IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING ANY 1 REGULATED MAXIMUM OR MINIMUM DEGREE OF TEMPERATURE
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Werge, of 379, Oxford Street, in the County
1.
of Middlesex, Dealer in Photographic and Scientific Instruments, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING ANY
1 REGULATED MAXIMUM OR MINIMUM DEGREE OF TEMPERATURE."-A com-
munication from abroad by Alexander Ross, of Montreal, Canada,
Mathematical and Scientific Instrument Maker.
ealed the 2nd September 1863, and dated the 11th March 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Werge at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th
March 1863.
I, JOHN WERGE, of 379, Oxford Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Dealer in Photographic and Scientific Instruments, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INDICA-
TING ANY REGULATED MAXIMUM OR MINIMUM DEGREE OF TEMPERATURE," a
communication from abroad by Alexander Ross, of Montreal, Canada, Mathe-
matical and Scientific Instrument Maker, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a peculiar construction and arrangement of appa-
ratus in connection with an alarm for indicating any regulated or given
maximum or minimum degree of temperature, and consists in the employment
of a compound metallic strip fixed at one end to a connecting piece in commu-
nication with one of the poles of a galvanic battery, whilst its opposite end is
free to move to or fro by the action of heat or cold upon the two metal: com-

page_text: posing the compound strip, as is well understood. In combination with this
strip there is an adjustable indicator or pointer turning upon a fixed centre,
and capable of being adjusted to any degree of heat or cold upon a properly
divided thermometrical scale. This indicator is in communication with au
electric alarm, and through it with the opposite pole of the battery. So long
as the end of the compound metallic strip remains out of contact with the
indicator no alarm will be given, but so soon as an undue elevation of the
temperature takes place the strip will be deflected, and will come in contact
with the indicator, whereupon the electric circuit being established the alarm
bell will commence to ring, and will continue so to ring until the original
temperature is restored again.
By the combination of the index arm, scale, and metallic strip with a battery,
alarm apparatus, and key board notice can be given of any variation of
temperature beyond the regulated limits taking place at any number of points,
more or less distant, and an indication given of the particular point where such
variation has taken place.
In indicating an excess of cold the strip will require to be placed on the
opposite side of the indicator to that on which it is placed when intended for
indicating an excess of heat.
By employing a double index the instrument may be employed for giving
an alarm in case of either an increase or diminution of temperature above or
below certain limits, capable of regulation at pleasure.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Werge in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th September 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
'WERGE, of 379, Oxford Street, in the County of Middlesex, Dealer in Pho-
tographic and Scientific Instruments, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-sixth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said John Werge, Her special licence that I, the said John
Werge, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said John Werge, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all

page_text: times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING ANY REGULATED MAXIMUM OR
MINIMUM DEGREE OF TEMPERATURE," a communication to me from abroad by
Alexander Ross, of Montreal, Canada, Mathematical and Scientific Instrument
Maker, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Werge, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Werge, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement thereof, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to a peculiar construction and arrangement of appa-
ratus in connection with an alarm for indicating any regulated or given
maximum or minimum degree of temperature, and consists in the employment
of a compound metallic strip fixed at one end to a connecting piece in com-
munication with one of the poles of a galvanic battery, whilst its opposite end
is free to move to or fro by the action of heat or cold upon the two metals
composing the compound strip, as is well understood. In combination with this
strip there is an adjustable indicator or pointer turning upon a fixed centre,
and capable of being adjusted to any degree of heat or cold upon a properly
divided thermometrical scale. This indicator is in communication with an
electric alarm, and through it with the opposite pole of the battery. So long as
the end of the compound metallic strip remains out of contact with the indi-
cator no alarm will be given, but so soon as an undue elevation of the tem-
perature takes place the strip will be deflected and will come in contact with
the indicator, whereupon the electric circuit being established the alarm bell
will commence to ring, and will continue so to ring until the original tempe-
rature is restored again.
By the combination of the index arm, scale, and metallic strip with a battery,
alarm apparatus, and key board notice can be given of any variation of tem-
perature beyond the regulated limits taking place at any number of points,
more or less distant, and an indication given of the particular point where
such variation has taken place.

page_text: arranged for carrying the Invention into practice.
A is a compound metallic strip made by uniting two pieces of different kinds
of metal (by preference steel and brass) firmly together lengthwise, by solder
or otherwise, the two metals so combined possessing different degrees of expan-
sibility when acted upon by heat. The compound metallic strip A may either
be straight, coiled, or of other suitable form, so long as the difference of expan-
sion of the two metals of which it is composed will produce the requsite
amount of expansion or contraction. One end of the strip A is firmly attached
to the metal stud or projection B, which is connected with or forms part of
the metal socket or screw connection C, suitable for receiving a wire c', so as
to connect one end of the compound metallic strip A with one of the poles of
a galvanic battery, whilst the opposite end of the strip A is free to move and
be bent or deflected, more or less, in proportion to the degree of heat to which
it is subjected. D is an arm or pointer supported and moving upon the fixed
pin or centre E, which is a direct metallic connection with the metal socket or
screw connection F, which by means of the wire f' is placed in metallic con-
nection with an electric alarm, and through it with the opposite pole of the
galvanic battery. The outer end of the arm or pointer D is arranged to move
over the face of the graduated thermometric scale, which corresponds with the
various degrees of heat represented by the standard scales in general use for
indicating different degrees of temperature.
The several parts previously described are mounted upon the support H,
made of wood or other suitable non-conducting material. The arm or pointer
D is so arranged that the free end of the compound strip A, on being expanded
or deflected by any increase or diminution of temperature, to an extent corre-
sponding with the degree on the thermometric scale to which the indicator
or pointer may have been set, will form metallic contact therewith, and thus,

page_text: by means of the galvanic battery and connecting wires, will complete the
circuit, and cause the current of electricity to pass through the apparatus.
It will be evident from the previous description that the apparatus may be
arranged to act so as to indicate or announce to those at a distance any undue
change of temperature occuring at the place where the apparatus is situated,
either by ringing an alarm bell, communicating an electric shock to the body,
producing the electric light, or giving any other suitable signal or alarm by
means of the electric current thus established.
The apparatus may be advantageously applied to various useful purposes, for
instance, in economizing and regulating heat, and for the protection of life and
property from fire.
As an example of its application, the Diagram, Figure 3 of the Drawing,
shows one arrangement for its adaptation to the purpose of a fire alarm, although
the means employed for this purpose may be greatly varied. The several
compartments H, J, K, L, of this Figure represent a corresponding series of
apartments 1, 2, 3, 4, &c. contained in a building, and one of the instruments
or apparatus previously described, and shown at Figure 1, is placed in each
room, and the indicator or pointer D is set to any given degree on the thermo-
metric scale above the proper temperature required in each room respectively.
Each instrument or apparatus is connected with a small galvanic battery M,
and with an electric bell apparatus N, or other contrivance suitable for
attracting the attention of those in charge of the building, who for this purpose
may be supposed to occupy the apartment No. 4, which may be situated in
any part of the building.
When the temperature of any one or more of the rooms containing the
apparatus rises to the degree at which the indicator or pointer thereof is set,
the galvanic circuit will be completed, and the alarm will be set in action.
The particular apartment wherein the danger has arisen may be at once ascer-
tained by the contrivance represented at O, where the wires connecting each
room with the sounding or signal apparatus passes through or in contact with
separate keys corresponding to the number of each room, the set of keys being
so arranged that by passing the fingers lightly over them they will yield to the
pressure, and so break the current of electricity and consequently stop the
sounding of the alarm, when the number on the key which thus breaks the
current will indicate the corresponding number of the room or apartment
where the danger is situated.
The apparatus may be employed in connection with an electric alarm for
giving notice of any undue temperature for the purpose of preventing injury or
destruction to substances liable to spontaneous combustion or the deleterious

page_text: effects caused by overheating of substances when stored in warehouses or on
board ship, such as grain, coals, hay, hemp, cotton, jute, &c.
The apparatus is also applicable for regulating the temperature of con-
servatories, greenhouses, ovens, drying-rooms, furnaces, boilers, stills, and for
other purposes where the processes have to be conducted at certain regulated
degrees of temperature.
It will be evident that the apparatus may be readily arranged for indi-
cating a diminution of temperature, and by employing a double index or
pointer it will also be evident that it can be readily arranged for giving an
alarm either in case of an increase or diminution of temperature above or
below certain limits, which can be regulated or determined as circumstances
may require.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Werge, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord, One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
Witness,
J. G. TONGUE,
Patent Agent,
34, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane. W.C.
JOHN WERGE. (L.S.)