Douglas D Mcrae

US Patent:

6501052, Dec 31, 2002

Filed:

Dec 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/742322

Inventors:

Kenneth A. Cox - Midlothian VA
Walter A. Nichols - Chesterfield VA
Douglas D. McRae - Chesterfield VA
William R. Sweeney - Richmond VA

Assignee:

Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated - Richmond VA

International Classification:

H05B 102

US Classification:

219486, 219483, 219497, 392480, 392492, 18220014

Abstract:

A temperature and flow rate controlled capillary aerosol generator includes two heating zones optionally separated by a region in which a pressure drop is induced. Power is metered or applied to the downstream, second zone to achieve a target resistance, and therefore a target temperature, while power is metered or applied to the upstream, first zone to achieve a target mass flow rate exiting the second zone. A target temperature is achieved in the second zone to generate an aerosol from the liquid flowing through the generator at the desired mass flow rate.

US Patent:

6640050, Oct 28, 2003

Filed:

Sep 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/957026

Inventors:

Walter A. Nichols - Chesterfield VA
Kenneth A. Cox - Midlothian VA
Douglas D. McRae - Chesterfield VA
Tung Tien Nguyen - Midlothian VA

Assignee:

Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated - Richmond VA

International Classification:

F24F 600

US Classification:

392390, 392397

Abstract:

A fluid vaporizing device useful for vaporizing fluid into an aerosol includes a capillary tube made from an electrically conductive material, an upstream electrode connected to the tube, and a downstream electrode connected to the tube and provided with an electrical resistivity sufficient to cause heating of the downstream electrode during operation to approximately the same temperature as the tube at the point of connection. The upstream and downstream electrodes connected to the capillary tube divide the tube into an initial feed section, a heated section, and a tip. A source of material to be volatilized is provided to the tube at the feed section, passes downstream into the heated section, is vaporized, and then exits from the tube through the tip. The temperature profile of the tube along the heated section is controlled by varying parameters to substantially eliminate any effect of the downstream electrode as a heat sink. These parameters may include the electrical resistivity of the downstream electrode, its cross-sectional area, and its length.

US Patent:

6766220, Jul 20, 2004

Filed:

Jul 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/206320

Inventors:

Douglas D. McRae - Chesterfield VA
John L. Felter - Chester VA
Clinton E. Blake - Mechanicsville VA
Mark T. Capps - Newport News VA
Kenneth A. Cox - Midlothian VA
David H. Keeler - Midlothian VA
Rajiv Gupta - Richmond VA

Assignee:

Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated - Richmond VA

International Classification:

G05B 2100

US Classification:

700266, 700282, 700299, 12820014

Abstract:

A programmable aerosol generator forms a volatilized liquid by supplying a material in liquid form to a flow passage and heating the flow passage, such that the material volatilizes and expands out of an outlet of the channel. The volatilized material, if desired, mixes with ambient air such that volatilized material condenses to form the aerosol. An apparatus and method for generating such a volatilized liquid, as well as the control and methods of heating, are disclosed as an analytical tool useful for experimental use, a tool useful for production of commercial products or an inhaler device.

US Patent:

6923179, Aug 2, 2005

Filed:

Sep 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/654980

Inventors:

Rajiv Gupta - Glen Allen VA, US
Douglas D. McRae - Chesterfield VA, US
Kenneth A. Cox - Midlothian VA, US
Walter A. Nichols - Chesterfield VA, US

Assignee:

Philip Morris USA Inc. - Richmond VA

International Classification:

A61M015/00
A61M016/00
H05B003/00

US Classification:

12820317, 12820327, 12820315, 12820014

Abstract:

An aerosol generating device includes a housing, a heater and an optional mouthpiece. The heater volatilizes liquid within a flow passage and forms an aerosol in the mouthpiece. An aerosol confinement sleeve is disposed to control the size distribution of the aerosol.

US Patent:

7040314, May 9, 2006

Filed:

Sep 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/653934

Inventors:

Tung T. Nguyen - Midlothian VA, US
Christopher L. Irving - Chesterfield VA, US
Kenneth A. Cox - Powhatan VA, US
Douglas D. McRae - Chesterfield VA, US
Walter A. Nichols - Chesterfield VA, US

Assignee:

Philip Morris USA Inc. - Richmond VA

International Classification:

A61M 16/00

US Classification:

12820312, 12820014, 12820417

Abstract:

Liquid aerosol formulations for generating aerosols include at least one high volatility carrier and a second component. In some embodiments, the liquid aerosol formulation is propellant free. An aerosol generating device generates an aerosol by passing liquid aerosol formulation through a flow passage heated to convert the liquid into a vapor, which is mixed with air to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, particles of the aerosol consist essentially of the second component. The aerosol generator can be incorporated in a hand held inhaler. The aerosol can be delivered to a targeted portion of the lung using the inhaler.

US Patent:

7147170, Dec 12, 2006

Filed:

Sep 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/655017

Inventors:

Tung T. Nguyen - Midlothian VA, US
Douglas D. McRae - Chesterfield VA, US
Kenneth A. Cox - Midlothian VA, US
Walter A. Nichols - Chesterfield VA, US
Ulysses Smith - Midlothian VA, US
Gary E. Grollimund - Chesterfield VA, US
Donald L. Brookman - Richmond VA, US

Assignee:

Philip Morris USA Inc. - Richmond VA

International Classification:

B05B 1/24
A61M 11/00

US Classification:

239 13, 239136, 239135, 239338, 239 68, 239 69, 12820014

Abstract:

An aerosol generating device generates an aerosol having a desired particle size by passing a liquid through a flow passage heated to convert the liquid into a vapor. The flow passage includes an outlet section that controls the exit velocity of the vapor and produces an aerosol with a desired particle size. The aerosol generator can be incorporated in a hand held inhaler, and the liquid can include a medicament, which is delivered to a targeted portion of the lung using the inhaler.

US Patent:

7173222, Feb 6, 2007

Filed:

Oct 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/279035

Inventors:

Kenneth A. Cox - Midlothian VA, US
Walter A. Nichols - Chesterfield VA, US
Douglas D. McRae - Chesterfield VA, US
William R. Sweeney - Richmond VA, US

Assignee:

Philip Morris USA Inc. - Richmond VA

International Classification:

A05B 1/02

US Classification:

219486, 219497, 219505, 392480, 392492, 12820014

Abstract:

A temperature and flow rate controlled capillary aerosol generator includes two heating zones optionally separated by a region in which a pressure drop is induced. Power is metered or applied to the downstream, second zone to achieve a target resistance, and therefore a target temperature, while power is metered or applied to the upstream, first zone to achieve a target mass flow rate exiting the second zone. A target temperature is achieved in the second zone to generate an aerosol from the liquid flowing through the generator at the desired mass flow rate.

US Patent:

7367334, May 6, 2008

Filed:

Aug 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/648282

Inventors:

Rajiv Gupta - Glen Allen VA, US
Douglas D. McRae - Chesterfield VA, US
Walter A. Nichols - Chesterfield VA, US

Assignee:

Philip Morris USA Inc. - Richmond VA

International Classification:

A61M 11/00

US Classification:

12820312, 392390, 392397

Abstract:

A fluid vaporizing device useful for vaporizing fluid into an aerosol includes a capillary tube made from an electrically conductive material, an upstream electrode connected to the capillary tube, and a downstream electrode connected to the tube and provided with an electrical resistivity sufficient to cause heating of the downstream electrode during operation. According to various manufacturing techniques (a) the downstream electrode can be made of a material having a resistivity that is approximately constant over a desired temperature range, (b) the ratio of the resistance of the downstream electrode to the resistance of the capillary tube can be selected as a function of a preset liquid flow rate through the capillary tube, (c) the tuning range over which a desired quality aerosol can be produced can be selected to compensate for dimensional tolerances during mass production, and (d) the total hot resistance of the downstream electrode and capillary tube can be adjusted to control the location of a meniscus of a liquid vaporized in the capillary tube to produce a desired quality aerosol.