Abstract: A method and apparatus which are capable of controlling the motion of a rotor body fragment after a rotor failure has occurred within a centrifuge assembly which comprises a rotor body, a centrifuge chamber and a centrifuge lid. The moment of the rotor body fragment can be controlled such that it moves along the centrifuge chamber away from the centrifuge lid by any of the following: (a) adjusting the center of gravity of the rotor such that it is below the strike point plane of the rotor; (b) adjusting the shape of the centrifuge chamber to conform to the rotor body shape; (c) sloping the guard ring such that the lower portion is furthest away from the centrifuge chamber; (d) varying the strength or stiffness of the guard ring or centrifuge chamber at or above the center of gravity of the rotor body fragment; and (e) adding a ring member to the top of the centrifuge rotor body.

Abstract: An adapter for use in a fixed angle centrifuge rotor has, in use, a radially inboard and a radially inboard portion. An opening is formed in the radially inboard portion of the adapter. The opening is sized so that substantially no part of the inboard portion of the adapter is exposed during centrifugation to a load that exceeds the ability of the material of the adapter to support itself. The material of the inboard portion of the adapter surrounding the opening has sufficient strength to support itself while under centrifugation. The adapter is fabricated from a light transmissive material. A plug that is slidably disposed and selectably positionable within the opening in the inboard segment of the adapter. The inside surface of the plug having a sealing material thereon that is biased into contact with a tube carried within the adapter.

Abstract: A rotating apparatus including a shaft having a rotor mounting location disposed at a predetermined position on the shaft, the rotor mounting location subdividing the shaft into a first and a second portion, a motor for rotating the shaft connected to the first portion of the shaft, a tachometer for monitoring the rotational speed of the shaft; and a stabilizer connected to the second portion of the shaft and responsive to the tachometer for imposing an axially directed force on the shaft, to minimize vibration of the shaft at critical rotational speeds.

Abstract: A centrifuge network communication system for transmitting instructions to, and receiving data from, a plurality of centrifuge instruments using a central data controller. The central data controller transmits instructions to the centrifuge instruments in the form of discrete data packets, including (a) a centrifuge arbitration packet containing at least one command for a centrifuge instrument, (b) a command execution packet, commanding a centrifuge instrument that has previously received a centrifuge arbitration packet to execute the at least one command contained in the centrifuge arbitration packet, and (c) a transmit acknowledge packet commanding a centrifuge instrument that has previously received a command execution packet to transmit data generated in response to the centrifuge arbitration packet to the central data controller.

Abstract: A data communications system for a plurality of centrifuge instruments, each with a local controller, includes a central data controller and a communication link that connects the central data controller to each of the instrument controllers. The link complies with Electronic Industries Association (EIA) Standard 485. The central data controller transmits a predetermined command and an instrument address signal over the link. Each instrument controller is responsive to the transmission of the command signal and to its respective instrument address signal by transmitting to the central data controller over the communications link the then-current values of at least some of the set of operational parameters for the particular centrifuge instrument.

Abstract: An energy monitoring arrangement that is operatively associated with a centrifuge instrument monitors the magnitude of applied accelerating energy that is used to accelerate a rotor and to interrupt the continued application of accelerating energy if the magnitude of the applied accelerating energy exceeds a predetermined reference energy value. Preferably, the net applied accelerated energy to the rotor is monitored and used in the comparison with the energy reference. The invention may also be used in a predictive manner to provide, early in the centrifugation run, an indication of the energy of a rotor at an operator-ordered set velocity.

Abstract: A bucket for use in a swinging bucket centrifuge rotor includes a cylindrical body having a pair of planar abutments formed thereon. The abutments are diametrically disposed on the body with respect to the axis thereof. A slot is formed between a portion of each abutment and the body of the bucket. Each abutment has a first groove that extends generally parallel to the axis of the body and a second groove that extends generally perpendicular to the axis of the body. The first and second grooves communicate with the slot and together with the slot cooperate to define a resilient spring element on each abutment. A bottom support surface on each abutment is generally cylindrical in shape and has an axis of generation that lies along the axis of the body, whereby a portion of each bottom support surface lies on opposite sides of the axis of the body.

Abstract: A support substrate having an array of magnetically responsive sensors is mounted within the housing of a brushless DC motor in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the motor shaft having commutating magnets thereon. A ferromagnetic flux concentrating member in the form of a generally planar disc having an annular rim with radially inwardly directed spokes is mounted to the support substrate. Each spoke has a radial gap therein. A magnetically responsive sensor is received within each radial gap. The gap may divide the spoke into two discrete gap segments, or may alternatively form an enclosed recess with generally radially extending sidebars along each lateral edge of the spoke.

Abstract: An energy monitoring arrangement that is operatively associated with a centrifuge instrument monitors the magnitude of applied accelerating energy that is used to accelerate a rotor and to interrupt the continued application of accelerating energy if the magnitude of the applied accelerating energy exceeds a predetermined reference energy value. Preferably, the net applied accelerated energy to the rotor is monitored and used in the comparison with the energy reference. The invention may also be used in a predictive manner to provide, early in the centrifugation run, an indication of the energy of a rotor at an operator-ordered set velocity.

Abstract: A swinging bucket centrifuge rotor comprises a body that has a reference plane that extends generally perpendicular to a vertically extending axis of rotation. The body has at least one pair of confronting planar sidewalls each of which has a trunnion pin mounted thereon. Each trunnion pin has an axis therethrough that extends generally perpendicularly to the planar sidewall on which the pin is mounted. Each sidewall further has a generally cylindrical swinging bucket support surface thereon. Each cylindrical support surface has an axis of generation that lies in the reference plane in parallel relationship to the axis of the trunnion pin. Thus, a portion of each cylindrical support surface lies above and below the reference plane.