Abstract: An attachment and release apparatus for attaching a rotor to a centrifuge drive assembly and for attaching a cover to the rotor. The apparatus includes a knob, a cover wherein the knob has a plunger disposed therein. The apparatus also includes an adapter having detents and a drive spindle having detents. In addition, the apparatus has at least one adapter moveable element retained within a passage located on the knob and least one drive spindle moveable element retained within an additional passage located on the knob. The apparatus also includes a biasing element disposed around one end of the plunger.

Abstract: A rotor cover attach and release apparatus for a centrifuge includes a knob and a cover and housing affixed to the knob. The apparatus also includes an adapter connected to the housing and a plunger including an annular groove disposed within the knob and housing. The apparatus further includes a moveable element retained within a passage located on the housing and a biasing element located within the housing. The plunger is biased in one direction. By actuating the plunger in the opposite direction, the movable element may enter the annular groove, thereby releasing the cover from the rotor. When the plunger is not actuated, the movable element may contact the plunger and enter the passage, thereby attaching the cover to the rotor.

Abstract: A centrifuge having a motor shaft, a rotor that engages the motor shaft and a cover for securing the rotor to the rotor shaft. The cover has a knob with a coupling disposed therein. The coupling functions to simultaneously secure the rotor cover to the rotor body and the rotor body to the motor shaft.

Abstract: An attachment and release apparatus for attaching a rotor to a centrifuge drive assembly and for attaching a cover to the rotor. The apparatus includes a knob, a cover wherein the knob has a plunger disposed therein. The apparatus also includes an adapter having detents and a drive spindle having detents. In addition, the apparatus has at least one adapter moveable element retained within a passage located on the knob and least one drive spindle moveable element retained within an additional passage located on the knob. The apparatus also includes a biasing element disposed around one end of the plunger.

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: An attachment and release apparatus for attaching a rotor to a centrifuge drive assembly and for attaching a cover to the rotor. The apparatus includes a knob, a cover wherein the knob has a plunger disposed therein. The apparatus also includes an adapter having detents and a drive spindle having detents. In addition, the apparatus has at least one adapter moveable element retained within a passage located on the knob and least one drive spindle moveable element retained within an additional passage located on the knob. The apparatus also includes a biasing element disposed around one end of the plunger.

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: 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: A centrifuge rotor cover attachment and release apparatus for automatic attachment and quick release. The apparatus has a knob with a bore extending therethrough with a cover connected to the knob. The apparatus additionally includes a housing having a passage. The housing is connected to the knob. The apparatus additionally includes an adapter and plunger. The apparatus further includes a pair of biasing members, a slider member, and a moveable element.

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 centrifuge having a motor shaft, a rotor that engages the motor shaft, the rotor having a bayonet screw disposed therein, and a cover with a knob. The knob has a pin disposed therein. The pin and the bayonet screw form a coupling that secures the cover to the rotor and the rotor to the motor shaft in a single step.

Abstract: There is provided a method for limiting an operating speed of a rotor installed in a centrifuge system. The method includes the steps of (a) determining whether an actual change in energy required to accelerate the rotor from a first speed to a second speed is within a predetermined range of an expected change in energy required to accelerate the rotor from the first speed to the second speed, and (b) limiting the operating speed when the actual change in energy is not within the predetermined range of the expected change in energy.

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 centrifuge rotor cover attachment and release apparatus for automatic attachment and quick release. The apparatus has a knob with a bore extending therethrough with a cover connected to the knob. The apparatus additionally includes a housing having a passage. The housing is connected to the knob along. The apparatus additionally includes an adapter and plunger. The apparatus further includes a pair of biasing members, a slider member, and a moveable element.

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: A method for limiting an operating speed of a centrifuge rotor includes the steps of determining whether an actual parameter value of the rotor is within a predetermined range of an expected parameter value of the rotor, and limiting the operating speed when the actual parameter value is not within the predetermined range of the expected parameter value. At least one of the following parameters is evaluated: (i) energy required to accelerate the rotor from rest to a predetermined speed, (ii) change in energy required to accelerate the rotor from a first speed to a second speed, (iii) energy loss due to windage of the rotor, (iv) time required to accelerate the rotor from a first speed to a second speed, (v) speed of the rotor at a predetermined time, and (vi) ratio of drag coefficient and inertia.

Abstract: A method for limiting an operating speed of a centrifuge rotor includes the steps of determining whether an actual parameter value of the rotor is within a predetermined range of an expected parameter value of the rotor, and limiting the operating speed when the actual parameter value is not within the predetermined range of the expected parameter value. At least one of the following parameters is evaluated: (i) energy required to accelerate the rotor from rest to a predetermined speed, (ii) change in energy required to accelerate the rotor from a first speed to a second speed, (iii) energy loss due to windage of the rotor, (iv) time required to accelerate the rotor from a first speed to a second speed, (v) speed of the rotor at a predetermined time, and (vi) ratio of drag coefficient and inertia.

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.