The Invention
The patent, US438159A, granted to Andrew F. Hilyer of Washington, D.C., on October 14, 1890, is for a specific type of water evaporator for hot-air registers. The device is an attachment designed to add moisture to the air in a room heated by a hot-air furnace.
Key Features:
- Water Tank with Hooks: The device consists of a tank (A) designed to hold water. This tank is attached to the hot-air register using adjustable hooks (a).
- High-Placement Design: The adjustable hooks allow the tank to be hung “near the top of the register, where it will receive the greatest amount of heat,” ensuring maximum evaporation.
- Vertical Pins for Capillary Action: A key part of the invention is the use of two or more vertical pins (c) that extend upward from the tank. These pins serve a “double purpose.” First, they act as handles for lifting the tank. Second, they are intended to catch and hold a cloth.
- Moisture Enhancement: Hilyer explains that a cloth can be placed over the tank with its corners in the water. Water is then drawn up the cloth by capillary attraction, creating a large, wet surface area from which a “greater amount of evaporation” can occur. The wet cloth also serves as a filter to “catch the dust that comes from the register.”
- Stabilizing Stops: To prevent the tank from swinging forward when it’s hung on the register, the device includes stops (D) on its rear side. These stops keep the tank “always adjusted to a level when in use.”
Significance of the Invention and Inventor
Andrew F. Hilyer was a prominent African American civil rights activist, educator, and inventor. His patent, though for a seemingly simple household item, reflects his ingenuity and focus on practical problem-solving.
- Solving a Common Problem: As hot-air furnaces became a popular method of heating homes, a new problem emerged: excessively dry indoor air, which can be harmful to a person’s health and damaging to wooden furniture. Hilyer’s invention provided a simple, affordable, and effective solution to this widespread issue.
- Focus on Efficiency: Hilyer’s design went beyond just holding water. The inclusion of the vertical pins for capillary action demonstrates his understanding of physics to maximize the device’s efficiency. By increasing the surface area of the water, he ensured that the device would effectively humidify the air.
- Pioneering Figure: Andrew F. Hilyer was a notable figure in Washington, D.C.’s African American community. He was a founding member of the American Negro Academy and was committed to showcasing the talents and accomplishments of Black professionals and inventors. His patent is a part of this larger legacy, representing his contribution to both technology and the advancement of his community.
