IMPROVEMENTS IN INCUBATORS OR APPARATUS FOR HATCHING EGGS BY ARTIFICIAL MEANS, WHERE IT IS DESIRED TO MAINTAIN A UNIFORM TEMPERATURE
Year: 1884

page_text: WALTER MUIR of Thornliebank, Merchant & Plumber, in the County of Renfrew
North-Britain, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN INCUBATORS OR APPARATUS FOR HATCHING EGGS BY ARTIFICIAL MEANS, WHERE
IT IS DESIRED TO MAINTAIN A UNIFORM TEMPERATURE, to be as follows:-
This invention which relates to improvements in the construction of incubators
or apparatus for hatching eggs by artificial means, has special reference to an
improved arrangement in the automatic heat regulator in connection with the
incubator and the ventilating appliances fitted in connection therewith, whereby a
regular or uniform temperature may be maintained within the drawer or drawers
(as the case may be) of the incubator. The improvements in the regulating and
ventilating devices are also applicable to other forms of incubators, and to analogous
purposes, such as halls, stoves and greenhouses, and in general where it is desirable
that a uniform or approximately uniform temperature should be maintained.
As ordinarily constructed, incubators consist of a wooden box or frame inside of
which placed a metal tank or cistern containing warm water. Between the
wooden frame and the tank there is a space so that packing such as wool, hair,
saw-dust or other non-conducting material is placed, as a means of protecting and
causing the water to retain the heat. Under the tank or cistern is fitted in the
usual way a drawer or drawers for the eggs, and which eggs are kept warm by
the heat that is radiated from the hot water tank or vessel above. The necessary
heat is maintained by periodically withdrawing a portion of the water from the
cistern or tank as it cools and again refilling it with hot water.
In my ordinary form of incubators the heat from a lamp or gas burner placed
under a circulating boiler which is attached to the end of the incubator, is used as
a means of heating the water in the cistern or tank. Connected to the circulating
boiler are tubes or pipes which pass into the main tank, these are connected to the
top and bottom of the cistern or tank, and also to the boiler; the water is thus
caused to circulate as it is heated. Under the tank or cistern a drawer or drawers
is fitted for containing the eggs, these drawers are fitted with an improved arrange-
ment for raising and lowering the egg tray and moisture pan, so that large eggs,
[Price 6d1

page_text: may be put into the one drawer and small ones into the other, and the temperature
in both drawers adjusted by raising or lowering the eggs towards the source of
heat which is above. On the under side of the box or frame and on which the
drawer rests, are small holes through which the air may pass freely between the
eggs.
From the bottom of the boiler or heating vessel, an outlet or flue pipe is carried
about half way up the inside of the boiler, and is then bent so that it passes in an
inclined direction through the main tank, and is again brought out at the opposite
side where it is bent upwards. The water in the tank or cistern is thus also
heated by the products of combustion passing through the flue. Over the outlet
end of the flue pipe or funnel is suspended a flat metal plate which serves as a
damper, it is suspended or hung from a beam lever or balance which is carried over
the box or frame, and is provided with a movable weight, and at the other end of
the lever or balance is hung a similar damper or valve plate which fits over a large
ventilating pipe, or air tube, that extends from the drawer or egg chamber to the
top of the box.
A slight extent of play, is left between the valves or damper, and
the respective tubes they cover, and when the temperature of the water within the
tank remains uniform, a steady flow of air is allowed to pass by the ventilating
air shaft or pipe from the egg chamber or drawer, while the products of combustion
from the lamp or gas burner also pass freely by the funnel or outlet flue. As a
means of automatically regulating the temperature in the egg chamber, the balance
is caused to tilt, when a change of temperature occurs, and partially or entirely
opens or closes the flue outlet, while closing or opening the air ventilating pipe.
For this purpose a small bottle or vessel containing mercury is suspended from the
outer end of the beam lever or balance carrying the valves or dampers, and into
this mercury is caused to dip a bent tube or syphon pipe also containing mercury,
the bent syphon is connected to a tube in communication with a series of close
metal tubes, that are arranged across the top of the drawer and below the tank,
and soldered or inserted into a cross pipe at each end. They are fixed above the
egg chamber or drawer below, the main tank. These tubes are filled with water,
spirit, glycerine or with other liquid or fluid, by means of a small tube that is
connected to them, and passes from the egg chamber through the packing or
non-conducting material to the top of the box or frame on the left side, while
another similar pipe or tube is also brought through the packing (or otherwise,)
that is between the tank and wooden frame to the top of the box on the right side.
The tube or pipe on the one side is used as a means of filling the metal tubes in the
egg. chamber with liquid or fluid, and the other tube allows the air to escape, while
the liquid or fluid is being put in. After the tubes are filled with liquid their ends
are hermetically sealed with solder. The heat of the water within the main tank
or cistern is communicated to the liquid or fluid, that is contained within the tubes
that are suspended in the egg chamber or chambers by radiation, and the expansion
or contraction of such liquid or fluid due to the variations of temperature of the
egg chamber, causes the mercury to be forced out or drawn into the syphon or bent
tube, which dips into the bottle or vessel of mercury, and correspondingly increases
or lessens the quantity of mercury in that vessel. The variations in weight of the
bottle or vessel thus brought about, causes the balance or beam lever to oscillate on
its centre, and open or close the air-shaft or pipe, as the temperature is too high or
too low; the smoke outlet being opened or closed to a corresponding extent.
When the outlet flue is partially closed, the products of combustion being kept
back, not only causes less heat to radiate from the flue pipe to the water contained
in the tank or cistern through which it passes, but also reduces the amount of heat
communicated to the boiler or heating vessel by the lamp or gas burner as the case
may be. The regulating arrangement is found to be defective in so far-that
provision is not made, so that a supply of liquid or fluid could be conveniently
put into the tubes, as it was found to slightly evaporate and therefore caused
disarrangement; and the mercury which was also put in the bottle or vessel and
syphon tube, could not be easily taken out: The metal tubes under the tank or

page_text: cistern were therefore in danger of being rendered useless, as would be the case,
should any of the mercury have got into them when the incubator was being
removed or packed in a box, and sent by railway or otherwise as the case might be.
Neither was there an exhaust or discharge pipe.so that the liquid or fluid that was
in the tubes could be discharged.
In my incubators constructed according to the present improvements, an extra
supply of liquid or fluid may be added periodically or as may be found necessary.
The mercury may also conveniently be put into the bottle or vessel and syphon
tube or extracted as, occasion may require.
In carrying out my improvements I cause a screw to be fixed on the top or end
of the small tubes, that are connected to the series of pipes or tubing that is
suspended or fixed under the tank or cistern and above the eggs in the egg chamber
or chambers, as the case may be. A metal cap or thimble is made to fit on to the
screw which is fixed at the top or end of the small tubes. Inside of the cap or
thimble is placed a piece of elastic or india rubber, or other soft pliable material, so
that when it is screwed on to the end of the tubes, they will be hermetically sealed
and prevent the liquid or fluid the tubes contain from escaping.. (These tubes pass
to the top of the box through the non-conducting material or otherwise as found
most suitable.) By this arrangement the mercury may be taken out of the syphon
tube and forced into the bottle or vessel.
Another improvement in the contrivance is that instead of having the tubes that
are in the egg chamber or chambers placed in rows and attached or inserted into
one fixed pipe at each end or side of the egg chamber, I arrange one continuous
metal pipe or tubing, (or glass tube as the case may be,) the same being bent and
twisted as found best and most suitable. By arranging the pipe or tube in this
manner, the air is more easily expelled, than when the tubes are placed across 'as
heretofore.
I also arrange an outlet or exhaust pipe in a convenient position, so that the
tubing in connection with the regulator may be conveniently emptied of liquid.
The end of the outlet pipe or tube is fitted with a screw similar to the others, so
that the end of the pipe or tube may be hermetically sealed with a cap or thimble
made to screw on, the inside of which contains elastic or other soft pliable material
and in the manner already described.
That part of my improvements which consist in the fixing of a screw on to the
end of the outlet and inlet and exhaust pipes or tubes in connection with heat
regulators, the screw having a cap or thimble with elastic or other soft pliable
material placed inside, so that the ends of the tubes may be hermetically sealed, and
the tubes in connection therewith containing liquid or fluid; and further, the tubes
or pipes that are suspended or fixed in the egg chamber or chambers being one
continuous coil, such arrangement being also applicable to other regulators of heat
for purposes other than that described..
«Do- J
1004 "

page_text: WALTER MUIR of Thornliebank, Merchant and Plumber, in the County of
Renfrew, North-Britain, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN INCUBATORS OR APPARATUS FOR HATCHING EGGS BY ARTIFICIAL
MEANS and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention which relates to improvements in the construction of Incubators
or Apparatus for hatching eggs by artificial means, has special reference to an
improved arrangement in the Automatic Heat Regulator in connection with the
'incubator, and the Ventilating Appliances fitted in connection therewith, whereby
a regular or uniform temperature may be maintained within the drawer or drawers
(as the case may be) of the incubator. The improvements in the regulating and
ventilating devices are also applicable to other forms of incubators, and to analogous
purposes, such as for halls, stoves, and greenhouses, and in general where it is
desirable that a uniform or approximately uniform temperature be maintained.
As ordinarily constructed, artificial incubators consist of a wooden-box or frame
inside of which is placed a metal tank or cistern containing warm water. Between
the wooden box or frame and the tank there is a space so that packing such as
wool, hair, saw-dust or other non-conducting material is placed, as a means of
. protecting and causing the water to retain the heat. Under the tank or cistern is
fitted in the usual way a drawer or drawers for the eggs, which are kept warm by
the heat that is radiated from the hot water tank or vessel above. The necessary
heat is maintained by periodically withdrawing a portion of the water from the
cistern or tank as it cools and again refilling it with hot water.
In my ordinary form of incubators the heat from a lamp or gas burner placed
under a circulating boiler which is attached to the end of the incubator, is used as
a means of heating the water in the cistern or tank. Connected to the circulating
boiler are tubes or pipes which pass into the main tank, these are arranged along
the top and bottom inside the cistern or tank and are connected to the boiler, the
water is thus caused to circulate as it is heated. Under the tank or cistern a drawer
or drawers is placed for containing the eggs, these drawers are fitted with an
improved arrangement for raising and lowering the egg-tray and moisture pan, so
that large eggs may be put into the one drawer and small ones into the other, and
the temperature in both drawers adjusted by raising or lowering the eggs towards
the source of heat which is above. And so that the heat may be equalised, the
underside of the tank or cistern is drawn in towards the centre where the ventilating
pipe or air shaft is. On the underside of the box or frame and on which the
drawer rests, are small holes through which the air may pass freely between the
eggs.
From the bottom of the boiler or heating vessel an outlet or flue pipe is carried
about half way up the inside of the boiler, and is then bent so that it passes in an
inclined direction through the main tank, and is again brought out at the opposite
side where it is bent upwards. The water in the tank or cistern is thus also heated
by the products of combustion passing through the flue. Over the outlet end of
the flue pipe or funnel is suspended a flat metal plate which serves as a damper, it
is suspended or hung from a beam lever or balance which is carried over the box or
frame, and is provided with a movable weight, and at the other end of the lever
or balance is hung a similar damper or valve plate which fits over a ventilating
pipe or air tube, that extends from the drawer or egg chamber to the top of the

page_text: box. A slight extent of play is left between the valves or damper and the respective
tubes they cover, and when the temperature of the water within the tank remains
uniform, a steady flow of air is allowed to pass by the ventilating air shaft or pipe
from the egg chamber or drawer, while the products of combustion from the lamp
or gas burner also pass freely by the funnel or outlet flue. As a means of
automatically regulating the temperature in the egg chamber, the balance is caused
to tilt when a change of temperature occurs and partially or entirely opens or closes
the flue outlet, while colosing or opening the air ventilating pipe. For this purpose
a small bottle or vessel containing mercury is suspended from the outer end of the
beam lever or balance carrying the valves or dampers, and into the mercury is
caused to dip a bent tube or syphon pipe also containing mercury. The bent
syphon is connected to a tube in communication with a series of close metal tubes
that are arranged across the top of the drawer and below the tank and soldered or
inserted into a cross pipe at each end. They are fixed above the egg chamber or
drawer below the main 'tank. These tubes are filled with water, spirit, glycerine
or with other liquid or fluid by means of a small tube that is connected to them,
and passes from the egg chamber through the packing or non-conducting material
to the top of the box or frame on the left side, while another similar pipe or tube
is also brought through the packing that is between the tank and wooden frame to
the top of the box on the right side. The tube or pipe on the other side is used as
a means of filling the metal tubes in the egg chamber with liquid or fluid, and the
other tube allows the air to escape while the liquid or fluid is being put in. After
the tubes are filled with liquid their ends are hermetically sealed with solder. The
heat of the water within the main tank or cistern is communicated to the liquid
or fluid that is contained within the tubes that are suspended in the egg chamber
or chambers, by radiation, and the expansion or contraction of such liquid or fluid
due to the variations of temperature of the egg chamber causes the mercury to be
forced out or drawn into the syphon or bent tube which dips into the bottle or
vessel of mercury, and correspondingly increases or lessens the quantity of mercury
in that vessel. The variations in weight of the bottle or vessel thus brought about
causes the balance or beam lever to oscillate on its centre, and open or close the air
shaft or pipe as the temperature is too high or too low; the smoke outlet being
opened or closed to a corresponding extent. When the outlet flue is partially closed
the products of combustion being kept back, not only causes less heat to radiate
from the flue pipe to the water contained in the tank or cistern through which it
passes, but also reduces the amount of heat communicated to the boiler or heating
vessel by the lamp or gas burner as the case may be. The regulating arrangement
is found to be defective in so far-that provision is not made, so that a supply of
liquid or fluid could be conveniently put into the tubes as it was found to slightly
evaporate and therefore caused disarrangement; and the mercury which was also
put into the bottle or vessel and syphon tube could not be easily taken out. The
metal tubes under the tank or cistern were therefore in danger of being rendered
useless, as would be the case should any of the mercury have got into them when
the incubator was being removed or packed in a box and sent by railway or
otherwise, as the case might be. Neither was there an exhaust or discharge pipe
so that the liquid or fluid that was in the tubes could be discharged.
In my incubators constructed to the present improvements, an extra supply of
liquid or fluid may be added periodically-or when found necessary. The mercury
may also conveniently be put into the bottle or vessel and syphon tube or extracted
as occasion may require.
In carrying out my improvements, I cause a screw to be fixed on the top or end
of the small tubes that are connected to the series of pipes or tubing that is
suspended or fixed under the tank or cistern and above the eggs in the egg chamber
or chambers, as the case may be. A metal cap or thimble is made to fit on to the
screw which is fixed at the top or end of the small tubes. Inside of the cap or
thimble a piece of elastic or india rubber or other soft pliable material is placed, so
that when the caps are screwed on to the end of the tubes, they will be hermetically

page_text: sealed and prevent the liquid or fluid the tubes contain from escaping (These tubes
pass to the top of the box through the non-conducting material, or by preference to
the outside of the box or frame.) By this arrangement the mercury may be taken
out of the syphon tube and forced into the bottle or vessel.
Another improvement in the contrivance is, that instead of having the tubes that
are in the egg chamber or chambers placed in rows and attached or inserted into
one fixed pipe at each end or side of the egg chamber, I arrange one continuous
metal pipe or tubing (or glass tube as the case may be,) the same being bent or
twisted as found best and most suitable. By arranging the pipe or tube in this
manner the air is more easily expelled than when the tubing is placed across as
heretofore. I also arrange an outlet or exhaust pipe in a convenient position, so
that the tubing in connection with the regulator may be conveniently emptied of
the liquid or fluid. The end of the outlet pipe or tube is fitted with a screw similar
to the others, so that the end of the pipe or tube may be hermetically sealed with
a cap or thimble made to screw on, the inside of which contains elastic or other
soft pliable material, and in the manner already described.
That part of my improvements which consists in the fixing of a screw on to the
end of the outlet and inlet and exhaust or discharge pipe or tubes in connection
with heat regulators, the screw having a cap or thimble with elastic or other soft
pliable material placed inside so that the ends of the tubes may be hermetically
sealed, and the tubing in connection therewith containing liquid or fluid; and
further, the tubes or pipes that are suspended or fixed in the egg chamber or
chambers being one continuous coil, such arrangement being also applicable to
other regulators of heat for purposes other than that described.
This invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings in which Fig. 1
represents an external view in perspective of an improved Incubator or Apparatus
for hatching eggs by artificial means. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation thereof.
Fig. 3, 4 and 5 are details of the said apparatus hereinafter referred to.
Similar letters indicate corresponding parts. a, is the lamp which fits into a
tin frame under the boiler. b is the heating vessel or boiler. c, c, c represents
the water in the tank, d, d is the flue pipe. e is a tube for filling the tank with
water. fis the valve plate. q is the air-shaft or ventilator. g is the damper over
the outlet of flue pipe. h is the lever or balance which carries the valve plate and
damper. is a metal standard on which the lever works on two knife edges as in
a common beam lever or balance. k is the thermometer for ascertaining the
temperature of the water in the tank. is the stopcock for discharging the water
in the tank. m is the moisture-pan for holding water (ventilating tubes pass
through it,) Coarse canvas or packsheet is spread over these ventilating pipes, the
ends of the cloth dipping all round into the water causing it to be damp, and as
the air passes through, its get impregnated with moisture. n, n is the bottom of
the frame or box on which the drawer rests. p is the bottom of the egg drawer
proper. The arrows indicate the course of the air as it passes through the egg
chamber and escapes at the ventilator or air-shaft. r. r is large tubes for circulating
the water in the tank. The bottom of the tank is flat at the centre and not drawn
in or coned as formerly. 8 is the egg-tray. t.is one continuous coil of metal
tubing forming part of the heat regulator, it is filled with liquid such as water,
spirit, glycerine, or other liquid or fluid. t. t are pieces of wire fixed or soldered
to strengthen and bind the tubing together. u. u is the ends of the tubing which-
are hermetically sealed with a screw being fixed or soldered on to the ends and a
cap made of brass or other metal screwed on, the inside of which containing elastic
or other soft pliable material, so that when the caps are screwed on to the ends of
the tubing, the liquid they contain will be hermetically sealed. v., v. v. v. v is.
packing such as hair, wool, or saw-dust which is placed between the wooden box
or frame and the tank of the incubator, as a means of protecting and causing the
tank to retain the heat. y is the bottle of mercury into which the syphon tube
dips. Fig. 3. y is the glass syphon tube. y denotes the height of the mercury in
the tube. y³ is where the syphon tube is connected to the metal tubing by..means

page_text: of a piece of elastic tube firmly joining the two tubes together. u¹ is the inlet
proper. allows the air to escape while the tubing is being filled. u³ is the
outlet or discharge end of the pipe. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the end of the
tubing in connection with the regulator the end of which is hermetically sealed -
with a cap screwed on as already described. u² is a metal cap or thimble u² is
the tube. u³ is a screw fixed on to the end. of the tube. u shows the elastic
which is inside the cap or thimble. When the cap or thimble u is, screwed on, the.
elastic which is inside the cap comes in contact with the orifice of the tube or pipe
and thereby hermetically seals it up. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the egg-drawer.
M is the drawer front. M¹ is the back of the drawer. m is the moisture-pan.
p is the sliding bottom. o is a hinged lid made to, cover the thermometer at the
front of the drawer. o is the tube of the thermometer as it projects into the
drawer at the top side of the eggs. N is the thumb screw, turning it to the right
hand raises the moisture pan, and turning it to the left hand lowers it. When the
screw is turned to the right hand the sliding bottom is drawn towards the front,
bringing also the moisture-pan, the castors m¹ on the front of which press against
the drawer front, and is raised by the connecting links P', P. When the screw
is turned to the left hand the bottom slides in and the weight of the egg-tray and
moisture pan brings them down. At whatever position they are left they remain
firm and solid.
The method of using the apparatus bereinbefore described is as follows:-The.
tank and boiler are charged with water at e at any temperature less than at what
the apparatus is required to be kept. The lamp a is then put into action and
placed under the boiler b. The heat from the flame first strikes against the bottom
of the boiler, and the products of combustion then pass freely up the flue pipe d. d.
The moisture-pans are half filled with sand and warm water and the drawer is
then closed. The coil of small tubing under the tank and above the eggs is then
filled with water or other liquid. The caps u, u, are then screwed on to the ends
of the tubes so that the liquid the tubes contain is hermetically sealed. The beam
lever or balance h is put on to the standard i. The valve plate f is then linked on
to the end of it. The chain which carries the damper and the bottle of mercury
is attached to the other end of the lever. The bottle is then filled with mercury
and part of it is syphoned into the glass syphon tube. This is done by taking
off the cap u' and with the mouth sucking the mercury out of the bottle over the
bend of the glass tube, when it will of its own accord syphon into the glass tube,
leaving the bottle half empty. When the correct hatching heat is attained in the
drawer the beam lever is balanced so that the valve plate over the air-shaft is just
trembling. Should any increase of heat take place in the egg-chamber, the liquid
contained in the tubing that is suspended under the main tank will expand and
force a greater or lesser quantity of mercury into the bottle, and thereby cause the
bottle to be heavier and tilt the balance, and to a greater or lesser extent open the
air outlet, while closing the damper, preventing the products of combustion from
passing through the smoke outlet.
When the air-shaft or ventilator is open a greater quantity of air passes through
the egg-drawer, this has the effect of cooling the egg chamber, and the liquid or
fluid in the tubing being contracted with the cold causes more mercury to be drawn
out of the bottle, thereby causing the air valve to close more or less, and to a
corresponding extent opens the smoke outlet of the flue pipe.
By the arrangement hereinbefore described, the drawer or egg-chamber is
practically kept at an even temperature.
The method of using this form of heat regulator to regulate the temperature in
halls, stoves and greenhouses etc, is practically the same as that described for
incubators. In some instances however when the ventilator that is to be worked
is on the ceiling or loft, a second lever is used. When such is the case a chain is
brought down from the beam lever of the ventilator above to a convenient position,
where a second lever is and to one end of it the chain is attached. The other end
of the lever is arranged on a fulcrum. On the lever a movable weight is placed

page_text: for balancing the lever at the temperature at which the ventilator above is required
to open.
"Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is;"
1 The arrangement which consists in the fixing or puting a screw on to the end
of the inlet and outlet and discharge pipes or tubing in connection with heat
regulators, the screw having a cap or thimble made to screw on to it. The cap or
thimble having elastic or other soft pliable material placed inside, so that when it
is screwed on to the ends of the tubing the liquid or fluid they contain will be
hermetically sealed, and further, the tubing being one continuous coil as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.
2 The use of one continuous coil of tubing whether or not composed of short
lengths of tube soldered or fixed together, the same containing liquid or fluid
which is hermetically sealed as hereinbefore described.
3 The use of one continuous coil of metal tubing (or glass tubing) containing
liquid or fluid, and the ends of the tubing being hermetically sealed, and the use
of it as a motor for mechanism in connection with heat regulators, Dampers and
analogous purposes.
4 The use of a heat regulator as hereinbefore set forth, described, and illustrated
for incubators.