PHILIP MORRIS U.S.A.
`I N T E R O F F I CE C O R R E S P O N D E N CE
`Richmond, Virginia
`
`To:
`
`K. Torrence
`
`From:
`
`R. H. Moffitt
`
`Date: September 27, 2004
`
`Subject: Operational Analysis of SBT Ruyan Atomizing Nicotine Inhaler
`
`Summary
`Several samples of the "SBT Ruyan Atomizing Nicotine Inhaler" (fig. 1) were disassembled and
`examined to determine their operating principle and associated control functionality. The
`discussion section below details the findings.
`
`Discussion
`The SBT Ruyan electronic cigar/cigarette was disassembled for determination of its operating
`principle and electrical characteristics. Most of the internal components of the device were
`partially or completely potted or encapsulated in a hard, plastic-like material. The disassembly
`of the first device wras destructive and resulted in a non-functional device. Based on the method
`of assembly, it is clear that the device was not designed for servicing. Learnings from the
`destructive disassembly enabled a second device to be disassembled with functionality
`preserved. The device appears to be manually assembled based on the component
`interconnection methods and circuit board soldering.
`
`In addition to the replaceable mouthpiece with attached flavor containing cartridge (fig. 8), the
`device consists of (starting at the mouthpiece end): an aerosol generation chamber, a flow
`sensor/activation switch, two small circuit boards with surface mount electronic components,
`one replaceable lithium ion battery, and an LED indicator and pushbutton at the tip end. (fig. 2).
`
`The evaluation of the electrical circuitry revealed that the circuit contains no programmable or
`logic based components (figs. 3 and 4). All of the circuitry is of an analog nature - power FETs,
`resistors, diodes, capacitors, etc. There is no evidence of ultrasonic operation such as the
`presence of piezoelectric materials or ultrasonic supporting electronic circuitry which is in
`contrast with some device literature that refers to an ultra-miniature pump and aerosol generated
`by a 2.2 MHz ultrasound wave.
`
`Operational and Control Description:
`
`The flow sensing mechanism is a flexible diaphragm with an attached magnet that, upon
`application of sufficient air flow, deflects and allows closure of a reed switch (fig. 6) The reed
`
`Source: https://www.industrydocuments.ucsf.edu/docs/fnpb0219
`
`PM3014801353
`
`3014801353
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 001
`
`

`

`switch closure energizes a power FET driver that applies energy to the heater element. The
`heater is a wire wound clement located in the upper portion of the aerosol chamber (fig. 5) just
`below a screen or mesh-like material that is in physical contact with the flavor cartridge. The
`heater location is in a cupped area of the chamber, surrounded by a larger mass of the mesh-like
`material. The apparent function of the mesh material is to provide a wi eking path for the flavor
`solution from the flavor cartridge and, upon puffing, entrain the volatile flavor compounds in the
`air stream as it passes over the heater. This is evidenced by the liquid saturated mesh material
`observed after disassembly of the device.
`
`Analysis of the electrical circuit indicated that the energy control is quite basic with little or no
`energy limiting control other than the resistive values of the components themselves. The device
`will activate as long as there is sufficient air flow to trigger the diaphragm mechanism. The
`pushbutton switch located at the tip end of the device is electrically in parallel with the flow-
`sensing mechanism and applies power in exactly the same manner as the flow sensor. The
`multicolored LED component at the tip end (fig. 7) is electrically in parallel with the heater
`element and provides visual indication of device activation and limited indication of battery
`charge level. The LED is actually a self contained, three LED component with on-board
`oscillator circuitry. At maximum battery voltage, all three LEDs (blue, green, and red) are
`illuminated and flash at a 4 - 10 hz frequency. Due to differences in voltage requirements for
`each of the separate color LEDs, as the voltage level decreases, the blue LED drops out first,
`leaving just the green and red LEDs illuminated. As the voltage level further decreases, the
`green LED drops out, leaving just the red LED illuminated and signaling the user that a battery
`recharge is due soon.
`
`A portion of the control circuitry docs not appear to have any well defined function. It is
`suspected that it is intended to be a protective circuit based on its design configuration, however,
`it had no effect on the device's operation under any test conditions. One component of this
`circuit, located at the base of the mesh material chamber, exhibits crystal- or thermistor-like
`properties - showing small changes in resistive value upon changes in temperature, air flow, or
`physical pressure. The associated circuitry does not react when these changes occur. Based on
`the circuit design, it appears that if it did function, it would provide a shunt or bypass for current
`flow in parallel with the heater element - perhaps providing some level of protection for an
`excessive temperature condition. Again, this circuit could not be made to operate under any of
`our test conditions.
`
`A battery run-down test was performed to determine the number of puffs or activations that
`could be supported on single charge. The test setup consisted of a controlled vacuum pump to
`provide sufficient draw to activate the flow sensor for a one second period (as indicated by the
`device's LEDs) with a 60 second puff interval. Under these conditions, 1460 puffs were
`observed before the battery level was too low to activate the device.
`
`Puff activation was also tested to determine air flow requirements necessary to trigger the
`device. While the measured flow requirements varied from device to device (not unexpected
`based on the flow sensing mechanism), the nominal flow rate required was just under
`3000cc/min3 representing -14 inches FLO. For comparison, the EHCSS Series K product
`requires -0,04 inches H20 to activate under same test conditions. The device's RTD measured
`88mm H20.
`
`2
`
`Source: https://www.industrydocuments.ucsf.edu/docs/fnpb0219
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 002
`
`

`

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`f ig 2. Component Lavout
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`GENERAL NOTES
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`fig. 3. Schematic
`
`Source: https://www.industrydocuments.ucsf.edu/docs/fnpb0219
`
`PM3014801355
`
`3014801355
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 003
`
`

`

`t-'^rftf S
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`Circuit Board 1 Top View
`
`Circuit Board 1 Bottom View
`
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`Circuit Board 2 Top View
`
`Circuit Board 2 Bottom View
`
`fig. 4. Circuit Boards
`
`Heater Unit Side View
`
`Heater Unit Angle View
`
`Heater Unit Cut Away View
`Heater Unit Top View
`lig. 5. Healer/ Aerosol Chamber
`
`Source: https://www.industrydocuments.ucsf.edu/docs/fnpb0219
`
`PM3014801356
`
`3014801356
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 004
`
`

`

`Magnetic Reed Switch I Diaphragm Top View
`
`Magnetic Reed Switch / Diaphragm Bottom View
`
`Ail Inlet Holes
`
`Air Inlet Holes - Cover Removed
`fig. 6. Flow / Activation Sensor
`
`LED and Lens
`
`LED and Cleaning PB
`
`LED Component
`fig. 7. LED Indicator
`
`Source: https://www.industrydocuments.ucsf.edu/docs/fnpb0219
`
`PM3014801357
`3014801357
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 005
`
`

`

`Flavor Ca rtrirlf;*? Packaging
`
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`Mouthpiece \w Flavor Cnnridgc
`
`Mouthpiece Inserted into Device
`fig. 8. Flavor Cartridge
`
`Used Flavor Cartridge
`
`'iWi ••': 5J<*V! '"'i"^A
`
`Source: https://www.industrydocuments.ucsf.edu/docs/fnpb0219
`
`PM3014801358
`3014801358
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 006
`
`