having a capacitor in series with an inductor circuit, the inductor circuit including at least one inductor, the at least one inductor including a lossy inductive element configured to act as a heater, the resonant circuit having a resonant frequency), a pulse generating circuit for applying one or more pulses to the resonant circuit, and a control module for controlling the pulse generating circuit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to heater configurations for use in heating aerosolizable materials, for example, as part of an aerosol delivery system.

[0002] Many heating systems are known, including systems for heating aerosolizable materials as part of an aerosol delivery system. Further developments in this area remain needed.

[0003] In a first aspect, the present specification describes an apparatus comprising: a resonant circuit including a capacitor in series with an inductor circuit, the inductor circuit including at least one inductor, the at least one inductor including a lossy inductive element configured to act as a heater, the resonant circuit having a resonant frequency; a pulse generating circuit for applying one or more pulses (e.g., step pulses) to the resonant circuit; and a control module for controlling the pulse generating circuit. The lossy inductor can be configured to aerosolize a substance in a heating mode of operation. In some exemplary embodiments, the inductor circuit comprises a first inductive element in series with the lossy inductive element.

[0004] The inductor circuit may comprise a first inductive element in parallel with the lossy inductive element. Alternatively, the inductor circuit may comprise a first inductive element in parallel with a series combination of the lossy inductive element and a third inductive element.

[0005] The lossy inductive element may have a higher AC resistance than the first inductive element at the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit.

[0006] The lossy inductive element may be made from aluminum, for example, although other materials such as steel are also possible.

[0007] A control module may be configured to control the pulse generating circuitry in response to the resonant frequency.

[0008] A control module may be configured to determine the resonant frequency. In some exemplary embodiments, the control module is configured to infer a temperature of a lossy inductive element based on the determined resonant frequency. Further, the control module may be configured to control the pulse generating circuit based on the inferred temperature.

[0009] In some exemplary embodiments, a control module is configured to control the pulse generating circuit to apply the pulses to the resonant circuit at the resonant frequency.

[0010] In some exemplary embodiments, the pulse generating circuit includes an H-bridge drive circuit.

[0011] In a second aspect, the present specification describes an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material. The aerosol delivery system of the second aspect may include any of the features of the first aspect described above.

[0012] In a third aspect, the present specification describes a method comprising applying one or more pulses to a resonant circuit including a capacitor in series with an inductor circuit, the inductor circuit including at least one inductor, the at least one inductor including a lossy inductive element configured to act as a heater, the resonant circuit having a resonant frequency. The lossy inductor can be used to aerosolize a substance in a heating mode of operation.

[0013] The inductor circuit may comprise a first inductive element in series with the lossy inductive element. The inductor circuit may comprise a first inductive element in parallel with the lossy inductive element. Alternatively, the inductor circuit may comprise a first inductive element in parallel with a series combination of the lossy inductive element and a third inductive element.

[0014] The lossy inductive element may have a higher AC resistance than the first inductive element at the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit.

[0015] Some exemplary embodiments further include determining the resonant frequency. Some exemplary embodiments further include estimating a temperature of the lossy inductive element based on the determined resonant frequency. The application of the pulses may be based on the estimated temperature.

[0016] Some exemplary embodiments further include applying the one or more pulses at the resonant frequency.

[0017] In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to at least: A computer program is described for causing a resonant circuit including a capacitor in series with an inductor circuit to apply one or more pulses to the resonant circuit, the resonant circuit including at least one inductor, the at least one inductor including a lossy inductive element configured to act as a heater, the resonant circuit having a resonant frequency. The computer program may be further configured to perform any aspect of the method described above with reference to the third aspect. The apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory containing the computer program.

[0018] In a fifth aspect, this specification describes a computer-readable medium (such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium) comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing (at least) any of the methods described above with reference to the third aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] Illustrative embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following schematic drawings: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a resonant circuit according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of another system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a non-combustible aerosol delivery device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of another non-combustible aerosol delivery device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates a resonant circuit according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates another resonant circuit according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates yet another resonant circuit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 illustrates yet another resonant circuit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a plot showing the pulses used in the exemplary embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Description

[0020] As used herein, the term "aerosol delivery device" is intended to encompass systems that deliver a substance to a user, including: Non-combustion aerosol delivery systems that release compounds from aerosolizable materials without burning the aerosolizable material, such as e-cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems that generate aerosols using a combination of aerosolizable materials; and ·An article that contains an aerosolizable material and is configured for use in one of these non-combustible aerosol delivery systems.

[0021] According to this disclosure, a "combustible" aerosol delivery system is one in which the constituent aerosolizable material (or components thereof) of the aerosol delivery system is combusted or burned to facilitate delivery to a user.

[0022] According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol delivery system is one in which the constituent aerosolizable materials (or components thereof) of the aerosol delivery system are not combusted or caused to combust to facilitate delivery to a user.

[0023] In the embodiments described herein, the delivery system is a non-combustion aerosol delivery system, such as a powered non-combustion aerosol delivery system.

[0024] In one embodiment, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vape device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolizable material is not a requirement.

[0025] In one embodiment, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is a tobacco heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system.

[0026] In one embodiment, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosolizable materials, where one or more of the aerosolizable materials may be heated. Each of the aerosolizable materials may be, for example, in solid, liquid, or gel form and may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosolizable material and a solid aerosolizable material. The solid aerosolizable material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0027] Typically, a non-combustion aerosol delivery system can include a non-combustion aerosol delivery device and an article for use with the non-combustion aerosol delivery system. However, it is contemplated that an article that itself includes a means for powering an aerosol generating component can itself form a non-combustion aerosol delivery system.

[0028] In one embodiment, the non-combustion aerosol-providing device may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be a power source or a heat-generating power source. In one embodiment, the heat-generating power source includes a carbon substrate that can be energized to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosolizable material or a heat-transfer material in proximity to the heat-generating power source. In one embodiment, a power source, such as a heat-generating power source, is provided in an article to form the non-combustion aerosol-providing device.

[0029] In one embodiment, an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol-delivery device may include an aerosolizable material, an aerosol-generating component, an aerosol-generating region, a mouthpiece, and / or a region for receiving the aerosolizable material.

[0030] In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating component is a heater that can interact with the aerosolizable material to release one or more volatile substances from the aerosolizable material to form an aerosol.

[0031] In one embodiment, the aerosolizable material may include an active material, an aerosol-forming material, and optionally one or more functional materials. The active material may include nicotine (optionally contained in tobacco or a tobacco derivative) or one or more other non-olfactory physiologically active materials. A non-olfactory physiologically active material is a material included in the aerosolizable material to achieve a physiological response other than olfactory perception. As used herein, an active substance may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may be selected from, for example, a dietary supplement, a nootropic, or a psychoactive agent. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6, B12, or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or components, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may include one or more components, derivatives, or extracts of tobacco, cannabis, or another plant. In some embodiments, the active substance includes nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B 12. In one embodiment, the active substance is a legally permissible recreational drug.

[0032] The aerosol-forming material may include one or more of glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixtures, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0033] The one or more functional ingredients may include one or more of a flavoring agent, a carrier, a pH adjuster, a stabilizer, and / or an antioxidant.

[0034] In one embodiment, an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol delivery device may include an aerosolizable material or a region for receiving an aerosolizable material. In one embodiment, an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol delivery device may include a mouthpiece. The region for receiving an aerosolizable material may be a storage region for storing the aerosolizable material. For example, the storage region may be a reservoir. In one embodiment, the region for receiving an aerosolizable material may be separate from the aerosol-generation region or may be combined with the aerosol-generation region.

[0035] An aerosolizable material, which may also be referred to herein as an aerosol-generating material, is a material that can generate an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or energized in any other manner. The aerosolizable material may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, which may or may not contain, for example, nicotine and / or flavorings.

[0036] The aerosol-generating material may be an "amorphous solid." In some embodiments, the amorphous solid is a "monolithic solid." The aerosol-generating material may be non-fibrous or fibrous. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may be a dry gel. The aerosol-generating material may be a solid material capable of retaining some fluid, such as a liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the retained fluid may be water (such as water absorbed from the surroundings of the aerosol-generating material), or the retained fluid may be a solvent (such as when the aerosol-generating material is formed from a slurry). In some embodiments, the solvent may be water.

[0037] The aerosolizable material may be present on a substrate, which may be or include, for example, paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted aerosolizable material, plastic material, ceramic material, composite material, glass, metal, or metal alloy.

[0038] A consumable is an article containing or consisting of an aerosol-generating material, some or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may include one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier. A consumable may also include an aerosol generator, such as a heater that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol upon use. The heater may include, for example, a combustible material or a material that can be heated by electrical conduction.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system, generally designated 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0040] The system 10 includes a resonant circuit 12, a pulse generator 14, and a control module 16. The system 10 may further include an aerosolizable material 18.

[0041] The resonant circuit 12 has a resonant frequency. As described in more detail below, the resonant circuit 12 comprises a capacitor in series with an inductor circuit, the inductor circuit including at least one inductor, the at least one inductor including a lossy inductive element configured to act as a heater, and the resonant circuit has a resonant frequency.

[0042] A pulse generating circuit 14 applies one or more pulses to the resonant circuit, and a control module 16 controls the pulse generating circuit (and thus controls the application of pulses to the resonant circuit).

[0043] As described in more detail below, the lossy inductive element of resonant circuit 14 can be used to heat aerosolizable material 18. Heating the aerosolizable material can produce an aerosol.

[0044] 2 illustrates a resonant circuit, generally designated by reference numeral 20, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Resonant circuit 20 is an exemplary implementation of resonant circuit 12 described above. Resonant circuit 20 includes nodes (labeled a and b in FIG. 2). In use, pulses provided by pulse generator 14 are provided across the nodes.

[0045] The resonant circuit 20 comprises a first inductive element 22, a first capacitor 24, and a second inductive element 26 connected in series. The resonant frequency of an LC circuit with multiple inductors can be expressed as:

number

[0046] In an exemplary resonant circuit 20, if the first inductive element 22 has an inductance L1, the first capacitor 24 has a capacitance C1, and the second inductive element 26 has an inductance L2, the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit 20 is given by:

number

[0047] In an exemplary use of the system 10, the second inductive element 26 is configured to have a higher AC resistance than the first inductive element 22, such that the second inductive element 26 is a lossy inductive element as described above. By pulsing the resonant circuit at its resonant frequency, the second (higher resistance) inductive element 26 acts as a heater. During heating, the AC resistance dominates, so the second inductive element 26 has a higher AC resistance than the first inductive element 22. In one exemplary embodiment, the second induction heating element is formed from aluminum, although this is not required for all exemplary embodiments. For example, the second inductive element could be stainless steel or any other metal capable of handling the relevant currents and temperatures.

[0048] 3 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm, generally designated by reference numeral 30, according to an exemplary embodiment. Algorithm 30 can be implemented using system 10 (e.g., including resonant circuit 20) described above. Algorithm 30 can be used to control a heater (e.g., the lossy inductive element described above) to aerosolize a substance in a heating mode of operation.

[0049] Algorithm 30 begins at operation 32, where the resonant frequency of resonant circuit 12 (e.g., resonant circuit 20 or one of the resonant circuits described below) is determined. For example, control module 16 may determine the resonant frequency.

[0050] In operation 34, pulses are applied to the resonant circuit at the determined resonant frequency. As described above, pulsing the resonant circuit at its resonant frequency allows the lossy inductive element to be used as a heater. In one exemplary embodiment, the control module 16 is configured to control the pulse generator 14 to apply pulses to the resonant circuit 12 at the determined resonant frequency.

[0051] After applying a number of pulses (e.g., a predetermined number of pulses), a determination is made as to whether the heating process is complete in operation 36. The determination in operation 36 can take many forms, such as determining whether a heating duration has completed, whether a predetermined temperature has been reached, or whether a specified amount of energy has been output in the form of heat.

[0052] If heating is complete, the algorithm 30 ends at operation 38; if not, the algorithm returns to operation 34 for further pulses to be applied.

[0053] 4 is a block diagram of a system, generally designated by reference numeral 40, according to an exemplary embodiment. System 40 is an exemplary implementation of system 10 described above.

[0054] The system 40 comprises the resonant circuit 12 and control circuit 16 described above, and further comprises a power supply (in the form of a direct current (DC) voltage supply 42) and switching arrangement 44 that can be used to implement the pulse generator 14 described above.

[0055] The switching arrangement 44 may enable (under the control of the control circuit 16) the generation of an alternating current from the DC voltage supply 42. The alternating current may flow through the resonant circuit 12 and cause heating of an associated inductor. The switching arrangement may comprise multiple transistors. Exemplary DC-AC converters include H-bridge circuits or inverter circuits, examples of which are described below.

[0056] 5 is a block diagram of a circuit generally designated by reference numeral 50 according to an exemplary embodiment. Circuit 50 comprises a first leg 51 including a first switch 52a and a second switch 52b, a second leg 53 including a third switch 54a and a fourth switch 54b, and a resonant circuit 56. The first through fourth switches 51 through 54 are implemented using transistors. Resonant circuit 56 may be resonant circuit 12 (e.g., resonant circuit 20) described above.

[0057] The first through fourth switches 51 through 54 form an H-bridge circuit that can be used to apply pulses to the resonant circuit 56. Thus, the first through fourth switches 51 through 54 are exemplary implementations of the switching arrangement 44 and can be used to implement the pulse generator 14.

[0058] The first switch 52a is connected to a first power supply 57 (denoted by symbol V in FIG. 5 ). DDA first switch 52b can selectively provide a connection between a first power source (labeled with a ) and a first connection point, a second switch 52b can selectively provide a connection between the first connection point and ground 58, a third switch 54a can selectively provide a connection between the first power source and the second connection point, and a fourth switch 54b can selectively provide a connection between the second connection point and ground. A resonant circuit 56 is provided between the first connection point and the second connection point.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a non-combustible aerosol delivery device, generally designated 60, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0060] The aerosol delivery device 60 comprises a battery 61, a control circuit 62, a heater 63, and a consumable 64 (e.g., a tobacco consumable, e.g., in the form of a tobacco stick). The device also includes a connector 65 (e.g., a USB connector). The connector 65 can allow connection to a power source for charging the battery 61, e.g., under the control of the control circuit 62.

[0061] In use of device 60, heater 63 is inserted into consumable 64 so that the consumable can be heated to generate an aerosol (in the case of a tobacco consumable, a tobacco flavor) for the user. When a user inhales on the end of the consumable, as shown by arrow 67, air is drawn into device 60 through the air inlet, as shown by arrow 66, and then passes through the consumable, delivering the aerosol (in the case of a tobacco consumable, a tobacco flavor) to the user.

[0062] The heater 63 may comprise the lossy inductive element described above (e.g., the second inductive element 26 of the resonant circuit 20). Thus, the heating of the consumable 64 (and therefore the generation of the aerosol) may be controlled by the operation 30 described above. The control circuit 16 and pulse generator 14 described above may form part of the control circuit 62.

[0063] Aerosol-delivery device 60 is described by way of example only. Many alternative aerosol-delivery devices may be used in exemplary implementations of the principles described herein. For example, device 60 may be substituted within a vapor inhalation device in which an aerosol-generating material (e.g., a liquid) is heated to generate an aerosol.

[0064] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a non-combustible aerosol delivery device, generally designated 70, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0065] The aerosol delivery device 70 may include a replaceable item 71 that may be inserted into the aerosol delivery device 70 to enable heating thereof. The aerosol delivery device 70 may further include an activation switch 72 that may be used to turn the aerosol delivery device 70 on or off.

[0066] The aerosol generating device 70 further comprises a plurality of lossy inductive elements 73a, 73b, 73c that act as heaters, and one or more air tube extensions 74, 75. The one or more air tube extensions 74, 75 may be optional.

[0067] The plurality of lossy inductive elements 73a, 73b, 73c can each form part of a resonant circuit, such as the resonant circuit 12 or 20 described above, or one of the resonant circuits 80-110 described below. The use of three inductive elements 73a, 73b, 73c is not required for all exemplary embodiments. Thus, the aerosol generating device 70 can include one or more inductive elements that can be used individually or collectively as heaters.

[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, when the article 71 is inserted into the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device 70 can be turned on by the insertion of the article 71. This can be due to detecting the presence of the article 71 in the aerosol generating device using an appropriate sensor (e.g., an optical sensor). When the aerosol generating device 70 is turned on, the inductive element 73 can cause the article 71 to heat up. Thus, different zones of the article 71 can be heated differently by the inductive element 73.

[0069] The resonant circuit 12 of the system 10 can take many different forms, including that described above with reference to FIG.

[0070] 8 illustrates a resonant circuit, generally designated by reference numeral 80, according to an exemplary embodiment. Resonant circuit 80 is an exemplary implementation of resonant circuit 12 described above. Resonant circuit 80 includes a parallel connection of a first inductive element 82 and a second inductive element 86, connected in series with a first capacitor 84. Second inductive element 86 is a lossy inductive element having a higher AC resistance than first inductive element 84 and may be used as a heater.

[0071] As mentioned above, the resonant frequency of the LC circuit can be given by:

number

[0072] In an exemplary resonant circuit 80, if the first inductive element 82 has an inductance L1, the first capacitor 84 has a capacitance C1, and the second inductive element 86 has an inductance L2, the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit 80 is given by:

number

[0073] Many further configurations of resonant circuits can be used in alternative embodiments that may have more or less complex inductor and capacitor combinations than those described above. Figures 9-11 below illustrate three further examples, but those skilled in the art will recognize that further alternatives are possible.

[0074] 9 illustrates a resonant circuit, generally designated by reference numeral 90, according to an exemplary embodiment. Resonant circuit 90 is a variation of resonant circuit 80 described above. Resonant circuit 90 includes a first inductive element 82 connected in parallel with a series connection of a second inductive element 92 and a third inductive element 94. Inductive elements 82, 92, 94 are in series with a first capacitor 84. Second inductive element 92 is a lossy inductive element having a relatively high AC resistance (at least relative to second inductive element 92) and may be used as a heater.

[0075] 10 illustrates a resonant circuit, generally designated by reference numeral 100, according to an exemplary embodiment. Resonant circuit 100 is a variation of resonant circuit 20. Resonant circuit 100 is simpler and includes a series connection of a first capacitor 24 and a second inductive element 26 (i.e., omitting first inductive element 22). Second inductive element 26 is a lossy inductive element and can be used as a heater.

[0076] 11 illustrates a resonant circuit, generally designated by reference numeral 110, according to an exemplary embodiment. Resonant circuit 110 is a variation of resonant circuit 20. Resonant circuit 110 includes a series connection of a first capacitor 24 and three inductive elements. The inductive elements include the second inductive element 26 described above, and two additional inductive elements 22a and 22b on either side of the second inductive element 26 that collectively provide the function of the first inductive element 22 described above. As in the exemplary embodiment described above, second inductive element 26 is a lossy inductive element and may be used as a heater.

[0077] 12 is a plot illustrating a pulse, generally designated by reference numeral 120, used in an exemplary embodiment. Pulse 120 includes a rising pulse edge 122. Pulse 120 is an example of one of the pulses applied in operation 34 of algorithm 30.

[0078] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm, generally designated by reference numeral 130, according to an exemplary embodiment. Algorithm 130 can be implemented using system 10 or system 40 described above (e.g., including one of resonant circuits 20, 80, 90, 100, or 110 described above). Algorithm 130 can be used to control a heater (e.g., one of the lossy inductive elements described above) to aerosolize a substance in a heating mode of operation.

[0079] Algorithm 130 begins at operation 132, where the resonant frequency of a resonant circuit (e.g., one of resonant circuits 20, 80, 90, 100, or 110 described above, or one of the resonant circuits described below) is determined. For example, control module 16, described above, may determine the resonant frequency.

[0080] Next, in operation 134 of algorithm 130, the operating temperature (e.g., of the lossy inductive element) is inferred from the resonant frequency, which is possible if the resonant frequency is temperature dependent.

[0081] The estimated temperature can be used, for example, in operation 36 of algorithm 30 described above to determine whether the heating operation is complete.

[0082] The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as a representative sample of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of any suitable combination of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Furthermore, the present disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed but which may be claimed in the future. [Item of invention] [Item 1] a resonant circuit including a capacitor in series with an inductor circuit, the inductor circuit including at least one inductor, the at least one inductor including a lossy inductive element configured to act as a heater, the resonant circuit having a resonant frequency; a pulse generating circuit for applying one or more pulses to the resonant circuit; a control module for controlling the pulse generating circuit; An apparatus comprising: [Item 2] Item 10. The apparatus of item 1, wherein the lossy inductor is configured to aerosolize a substance in a heating mode of operation. [Item 3] 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inductor circuit comprises a first inductive element in series with the lossy inductive element. [Item 4] 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inductor circuit comprises a first inductive element in parallel with the lossy inductive element. [Item 5] 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inductor circuit comprises a first inductive element in parallel with a series combination of the lossy inductive element and a third inductive element. [Item 6] 6. The device according to any one of items 3 to 5, wherein the lossy inductive element has a higher AC resistance than the first inductive element at the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit. [Item 7] 7. The device according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the lossy inductive element is formed from aluminum. [Item 8] 8. The device according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the control module is configured to control the pulse generating circuit according to the resonant frequency. [Item 9] 9. The apparatus of any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the control module is configured to determine the resonant frequency. [Item 10] Item 10. The apparatus of item 9, wherein the control module is configured to infer a temperature of the lossy inductive element based on the determined resonant frequency. [Item 11] Item 11. The apparatus of item 10, wherein the control module is configured to control the pulse generating circuit based on the estimated temperature. [Item 12] Item 12. The apparatus of any one of items 1 to 11, wherein the control module is configured to control the pulse generating circuit to apply the pulses to the resonant circuit at the resonant frequency. [Item 13] 13. The apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the one or more pulses are step pulses. [Item 14] Item 14. The device according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the pulse generating circuit includes an H-bridge driver circuit. [Item 15] 15. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, comprising the device according to any one of items 1 to 14. [Item 16] 1. A method comprising: applying one or more pulses to a resonant circuit comprising a capacitor in series with an inductor circuit, the inductor circuit comprising at least one inductor, the at least one inductor comprising a lossy inductive element configured to act as a heater, the resonant circuit having a resonant frequency. [Item 17] The inductor circuit is a first inductive element in series with the lossy inductive element; a first inductive element in parallel with the lossy inductive element; and a first inductive element in parallel with the series combination of the lossy inductive element and a third inductive element; Item 17. The method of item 16, comprising one of: [Item 18] Item 18. The method according to item 16 or 17, wherein the lossy inductive element has a higher AC resistance than the first inductive element at the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit. [Item 19] 19. The method according to any one of items 16 to 18, further comprising the step of determining the resonant frequency. [Item 20] 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of inferring a temperature of the lossy inductive element based on the determined resonant frequency. [Item 21] 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising controlling application of the pulses based on the estimated temperature. [Item 22] 22. The method of any one of items 16 to 21, further comprising applying the one or more pulses at the resonant frequency. [Item 23] 1. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least: applying one or more pulses to a resonant circuit including a capacitor in series with an inductor circuit, the inductor circuit including at least one inductor, the at least one inductor including a lossy inductive element configured to act as a heater, the resonant circuit having a resonant frequency; A computer program that is used to execute a program.

Claims

1. a resonant circuit including a capacitor in series with an inductor circuit, the inductor circuit including at least one inductor, the at least one inductor including a lossy inductive element configured to act as a heater, the resonant circuit having a resonant frequency; a pulse generating circuit for applying one or more pulses to the resonant circuit; a control module for controlling the pulse generating circuit; An apparatus comprising:

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the lossy inductive element is configured to aerosolize a substance in a heating mode of operation.

3. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inductor circuit comprises a first inductive element in series with the lossy inductive element.

4. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inductor circuit comprises a first inductive element in parallel with the lossy inductive element.

5. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inductor circuit comprises a first inductive element in parallel with a series combination of the lossy inductive element and a third inductive element.

6. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the lossy inductive element has a higher AC resistance than the first inductive element at the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lossy inductive element is formed from aluminum.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to control the pulse generating circuitry in response to the resonant frequency.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to determine the resonant frequency.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the control module is configured to infer a temperature of the lossy inductive element based on the determined resonant frequency.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the control module is configured to control the pulse generating circuitry based on the estimated temperature.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to control the pulse generating circuit to apply the pulses to the resonant circuit at the resonant frequency.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more pulses are step pulses.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pulse generating circuit comprises an H-bridge driver circuit.

15. 10. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, comprising the device of claim 1.

16. 1. A method comprising: applying one or more pulses to a resonant circuit comprising a capacitor in series with an inductor circuit, the inductor circuit comprising at least one inductor, the at least one inductor comprising a lossy inductive element configured to act as a heater, the resonant circuit having a resonant frequency.

17. The inductor circuit is a first inductive element in series with the lossy inductive element; a first inductive element in parallel with the lossy inductive element; and a first inductive element in parallel with the series combination of the lossy inductive element and a third inductive element; 17. The method of claim 16, comprising one of:

18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the lossy inductive element has a higher AC resistance than the first inductive element at the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising determining the resonant frequency.

20. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of inferring a temperature of the lossy inductive element based on the determined resonant frequency.

21. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising controlling the application of the pulses based on the inferred temperature.

22. The method of any one of claims 16 to 21, further comprising applying the one or more pulses at the resonant frequency.

23. 1. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least: applying one or more pulses to a resonant circuit including a capacitor in series with an inductor circuit, the inductor circuit including at least one inductor, the at least one inductor including a lossy inductive element configured to act as a heater, the resonant circuit having a resonant frequency; A computer program that is used to execute a program.

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