Year: 1885

page_text: I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of the firm of Allison Brothers, of 52 Chancery
Lane, London, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agents, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention, which has been communicated to me from abroad by
Charles Bassini and Adolf Heyden, both of the City of Newark, State of New
Jersey, United States of America, Electricians, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
In the artificial hatching of chickens it is necessary to maintain definite degrees
of temperature uniformly in the incubator throughout the incubating period. At
the beginning of this period the temperature should be about 104° Fah., while
toward the end, the same should be decreased to about 98° Fah.
My invention relates to an electrical device for maintaining constant temperatures
in the incubator; and contains a mercurial thermometer combined with hereinafter
described mechanism and a damper, which damper is suitably arranged in the
incubator to allow, when opened, of the escape of hot air therefrom. The mercury
in said thermometer on rising to the predetermined points closes an electrical
circuit which includes a magnet and the said magnet through its armature controls
the damper.
My invention also consists in the improved mechanism for turning the eggs
without necessitating access to the interior of the box and in the novel con-
struction and arrangement of the heating and air moistening apparatus.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of my
incubator on the line x, x, of Fig. 2, showing the thermometer in place and the
electrical apparatus in connection therewith.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the electrical apparatus on top of the incubator box.
Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of my incubator on the line y, y, of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 shows the thermometer separate and enlarged.
Fig. 5 is a detailed side view of the electro-magnet and damper mechanism.
Fig. 6 shows the heating coils separately.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of one of the egg carrying trays, and

page_text: Fig. 8 is a detailed section showing the manner of supporting the eggs in
the trays.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.
Referring, first, briefly to the construction of the incubator, A is the enclosing
case provided with suitable doors B. C is a boiler which is filled with water and
is heated by the lamp shown. Connected with the lower part of the boiler is a
coil of tube D. A similar coil E communicates with the upper part of the boiler
and the two coils communicate through a vertical tube F. At G are water pans
through which the coil D passes. The heat from the coil D evaporates the water
in the pans G and in this way the atmosphere in the incubator is always kept
moist. Within the incubator are ways G¹ on which are placed slides or tables of
wire cloth H. Above these slides rest trays or grids I having transverse bars and
fastened to the sides of the ways by clamps or set screws J. The slides H are
movable in the ways and are conveniently operated by rods K which protrude
through the back of the box A. The eggs rest upon the bars of the trays I and
their lower portions protruding below said bars meet the slides H, so that when
the slides are moved to and fro in the ways they rotate the eggs. In the lower
part of the box A beneath the coil D I arrange an air inlet opening not shown. In
the top of the said box is an opening having an upwardly extending casing L. In
said casing is pivoted the damper M. This damper is operated by the electrical
apparatus hereinafter set forth.
I find it preferable to make the slides with roughened or corrugated surfaces and
also to form holes through them so as to allow free circulation of air to the eggs.
In practice I find wire netting to be well adapted for the purpose inasmuch as it is
sufficiently rough to engage with and easily move the eggs while it also allows free
circulation of the heated air through its meshes.
I also find the construction of heating coils herein set forth to be especially
advantageous on account of the free circulation of hot water obtained and further
because the contents of said coils are more quickly heated, they occupy less space
in the box, are not liable to become leaky, are easily got at and removed for repair
and allow of circulation of air between the tubes and hence of unobstructed
draught between air inlet and damper.
It will also be seen that I arrange my egg receptacles between the heating coils
and hence in the place where there is most uniformn beat; also that my open water
vessels are placed in the lower part of the box and are traversed by the lower coils.
Being directly below the eggs the moisture from said vessels rising of course, meets
the eggs. I place my air inlet below the lower coil and also below the water
vessels so that the incoming cold air is not only warmed by contact with the lower
coil but is also moistened by meeting the vapor rising from the open vessels before
it encounters the eggs. In this way I prevent sudden chilling draughts and like
abrupt variations of temperature. My damper is placed above the top coils and
hence is in the best position to carry off the heated air. It will be seen there-
fore that in operation the fresh air supply enters at the air inlet thence passes
around the lower heating coil and over the moistening pans, thence to and around
the eggs, thence to and around the upper heating device and then through the
damper if the latter be open.
Referring to said electrical apparatus, the construction of the circuit-closing
thermometer is clearly shown in Fig. 4. Said thermometer is supported in the
box A as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 from the top thereof in any convenient manner.
The glass mercury tube N is hermetically sealed and is secured in any suitable way
at its upper end to the plate O. Extending downward from said plate are metallic
rods P which at their lower ends support a perforated metal guard plate Q, which
protects the bulb of the thermometer from accidental breakage. Extending between
the rods P is a cross piece or clamp R which supports the mercury tube so as to
prevent sidewise displacement.
Entering the side of the mercury tube and always making contact with the
mercury therein is a platinum electrode S. Communicating with said electrode is

page_text: an insulated wire T which pisses upward and is connected to the binding post 1.
Also entering the side of the mercury tube. into the mercury space above the
electrode S, are platinum electrodes U and V. The electrode U connects by an
insulated wire W to the binding post 2; and the electrode V by an insulated
wire X to the binding post 3. Of course if the plate O is made of conducting
material the binding posts 1, 2 and 3 are insulated therefrom.
As here shown the electrode U enters the tube at the 98° point and the
electrode V at the 104° point. Consequently, when the mercury rises to the
98° point, it will establish a circuit between the electrode S and the electrode U
and when it reaches the 104° point it will establish circuit between electrode S and
electrode V. I do not limit myself to put two electrodes as U and V, located
respectively at different points above electrode S, because it may be advantageous
to control the temperature at three or more points, in which case additional
electrodes would be required.
Located on top of the box A is an electro-magnet Y provided with a pivoted
armature Z. Pivoted to said armature is a rod a, the opposite end of which is
pivoted to a lever arm b on the damper pivot a On said damper pivot and set at
right angles to the arm b is another arm c¹ to which is secured a coiled spring d
the tension of which may be adjusted by the screw e. The magnet in attracting
its armature therefore opens the damper through the rod a. When the armature is
released the damper is closed by the contraction of the spring d.
At F is an ordinary two-way switch. A wire g from the binding post 2 connects
with one point of said switch and a wire h from the binding post 3 connects with
the other point. With the switch-lever i is connected a wire ; leading to one
terminal of the electro-magnet. The other terminal of said magnet connects by a
wire k with the battery ; the other pole of said battery is connected by wire m
with the binding post 1.
The circuits therefore proceed as follows; from the battery by wire k to the
electro-magnet and by wire ; to the switch-lever, thence to either contact point and
thence either by wire W or wire X to electrode U or V; thence to the mercury
in the thermometer tube to electrode S by wire T to binding post 1 and thence by
wire m back to the battery.
The apparatus operates as follows:
The switch-lever being set to make circuit through wire W and electrode U
when the temperature in the box A reaches 98° Fab. circuit is established. The
electro-magnet is therefore energized, attracts its armature and so opens the
damper. The hot air then escapes through the damper opening and the tempe-
rature in the box A falls. The mercury then descends breaking circuit and the
damper closes.
Hence whenever the temperature in the box rises above the
predetermined point, the damper is opened and the interior is so cooled.
When the switch-lever is set so as to make circuit through electrode V and
wire X, then there will be no circuit through electrode U and consequently the
damper will not be operated in the manner already described until the mercury
rises to make contact with said electrode V which may be set say at 104° Fab.
I find that this apparatus is sensitive and reliable and through its capacity of
controlling the damper at two or more temperature points, I am enabled to govern
the degree of heat in the box with great nicety and in accordance with the proper
periods of the incubation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The combination with an incubator box of a damper arranged therein a
mercurial thermometer containing a sealed tube through the side of which passes
an electrode in permanent contact with the mercury in said tube an electrode
entering the mercury space in said tube above said first mentioned electrode, an
electro-magnet and source of electricity in circuit with said electrodes, an armature

page_text: in the field of said magnet and mechanism (such as a pivoted lever) whereby
the movement of said armature is transmitted to said damper substantially as
described.
2. The combination with an incubator box of a damper arranged theroin a
mercurial thermometer containing a sealed tube through the side of which passes
an electrode in permanent contact with the mercury in said tube, two or more
electrodes entering the mercury space in said tube, one above the other and both
above said first mentioned electrode, an electro-magnet and a source of electricity,
means (such as a two-way switch) for establishing a circuit including said source
of electricity and magnet through either of said upper electrodes and the lower
electrode, an armature in the field of said magnet and mechanism (such as a
pivoted lever) whereby the movement of said armature is transmitted to said
damper, substantially as described.
3. The combination of a mercurial thermometer containing a sealed glass tube,
an electrode entering said tube and in permanent contact with the mercury, a
second electrode entering the mercury space in said tube, a source of electricity,
an electro-magnet in circuit therewith and with said electrodes, an armature in the
field of said magnet and a valve actuated by said armature, substantially as
described.
4. The combination of a body capable of change in form or position under
differences in surrounding temperature and forming or thereby moving one
electrode in an electrical circuit, a source of electricity and an electro-magnet
included in said circuit, two or more electrodes with which said first mentioned
electrode is adapted to make successive contact, a means (such as a two or more
way switch) for closing the circuit through either of said electrodes, an armature
in the field of said magnet and a valve actuated by said armature, substantially as
described.
5. The combination of the incubator box A, thermometer tube N, electrode S,
electrode U, electro-magnet Y, a source of electricity, armature Z, rod a, damper M,
spring d, and circuit connections substantially as described.
6. The combination of the incubator box A, thermometer tube N, electrode S,
electrodes U, V, switch i, electro-magnet Y, a source of electricity, armature Z,
rod a, damper M, spring d, and circuit connections substantially as described.
.7. In an incubator, the combination of a horizontally moving slide or table and
a stationary frame supported above said slide, the said frame containing transverse
bars or strips between and upon which bars the eggs are received and supported
substantially as described.
8. In an incubator, the combination of a horizontally moving slide or table and
a stationary frame supported upon said slide the said frame containing transverse
bars or strips between and upon which bars, the eggs are received and supported,
substantially as described.
9. In an incubator, the combination of the movable slide H, and stationary
frame I, containing transverse bars, the said bars being adapted to receive and
support the eggs in the spaces between them, substantially as described.
10. The combination, in an incubator of the box A, ways G', movable slide H,
rod K, and stationary frame I, containing bars, substantially as described.
11. In an incubator, the combination of the enclosing box, egg receptacles
therein, boiler heating coils D, E, arranged in said box and respectively above and
below said egg receptacles, damper M, and a means (such as an electrical heat
regulator as described) for automatically opening said damper when the internal
temperature of the box exceeds a certain fixed limit, substantially as described.
12. In an incubator, an enclosing box or case and in said box in successive
order, an air inlet, a heating device (such as a coil of pipe containing hot water or
steam) egg receptacles, a second heating device (such as the foregoing) and an air
outlet, the said heating devices and the egg receptacles containing openings to
allow of free circulation of air around them and between the air inlet and outlet,
substantially as described,

page_text: 13. In an incubator, an enclosing box or case and in said box in successive
order upwards an air inlet, a heating device (such as a coil of pipe containing bot
water or steam) an air moistening device (such as an open vessel of water) egg
receptacles, a second heating device (such as the foregoing) and an air outlet, the
said heating devices and egg receptacles containing openings and the said
moistening device being supported to allow of free circulation of air around them
and between the air outlet and inlet, substantially as described.
14. In an incubator, an enclosing box or case, egg receptacles therein an open
water receptacle, a means (such as a tube containing hot water or steam passing
through said receptacle) of communicating heat to said water, and an air inlet the
said water receptacle and heating device being disposed in said box below the egg
receptacles and the air inlet being disposed below said water vessel and heating
device substantially as described.
15. In an incubator, the combination of the incubator box A, egg receptacles
therein, a boiler outside of said box, heating coils D, E, within said box and
respectively above and below said egg receptacles, open water vessels G, air inlet,
damper M, and a means (such as the electrical heat regulator described) for
automatically opening said damper when the temperature within said box exceeds
a certain degree, substantially as described.