Rechargeable lithium-ion capacitor for an aerosol delivery device

Abstract

An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a reservoir configured to retain an aerosol precursor composition, a heating element, and a power source connected to an electrical load that includes the heating element. The power source includes a lithium-ion capacitor (LIC) configured to provide power to the electrical load, and a DC-to-DC converter connected to the LIC, between the LIC and electrical load. The aerosol delivery device also includes a microprocessor configured to operate in an active mode in which the microprocessor is configured to direct power from the power source to the heating element and thereby control the heating element to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aerosol delivery device comprising:
 at least one housing enclosing a reservoir configured to retain an aerosol precursor composition;   a heating element;   a power source connected to an electrical load that includes the heater when the control body is coupled with the cartridge, the power source comprising a lithium-ion capacitor (LIC) configured to provide power to the electrical load, and comprising a DC-to-DC converter connected to the LIC, between the LIC and electrical load; and   a microprocessor configured to operate in an active mode in which the microprocessor is configured to direct power from the power source to the heating element and thereby control the heating element to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the LIC has a capacity in the range of 200 to 400 farads. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the DC-to-DC converter is a switching regulator. 
     
     
         4 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the power source further comprises a snubber circuit connected in parallel with the LIC. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the power source further comprises a diode connected to, and between, the DC-to-DC converter and electrical load. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 5 , wherein the DC-to-DC converter has an input and output, and the diode has an anode and a cathode, and
 wherein the input and output of the DC-to-DC converter are connected to respectively the LIC and the anode of the diode, and the cathode of the diode is connected to the electrical load.   
     
     
         7 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the power source further comprises terminals connectable with a source of energy from which the LIC is chargeable. 
     
     
         8 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol precursor composition comprises at least glycerin and nicotine. 
     
     
         9 . A control body coupled or coupleable with a cartridge that is equipped with a heating element and contains an aerosol precursor composition, the control body being coupled or coupleable with the cartridge to form an aerosol delivery device in which the heating element is configured to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition, the control body comprising:
 a power source connected to an electrical load that includes the heater when the control body is coupled with the cartridge, the power source comprising a lithium-ion capacitor (LIC) configured to provide power to the electrical load, and comprising a DC-to-DC converter connected to the LIC, between the LIC and electrical load; and   a microprocessor configured to operate in an active mode in which the control body is coupled with the cartridge, the microprocessor in the active mode being configured to direct power from the power source to the heating element and thereby control the heating element to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition.   
     
     
         10 . The control body of  claim 9 , wherein the LIC has a capacity in the range of 200 to 400 farads. 
     
     
         11 . The control body of  claim 9 , wherein the DC-to-DC converter is a switching regulator. 
     
     
         12 . The control body of  claim 9 , wherein the power source further comprises a snubber circuit connected in parallel with the LIC. 
     
     
         13 . The control body of  claim 9 , wherein the power source further comprises a diode connected to, and between, the DC-to-DC converter and electrical load. 
     
     
         14 . The control body of  claim 13 , wherein the DC-to-DC converter has an input and output, and the diode has an anode and a cathode, and
 wherein the input and output of the DC-to-DC converter are connected to respectively the LIC and the anode of the diode, and the cathode of the diode is connected to the electrical load.   
     
     
         15 . The control body of  claim 9 , wherein the power source further comprises terminals connectable with a source of energy from which the LIC is chargeable. 
     
     
         16 . The control body of  claim 9 , wherein the aerosol precursor composition comprises at least glycerin and nicotine.