Kenneth W Cox

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:

6516796, Feb 11, 2003

Filed:

Jan 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/479597

Inventors:

Kenneth A. Cox - Midlothian VA
Timothy Paul Beane - Richmond VA
William R. Sweeney - Richmond VA
Walter A. Nichols - Chesterfield VA

Assignee:

Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated - Richmond VA

International Classification:

A61M 1100

US Classification:

12820023, 12820312, 12820317, 12820417

Abstract:

An aerosol generator includes a flow passage having an inlet and an outlet, a heater arranged relative to the flow passage for heating the flow passage, a source of material to be volatilized in communication with the inlet of the flow passage, a valve to open and close communication between the source of material and the inlet of the flow passage, and a pressurization arrangement for causing material in the source of material to be introduced into the flow passage when the valve is in an open position. The aerosol generator further includes a source of power for operating the heater and the valve, and a control device for controlling supply of power from the source of power to the heater and the valve. A metering device in an inhaler includes a pressurized source of medicated fluid and a metering chamber configured to deliver a predetermined volume of fluid to a heated flow passage in the inhaler. The metering chamber can be part of a rotary valve having a bore and a displacement member moveable within the bore from a first position where the fluid is loaded into the bore to a second position where the predetermined volume is ejected out of the bore.

US Patent:

6557552, May 6, 2003

Filed:

Nov 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/711934

Inventors:

Kenneth A. Cox - Midlothian VA
Timothy Paul Beane - Richmond VA
William R. Sweeney - Richmond VA

Assignee:

Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated - Richmond VA

International Classification:

H05B 300

US Classification:

12820327, 12820014, 12820312, 12820326, 12820716

Abstract:

An aerosol generator includes a flow passage having an inlet and an outlet, a heater arranged relative to the flow passage for heating the flow passage, a source of material to be volatilized in communication with the inlet of the flow passage, a valve to open and close communication between the source of material and the inlet of the flow passage, and a pressurization arrangement for causing material in the source of material to be introduced into the flow passage when the valve is in an open position. The aerosol generator further includes a source of power for operating the heater and the valve, and a control device for controlling supply of power from the source of power to the heater and the valve.

US Patent:

6568390, May 27, 2003

Filed:

Sep 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/956966

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated - Richmond VA

International Classification:

A61M 1500

US Classification:

12820316, 12820014, 219486, 219483, 219497

Abstract:

A fluid vaporizing device useful for vaporizing fluid into an aerosol and includes first and second capillary tubes connected electrically in series by providing separate electrodes at the inlet ends of each capillary tube, and connecting the outlet ends of the capillary tubes by an electrical connection that connects the outlet ends both electrically and thermally. The capillary tubes are heated by the flow of electricity therethrough, and liquid flowing through the tubes is vaporized. The outlet ends of the capillary tubes are easily maintained at a temperature for optimizing aerosol generation since there is minimal heat loss through the connection connecting the outlet ends.

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:

6701921, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Dec 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/742320

Inventors:

Walter A. Nichols - Chesterfield VA
Kenneth A. Cox - Midlothian VA
Timothy S. Sherwood - Midlothian VA
Scott A. Sowers - Richmond VA
Zelita R. Washington - Richmond VA
Sirisha Reddy - Petersburg VA

Assignee:

Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated - Richmond VA

International Classification:

A61M 1600

US Classification:

12820326, 12820317, 12820327, 12820417

Abstract:

An aerosol generator includes a fluid passage arranged between a first and a second layer wherein the first and second layers at least partially define the fluid passage. A liquid supply is arranged to provide a fluid in liquid phase to the fluid passage. The aerosol generator also includes a heater arranged to volatilize the fluid in the fluid passage. An outlet of the aerosol generator is arranged to receive the volatilized fluid and direct the volatilized fluid out of the fluid passage. The aerosol generator can be used to generate aerosols containing medicated materials.

US Patent:

6715487, Apr 6, 2004

Filed:

May 7, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/430272

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated - Richmond VA

International Classification:

A61M 1500

US Classification:

12820316, 12820014

Abstract:

A fluid vaporizing device useful for vaporizing fluid into an aerosol and includes first and second capillary tubes connected electrically in series by providing separate electrodes at the inlet ends of each capillary tube, and connecting the outlet ends of the capillary tubes by an electrical connection that connects the outlet ends both electrically and thermally. The capillary tubes are heated by the flow of electricity therethrough, and liquid flowing through the tubes is vaporized. The outlet ends of the capillary tubes are easily maintained at a temperature for optimizing aerosol generation since there is minimal heat loss through the connection connecting the outlet ends.

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.