Electronic smoking device

Abstract

An electronic smoking device is disclosed comprising a chip that includes a fluid inlet. The fluid inlet can include a depression formed in a first surface of the chip. A fluidic channel can extend from the fluid inlet through the chip to a fluid outlet formed in a second surface of the chip. A heating element can be disposed on the second surface of the chip proximate to the fluid outlet.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An electronic smoking device, comprising:
 a chip that includes a fluid inlet, wherein the fluid inlet includes a depression formed in a first surface of the chip;   a fluidic channel extending from the fluid inlet through the chip to a fluid outlet formed in a second surface of the chip; and   a heating element disposed on the second surface of the next to the fluid outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic smoking device of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the chip and the second surface of the chip are on a same side of the chip. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic smoking device of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the chip and the second surface of the chip are on different sides of the chip. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic smoking device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluidic channel extends from the fluid inlet through the chip to a plurality of fluid outlets formed in the second surface of the chip. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic smoking device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fluidic channels extending from the fluid inlet through the chip to a plurality of fluid outlets, wherein the fluid outlets are in fluid communication with the plurality of fluidic channels. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic smoking device of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of fluidic channels includes a plurality of fluid outlets. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic smoking device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid tank that includes a fluid tank outlet in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic smoking device of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid tank includes a vent. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic smoking device of  claim 7 , wherein the electronic smoking article is configured to:
 pass fluid from the fluid tank outlet through the fluid inlet, fluidic channel, and out of the fluid outlet; and   vaporize the fluid upon contact between the fluid and the heating element.   
     
     
         10 . The electronic smoking device of  claim 1 , wherein a temperature sensor is disposed next to the heating element. 
     
     
         11 . An electronic cigarette, comprising:
 a fluid tank that includes a fluid outlet;   a silicon chip heating assembly that includes a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the fluid tank, wherein the fluid inlet is in fluid communication with a plurality of fluidic channels that extend from the fluid inlet through the silicon chip;   a plurality of fluid outlets formed in a surface of the silicon chip and in fluid communication with the plurality of fluidic channels; and   a heating element disposed on the surface of the silicon chip proximate to the plurality of fluid outlets.   
     
     
         12 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 11 , wherein the heating element is deposited on the surface of the silicon chip. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid outlet of the cartomizer is connected to the fluid inlet of the silicon chip heating assembly via a removable connection. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid tank includes a vent. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of fluid outlets are exposed to an air path in fluid communication with a mouth piece of the electronic cigarette. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 15 , wherein a barrier separates the vent from the air path. 
     
     
         17 . An electronic cigarette, comprising:
 a fluid tank that includes a fluid outlet;   a silicon chip heating assembly disposed in-line with the fluid tank, wherein the silicon chip heating assembly includes a fluid inlet formed on a first side of the silicon chip in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the fluid tank;   a plurality of fluidic channels that extend through the silicon chip from the fluid inlet to a plurality of fluid outlets formed on a second side of the silicon chip;   a heating element disposed on the second side of the silicon chip proximate to the plurality of fluid outlets formed on the second side of the silicon chip; and   a power source configured to provide power to the heating element.   
     
     
         18 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 17 , wherein:
 fluid is vaporized via the heating element; and   an air path is in fluid communication with a mouth piece and the plurality of fluid outlets formed on the second side of the silicon chip.   
     
     
         19 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 17 , further comprising a seal disposed between the fluid tank and the silicon chip. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 17 , wherein the heating element is a single heating element that traverses back and forth between the plurality of fluid outlets formed on the second side of the silicon chip.