Abstract: A centrifuge rotor lid assembly which includes a handle which allows convenient handling of a centrifuge rotor and facilitates releasing the lid from the rotor after centrifugation. In one embodiment, the lid is provided with a lid knob and a spindle knob in a coaxial sliding arrangement. The lid knob is used to tighten the lid on the rotor body and the spindle knob is used to tighten the rotor to the centrifuge drive spindle. The upper end of the inner knob is provided with a handle which extends perpendicular to the axis of the knob. This handle is used for lifting the rotor after the spindle knob has been unscrewed from the spindle and for unscrewing the lid knob. The lower end of the spindle knob has a pin which cooperatively engages the lower end of the lid knob when the spindle knob is lifted from the rotor and is turned in a direction to unscrew the lid knob.

Abstract: An automated chemical conversion unit for use in a peptide/protein sequencing process. The improved conversion methodology decreases the time necessary for the conversion reaction chemistry of the specific derivative of the sequenced amino acid to a more stable form. The conversion reaction is designed to be performed directly in a fraction collector tube which operates in one embodiment in conjunction with a thermoelectric temperature element to allow utilization of different temperature levels for different amino acid derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for bolting a rotor to a hub without introducing excessive radial stress around the bolt holes when the rotor is operating at high speed. The rotor has a slot cut through its center to eliminate radial stress perpendicular to the slot and thereby avoid the problem of stress cracking of the otherwise weak section. The mounting bolts are necked down and not threaded at the surface of the hub. The bolts are threaded into the hub at a substantial distance from the top surface of the hub so that they can flex and so that the center of the rotor can move out relative to the hub. The hub rotor interface is lubricated to facilitate radial motion of the center of the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved rotor for a centrifuge that operates by centrifugal elutriation. The rotor consists of a chamber assembly, a disk assembly, and a quick release mechanism. The chamber assembly is relatively light and it includes one or two separation chambers, tubing and a rotating seal. The disk assembly consists of the relatively heavy support structure. The two piece construction facilitates handling the parts of the rotor that generally need to be autoclaved. The chamber assembly has a novel structure that allows the rotor to easily be configured for operation with one or two chambers. The disk assembly has a unique strain relief that prevents structural cracking. The quick release mechanism is held in the latched position by centrifugal force during operation of the rotor.

Abstract: A mixing valve includes a housing having inlet ports and an outlet port that intersect at a valve chamber. A valve core within the valve chamber includes passages in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports. The passages intersect at a cavity within the valve core. An elastomeric seal retained within the cavity sealingly engages the valve core around the passages in the absence of fluid pressure in the inlets. Injection of a pressurized fluid in one of the inlets causes the seal to move away from both the corresponding inlet passage to permit fluid flow from the pressurized inlet port to the outlet port and compresses the seal around the other inlet port to provide a tighter seal than existed before application of pressure to the first port.

Abstract: A safety latching apparatus for a cover of a machine enclosing a round rotatable member. The apparatus includes a latch member, and an elongated flexible control element for sensing the motion of the rotatable member to automatically prevent opening of the cover when the member is rotating. The control element is movable longitudinally so that one of its ends can be brought into contact with the rotatable member and the other end connected to a latching mechanism located adjacent the machine cover. When the rotatable member is stationary, the end of the control element brought into contact with it remains generally rigid to a force in the longitudinal direction allowing the latch member to move to an unlocked position.