Shape memory material for controlled liquid delivery in an aerosol delivery device

A cartridge for use in an aerosol delivery device, said cartridge comprising:

• a housing defining a liquid reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition;
• an atomizer configured to receive the aerosol precursor composition and to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a first liquid transport element;
• a second liquid transport element in fluid communication with the first liquid transport element;
• and
• a microvalve located between the liquid reservoir and the second liquid transport element,
• wherein the microvalve comprises a base member including at least one channel defined therethrough, and at least one actuating member at least a portion of which is constructed of a shape-memory material, and which is configured, in response to a stimulus, to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the actuating member blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel and to the second liquid transport element,
• wherein the base member includes a pair of channels, and wherein in the first position, the actuating member blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the pair of channels, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the pair of channels and to the second liquid transport element.

A cartridge for use in an aerosol delivery device, said cartridge comprising:

• a housing defining a liquid reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition;
• an atomizer configured to receive the aerosol precursor composition and to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a first liquid transport element;
• a second liquid transport element in fluid communication with the first liquid transport element;
• and
• a microvalve located between the liquid reservoir and the second liquid transport element,
• wherein the microvalve comprises a base member including at least one channel defined therethrough, and at least one actuating member at least a portion of which is constructed of a shape-memory material, and which is configured, in response to a stimulus, to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the actuating member blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel and to the second liquid transport element,
• wherein the atomizer comprises a heating member, wherein at least a portion of the heating member is disposed proximate the first liquid transport element, and wherein the stimulus comprises heat generated by the heating member,
• further comprising a heat transfer component configured to transfer heat from the heating member to the actuating member.

A cartridge for use in an aerosol delivery device, said cartridge comprising:

• a housing defining a liquid reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition;
• an atomizer configured to receive the aerosol precursor composition and to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a liquid transport element;
• and
• a microvalve located between the liquid reservoir and the liquid transport element,
• wherein the microvalve comprises a base member including at least one channel defined therethrough, and at least one actuating member comprising a spring and plunger mechanism, wherein at least a portion of the actuating member comprises a shape-memory material, which is configured, in response to a stimulus, to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the actuating member blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel and to the liquid transport element,
• wherein the base member includes a pair of channels, and wherein in the first position, the actuating member blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the pair of channels, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the pair of channels and to the liquid transport element.

A cartridge for use in an aerosol delivery device, said cartridge comprising:

• a housing defining a liquid reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition;
• an atomizer configured to receive the aerosol precursor composition and to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a liquid transport element;
• and
• a microvalve located between the liquid reservoir and the liquid transport element,
• wherein the microvalve comprises a base member including at least one channel defined therethrough, and at least one actuating member comprising a spring and plunger mechanism, wherein at least a portion of the actuating member comprises a shape-memory material, which is configured, in response to a stimulus, to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the actuating member blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel and to the liquid transport element,
• wherein the atomizer comprises a heating member, wherein at least a portion of the heating member is disposed proximate the liquid transport element, and wherein the stimulus comprises heat generated by the heating member,
• further comprising a heat transfer component configured to transfer heat from the heating member to the actuating member.

An aerosol delivery device comprising:

• a control unit that includes a power source and a control component;
• and
• a cartridge comprising:
• a housing defining a liquid reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition;
• an atomizer configured to receive the aerosol precursor composition and to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a first liquid transport element;
• a second liquid transport element in fluid communication with the first liquid transport element;
• and
• a microvalve located between the liquid reservoir and the second liquid transport element,
• wherein the control unit is configured to generate the stimulus, wherein the microvalve comprises a base member including at least one channel defined therethrough, and at least one actuating member, at least a portion of which comprises a shape-memory material, and which is configured, in response to the stimulus, to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the actuating member blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel and to the second liquid transport element,
• wherein the actuating member comprises an extending cup positioned proximate the channel.

An aerosol delivery device comprising:

• a control unit that includes a power source and a control component;
• and
• a cartridge comprising:
• a housing defining a liquid reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition;
• an atomizer configured to receive the aerosol precursor composition and to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a first liquid transport element;
• a second liquid transport element in fluid communication with the first liquid transport element;
• and
• a microvalve located between the liquid reservoir and the second liquid transport element,
• wherein the control unit is configured to generate the stimulus, wherein the microvalve comprises a base member including at least one channel defined therethrough, and at least one actuating member, at least a portion of which comprises a shape-memory material, and which is configured, in response to the stimulus, to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the actuating member blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel and to the second liquid transport element,
• wherein the base member includes a pair of channels, and wherein in the first position, the actuating member blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the pair of channels, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the pair of channels.

An aerosol delivery device comprising:

• a control unit that includes a power source and a control component;
• and
• a cartridge comprising:
• a housing defining a liquid reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition;
• an atomizer configured to receive the aerosol precursor composition and to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a first liquid transport element;
• a second liquid transport element in fluid communication with the first liquid transport element;
• and
• a microvalve located between the liquid reservoir and the second liquid transport element,
• wherein the control unit is configured to generate the stimulus, wherein the microvalve comprises a base member including at least one channel defined therethrough, and at least one actuating member, at least a portion of which comprises a shape-memory material, and which is configured, in response to the stimulus, to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the actuating member blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel and to the second liquid transport element,
• wherein the atomizer comprises a heating member, wherein at least a portion of the heating member is disposed proximate the liquid transport element, and wherein the stimulus comprises heat generated by the heating member,
• wherein the cartridge further comprises a heat transfer component configured to transfer heat from the heating member to the actuating member.

An aerosol delivery device comprising:

• a control unit that includes a power source and a control component;
• and
• a cartridge comprising:
• a housing defining a liquid reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition;
• an atomizer configured to receive the aerosol precursor composition and to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a liquid transport element;
• and
• a microvalve located between the liquid reservoir and the liquid transport element,
• wherein the microvalve comprises a base member including at least one channel defined therethrough, and an actuating member at least a portion of which comprises a shape-memory material and which is configured, in response to a stimulus, to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the actuating member blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel and to the liquid transport element, and wherein the actuating member comprises a spring and plunger mechanism,
• wherein the base member includes a pair of channels, and wherein in the first position, the actuating member blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the pair of channels, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the pair of channels.

An aerosol delivery device comprising:

• a control unit that includes a power source and a control component;
• and
• a cartridge comprising:
• a housing defining a liquid reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition;
• an atomizer configured to receive the aerosol precursor composition and to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a liquid transport element;
• and
• a microvalve located between the liquid reservoir and the liquid transport element,
• wherein the microvalve comprises a base member including at least one channel defined therethrough, and an actuating member at least a portion of which comprises a shape-memory material and which is configured, in response to a stimulus, to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the actuating member blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel and to the liquid transport element, and wherein the actuating member comprises a spring and plunger mechanism,
• wherein the atomizer comprises a heating member, wherein at least a portion of the heating member is disposed proximate the liquid transport element, and wherein the stimulus comprises heat generated by the heating member,
• further comprising a heat transfer component configured to transfer heat from the heating member to the actuating member.