Improvements in Incubators and Apparatus for the Artificial Hatching of Eggs by Heat, and in part applicable for Rearing Chickens and other Young Birds.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 27th July, 1892--Accepted, 10th Sept., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Incubators and Apparatus for the Artificial
Hatching of Eggs by Heat, and in part applicable for Rearing
Chickens and other Young Birds.
We, ARTHUR MAITLAND KEAYS of Wandle Cottage, Sutton in the County of
Surrey, Electrical Engineer, and JAMES ERNEST SPAGNOLETTI of Goldhawk
Works, Shepherdsbush in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention consists of improvements hereafter described, by which a regular
and equable temperature is constantly maintained within apparatus for hatching
eggs by artificial heat. Our invention also has reference to the reduction in the
consumption of oil or gas used in heating the same. We further provide a
regulator which is not effected or retarded in its action by the variation in the
barometer.
An incubator as ordinarily constructed consists of a box or chest in the upper.
part of which is a tank or vessel for containing hot water and in the lower part a
drawer for containing eggs to be hatched, the said eggs being hatched by the hent
radiated from the under side of the hot water tank.
As is the usual practice we heat the water in the tank by means of an oil lamp
(gas flame may be used desirable) which is contained within an iron box or case.
A flue is arranged to carry the heat from the upper portion of the chimney of the
oil lamp through the first pipe which we will call No. 1. This pipe runs through
the water tank and is connected by means of a double elbow at the other side of
the incubator to another pipe running parallel in the same direction to pipe No. 1.
This we will call pipe No. 2, and an elbow is provided at the lamp end of pipe
No. 2, to which pipe No. 3 running through the water tank, is connected.
Any number of pipes may be provided according as is desirable.
The last pipe terminates in an upward exit pipe fitted at the top with a cowl.
Projecting upwards and connected to pipe No. 1 at the opposite end of the
incubator to that in which the lamp is fixed, is a regulator flue, provided at the top
with a damper the said damper being connected to a lever the fulcrum being an
upright from the top of the incubator. On the right hand of this upright
which forms the fulcrum upon which the damper is operated, is an armature
operating in connection with a magnet. The elbows at the ends of the pipes
are removable and by this means we may clean the flues when desirable. The
elbows at the ends of the incubator are provided with packing or other
substance for retaining the heat such substance and elbow being contained in a
box fitted to the side of the incubator. In order that the heat may be retained
in the incubator the inside and the outside are covered with lagging or other
suitable substance to prevent the radiation of heat. The tank is covered except
a portion at the bottom. Underneath the water tank is provided the egg drawer
in the usual manner, but with our apparatus it is provided so that it may be
raised or lowered, means of adjustment being provided for this purpose.
In order to control the heat in the egg drawer or chamber we provide a com-
bination of electrical apparatus consisting of a novel form of mercury expansion
thermostat the scale of which is so constructed that the mercury has to traverse a
space of not less than one quarter of an inch per degree Fahrenheit. By this
means we arrange that the break in the electric contact is rapid and the usual
slow motion is overcome.
".
The working of this portion of our invention consists that the heat from the.
lamp or other heat (gas for example) acts in such a manner that as long as the

page_text: mercury contact with the thermostat is broken the heat from the said lamp passes
along the whole length of the first flue or flue No. 1, and the damper being down
the outlet to the open air is closed and the heat therefore passes on to all the
flues and thence to the open air through the exit pipe. When the electric battery
is in action the electro magnet is excited, the armature is drawn down and the
damper raised from its flue.
The battery is put into action through the thermostat which we provide imme-
diately underneath the water tank and operated by the heat from that tank.
When the mercury of the thermostat has expanded contact is made with the
platinum and the battery is put into operation; the damper is thus raised thereby
regulating the heat, allowing it to pass within the regulator flue and so cool the
water without further heat by going through the remaining flues. By our arrange-
ment of the heat always passing through the first flue a small proportion of heat
is also retained, therefore a sudden chill is obviated which is common in the
ordinary incubators.
An air
A water tray is provided immediately on the floor of the incubator.
space is provided between that and the egg drawer. The egg drawer is provided
with an adjustable bottom; the bottom is removable, and the back of the drawer
when pulled forms a dummy front. The water tray is also removable.
We further arrange that if desirable a portion of the lagging or substance for
retaining the heat in the interior of the incubator over the water tank be removed
so that the heat may get to the upper side of the incubator and a further chamber
or heating case is arranged for the reception of the chickens or other young birds
immediately when the eggs in the egg drawer are hatched.
It is obvious that we do not bind ourselves to any number of flues through the
water tank. The water tray is arranged with slots across it.
We are aware that lagging or means for retaining the heat has been internally
used before, but we propose to use it of the paste form and we also propose to use
it on portions of the outside. We are also aware that electric means have been
used before for endeavouring to maintain the temperature at an even heat. Such
means, however, have always allowed a variation of from 5 to 7 or 8 degrees.
Our invention as hereinbefore described proposes to reduce it to such fineness of
temperature as a variation of only one degree. The drying box is provided with a
false bottom which is removable. It is lagged or provided with means for
preventing the radiation of heat, and should only be removed when hatching is
going on.
Dated this 10th day of November 1891.
JOHN. P. O'DONNELL,
2, Great George Street, Westminster, London, S:W.,
Agent for the said Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Incubators and Apparatus for the Artificial
Hatching of Eggs by Heat, and in part applicable for Rearing
Chickens and other Young Birds.
We, ARTHUR MAITLAND KEAYS of Wandle Cottage, Sutton, in the County 45
of Surrey, Electrical Engineer, and JAMES ERNEST SPAGNOLETTI of Goldhawk
Works, Shepherdsbush in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, 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-consists of improvements hereafter described, by which a regularr 50
and equable temperature is constantly maintained within apparatus for hatching
eggs by artificial heat. Our invention also has reference to the reduction. in the
consumption of oil or gas used in heating the same. We furtherr provide a.

page_text: regulator which is not effected or retarded in its action by the variation in the
barometer.
An incubator ordinarily constructed consists of a box or chest in the upper part
of which is a tank or vessel for containing hot water and in the lower part a
drawer for containing eggs to be hatched, the said eggs being hatched by the
heat radiated from the under side of the hot water tank.
As is the usual practice we heat the water in the tank by means of an oil
lamp (gas flame may be used if desirable) which is contained within an iron box or
case. A fluc is arranged to carry the heat from the upper portion of the
chimney of the oil lamp through the first pipe which we will call k. This pipe runs
through the water tank and is connected by means of a double elbow at the other
side of the incubator to another pipe running parallel in the same direction to
pipe k. This we will call pipe 2, and an elbow is provided at the lamp end of
pipe, to which pipe running through the water tank, is connected.
k*
Any number of pipes may be provided according as is desirable.
The last pipe terminates in an upward exit pipe fitted at the top with a cowl.
Projecting upwards and connected to pipe k at the opposite end of the incubator
to that in which the lamp is fixed, is a regulator flue, provided at the top with a
damper, the said damper being connected to a lever the fulcrum being an upright
from the top of the incubator. On the right hand of this upright which forms the
fulcrum upon which the damper is operated, is an armature operating in
connection with a magnet. The elbows at the ends of the pipes are removable
and by this means we may clean the flues when desirable. The elbows at the
ends of the incubator are provided with packing or other substance for retaining
the heat such substance and elbow being contained in a box fitted to the side of
the incubator. In order that the heat may be retained in the incubator the inside
and the outside are covered with lagging or other suitable substance to prevent the
radiation of heat.
The tank is covered except a portion at the bottom. Underneath the water
tank is provided the egg drawer in the usual manner, but with our apparatus it is
provided so that it may be raised or lowered, means of adjustment being provided
for this purpose.
In order to control the heat in the egg drawer or chamber we provide a com-
bination of electrical apparatus consisting of a novel form of mercury expansion
thermostat the scale of which is so constructed that the mercury has to traverse a
space of not less than one quarter of an inch per degree Fahrenheit. By this
means we arrange that the break in the electric contact is rapid and the usual
slow motion is overcome.
The working of this portion of our invention consists that the heat from the lamp
or other heat (gas for example) acts in such a manner that as long as the mercury
contact with the thermostat is broken the heat from the said lamp passes along the
whole length of the first flue or flue k, and the damper being down the. outlet to
the open air is closed and the heat therefore passes on to all the flues and thence to
the open air through the exit pipe. When the electric battery is in action the
electro magnet is excited, the armature is drawn down and the damper raised from
its flue..
The battery is put into action through the thermostat which we provide imme-
diately underneath the water tank and operated by the heat from that tank. When
the mercury of the thermostat has expanded contact is made with the platinum and
the battery is put into operation; the damper is thus raised thereby regulating the
heat, allowing it to pass within the regulator flue and so cool the water without
further heat by going through the remaining flues. By our arrangement of the
heat always passing through the whole or a part of the first flue a small proportion
of heat is also retained, therefore a sudden chill is obviated which is common in the
ordinary incubators.
A water tray is provided immediately on the floor of the incubator. An air
space is provided between that and the egg drawer. The egg drawer is provided

page_text: with an adjustable bottom; the bottom is removable, and the back of the drawer
when pulled forms a dummy front. The water tray is also removable.
We further arrange that if desirable a portion of the lagging or substance for
retaining the heat in the interior of the incubator over the water tank be removed'
so that the heat may get to the upper side of the incubator and a further chamber
or heating case is arranged for the reception of the chickens or other young birds
immediately when the eggs in the egg drawer are hatched.
It is obvious that we do not bind ourselves to any number of flues through the
water tank. The water tray is arranged with slots across it.
We are aware that lagging or means of retaining the heat has been internally
used before, but we propose to use it of the paste form and we also propose to use it on
portions of the outside. We are also aware that electric means have been used before
for endeavouring to maintain the temperature at an even heat. Such means, however,
have always allowed a variation of from 5 to 7 or 8 degrees. Our invention as
hereinbefore described proposes to reduce it to such fineness of temperature as a
variation of only one degree. The drying box is provided with a false bottom
which is removable. It is lagged or provided with means for preventing the
radiation of heat, and should only be removed when hatching is going on.
In order that our invention may be better understood and more readily carried
into effect we will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 represents a plan on top of the incubator.
Figure 2 represents a vertical section on line A-B.
Figure 3 represents an end view in the direction of the arrow, Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a vertical section on line C-D, Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a plan of the flues.
Figure 6 is an elevation of the exit flue, showing the method of connection. This
method applies to all the tubes.
Figure 7 is an elevation showing the connection between the thermostat and the
battery and the electro-magnet.
Figure 8 is a side view of the thermostat.
'
The same letters refer to the same parts in the several figures of the drawings.
a is the outside case of the incubator, b is the water tank above the egg drawer,
c is the non-conducting packing or lagging, d is the egg drawer in which the eggs d¹
are placed, d² is the perforated zine bottom to the egg drawer, e is a zinc water tray
having slots e across it, is a piece of perforated zinc which rests in the water
tray and supports a piece of canvas or cream cloth; the ends of the said canvas lie
in the water. This canvas is of such a consistency as to always draw up enough
water to keep the whole of its surface wet. is the lantern which contains the
lamp h. The heat from the lamp h passes through the fluek (which is protected by
a water jacket i) thence in the direction of the arrows through the remaining flues.
The ends of the said flues are coupled to one another by means of double
elbows k¹, k³, k. These coupling pieces are removable which admit of the flues
being easily and efficiently cleaned by means of the ordinary flue brush. The
connecting pieces are contained in the connecting boxes j, j and are protected by
non-conducting packing c, c. The air enters the incubator through the slots e²,
passes through the slots e' of the water tray, thence through the perforated zinc f
up through the bottom of the egg drawer d², and out at the holes m, m to the open
ns the table upon which rests the thermostat o, which consists of a
hermetically sealed glass bulb containing mercury, which under the influence of
heat expands and forms an electric contact between two pieces of platinum wire,
one piece of which is fused into one end of the glass bulb and the other piece into
the other end. The narrow portion of the thermostat is so constructed that the
mercury in expanding has to traverse a space of not less than one quarter of an
inch for every degree Fah. p is the electro-magnet whose armature p¹ is attached
to the rod or lever p² which is pivotted at p³ to the upright p'. The rod p³ carries
a-sliding weight po secured by means of the screw p. To the other end of the rod
or lever p² is fixed the damper q which rests on the damper fluer. & is the box
air.

page_text: attached to the side of the incubator case, and which contains the electric
battery which is used to excite the magnet p. tis the drying box which is provided
with a glass lid, and in which the young chickens or other young birds are placed
as soon as hatched.
The action of our invention is as follows:-
The whole of the heat from the flame of the lamp h passes through the flue k in
the direction of the arrows (see Figure 5), thence through the double elbow k¹,
along the flue k², through the double elbow k³, through the flue k', through the
double elbow, through the flue 4 and out at the exit fiue to the open air; the
water in the tank b is thus increased in temperature. When the heat in the water
tank b is sufficiently raised to cause the expansion of the mercury in the thermo-
stat o so as to complete the electric circuit by means of the mercury expanding and
connecting the two platinum wires o'. The battery circuit is thus completed and
the current from the battery passes from one pole of the battery to the terminal o²,
thence to the copper strip o, thence to the platinum wire o, through the mercury
to the other platinum wire, thence to the copper strip o, to the terminal o, finally
through the electro-magnet p back to the other pole of the battery y. The result
of this action is that the electro-magnet p is excited and acts on and draws down
the armature p' which raises the damper q in the top of the damper fluer. This:
allows the heat from the lamp h to pass to the open air through. the damper flue r
and to be completely or almost completely shunted from the remaining flues k³, kt
and. This has the effect of preventing further rise in the temperature of the
water tank b, as the moment that the heat of the water tank cools sufficiently to
allow the mercury to contract and break the electric circuit, the electro-magnet
then ceases to attract its armature, the damper falls and covers the damper fluer,
and while the damper is down on the damper flue the heat passes through, all the
flues and finds exit to the open air through the exit flue . A practically even
temperature is thus maintained in the egg drawer. A very small fraction, say about
oth degree Fah. is sufficient to cause the mercury in the thermostat to close and
open the electric circuit.
In our invention the interior of the incubator is kept at an almost constant tem-
perature of 104 degrees; the maximum variation likely to occur is one degree
above 104 or one degree below 104. The amount of increase of heat required to
work the thermostat is a very small fraction of a degree.
It is obvious that although we have described that portion of our invention
which consists of a thermostat, battery, electro-magnet, armature, damper and
damper flue as applicable to incubators, yet it is applicable for the regulation of
heat for other purposes.
We do not bind ourselves to the exact positions of the various parts of our
appliance; we may find it necessary to vary the position of the damper flue in
various sizes of incubators, or other parts as desirable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we wish it to be
distinctly understood that we do not claim flues generally for the purposes
specified in the Specification, neither do we claim internal packing or lagging,
neither do we claim generally the provision of a damper, but what we do
claim is :-
1. In incubators the arrangement of flues such as described and illustrated, in
which a damper flue is inserted at the end or in any other portion of the first flue
thereby allowing under all conditions a certain amount of heat, preventing sudden
chill, and cutting off the heat from the remaining flues in the event of the
temperature being above that which is desirable, substantially as described for the
purposes specified and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. The combination with such apparatus, of a system of flues with movable
connections, for heating the water, a regulator flue, damper, armature, electro-
magnet thermostat and battery, so operating that while the mercury contact of the

page_text: thermostat is broken the whole of the heat passes through the entire number of
flues, but when the mercury contact is made the heat passes through the first flue or
portion of the first flue but is diverted from the remaining flues, substantially as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. In incubators the use of a mercurial thermostat in which the action is not
retarded or effected by barometrical pressure, such thermostat being provided with
a sensitive scale which compels the mercury to travel a space of not less than one
quarter of an inch per degree Fah., thus regulating the temperature of the said
apparatus, substantially as described and as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
4. The combination both inside and outside of incubators of non-conducting
material of the paste form to prevent radiation and loss of heat from the said
apparatus, substantially as described and as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
5. In incubators, a water tank provided with a system of flues the connecting
pieces of which are movable, thus providing sufficient means of cleaning the flues,
substantially as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
6. In incubators, a method of admitting fresh air direct through slots in the
water tray, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Doted this 27th don
f
1000
JOHN P. O'DONNELL,
2, Great George Street, Westminster, London, S.W.,
Agent for the said Applicants.
JOHN P. O'DONNELL,
2, Great George Street, Westminster, London, S.W.,
Agent for the said Applicants.