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US 5,025,619 AGranted
Method and apparatus for incubating and hatching eggs
AssigneeRobert W. Cannon
InventorRobert W. Cannon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An incubator for incubating and hatching eggs includes a removable air control unit for humidifying, heating or cooling, and circulating air in the incubator. The air control unit is positioned between a pair of racks containing egg trays with removable inserts to accommodate differently sized eggs. Sensors monitor various parameters such as temperature and relative humidity. A computer controls the air control unit to maintain operator-selected values of the sensed parameters.
Claims21
A method for incubating and hatching eggs comprising the steps of:
- providing a first upright helical coil for conducting a relatively hot fluid and a second upright helical coil for conducting a relatively cold fluid;
- placing the coils in an insulated chamber;
- providing a humidifier in the chamber;
- placing a plurality of eggs in the chamber;
- selecting a chamber temperature and a minimum chamber relative humidity;
- periodically monitoring the chamber temperature;
- producing a relatively hot fluid flow in the first coil if the temperature is below the selected chamber temperature;
- producing a relatively cold fluid flow in the second coil if the temperature is above the selected chamber temperature;
- periodically monitoring the chamber relative humidity;
- and
- actuating the humidifier if the relative humidity is below the selected minimum chamber relative humidity.
8 more elements
A method for incubating and hatching eggs comprising the steps of:
- providing a first coil for conducting a relatively hot fluid and a second coil for conducting a relatively cold fluid;
- placing the coils in an insulated chamber;
- providing a humidifier in the chamber;
- placing a plurality of eggs in the chamber;
- selecting a chamber temperature and a minimum chamber relative humidity;
- periodically monitoring the chamber temperature;
- producing a relatively hot fluid flow in the first coil if the temperature is below the selected chamber temperature;
- producing a relatively cold fluid flow in the second coil if the temperature is above the selected chamber temperature;
- periodically monitoring the chamber relative humidity;
- actuating the humidifier if the relative humidity is below the selected minimum chamber relative humidity;
- selecting a maximum chamber carbon dioxide level;
- periodically monitoring the chamber carbon dioxide level;
- and
- increasing chamber ventilation if the chamber carbon dioxide level is above the selected maximum chamber carbon dioxide level.
11 more elements
A method for incubating and hatching eggs comprising the steps of:
- providing a first coil for conducting a relatively hot fluid and a second coil for conducting a relatively cold fluid;
- placing the coils in an insulated chamber;
- providing a humidifier in the chamber;
- placing a plurality of eggs in the chamber;
- selecting a chamber temperature and a minimum chamber relative humidity;
- periodically monitoring the chamber temperature;
- producing a relatively hot fluid flow in the first coil if the temperature is below the selected chamber temperature;
- producing a relatively cold fluid flow in the second coil if the temperature is above the selected chamber temperature;
- periodically monitoring the chamber relative humidity;
- actuating the humidifier if the relative humidity is below the selected minimum chamber relative humidity;
- selecting a maximum chamber carbon dioxide level;
- periodically monitoring the chamber carbon dioxide level;
- increasing chamber ventilation if the chamber carbon dioxide level is above the selected maximum chamber carbon dioxide level;
- maximizing chamber ventilation responsive to a predetermined change in the rate of such periodic monitoring or in the absence of electrical power;
- sensing electrical power which may be required to perform certain of the foregoing steps;
- sensing the rate of periodic monitoring of chamber environmental factors;
- creating a chamber environment for preserving egg life responsive to a predetermined change in the rate of such periodic monitoring or in the absence of electrical power, said step of creating a chamber environment for preserving egg life comprising:
- preventing the flow of hot fluid;
- permitting the flow of cold fluid;
- and
- deactivating the humidifier;
- and
- thereafter generating an alarm.
20 more elements
Apparatus for controlling temperature and humidity, said apparatus comprising:
- a hot fluid manifold;
- a cold fluid manifold;
- a plurality of upright helical coils in fluid communication with said hot fluid manifold;
- a plurality of upright helical coils in fluid communication with said cold fluid manifold;
- and
- a fan disposed above said coils for drawing air through said coils.
3 more elements
Apparatus for controlling temperature and humidity, said apparatus comprising:
- a first upright helical coil for conducting a relatively hot fluid;
- a second upright helical coil for conducting a relatively cold fluid;
- a tubular element having a plurality of openings formed therein disposed beneath said coils, said tubular element being journaled for rotation about its longitudinal axis in a substantially horizontal attitude;
- a pan for containing liquid disposed beneath said tubular element and spaced therefrom so that a lower portion of said tubular element is submerged in liquid when said pan contains such liquid;
- means for rotating said tubular element;
- and
- a fan disposed above said coils for drawing air into one end of said tubular element, out of said openings and through said coils.
4 more elements
Apparatus for controlling temperature and humidity, said apparatus comprising:
- a hot fluid manifold;
- a cold fluid manifold;
- a plurality of upright helical coils in fluid communication with said hot fluid manifold;
- a plurality of upright helical coils in fluid communication with said cold fluid manifold;
- a tubular element having a plurality of openings formed therein disposed beneath said coils, said tubular element being journaled for rotation about its longitudinal axis in a substantially horizontal attitude;
- a pan for containing liquid disposed beneath said tubular element and spaced therefrom so that a lower portion of said tubular element is submerged in liquid when said pan contains such liquid;
- means for rotating said tubular element;
- and
- a fan disposed above said coils for drawing air through said tubular element and said coils;
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.