Gas inhalation devices and methods utilizing electrical discharge

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to devices for the inhalation of gases, such as smoke or vapor, produced from a combustible material; as well to methods for producing these devices and methods for inhalation of such gases. Devices according to the present disclosure utilize one or more electrical arcs for the combustion of the desired combustible material as opposed to prior art methods that utilize, e.g., fire. The electrical arc or arcs produced by devices according to the present disclosure cause an electrical field to form that ionizes the gas to be inhaled by the user, and cause a larger proportion of negatively ionized particles to be ingested by the user. Methods for forming such devices, including methods for assembly that allow for access to electronic circuitry for forming the electrical arcs for, e.g., recharging purposes, are also described, as are methods for inhalation of the gas produced by the combustible material.

1 . A pipe for inhalation of gas, comprising:
 a technology housing defining a technology housing cavity, the technology housing comprising a plurality of electrodes and electronic circuitry that is configured to provide electricity to the plurality of electrodes to produce one or more electrical arcs between respective ones of the plurality of electrodes;   a smoking portion separated from the technology housing by one or more walls, the smoking portion having a combustible material-receiving area and an inlet for air to enter the smoking portion, the plurality of electrodes each comprising active portions that extend into the smoking portion from respective openings on sides of the smoking portion;   a mouthpiece portion having an outlet; and   a passageway extending from the smoking portion to the outlet of the mouthpiece portion, the passageway being divided into at least two portions between the smoking portion and the mouthpiece portion by a reduced cross-sectional area that is configured to restrict at least some positively charged ions formed from the one or more electrical arcs from passing through the reduced cross-sectional area.   
     
     
         2 . The pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the reduced cross-sectional area in the passageway is configured to allow a greater number of negatively charged ionized particles to pass through the passageway than positively charged ionized particles during operation. 
     
     
         3 . The pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the reduced cross-sectional area comprises an opening between a first portion and a second portion of the at least two portions of the passageway, the opening being vertically higher than a lower portion of the first portion to restrict a flow of positively charged ionized particles through the reduced cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         4 . The pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the reduced cross-sectional area comprises a circumferentially reduced cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         5 . The pipe of  claim 4 , wherein the circumferentially reduced cross-sectionally area comprises a pinch mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the active portions of the plurality of electrodes comprise at least a pair of electrodes that are positioned on opposite sides of the smoking portion. 
     
     
         7 . The pipe of  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of fittings that define the openings in the sides of the smoking portion, wherein the plurality of electrodes pass through respective ones of the plurality of fittings. 
     
     
         8 . The pipe of  claim 3 , further comprises a removable closure portion for providing access to the technology housing. 
     
     
         9 . The pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes include two pairs of electrodes, wherein the first and second pairs of electrodes are configured to produce crossing electrical arcs. 
     
     
         10 . The pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are positioned in the smoking portion so that the one or more electrical arcs ionize air drawn into the smoking portion. 
     
     
         11 . The pipe of  claim 10 , wherein the electrodes are positioned in the smoking portion so that the one or more electrical arcs combust a material received in the receiving area of the smoking portion. 
     
     
         12 . The pipe of  claim 11 , further comprising a screen positioned in a lower portion of the smoking portion to restrict at least some particulates from passing from the smoking portion to the passageway. 
     
     
         13 . The pipe of  claim 5 , wherein the pinch mechanism is integrally formed with the passageway. 
     
     
         14 . The pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic circuitry comprises a breath switch.