IMPROVEMENTS IN INCUBATORS, PARTLY APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1880

page_text: A.D. 1880, 22nd OCTOBER. Nº 4308.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd October 1880.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN INCUBATORS, PARTLY APPLICABLE
FOR OTHER PURPOSES." [A communication from abroad by Odile Martin, of Paris,
France.]
This Invention relates to an improved incubator provided with apparatus
whereby the eggs may be turned without opening the incubator, and heated by
means of a circulating apparatus termed a thermo-syphon, the water in which is
heated either by a lamp, a hot spring, hot bed, or other source of heat, according
to circumstances.
In order that the Invention may be more readily understood, I have in the
accompanying Drawings represented several views of an incubator arranged in
accordance with this Invention.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the incubator, and Figure 2, a plan of same;
Figure 3 is a vertical section of a thermo-syphon heated by a small lamp with
graduated chimney, represented separately in Figure 4, for regulating the tempera-
ture at night time; Figure 5 is a vertical section of the incubator, and Figure 6, a
horizontal section on line 1-2, Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a vertical section of a thermo-syphon with large lamp for heating
the incubator at certain intervals during the day, and Figures 8 and 9 are sections
of the same taken on lines 3-4, and 5-6 respectively; Figures 10 and 11 show
different forms of lamp chimneys; Figure 12 represents the cock for regulating the
heat of the incubator; Figure 13 shows a method of heating the incubator by
water from a hot spring, and Figure 14, a method of heating by means of a hot-
bed. In all these Figures the same letters of reference indicate the same parts.
The incubator consists of a zinc casing A of rectangular or other form open at

page_text: top and bottom, but with double walls to form a water jacket, packed in sawdust B
or other non-conductor of heat, and enclosed in a wood casing. Two tubes C, D,
respectively at the upper and lower part of the water jacket A connect it with the
thermo-syphon E. The open top of the incubator is closed by a double glazed
Thus arranged, the incubator
cover F¹, through which the interior F may be seen.
may be used in the ordinary manner by drawing off water by cock C (Figures 13
and 14), and filling up with boiling water morning and evening, the volume of
water drawn off being regulated, 1st, by the quantity of water previously with-
drawn, 2nd, by the difference between the temperature inside the incubator and
that of the external air; this operation requires considerable care, attention, and
intelligence.
The present improvements have for their object to facilitate the operation of
heating the incubator, and also to enable the eggs to be turned without opening
the apparatus so as to avoid cooling.
The egg turning apparatus is entirely contained in a drawer which may be
placed beneath the reservoir A, Figures 1, 5, and 6, and consists of a series of
parallel horizontal rollers G upon which the eggs are placed. These rollers turn on
their axes, and are provided with chain pinions g at one end, an endless chain H
passing round and pressed into gear with them by small rollers I, Figure 1. The
chain also passes round a pinion J, which is turned by a key K at the outside of
the casing. By this means all the eggs may be quickly turned at once without loss
of heat.
The incubator is heated by an apparatus consisting of a cylindrical chamber E
of about one foot in height and 4 inches in diameter, connected with the jacket A
by pipes C, D, and enclosing a metal chimney L about two-thirds the height of the
cylinder and of variable form, according to the kind of lamp employed, see
Figures 10 and 11. The top end of the chimney, Figure 7, opens into a circular
chamber M, which is traversed by three tubes N, Figures 8 and 9, connecting the
lower and upper water spaces O, P.
From the chamber M rise three flues q, which traverse the waterspace P, and are
open at top. The chimney and flues are thus enclosed in water contained in the
cylindrical chamber E. The current of heated air from the lamp ascends the
chinney L, strikes the bottom of water space P, is distributed in chamber M, and
finally escapes through flues q. Two lamps are employed, as will be hereinafter
explained, and are secured in the base of the chimney by a bayonet joint R, S,
screw plugs closing the orifices for filling and emptying the incubator.
The jacket A should be of such area and so enclosed that the incubator, even in
the most severe cold, shall not lose more than 3° C. in 12 hours.
For incubation it is necessary to maintain the temperature between 38° C. and
42° C. Suppose now that in the morning the internal temperature is 38° C., I
light the large lamp and fix it in place, and immediately the thermometer marks
40° C. I extinguish the lamp. I repeat the same operation about 8 or 10 hours after,
the thermometer having by that time fallen one degree. To maintain a uniform
temperature throughout the night I substitute a small lamp which is kept alight
until the morning. This lamp, which is shown in Figure 3, is like the larger one
but has only a very small wick, and the flame is capable of being regulated by
means of a metal tube divided, as shown in Figure 4, by which the height of the
flame may be seen. It is only necessary to raise the heat twice a day to 40° C,
turn the eggs by a turn of the key, and to light the small lamp at night. The
thermo-syphon and lamp may be applied to other incubators now in use.
petroleum, benzoline, oil spirit, or gas may be burnt, it being only necessary to
modify the chimney, or a small tube containing incandescent charcoal may be used
by modifying the internal arrangement of the apparatus, but it is preferred to
employ petroleum in an apparatus such as that shown as being more convenient
and economical, the arrangement of the chimney facilitating the combustion of the
gases without smell.
Other means of heating may also be employed wh
Either

page_text: enclosed by a water space or not. Where a hot spring or a hot bed is available it
may be employed, and in this case a worm tube, connected at C and D to the
incubator, is embedded in a pit containing manure, as in Figure 14. The circula-
tion of hot water thus established in the worm may be regulated by the cock, shown
in Figure 12.
Figure 13 shows the coil disposed in a reservoir through which a current of water
from a natural hot spring is caused to flow. The cock, shown in Figure 12, is
provided with a pointer moving over a quadrant. The cock is turned on more or
less until the proper hatching heat of 40° C. is marked by the thermometer inside
Should the thermometer rise or fall, the cock is regulated
the incubator.
accordingly. This cock is also applicable to the heating apparatus before
described.
The above described methods of heating by means of a thermo-syphon may also
be applied to artificial mothers and other apparatus used in connection with
incubators, as well as for heating greenhouses, rooms, stoves, vats, &c.
To ensure successful incubation the eggs must be properly ventilated and aerated,
and in the incubators hitherto employed the ventilation has either been insufficient
or too active, thus unduly cooling the eggs.
In order to obviate these objections I employ the arrangement shown in Figures 5
and 6. At the lower part of the incubator are a number of air inlet orifices T,
through which pure air has free access beneath the eggs, and the escape of carbonic
acid is facilitated; U, V, are bent tubes extending down nearly to the eggs, their
upper ends being carried out at the sides of the casing to the outer air. By the
system of ventilation established between the orifices T and V the air contained in
the upper part of space F will retain the whole of its heat, and impart it to the
eggs over which it is caused to continually circulate. To guard against overheating
the incubator, a thermo-electric alarm is placed in the interior whereby, on th
heat attaining the maximum limit, the rising of the mercury closes an electri
circuit and sounds an alarm.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd April 1881.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN INCUBATORS, PARTLY APPLICABLE
Middlesex, Patent Agent.
FOR OTHER PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by Odile Martin, of Paris,
France.
This Invention relates to an improved incubator provided with apparatus
whereby the eggs may be turned without opening the incubator, and heated by
means of a circulating apparatus, termed a thermo-syphon, the water in which is
heated either by a lamp, a hot spring, hot bed, or other source of heat, according to
circumstances.
In order that the Invention may be more readily understood, I have, in the
accompanying Drawings, represented several views of an incubator arranged in
accordance with this Invention. Figure 1 is a front elevation of the incubator,
and Figure 2 is a plan of same; Figure 3 is a vertical section of a thermo-syphon
heated by a small lamp with graduated chimney, represented separately in Figure 4,
for maintaining the temperature at night time; Figure 5 is a vertical section of the
incubator, and Figure 6 a horizontal section on line 1-2, Figure 5; Figure 7 is
a vertical section of a thermo-syphon with large lamp for heating the incubator at
certain intervals during the day, and Figures 8 and 9 are sections of the same
taken on lines 3-4, and 5-6, respectively; Figures 10 and 11 show different
forms of lamp chimneys; Figure 12 represents the stop cock for regulating the
heat of the incubator; Figure 13 shows a method of heating the incubator by
water from a hot spring, and Figure 14 a method of heating by means of a hot bed.
In all these Figures the same letters of reference indicate the same parts.
The incubator consists of a zinc casing A of rectangular or other form, open at
top and bottom, but with double walls to form a water jacket, packed in sawdust B
or other nonconductor of heat, and enclosed in a wood casing. Two tubes C, D,
placed respectively at the upper and lower part of the water jacket A connect it
with the thermo-syphon E. The open top of the incubator is closed by a double
glazed cover F', through which the interior F may be seen. Thus arranged, the
incubator may be used in the ordinary manner by drawing off water by cock C
(Figures 13 and 14) and filling up with boiling water morning and evening, the
volume of water drawn off being regulated, 1st, by the quantity of water previously
withdrawn; 2nd, by the difference between the temperature inside the incubator
and that of the external air. This operation requires considerable care, attention,
and intelligence.
The present improvements have for their object to facilitate the operation of
heating the incubator, and also to enable the eggs to be turned without opening
the apparatus, so as to avoid cooling. The egg turning apparatus is entirely
contained in a drawer, which may be placed beneath the reservoir A, Figures 1, 5,
and 6, and consists of a series of parallel horizontal rollers G upon which the eggs
are placed. These rollers turn on their axes and are provided with chain pinions g
at one end, an endless chain H passing round and being pressed into
them by small rollers I, Figure 1. The chain also passes round a pinion J which is
turned by a key K at the outside of the casing. By this means all the eggs may
be quickly turned at once without loss of heat.
gear with
about 1 foot in height, and 4 inches in diameter, connected with the jacket A by
The incubator is heated by an apparatus consisting of a cylindrical chamber E of
pipes C, D, and enclosing a metal chimney L, about 2/rds the height of a

page_text: completely surrounded by water, and of variable form, according to the kind of
lamp employed, see Figures 10 and 11. The top end of the chimney, Figure 7, opens
into a circular chamber M which is traversed by three tubes N, Figures 8 and 9,
connecting the lower and upper water spaces O, P. From the chamber M rise three
5 flues q which traverse the water space P, and are open at top. The chimney and
flues are thus enclosed in water contained in the cylindrical chamber E. The
current of heated air from the lamp ascends the chimney L, strikes the bottom of
water space P, is distributed in chamber M, and finally escapes through flues q.
Two lamps are employed, as will be hereinafter explained, and are secured in the
0 base of the chimney by a bayonet joint. R, S, screw plugs closing the orifices for
filling and emptying the incubator. The jacket A should be of such capacity, and
so enclosed that the incubator, even in the most severe cold, shall not lose more
than 3° C. in 12 hours.
For incubation it is necessary to maintain the temperature between 38° C. and
5 42° C. Suppose now, that in the morning the internal temperature is 38° C., I light
the large lamp and fix it in place, and immediately the thermometer marks 40° Č. I
extinguish the lamp. I repeat the same operation about 8 or 10 hours after, the
thermometer having by that time fallen one degree. To maintain a uniform
temperature throughout the night I substitute a small lamp which is kept alight
until the morning. This lamp, which is shown in Figure 3, is like the larger one,
but has only a very small wick, and the flame is capable of being regulated by
means of a metal tube or cone divided, as shown in Figure 4, by which the height
of the flame may be seen. It is only necessary to raise the heat twice a day
to 40° C., turn the eggs by a turn of the key, and to light the small lamp at night.
The thermo-syphon and lamp may be applied to other incubators now in use.
Either petroleum, benzoline, or oil, may be burnt, it being only necessary to modify
the form of the chimney and lamp. It has been before stated that the gases of
combustion after passing through the thermo-syphon escape through tubes in
the upper water space just above the chimney of the lamp. These tubes may,
however, be dispensed with, and the gases be caused to escape at a level with the
bottom of the upper water space by deflecting them in a downward direction by an
inclined external flange. In this manner the heat acts more directly upon the
bottom of the water space. Gas, or spirits of wine may also be burnt with any
chimney, or a small tube containing incandescent charcoal may be used by
modifying the internal arrangement of the apparatus, but it is preferred to employ
petroleum in an apparatus such as that shown, as being more convenient and
economical, the arrangement of the chimney facilitating the combustion of the
gases without smell. Other means of heating may also be employed, whether the
source of heat be enclosed by a water space or not. Where a hot spring or a hot
bed is available it may be employed, and in this case a worm tube connected
at C and D to the incubator is embedded in a pit containing manure, as in
Figure 14. The circulation of hot water thus established in the worm may be
regulated by the cock shown in Figure 12.
Figure 13 shows the coil disposed in a reservoir through which a current of
water from a natural hot spring is caused to flow. The cock shown in Figure 12 is
provided with a pointer moving over a quadrant. The cock is opened more or
less until the proper hatching heat of 40° C. is marked by the thermometer
inside the incubator. Should the thermometer rise or fall, the cock is regulated
accordingly. This cock is also applicable to the heating apparatus before
described.
The above described methods of heating by means of a thermo syphon may also
be applied to artificial mothers and other apparatus used in connection with
incubators, as well as for heating greenhouses, rooms, stoves, vats, &c. To ensure
successful incubation the eggs must be properly ventilated and aorated, and in the
incubators hitherto employed, the ventilation has either been insufficient or too
active, that is to say, the eggs have been unduly cooled.
In order to obviate these objections, I employ the arrangement shown in Figures

page_text: 5 and 6. At the lower part of the incubator are a number of air inlet orifices T.
escape of carbonic
through which pure air has free access beneath the eggs, and the
eggs, their
acid is facilitated. U, V, are bent tubes extending down nearly to the
upper ends being carried out at the sides of the casing to the outer air. By the
system of ventilation established between the orifices T and V, the air contained in
the upper part of space F will retain the whole of its heat and impart it to the
eggs over which it floats continually.
To guard against overheating the incubator, a thermo-electric alarm is placed in
the interior, and on the heat attaining the maximum limit, the rising of the mercury
With the same object the lamp
closes an electric circuit and sounds an alarm.
used for heating the incubator may be extinguished automatically when the
For this purpose the thermometer or
maximum degree of heat has been attained.
heat register may be arranged to act at the maximum temperature upon a suitable
mechanism for extinguishing the lamp, and I may employ for this purpose all
the dynamic effects resulting from the action of heat upon liquids, solids, or
gases.
Figures 15 and 16 represent an arrangement in which an electric current (closed
at the desired moment by the thermometer) is caused to act on the extinguisher,
which in this case consists of a bellows. Figure 15 is an elevation, and Figure 16
a plan of this arrangement. The same letters are used to represent the same parts
in these two Figures.
The extinguishing apparatus consists of a bellows A, having a weight B upon the
end of its movable side, its other side being fixed. C is a lever arm fixed upon a
horizontal axis D, which also carries a stud E hooking into a ring F upon the
upper side of the bellows.
The end of lever C is engaged in a notch made in a
second lever G, which carries an armature H opposite an electro magnet K in the
circuit of an electric battery I, and a circuit closing thermometer J being also placed
in the circuit. The thermometer is mercurial, and two platinum wires, connected
respectively with the two poles of the battery, are led down its stem, and the circuit
is closed through them by the rising of the mercury, say, at 40° C. The armature H
is thereupon attracted by the electro-magnet K, thus releasing the end of lever C
from the notch in lever G, and permitting the axis D to rotate and disengage the
ring F from stud E. The weight B thereupon collapses the bellows, and suddenly
forces air through the nozzle L and indiarubber tube L¹ leading to the lamp burner,
whereby the flame is extinguished. To avoid wasting the power of the battery, &
circuit breaker is provided consisting of a spring M¹ on axis D and a fixed stud N,
both placed in the circuit, which is closed at this point by the contact of the
spring M with the stud N; on the release of the lever C and the partial rotation of
axis D, the spring M is raised off stud N and the circuit is interrupted. The
bellows may also be otherwise arranged, and lever C be released by other agency
than electricity, by the dilitation or contraction of a metal or liquid for example.
Any other mechanical arrangement may be used in lieu of bellows for automatically
extinguishing the light at the proper moment, by turning a key, by a blast of air
or by cutting off the air supply to the lamp.
a is
Figure 17 shows a modification in the small night lamp before described.
the lamp, whose flame is enclosed in a cap or cone 6 (Figure 3), and in a metallic
chimney c, provided with perforations to enable the height of the flame to be
regulated. To enable this to be done after the lamp is placed in position in the
thermo-syphon d, the latter is provided with a glazed opening e, Figure 15, through
which the flame can be observed from outside.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the
hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. The combination with a thermo syphon and incubator of a natural hot spring
or a lot bed, or other source of heat, or preferably of two lamps, one for day service
at fixed intervals, and the other for continuous night service, substantially as
described for the purpose specified.

page_text: 2nd. The arrangement of lamp with graduated chimney for continuous night
service, as shown and described for the purpose specified.
3rd. The combination with an incubator of a thermo-electric alarm, as and for
the purpose specified.
4th. The combination with an incubator of an apparatus for automatically
extinguishing the lamp when the maximum temperature is attained, as specified.
5th. The automatic lamp extinguishing apparatus consisting of a weighted bellows,
battery, electro-magnet, and mechanism in connection therewith, and a circuit
closing thermometer, all combined, arranged, and operating in connection with an
incubator, substantially as shown in Figures 15 and 16, and for the purpose
specified.
6th. The combination with an incubator of apparatus for turning the eggs
without opening the incubator, constructed and operating substantially as shown
and described.
7th. The mode of ventilating incubators by means of holes at the lower part
in combination with bent draught tubes, arranged substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
f Annil AD 1001