Powered Lighter

Abstract

A powered lighter having a switch which is activated by a change in air pressure or air flow is described. The change in air pressure or air flow causes the switch to close thereby allowing the lighter's direct current power supply to increase the temperature of the lighter's heating element.

1 . A lighter comprising:
 a heating element; and   a switch to control the heating element according to a change in air pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The lighter of  claim 1 , the heating element activated on a positive change in air pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The lighter of  claim 1 , the heating element activated on a negative change in air pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The lighter of  claim 1 , further comprising a manual switch operative to disengage the heating element. 
     
     
         5 . The lighter of  claim 1 , further comprising a manual switch to control the heating element. 
     
     
         6 . The lighter of  claim 1 , further comprising an energy storage system to deliver power to the heating element. 
     
     
         7 . The lighter of  claim 6 , the energy storage system comprises a super capacitor. 
     
     
         8 . The lighter of  claim 6 , the energy storage system comprises a fuel cell. 
     
     
         9 . The lighter of  claim 6 , the energy storage system comprises a battery. 
     
     
         10 . A lighter comprising:
 a heating element; and   a switch to control the heating element according to a change in air flow.   
     
     
         11 . The lighter of  claim 10 , the change in air flow comprising a change in a rate of air flow. 
     
     
         12 . The lighter of  claim 10 , the change in air flow comprising a quantity of air flow. 
     
     
         13 . The lighter of  claim 10 , further comprising a manual switch operative to disengage the heating element. 
     
     
         14 . The lighter of  claim 10 , further comprising a manual switch to control the heating element. 
     
     
         15 . The lighter of  claim 10 , further comprising an energy storage system to deliver power to the heating element. 
     
     
         16 . The lighter of  claim 10 , further comprising an inlet port and a passageway coupled to the inlet port. 
     
     
         17 . The lighter of  claim 16 , further comprising an air flow detector disposed along the passageway, the air flow detector coupled to the switch. 
     
     
         18 . A lighter comprising:
 a housing comprising a surface having a recessed opening to a cavity and first and second manual switches;   an electrical circuit within the housing, the circuit comprising:
 a heating element proximate the recessed opening, the heating element coupled to the first and second manual switches; 
 a power supply to provide electrical current to the heating element; 
 an air activated switch to control the electrical current provided to the heating element; 
 a proximity sensor coupled to the heating element; 
 a positive temperature coefficient switch coupled to the heating element; and 
   an illuminating element coupled to the power supply.   
     
     
         19 . The lighter of  claim 18 , the proximity sensor permits activation of the heating element on an object being inserted into the cavity. 
     
     
         20 . The lighter of  claim 18 , the electrical circuit further comprising an altimeter switch coupled to the heating element, the altimeter switch preventing activation of the heating element above a predetermined elevation.