Two-Stage Plant Material Vaporizer to Prevent Pyrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vaporizers for cannabis and other plant materials face challenges in efficiently vaporizing active ingredients without pyrolysis, leading to non-uniform heating and potential wastage of the active compounds.
Innovation Solution
A vaporizer employing a two-stage heating process, where the first heating stage rapidly heats the plant material to just below the vaporization temperature, followed by a second stage that heats it slowly to the vaporization temperature upon user inhalation, using resistive heating and temperature sensors to prevent overheating and ensure uniform vaporization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rapid heating is applied to vaporize the active ingredient, then the vaporization efficiency is improved, but the plant material undergoes pyrolysis and non-uniform heating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is divided into two distinct stages: a first rapid heating stage that brings the plant material close to vaporization temperature, and a second controlled heating stage that completes the vaporization. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high vaporization efficiency while preventing pyrolysis by avoiding continuous rapid heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The first heating stage performs preliminary heating to bring the plant material to a temperature close to the vaporization point without completing the full vaporization process. This preliminary action prepares the material for efficient vaporization in the second stage while preventing overheating and pyrolysis.
2Reliability
If continuous heating is applied to ensure complete vaporization, then the active ingredient is fully vaporized, but energy consumption increases and overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system operates in periodic cycles with two distinct phases: a first heating phase that rapidly increases temperature, and a second heating phase that completes vaporization at a controlled rate. This periodic action ensures complete vaporization while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding continuous high-power heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensing and control mechanisms that monitor the heating process and adjust the heating power accordingly. This feedback control ensures that the plant material is heated to the appropriate temperature for complete vaporization without excessive energy input or overheating.
3Loss of time
If high heating power is used to reduce heating time, then the vaporization speed is improved, but temperature uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is segmented into two stages with different power levels: a first stage with higher power to rapidly increase temperature and reduce heating time, and a second stage with controlled power to ensure uniform temperature distribution and complete vaporization without compromising temperature uniformity.
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 method effectively prevents pyrolysis, achieves rapid and uniform heating, and ensures that most of the active ingredient is vaporized while minimizing wastage, with the vaporizer being designed for portable and controlled use.
Implementation Method 1
the heating element includes one or more electrodes that heat the capsule via resistive heating, by driving a current into a portion of the capsule (e.g., into a metallic mesh of the capsule), or driving a current into an internal heating element that is housed within the vaporizer
Implementation Method 2
the plant material is heated to the vaporization temperature of the active ingredient, in a second heating step
Implementation Method 3
By withholding the first (rapid) stage of the heating in response to the temperature of the capsule reaching less than 95 percent of the vaporization temperature, even if the heating overshoots, the plant material is not pyrolyzed
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are described for use with a vaporizer that vaporizes at least one active ingredient of a plant material. In response to receiving a first input to the vaporizer, the plant material is heated, in a first heating step. An indication of the temperature of the plant material is detected, and, in response to detecting an indication that the temperature of the plant material is at a first temperature, the first heating step is terminated, by withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material. The first temperature is less than 95 percent of the vaporization temperature of the active ingredient. Subsequently, a second input is received at the vaporizer. In response thereto, the plant material is heated to the vaporization temperature, in a second heating step. Other applications are also described.