Abstract: A self-driven centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a stand pipe that is constructed and arranged to deliver fluid. A vane assembly is adapted to receive fluid from the stand pipe. The vane assembly includes a liner and a plurality of vanes. The liner defines an inner cavity and the vanes extends within this inner cavity. Each of the vanes has a radially outer edge portion and integrally formed with the liner and an opposite free edge. The vanes are oriented in a parallel relationship with the stand pipe, and the free edges of the vanes define a stand pipe passage in which the stand pipe is received.

Abstract: A self-driven centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a base having a pair of tangential jet nozzles for generating the self-driven force. Connected to the base is a centrifuge shell which defines a hollow interior space. A disposable liner is positioned within the centrifuge shell. A hollow rotor hub is assembled to the base and extends through the hollow interior space. A support plate is positioned within the hollow interior space and, in cooperation with the rotor hub, defines an annular flow exit. Positioned within the hollow interior space is a unitary separation vane module which is constructed and arranged so as to extend around the rotor hub. The separation vane module includes a plurality of axially-extending and spaced-apart separation vanes. In one embodiment the vane module and a liner shell are formed as a unitary component.

Abstract: A centrifuge for processing a flow of oil in order to remove particulate matter includes a mounting base defining a drain passageway, a drain conduit connected to the mounting base, a unitary housing connected to the mounting base, and a cone-stack subassembly which is positioned in and cooperates with the unitary housing. The mounting base is constructed and arranged to mount directly to a portion of a vehicle engine (or other equipment) and the drain conduit provides a return path to sump for oil from a remote engine (or equipment) location. The unitary housing is an injection molded plastic component including both a main body portion and an integral oil fill port. The oil fill port is substantially cylindrical with a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation for the rotor portion of the centrifuge.

Abstract: A centrifuge filter for removing soot from engine oil. The centrifuge filter includes a rotor adapted to be rotated inside a centrifuge housing by an electric motor or other means. The rotor preferably includes a reusable aluminum support casing and a disposable plastic cartridge. The plastic cartridge includes a trap with partition walls to prevent wave formation in the rotating liquid contained in the trap. The cartridge includes an annular inlet through its top end, a winding flow path through the cartridge and an outlet at the bottom enc. The centrifuge housing includes an isolated sealed rotor chamber. Using the venturi effect, air is evacuated from the rotor chamber to provide a partial vacuum to reduce air drag on the rotor. Resilient rubber vibration isolators are used to reduce vibrations and engine induced shock loads from reaching the rotating element. A side oil inlet is provided in the cartridge to receive unfiltered oil at a location offset from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A centrifuge filter for removing soot from engine oil. The centrifuge filter includes a rotor adapted to be rotated inside a centrifuge housing by an electric motor or other means. The rotor preferably includes a reusable aluminum support casing and a disposable plastic cartridge. The plastic cartridge includes a trap with partition walls to prevent wave formation in the rotating liquid contained in the trap. The cartridge includes an annular inlet through its top end, a winding flow path through the cartridge and an outlet at the bottom. The centrifuge housing includes an isolated sealed rotor chamber. Using the venturi effect, air is evacuated from the rotor chamber to provide a partial vacuum to reduce air drag on the rotor. Resilient rubber vibration isolators are used to reduce vibrations and engine induced shock loads from reaching the rotating element. A side oil inlet is provided in the cartridge to receive unfiltered oil at a location offset from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A centrifugal dryer for leafy comestibles includes a basket within a cylindrical cabinet. Overlying the cabinet is a cover assembly having a lid, an external crank arm and a gear train sealed within a gearbox mounted to the underside of the lid. An output shaft of the gear train engages a central tower of the basket to rotate the basket about a vertical axis. The cover assembly includes a hand brake mechanism having a brake pad which selectively engages an upper peripheral lip flange of the basket for stopping rotation without straining the gear train.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator (10) for an engine includes a rotor (30) mounted within a housing (12, 14) for rotation on hollow spindle (42) to the end of which oil is supplied at high pressure to enter the rotor. To prevent the rotor from flying from the base and oil spraying if the cover (14) is removed without shutting off the oil supply via optional valve (80), a rotor restraint (90) is provided in the form of a ring (91) which surrounds and overlies a flange of the rotor. The ring may be complete or discontinuous and may also include an interlock to prevent attachment of the cover and/or supply of oil if the ring is not in place.

Abstract: A centrifugal mud separator includes a base frame, a lower cap, a movable disk, a vane ring, an upper cap, a converging impeller, a soil retention speed reducer and a soil scraping means. Through high speed rotation, a centrifugal force and a stepless rotation speed difference will be generated in the mud that has been fed into the separator to result in the carried object (soil carried by water) suspended outwardly from low speed to high speed thereby to separate soil from water rapidly. By setting different speed variation to control speed difference between the soil and the vanes, the soil will hit the vanes at different times and result in different remaining water content in the soil according to desired specifications until reaching synchronous speed with the vanes. The soil will be spun and collected by the soil retention speed reducer. Water separated from the mud will be sucked into the impeller and discharged out through a water discharge pipe.

Abstract: A centrifugal extractor for extraction of an organic phase from a liquid mixture, such as liquid radioactive wastes, is disclosed. In the centrifugal extractor, both the separating weir and the divert disk are designed to be adjustable in their vertical positions. The extractor, thus, desirably separates the organic phase, including usable elements in addition to chemically toxic high radioactive elements, from the aqueous phase and desirably controls the reaction time of the two phases regardless of a variation of the mixing ratio and the rotational speed of the two phases. In the centrifugal extractor, a liquid suction and rotation unit sucks and rotates the liquid mixture and separates the organic phase from the aqueous phase while controlling the reaction time of the two phases. A height-adjustable separation weir unit is designed to locate the separating weir at a boundary layer between the two separated phases.

Abstract: A cone-stack centrifuge for separating particulate material out of a circulating fluid includes a rotor assembly configured with a hollow rotor hub and is constructed to rotate about an axis by the ejection of the fluid from nozzles in the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly is mounted on a shaft that is attached to the hub of a base. The base further includes a fluid inlet, a passageway connected to the inlet and in fluid communication with the rotor assembly, and fluid outlet. A bearing arrangement is positioned between the rotor hub and the shaft for rotary motion of the rotor assembly about the shaft. The base further includes a baffle for re-directing a swirling flow of fluid out of the base in a radial direction and into the fluid outlet.

Abstract: An electric salad spinner device which is designed for ease of use and allows for efficient drying of salad greens, leafy vegetables and the like. The device comprises a base component, a generally cylindrical basket component, a generally cylindrical basket component, a scalable lid having a handle, an on/off switch and a drive motor. Optionally, the device also comprises a liquid dispenser assembly which may also be motorized to provide agitation and may also comprise a sheer assembly to allow for slicing in of hard vegetables such as, for example, cucumbers, carrots, celery and the like.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator has a centrifuge rotor (1), which is rotatable about a vertical axis (x) of rotation and has at least one outlet (3) around the periphery for intermittently discharging a separated product. The separator has a casing (4), which encloses the rotor, and a space (6), delimited by the rotor (1) and an inner surface of a wall forming a part of the casing. The space (6) is arranged to receive the product from the outlet and has an outlet passage (8) for conveying the product from the space. The inner surface has a first surface portion (9′), located at the level of the outlet and extending inwardly from a second surface portion (9″) of the inner surface. The second surface portion is located below the first surface portion and extends around the rotor downwardly and inwardly with respect to the axis (x). The outlet passage (8) is located below the maximum diameter of the second surface portion.

Abstract: A centrifuge oil filter includes a centrifuge filter housing and a replaceable centrifuge cartridge. The centrifuge oil filter is adapted to remove soot from oil in engine applications. The centrifuge filter housing can be mounted directly on the frame of a vehicle for support and provides top access for a mechanic to service and replace the cartridge from the top of the filter. The centrifuge housing includes a lid at the top which can be removed to allow top access to the cartridge. The lid carries a bearing support and bearings upon which the upper end of a drive shaft is journalled to facilitate rotation of the cartridge. In the lower end of the housing another bearing assembly is provided with at least one set of bearings upon which the lower end of the drive shaft is journalled and an electrical motor which drives the drive shaft and therefore the cartridge.

Abstract: A centrifuge oil filter includes a centrifuge filter housing and a replaceable centrifuge cartridge. The centrifuge oil filter is adapted to remove soot from oil in engine applications. The centrifuge filter housing can be mounted directly on the frame of a vehicle for support and provides top access for a mechanic to service and replace the cartridge from the top of the filter. The centrifuge housing includes a lid at the top which can be removed to allow top access to the cartridge. The lid carries a bearing support and bearings upon which the upper end of a drive shaft is journalled to facilitate rotation of the cartridge. In the lower end of the housing another bearing assembly is provided with at least one set of bearings upon which the lower end of the drive shaft is journalled and an electrical motor which drives the drive shaft and therefore the cartridge.

Abstract: A housing structure adapted for use in a horizontal solid-bowl screw decanter centrifuge, includes an outer housing body having a bottom area formed with an assembly opening which extends over a substantial length of the housing body and is destined for insertion of a tubular inner bowl. The inner bowl is secured to the housing body at opposite end faces of the housing body and is formed for discharge of solids and liquids with connection ports which extend radially with respect to an axis of rotation of the centrifuge. The outer housing body has opposite axial ends formed with access openings for insertion of a rotor and a transmission into the interior space of the inner bowl.

Abstract: A machine for separation two liquids of different densities from a mixture has a separation chamber with radially disposed fins that rotates about a central axis. The separation chamber has an outside wall with a first weir extending toward the central axis and spaced from the central axis a distance or radius that is less than the distance of the boundary between the two fluids in the separation chamber. The mixture separates into a first volume of the first fluid and a second volume of the second fluid. The first fluid exits past the first weir. The second fluid passes into a channel or volume and then past a second weir. The channel or volume is sized so that the angular momentum of the second fluid is conserved and develops a force to retain the first fluid and the second fluid in the separation chamber. The separation chamber is in a housing which contains a first collecting chamber to collect the first fluid and a second collecting chamber to collect the second fluid.

Abstract: A classification system utilizing a cone which is rotated at a specified speed is provided. A stream including a solvent is introduced into the classification, and the stream impacts against the cone and flows along the inside face of the cone. The side of the cone is sufficiently long that the conic face filters the introduced flow, thereby removing substantial portions of the solvent and leaving the heavier or classified parts. The discharge from the cone is thus segregated liquids and solids, and the solid stream is a flow of classified particles and a portion of the solvent. The solvent portion is sufficient in volume to conduct the classified particles as a heavy or thick slurry out of the system. There is an interplay between the length of the cone, i.e. the length along which the introduced slurry must flow, also, the cone angle, and the pores through the cone wall.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for removing particulate contaminants from liquid such as engine lubricants consists of a housing for securing to the engine having a funnel-shaped floor from which oil can drain centrally at a drainage duct. The housing is secured to a legged spider or cage carrying a hollow axle by which the apparatus is secured to the engine and oil delivered to a separation rotor canister. Liquid ejected tangentially from rotor nozzles to cause it to rotate tends to flow around the inside of the housing as a vortex and to prevent rotation of the canister being interfered with by climbing of the vortex or splashing of the liquid from such vortex, one or more vortex disruption vanes are formed with the legs of the cage to deflect liquid.

Abstract: A laboratory centrifuge has a housing which can be closed by a casing cover and having in the housing a rotor chamber which contains a motor-driven vertical-axis rotor to accept test tubes. During operation, the test tubes are warmed by friction. To cool the centrifuge, cooling air is pulled in through openings in the lower side of the housing and upward into the rotor chamber by the fan action created by the rotation of the rotor. The air is guided out of the rotor chamber through an air exit in a direction of flow tangential to the perimeter of the rotor in a manner that ensures low turbulence and, thus, low noise. In particular, a slit-like air exit opening is arranged between the casing cover and the top side of the housing.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating solid from liquid comprises a stand, a lower cover, a leaf-blade base, an upper cover, a fender wall, and a scrape assembly. The centrifugal force produced by high-speed rotation of the upper and the lower cover enables a plurality of steel beads to create a squeezing force that is used to balance the pressure exerted on the upper cover by the thrown residue B. By foregoing organization, control of the squeezed pressure as well as thrown quantity of the residue which escapes from the gap C between the upper and the lower cover is possible. Moreover, the separated water will be drained via a drainpipe in order to separate the slurry completely for time and labor cost saving.

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: A centrifuge rotor cover assembly for use with a centrifuge having a rotor and a housing enclosing the rotor and including a lid movable between a closed position overlying the rotor and an open position providing access to the rotor. The cover assembly includes a rotor cover removably coupled to the lid. Means are provided for engaging the rotor cover with the rotor for rotation therewith and for uncoupling the cover from the lid in response to the lid being moved to the closed position. Means are also provided for disengaging the rotor cover from the rotor and for coupling the cover to the lid in response to the lid being moved to the open position.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the removal of solid contaminants which utilizes at least one rotating mesh screen container designed to pass the food therethrough while trapping the solid contaminant. The rotation of the cylindrically-shaped mesh screen causes the food to pass through because of the centrifugal force. The addition of a second mesh or membrane-like placed around the first screen but rotated in the opposite direction is also utilized to trap solid contaminants which are large enough to be trapped by the mesh screen when it is not oriented so as to pass through the screens along its length. Different spacings in mesh and different rotation velocities are utilized to change contaminant screen characteristics.

Abstract: in a process of separating a liquid sample having phase portions of different densities by centrifugal separation, a phase separator container is employed. The phase separator container comprises a housing having concentric inner and outer cylindrical walls defining a longitudinal axis and a top wall and further a piston body constituting a bottom wall of the housing. The piston body defines together with the outer cylindrical wall, the inner cylindrical wall and the top wall, an annular chamber for receiving the liquid sample. The piston body is displaceable within the annular chamber for draining a phase portion separated from the liquid sample through a drain conduit means communicating with the annular chamber. The phase separation chamber further comprises a reaction chamber to which the phase portions exposed from the annular chamber is processed.

Abstract: A device for drying food is provided. The device includes a bowl having a bottom wall and a sidewall terminating in a top edge, a cover removably connected to the top edge of the bowl, a basket assembly including a basket and a removable lid disposed in the bowl and rotatable relative to the bowl about an axis, and a brake assembly carried by the cover and engageable with the lid for stopping rotation of the basket assembly.

Abstract: A laboratory centrifuge includes a continuous metal plate comprising an underbody base plate having a rotor drive motor mounted thereon, an angled front screen which contains operating devices and display instruments, and a bending region which extends between the base plate and the front screen. At least two reciprocally parallel rows of decoupling slots are arranged between the bending region of the metal plate and the base plate. The decoupling slots form a meandering bar connection between the front screen and the base plate, by which noise generated due to imbalance at the rotor or structural noise in the direction of the front plate is considerably reduced. A conventional table centrifuge housing having a hinged lid and rotor bowl is fitted on the underbody.

Abstract: A device for drying food includes a bowl having a bottom wall and a sidewall terminating in a top edge, a cover removably connected to the top edge of the bowl and a perforated basket disposed in the bowl and rotatable relative thereto coaxially therewith, and a drive assembly coupled to the basket for effecting rotation thereof. The drive assembly includes a linearly reciprocating handle structure with a screw shaft engageable with a nut coupled to the basket for converting the reciprocating movement of the handle structure to rotary motion of the basket.

Abstract: A fruit and vegetable juice extractor includes a motor base, a rotary disk rotatably mounted on the top of the motor base, a housing secured on the top of the motor base and containing a socket defined in the bottom thereof for receiving the rotary disk therein, a funnel-shaped strainer hood rotatably mounted in the housing and having a bottom wall secured to the rotary disk to rotate therewith, and a tapered wall containing a plurality of meshes formed therein, and a cutter disk rotatably mounted in the housing and secured to the bottom wall of the strainer hood to rotate therewith. A cover is mounted to the top of the housing and includes a feed tube having a first end portion extending outward from the cover, and a second end portion extending inward from the cover and located adjacent to the cutter disk, and a baffle device formed in the cover and located adjacent to the cutter disk.

Abstract: A suspended centrifuge apparatus has been improved by the addition of a restraint that closely maintains the original, static, vertical axis of a suspended centrifuge vessel during rotation. The restraint is preferably located to act on the lower half of the suspended vessel and preferably limits axial gyration to less than 5-degrees. A further improvement is a centrifuge bowl configuration which provides a protected surface to be acted on by a gyration restraint while partially eliminating centrifuge bowl capacity in a lower, central region subjected to inherently low centrifugal forces. An improved liquid separation process results from the use of the improved apparatus to better control the liquid discharge trajectory from the rotating centrifuge. Process control and safety are also improved.

Abstract: A method for the removal of solid contaminants which utilizes two rotating mesh screen containers designed to pass the food therethrough while trapping the solid contaminant. The rotation of the first cylindrically-shaped mesh screen causes the food to pass through because of the centrifugal force leaving behind a portion of the solid contaminants. The second mesh or membrane-like placed around the first screen but rotated in the opposite direction is also utilized to trap solid contaminants which are large enough to be trapped by the mesh screen when it is not oriented so as to pass through the screens along its length. Different spacings in mesh and different rotation velocities are utilized to change contaminant screen characteristics.

Abstract: A salad spinner having a base which receives a basket for rotation therein. A cover mounts to the base and includes a drive plate with engages the basket to drive same. The basket includes an upper edge spaced closely to the base for stability. The basket further includes one or more access depressions permitting a user to insert a finger between the basket and base. The drive plate includes one or more drive projections which abut against the access depressions, permitting these access depressions to also be used as a portion of the drive train. The cover may be inverted to an inoperative position for reduced storage space, and a storage cap may be secured to the base to store the salad spinner, of simply the contents of the base, free from contamination.

Abstract: In a centrifugal apparatus for separating wetting material carried on particulate matter or chips, such apparatus includes a truncated conical shaped bowl into which the particulate matter or chips are deposited for centrifugal separation. A number of equidistantly spaced and radially aligned vanes are secured to the inner surface of the bowl adjacent the truncated end to collect incoming particulate matter or chips, and to establish a buffer layer, reducing the abrasion on the bowl caused by the insertion of further particulate matter or chips.

Abstract: A laboratory centrifuge has a housing which can be closed by a casing cover and having in the housing a rotor chamber which contains a motor-driven vertical-axis rotor to accept test tubes. During operation, the test tubes are warmed by friction. To cool the centrifuge, cooling air is pulled in through openings in the lower side of the housing and upward into the rotor chamber by the fan action created by the rotation of the rotor. The air is guided out of the rotor chamber through an air exit in a direction of flow tangential to the perimeter of the rotor in a manner that ensures low turbulence and, thus, low noise. In particular, a slit-like air exit opening is arranged between the casing cover and the top side of the housing.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for relatively rotatable components such as a salad spinner comprising a bowl, a colander adapted to rest within the bowl, a lid for the bowl and colander, and a drive mechanism associated with the lid and operatively connected to the colander for rotating the colander relative to the bowl. The drive mechanism includes a handle and a drive gear associated with the handle rotatably attaching the turret to the lid, a pinion gear in driving engagement with the turret, and a clutch interposed between the pinion gear and the turret. The pinion gear meshes with the drive gear whereby movement of the handle in one direction engages the clutch to transmit movement to the turret for spinning of the colander in one direction. Movement of the handle in the opposite direction disengages the clutch. The clutch comprises a clutch housing and a clutch assembly receivable within the clutch housing.

Abstract: A centrifuge having a housing defining a chamber features a containment system with a decelerator to reduce the kinetic energy of debris traveling from the chamber toward the housing. The chamber includes an opening, and a lid is pivotally mounted to the housing to selectively cover the opening. The decelerator includes a first annular member extending from a periphery of the opening inwardly toward the chamber, terminating in a downwardly extending angled region, as well as a second annular member extending downwardly in spaced relation with respect to the housing, forming a gap therebetween. The second annular member, the first annular member and the annular gap define a trap adapted to preventing debris from impinging upon the gasket and the lid. An annular baffle extends downwardly from the lid and is adapted to seat proximate to the trap upon the lid being positioned to cover the opening.

Abstract: The present invention is a centrifuge bowl housing and cover latch suitable for use in a blood separation system. The housing is mounted on shock absorbers to minimize transmission of vibrations from the centrifuge. The housing is configured to retain spilled liquids, efficiently collect the spilled liquids, drain liquids away from the drive means, and drain liquids out of a drain port to a collection container. The housing has a transparent cover that opens to allow loading of centrifuge bowls into the housing. The cover is a shatter resistant material and when closed, seals the top of the housing, retaining blood components and flying pieces of a centrifuge bowl if the bowl breaks. The cover has a latch that prevents the centrifuge from spinning when the cover is open and prevents opening of the cover when the centrifuge is spinning.

Abstract: A laboratory centrifuge is known with a centrifuge housing which contains a motor and a rotor connected with the motor through a drive shaft, the motor being held in the motor housing which includes an upper end shield and a lower end shield, and with the motor having a rotor tank arranged above it which has a passage for the drive shaft on the motor side. In order to indicate, starting from here, a laboratory centrifuge which is economical to manufacture and simple to assemble, which can be cooled easily, if necessary, it is proposed that the rotor tank and the upper end shield be made as a single piece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the drying of produce and particularly leafy vegetables. A spin dryer (100) is provided which releasably receives and holds a plurality of manually liftable field baskets (21). A turntable assembly (110) is rotatably mounted to a stationary support structure (105) and operatively coupled to a drive assembly (121). Turntable (110) is adapted to hold a plurality of baskets (21) preferably with the baskets (21) positioned on their sides with their perforated bottom walls (24) facing outwardly and away from the turntable spin axis (14). Produce pieces (22) are preferably stacked in baskets (21) in a parallel vertical orientation with their stems (31) proximate he bottom walls (24) of the baskets (21).

Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a chip bowl for receiving a fluid-particulate mix and delivering the mix onto the screening surface of a cylindrical separator screen disposed around the bowl. A canopy portion of the bowl overlaps the separator screen and is axially positionable therealong such that a variable length of the separator screen may extend beyond the forward edge of the bowl. A separator drive shaft has an axial bore for housing a bowl drive column and an adjusting rod. The bowl drive column is mounted to the separator drive shaft and adjusting rod such that axial movement of the adjusting rod causes axial movement of the bowl drive column but not the separator drive shaft and rotation of the separator drive shaft causes rotation of the bowl drive column but not the adjustment rod.

Abstract: A centrifugal oil filter in which a cylindrical housing 42 is rotatable by the reaction force from oil jets 56 leaving via nozzles 44, is increased by the provision of ribs 54 on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical housing 28. This enables the cylindrical vessel 42 to be provided with an internal coarse oil filter while allowing an increase in acceleration and rotational speed.

Abstract: A laboratory centrifuge having a housing which can be closed by a casing cover and having in the housing a rotor chamber which contains a motor-driven vertical-axis rotor to accept test tubes is disclosed. During operation, the test tubes are warmed by friction. To cool the centrifuge, cooling air is pulled in through openings in the lower side of the housing and upward into the rotor chamber by the fan action created by the rotation of the rotor. The air is guided out of the rotor chamber through an air exit in a direction of flow tangential to the perimeter of the rotor in a manner that ensures low turbulence and, thus, low noise. In particular, a slit-like air exit opening is arranged between the casing cover and the top side of the housing.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator has a housing with a generally cylindrical inner surface defining an inner chamber. A hollow rotor is disposed within the chamber for rotation therein. At least one inlet is provided for introducing a liquid mixture into the annular volume between the rotor and the housing, where it is then directed into the rotor. An upper rotor assembly separates the liquid mixture by phase densities with the disparate components directed to respective outlets. In one embodiment of the invention, the upper rotor assembly includes an easily removable weir ring to facilitate "tuning" of the separation process. The rotor of the separator is mounted on a unitary rotor shaft that extends axially through the separation chamber to upper and lower bearing assemblies in the separator housing.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump tube holder includes a body that supports a flexible tubing loop in an erect, outwardly bowed position extending from the body for engagement with a peristaltic pump rotor. The holder also includes a receptacle carrying the body. The receptacle includes a wall forming a chamber that covers the flexible tubing loop and at least partially shields it from contact. The chamber further serves, during engagement between the tubing loop and a peristaltic pump rotor, as a cover for the peristaltic pump rotor.

Abstract: A method and a device for separating a component, such as fibrin monomer from blood, by centrifugation, involve feeding of blood admixed an anticoagulant to a first annular chamber in a device, where the annular chamber is defined by a cylindrical outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall, both walls extending coaxially about a common axis, as well as by a top wall and a bottom wall. The top wall or the bottom wall is formed by a piston body displaceable within the first chamber. This method involves furthermore a centrifugation of the device about the said common axis to substantially separate blood into a cell fraction and a plasma fraction followed by the resulting plasma fraction being transferred while influenced by the piston body to a second chamber defined by an outer cylindrical wall. The outer cylindrical wall extends coaxially with the said common axis, whereby a fraction with fibrin I is caused to be separated in the second chamber while a suitable enzyme is being added.

Abstract: In a horizontal centrifugal apparatus for separating wetting material carried on chips, such apparatus includes a conically shaped bowl carrying vanes distributed about its inner face with the midpoint of the length of said vane lying on a radius from the horizontal axis of bowl rotation such that the vane leading ends and trailing ends are about fifteen degrees of the radius at the midpoint of such vanes to impose an impediment to the rate of erosion on the vanes.

Abstract: A centrifugal filter device includes a housing having an essentially cylindrical housing wall about an axis of the housing and an annular trough located radially inwardly of the housing wall, a cap fitted to the housing and having a lid spaced from an upper edge of the housing wall, the cap further comprising an annular side wall spaced radially outwardly from the housing wall and defining an annular catchment chamber having an annular tapered deflection surface therein, a first exit port in the side wall of the cap, a second exit port at the trough of the housing, an inner chamber situated within the housing and adapted to rotate about the axis, the inner chamber having an essentially cylindrical wall inwardly spaced from the cylindrical wall of the housing so as to define an annular space therebetween, an internal drain communicating an interior of the chamber with the trough of the housing, and an annular closure element having an opening communicating the interior of the chamber with the annular catchment

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating liquids and solids from various materials, including a rotatably driven receiving drum with a raisable and lowerable lift bottom arranged in a liquid-tight basin, and raisable and lowerable material guide surfaces arranged to be raised or lowered independently of the lift bottom.

Abstract: A separator includes a housing, a basket rotatably mounted in the housing and a movable weir member. The basket has an upstream end portion, a downstream end portion and an intermediate tubular portion that includes or forms a screen deck. The weir member is movable between a first position where a portion of the weir member extends radially inward relative to the inner surface of the downstream open end portion and a second position spaced from the first position. In this manner, the weir member forms a movable dam adjacent the downstream end portion of the basket. In operation, feed material is fed into the basket as the basket is rotated. The heavy fractions of the material pass transversely through the basket (i.e., the tubular portion that forms a screen deck) and report to a first outlet from which the heavy fractions are collected.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator has a housing with a generally cylindrical inner surface defining an inner chamber. A hollow rotor is disposed within the chamber for rotation therein. At least one inlet is provided for introducing a liquid mixture into the annular volume between the rotor and the housing, where it is then directed into the rotor. An upper rotor assembly separates the liquid mixture by phase densities with the disparate components directed to respective outlets. In one embodiment of the invention, the upper rotor assembly includes an easily removable weir ring to facilitate "tuning" of the separation process. The rotor of the separator is mounted on a unitary rotor shaft that extends axially through the separation chamber to upper and lower bearing assemblies in the separator housing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel rotor design employed in a centrifuge for use in separating fluids. The rotor is configured with a separation chamber which comprises a plurality of channels extending axially and radially throughout the separation chamber. Radial plates extending axially and radially throughout the separation chamber at least partially define the channels. A first and a second weir, each having a front face and a crest extending substantially annularly about the axis of rotation, are also included in the rotor. A fluid outlet passageway is also provided through which the second fluid may exit the separation chamber. The fluid outlet passageway comprises a plurality of channels configured to permit radially inward flow and prevent circumferential flow of the second fluid. These channels are at least partially defined by radial partitions which extend axially and radially within the fluid outlet passageway.