Abstract: A storage cabinet (16) is provided for an ultra-low temperature freezer (10). The cabinet (16) includes a base platform (62a), a plurality of side structural insulated panels (45, 50, 55) each defining a side wall of the storage cabinet (16), and a plurality of generally vertically oriented posts (40) extending from the base platform (62a). Each of the plurality of vertically oriented posts (40) has a slot (40a) for receiving an edge portion (45a, 50a, 55a) of one of the insulated panels (45, 50, 55) therealong. The slot (40a) may have a generally U-shaped profile that surrounds the edge portion (45a, 50a, 55a) of one of the insulated panels (45, 50, 55). At least one of the generally vertically oriented posts (40) has a channel (40c) that extends along a longitudinal dimension thereof, the channel (40c) being configured to receive one of insulation, tubing, or wiring of the freezer therethrough.

Abstract: A two-stage cascade refrigeration system is provided having a first refrigeration stage and a second refrigeration stage. The first refrigeration stage defines a first fluid circuit for circulating a first refrigerant, and has a first compressor, a condenser, and a first expansion device that is in fluid communication with the first fluid circuit. The second refrigeration stage defines a second fluid circuit for circulating a second refrigerant, with the second refrigeration stage having a second compressor, a second expansion device, and an evaporator that is in fluid communication with the second fluid circuit. A heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid circuits to exchange heat between the first and second refrigerants. At least one of the first or second compressors is a variable speed compressor.

Abstract: A refrigeration system is provided for use with an ultra-low temperature freezer having a deck and a refrigerated cabinet supported above the deck. The system has a first refrigeration stage and a second refrigeration stage. The first stage defines a first fluid circuit for circulating a first refrigerant. The first stage has a first compressor, a condenser and a first expansion device that is in fluid communication with the first fluid circuit. The second stage defines a second fluid circuit for circulating a second refrigerant. The second stage has a second compressor, a second expansion device and an evaporator that is in fluid communication with the second fluid circuit. The system includes an insulated enclosure supported within the deck and a split-flow heat exchanger that is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid circuits and which is located within the insulated enclosure.

Abstract: A two-stage cascade refrigeration system is provided having a first refrigeration stage and a second refrigeration stage. The first refrigeration stage defines a first fluid circuit for circulating a first refrigerant, and has a first compressor, a condenser, and a first expansion device that is in fluid communication with the first fluid circuit. The second refrigeration stage defines a second fluid circuit for circulating a second refrigerant, with the second refrigeration stage having a second compressor, a second expansion device, and an evaporator that is in fluid communication with the second fluid circuit. A heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid circuits to exchange heat between the first and second refrigerants. At least one of the first or second compressors is a variable speed compressor.

Abstract: A refrigeration system is provided for use with an ultra-low temperature freezer having a deck and a refrigerated cabinet supported above the deck. The system has a first refrigeration stage and a second refrigeration stage. The first stage defines a first fluid circuit for circulating a first refrigerant. The first stage has a first compressor, a condenser and a first expansion device that is in fluid communication with the first fluid circuit. The second stage defines a second fluid circuit for circulating a second refrigerant. The second stage has a second compressor, a second expansion device and an evaporator that is in fluid communication with the second fluid circuit. The system includes an insulated enclosure supported within the deck and a split-flow heat exchanger that is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid circuits and which is located within the insulated enclosure.

Abstract: In a user interface to select a desired rotor from a set of rotors corresponding to compatible rotors for use in a centrifuge device, a home menu is utilized to access a previously selected rotor and an add menu is utilized to add the desired rotor in response to the desired rotor being absent from the home menu. In addition, the add menu includes the set of rotors.

Abstract: A pressure equalization port for a refrigeration unit is provided. The port includes a conduit having a thermally conductive body. The conduit includes a first opening exposed to a refrigeration chamber enclosed within the refrigeration unit, and a second opening exposed to a space external to the refrigeration chamber. At least one heat-dissipating refrigerant flow coil surrounds a portion of the thermally conductive body to heat said body.

Abstract: An ultra-low temperature freezer, including a cabinet with a freezer compartment maintained within a certain temperature range, a door providing a seal with the cabinet when engaged with the cabinet, a catch basin at the bottom of the cabinet for collecting air, and a distribution channel fluidly connected to the catch basin, for recirculating the air collected from the catch basin to the top of the cabinet, the distribution channel at the top of the cabinet pushing compressed air across the front of the cabinet and forming an air curtain and thermal barrier to incoming warmer air.

Abstract: An ultra low temperature refrigeration system and technique, includes a cabinet with a storage chamber maintained at a certain temperature range, a door providing a seal with the cabinet when engaged with the cabinet, and a dehumidifying unit connected to the cabinet for dehumidifying the storage chamber within the cabinet.

Abstract: A microplate assembly comprising a multi-well microplate and a plurality of reagent wells proximal the multi-wells. The microplate includes a frame that houses a plurality of open wells in a rectangular array. Reagent wells mounted within the microplate to react with the contents of the open wells during a g-force acting upon the microplate. The open wells function as a vessel for liquid samples that occupy predetermined spaces within the interior volumes. Each liquid sample remains within its predetermined space for all orientations of the microplate assembly.

Abstract: A microplate assembly comprising a multi-well microplate and a plurality of reagent wells proximal the multi-wells. The microplate includes a frame that houses a plurality of open wells in a rectangular array. Reagent wells mounted within the microplate to react with the contents of the open wells during a g-force acting upon the microplate. The open wells function as a vessel for liquid samples that occupy predetermined spaces within the interior volumes. Each liquid sample remains within its predetermined space for all orientations of the microplate assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus that automatically captures, stores and analyzes images of crystallization experiments contained in a number of crystallization plates. The apparatus includes a plate nest capable of accommodating protein crystallization plates of a plurality of different types, image acquisition optics, including an objective lens and an image capturing device, for focusing an image of a crystallization well, a light source including a bright field illumination device and a dark field illumination device, a nest positioning controller for moving the position of the plate nest with respect to the image acquisition optics to align various selected wells with said objective lens for imaging of the content of the wells. A database stores experiment information associated with each of the crystallization plates, the experiment information including identification of specific crystal forming parameter values, each of the crystallization plates is identified in said database by a unique identification code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for setting energy saver sleep modes for use in a centrifuge systems. The centrifuge system contains an energy saver touch screen control which can be either manually set or automatically set to turn the centrifuge on or off at predetermined times. This allows the centrifuge system to be readily available to a user, resulting in lower wear and tear being placed on the major systems of the centrifuge and waste less energy.

Abstract: A motor torque measurement system includes a motor in communication with a gyro, a centrifuge rotor connected to the gyro, a housing surrounding the rotor and motor, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller is connected to a back EMF measurement device, which measures the back EMF of the motor, and is also configured to measure motor rotational speed. The back EMF coefficient (Ke) and motor torque constant (Kt) can be calculated therefrom and the actual motor performance thereby determined. Motor magnet temperature may also be calculated. Back EMF and motor rotational speed measurements may be taken with the motor coasting.

Abstract: A centrifuge sample jar configured to maximize processed sediment accessibility and minimize leakage.