Abstract: A self-balancing apparatus for a centrifuge is disclosed which employs two arcuately movable counterweights. The centrifuge has a plurality of receptacles for receiving one or more assay cartridges. Control apparatus in the centrifuge determines the location and number of received cartridges. Desired counterweight positions are then calculated which will substantially balance the centrifuge. The counterweights are moved into these positions prior to the centrifuge being operated at high speeds.

Abstract: A decanter centrifuge includes a control system for receiving input AC power and outputting a variable voltage and frequency for controlling the speed of the backdrive and the main drive motor. The control system includes a first controller for converting AC power into DC power and then converting the DC power to AC power at a variable voltage and frequency to the main drive motor. A second controller is connected to the first conversion unit through a common DC bus. The second controller converts DC power to AC power and supplies AC power at a variable frequency to the backdrive motor. The braking force created by the backdrive motor during operation of the decanter centrifuge creates electricity which is passed through the second controller and through the common DC bus to the first controller. Thus, the generated power from the backdrive motor is converted into power for use by the main drive motor.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator able to function as an agitator. A motor controlled by a control box drives a disk-like rotor. For agitation, the motor makes the rotor intermittently rotate, and for centrifuging, the motor makes the rotor constantly rotate. The rotor has a pair of pins which are extended in a tangential direction to the rotation of the rotor. A bucket for accommodating a sample container is freely swingably supported by a pair of pins. During the alternate repeat of the rotation and stopping of the rotor, the bucket with the sample container performs regular swing like a pendulum in the radial direction of the rotor. The rotation of the rotor and the swing of the sample container generate a smooth circular flow of the liquid content in the sample container.

Abstract: The decanter centrifuge comprises a bowl and conveyor screw rotatably journalled within the bowl and a reduction gear providing a relative rotation of the screw relative to the bowl. The gear is journalled separately relative to the bowl in separate bearings. The housing and the driven shaft of the gear are by means of flexural but torsionally stiff couplings connected with the bowl and conveyor, respectively. The flexural couplings result in that the gear is dynamically insulated from the bowl and does not influence the critical number of revolutions thereof. As a result of this the number of revolutions of the bowl, and thus maximum allowable number of revolutions of the entire centrifuge, may be increased, thereby offering substantially improved separating properties of the centrifuge as a whole.

Abstract: The aim of the present invention is to provide a solution to the problem of mixing in a vessel two or more substances of which at least one is a liquid phase. The vessel preferably comprises a container having an open upper end which may be advantageously surrounded by a rim, and a closed bottom end. The mixing device most preferably comprises a support plate adapted to receive the container and to allow engagement therewith by a rotating mixing cylinder. A single rotational movement e.g. from a drive motor acting through a drive cylinder, causes the rotating mixing cylinder to simultaneously engage the sample container and drive the bottom of the container in a circular motion around a vertical axis in order to generate a vortex in the substances to be mixed. Very effective, automated mixing of the substances is thereby effected.

Abstract: Adjustment mechanisms for a low speed decanting centrifuge (10) for separating relatively large particulate material (e.g. yeast) from a feedstock are disclosed. The centrifuge is clamped to a container (12) and the centrifuge housing (18) is pressurized to, in turn, pressurize the container and force feedstock upwardly into the lower bowl (116) of the centrifuge. A stack of inverted frustoconical discs (278, 280, 282) carry supernatant downwardly and inwardly for vertical transfer to a discharge chamber (76). Particulate matter is centrifugally discharged continuously between engageable surfaces (146, 148) of the lower bowl member (116) and the upper bowl member (140). The invention provides for automatic or manual adjustment of the maximum gap available between the bowl members during operation.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for pastes comprises a mount (18) for a mixing container (19) supported on a rotor (10) for rotation relative to the rotor about an axis (16) which is eccentric with respect to the rotor axis (15). During a mixing phase, a transmission (20 . . . 22) causes the mount (18) to rotate about its eccentric axis (16) so that the mixing container (19) executes an overall circulatory reciprocation and the container contents (29) are subjected to a shaking motion. For a subsequent compression phase, the transmission (20 . . . 22) is switched-over while the rotor (10) continues to rotate, so that the mount (18) is now free to assume an orientation that is fixed with respect to the rotor (10) and in which the mixed paste is forced against a dispensing piston (55) provided in the container (19) and is thereby degassed.

Abstract: A separator comprises a frame supporting a closed cylindrical drum, a motor for rotating the drum about a central, longitudinal axis, an inlet through which a liquid from which constituents are to be separated is introduced into the drum, and an outlet through which relatively clean liquid is dischargeable from the drum. During the separating process, centrifugal force causes a layer of the heavier constituents to collect on the interior surface of the drum, displacing the relatively clean liquid into an annular layer situated concentrically with and between the constituent layer and the entering volume of liquid, such that the contents of the annular layer is separately dischargeable from the drum in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A decanter for separating a suspension into a solid space and one or more liquid phases, in which a rotatable drum with a screw inside, rests on a machine bed. The screw is rotatable at a speed that is different from the speed of the drum. A transmission is provided between the drum and the screw, and a motor on the bed is connected to the transmission through a torque-transmitter. Intake and outlet lines communicate with the drum to connect the solids and liquid phases. An elastic bearing disengages at least one of the drum, screw, motor, and transmission in at least one direction having a vector component parallel to the axis of rotation of the decanter. The elastic bearing engages the drum, screw and transmission through the attenuator or damper.

Abstract: The stator 3 of a low speed, high torque hydraulic motor I is coupled to the drum 2 of a decanting centrifuge, and the rotor 20 of the motor is coupled to a worm 1 within the drum to provide relative or differential rotation between the drum and worm. A light weight, high speed hydraulic motor II is coupled to an end disk extension 14 of the motor I rotor or stator in an overhanging, coaxial position, and its housing 16 is elastically braced against rotation. The speeds of both motors are independently controlled.

Abstract: A centrifuge device is provided which may impart selectively controlled centrifugal force to samples under consideration, or a shaking or agitation movement to the samples, as required. A feature of the invention is the use of two roller clutches on the single drive shaft of the device so that a selective movement may be imparted to the samples through the same drive by utilizing a locking mechanism to provide rotation from the shaft in opposite directions. Rotation in one direction causes the imposition of centrifugal force through one clutch, while rotation in the opposite direction causes rotation through the second clutch and the imposition of agitation. In that direction, the sample support mechanism is moved vertically, controlled by a cylinder cam. A further feature of the invention is selective agitation movement and selective degree of agitation through selection of a particular cam profile.

Abstract: A disk shaped cassette for centrifugal fluid separation, particularly blood separation, and a drive system for high speed rotation of the cassette. The cassette is driven at speeds which permit very rapid separation of the blood in times on the order of seven (7) to twenty (20) seconds by an automated control. The cassette is supported by a flexible support coupling and mounting system that permits the entire rotating mass to spin about the center of mass unique to the particular cassette as filled. The cassette typically includes a peripheral collection chamber which may be either annular, lobed or channel shaped. A cassette enabled to hold plural separation tubes is also shown. A gel can be placed in the cassette with a density between the fluid components to be separated and after centrifuging maintains the component separation that centrifuging creates.

Abstract: A decanter centrifuge typically includes a bowl which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and an independently rotatable screw conveyor mounted coaxially therein. A drive motor is provided to rotate the conveyor at a differential speed from that of the bowl, which has a separate drive motor. An engagement element, in the form of an indexing clutch, an over-running clutch or a selectively controllable clutching element, is provided between the conveyor drive motor and the bowl to simultaneously rotate the bowl and the conveyor during a cleaning in place operation of the centrifuge.

Abstract: The centrifuge has a drive rotating a rotor whose position relative to the vertical axis of the centrifuge is monitored by an unbalance sensor located on the installation plate which is accommodated in a recess of the ring in a plane perpendicular to the vertical axis. The ring is installed on the mounting surface of the drive casing with a provision for being moved and set relative to said surface so that the plane of the ring is constantly parallel with the lower surface of the rotor. The installation plate has a hollow for accommodating the unbalance sensor, the shape of the surface of said hollow being mutually complementary with the shape of the mounting surface of the drive casing and the installation plate is located in said ring with a provision for moving in said plane perpendicular to the vertical axis.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for separating high-molecular-weight substances from cells suspended in liquid nutrient media, features continuous central monitoring and control of the process by a computer (22), and a way to combine the heretofore separate processes of first, separating media into solid and liquid components, and second, concentrating the proportion of high-molecular-weight components in the separated liquid. The media are conveyed by a first pump (3) to a centrifuge continuous flow rotor (2), which separates the solids from the liquid components and directs the latter to an intermediate reservoir (5), which sits on an electric scale (7) which is continuously monitored. From here they are fed to a filtration unit (9) in which the high-molecular-weight substances are separated and recycled through a feedback line (11), with the aid of a second pump (10), into the intermediate reservoir (5).

Abstract: The invention concerns a centrifugal separator with a rotor (15), in which a flexible member (28), e.g. a hose, extends a distance along the periphery of the rotor. The hose defines two parallel channels (29, 30), which form a separation chamber in the rotor and extend from the peripheral part of the rotor towards the rotor center; from there axially out of the rotor (15) at one axially directed side thereof, around the rotor to its opposite side and to a point (27) aligned with the rotor axis (C). During the operation of the rotor the hose may be rotated intermittently around its longitudinal axis relative to the rotor body, so that the radially inner and outer walls of the separation chamber are changing places.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for recovering liquid aluminous metal from hot, aluminous skim comprising a combination of an open-one-end bowl to hold the hot skim and retain the residue after centrifuging, a bowl cover latchable to said bowl and with means to provide one or more controlled peripheral openings between said components which together form a skim centrifuge body, which centrifuge body is suspended and rotatable from a loosely fitting, mating linkage which has arcuate mating surfaces, the upper connecting part of which is connected to a source of rotation said rotational force source being provided with a non-rotating reaction and support surface which is preferably separated from the rotating load-carrying member by at least two, concentric bearings of replicate function and the apparatus preferably further consisting of a liquid collection means which surrounds horizontally the suspended centrifuge body during rotation.

Abstract: A composite rotor body has a drive hole insert attached. The drive hole insert seats along a conical surface. A disk spring bears against a washer, which in turn bears against the top surface of the composite material rotor body. The preloaded disk spring compresses the conic surface of the rotor body against the mating surface of the drive hole insert. The preload within the disk spring is activate by torquing centering nut until the disk spring is essentially flat. The centering nut captures and centers both the disk spring and washer within a counterbored recess on its bottom face. The contact surface is treated with a form of dry lubricant or release agent, typically particulate Teflon, such that axial translation is facilitated. The disk spring is sized such that the drive hole insert translates axially without rotation along the surface and, effectively, maintains constant in-plane orientation with respect to the rotor body.

Abstract: A support arrangement for a temperature sensor in a centrifuge is characterized by a generally tubular member coaxially disposed about a portion of the drive shaft. A temperature sensor is positioned on the support arrangement so that it extends into the drive recess of a rotor and there confronts the body of the rotor in a temperature sensing relationship.

Abstract: Centrifuge drive apparatus including a support including a plurality of resilient mounting members that are spaced around a rotation axis and are intersected by a mounting plane that is perpendicular to the rotation axis, and a centrifuge bowl and drive motor assembly having a combined center of gravity in the vicinity of the mounting plane to reduce vibration.

Abstract: A centrifuge hub-rotor drive is disclosed in which a rotor has an internal recess that fits over and interfaces with a hub. The hub has a skirt with a curved outer periphery that interfaces and contacts internal walls of the rotor which define a tapered section of the recess. The curved outer periphery of the skirt ideally meets the internal tapered walls of the rotor along a curved contact band. The outer periphery of the skirt is taken from a portion of a spheroid, regular, oblate or prolate.

Abstract: A separating device which utilizes a centrifuge which is driven by a motor for processing liquids enriched with solids by forcing the solids out of the liquid against a peripheral centrifuge wall as a consequence of centrifugal force characterized that a collecting vessel is the centrifuged container. The collecting vessel or centrifuge chamber has a plurality of axially spaced partitions with concentrically arranged openings to form axially spaced chambers which will collect the solids separated from the liquid as the liquid is discharged from the device. In one embodiment, the collecting vessel and centrifuge chamber are a single molded member. In another embodiment, there are two parts, with one being a container-like part receiving an insert having the parititons.

Abstract: A neutralizer ring for dynamically balancing a gimbal-mounted overhung centrifuge, wherein the neutralizer ring must have a particular mass and location in accordance with the parameters of a given system and a method for determining the mass and location of said system by iterative manipulation of the mass and location.

Abstract: A disk shaped cassette for centrifugal fluid separation, particularly blood separation, and a drive system for high speed rotation of the cassette. The cassette is driven at speeds which permit very rapid separation of the blood in times on the order of seven (7) to twenty (20) seconds by an automated control. The cassette is supported by a flexible support coupling and mounting system that permits the entire rotating mass to spin about the center of mass unique to the particular cassette as filled. The cassette typically includes a peripheral collection chamber which may be either annular, lobed or channel shaped. A cassette enabled to hold plural separation tubes is also shown. A gel can be placed in the cassette with a density between the fluid components to separated and after centrifuging maintains the component separation that centrifuging creates.

Abstract: A slow start motor control circuit for applications wherein extremely accurate speed control is required, such as, in a centrifugal blood separator application is disclosed. In a blood separator, the degree of separation of cellular components, such as red blood cells and platelets, from the blood plasma is a function of the rotational speed of the centrifuge and the spin time. The control circuit controls the spin time and the rotational speed of the drive motor by controlling the voltage applied to the motor. The control circuit allows the drive motor to start relatively slowly to avoid cell breakage which can contaminate the plasma. After the centrifuge attains its desired operational speed, the speed of the motor is regulated and is relatively uninfluenced by ambient temperature variations.

Abstract: A centrifuge, including a motor assembly with a low-speed brushless induction motor connected to the spindle assembly and controlled by an electrical circuit for gently shifting phases of operation but with rapid acceleration and deceleration, the centrifuge rotor for use on the spindle assembly having interlocks with the electrical circuit and being completely enclosed for safety, the resulting motor mechanism and rotor being comparatively quiet in operation, the motor and spindle assemblies being capable of use with rotating devices and loads other than centrifuges and the centrifuge rotor being capable of holding various insertable tube carriers to provide operation with wide variety of test samples while also being substantially free of corrosion from sample spillage.

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: A centrifuge is provided which has a stationary core and a bowl rotatively mounted about the core. The bowl can be configured so that it does not taper inwardly from top to bottom. The bowl has an upwardly extending neck which receives the stationary core. To provide a seal between the core and bowl, a lip seal can be employed which is emplaced about an upwardly extending nut formed integrally of the core or a face seal can be employed between a shoulder of the nut and a shoulder of the neck.

Abstract: In a centrifugal separator a flexible member for the transport of liquid to or from a centrifuge rotor is arranged to rotate around a rotating rotor in the same direction as the rotor but with only half of its rotational speed. By such rotation the flexible member may be firmly connected with both the rotor and a stationary member without being twisted. According to the invention the flexible member has a high torsional stiffness, good tensile strength and an outside having good wear resistance. The casing comprises interplaited threads which may be metal or plastic, some of which extend helically with a certain pitch around the flexible member and others of which extend helically with an opposite pitch around the member. The interplaiting of the threads is such that the casing per se is axially compressible and expandable under radial expansion and compression, respectively. As mounted, the casing is axially expanded so that through radial compression it is in frictional engagement with the flexible member.

Abstract: Centrifuges are known which have a working head placed on a shaft driven by a motor, and in which a longitudinally slotted sleeve is disposed between the shaft and a central bore in the working head. This sleeve is expanded against the bore by a conical spreader driven by a threaded element screwed onto the end of the drive shaft. To create a tight and wobble-free coupling between the working head and the drive shaft of the centrifuge which will be secure even after long use and frequently changing torque, but which will assure easy release, the shaft has a tapered end and on this end, which reaches into the central bore of the working head, is seated the spreader, which is in the form of a bushing with a tapering bore, and the threaded element has on its outer circumference projections which engage indentations in the spreader.

Abstract: An improved centrifuge, including a main wheel for rotating objects to be subjected to centrifugal force about a main axis of rotation, is disclosed. Such objects are simultaneously rotated about a second axis of rotation from a first to a second position, and the centrifuge is improved by the inclusion therein of multiple reversing induction motors including a stationary stator and multiple induction rotors attached to the main wheel that eliminate electrical slip rings or mechanical linkages as controls for effecting the rotation of the objects from the first to the second position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing biological fluids, such as blood, by centrifugal separation, is described in which no rotary seals are required for introduction of fluids to a centrifuge bowl. Instead, rotary motion from a drive motor is coupled by a coupling means to a driven member extending from an enclosed centrifuge bowl. The coupling means comprises a non-rotational member which translates, or orbits, about the bowl axis. A flexible boot, extending from the coupling means, seals the opening in the enclosure through which the driven member is driven.

Abstract: A bowl for a centrifuge for clarifying or separating mixtures of liquids. The bowl has a valve or slide that is maintained in the closure position by a closure fluid. The closure fluid circulates at the same angular velocity as the bowl. A closure chamber containing the closure fluid is associated with the bowl. To decrease the consumption of closure fluid, the opening motion of the valve or slide is initiated by closure fluids that act on the closure fluid in a direction opposite the one that the bowl is rotating in and that decrease the angular velocity of the closure fluid and hence the closure force exerted on the valve or slide while the bowl continues to rotate at full operating speed.

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor is characterized by a pair of magnetically attractive segments which are located between a clamping knob on an axially extending mounting bolt and the body of the rotor. The bolt holds the rotor to a drive spindle with a predetermined clamping force. As the rotor is rotated past a predetermined rotational speed the attractive force between the segments is overcome to cause the segments to displace apart thereby diminishing the magnitude of the clamping force holding the rotor in its connection to the drive spindle.

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor is characterized by a protrusion on the undersurface thereof which is received by a conjoinable pair of collar members. Each collar has a recess therein which cooperate to receive a drive spud from the rotor drive. A prestressed arrangement exerts a compressive force of a predetermined magnitude on the collar members to hold them together. The compressive force is progressively relieved as the rotor is rotated to a predetermined speed. Thereafter, increased rotor speed imposes a centrifugal force on the prestressed arrangement to cause it to fail in tension, thereby permitting the collar members to separate and thus release the rotor from its engagement with the drive.

Abstract: An improved spin dryer having an improved braking system, vibration absorbing suspension system, and automatic power shut off system. This spin dryer is safe, inexpensive, and substantially free from vibration and noise. The spin dryer of this invention also contains a spin compartment which will stop spinning typically upon a slight upward movement of the lid and spin once again upon the release of a small downward press on the dryer lid.

Abstract: A hand-held centrifuge apparatus for sedimenting a fluid suspension in a sample tube, the sample tube being subjected to centrifugation at an acute angle to the axis of rotation. An electronic circuit activates an electric motor for a preselected time period as a function of voltage supplied by a battery to the motor to provide a predetermined degree of centrifugation to the sample. A voltage tester periodically tests the voltage in the circuit to assure that adequate voltage is being supplied by the battery. A deactivation circuit is actuated if inadequate voltage is sensed and a disabling circuit disables the electronic circuit until adequate voltage is again available. The disabling circuit is masked during acceleration to preclude deactivating the circuit when the motor is in acceleration.

Abstract: A centrifugal blood processing system is disclosed having a rotor drive assembly that is rotatably mounted to a stationary base for rotation along a predetermined axis. A rotor assembly, which includes a blood processing chamber, is rotatably mounted with respect to the base for rotation about the axis. A flexible umbilical cable segment is provided for establishing fluid communication with the blood processing chamber. One end of the cable segment is fixed with respect to the base along the axis at one side of the rotor assembly while the other end of the cable segment is attached on the axis in rotationally locked engagement to the rotor assembly. Guide means are provided for causing the umbilical cable to rotate about the axis with the motor drive assembly. Means are provided for rotating the rotor assembly and the rotor drive assembly in the same direction with a speed ratio of 2:1 to prevent the umbilical cable from becoming completely twisted during rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A centrifuge bowl mount with a base and having one or more toggle members disposed thereon which are movable from a non-contact or non-engaging first positon to a contact or engaging second position in which they either (a) contact or engage the bowl or (b) move other members such as seal members disposed on the base or move push membes which in turn move the seal members to contact or engage the bowl.

Abstract: There is disclosed a continuous type centrifugal separator having simple structure in which the completedly closed system is realized, and which is suitable for separating the heavy and light components of the blood and usable for washing the blood of the patient.

Abstract: A centrifuge is provided which has a stationary core and a bowl rotatively mounted about the core. The bowl can be configured so that it does not taper inwardly from top to bottom. The bowl has an upwardly extending neck which receives the stationary core. To provide a seal between the core and bowl, a lip seal can be employed which is emplaced about an upwardly extending neck of the bowl and abuts an outwardly and downwardly extending nut formed integrally of the core or a face seal can be employed between a shoulder of the nut and a shoulder of the neck.

Abstract: This invention relates to a centrifugal decanter comprising a rotor connected to a motor for driving in rotation by a vertical shaft suspended in pendulous manner by a swivel joint supported by a fixed connected seat. Springs for returning the shaft into vertical position are provided, in the form of compression springs arranged so as to relieve the swivel joint of the weight of the rotating system that it supports.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a worm centrifuge wherein the centrifuge drum is driven by a first hydraulic motor and the screw conveyor is driven by a second hydraulic motor and first and second valves are connected to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to the motors and the valves receive the full output of a constant delivery pump. Control of the valves is obtained by a torque measuring device measuring the torque input to the screw conveyor and the torque measuring device has a control which opens the valve to a motor for the screw conveyor with increase in torque and simultaneously closes the valve to the motor to the centrifuged drum proportionately so that the total flow of the pump is utilized by the motors.

Abstract: Apparatus (11) for applying planar oscillations to a container (13). Pressurized air (99) is supplied to a moveable slide plate (27) which employs arms (19) having an air bearing vent structure (29, 31) which allows the slide plate to float and to translate. The container (13) to be oscillated is secured to the upper surface of the slide plate (27). A motor (39) driven rotating eccentric shaft (59) loosely extends into a center hole bearing (37) of the slide plate (27) to cause the oscillations.

Abstract: A batch-type centrifugal system utilizes a gimbal-like suspension at the end of a rotating shaft distal an attached bowl at the other end of the shaft. The shaft rotates within an elongated bearing which is supported proximal the bowl by a support which is selectively variable in resiliency. This variation in resiliency changes the natural radial frequency of the system whereby operation of the system at rotational speeds which correspond to the natural radial frequency may be minimized, thereby effecting smooth loading, drying, and unloading operations.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for treating sludge material for separating the material into solid and liquid phases in a centrifugal separator having a rotating drum and an advancing screw driven at a speed differential relative to the drum, conveying a solid phase of the sludge to a digester tower for generating a biogas, delivering the biogas to a collection chamber and feeding the biogas to a gas powered prime mover connected to drive the centrifugal separator through a hydraulic pump and motor drive with the biogas generated and supplied to the motor commensurate with the speed of operation of the separator.

Abstract: A breakaway base for use with an ultracentrifuge rotor wherein the base is designed to fracture when the rotor is above a specified speed so that the rotor will disengage from the drive spindle of the centrifuge. The base has cutout areas to establish a high stress region that is designed to fracture above a specified rotor speed. The cutout areas are designed to receive lugs projecting from the bottom of the rotor. The cutout areas have slotted ledges through which fastening bolts connect to the lugs on the rotor. The fracture of the base in the high stress region in conjunction with the slotted ledges will result in the base fracturing into two parts which will cause rotor disengagement from the drive spindle of the centrifuge and prevent the rotor from spinning at a greater speed.

Abstract: The drive shaft assembly for a centrifuge includes a resilient damper member mounted between a flexible shaft element and a bearing shaft element for rotation therewith. Vibrations imposed on the flexible shaft element by a centrifuge rotor are damped by the resilient damper member.

Abstract: A centrifugal apparatus, in particular a flow-through centrifugal apparatus for processing biological fluids in continuous fluid communication, has a flexible tube securely fixed to a rotatably processing chamber and a stationary terminal coaxially above said processing chamber, and being formed in a loop around the outer periphery of said processing chamber so as, in operation, to orbit said loop around said processing chamber at half the rotational speed thereof to avoid twisting or drilling of said tube. To guide said loop of tube in its orbital movement, a rotating frame is provided also rotating at half the speed of the processing chamber. The drive trains for said processing chamber and said rotating frame, respectively, each comprise an individual drive shaft each drivingly connected separate from the other to a drive motor. This avoids any necessity of reversal of rotational direction in the drive trains and allows for a compact and simple construction with a minimum of rotating masses.

Abstract: A centrifuge comprises a rotor which tapers conically downwardly from a maximum diameter upper region to a central bottom opening through which a liquid entry pipe projects upwardly. An outlet end of the entry pipe is shrouded by a concentric cone which is mounted for rotation with the rotor. A flexible diaphragm is secured to the outlet end of the pipe and extends towards the cone so that liquid entering the rotor is directed to flow over an inwardly facing surface of the cone. By this means, the spin of the rotor is transmitted immediately to the liquid. During operation of the centrifuge, rapid changes in the rate of rotation of the rotor are effected so that solids which have separated from liquids in the rotor and have accumulated in the upper region are dislodged therefrom.