Electrically heated cigarette smoking system with internal manifolding for puff detection

Abstract

An electrically heated cigarette smoking device includes a heater unit, heater blades for applying heat to portions of a cigarette that is supported within the heater unit, the heater unit having an opening adapted to receive an end of a cigarette and adapted to position the end of the cigarette in proximity to the heater blades, and the heater unit defining at least part of a suction flow passage through which ambient air is drawn into contact with the cigarette when a smoker draws on the cigarette positioned in the heater unit. The heater unit is mounted within a partition that positions the heater unit relative to the housing and at least partially defines a bypass flow passage in fluid communication with ambient air surrounding the housing, the partition further defining a flow diverting passage leading from the bypass flow passage to the suction flow passage and through which ambient air is drawn from the bypass flow passage when a smoker puffs on a cigarette inserted in the heater unit opening. A flow sensor is positioned in the flow diverting passage to provide a signal indicative of a smoker taking a puff on the cigarette.

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         8 . An electrically heated cigarette smoking system, comprising: 
 a housing;    a plurality of heating elements arranged within said housing adapted to receive there-between a portion of a cigarette;    a power source connected to the heating elements;    a bypass flow passage within said housing, said bypass flow passage being in fluid communication with the ambient air surrounding said housing;    a suction flow passage within said housing and creating a pathway for air to be drawn by a smoker into contact with the cigarette,    said suction flow passage being connected to said bypass flow passage through a flow diverting passage so that ambient air passing through said bypass flow passage will only flow into said suction flow passage when the smoker draws on the cigarette, and    a sensor operable to detect air flow in said suction flow passage and output a signal indicative of a smoker drawing on said cigarette.    
     
     
         9 . The electrically heated cigarette smoking system according to  claim 8 , further including electronic circuitry that activates said heater blades upon receiving a signal from said sensor.  
     
     
         10 . The electrically heated cigarette smoking system according to  claim 9 , wherein said sensor is a micro-electrically machined device.  
     
     
         11 . The electrically heated cigarette smoking system according to  claim 10 , wherein said sensor is a dual thermal anemometer.  
     
     
         12 . The electrically heated cigarette smoking system according to  claim 10 , wherein said sensor is a vane anemometer.  
     
     
         13 . The electrically heated cigarette smoking system according to  claim 10 , wherein said sensor is a differential pressure sensor.  
     
     
         14 . The electrically heated cigarette smoking system according to  claim 10 , wherein said sensor is a strain sensor.  
     
     
         15 . An electrically heated cigarette smoking system, comprising: 
 a housing;    a plurality of heating elements arranged within said housing adapted to receive there-between a portion of a cigarette;    a power source that supplies energy to the heating elements for heating the cigarette; and    a manifold arrangement defining a chamber surrounding a portion of the cigarette at a filter section of the cigarette, and said chamber being in fluid communication with an internal portion of the cigarette through openings into said filter section of the cigarette.    
     
     
         16 . The electrically heated cigarette smoking system according to  claim 15 , further including a sensor positioned in communication with said chamber, said sensor detecting pressure drop created in said chamber as a result of a smoker taking a puff on the cigarette.  
     
     
         17 . The electrically heated cigarette smoking system according to  claim 16 , wherein said power source supplies energy to said heating elements upon receipt of a signal received from said sensor.  
     
     
         18 . The electrically heated cigarette smoking system according to  claim 17 , wherein said sensor is a micro electrically machined sensor.  
     
     
         19 . The electrically heated cigarette smoking system according to  claim 18 , wherein said manifold arrangement is formed integrally with said housing.  
     
     
         20 . The electrically heated cigarette smoking system according to  claim 18 , wherein said sensor is a differential pressure sensor.