Improvements in Tele-thermometers.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec., 1896-Accepted, 17th Apr., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tele-thermometers.
I, JUAN VILA FORNS, of Gerona, in the Kingdom of Spain, Inventor, 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:-
The operation of my apparatus depends upon the change of level of a column or
columns of mercury contained in, one or a number of thermometers.
When making use of several thermometers, I employ two conductors for each
thermometer, introducing them into each thermometer, the one from above,
carrying it as far as the desired spot in the capillary tube, the other from below in
such a manner that it is always immersed in the mercury in the bulb or reservoir.
I then connect these conductors with the terminals of an electric bell or the like,
which is itself connected with a battery, in order that the apparatus may give
forth sound as soon as the mercury touches the end of the wire, situated at the
desired height in the capillary tube, so as to close the circuit.
In the case of a single thermometer the different wires corresponding with the
various temperatures which it is desired to note are introduced at the side and
soldered through the wall of the capillary tube.
Figure 1 represents a view of that form of my apparatus which is composed of
several thermometers, and Figure 2 the apparatus formed of a single thermometer
in which I introduce the conducting wires at the side.
In Figure 1 each thermometer A is provided with two wires B and C, introduced
one from below, the other from above; the lower wire B is always immersed in
the mercury in the bulb or reservoir, whilst the upper wire C extends down the
capillary tube to the point desired. The wires C extend to a different height in
each glass tube in such a manner that an alarm is sounded when the thermometer
indicates the degrees of heat 5, 10, 15, according to the thermometer in which the
circuit is closed.
In Figure 2, there is but a single wire B and all the wires C extend into the
tube from the side. The wires C are connected with the terminals D of a multiple
switch of any convenient kind, the arm E of which is connected by the wire F to
one pole of an electric bell or the like, with any convenient form of battery and
having an indicator on circuit when desired whilst the wires B are in connection
with the return.
For employing the apparatus when installed in a warehouse for instance, the
first thing to be done is to take note of the temperature indicated by the thermo-
meters belonging to the apparatus. Supposing that the normal temperature
reaches 20 C., the handle is pushed to the extremity D of the commutator corre-
sponding to 25 C., in order that, if the temperature attains this degree of heat,
the electric circuit is promptly closed, whilst the call bell is sounded. The bell
may be installed in the same place or elsewhere, for example, in the owner's room.
A combination may also be made of two or more bells at different spots.
The alarm apparatus illustrated in the annexed drawing are arranged in such
a manner as to sound at temperatures varying 5 C., but it may be conceived that
I could arrange the thermometer so as to indicate greater or less variations in
temperature.

page_text: It is evident that this apparatus can also be employed as an alarm or call bell
by closing the circuit by hand. It is sufficient for the purpose either to push the
arm E so as to bring it into contact with one of the contacts D of a thermometer,
by which means the circuit is closed.
It is needless to say that this apparatus indicates the temperature at the spot
where it is installed.
The apparatus thus forms an excellent tele-thermometer for use in manufacturing
operations as it can be used for indicating the temperature of fermentations in
connection with beer and other liquids, as well as that of furnaces and indirectly
the pressure of steam, and other like applications. .
When the apparatus is intended exclusively for use as a fire alarm, it is
preferable to detach the commutator therefrom and to place the same in a different
spot, the conducting wires being extended for the purpose. For instance,
apparatus without a commutator may be installed in the holds of a vessel, being
connected with series of alarms or indicators and a switch installed in the captain's
cabin, in order that the last named may know at a given moment the temperature
in any part of the hold by simply moving the handle of the switch and noting at
what degree the circuit is closed.
The thermometer or thermometers used in the construction of my apparatus are
preferably mercury thermometers with a vacuum and with the conductors of
platinum which remains unaffected by the mercury. Under these conditions my
apparatus gives excellent results..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improved tele-thermometer substantially as set forth.
2. The arrangement and combination of parts substantially as set forth with
reference to Figure 1.
3. The arrangement and combination of parts substantially as set forth with
reference to Figure 2.