US20210386117A1

US20210386117A1 - Mobile vaporization rig

Info

Publication number: US20210386117A1
Application number: US17/348,271
Authority: US
Inventors: Brendan Fitzpatrick; Andrew Dunbar
Original assignee: Fadespace LLC
Current assignee: Fadespace LLC
Priority date: 2020-06-15
Filing date: 2021-06-15
Publication date: 2021-12-16

Abstract

According to an example of the disclosure, a vaporization device includes a frame having at least one input opening to receive a liquid substance and at least one output opening to provide a vapor, a vaporizer coupled to the at least one input, the vaporizer including at least one heating element configured to heat the liquid substance to produce a vaporized substance, and a diffuser coupled to the vaporizer and to the at least one output opening, the diffuser including at least one cooling element to reduce a temperature of the vaporized substance to generate the vapor and output the vapor at the at least one opening.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/039,186, titled “MOBILE VAPORIZATION RIG,” filed on Jun. 15, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

At least one example in accordance with the present disclosure relates generally to vaporization devices.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Vaporization refers to the conversion of a substance in a liquid form to a gaseous form. Many substances, such as oils, concentrates, and so forth, may be vaporized. A device configured to perform or facilitate vaporization may be referred to as a vaporization device.

SUMMARY

According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a vaporization device includes a frame having at least one input opening to receive a liquid substance and at least one output opening to provide a vapor, a vaporizer coupled to the at least one input, the vaporizer including at least one heating element configured to heat the liquid substance to produce a vaporized substance, and a diffuser coupled to the vaporizer and to the at least one output opening, the diffuser including at least one cooling element to reduce a temperature of the vaporized substance to generate the vapor and output the vapor at the at least one opening.
In some examples, the vaporization device includes at least one power supply configured to be coupled to the vaporizer and the diffuser. In various examples, the at least one power supply includes at least one lithium ion battery. In at least one example, the cooling element includes water. In some examples, the diffuser includes a diffuser body housing the water, and the diffuser is configured to draw the vaporized substance through the water. In various examples, the diffuser is configured to draw the vaporized substance through the water responsive to a negative pressure at the at least one output opening. In at least one example, the vaporizer further includes a vaporization dish housing the heating element. In some examples, the vaporization dish is configured to retain the liquid substance.
In various examples, the heating element includes an electrically powered heating element, and the heating element is configured to heat the liquid substance in the vaporization dish to vaporize the liquid substance. In at least one example, the vaporizer further includes at least one stem fluidically coupled to the vaporization dish at a first end and to the diffuser at a second end. In some examples, the at least one stem is configured to direct the vaporized substance from the vaporization dish to the diffuser. In various examples, the at least one stem includes glass. In some examples, the vaporization device includes at least one user interface. In at least one example, the at least one user interface includes at least one display. In various examples, the at least one user interface includes at least one user-input element.
According to at least one aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a vaporization device includes providing a vaporization device having an input, an output, a vaporizer, and a diffuser, receiving a liquid substance at the input, vaporizing, by the vaporizer, the liquid substance to produce a vaporized substance, providing, by the vaporizer, the vaporized substance to the diffuser, reducing, by the diffuser, a temperature of the vaporized substance to produce a vapor, and outputting the vapor at the output.
In some examples, the vaporizer includes at least one heating element, and vaporizing the liquid substance includes heating, by the at least one heating element, the liquid substance to produce the vaporized substance. In at least one example, the diffuser includes water, and reducing the temperature of the vaporized substance includes drawing the vaporized substance through the water. In various examples, the method includes drawing, by the diffuser, the vaporized substance through the water responsive to a negative pressure differential at the output.
According to at least one aspect of the disclosure, a vaporization-device system includes a frame having at least one input opening to receive a liquid substance and at least one output opening to provide a vapor, a diffuser coupled to the at least one output opening, the diffuser including at least one cooling element to reduce a temperature of a vaporized substance to generate the vapor and output the vapor at the at least one opening, and means for vaporizing the liquid substance to produce the vaporized substance, and for providing the vaporized substance to the diffuser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of at least one embodiment are discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures, which are not intended to be drawn to scale. The figures are included to provide an illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and embodiments, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, but are not intended as a definition of the limits of any particular embodiment. The drawings, together with the remainder of the specification, serve to explain principles and operations of the described and claimed aspects and embodiments. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. In the figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a vaporization device according to an example;

FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of a vaporization device according to a first example;

FIG. 2B illustrates a front perspective view of the vaporization device of FIG. 2A according to the first example;

FIG. 3A illustrates a front view of a vaporization device according to a second example;

FIG. 3B illustrates a front perspective view of the vaporization device of FIG. 3A according to the second example;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front cross-section view of the vaporization device of FIG. 2A according to an example;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front cross-section view of the vaporization device of FIG. 3A according to an example.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front-perspective view of a vaporization-device frame of the vaporization device of FIG. 2A according to an example;

FIG. 7 illustrates a front-perspective view of a vaporization-device frame of the vaporization device of FIG. 3A according to an example; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of the vaporization device of FIG. 3A according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the methods and systems discussed herein are not limited in application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The methods and systems are capable of implementation in other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Examples of specific implementations are provided herein for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. In particular, acts, components, elements and features discussed in connection with any one or more examples are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in any other examples.
Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Any references to examples, embodiments, components, elements or acts of the systems and methods herein referred to in the singular may also embrace embodiments including a plurality, and any references in plural to any embodiment, component, element or act herein may also embrace embodiments including only a singularity. References in the singular or plural form are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components, acts, or elements. The use herein of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. In addition, in the event of inconsistent usages of terms between this document and documents incorporated herein by reference, the term usage in the incorporated features is supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable differences, the term usage in this document controls.
As discussed above, vaporization devices may be configured to perform or facilitate vaporization of substances such as oils, concentrates, and so forth. Some vaporization devices may be configured to produce vapor for human inhalation. For example, a vaporization device may be a portable vaporization device configured to be carried conveniently by a user. A user may add a desired substance for vaporization to the vaporization device. The vaporization device may vaporize the added substance and provide the vaporized substance to the user for inhalation.
Examples of the disclosure provide a self-contained, “smart,” electronic, water-cooled, portable vaporization device. Example vaporization devices may vaporize one or more of a variety of substances including oils, concentrates, or other substances capable of being vaporized. Example vaporization devices may include several sub-sections, or groups of components, to perform or facilitate vaporization. In one example, an example vaporization device includes a frame, a power module, a vaporizer, and a diffuser. Each sub-section may be implemented by variable groups of components. Examples disclosed herein provide several implementations of a portable vaporization device.
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a vaporization device 100 according to an example. The vaporization device 100 includes a frame 102, a power module 104, a vaporizer 106 (or “vaporization module”), a diffuser 108, and a user interface 110. It is to be appreciated that the components 102-110 are separately identified for purposes of explanation only. In various examples, one or more of the components 102-110 may be optional and may be omitted. For example, the frame 102 may be omitted in at least one example.
The frame 102 is mechanically coupled to the power module 104, the vaporizer 106, the diffuser 108, and the user interface 110. For example, the frame 102 may be mechanically coupled to, and encase, the components 104-110. Accordingly, the frame 102 may provide support for, orientation of, access to, and protection from physical abuse to, the components 104-110.
The power module 104 is electrically coupled to the vaporizer 106, the diffuser 108, and the user interface 110. The power module 104 is configured to provide power to the components 106-110. In various examples, the power module 104 includes one or more energy-storage devices, such as one or more batteries (for example, one or more lithium-ion batteries), to store and discharge power to the components 106-110. In some examples, the power module 104 may further include at least one substance-storage area to store one or more substances for vaporization. In some examples, the power module 104 may be fluidically coupled to the vaporizer 106 and/or the diffuser 108 to provide the stored substances thereto. It is to be appreciated that fluidic coupling refers to a coupling whereby one or more substances at least in liquid and/or gaseous form may pass therethrough.
The vaporizer 106 is fluidically coupled to the diffuser 108. In some examples, the vaporizer 106 is configured to receive one or more liquid-form substances for vaporization. For example, the vaporizer 106 may include one or more ports configured to receive the liquid-form substances from one or more storage areas (for example, in the power module 104), or from an external port (for example, via an opening in the frame 102) through which a user may add the substance. The vaporizer 106 may include one or more thermal components configured to generate a sufficient amount of heat to vaporize the liquid-form substances. The vaporized substances may be provided to the diffuser 108. In various examples, parameters of the vaporizer 106 may be user-configurable via one or more user inputs received via the user interface 110.
The diffuser 108 is fluidically coupled to the vaporizer 106. The diffuser 108 may be configured to cool a vapor received from the vaporizer 106. For example, the diffuser 108 may include a liquid, such as water, through which vapors received from the vaporizer 106 may be passed to cool the vapor via diffusion. In some examples, the diffuser 108 may be coupled to at least one output port (for example, via one or more openings in the frame 102) through which a diffused vapor is output from the vaporization device 100. For example, the diffused vapor may be output to a user for inhalation by the user.
The user interface 110 includes one or more inputs and/or outputs to enable a user to interact with the vaporization device 100. The inputs may include one or more buttons, dials, switches, touch sensors, and so forth, to enable a user to provide user inputs to the vaporization device 100. The outputs may include at least one display screen, which may be a touch-sensitive display screen, to output information to a user.
As discussed above, the vaporization device 100 may be implemented in any of several example implementations. For purposes of explanation, at least two implementations of the vaporization device 100 are illustrated.
FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of a vaporization device 200 according to a first example. The vaporization device 200 may be an implementation or example of the vaporization device 100. The vaporization device 200 includes the frame 102, the power module 104, the vaporizer 106, the diffuser 108, and the user interface 110. FIG. 2B illustrates a front perspective view of the vaporization device 200 according to the first example.
FIG. 3A illustrates a front view of a vaporization device 300 according to a second example. The vaporization device 300 may be an implementation or example of the vaporization device 100. The vaporization device 300 includes the frame 102, the power module 104, the vaporizer 106, the diffuser 108, and the user interface 110. FIG. 3B illustrates a front perspective view of the vaporization device 300 according to the second example.
Examples of the components 102-110 will be described with respect to the vaporization devices 200, 300. As discussed above, the frame 102 is configured to be mechanically coupled (for example, encase) to at least one of the components 104-110, and may provide support for, orientation of, access to, and protection from physical abuse to, the components 104-110. Components of the frame 102 may further facilitate coupling of the components 104-110 to one another mechanically, electrically, and/or fluidically.
To illustrates example implementations of the frame 102, FIG. 4 illustrates a front cross-section view of the vaporization device 200 according to an example. FIG. 5 illustrates a front cross-section view of the vaporization device 300 according to an example. The vaporization device 200 includes a frame 202, which may be a first example of the frame 102, and the vaporization device 300 includes a frame 302, which may be a second example of the frame 102. FIG. 6 illustrates a front-perspective view of the frame 202 according to an example. FIG. 7 illustrates a front-perspective view of the frame 302 according to an example.
The frames 202, 302 may include one or more mechanical components or pieces. For example, the frames 202, 302 may each include four mechanically interconnected pieces. The pieces may be interconnected via at least one coupling mechanism. For example, the frame 202 includes openings 203 each configured to receive or facilitate one or more coupling mechanisms. Example coupling mechanisms may include, for example, rivets, adhesives, compression banding, dove-tail-type connections, magnets, welds, brazing, soldering, threaded fasteners, friction-fit fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, or other coupling mechanisms. In other examples, the openings 203 may be omitted, such as in examples in which the frame 202 does not include separate interconnected pieces.
The frames 202, 302 may be constructed from one or more materials including, for example, metals, ceramics, plastics, glass, natural materials and so forth. For example, the frames 202, 302 may be constructed from anodized aluminum. The frames 202, 302 may be surface treated in at least one example, such as via a chroming process, nickel plating, painting, chemical etching, laser etching, dying, staining, thermal discoloring, texturing, and so forth. The frames 202, 302 may be formed via any of several manufacturing processes including, for example, machining, molding, casting, extrusion, thermoforming, 3D printing, hand forming, spark erosion, and so forth.
As discussed above, in some examples the frame 102 is optional and is not included. For example, the frames 202, 302 may be omitted from the vaporization devices 200, 300. In some examples in which the frames 202, 302 are omitted, the components 104-110 may maintain a desired position and/or orientation via one or more alternate coupling mechanisms, such as rivets, adhesives, compression banding, dove-tail-type connections, magnets, welds, brazing, soldering, threaded fasteners, friction-fit fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, or other coupling mechanisms, coupled to at least some of the components 104-110 and configured to facilitate mechanical, electrical, and/or fluidic coupling therebetween. Such coupling mechanisms may also be implemented in examples in which the frames 202, 302 are not omitted, and may in some examples facilitate the frames 202, 302 mechanical coupling to the components 104-110 in addition to, or in lieu of, the frames 202, 302 retaining the components 104-110 via physical interference.
In retaining the components 104-110 via physical interference, the frames 202, 302 may include one or more gaps between the frames 202, 302 and the components 104-110. For example, the frame 202 may include air gaps 204, and the frame 302 may include air gaps 304. The air gaps 204, 304 may be filled in some examples. For example, the air gaps 204, 304 may include silicone bumpers formed into strips, dots, or other configurations, to support the components 104-110, absorb mechanical shock, and so forth. In some examples, the silicone bumpers are free floating (for example, not fixedly mechanically coupled to the frames 202, 302). The bumpers may maintain respective positions via physical interference (for example, mechanical compression) between the frames 202, 302 and the components 104-110. In other examples, other materials may be implemented in the air gaps 204, 304 in addition to, or in lieu of, silicone components, such as natural-rubber components, synthetic-rubber components, foam components, thermoplastic-elastomer components, magnetic components, natural-material-based (including, for example, paper, leather, hair, plant matter, and so forth) components, and so forth. Furthermore, a physical configuration of the components may be in alternate forms including, for example, lines, webbing, patterned designs, beads, knobs, fingers, pellets, strands, corrugations, sleeves, springs, and so forth. In other examples, no components may be implemented in the air gaps 204, 304 such that the air gaps 204, 304 contain only air (or another gaseous substance). In still other examples, the air gaps 204, 304 may be omitted such that the frames 202, 302 are directly mechanically coupled to the components 104-110.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2E and 3E, the frames 202, 302 may include a plurality of openings to allow physical access to one or more of the components 104-110. The frame 202 includes first openings 206 and the frame 302 includes first openings 306 to facilitate access to one or more components of the user interface 110, such as a display screen, one or more buttons or knobs, and so forth. As discussed above, the user interface 110 may include one or more push buttons (for example, machined-aluminum buttons) that allow direct physical interfacing with printed-circuit-board (PCB)-mounted control buttons of a thermal-control unit configured to control aspects of the vaporization devices 200, 300. In other examples, the user interface 110 may include one or more wireless-communication interfaces configured to enable control of, and interaction with, the vaporization devices 200, 300 via one or more communicatively coupled components, such as a smartphone of a user. For example, a user smartphone may communicatively couple to the user interface 110 via one or more electromagnetic-signal-based communication media, such as magnetic signals, Wi-Fi-based signals, Bluetooth®-based signals, radio signals, acoustic (for example, vocal) signals, tactile signals, cellular signals, or other radiation-based media. In such examples, the openings 206, 306 may or may not be implemented. In other examples, the openings 206, 306 may include additional or fewer openings than those illustrated, and/or may be arranged or configured differently than illustrated.
In examples in which the openings 206, 306 are implemented, and support the push buttons, the push buttons may include one or more components or materials including, for example, metals (for example, machined aluminum), plastics, natural materials, ceramics, glass, and so forth, and are formed via one or more manufacturing methods including, for example, machining, molding, casting, extrusion, thermoforming, 3D printing, hand forming, spark erosion, and so forth. In various examples, one or more additional components may be coupled to the push buttons on an outer surface of the vaporization devices 200, 300 including, for example, over-molded features made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, silicone, and so forth. In still other examples, alternate examples of the user interface 110 may be implemented including, for example, electrically conductive (for example, touch-sensitive) buttons, photosensitive buttons, and so forth.
The frame 202 includes a second opening 208 and the frame 302 includes a second opening 308 to facilitate access to a liquid-state-substance input port through which liquid-state substances (for example, oils, concentrates, and so forth) may be added to the vaporization devices 200, 300. The liquid-state substances may be stored in an internal storage compartment subsequent to being added via the openings 208, 308. In some examples, the frames 202, 302 include one or more doors configured to cover and/or seal the openings 208, 308 and prevent the liquid-state substance from inadvertently spilling out of the storage compartment(s) and/or prevent unwanted materials, such as dirt, from inadvertently entering the storage compartment(s).
The door(s) may include, or be coupled to, one or more coupling mechanisms to maintain the door(s) in a closed position when not in use and/or couple the door(s) to the frame 202, 302, such as magnets, pins, rivets, adhesives, compression bands, dove-tail-type connections, friction-fit components, snaps, hook-and-loop, and so forth. The door(s) may be hingedly coupled to the frame 202, 302 via hinged components. The hinged components may include pins, magnets, living hinges, and so forth. The hinged components may include materials such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, foam, thermoplastic elastomer, magnets, natural materials (for example, paper, leather, hair, plant matter, and so forth), and so forth. The door(s) may include materials such as metals, plastics, natural materials, ceramics, glass, and so forth, and may be formed via manufacturing processes such as machining, molding, casting, extrusion, thermoforming, 3D printing, hand forming, spark erosion, and so forth. In other examples, the door(s) may not be hingedly coupled to the frames 202, 302 and may be removably coupled to the frames 202, 302 via, for example, an interference fit, a threaded coupling, and so forth. In still other examples, the storage component may not exist.
The frame 202 includes a third opening 210 and the frame 302 includes a third opening 310 to facilitate access to a vapor-state-substance output port through which vapor-state substances may be output by the vaporization devices 200, 300 for inhalation by a user. The third openings 210, 310 may be configured in any of several shapes, which may be configured to facilitate user comfort and enjoyment. For example, the openings 210, 310 may be configured in any of a circle, an oval, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, or other polygonal shape. In some examples, the frames 202, 302 include one or more doors configured to cover and/or seal the openings 210, 310 and prevent unwanted materials, such as dirt, from entering the vaporization devices 200, 300 via the openings 210, 310.
The door(s) may include, or be coupled to, one or more coupling mechanisms to maintain the door(s) in a closed position when not in use and/or couple the door(s) to the frame 202, 302, such as magnets, pins, rivets, adhesives, compression bands, dove-tail-type connections, friction-fit components, snaps, hook-and-loop, and so forth. The door(s) may be hingedly coupled to the frame 202, 302 via hinged components. The hinged components may include pins, magnets, living hinges, and so forth. The hinged components may include materials such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, foam, thermoplastic elastomer, magnets, natural materials (for example, paper, leather, hair, plant matter, and so forth), and so forth. The door(s) may include materials such as metals, plastics, natural materials, ceramics, glass, and so forth, and may be formed via manufacturing processes such as machining, molding, casting, extrusion, thermoforming, 3D printing, hand forming, spark erosion, and so forth. In other examples, the door(s) may not be hingedly coupled to the frames 202, 302 and may be removably coupled to the frames 202, 302 via, for example, an interference fit.
The frame 202 includes a fourth opening 212 and the frame 302 includes a fourth opening 312 to facilitate access to an energy-storage-component area. In various examples, the vaporization device 200 includes a battery compartment 214, and the vaporization device 300 includes a battery compartment 314. For example, an energy-storage component may be inserted into the battery compartments 214, 314 via the openings 212, 312, and power may be provided to the vaporization devices 200, 300 via the energy-storage components in the battery compartments 214, 314. In some examples, the frames 202, 302 include one or more doors configured to cover and/or seal the openings 212, 312 to prevent the energy-storage devices from inadvertently falling out of the vaporization devices 200, 300 and prevent unwanted materials, such as dirt, from entering the vaporization devices 200, 300 via the openings 212, 312. In various examples, the door(s) may be configured to be opened primarily when a user is inserting or removing energy-storage devices into or from the vaporization devices 200, 300. For example, the vaporization device 200 may include a door 216, and the vaporization device 300 may include a door 316.
The doors 216, 316 may include, or be coupled to, one or more coupling mechanisms to maintain the doors 216, 316 in a closed position when not in use and/or couple the doors 216, 316 to the frame 202, 302, such as magnets, pins, rivets, adhesives, compression bands, dove-tail-type connections, friction-fit components, snaps, hook-and-loop, and so forth. The doors 216, 316 may be hingedly coupled to the frame 202, 302 via hinged components. The hinged components may include pins, magnets, living hinges, and so forth. The hinged components may include materials such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, foam, thermoplastic elastomer, magnets, natural materials (for example, paper, leather, hair, plant matter, and so forth), and so forth. The doors 216, 316 may include materials such as metals, plastics, natural materials, ceramics, glass, and so forth, and may be formed via manufacturing processes such as machining, molding, casting, extrusion, thermoforming, 3D printing, hand forming, spark erosion, and so forth. In other examples, the door(s) may not be hingedly coupled to the frames 202, 302 and may be removably coupled to the frames 202, 302 via, for example, an interference fit, a threaded coupling, one or more fasteners (for example, one or more threaded fasteners), and so forth.
In various examples, the battery compartments 214, 314 may include one or more components to facilitate a mechanical and/or electrical coupling between an energy-storage device and power rails of the vaporization devices 200, 300. For example, the battery compartments 214, 314 may include one or more components exerting a restoring force. In one example, the vaporization device 200 includes a spring 218 and the vaporization device 300 includes a spring 318. The springs 218, 318 may be, for example, copper leaf springs or may include alternate materials including other metals, plastics, natural materials, ceramics, and/or glass, and may be formed using manufacturing processes such as machining, molding, casting, extrusion, thermoforming, 3D printing, hand forming, spark erosion, and so forth. In some examples, the springs 218, 318 may be electrically conductive, and may be configured to facilitate the mechanical and/or electrical coupling of the energy-storage device to the power rail(s). In some examples, an interior surface of the door 216, 218 (that is, a side of the door[s] facing into an inside of the vaporization devices 200, 300) and/or one or more interior surfaces of the battery compartments 214, 314 may include or be coupled to one or more such components configured to facilitate the mechanical and/or electrical coupling. The springs 218, 318 may be coupled to the battery compartments 214, 314 and/or doors 216, 316 via one or more threaded fasteners, pins, rivets, adhesives, compression banding, dove-tail-type connections, magnets, interference fits, and so forth.
In other examples, the battery compartments 214, 314, doors 216, 316, and/or springs 218, 318 may be omitted.
The frame 202 includes a fifth opening 220 and the frame 302 includes a fifth opening 320 to facilitate access to one or more thermal and/or vaporization components of the vaporization devices 200, 300. In some examples, the fifth openings 220, 320 may be shaped as a circle, oval, rectangle, triangle, square, pentagon, or other polygonal shape. In some examples, the fifth openings 220, 320 may be coupled to one or more doors or seals. For example, the vaporization device 200 may include a door 222, and the vaporization device 300 may include a door 322.
The doors 222, 322 may include, or be coupled to, one or more coupling mechanisms to maintain the doors 222, 322 in a closed position when not in use and/or couple the doors 222, 322 to the frame 202, 302, such as magnets, pins, rivets, adhesives, compression bands, dove-tail-type connections, friction-fit components, snaps, hook-and-loop, and so forth. The doors 222, 322 may be hingedly coupled to the frame 202, 302 via hinged components. The hinged components may include pins, magnets, living hinges, and so forth. The hinged components may include materials such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, foam, thermoplastic elastomer, magnets, natural materials (for example, paper, leather, hair, plant matter, and so forth), and so forth. The doors 222, 322 may include materials such as metals, plastics, natural materials, ceramics, glass, and so forth, and may be formed via manufacturing processes such as machining, molding, casting, extrusion, thermoforming, 3D printing, hand forming, spark erosion, and so forth. In other examples, the doors 222, 322 may not be hingedly coupled to the frames 202, 302 and may be removably coupled to the frames 202, 302 via, for example, an interference fit, a threaded coupling, one or more fasteners (for example, one or more threaded fasteners), and so forth.
In various examples, the fifth openings 220, 320 may be formed in a standalone component (for example, separate from the frames 202, 302) formed from materials such as metals, plastics, natural materials, ceramics, glass, and so forth, and is formed via one or more manufacturing processes such as machining, molding, casting, extrusion, thermoforming, 3D printing, hand forming, spark erosion, and so forth. Such a standalone component may be retained within, or otherwise coupled to, the frames 202, 302 and/or other components of the vaporization devices 200, 300 via mechanical coupling mechanisms such as pins, rivets, adhesives, compression banding, dove-tail-type connections, magnets, interference fits, threaded hardware, or hinged components such as pins, magnets, living hinges, and so forth, composed of materials such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, foam, thermoplastic elastomers, magnets, natural materials (for example, paper, leather, hair, plant matter, and so forth).
In some examples, the fifth openings 220, 320 include or are coupled to at least one molded aluminum retainment ring, which may be surrounded by a sleeve (for example, a silicone sleeve) to provide compression. In another example, the retainment ring and/or silicone sleeve may be omitted.
In light of the foregoing, the frame 102 may be implemented in various configurations including, for example, in connection with the frames 202, 302. Similarly, the power module 104, vaporizer 106, diffuser 108, and user interface 110. For simplicity of explanation, examples of the components 104-110 will be discussed at least with respect to the vaporization device 300. However, it is to be appreciated that the components 104-110 may be implemented in different configurations and/or implementations, including in connection with the vaporization device 200.
FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of the vaporization device 300 according to an example. Examples of the power module 104, the vaporizer 106, the diffuser 108, and the user interface 110 will be described with respect to the vaporization device 300 of FIG. 8 for purposes of explanation.
The vaporization device 300 includes a vaporizer 324. In one example, the vaporizer 324 is housed in a hollow, anodized, machined-aluminum block. The housing of the vaporizer 324 may be rectangular prism in shape. In one example the housing of the vaporizer 324 has openings at the top and bottom as well as small cutouts along side surfaces thereof for contained components. In some examples, an air gap between the housing of the vaporizer 324 and the internal surfaces of the 302 are consistently 1 mm, allowing for constant thickness shock absorption material to be applied all around or as needed. In another example, the housing is omitted and features of the vaporizer 324 are contained within features of the frame 302.
In one example, a machined aluminum stool 326 is used in the bottom of the vaporizer 324 to support the components contained within the vaporizer 324 as well as create a cavity for the electrical connections supplying power from power-supplying components to the vaporizer 324. In one example, the stool 326 may include certain geometrical cutouts to allow passage of the high-wattage and low-wattage electrical wiring harnesses. In one example, shock-absorption material may be implemented present between the bottom surface(s) of the stool 326 and the inner surface of the frame 302. In one example, a top surface of the stool 326 is in direct physical supportive contact with a steam seal. In another embodiment, the stool 326 is retained to surrounding components via mechanical fasteners such as, pins, rivets, adhesive, compression banding, dove-tail type connections, magnets, friction-fit features, threaded hardware, hinged features comprised of components such as pins, magnets, living hinge(s) comprised of materials such as natural and synthetic rubber, foam, thermoplastic elastomer, polar-opposite arranged magnets, naturally derived materials such as paper, leather, hair, or plant matter, and so forth.
In one example, a length of borosilicate tubing connects a hot-side vapor path from the vaporizer 324 to a diffuser boot 328 via radial compression. In one example, the coupling between the vaporizer 324 and the diffuser boot 328 is approximately 6 mm in diameter and 15 mm in length. In another example, the vaporizer 324 is not coupled to the diffuser boot 328. In one example, the diffuser boot 328 includes a molded FDA-approved silicone rubber seal of approximate durometer Shore 40A and is connected to the hot-side vapor outlet of the vaporizer 324 via the first instance of the coupling between the vaporizer 324 and the diffuser boot 328. In one example, the diffuser boot 328 serves as sealing and cushioning geometry for components of a diffuser, discussed below. In another example, the diffuser boot 328 is connected directly to the hot-side vapor outlet of the vaporizer 324 via a glass stem.
In one example, the vaporizer 324 includes a stem seal 330 to couple to a glass stem 332. In one example, the steam seal 330 includes a molded silicone rubber seal of approximate durometer Shore 50A implemented atop the stool 326, and serves as a compliant, flexible, self-aligning connection method for connecting the glass steam 332 to the coupling between the vaporizer 324 and the boot 328. In one example, the stem seal 330 has cutouts around its perimeter to allow passage of the high-wattage and low-wattage electrical wiring harnesses. In one example, the outer radial surface of the stem seal 330 is a slip-fit within the housing of the vaporizer 324, allowing self-alignment during assembly. In one example, the stem seal 330 is attached to the glass stem 332 and coupling between the vaporizer 324 and the boot 328 via radial compression. In one example, the stem seal 330 contains an internal radial shelf within the radial compression contact zone with the glass stem 332, creating a support ledge for the glass stem 332 and thereby other further up internal components of the vaporizer 324 while also creating the hot-side vapor path from the glass stem 332 to the coupling between the vaporizer 324 and the boot 328. In another example, the stem seal 330 does not exist, and instead the boot 328 connects directly to the glass stem 332.
In one example, the glass stem 332 includes a cut-off borosilicate glass tube that serves as part of the hot-side vapor path between the thermal/vaporization zone and the stem seal 330. In one example, the glass stem 332 connects to a stem coupling 334 on one end and as stated, retained to the stem seal 330 via a radial compression seal on the other end. In one example, the glass stem 332 has sufficient wall thickness to maintain durability in the event of an external physical impact to the device. In another example, the glass stem 332 connects directly to the boot 328 and is sealed via radial compression.
In one example, the stem coupling 334 includes a molded FDA-approved silicone rubber seal of approximate durometer Shore 60A which is contained within the vaporizer 324, atop the glass stem 332, and serves as a compliant, flexible, self-aligning connection method for connecting the glass stem 332 to a stem 336. In one example, the stem coupling 334 is attached to the glass stem 332 and stem 336 via radial compression. In one example, the stem coupling 334 contains an internal radial shelf within the radial-compression contact zone with the glass stem 332 and stem 336, creating a support ledge for the glass stem 332 and thereby other further up internal components of a vapor pack while also creating a vapor path from the stem 336 to the glass stem 332. In one example, this internal radial shelf also serves as a method to keep the glass stem 332 and stem 336 geometry separated from one another to avoid direct glass-to-stainless-steel contact. In another example, the internal radial shelf within the stem coupling 334 is omitted. In another example, the stem coupling 334 is omitted.
In one example, the stem 336 includes a machined stainless-steel body which sits within the vaporizer 324 atop and attached to the glass stem 332 via the stem coupling 334. In one example, the geometry of the stem 336 provides a vapor path from a vaporization zone to the glass stem 332, a ground contact for a heating element 338, support for the above components within the vaporizer 324, and a threaded connection for atomization components. In one example, a geometry of the stem 336 is circular with two key features on its top designed to key into the vaporizer 324, such as female M8-1.25 threaded geometry in the center upper portion meant to retain the atomizer assembly, three drilled pass-through holes acting as the hot-side vapor path, two radial grooves containing two silicone rubber O-rings which stabilize and center the stem 332 within the vaporizer 324, a pass-through for the positive high-wattage wire feeding power to the heating element 338, and designated contact location for the ground high-wattage wire returning power from the heating element 338. In another example, a geometry of the stem 332 serves as a housing for threaded fasteners that, when tightened, compress upon leads from the heating element 338 in such a way that the electrical contact is undisturbed and secure in the event of excessive vibration or physical shock to the overall assembly. The O-rings may lay within radial grooves of the stem 332 to create a centering friction fit within the Vapor Pack Body as well as acting as a means of shock absorption from external physical impacts to the device. In another example, the O-rings are omitted.
In one example, a first silicone rubber grommet is fitted within the female M8-1.25 threaded geometry atop the stem 332 to retain a first atomizer contact pin through radial compression. In one example, the first atomizer contact grommet serves to center and electrically insulate the first atomizer contact pin from the stem 332. In another example the first atomizer contact grommet is omitted. In one example, the first atomizer contact pin includes a polished, machined brass pin fitted within the first atomizer contact grommet and serves as the dynamic positive high-wattage electrical leg feeding power to a heating element 338 within the atomizer assembly. In another example the first atomizer contact pin is omitted.
In one example, a machined stainless-steel vapor sleeve is press-fitted within the top opening of the vaporizer 324 and serves as an upper end stop and keying feature for the stem 332. In one example, the key feature of the vapor sleeve is used to retain the radial rotational orientation of the stem 332 so the atomizer can be screwed in and out of the M8-1.25 female threads without the stem 332 rotating within the vaporizer 324. In another example the vapor sleeve is omitted. In one example, a machined stainless-steel atomizer base is contained within the vaporizer 324 and contains the vaporization zone. In one example, the atomizer base has male M8-1.25 threaded geometry centered on its bottom side in order to connect with the female M8-1.25 threaded geometry contained on the stem 332. In one example, a second atomizer contact grommet and second atomizer contact pin are press fitted within the male threaded geometry to serve as a high-wattage electrical leg feeding power to the heating element 338 while the body of the atomizer base itself serves as the negative high-wattage electrical leg completing the electrical circuit to the heating element 338. In one example, the atomizer base contains internal geometry acting as a support shelf for, and incorporated thermal energy break between, a heater insulator 340 and the heating element 338 itself. In another example the atomizer base is omitted.
In one example, the heating element 338 includes an electric-powered resistive heating element surrounded by Aluminum Nitride ceramic and provides the thermal energy used to vaporize liquid-state substances added to the vaporization device 300. In one example, the heating element 338 is round in shape, and has a thickness of approximately 1.25 mm, and a diameter of approximately 12 mm. In one example, the heating element 338 contains two metal legs exiting from its bottom surface acting as the high-wattage electrical connections to feed the contained metal resistive heater circuitry. In one example, the heating element 338 physically supports a vaporization dish 342 where vaporization occurs.
In one example, the heater insulator 342 includes a steatite-based ceramic thermally insulative disc within the atomizer base. In one example, the thickness, material, and overall geometry of the heater insulator 342 may be selected to limit thermal heat transfer from the heating element 338 to the atomizer base during regular use. In one example, the heater insulator 342 physically supports and aligns a bottom surface of the heating element 338. In another example, the heater insulator 342 is manufactured from alumina ceramic or other thermally resistant material such as metals, high-temperature engineering-grade plastics, natural materials, other ceramics, or glass and is formed via manufacturing processes such as machining, molding, casting, extrusion, thermoforming, 3D printing, hand-forming, spark erosion, and so forth.
In one example, the vaporization dish 342 includes a polished aluminum nitride and provides a vaporization zone for substances added to the vaporization device 300. In one example, a material and surface finish for the vaporization dish 342 exhibit high thermal conductivity and low emissivity properties which allow large amounts of thermal energy to be efficiently passed into the contained substances. In one example, the vaporization dish 342 includes a flat bottom surface such that it maintains intimate contact with the top surface of the heating element 338, allowing efficient thermal energy fluxing to occur. In one example, the top edge of the vaporization dish 342 is flanged outwards such that its geometry radially passes over the top edge of the atomizer base, preventing spillover of liquid-state substances to enter the space between the vaporization dish 342, the atomizer base, and the heating element 338. In one example, the vaporization dish 342 contacts the heating element 338 surface via a retainment ring 344, friction fit within the thermal/vaporization zone cutout on the frame 302. In another example, the contact of the vaporization dish 342 with the heating element 338 surface is maintained via gravity.
In one example, the retainment ring 344 includes a molded alumina-based ring friction-fit within the thermal/vaporization zone cutout on the frame 302 via a silicone rubber sleeve that centers the retainment ring 344. In one example, the retainment ring 344 is used to retain the vaporization dish 342 within the thermal/vaporization zone within the vaporizer 324. In one example the retainment ring 344 can be removed by a user to allow the removal of the vaporization dish 342 from the atomizer base and the entire atomizer assembly itself for cleaning and replacement. In another example, the retainment ring 344 is omitted and instead the contents of the thermal/vaporization zone are retained within the vaporizer 324 via mechanical features or fasteners contained on the vaporizer 324 itself or any other component contained within the overall assembly such as, pins, rivets, adhesive, compression banding, dove-tail type connections, magnets, friction-fit features, physical interference, or threaded fasteners. In another example, the retainment ring 344 is manufactured from another thermally resistant material such as metals, high-temperature engineering-grade plastics, natural materials, ceramics, or glass and is formed via manufacturing processes such as machining, molding, casting, extrusion, thermoforming, 3D printing, hand-forming, spark erosion, and any other conceivable means.
In one example, the sleeve of the retainment ring 344 includes a silicone rubber sleeve radially compression fits around the retainment ring 344 and within the thermal/vaporization zone cutout on the frame 302. In one example, the sleeve of the retainment ring 344 is non-toxic, high-temperature resilient, and shock absorbent. In another example, the sleeve is omitted.
In one example, the second atomizer contact grommet is a silicone rubber grommet and is fitted within the male M8-1.25 threaded geometry on the bottom surface of the atomizer base to retain second atomizer contact pin through radial compression. In one example, the second atomizer contact grommet serves to center and electrically insulate the second atomizer contact pin from the atomizer base. In another example, the second atomizer contact grommet is omitted.
In one example, the second atomizer contact pin includes a polished, machined brass pin fitted within the second atomizer contact grommet and serves as a dynamic positive high-wattage electrical leg feeding power to the heating element 338 within the atomizer assembly. In one example, the second atomizer contact pin is omitted.
The vaporization device 300 includes a user interface 346. The user interface 346 includes at least one button 348. The at least one button 348 may include an anodized machined aluminum button and may be retained between an outer surface of the vaporizer 324 and an inner surface of the frame 302 and acts as a direct physical contact geometry to actuate at least one push button 350 that acts as a secondary input to a thermal control unit 352. In one example, the at least one button 348 is square in shape. In one example, the at least one push button 350 includes at least one electric, normally-open, push button, and is attached to a backer made from FR-4 and adhered to the outer flat surface of the vaporizer 324 and is wired such that it sends an identical signal to that of one of the at least one button 348 on the thermal control unit 352. In one example the at least one push button 350 is identical to the push buttons on the thermal control unit 352 so that the feel of the actuation is substantially similar. In one example, the at least one push button 350 is wired using low-wattage wire to connect directly to the thermal control unit 352 via a slip fit electrical pin connection located under the stool 326.
In one example, the thermal control unit 352 is an off-the-shelf printed-circuit board (PCB) with four user-input, board-mounted, tactile-feedback buttons and a color LCD readout screen. In one example, the vaporization device 300 includes a power module 354 having at least one power supply 356. The thermal control unit 352 is fed power from the at least one power supply 356, determines an approximate current temperature of the vaporization dish 342 through a resistance reading of the heating element 338, and when prompted by the user, feeds a specific amount of electrical power to the heating element 338 in order to obtain a specific user-set temperature in the heating element 338 and thereby the vaporization dish 342. In one example, the thermal control unit 352 has several settings that allow the user to pick specific vaporization temperatures. In one example, the thermal control unit 352 enables a user to modify settings including wattage output, temperature settings, graphic display, and so forth. In one example, the thermal control unit 352 and attached color LCD readout screen are mounted on the inside of the power module 354 via threaded hardware and adhesives such that the user-input buttons, color LCD readout screen, and USB-based charging port are accessible by the user from the outside of the vaporization device 300. In another example, the thermal control unit 352 and attached color LCD readout screen are mounted on the inside of the vaporizer 324 or frame 302 via threaded hardware and adhesives such that the user-input buttons, color LCD readout screen, and USB-based charging port are accessible by the user from the outside of the device in order to set specifications for the device and readout screen such as the preferred vaporization temperature, heating time, boost, sleep, color, brightness, contrast, images, wording, or lockout.
In one example, the power module 354 includes a housing that may be implemented as a hollow, anodized, machined aluminum block, rectangular prism in shape. In one example the housing has openings at the top and bottom as well as small cutouts along its side surface for contained components. In one example, an air gap between the housing of the power module 354 and the internal surfaces of the frame 302 are approximately 1 mm, allowing for constant thickness shock absorption material to be applied all around or as needed. In another example, the housing of the power module 354 is omitted, and components of the power module 354 are contained within features of the frame 302.
In one example, the at least one power supply 356 includes one or more energy-storage devices configured to store energy and provide power to one or more components of the vaporization device 300. In one example, the at least one power supply 356 includes a single 18650-style lithium-ion battery. In another example, the at least one power supply 356 includes two 21700-style lithium-ion batteries.
In one example, the power module 354 includes one or more power-supply contacts 358 to facilitate electrical discharge from the at least one power supply 356. In one example, the one or more power-supply contacts 358 include high-wattage rated compression-spring type contacts that are mounted on and electrically insulated from the housing of the power module 354 and battery/battery compartment cutout access plate. In another example, the at least one power supply 356 is interfaced using high-wattage-rated flat plate contacts placed under a compression load made by a surrounding encasement and a threaded fastener. In another example, power is transferred from the at least one power supply 356 to the thermal control unit 352 via a soldered hard-wired wiring harness.
In one example, the power module 354 includes a cold-side vapor pathway and storage compartment 360. In one example, the cold-side vapor pathway and storage compartment 360 includes a machined aluminum block nested within the power module 354. In one example, the aluminum block is slip-fit and positionally keyed to the housing of the power module 354 to allow for easy assembly. In one example, the cold-side vapor path of the cold-side vapor pathway and storage compartment 360 includes one or more bored holes that act as sealing interface geometry for a second instance of the coupling between the vaporizer 324 and the diffuser boot 328 which then connect to a cold-side vapor-path output of a diffuser, as discussed below. In one example, the coupling between the vaporizer 324 and the diffuser boot 328 seals against the bored holes in the aluminum block via a silicone O-ring. In one example, the storage compartment is machined into the aluminum block in such a way that all internal corners contain large radii. In one example, the storage compartment contains a silicone liner of approximate durometer Shore 50A. In one example, the aluminum block has machined features in which two or more rare-earth magnets are adhered that act as the retainment method for keeping the storage-compartment-cutout access door closed. In another example, one of, or both, the cold-side vapor pathway and storage compartment of the cold-side vapor pathway and storage compartment 360 may be omitted. In another example, the cold-side vapor pathway and storage compartment 360 are physically separate components. In another example, the cold-side vapor pathway is made up of an inert material such as borosilicate glass or a ceramic such that they do not impart significant smell or flavor to the cold-side vapor upon inhalation via off-gassing. The power module 354 includes a diffuser boot 362. In one example, the diffuser boot 362 includes a molded FDA-approved silicone rubber seal of approximate durometer Shore 40A and is connected to the cold-side vapor inlet of the power module 354 via the second instance of the coupling between the vaporizer 324 and the diffuser boot 328. In one example, the diffuser boot 362 serves as sealing and cushioning geometry for a diffuser 364. In another example, the diffuser boot 362 is connected directly to the cold-side vapor inlet of the power module 354 via the cold-side vapor pathway.
The vaporization device 300 includes the diffuser 364. The diffuser 364 includes geometry which allows the diffuser 364 to seal with the diffuser boots 328, 362 which in turn seal with the vaporizer 324 and power module 354, and connect the hot-side vapor path to the cold-side vapor path.
The diffuser 364 includes a body 366. In one example, the body 366 includes borosilicate glass and is in the form of a cylinder of such a size that a relatively consistent air gap is present on all of its sides which contains shock-absorption material made from silicone rubber in order to position and align the diffuser 364 within the frame 302 as well as protect the body 366 from external physical impact to the vaporization device 300. In one example, the diffuser 364 is such a length that an optimal compression is maintained between itself and the two diffuser boots 328, 362 on either end such that a seal can be formed while also allowing a user to easily remove the diffuser for cleaning and replacement. In another example, the seals on both ends of the body 366 are achieved via radial compression instead of linear compression.
The diffuser 364 includes a hot-side vapor inlet 368 on a first end of the body 366. The hot-side vapor inlet 368 may include a tubular geometry and receives hot vapor from the vaporizer 324. The hot-side vapor inlet 368 is sealed with the vaporizer 324 using the diffuser boot 328 and coupling between the vaporizer 324 and the diffuser boot 328. In another example, the diffuser boot 328 is connected directly to the hot-side vapor outlet of the vaporizer 324 via the glass stem 332.
The diffuser 364 includes a cold-side vapor outlet 370 on a second end of the body 366. The cold-side vapor outlet 370 may include a tubular geometry and allows cooled vapor to exit the diffuser 364 when a user respiratorily draws on the vaporization device 300. The Cold-side Vapor Outlet may be sealed with the power module 354 using the diffuser boot 362 and coupling between the vaporizer 324 and the diffuser boot 362. In another example, the diffuser boot 362 is connected directly to the cold-side vapor inlet of the power module 354 via the cold-side vapor pathway.
In one example, the hot-side vapors pass from the hot-side vapor inlet 368 to the cold-side vapor outlet 370 via the body 366, which forces hot-side vapors to pass through a volume of a cooling liquid, such as water, contained within the body 366 upon the presence of a user-created negative pressure (for example, created by inhalation by a user) within the body 366 in order to diffuse thermal energy from the hot-side vapor and convert it into cold-side vapor ready for inhalation. In other examples, the body 366 includes a cooling element other than the cooling liquid, such as a cooled surface or material. The cooling element may be cooled, such as via a refrigeration cycle.
Accordingly, an example of the vaporization device 300 has been provided. It is to be appreciated that similar principles may apply to the vaporization device 100, including the implementation of the vaporization device 200.
In some examples, vaporization devices may be configured to support combustion of substances input into the vaporization device, such as herbs or other plants, in addition to or in lieu of vaporization of liquid-state substances. For example, a vaporization device (such as one of the vaporization devices 200, 300) may include a combustion chamber in which a substance (for example, herbs) may be inserted. The substance may be ignited, such as via electrical or manual (for example, by a user) methods of producing a flame, and the combusted substance may be output in a gaseous form via one or more outputs of the vaporization device. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that vaporization devices may be capable of receiving solid- and/or liquid-state substances and producing a gaseous output therefrom in some examples. It is therefore to be appreciated that vaporization devices are capable of producing outputs other than vapors.
Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of, and within the spirit and scope of, this disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A vaporization device comprising:

a frame having at least one input opening to receive a liquid substance and at least one output opening to provide a vapor;

a vaporizer coupled to the at least one input, the vaporizer including at least one heating element configured to heat the liquid substance to produce a vaporized substance; and

a diffuser coupled to the vaporizer and to the at least one output opening, the diffuser including at least one cooling element to reduce a temperature of the vaporized substance to generate the vapor and output the vapor at the at least one opening.

2. The vaporization device of claim 1, further comprising at least one power supply configured to be coupled to the vaporizer and the diffuser.

3. The vaporization device of claim 2, wherein the at least one power supply includes at least one lithium ion battery.

4. The vaporization device of claim 1, wherein the cooling element includes water.

5. The vaporization device of claim 4, wherein the diffuser includes a diffuser body housing the water, and wherein the diffuser is configured to draw the vaporized substance through the water.

6. The vaporization device of claim 5, wherein the diffuser is configured to draw the vaporized substance through the water responsive to a negative pressure at the at least one output opening.

7. The vaporization device of claim 1, wherein the vaporizer further includes a vaporization dish housing the heating element.

8. The vaporization device of claim 7, wherein the vaporization dish is configured to retain the liquid substance.

9. The vaporization device of claim 8, wherein the heating element includes an electrically powered heating element, and wherein the heating element is configured to heat the liquid substance in the vaporization dish to vaporize the liquid substance.

10. The vaporization device of claim 9, wherein the vaporizer further includes at least one stem fluidically coupled to the vaporization dish at a first end and to the diffuser at a second end.

11. The vaporization device of claim 10, wherein the at least one stem is configured to direct the vaporized substance from the vaporization dish to the diffuser.

12. The vaporization device of claim 11, wherein the at least one stem includes glass.

13. The vaporization device of claim 1, further comprising at least one user interface.

14. The vaporization device of claim 13, wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one display.

15. The vaporization device of claim 13, wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one user-input element.

16. A method of operating a vaporization device comprising:

providing a vaporization device having an input, an output, a vaporizer, and a diffuser;

receiving a liquid substance at the input;

vaporizing, by the vaporizer, the liquid substance to produce a vaporized substance;

providing, by the vaporizer, the vaporized substance to the diffuser;

reducing, by the diffuser, a temperature of the vaporized substance to produce a vapor; and

outputting the vapor at the output.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the vaporizer includes at least one heating element, and wherein vaporizing the liquid substance includes heating, by the at least one heating element, the liquid substance to produce the vaporized substance.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the diffuser includes water, and wherein reducing the temperature of the vaporized substance includes drawing the vaporized substance through the water.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising drawing, by the diffuser, the vaporized substance through the water responsive to a negative pressure differential at the output.

20. A vaporization-device system comprising:

a diffuser coupled to the at least one output opening, the diffuser including at least one cooling element to reduce a temperature of a vaporized substance to generate the vapor and output the vapor at the at least one opening; and

means for vaporizing the liquid substance to produce the vaporized substance, and for providing the vaporized substance to the diffuser.