Abstract: The invention relates to a laboratory centrifuge. The laboratory centrifuge comprises a base body (2). The lid (3) is linked to the base body (2) for being pivoted about a pivot axis (6). A damping device (38) damps the pivoting movement of the lid (3), in particular when the lid (3) approaches a maximum opening angle. According to the invention, the damping device (38) bases upon friction between friction elements (23, 26).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the operation of a laboratory centrifuge (1), wherein a rotor (2) rotates around a horizontal rotational axis (3). It should be avoided that during the start-up of the laboratory centrifuge (1) or the deceleration of the laboratory centrifuge (1) for small angular velocities and small centrifugal forces resulting therefrom due to the gravitational acceleration the product (6) is biased by resulting components of the acceleration in vertical direction which change their sense of direction. For this purpose the acceleration of the rotor (2) is chosen such that when arriving for the first time in a reversing angular position (twelve o'clock position) there is already a centrifugal acceleration being larger than the gravitational acceleration. The corresponding applies for the deceleration of the rotor after the centrifugation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laboratory centrifuge (1) with a coupling device (4) actuated by a centrifugal force. According to the invention an eccentric mass (22), especially a roller (23), is guided through a guideway (26) and preferably another guideway (27, 32) in such a way that the centrifugal force (46) of the eccentric mass (22) is deflected in such a way that a coupling force is generated which presses a coupling element (24) radially inwards against the outer surface of a drive shaft (3).

Abstract: A rotor body (3) for a laboratory centrifuge includes a rotor hub (14) which is inserted in a central opening and on the outside of which, at least one helically curve continuous groove (27) runs so as to form a transport facility for cooling air. The cooling air is effective in the direction of the axis (2) of the rotor hub (14) between the upper side (23) and the underside (22) of the rotor (1). In this manner, a cooling airstream which runs axially through the rotor (1) and undergoes direct thermal exchange with the rotor (1) and the mixtures to be treated in the laboratory centrifuge can be realized. No additional installation volume is required for this measure and equalization of the temperature of the rotor and the housing accommodating the rotor can be achieved.

Abstract: A rotor body (3) for a laboratory centrifuge includes a rotor hub (14) which is inserted in a central opening and on the outside of which, at least one helically curve continuous groove (27) runs so as to form a transport facility for cooling air. The cooling air is effective in the direction of the axis (2) of the rotor hub (14) between the upper side (23) and the underside (22) of the rotor (1). In this manner, a cooling airstream which runs axially through the rotor (1) and undergoes direct thermal exchange with the rotor (1) and the mixtures to be treated in the laboratory centrifuge can be realized. No additional installation volume is required for this measure and equalization of the temperature of the rotor and the housing accommodating the rotor can be achieved.

Abstract: A locking system for axially securing a rotor onto a rotatably mounted shaft. The arrangement includes a plurality of locking levers which are each pivotably mounted about axes extending perpendicularly to the shaft between a locking position and an unlocking position in planes containing the axes. The locking levers can each be automatically transferred between an unlocking position and a locking position depending on rotational speed. The locking levers are mounted on the rotor and an annular groove is provided on the shaft and engages with the locking levers in the locking position, wherein the locking levers are prestressed in the unlocking position. Advantageously, the rotor can be both installed and removed without tools by merely placing the rotor onto or removing the rotor from the shaft, in each case depending on rotational speed.

Abstract: The locking system, which is intended to axially secure the rotor (1), of a laboratory centrifuge, wherein said rotor can be placed onto a rotatably mounted shaft (3) that extends vertically, is characterized by an arrangement of a plurality of locking levers (7), which are each pivotably mounted about axes (8) extending perpendicularly to the shaft (3) between a locking position and an unlocking position in planes containing the axes (2), wherein said locking levers can each be automatically transferred from the unlocking position to the locking position and from the locking position to the unlocking position depending on rotational speed. The locking levers (7) are mounted on the rotor (1), and an annular groove (6) is provided on the shaft (3), said annular groove engaging with the locking levers (7) in the locking position, wherein the locking levers (7) are prestressed in the unlocking position.

Abstract: A control device for controlling operating parameters and control functions for the operation of a laboratory centrifuge. The control device has a panel for displaying a visual representation of at least a part of the operating parameters and control functions such as speed of rotation, acceleration temperature, etc. A control switch sets the operating parameters and control functions, this switch being capable of at least two independent movements—a first movement including a rotation about an axis, the second one a displacement along the axis. One of these switch movement, e.g., rotation, provides for the selection and change in setting of one of the operating parameters and control functions, and another of the switch movement, e.g., displacement, provides for acceptance of the selection and acceptance of the setting.

Abstract: A laboratory centrifuge, whose centrifuge rotor is mounted in a bowl (6) which can be brought to the correct temperature and which is set up in particular for the setting of temperatures below the ambient temperature, is provided with a drive means comprising at least one electric motor (1) which is equipped with standstill heating means to maintain the temperature within the motor above a dew point temperature independent of a material-specific cooling temperature within the bowl (6). The standstill heating is provided by the winding system of the stator and/or of the rotor of the electric motor (1) and is connected to a control device (21). The formation of condensation within the motor and the consequential adverse effects arising from this, such as for example corrosion damage to electrical contacts as well as to the bearings of the motor shaft, can be avoided by this means. Also, no additional components are needed for the actual standstill heating.