Abstract: A rotor cover attach and release apparatus for use with a centrifuge. The apparatus includes a knob, a cover and housing that are both affixed to the knob. The apparatus also includes an adapter having detents pitched at an angle, that is connected to the housing along with a plunger that is disposed within the knob and housing. In addition, the apparatus has a first moveable element that is retained within a passage located on the housing and a biasing element located within the housing. The apparatus additionally includes a plurality of sealing elements.

Abstract: A system and method for stopping a moving member located on a stationary member. The system includes sliders or rollers configured to move along a track. The track has a discontinuity to move the moving member to engage a friction pad to slow the moving member. The system includes a striker configured to engage a stop for stopping the moving member. The method includes moving the member along a pathway, altering the movement of the member with a discontinuity in the pathway, slowing the member at the discontinuity with a friction device engaged by the altered movement of the member, stopping the member with a resilient device, and preventing the member from bouncing back from the resilient device a significant amount with the friction device.

Abstract: Kinetic energy of a rotor is substantially prevented from exceeding a predetermined amount of kinetic energy by determining a first kinetic energy of the rotor spinning at a first rotational velocity and determining whether the first kinetic energy exceeds the predetermined amount of kinetic energy. In addition, torque being applied to the rotor is modulated in response to the first kinetic energy exceeding the predetermined amount of kinetic energy. In this manner, the rotor is spun at a relatively slower rotational velocity than the first rotational velocity.

Abstract: An apparatus for alignment of an automation system used in low temperature refrigeration systems. An alignment system is provided to move the automation system along an X, Y, Z or other coordinate axis by adjusting fasteners and moving the automation system along a direction defined by a set of slots. The adjustment allows for more accurate alignment that is required in the automation system.

Abstract: A testing apparatus is disclosed that includes an expandable mechanical structure, and logging devices that are coupled to the mechanical structure and serially networked together. The testing apparatus of the present invention is utilized to accommodate storage units, such as refrigerators, freezers and incubators, of various sizes.

Abstract: A centrifuge temperature pre-calibration apparatus including a memory storage device having correction coefficients for temperature, a controller, an un-calibrated temperature sensor and a calibrated temperature display device connected to a computer which based on data from these connections calculates a slope of a line and calculates actual temperature based on this slope and an offset value. The slope is determined by the ratio of the difference between a second data point and a first data point of the calibrated temperature display device and the difference between the second data point and the first data point of the un-calibrated temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is herein disclosed for determining the motor performance of an electric motor through monitoring the temperature of rotor magnets. The temperature is determined by initially heating the rotor magnets to two known temperatures and subsequently recording the temperature at each known temperature. From the known and recorded temperatures, an offset, if any, is calculated. An actual temperature is then determined from the subsequent temperatures of the magnets and the offset. The actual temperature is then used as a basis to determine the motor performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which provides a pressure sensor and/or temperature sensor connected to the low pressure side of a refrigeration system, or the discharge line of a scroll compressor. When the scroll compressor rotates backward, the change of pressure or temperature immediately sends a signal to work with a time-delay relay and a normally closed relay to immediately cut off the electrical power supply to the compressor. Thus, causing the scroll compressor to stop rotating in the undesirable direction.

Abstract: A compressor is controlled by generating and storing a compressor operation log. In addition, a compressor operation is selected from the compressor operation log in response to a sensor failure. Furthermore, the compressor is modulated according to the selected compressor operation in response to the sensor failure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing low temperature refrigeration systems is provided. In one embodiment, an access tunnel is provided and a heater, an access door, a vacuum insulation panel, a thermal break, a sealing gasket that mates with a sealing surface together or in part(s) helps to prevent condensation from forming on the exterior of the freezer.

Abstract: A cooling circuit through which coolant flows, for use with a refrigerated cabinet. The cooling circuit includes a compressor and a condenser with a flow path extending there between. The cooling circuit also includes an evaporator and a second flow path that extends between the evaporator and the condenser. The cooling circuit additionally includes a suction accumulator and a flow path extending between the evaporator and the suction accumulator, while a fourth flow path extends between the suction accumulator and the compressor. The cooling circuit also includes a coolant bypass and a switch that switches the cooling circuit between a cycling mode and a non-cycling mode.

Abstract: A temperature control device including a temperature sensor which senses a temperature at a specified location within the refrigeration apparatus. The temperature control device has first flow valve that is operable to selectively increase or decrease the flow of refrigerant in response to the temperature sensed by the sensor. In addition, the device has a second flow valve that is operable to selectively increase or decrease hot gas flow in response to the temperature sensed by the sensor. The temperature control device also contains a controller which controls the above mentioned valves in response to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide gas measurement and control system and method which comprises a thermal conductivity absolute humidity sensor which measures carbon dioxide during dynamic temperature and humidity changes by isolating the particular sensor response for absolute humidity and temperature, i.e., Vm(D,T) in order to track carbon dioxide concentration.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a safety cabinet with a workspace that is surrounded by a housing and is accessible on the front side of the housing through a work opening that can be closed with an adjustable front window. The safety cabinet comprises a safety monitoring system for monitoring various device functions. The safety monitoring system also contains a processor that computationally links measuring data determined during the monitoring of predetermined device functions and/or device parameters stored in the safety monitoring system in such a way that a characteristic number is obtained as the result of the calculation, wherein said characteristic number makes it possible to deduce the entire status of the safety cabinet.

Abstract: An environmental unit, such as a laboratory incubator, includes a calibration probe integral to the unit. The unit also includes a chamber, a ventilation system, a control sensor, and a CPU. The unit may also include a user interface and a heating element. The calibration probe may be integrated into the chamber of the environmental unit. The calibration probe may be a temperature sensor such as a platinum resistance temperature detector used to calibrate the temperature of the chamber of the unit. The calibration probe communicates the temperature to the control sensor, which communicates the temperature to the CPU. The CPU then adjusts the temperature of the unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for notifying a user when the gas pressure of a gas is at or below a threshold pressure. The gas can be injected into a chamber of an incubator. The gas pressure can be measured, relayed and compared to the threshold pressure. If the gas pressure is at or below the threshold pressure, the user will be notified that the gas pressure needs to be corrected.

Abstract: A rotor cover attach and release apparatus for use with a centrifuge. The apparatus includes a knob, a cover and housing that are both affixed to the knob. The apparatus also includes an adapter having detents pitched at an angle, that is connected to the housing along with a plunger that is disposed within the knob and housing. In addition, the apparatus has a first moveable element that is retained within a passage located on the housing and a biasing element located within the housing. The apparatus additionally includes a plurality of sealing elements.

Abstract: A rotor cover attach and release apparatus for use with a centrifuge. The apparatus includes a knob, a cover and housing that are both affixed to the knob. The apparatus also includes an adapter that is connected to the housing along with a plunger that is disposed within the knob and housing. In addition, the apparatus has a first moveable element that is retained within a passage located on the housing and a biasing element located within the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensating gas loss in an incubator. A transducer can be used to monitor the gas pressure of various gases that flow into the incubator. By knowing the correct pressure that flows into the chamber, a faster and more accurate compensation can be done during enhancement or depletion of the gases in the incubator.

Abstract: A centrifuge with a rotor set-up having at least one magnetic bearing is invented to operate a novel centrifuge. The rotor arrangement is connected with at least one permanent magnet configuration which is radially separated by small gap from a passive superconducting magnet stator. The permanent magnets which are adjusted in such a way that the escaping magnetic flux penetrates the adjacent surface of the passive superconducting magnet stator at a substantially perpendicular orientation. A driving motor unit, preferably in the form of a contactless induction engine, ensures a free and frictionless rotation. The passive superconducting magnet stator is comprised a melt textured superconducting YBCO material of high critical current density which can be cooled below its critical temperature of T=92 K using an integrated cryogenic unit to obtain the superconducting state. The stator has a preferred shape of a cylinder or hollow cylinder.