Aerosol generating assembly

Abstract

An aerosol generating assembly is disclosed, which includes a heater assembly including, a heater body extending in a longitudinal direction, and at least one heater in the heater body; a capillary tube extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the heater body, the capillary tube in fluid communication with a reservoir, the at least one heater configured to heat the capillary tube; a thermocouple in the heater body; and a temperature controller configured to control a heating temperature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aerosol generating assembly comprising:
 a heater assembly including,
 a heater body extending in a longitudinal direction, and 
 at least one heater in the heater body; 
   a capillary tube extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the heater body, the capillary tube in fluid communication with a reservoir, the at least one heater configured to heat the capillary tube;   a thermocouple in the heater body; and   a temperature controller configured to control a heating temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol generating assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the heater body comprises:
 an upper assembly; and   a lower assembly configured to mate with the upper assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The aerosol generating assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the upper assembly and the lower assembly define at least one longitudinally extending bore. 
     
     
         4 . The aerosol generating assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one heater is in the at least one longitudinally extending bore. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol generating assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the upper assembly, the lower assembly, or both the upper assembly and the lower assembly are formed of a thermally conductive material. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol generating assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one heater comprises:
 a heater cartridge.   
     
     
         7 . The aerosol generating assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the capillary tube has an inner diameter of about 0.05 millimeters to about 0.53 millimeters. 
     
     
         8 . The aerosol generating assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the capillary tube has a length ranging from about 90 mm to about 120 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol generating assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the capillary tube is formed of metal. 
     
     
         10 . The aerosol generating assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a heater holder surrounding at least a portion of the heater body.   
     
     
         11 . The aerosol generating assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the heater holder comprises:
 a top heater holder; and   a bottom heater holder configured to connect with the top heater holder.   
     
     
         12 . A delivery system comprising:
 a pumping unit; and   an aerosol generating assembly including,
 a heater assembly including, 
 a heater body extending in a longitudinal direction, and 
 at least one heater in the heater body; 
   a capillary tube extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the heater body, the pumping unit configured to deliver a liquid to the capillary tube, the at least one heater configured to heat the capillary tube to a temperature sufficient to volatilize at least a portion of the liquid delivered to the capillary tube;
 a thermocouple in the heater body; and 
 a temperature controller configured to control a heating temperature. 
   
     
     
         13 . The delivery system of  claim 12 , wherein the pumping unit comprises:
 a syringe pump.   
     
     
         14 . The delivery system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a power source configured to supply power to the at least one heater.   
     
     
         15 . The delivery system of  claim 12 , wherein the heater body comprises:
 an upper assembly; and   a lower assembly configured to mate with the upper assembly.   
     
     
         16 . The delivery system of  claim 15 , wherein the upper assembly and the lower assembly define at least one longitudinally extending bore. 
     
     
         17 . The delivery system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one heater is in the at least one longitudinally extending bore. 
     
     
         18 . The delivery system of  claim 15 , wherein the upper assembly, the lower assembly, or both the upper assembly and the lower assembly are formed of a thermally conductive material. 
     
     
         19 . The delivery system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one heater comprises:
 a heater cartridge.   
     
     
         20 . The delivery system of  claim 12 , wherein the capillary tube has an inner diameter of about 0.05 millimeters to about 0.53 millimeters. 
     
     
         21 . The delivery system of  claim 12 , wherein the capillary tube has a length ranging from about 90 mm to about 120 mm. 
     
     
         22 . The delivery system of  claim 12 , wherein the capillary tube is formed of metal. 
     
     
         23 . The delivery system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a heater holder surrounding at least a portion of the heater body.   
     
     
         24 . The delivery system of  claim 23 , wherein the heater holder comprises:
 a top heater holder; and   a bottom heater holder configured to connect with the top heater holder.