RADIO-FREQUENCY HEATING MEDIUM
An atomizer assembly is provided that includes a radio-frequency heating medium. The atomizer assembly may be actuated by a control unit including a radio-frequency signal generator circuit and a power amplifier to amplify the radio-frequency signal produced by the radio-frequency signal generator circuit. The amplified radio-frequency signal may be transmitted to an atomizer to thereby heat a vaporizable substance. The atomizer assembly may further include a temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the atomizer such that temperature control logic of the control unit may adjust the amplified radio-frequency signal based on the measured temperature of the temperature sensor to maintain a desired temperature within the atomizer.
1 . An atomizer assembly for vaporizing a vaporizable substance in an electronic vaporization device comprising:
an atomizer comprising a radio-frequency heating medium in contact with the vaporizable substance; and
a control unit comprising:
a radio-frequency signal generator configured to generate a radio-frequency signal, and
a power amplifier coupled with the radio-frequency signal generator such that the power amplifier is configured to receive the generated radio-frequency signal from the radio-frequency signal generator and amplify the generated radio-frequency signal;
wherein the atomizer is coupled with the control unit such that the atomizer is configured to receive the amplified radio-frequency signal from the power amplifier, wherein the radio-frequency heating medium of the atomizer is configured to transmit radio-frequency energy produced by the amplified radio-frequency signal to the vaporizable substance to thereby heat the vaporizable substance.
2 . The atomizer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the radio-frequency heating medium comprises a resonating cavity chamber configured to create a standing wave of radio-frequency energy.
3 . The atomizer assembly of claim 2 wherein the resonating cavity chamber comprises a Faraday-cage configured to hold the radio-frequency energy within the resonating cavity chamber.
4 . The atomizer assembly of claim 2 , wherein the resonating cavity chamber is coupled to the control unit via a waveguide.
5 . The atomizer assembly of claim 4 , wherein the waveguide comprises a liquid-tight seal that is translucent to the amplified radio-frequency signal.
6 . The atomizer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the radio-frequency heating medium comprises a plurality of electrodes positioned substantially parallel with each other.
7 . The atomizer assembly of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of electrodes is coupled to the control unit via a radio-frequency connector.
8 . The atomizer assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a power source configured to supply power to the control unit.
9 . The atomizer assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a liquid-tight material positioned between the control unit and the radio-frequency heating member, wherein the liquid-tight material is configured to prevent the vaporizable substance from contacting the control unit.
10 . The atomizer assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature within the atomizer assembly.
11 . The atomizer assembly of claim 10 , wherein the control unit is coupled with the temperature sensor, wherein the control unit comprises a temperature control logic configured to control the temperature within the atomizer assembly based on the measured temperature of the temperature sensor.
12 . The atomizer assembly of claim 11 , wherein the temperature control logic is configured to control the amount of amplification provided by the power amplifier to the generated radio-frequency signal.
13 . The atomizer assembly of claim 12 , wherein the temperature control logic is configured to supply a maximum input radio-frequency signal to the power amplifier until a desired temperature is reached in the atomizer assembly.
14 . The atomizer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the radio-frequency medium is in contact with the vaporizable substance via a wicking material.
15 . An atomizer assembly for vaporizing a vaporizable substance in an electronic vaporization device comprising a radio-frequency heating medium in contact with the vaporizable substance, wherein the radio-frequency heating medium is configured to receive a radio-frequency signal, wherein the radio-frequency heating medium is configured to transmit radio-frequency energy produced by the received radio-frequency signal to the vaporizable substance to thereby heat the vaporizable substance.
16 . A method of operating a heating element to heat a vaporizable substance, wherein the heating element comprises a radio-frequency heating medium, the method comprising the steps of:
generating a radio-frequency signal;
amplifying the radio-frequency signal;
transmitting the radio-frequency signal to the radio-frequency heating medium, wherein the radio-frequency heating medium produces heat based on the transmitted radio-frequency signal to heat a vaporizable substance.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the radio-frequency heating medium vaporizes the vaporizable substance, wherein the vapor is substantially free from trace metals.
18 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the trace metals are selected from a group consisting of nickel, aluminum, silver, chromium, iron, Kanthal, Nichrome, platinum, and combinations thereof.
19 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising measuring the temperature radio-frequency heating medium.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising controlling the temperature of the radio-frequency heating medium based on the measured temperature.