Aerosol Heating System Flow Measurement via Second-Order Derivative
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol generation systems face challenges in accurately measuring the depletion of aerosol-forming precursors and determining the quantity of components delivered to users, necessitating a cost-effective and reliable method for flow measurement.
Innovation Solution
The system employs electrical circuitry to determine characteristics associated with the second-order time derivative of electrical energy through the heating system, allowing for precise calculation of flow properties such as the amount of aerosol components dispensed during inhalation, by analyzing oscillations in electrical energy due to inhalation initiation and termination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional flow measurement methods (flow meters or level sensing systems) are used to determine precursor depletion, then measurement capability is provided, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system serves dual purposes: it heats the precursor to generate aerosol and simultaneously acts as the sensing element for flow measurement. By monitoring electrical energy properties (current, voltage, power) through the heating system, the system self-diagnoses flow conditions without requiring separate measurement devices, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system is designed to perform multiple functions: aerosol generation through heating and flow measurement through electrical property monitoring. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated flow meters or level sensors, reducing both device complexity and cost while providing accurate precursor depletion information
2Measurement precision
If first-order time derivative of electrical energy property is used to determine flow characteristics, then measurement is achieved, but convergence speed to nominal value is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from analyzing the first-order time derivative to analyzing the second-order time derivative of electrical energy properties. This parameter change in the mathematical analysis approach accelerates convergence to nominal values and improves the speed at which flow characteristics can be accurately determined, reducing the time delay in measurement response
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate and efficient determination of aerosol flow properties, improving the system's ability to quantify aerosol delivery and notify users when replenishment is needed, with faster convergence to nominal values compared to numerical differentiation methods.
Implementation Method 1
A heating system may be formed of one or more electrically activated resistive heating elements, which are arranged to heat said precursor to generate the aerosol
Implementation Method 2
heat said precursor to generate the aerosol
Implementation Method 3
electrical circuitry to determine a characteristic associated with a second order time derivative of a property of electrical energy through the heating system
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generation system for generation of an aerosol from an aerosol-forming precursor includes an electrically operated heating system to heat the precursor to generate the aerosol, a flow path for transmission of flow, including the aerosol, to a user, the heating system arranged in fluid communication with the flow path, and electrical circuitry. The electrical circuitry is configured to apply a predetermined amount of electrical energy to the heating system to stabilise a property of electrical energy through the heating system, and determine a property related to the flow of the flow path based on the stabilised property of the electrical energy through the heating system, wherein the property related to the flow is an amount of one or more components of the aerosol.