An Improved Alarm Thermometer or Apparatus for Indicating at a Distance Increase of Temperature.
Year: 1888

page_text: An Improved Alarm Thermometer or Apparatus for Indicating at
a Distance Increase of Temperature.
We, LADISLAS NIEVSKY of No. 4 Gransden Road, Rylett Road, Shepherds Bush, W.
Photographic Artist, WILLIAM JOSEPH BUTLER HUMPHREYS of 5 Elms Road North
Dulwich, in the County of Surrey, Photographic Artist, and HENRY FRANK DÁLE
of 15 Strand W.C. Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Our invention, which is devised for use by brewers; in greenhouses; forcing
houses and the like, and also as a very efficient fire alarm, has for its object the indicating
or announcing at a distance from the locality of the apparatus, by means of elec-
tricity, of an increase of temperature above a desired point, and in order to allow of
our invention being the better understood we have appended the accompanying sheet
of drawings in which Figure 1 represents a view of one type of the device, and
Figure 2 shows the electrical connection to the same. Figure 3 illustrates the arms
or trunnions in two positions; Figure 4 is an elevational view of another arrange-
ment, and Figure 5 the electrical connection for the same, Figure 6 represents an
arrangement with regulating device and Figure 7 shows the rider or runner in two
positions.
In carrying out our invention we provide a thermometer A of suitable size and
shape upon which is clamped or otherwise attached a small slider B provided on each
side thereof with an angular or a conical razor edged arm or trunnion b, which,
resting upon suitable bearings c in the bracket C allows of the free oscillation of said
thermometer A; or said arms 6 may, if desired be formed upon the stem during the
manufacture of the thermometer.
To the smaller end D) of the thermometer A is cemented or otherwise attached a
metal cap or thimble d having an extension piece d¹ of conical, wedge or other shape
formed thereon which, upon the depression of the end D of the thermometer A drops
between and presses against the two fine metallic contact springs e, f, Figure 2.
These two fine metallic springs are electrically connected in the usual manner with an
electric bell and battery, or, if it is desired. that a signal should be transmitted to

page_text: ·
two or more points simultaneously we may place the two springs e, and f, in connec-
tion with a relay so that when the relay circuit is closed, a secondary circuit
comprising a battery and the required number of bells would be set in action, or
further, we may in some cases interpose a switch in the circuit ;-where no relay is
used in order to divert the current from one point to another, as may be necessary.
In order to ensure a more perfect contact between the two springs e and f, we may
adapt to the metallic cap or thimble d two fine springs g and h Figure 5 preferably
tipped with platinum or similar non-corrodible metal which spreading outwards, press
between and expand in the downward movement thereof the springs e and f, which
latter are also preferably tipped with platinum.
In addition to the above method of ensuring a good electrical contact, and with a
view to increasing the delicate action of the apparatus, we provide a rider or runner K
shown more particularly in Figure 7. Said rider or runner K which carries a small
weight is formed of a metal casing or loop, having pivotted in the upper part
thereof a small pulley or sheave k which allows of the rider running freely upon the
inclined stem of the thermometer A when the temperature has risen to such an extent
as to cause the end D to drop or become depressed.
Figures 4 and 6 show modifications of the method which we adopt of suspending
the thermometer; thus; as in Figure 4, we provide a framework of any suitable
material to serve as a cradle, one end J of which is hemispherical and in which rests
the bulb of the thermometer A. The other-end of said framework terminates in an
enlargement; upon each side of which are formed the trunnions b above mentioned.
It will be seen that in such a modification as last above described, the thermometer
having had the cap or thimble Dattached thereto, it is only necessary to place the
thermometer A in its receptacle J, when the apparatus is ready for use.
This is an
especial advantage in the event of the accidental breakage of the thermometer.
A further modification of the device according to our invention is shown at
Figure 6, in which the slide B is mounted upon a finely threaded screw M actuated
by the milled head or knob m allowing of a considerable range of adjustment, thus
greatly increasing the sensibility of the apparatus, and rendering it of the highest
efficiency.
The action of the appliance as above described is as follows, that is to say :-Having
been placed in the desired locality, the rider K is placed in position in close proximity
to the fulcrum, the slide B having been adjusted to act at a temperature of say
150 degrees Fahrenheit.
As soon as the column of mercury within the thermometer A has extended to the
above mentioned point; which will be beyond the fulcrum in the direction of the
end D, the increased weight will cause said end D to drop between the springs e,
and f, upon which the rider K will run down the inclined stem of the thermometer A
maintaining it in the inclined position, and thus ensure a very perfect electrical con-
nection between the springs'e, and f, by means of the conical or wedge shaped
extension piece d', or the springs g and h aforesaid.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the apparatus herein described is specially.
applicable for use in breweries, where it is of the greatest importance that the
temperature of the "wort" should not be allowed to exceed a given height, as by
its adoption the necessity for constant watching is entirely obviated, inasmuch as the
moment the temperature has attained the height to which the device has been set,
warning is given by the sound of a gong in one or more parts of the establishment.
By placing an apparatus in various parts of a dwelling house, warehouse, theatre
or other building the device becomes a most valuable efficient and reliable fire alarm,
as it not only calls attention by the sounding of a gong to the existence of a
heightened temperature, but the locality of such increase of temperature would be
shown by the indicators or annunciators (interposed in the electrical circuit) placed
in the watchmans room or other convenient and suitable position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what way the same is to. be performed, we wish it to be
.

page_text: understood that we do not claim as novel the mere suspending of a thermometer, as
we are aware that such a device has been patented prior to our application herewith,
but what we claim is :-
First In the improved alarm Thermometer the application thereto of a slide
having arms or trunnions formed thereon, said slide being devised to allow of the
indication of varying degrees of temperature substantially as set forth and shown in
the drawings.
Second In the device herein described and referred to in the preceding claim,
the application thereto of a cradle or carrier for the reception of the thermometer
substantially as herein set forth.
Third-The combination with a cradle or carrier for the reception of the ther-
mometer of an adjusting or regulating screw substantially as and for the purpose
herein set forth.
Fourth-The adaptation and application to the improved aların thermometer of a
rider for maintaining the closed electrical circuit, substantially as herein described
and shown.
Dated this 28th day of February 1888.
ERNEST CURTIN,
172, Fleet Street, W.Ć.,
Agent for Applicants.
ERNEST CURTIN,
172, Fleet Street, W.Č.,
Agent for Applicants.