Improvements in Incubators or Apparatus for Hatching Eggs by Artificial Heat.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 13th July, 1897--Accepted, 28th Aug., 1897
Improvements in Incubators or Apparatus for Hatching Eggs by
Artificial Heat.
I THEODORA. WILSON-WILSON, of Quarry House, Kendal, in the County of
Westmoreland, Spinster, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as
follows:-
My invention consists of the improvements hereinafter described in incubators
or apparatus for hatching eggs by artificial heat, by which improvements the
construction of the said incubators is simplified and their efficiency increased.
In constructing an incubator according to my invention I make the body of
the said incubator preferably in the form of a cylindrical chamber the top and bottom
of which are nearly closed.
The bottom of the chamber consists of a shallow circular dish or tray provided
on its underside with feet and having a horizontal rim or flange at its edge upon
which rim or flange the cylindrical side of the separable body rests when placed
upon the said bottom or tray. In the middle of the said bottom or tray is an axial
hole in which the oil lamp or other source of heat is situated the said lamp being so
fitted, that air may ascend into the interior of the chamber between the side of the
lamp and the side of the said axial hole, a constant supply of fresh air through the
bottom of the chamber being thereby ensured. The lamp is surrounded by a guard
for preventing the chickens, ducklings or the like, getting too near the lamp. The
cylindrical side or body of the chamber is made preferably with a double wall,
that is to say, the said side consists of two cylinders one of somewhat smaller diameter
than the other, the smaller cylinder being fixed concentrically within the larger
cylinder. The inner and outer walls of the body of the chamber are finely
perforated, the said perforations extending from near the bottom to near the top
of the said chamber and the space between the said walls is filled or packed with
feathers or other imperfect conductor of heat pervious to air. The top of the
chamber, which is permanently fixed to the double cylindrical side or body, has a
slightly conical depression at, its, middle and an axial hole in the said depression.
To the bottom of the said depression a circular plate hereinafter called the hot
plate of the incubator is fixed the said hot plate having a diameter equal to the
internal diameter of the cylindrical body and having holes formed in it near its
edge for ventilation. The said hot plate is also provided with an axial hole which
when the incubator is in use is automatically opened and closed by the damper of the
heat regulating mechanism hereinafter described.
The heat regulating mechanism consists of the following construction and
arrangement of parts.
Fixed to a bracket on the inner wall of the chamber and at a position on the said
wall which when the incubator is in use is about on a level with the eggs in the
said incubator, is a small horizontal hermetically sealed vessel, the upper and
lower sides of which are approximately parallel and nearly in contact. The said

page_text: vessel is made preferably of thin elastic sheet metal and before the hermetic sealing
of the same is effected a small quantity of ether or other highly volatile liquid is
introduced into the said small vessel. I will hereinafter call the vessel described the
sensitive vessel of the apparatus. In an axial depression in the upper side of the
sensitive vessel the lower end of a vertical rod passing through the top of the chamber
rests. The upper end of the rod bears against the underside of a short lever or cam
the end of which is pivotted to a fixed rod on the top of the chamber. Resting on the
upper side of the said short lever or cam described is an adjustable screw pin depending
from the long arm of a nearly balanced lever. From the end of the long arin of the
said nearly balanced lever is suspended a metallic disc constituting the damper
herein before referred to, the said damper being situated immediately over the
central hole in the hot plate. The damper may have a few fine holes or perforations
made in it.
In using the incubator or apparatus described, the cylindrical body and top are
together lifted off the bottom or tray. A layer of moist gravel or sand is placed in
the annular trough of the bottom or tray which moist sand or gravel is preferably
covered with fine muslin or other like material. The lamp is lighted and the
cylindrical body and top are replaced. By the heat of the lamp the temperature
of the chamber is raised. The ascending current of hot air strikes on the hot
plate near the top of the chamber and is thereby spread out radially towards the
cylindrical side of the chamber. The side of the chamber is thereby heated so
that air passing in at the said side is warmed before it gains access to the interior of
the chamber. By the expansion of the sensitive vessel the regulating rod is
raised and through the short lever or cam raises the long arm of the lever and
damper of the apparatus. The adjustable screw of the long lever is adjusted from
time to time until the desired uniform temperature within the chamber is obtained
as is indicated by a thermometer or thermometers forming part of the apparatus.
The body and with it the top of the chamber is then lifted off the bottom and the
eggs to be hatched are placed on the muslin in the trough. The body of the chamber
is again replaced.
The desired humidity of the warm air in the chamber is ensured by the moist
gravel or sand which is from time to time replenished with water.
When I employ a single walled chamber I wrap the perforated part with flannel
or blanketting or other imperfect conductor of heat which will permit air to pass
through it.
Although I have described my invention in connection with a cylindrical chamber I
wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to this shape.
Dated this Seventeenth day of October 1896.
W. T. WHITEMAN,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Incubators or Apparatus for Hatching Eggs by
Artificial Heat.
I, THEODORA WILSON-WILSON of Quarry House, Kendal, in the County of
Westmoreland, Spinster, do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention consists of the improvements hereinafter described in incubators. or
apparatus for hatching eggs by artificial heat, by which improvements the construction
of the said incubators is simplified and their efficiency increased.

page_text: In constructing an incalator according to my invention I make the body of the
said incubator preferably in the form of a cylindrical chamber the top and bottom of
which are nearly closed.
The bottom of the chamber consists of a shallow circular dish or tray provided on
its underside with feet and having a horizontal rim or flange at its edge upon which
rim or flange the cylindrical side of the separable body rests when placed upon the
said bottom or tray. In the middle of the said bottom or tray is an axial hole in
which the oil lamp or other source of heat is situated the said lamp being so fitted
that air may ascend into the interior of the chamber between the side of the lamp
and the side of the said axial hole, a constant supply of fresh air through the bottom
of the chamber being thereby ensured. The lamp is surrounded by a guard for
preventing the chickens, ducklings or the like when hatched getting too near the
lamp. The cylindrical side or body of the chamber is made preferably with a double
wall; that is to say, the said side consists of two cylinders one of somewhat smaller
diameter than the other, the smaller cylinder being fixed concentrically within the
larger cylinder. The inner and outer walls of the body of the chamber are finely
perforated, the said perforations extending from near the bottom to near the top of
the said chamber and the space between the said walls is filled or packed with feathers
or other imperfect conductor of heat pervious to air such for example as flocks
and mill-puff. The top of the chamber, which is permanently fixed to the double
cylindrical side or body has a slightly conical depression at its middle and an axial
hole in the said depression. To the bottom of the said depression a circular plate
hereinafter called the lot plate of the incubator is fixed, the said hot plate having a
diameter equal to the internal diameter of the cylindrical body and having holes
formed in it near its edge for ventilation. The said hot plate is also provided with an
axial hole which when the incubator is in use is automatically opened and closed
by the damper of the heat regulating mechanism hereinafter describied.
The beat regulating. mechanism consists of the following construction and
arrangement of parts.
Fixed to a bracket on the inner wall of the chamber and at a position on the said
wall which when the incubator is in use is about on a level with the eggs in the said
incubator, is a small horizontal hermetically sealed vessel, the upper and lower sides
of which are approximately parallel and nearly in contact. The said vessel is made
preferably of thin elastic sheet metal and before the hermetic sealing of the same
is effected a small quantity of ether or other highly volatile liquid is introduced into
the said small vessel. I will hereinafter call the vessel described the sensitive vessel
of the apparatus. In an axial depression in the upper side of the sensitive vessel
'the lower end of a vertical rod passing through the top of the chamber rests. The
upper end of the rod bears against the underside of a short lever or cam the end of
which is pivotted to a fixed rod on the top of the chamber. Resting on the upper
side of the said: short lever or cam described is an adjustable screw pin depending
from the long arm of a nearly balanced lever. From the end of the long arm of the
said nearly balanced lever is suspended a metallic disc constituting the damper
wherein before referred to, the said damper being situated immediately over the central
hole in the hot plate. The damper may have a few fine holes or perforations
made in it.
In using the incubator or apparatus: described, the cylindrical body and top are
together lifted off the bottom or tray. A layer of moist gravel or sund is placed in the
annular trough of the bottom or tray which moist sand or gravel is preferably covered
with fine muslin or other like material. The lamp is lighted and the cylindrical body
and top are replaced. By the heat of the lamp the temperature of the chamber is
raised. The ascending current of hot air strikes on the hot plate near the top of the
chamber and is thereby spread out-radially towards the cylindrical side of the
chamber. The side of the chamber is. thereby cheated so that air passing in at
the said side is warmed before it gains access to the interior of the chamber. By the
texpansion of thex.sensitive vessel the regulating. rod. is...raised and through
the short lever or can raises the long arm of the lever and damper of the apparatus,

page_text: The adjustable screw of the long lever is adjusted from time to time until the desired
uniform temperature within the chamber is obtained as is indicated by a thermometer
or thermometers forming part of the apparatus.
The body and with it the top of the chamber is then lifted off the bottom and the
eggs to be hatched are placed on the muslin in the trough. The body of the chamber
is again replaced.
The desired humidity of the warm air in the chamber is ensured by the moist gravel
or sand which is from time to time replenished with water.
When I employ a single walled chamber I wrap the perforated part with flannel
for blanketting or other imperfect conductor of heat which will permit air to pass
through it.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents in vertical section an incubator
constructed according to one arrangement of my invention and Figure 2 is a
plan of the same.
Figures 3 and 4 represent respectively in vertical and horizontal section an incubator.
constructed according to another arrangement of my invention.
Figures 4A, 4B, and 4° represent modified details of the same hereinafter described.
Figure 5 represents a portion of Figures 3 and 4 drawn to a larger scale, the said
Figure 5 illustrating the heat regulating mechanism of the incubator which is the
same in both of the arrangements represented..
The same letters of reference indicate the same' parts in the several figures of the
drawings.
I will first describe the arrangement Figures 1 and 2 and the modified details of
the same.
a, a is the annular trough constituting the bottom of the incubator.on to the
flanged edge a of which trough the cylindrical double walled body b of the chamber
fits. The flanged edge a² of the bottom a may be U shaped, so as to prevent draught
in the interior of the incubator, as represented in Figure 4°.
The said double walled
body is made preferably of perforated zinc or wire gauze and the space between the
said perforated walls is filled with feathers, flocks, mill puff or other non-conductor of
heat pervious to air. The underside of the bottom a is provided with projections or
feet a¹ for keeping the said bottom off the ground. In the central opening in the
-said bottom a the oil or other lamp c of the incubator loosely fits, the said lamp being
provided with a guard d preferably of perforated zine or wire gauze.
The top 62 of the incubator is permanently connected to the cylindrical body b the.
said top 62 having a central ring like depression b. The central ring like depression b¹
carries the hot plate e of the incubator the said hot plate having perforations or
fine holes near its inargin where it joins the inner perforated wall of the cylindrical
body b. The hot plate e has a central hole covered by a damper f preferably perforated
as will be seen by reference to Figure 2, which damper f is raised and lowered by the
heat regulating mechanism hereinafter described. The hot plate e may be plain or
corrugated. The cylindrical body b of the incubator is provided with handles b³, b
by which it is removed from and replaced on the annular trough like bottom a.
The hot plate e may constitute the top of the incubator as represented in
Figure 4 in which case I prefer to make two circular corrugations near the margin
of the hot plate top as is represented in the said Figure 4.
A layer of sand or gravel g is placed in the annular trough a and is supplied from
time to time with water to preserve the sand or gravel thoroughly moist. The moist
sand or gravel g is covered by a strip of muslin or thin flannel h on which the eggs
to be hatched are arranged.
The sand is preferably moistened from the bottom and for this purpose an
annular channel a³, best seen in Figure 4B, is formed around the lamp opening
in the bottom a for receiving the moistening water. The inner wall of the
channel a³ has holes or perforations at bottom through which the water passes to
the sand g.
To assist in the more even distribution of the moisture I may corrugate the bottom

page_text: of the trough with concentric circular corrugations as represented in the section
Figure 4.
The heat regulating mechanism of the incubator consists of a hermetically sealed
thin metallic case i preferably corrugated supported on a bracket . In a depression
in the top of the case i the bottom of a vertical rod k seats itself the top end of the
rod bearing against the underside of a cam or cam like lever pivotted to vertical
supports m on the top of the incubator. The cam or short lever bears on its upper-
side against a depending adjustable rod o carried by the long arm p. of a weighed
lever p, p² from which long arm p the damper f is suspended. The weight p¹ on the
short arm p² of the damper lever p, p' may be adjusted and fixed by the set screw q
but the principal adjustments are effected by the screw r and adjustable rod o which
is fixed in its adjusted position by the set screw o².
The construction of the heat regulating mechanism just described will be best
understood by reference to the enlarged views Figure 5.
When I employ a single perforated walled chamber I wrap the cylindrical side and
top with rugging or blanketting to preserve the uniform temperature while permitting
of free ventilation through the single perforated wall of the chamber, but where the
double walls are dispensed with I prefer the arrangement represented in
Figures 3 and 4.
In this arrangement the cylindrical ring b at the bottom of the borly of the chamber
or incubator is connected to the top b2 by a series of (preferably six) vertical rods or
wires, b. Over the top and open side a thick non-conducting materials is
arranged. The material I prefer to employ is known in commerce as "rugging."
This material while providing the necessary permeability for air possesses such a non-
conducting power for heat as to preserve the temperature within the incubator
practically uniform,
The other parts of the incubator Figures 3 and 4 differ in no essential respect from
those shown in Figures 1 and 2 and corresponding parts are marked with the same
letters of reference.
The brackets in Figures 3 and 4 is suspended from the top b' instead of being
fixed to the side as in Figures 1 and 2.
The incubators Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 are provided with thermometers { by which
the temperature of the interior of the incubators may be ascertained.
Although I have described and represented and prefer to make the incubators
constructed according to my invention cylindrical yet I wish it to be understood that
I do not limit myself thereto as they may be made square or of other shape without
departing from the nature of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that
I claim as my invention
First. Making the sides of incubators or apparatus for hatching eggs by artificial
heat, pervious to air substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings; that is to say, making the sides of the said incubators of a
double perforated wall the space between which is filled with feathers or the like; or
making the said sides of a single perforated wall covered with rugging, blanketting
or the like; or making the said sides of a wall of rugging or blanketting preserved in
position by a series of vertical wires or supports substantially as described and
illustrated.
Secondly. In incubators or apparatus for hatching eggs by artificial heat the use
of a plain or corrugated hot plate, made in the several ways hereinbefore described
and illustrated in the Drawings, arranged over the lamp or source of heat, the
temperature of the incubator being regulated by a damper which is made to cover
and uncover a hole in the hot plate by heat regulating mechanism preferably of the
kind hereinbefore described and illustrated.
Thirdly. Heat regulating mechanism or apparatus for incubators for hatching eggs
by artificial heat consisting essentially of a hermetically sealed metallic vessel or

page_text: case on the top of which rests a vertical rod bearing against the underside of a
cam or cam like lever, the other side of which cam or lever bears against a weighted
lever carrying a damper which is raised from or lowered onto a hole in the top of
the hot plate of the incubator, the several parts being combined or arranged and
acting substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.