Abstract: A drive unit for a centrifuge rotor of a centrifugal separator is provided that includes a drive shaft, arranged to support the centrifuge rotor and rotatably journalled around an axis (z) of rotation, a casing, which forms an inner space for the drive shaft, a drive motor shaft which is provided outside the casing and connected to the drive shaft by means of a transferring member extending through a passage in the casing, at least one shielding member, which is provided inside the casing in such a manner that the part of the transferring member which is located inside the casing is shielded from the inner space, and wherein the shielding member forms a channel, which extends through the casing and is shielded from the inner space of the casing.

Abstract: A battery-operated two-speed salad spinner. The bowl receives one of two differently sized baskets. A cover includes a driving mechanism that rotates a selected bowl through a driving wheel.

Abstract: A free-jet centrifuge which, in contrast to prior art centrifuges which are braked by bearing friction, includes a device for braking the rotor when the oil pressure falls below a predetermined value. The rotor is mounted in a slide bearing (12), which simultaneously forms the centrifuge oil inlet (23), and also is provided with a roller bearing (19), which minimize bearing friction and enables the rotor to attain the highest possible rotational speeds. Friction partners (15a, 15b) are disposed on the centrifuge housing (10) and rotor (11) and are pressed against one another by a spring (20) when the oil pressure drops below operating pressure, to stop the rotor in order to minimize run-on of the centrifuge and the noise and bearing wear associated with run-on.

Abstract: A blood centrifuge with a drive assembly for transmitting an input rotation speed to a rotor with a sample reservoir at a desired rotation ratio. The drive assembly includes a base and an outer shell mounted to the base to rotate at an input rate. A bottom pulley is rigidly mounted to the base and attached to the outer shell with bearings. A top pulley is mounted to a center shaft of the outer shell to rotate with the outer shell about the central axis of the centrifuge. An internal drive belt is provided to transmit the rotation to the top pulley via a pair of transversely mounted idler pulleys that rotate with the outer shell. The top pulley is thus rotated at twice the input rate but in the same direction. A rotor assembly with the sample reservoir is attached to the top pulley to separate blood components.

Abstract: An automated blood separation method and apparatus is described that allows for the separation of multiple units of blood simultaneously. The method and apparatus reliably and quickly separates blood into its components. An auto-balancing feature within the apparatus automatically preferably compensates for the changing state of imbalance, thereby eliminating the need for additional balancing steps during the separation process. The apparatus has a rotor into which a plurality of cassettes can be inserted. The cassettes have a number of sections for the containment of the whole blood and for the separated blood components, which are contained in disposable bags. The rotor is placed into a centrifuge assembly, and the blood components are then separated and transferred to the bags in the individual sections of the cassettes. Means for including secondary separation devices such as filters is included.

Abstract: A coaxial-drive centrifuge provides for contactless regulation of sample temperature. The sample is contained in a multi-station chemical-processing circuit that has a metal receptor at each station. On demand, a stationary inductor induces eddy currents in the receptor as it spins by. Dissipation of the eddy current heats the receptor and the surrounding sample. The receptor has a thermal sensor that provides an optical indication of the sample temperature. A stationary contactless reader reads the optical indication. A controller activates the inductor when the reading indicates an actual temperature below a predetermined target temperature. When heating is required, the inductor is pulsed as the receptor is aligned with a gap in the inductor. The chemical-processing circuit is designed for a specific series of chemical reactions, in this case, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is implement as an iterated series of three steps.

Abstract: A decanter centrifuge is disclosed for separating a liquid feed mixture into constituent parts. The decanter centrifuge includes a bowl assembly mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis. Opposite ends of the bowl assembly are rotatably supported by first and second bearings. A motor is engaged with one end of the bowl assembly for rotating the bowl about the longitudinal axis. A screw conveyor is coaxially mounted within the bowl with a conveyor shaft attached thereto. A gear box is located between the second bearing and the bowl and includes a transmission engaged to the shaft. The transmission rotates the conveyor at a relative speed with respect to the bowl. A plurality of circumferentially spaced posts mount the gear box to the bowl, spacing the gear box apart from the bowl. Effluent discharge ports on the bowl discharge effluent into the space between the bowl and the gear box.

Abstract: A belt-driven blood centrifuge with side-mounted drive motor for rotating the centrifuge at a rotation speed selected to separate blood components. The centrifuge includes a drive shaft assembly rotated at an input rotation speed and a rotor assembly rotatably linked to the drive shaft assembly rotated at an output rotation speed twice the input rotational speed. A drive motor is provided with a drive pulley to drive a belt, a chain, and the like to provide the motive force to rotate the drive shaft at the input rotation speed. In one embodiment, a belt is provided to contact both the pulley of the drive motor and an outer surface of a rotatable shell of the drive shaft assembly. A base is included in the centrifuge upon which the drive shaft assembly is mounted. The drive motor is positioned adjacent the drive shaft assembly and mounted on the base.

Abstract: A centrifuge filter for removing soot from engine oil. The centrifuge filter includes a rotor adapted to be rotated inside a centrifuge housing by an electric motor or other means. The rotor preferably includes a reusable aluminum support casing and a disposable plastic cartridge. The plastic cartridge includes a trap with partition walls to prevent wave formation in the rotating liquid contained in the trap. The cartridge includes an annular inlet through its top end, a winding flow path through the cartridge and an outlet at the bottom enc. The centrifuge housing includes an isolated sealed rotor chamber. Using the venturi effect, air is evacuated from the rotor chamber to provide a partial vacuum to reduce air drag on the rotor. Resilient rubber vibration isolators are used to reduce vibrations and engine induced shock loads from reaching the rotating element. A side oil inlet is provided in the cartridge to receive unfiltered oil at a location offset from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a microcentrifuge apparatus adapted to simultaneously spin a plurality of samples contained within a plurality of rotors. The microcentrifuge comprises an upper plate that has a plurality of upper plate holes; and a lower plate that has a plurality of lower plate holes or recesses. The lower plate is adjacent and substantially parallel to the upper plate, and the plurality of lower plate holes or recesses are in axial alignment with the plurality of upper plate holes. The plurality of rotors are adapted for retaining and spinning the plurality of samples, and are positioned between the upper plate and the lower plate. Each of the plurality of rotors has at opposing ends an upper shaft and a lower shaft, wherein the upper shaft engages one of the upper plate holes and the lower shaft engages one of the lower plate holes or recesses such that the axes of rotation of each of the plurality rotors are substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower plates.

Abstract: In a centrifugal separator for separating solids from a liquid mixture in which the solids in the form particles are suspended in a liquid having a density less than that of the particles the centrifugal separator includes a rotor rotatable at a first speed. A screw conveyor is arranged in and coaxial with the rotor and rotates at a second speed differing from the first speed. A drive device is adapted for rotation of the rotor at the first speed and the screw conveyor at the second speed. The rotor is totally supported at one end only through a rotor shaft that is arranged so that the rotor central axis extends substantially vertically. The rotor includes an inlet for the mixture, in the form of at least one inlet channel which extends into the rotor at one end and a liquid outlet for separated liquid, in the form of at least one outlet channel which extends out of the rotor at one end, and a sludge outlet for separated solids situated at an opposite end of the rotor.

Abstract: A rotor locator and centrifuge body locator includes a pair of locator arms that close about the rotor shaft and an aligmuent pin to center the rotor shaft. A registration mechanism rotates the rotor shaft and the centrifuge body until it reaches a known home position. A method of consistently registering the centrifuge body includes centering a rotor shaft of the body along a known center line and aligning the body to a home position both before and after centrifugation.

Abstract: A centrifuge filter for removing soot from engine oil. The centrifuge filter includes a rotor adapted to be rotated inside a centrifuge housing by an electric motor or other means. The rotor preferably includes a reusable aluminum support casing and a disposable plastic cartridge. The plastic cartridge includes a trap with partition walls to prevent wave formation in the rotating liquid contained in the trap. The cartridge includes an annular inlet through its top end, a winding flow path through the cartridge and an outlet at the bottom enc. The centrifuge housing includes an isolated sealed rotor chamber. Using the venturi effect, air is evacuated from the rotor chamber to provide a partial vacuum to reduce air drag on the rotor. Resilient rubber vibration isolators are used to reduce vibrations and engine induced shock loads from reaching the rotating element. A side oil inlet is provided in the cartridge to receive unfiltered oil at a location offset from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: In a decanter centrifuge having a rotor (1) and a screw conveyor (2) the rotor is suspended only at its one end, the rotational axis (R) of the rotor extending vertically. The inlet (22) of the rotor (1) for a sludge containing liquid to be separated as well as the rotor outlet (12; 67) for liquid having been freed from sludge are situated at the upper end of the rotor, whereas a sludge outlet (13) for separated sludge is situated at the lower end of the rotor. The rotor (1) as well as the screw conveyor (2) are adapted to be driven through shafts (5, 8) situated at the upper end of the rotor. By the invention it becomes possible by simple means to adapt the decanter centrifuge for different separation duties, since the location of the sludge outlet (13) can be chosen freely without other parts of the decanter centrifuge preventing this.

Abstract: In a decanter centrifuge having a rotor (1) and a screw conveyor (2) the rotor is suspended only at its one end, the rotational axis (R) of the rotor extending vertically. The inlet (22) of the rotor (1) for a sludge containing liquid to be separated as well as the rotor outlet (12; 67) for liquid having been freed from sludge are situated at the upper end of the rotor, whereas a sludge outlet (13) for separated sludge is situated at the lower end of the rotor. The rotor (1) as well as the screw conveyor (2) are adapted to be driven through shafts (5, 8) situated at the upper end of the rotor. By the invention it becomes possible by simple means to adapt the decanter centrifuge for different separation duties, since the location of the sludge outlet (13) can be chosen freely without other parts of the decanter centrifuge preventing this.

Abstract: A centrifuge filter for removing soot from engine oil. The centrifuge filter includes a rotor adapted to be rotated inside a centrifuge housing by an electric motor or other means. The rotor preferably includes a reusable aluminum support casing and a disposable plastic cartridge. The plastic cartridge includes a trap with partition walls to prevent wave formation in the rotating liquid contained in the trap. The cartridge includes an annular inlet through its top end, a winding flow path through the cartridge and an outlet at the bottom. The centrifuge housing includes an isolated sealed rotor chamber. Using the venturi effect, air is evacuated from the rotor chamber to provide a partial vacuum to reduce air drag on the rotor. Resilient rubber vibration isolators are used to reduce vibrations and engine induced shock loads from reaching the rotating element. A side oil inlet is provided in the cartridge to receive unfiltered oil at a location offset from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A centrifugal dryer for leafy comestibles includes a basket within a cylindrical cabinet. Overlying the cabinet is a cover assembly having a lid, an external crank arm and a gear train sealed within a gearbox mounted to the underside of the lid. An output shaft of the gear train engages a central tower of the basket to rotate the basket about a vertical axis. The cover assembly includes a hand brake mechanism having a brake pad which selectively engages an upper peripheral lip flange of the basket for stopping rotation without straining the gear train.

Abstract: In a centrifugal separator for separating solid particles from a liquid, a centrifugal rotor (2) has two axially separated end walls (13, 14) and a surrounding wall (17) arranged therebetween. The end walls (13, 14) and the surrounding wall (17) surround a separation chamber (20) in which there are arranged separation discs (21) and one or more conveyor screws (29, 62) for axial transportation of separated solid particles. According to the invention the end walls are connected with each other through a central member (15), which is dimensioned in a way such that during the rotor operation it will take up a substantial part, preferably at least 80%, of the forces acting axially on the end walls (13, 14) as a consequence of centrifugally generated pressure of liquid present in the separation chamber (20).

Abstract: An improved centrifuge apparatus comprising a spindle with an affixed bowl and a drive shaft passing through the spindle with a plurality of scraper blades affixed which rotate within the bowl. The spindle is driven by a pulley with a belt attached to a motor. The centrifuge has a clutch mechanism which provides a positive lock to insure synchronous blade and bowl rotation during processing. The clutch mechanism comprises a shifting coupling attached to the drive shaft with a bottom set of teeth and a top set of teeth. The bottom set of teeth interlockingly engage a matching set of teeth located on either the pulley or the top of the spindle. The top set of teeth interlockingly engage a matching set of teeth that are either immovably attached to a plate or attached to a sprocket which is rotatably attached to the plate.

Abstract: A rotor locator and centrifuge body locator includes a pair of locator arms that close about the rotor shaft and an alignment pin to center the rotor shaft. A registration mechanism rotates the rotor shaft and the centrifuge body until it reaches a known home position. A method of consistently registering the centrifuge body includes centering a rotor shaft of the body along a known center line and aligning the body to a home position both before and after centrifugation. A centrifuge employs the rotor locator and operates using the method. The centrifuge may also include a bucket stop for maintaining proper orientation of centrifuge buckets during registration.

Abstract: A decanter centrifuge is disclosed for separating a liquid feed mixture into constituent parts. The decanter centrifuge includes a bowl assembly mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis. Opposite ends of the bowl assembly are rotatably supported by first and second bearings. A motor is engaged with one end of the bowl assembly for rotating the bowl about the longitudinal axis. A screw conveyor is coaxially mounted within the bowl with a conveyor shaft attached thereto. A gear box is located between the second bearing and the bowl and includes a transmission engaged to the shaft. The transmission rotates the conveyor at a relative speed with respect to the bowl. A plurality of circumferentially spaced posts mount the gear box to the bowl, spacing the gear box apart from the bowl. Effluent discharge ports on the bowl discharge effluent into the space between the bowl and the gear box.

Abstract: An improved centrifuge apparatus comprising a spindle with an affixed bowl and a drive shaft passing through the spindle with a plurality of scraper blades affixed which rotate within the bowl. The spindle is driven by a pulley with a belt attached to a motor. The centrifuge has a clutch mechanism which provides a positive lock to insure synchronous blade and bowl rotation during processing. The clutch mechanism comprises a shifting coupling attached to the drive shaft with a bottom set of teeth and a top set of teeth. The bottom set of teeth interlockingly engage a matching set of teeth located on either the pulley or the top of the spindle. The top set of teeth interlockingly engage a matching set of teeth that are either immovably attached to a plate or attached to a sprocket which is rotatably attached to the plate.

Abstract: A belt-driven blood centrifuge with side-mounted drive motor for rotating the centrifuge at a rotation speed selected to separate blood components. The centrifuge includes a drive shaft assembly rotated at an input rotation speed and a rotor assembly rotatably linked to the drive shaft assembly rotated at an output rotation speed twice the input rotational speed. A drive motor is provided with a drive pulley to drive a belt, a chain, and the like to provide the motive force to rotate the drive shaft at the input rotation speed. In one embodiment, a belt is provided to contact both the pulley of the drive motor and an outer surface of a rotatable shell of the drive shaft assembly. A base is included in the centrifuge upon which the drive shaft assembly is mounted. The drive motor is positioned adjacent the drive shaft assembly and mounted on the base.

Abstract: A blood centrifuge with a drive assembly for transmitting an input rotation speed to a rotor with a sample reservoir at a desired rotation ratio. The drive assembly includes a base and an outer shell mounted to the base to rotate at an input rate. A bottom pulley is rigidly mounted to the base and attached to the outer shell with bearings. A top pulley is mounted to a center shaft of the outer shell to rotate with the outer shell about the central axis of the centrifuge. An internal drive belt is provided to transmit the rotation to the top pulley via a pair of transversely mounted idler pulleys that rotate with the outer shell. The top pulley is thus rotated at twice the input rate but in the same direction. A rotor assembly with the sample reservoir is attached to the top pulley to separate blood components.

Abstract: A magnetic gear having first and second carrier each having a plurality of magnetic poles arranged in a circle and separated by a distance, with the north and south poles arranged in alternation. Flux-carrying connecting pieces are provided on a third carrier to magnetically couple the first and second carriers. A centrifuge for centrifuging biological fluids, especially blood, having such a magnetic gear includes a first carrier in a stationary mount on a frame, while the third carrier is a rotating frame in a rotating mount on the frame. The second carrier is a separation unit mounted on the rotating frame. The centrifuge using the magnetic gear allows maintenance-free operation at a high rpm and with low noise, requiring a relatively low driving power.

Abstract: A solid bowl centrifuge with liquid release during rotation includes a frame, solid bowl, drive device, scraper assembly, slurry spray, liquid collection trough, and speed control circuitry. The solid bowl includes a centrifuge chamber, and a liquid evacuation chamber. A plurality of openings are formed on the outer wall of the liquid evacuation chamber. The solid bowl is pivotal retained by the frame. The liquid collection trough is disposed around the liquid evacuation chamber. The drive device causes the solid bowl to rotate. The speed control circuit controls the speed of the drive device. Slurry is sprayed on to the wall of the centrifuge chamber while in rotation. The speed of the solid bowl is reduced to allow liquid to exit the centrifuge chamber through the liquid evacuation chamber into the liquid collection trough. The speed of the solid bowl is further reduced and the scraper assembly is activated to remove the solid material from the wall of the centrifuge chamber.

Abstract: In a centrifuge comprising a drive shaft assembly, a diaphragm disposed about the drive shaft assembly reduces noise and vibration. The diaphragm permits the drive shaft assembly to pivot off a vertical axis while substantially limiting horizontal displacement thereof. Also, where a centrifuge includes a rotor shaft and a drive shaft, a member situated between the rotor shaft and the drive shaft substantially limits vertical displacement of the rotor shaft while allowing angular deflection of the rotor shaft with respect to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A centrifugal separation device for use in a fluid separation system to centrifugally separate a composite fluid into the composite components thereof. This centrifugal separation device includes a centrifugal rotor housing and a rotor which is disposed in a freely rotatable disposition within the housing, the rotor having a fluid receiving area and several fluid flow channels defined therein. A composite fluid to be separated is delivered to the fluid receiving area from which it travels through a radial fluid transport channel to a circumferential fluid separation channel where it is subjected to substantial centrifugal forces which separate the composite fluid into components which each then travel to distinct first and second separated fluid outlet channels. The separated fluids then exit from these outlet channels and are then moved from the separation device to a collection bag for storage or may then be returned to the donor.

Abstract: A centrifugal fluid separation system is disclosed for centrifugally separating a composite fluid into components thereof. This centrifugal separation system includes at least a centrifugal rotor which has a composite fluid containment area, several fluid flow channels and at least two separated component collection areas defined therein. A composite fluid to be separated is delivered to the fluid containment area from which it travels through an inlet channel to a substantially circumferential fluid separation channel where under centrifugal forces the composite fluid is separated into components which each then travel to distinct first and second separated fluid outlet channels, and thence on to exit therefrom into the respective collection areas. The first and second fluid outlet channels also have respective first and second heights which are related to each other so as to provide a balanced fluid pressure relationship for the respective separated component fluids flowing therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a microcentrifuge apparatus adapted to simultaneously spin a plurality of samples contained within a plurality of rotors. The microcentrifuge comprises an upper plate that has a plurality of upper plate holes; and a lower plate that has a plurality of lower plate holes or recesses. The lower plate is adjacent and substantially parallel to the upper plate, and the plurality of lower plate holes or recesses are in axial alignment with the plurality of upper plate holes. The plurality of rotors are adapted for retaining and spinning the plurality of samples, and are positioned between the upper plate and the lower plate. Each of the plurality of rotors has at opposing ends an upper shaft and a lower shaft, wherein the upper shaft engages one of the upper plate holes and the lower shaft engages one of the lower plate holes or recesses such that the axes of rotation of each of the plurality rotors are substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a screw-type centrifuge configured in such a way that the use of multistage planetary gear trains allows for high peripheral speeds of the drum and large drum diameters. According to the invention the drum bearing on the gear train side is positioned between two stages of the multistage planetary gear train. The housing jacket of the multistage planetary gear train, which is connected to the drum jacket and therefore rotates at the same r.p.m., has an intermediate piece which has a small diameter and is housed by the drum bearing together with a shaft connecting the gear train stages. The system provided for in the invention, according to which the drum bearing on the gear train side is positioned between two stages of the multistage planetary gear train, is used in the case of very large decanters for which the drum rotates at very high peripheral speeds.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a centrifuge rotor that rotates to provide supergravity conditions and tilt rotors that provide for sample agitation under the supergravity conditions. The centrifuge rotor is integral with a hollow centrifuge drive shaft. A tilt-drive shaft extends through the hollow and rotates coaxially of the centrifuge rotor. The tilt-drive shaft has a pinion that engages the tilt rotors, which thus are made to rotate about tilt axes that are spaced from and parallel to the centrifuge axis. A centrifuge motor is mechanically coupled to the centrifuge drive shaft to rotate the centrifuge rotor. A tilt motor is mechanically coupled to the tilt drive shaft for imparting a rocking motion of the tilt rotors (and thus of mounted sample reaction cells) relative to the centrifuge rotor.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator comprises a driving unit, a power transmission unit including a driving shaft and a crown mounted to one end of the driving shaft, a rotor having a rotor body to which an insertion hole into which the crown is inserted is formed and including a sample holding member, the rotor being formed with a projection member so as to extend outward, a rotor casing into which the rotor is accommodated in a rotatable manner, and a receiving member disposed on the rotor casing side to receive the projection member. In a state that the crown is inserted into the insertion hole from a bottom wall side of the rotor casing, a first distance between the bottom wall of the rotor casing and a front end portion of the crown is made smaller than a second distance between a bottom portion of the projection member and a bottom portion of the insertion hole formed to the rotor body.

Abstract: A microcentrifuge apparatus has a plurality of rotors for simultaneously spinning a plurality of samples; a retainer for retaining each of the rotors on a bearing surface; and at least one source of motive power, coupled to the rotors by a coupling means, for causing each of the rotors to spin at substantially the same rate. The source of motive power can be a motor, engine, or electromagnetic power. The coupling means can be a drive belt, gears, or friction drive. Another embodiment of the microcentrifuge has a plurality of disposable rotors for simultaneously spinning a plurality of samples; a retainer for retaining each of the rotors on a bearing surface; and a source of motive power, coupled to the rotors, causing each of the rotors to spin at substantially the same rate.

Abstract: In a centrifuge comprising a rotor shaft assembly, a diaphragm disposed about the rotor shaft assembly reduces noise and vibration. The diaphragm permits the rotor shaft assembly to pivot off a vertical axis while substantially limiting horizontal displacement thereof. Also, where a centrifuge includes a rotor shaft and a drive shaft, a member situated between the rotor shaft and the drive shaft substantially limits vertical displacement of the rotor shaft while allowing angular deflection of the rotor shaft with respect to the drive shaft.

Abstract: An electric salad spinner device which is designed for ease of use and allows for efficient drying of salad greens, leafy vegetables and the like. The device comprises a base component, a generally cylindrical basket component, a generally cylindrical basket component, a scalable lid having a handle, an on/off switch and a drive motor. Optionally, the device also comprises a liquid dispenser assembly which may also be motorized to provide agitation and may also comprise a sheer assembly to allow for slicing in of hard vegetables such as, for example, cucumbers, carrots, celery and the like.

Abstract: This centrifuge includes a chamber (5), a rotor (6) arranged therein, a device (8) for driving the rotation of the rotor, and a device (11) for cooling the atmosphere of the chamber. The device for cooling the atmosphere of the chamber includes a Ranque vortex tube (30), a cold outlet (33) which is connected to one inlet (66) of the chamber. The centrifuge includes a pressurized-gas supply circuit which is connected to an inlet (32) of the Ranque vortex tube and which is intended to be connected to a source (49) of pressurized gas. Application is to the centrifuging of biological products.

Abstract: A managing system for managing slurry, which is used to machine workpieces. The slurry contains dispersion liquid and abrasive grains. Slurry that has been used in machining further includes impurities that are smaller than the abrasive grains. A first decanter centrifugally separates a mixture of impurities and dispersion liquid from the used slurry to recover recyclable abrasive grains from the slurry. A second decanter centrifugally separates impurities from the mixture to recover recyclable dispersion liquid from the slurry. A specific gravity gage and a viscosity gage detect properties of the used slurry. The rotating speeds of the first and second decanters are controlled in accordance with the detected properties of the slurry. This always maintains the separating efficiency of both decanters at an optimal value thus effectively recovering and recycling the abrasive grains and dispersion liquid.

Abstract: A centrifuge, especially a flow-through centrifuge free of rotating seals, for centrifuging biological fluids has a stand on which a frame (1) is rotatably mounted. A centrifuge chamber (3) is rotatably mounted on the rotating frame (1) to rotate about the axis of the latter. The centrifuge chamber (3) is driven in the same direction of rotation as the frame (1) but at twice the rotational speed. Coupling elements which are engaged by magnetic forces and are designed in the manner of a clutch disk or a gearwheel are used to transmit the torque to the centrifuge chamber or the rotating frame. Force is transmitted in a non-contact and wear-free manner. No lubrication is necessary, which also reduces the buildup of dust and dirt. In addition, there is little generation of noise.

Abstract: A centrifugal filter assembly for filtering particulates from a fluid medium includes a non-rotating filter housing. A filter is disposed within the housing. The filter is rotatable relative to the housing about an axis of rotation. The filter has an inlet and an outlet for the fluid medium. A filter medium is disposed within the filter. A drive mechanism rotates the filter.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator system for substantially separating a combination of material into a substantially pure solid portion and a substantially pure liquid portion. In one form of the centrifugal separator a plow blade assembly is rotatable relative to a bowl during a cleaning mode to dislodge adhered material from the inner surface of the bowl. The plow blade assembly being driven by a plow blade assembly motor that is pivoted into engagement with the plow blade assembly. One form of the centrifugal separator has an integral top discharge feed impeller/directing member. The delivery of material into the centrifugal separator is through a self-centering feed tube positioned above the bowl. The plow blade assembly having a plurality of plow blades oriented tangential to the outer diameter of the plow blade drive shaft.

Abstract: This centrifuge includes a chamber (5), a rotor (6) arranged therein, and a device (8) for driving the rotation of the rotor. The device (8) for driving the rotation of the rotor is a pneumatic drive device. The centrifuge includes a circuit for supplying the pneumatic drive device with pressurized gas intended to be connected to a source (49) of pressurized gas. The centrifuge further includes a gas-purification unit (10), one inlet of this unit being connected to an outlet (64) for drawing gas from the chamber and one outlet of this unit being connected to a suction device (21) controlled by the pressurized gas supplied to the pneumatic device (8) for driving the rotor. Application is to the centrifuging of products liable to release dangerous substances, for example toxic or explosive substances.

Abstract: A flow-through microcentrifuge comprising a container in which a sample is placed, and a power source capable of rotating the container around an axis. High speed rotation causes the components of the sample to separate according to their respective densities. Pressurized gas, a flowing liquid, electromagnetism, or an engine can power rotation of the container. Due to the small size of the flow-through microcentrifuge, speeds can reach up to 600,000 rpm, with a corresponding increase in centrifugal acceleration up to 1,500,000 g. In addition to separation, the flow-through microcentrifuge can resuspend pelleted material in a liquid by rotating in one direction and then in the opposite direction, repeatedly. The flow-through microcentrifuge is also able to mix two or more reagents using this method. The flow-through microcentrifuge is modular in nature, meaning two or more can be placed together in any configuration and run by the same power source.

Abstract: A machine for separation two liquids of different densities from a mixture has a separation chamber with radially disposed fins that rotates about a central axis. The separation chamber has an outside wall with a first weir extending toward the central axis and spaced from the central axis a distance or radius that is less than the distance of the boundary between the two fluids in the separation chamber. The mixture separates into a first volume of the first fluid and a second volume of the second fluid. The first fluid exits past the first weir. The second fluid passes into a channel or volume and then past a second weir. The channel or volume is sized so that the angular momentum of the second fluid is conserved and develops a force to retain the first fluid and the second fluid in the separation chamber. The separation chamber is in a housing which contains a first collecting chamber to collect the first fluid and a second collecting chamber to collect the second fluid.

Abstract: A multi-purpose device, the device including a tube holder for holding tubes; tube driving apparatus for rotating the tubes in the tube holder, the tube holder having spaces for accommodating the tubes such that each one of the tubes can be placed in a separate one of the spaces; the spaces having shapes and sizes providing free rotation of the tubes within the spaces about longitudinal axes of the tubes; the tube driving apparatus having touching engagement with walls of the tubes and pressing the walls of the tubes against the tube holder; and friction between the tube driving apparatus and the walls of the tubes being greater then friction between walls of the tubes and the tube holder.

Abstract: A centrifugal filter assembly for filtering particulates from engine oil includes a housing with a threaded connector. A filter disposed within the housing is rotatable relative to the housing about an axis of rotation. The filter has an inlet and an outlet for the oil. A filter head includes a mating threaded connector configured to mate with the housing threaded connector. The filter head includes a venturi section in communication with the outlet. The venturi section is configured to create a vacuum within the housing for drawing oil through the outlet. A brushless direct current motor carried by the filter head has a rotatable output shaft coupled with the filter for rotating the filter about the axis of rotation. A controller carried by the filter head controls operation of the motor. The controller includes a printed circuit board disposed within the filter head which carries the motor.

Abstract: A centrifugal filter assembly for filtering particulates from a fluid includes a rotating filter disposed within a housing and rotatable relative to the housing about an axis of rotation. A turbine is attached to the filter and includes a plurality of turbine blades extending generally radially relative to the axis of rotation. A nozzle having an outlet is aligned relative to the turbine, whereby a pressurized fluid which is jetted from the nozzle impinges upon the turbine and causes the filter to rotate about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A rotor drive shaft assembly for use in a centrifugation system. The rotor drive shaft has a bearing material configured as a sleeve and mounted on the inside wall of a spindle hub with a clearance existing between the sleeve and a housing that surrounds the lower base of the shaft. When the rotor and hub experience radial displacement at a critical speed, the sleeve makes contact with the housing in order to limit further radial displacement. Alternatively, the sleeve can be mounted on the outside of the housing with the clearance existing between the sleeve and the spindle hub, with the sleeve making contact with the spindle hub at the critical speed in order to limit further radial displacement. In another embodiment, a support tube is provided which surrounds the lower portion of the shaft with a clearance existing between the shaft and the support tube.

Abstract: The present conveyor system includes an external bowl with an internal screw conveyor of one or more flites which is rotated to cooperate with the bowl. The bowl and conveyor provides scrolling actions so that a mixed fluid introduced therein is segregated to separate the heavier parts from other parts in the fluid. One aspect of the disclosure is the incorporation of a single motor connected either to the bowl or conveyor, and a output power transmission connected between said bowl and conveyor. The transmission assures that the bowl and conveyor rotated in the right direction to provide the scrolling action which is maintained at as desired ratio with respect to bowl speed. In the preferred form, this includes a dual input, dual output transmission, and a connection so that only one motor source is needed.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a bowl for receiving a composition of liquid and solids therein. A first drive is coupled to the bowl for rotating the bowl during a high speed separation mode to substantially separate the liquid and solids. A member is rotatable within the bowl during a cleaning mode for dislodging the solids accumulated on the bowl. The member is bowl driven by the rotation of the bowl via a clutch during the separation mode so as to prevent the relative movement between the bowl and the member during the separation mode.