Abstract: Damage caused by displacement of a rotating shaft is prevented with an acceleration sensor. A centrifuge according to the present invention includes a rotor, a driving source that rotates the rotor, a rotating shaft that links the rotor with the driving source, an acceleration sensor, and a control unit. The acceleration sensor outputs a value indicating acceleration in at least two different directions which are orthogonal to an axial direction of the rotating shaft. The control unit obtains a displacement conversion value corresponding to a value, which is obtained by dividing a value which is proportional to acceleration based on a value indicating acceleration and outputted by the acceleration sensor, by a value which is proportional to a square of an angular velocity of the rotor, and stops rotation of the rotor when the displacement conversion value satisfies a displacement determination criterion which is predetermined and indicates that displacement is large.

Abstract: A device for shredding deep-frozen food products provided in block form comprises a tool coupled to one end of a rotatable shaft which rotates the tool about an axis of rotation and advances the tool along the axis of rotation in the direction towards the block, thereby scraping layers off the block. The tool can be uncoupled from and recoupled to the end of the shaft without using a tool. When the tool is coupled to the end of the shaft it axially abuts the shaft's end and is thereby held in a force-locking manner on the end of the shaft for the transmission of drive forces from the shaft to the tool. The device includes a tool detection device to determine whether a tool is arranged on the end of the shaft as intended so that operation can occur only when the tool is connected as intended.

Abstract: A centrifugal field-flow fractionation device 1 includes a rotation unit 10, a rotation sensor 41, a first vibration sensor 51, a second vibration sensor 52, and an imbalance amount calculation unit 312. When an imbalance occurs in the rotation unit 10, the imbalance amount calculation unit 312 calculates the imbalance amount, based on a detection signal from the rotation sensor 41, a detection signal from the first vibration sensor 51, and a detection signal from the second vibration sensor 52. That is, when an imbalance occurs in the rotation unit 10, the imbalance is calculated by the configuration in the centrifugal field-flow fractionation device 1.

Abstract: A device for pooling a blood component stored in source containers includes a pump or pumps configured to pump a fluid in a first direction and a second direction and receive a pump line having a first end connected to the source containers. A pool clamp is configured to receive a pool line having a first end connected to a second end of the pump line and a second end connected to a pool container. A wash clamp is configured to receive a wash line having a first end connected to the second end of the pump line and a second end connected to a wash media container. A controller is configured to open the pool clamp, close the wash clamp and operate the pump in the first direction and to alternatively close the pool clamp, open the wash clamp and operate the pump in the second direction.

Abstract: A system for treating tar sand involving a centrifuge where under centrifugal force solvent treated tar sand and water form a three layer system of wet sand, water, and petroleum, where solvent solubilized hydrocarbons are stripped from the wet sand layer, passed through the water, and into the petroleum layer. The hydrocarbons are skimmed from the hydrocarbon layer and recovered.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a centrifuge with a balancing mechanism and method of balancing such a centrifuge. The centrifuge includes a vertical shaft driven in rotation by a motor, and a mechanism for balancing the parts integral with said vertical shaft. The mechanism includes a plate integral with the vertical shaft, at least one compensating mass freely displacing on the plate, the mass being designed to limit the imbalance of parts integral with the vertical shaft, and a mechanism for blocking the compensating mass, the blocking mechanism being designed to immobilize the compensating mass on the plate when the rotation speed exceeds a determined value.

Abstract: Device for shaking and centrifuging a content including a material in the pulverulent state and a liquid product in a rigid container in preparation for a test on the mixed content, where the container has a capacity less than one liter and suited to a quantity of content specific for the test to be done, including a frame, a plate, a first drive unit and a second drive unit suited for displacing the plate relative to the frame. The first drive unit is suited for displacing the plate relative to the frame with an alternating movement along a shaking direction in order to shake the container, and the second drive unit is suited for displacing the plate relative to the frame according to a rotational movement around a centrifuging axis, such that the content of the container is centrifuged when the plate is rotated around the centrifuging axis.

Abstract: A liquid handling device having an upstream liquid handling structure connected to a downstream liquid handling structure by a conduit. The upstream and downstream liquid handling structures are sealed or sealable such that the conduit provides the only fluidic communication paths between the upstream and downstream liquid handling structure. The device is arranged such that a driving force causes liquid in the upstream liquid handling structure to at least partially fill the conduit to separate gas in the upstream liquid handling structure from gas in the downstream liquid handling structure. With the device set up such that the two gas volumes are separated by a liquid volume, gas pressures and liquid flow in the device can be controlled by control of the driving force. The device may be arranged for rotation about an axis of rotation to provide the driving force.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a rotor which accommodates a sample, a motor which rotationally drives the rotor and a chiller which cools a rotor chamber, and is provided with a transformer which has a plurality of secondary side taps, converts an AC voltage which is input from a primary side to a plurality of voltages, and outputs, and a voltage switching unit which is connected to the plurality of secondary side taps of the transformer, selects any one of outputs of the secondary side taps, and outputs to the chiller. The microcomputer controls the voltage switching unit corresponding to the power supply frequency which is determined using the output of the zero-crossing detection circuit, and supplies the desired driving voltage to the chiller.

Abstract: A centrifuge including: a rotor configured to hold a sample and configured to be detachably mounted, a rotation chamber accommodating the rotor, a plurality of motors configured to be rotationally driven by three-phase AC power, and a control device configured to control centrifuging operation, wherein one of the plurality of motors is a centrifuge motor configured to rotate the rotor, and the control device is configured to change distribution of power supplied to the centrifuge motor and power supplied to another motor of the plurality of motors during one operation.

Abstract: A centrifugal machine including: a rotor which is configured to accommodate a sample; a driving part which is configured to rotate the rotor; a control part which is configured to control the driving part; an operating part; and a record part, wherein the operating part is provided with a login screen to which first user information is configured to be inputted at the start of an operation, and a user change screen to which second user information different from the first user information inputted to the login screen is configured to be inputted, and wherein the record part is configured to record the first user information, the second user information, a change time at which the user information is changed, and a rotating speed of the rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a robotic system providing movement in three orthogonal directions to an arm operable to receive a pipette tip and to facilitate movement of fluid into and out of the pipette tip. In addition, the apparatus can include a tray for receiving pipette tips, receptacles for receiving tubes, an apparatus for forming an emulsion, a device for forming particles that include copies of the polynucleotide, a device for enriching the particles and an apparatus for loading such particles onto a sensor array. The apparatus can further include receptacles for holding containers of reagent solutions. Optionally, the robot can include a gripper arm in addition to the pipette receiving arm.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to centrifuge systems and methods for controlling centrifuge systems, wherein the systems in certain aspects are adapted for processing material, e.g., but not limited to drilling fluids with solids therein. One illustrative method includes providing a centrifuge system that is made up of, among other things, a bowl, a bowl motor system, a bowl variable frequency drive, a conveyor, a conveyor motor, a conveyor variable frequency drive, a pump, a pump motor, and a pump variable frequency drive. Additionally, the centrifuge system includes a control system that is adapted to control the bowl variable frequency drive, the conveyor variable frequency drive, and the pump variable frequency drive. The method includes controlling the centrifuge system in the G-force differential control mode by controlling the G-force on the bowl as the bowl is rotated by the bowl motor system so that the G-force on the bowl does not exceed a pre-set maximum G-force.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bio cell cleaning centrifuge including: a motor; a rotor rotated by the motor; holders that are equipped on the rotor and that hold test tubes to be pivotable toward a rotational radial direction of the rotor; a cleaning liquid distributor mounted on the rotor to supply a cleaning liquid to the test tubes; a locking mechanism that locks the holders so that the test tubes are in a vertical state with respect to the rotational radial direction; and a controller that controls the motor and the locking mechanism, wherein the holders are configured to hold the test tubes so that central axes thereof are inclined from a rotational axis direction toward a rotational tangent direction of the rotor.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a centrifuge including: a driving unit which rotates a rotor on which a sample is held; an input/output unit which displays information thereon and receives an input from a user therethrough; and a control unit which controls a rotation speed of the rotor to an input set rotation speed; wherein, when the rotor is rotating, the input/output unit displays first time information corresponding to a time when the rotor has been accelerated to the set rotation speed.

Abstract: A hand-cranked centrifuge is adapted for use in isolating autologous fat in injectible from. A number of syringes are hingeably coupled to a flywheel of the centrifuge. As the centrifuge turns, the syringe(s), which are supported at one end, move into a horizontal orientation and are centrifuged until the fats get separated from other liquids present in the syringes. A number of syringes, syringe holders and related devices are disclosed to accommodate centrifugation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for processing fluids and to a fluid processing device (1) for use in a centrifuge comprising: (a) a first holder (14) form-fit to the shape of a first tube (18) for holding said first tube (18) whereby said first tube (18) has a first cross section (A1); and (b) a second holder (22) form-fit to the shape of a second tube (26) for holding said second tube (26) whereby said second tube (26) has a second cross section (A2) that is different from said first cross section (A1). With the fluid processing devices and the methods according to the invention, it is possible to simplify the centrifugal processing steps for a given fluid processing sequence and to automate them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic balance adjusting centrifuge which calculates the magnitude and the location of imbalance of itself based on the vibration generated in the dynamic state and automatically compensate for the imbalance based on the calculation, and the control method thereof. The automatic balance adjusting centrifuge of the present invention comprises: a rotor supporting buckets that load samples; a rotation driving means for rotating the rotor; a vibration detecting means for detecting vibration; a imbalance compensating means for compensating the weight imbalance of the rotor; and a control means for controlling the imbalance compensating means to compensate for the weight imbalance of the rotor after calculating the imbalance based on the amount of the vibration detected by the vibration detecting means in the state of rotating the rotor with a predetermined rotational velocity.

Abstract: Provided are a centrifuge that rotates about a rotation axis to separate a material and a method of centrifugal separation. The container is coupled to the centrifuge to freely pivot upward and downward on a pivoting axis vertical to a rotation plane. The container has an opening at an upper end thereof and holds a material inside. An angle adjuster raises the central axis of the container beyond a perpendicular angle with the rotation axis while the centrifuge is rotating in order to arrange the opening of the container downward with respect to the rotation plane and point an end of the container opposite to the opening of the container upward with respect to the rotation plane, and allow a portion of layers formed during centrifugal separating to flow down through the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating a bodily fluid, in particular blood platelet concentrate, into fractions under centrifugal force. The device comprises a flexible container system which comprises at least a first container for the fluid to be separated and a second container for a separated fraction, wherein the containers are mutually connected using a connecting conduit for a fluid, wherein a widened portion is arranged in the connecting conduit between the first and second container, wherein during use a detectable separating layer is created in the widened portion. The invention also relates to a flexible container system intended for the device, a method for separating blood platelet concentrate into fractions under centrifugal force, and a blood platelet concentrate with low leukocyte content.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a centrifuge includes: a rotor for separating samples; a motor for driving and rotating the rotor; a drive shaft for connecting together the motor and the rotor; a rotation sensor for detecting at least one of the rotation speed of the motor and the rotor; and a displacement sensor for detecting the swinging motion of the rotor or the drive shaft, wherein, after one of speed of the motor and the rotor is accelerated up to previously set rotation speed, when the swinging amount of the rotor or the drive shaft is equal to or more than preset allowable value, the supply of power to the motor is stopped to decelerate the motor, wherein, during the deceleration, signal from the displacement sensor is compared with the preset allowable value, and wherein when the signal from the displacement sensor becomes equal to or less than the preset allowable value, the motor is accelerated.

Abstract: A centrifuge including: a rotor rotating with a sample contained therein; a rotating shaft rotatably engaged with the rotor; a motor rotating the rotor and the rotating shaft; a belt transmitting rotational force of the motor to the rotating shaft; a rotor speed detecting unit detecting a rotation speed of the rotor; a motor speed detecting unit detecting a rotation speed of the motor; and a control unit controlling the motor, wherein the control unit calculates a signal for controlling the rotation speed of the rotor on the basis of a signal from the rotor speed detecting unit and controls the motor on the basis of a signal from the motor speed detecting unit and the calculated signal.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bio cell cleaning centrifuge including: a motor; a rotor rotated by the motor; holders that are equipped on the rotor and that hold test tubes to be pivotable toward a rotational radial direction of the rotor; a cleaning liquid distributor mounted on the rotor to supply a cleaning liquid to the test tubes; a locking mechanism that locks the holders so that the test tubes are in a vertical state with respect to the rotational radial direction; and a controller that controls the motor and the locking mechanism, wherein the holders are configured to hold the test tubes so that central axes thereof are inclined from a rotational axis direction toward a rotational tangent direction of the rotor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a centrifuge energy management system prevents the energy level of a rotor from exceeding a predetermined containment limit for the centrifuge by monitoring the energy level and either terminating a run operation of the centrifuge if it surpasses the containment limit or reducing the rotational speed of the rotor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relates to incorporating a magnetic coupling for use in oilfield applications. The magnetic coupling is operatively coupled to an oilfield machine to provide a controlled operational speed. The magnetic coupling may be operatively connected to a motor and a drive shaft where a speed of rotation of the drive shaft is controlled by an operation of the magnetic coupling. The drive shaft is operatively connected to the oilfield machine.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a frame, a damper connected to and supported on the frame for isolating vibrations, a drive unit connected to and supported by the damper, a swing-bucket rotor rotated by the drive unit, an accelerometer for detecting when part of the drive unit contacts part of the frame due to vibrations of the drive unit exceeding a predetermined amplitude, and a control unit for controlling the drive unit based on output from the accelerometer. When amplitude of vibrations in the drive unit exceeds a predetermined value, a portion of the drive unit contacts a portion of the frame. The accelerometer detects an impact caused by the contact between the drive unit and the frame. The drive unit is halted when output detected from the accelerometer exceeds a threshold value for detecting imbalances.

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 system for automated operation of a blood separation system controlling the input of blood samples, the separation of blood components, and the discharge of the components. The system includes a blood reservoir and centrifuge for receiving blood samples and separating the blood components. A sensor determines when adequate separation has been achieved and a controller receives signals from the sensor to operate a centrifuge drive assembly to achieve desired separation. Separation may be based on a calibrated rotation time for the centrifuge as measured by a timer. An input pump pumps blood samples to the blood reservoir, and an outlet pump removes separated samples from the blood reservoir. The inlet and outlet pumps are operated by the controller, and the inlet pump may be operated to discharge separated components not collected by the blood separation system, whereby additional sample volume is added for ongoing operation.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and software for interactively centrifuging biological samples on bio-discs in computer disc drives. A bio-disc is a modified disc that can store laboratory samples. The software initializes the disc drive rotational speed and then monitors the response from the disc. The disc drive directs the laser at the disc and detects light that has interacted with laboratory samples on disc. This detection is used for recognition of the current state of the biological samples. One embodiment detects responses from the interrogation to adjust the rotational speed of the disc during the centrifugation process. The present invention takes advantage of existing speed control commands in constant linear velocity (CLV) and constant angular velocity (CAV) drives to achieve a wide range of rotational speeds. Another embodiment of the invention includes agitation of the disc which facilitates the separation of the biological samples.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of previously known motor controllers for centrifuge machines wherein a motor controller is provided for a centrifuge machine including a logic control module, one or more power cells, and one or more contactors. The logic control module is capable of interfacing with the main centrifuge controller and provides control over the power cells and contactors to provide a voltage ramp-up to accelerate the centrifuge basket. As such, the logic control module avoids the current draining problems associated with across the line starting of the centrifuge motor. The power cells receive a voltage from the main power supply, and output to the contactors variable power to control centrifuge motor speed. Further, the configuration of multiple contactors to reverse the power supplied to the centrifuge motor windings may eliminate the need for a second, reverse direction motor.

Abstract: A system for automated operation of a blood separation system controlling the input of blood samples, the separation of blood components, and the discharge of the components. The system includes a blood reservoir and centrifuge for receiving blood samples and separating the blood components. A sensor determines when adequate separation has been achieved and a controller receives signals from the sensor to operate a centrifuge drive assembly to achieve desired separation. Separation may be based on a calibrated rotation time for the centrifuge as measured by a timer. An input pump pumps blood samples to the blood reservoir, and an outlet pump removes separated samples from the blood reservoir. The inlet and outlet pumps are operated by the controller, and the inlet pump may be operated to discharge separated components not collected by the blood separation system, whereby additional sample volume is added for ongoing operation.

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: 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 rotor for collecting and centrifuging biological fluids in a range of volumes. The rotor includes an elastic impermeable diaphragm which defines at least a portion of a variable-volume processing chamber, where the fluid is centrifuged. The rotor includes a rigid mounting member, to which the diaphragm is mounted and which is held and spun by a chuck. Preferably, this rigid mounting member includes a boundary wall which together with the elastic diaphragm defines the chamber. The boundary wall may be a substantially imperforate circular wall which extends to the periphery of the processing chamber but defining one opening, preferably near the axis of rotation, permitting a conduit or conduits to pass therethrough so as to be in fluid communication with the processing chamber. The rotor may include a separate structure for controlling the flow of liquid out of the chamber into the conduit.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program for controlling a centrifuge which receives a mixture of liquid and solid particles and separates the liquid from the solid particles. A bowl, along with a conveyor extending inside the bowl, are rotated at different speeds and the speed of, and the torque applied to, the bowl and the conveyor are detected and corresponding output signals are generated. A meter is provided for metering the flow of the mixture to the centrifuge and generating corresponding output signals. A computer responds to instructions from computer programs and controls the speed of the bowl and the conveyor as well as the flow of the mixture and a diluting agent to the centrifuge in response to the output signals in a manner to attain predetermined predetermined optimum operating conditions of the centrifuge.

Abstract: A device for controlling and regulating the relative speed between the scroll (4) and drum (2) of a centrifugal extractor, comprising a dc or ac electric motor (10), stator (10a) of which is made integral with drum (2) and rotor (10b) of which is made integral with a gear (7) which drives scroll (4) via appropriate means (7a, 8a, 14a; 7b, 8b, 14b) of connection, there being furthermore provided means (30a, 30b) for detecting the speeds of rotation of such rotor (10b) and stator (10a) and for converting them into a representative electric signal, and means (40, 50) for comparing such electric signals designed to emit a signal (D.sub.rs) capable of operating means (60; 1060) for supplying to rotor (10b) a current capable of compensating for any deviations of the parameters of the extractor from the programmed operating conditions.

Abstract: A screw decanter centrifuge including a cylindrical bowl rotatable in one direction, a main drive motor coupled to the bowl for rotatably driving the bowl, a screw conveyor which is disposed concentrically in the bowl and which is rotatable in the same direction as the bowl at a differential rotation speed from the bowl, and an induction type screw conveyor motor for driving the screw conveyor. The differential rotation speed is changed in response to a carrying torque of the screw conveyor. An induction type screw conveyor motor is provided for driving the screw conveyor. The induction type screw conveyor motor has a shaft connected directly to, or coupled to, a shaft of the screw conveyor, and the induction type screw conveyor motor is controlled by a speed-torque controller.

Abstract: A centrifugal protection apparatus including: a rotor having markers connected to a motor responsive to drive signals; first and second detectors for detecting the marker upon rotation of the rotor and generating first and second detection signals respectively; a drive circuit responsive to a command for generating the drive signals from the supply power via input terminal in response to the first or second detection signal; first and second switch circuits, arranged in series between the input terminal and the motor, for controlling the supply of the drive signals to the motor; a current detector for detecting a current of one of the drive signals and generating a current detection signal; and first and second judging portions for detecting whether the first and second detection signals are within a predetermined value and for operating the first and second switch circuits to cut off the drive signals when the first and second detection signals are not within the predetermined value respectively and when a m

Abstract: When a screw-conveyor centrifuge is turned off and its rotation speed diminishes to the point where the centrifugal force is smaller than the force of gravitation, the liquid ring formed inside the centrifuge bowl under the centrifugal force collapses, and a detrimental discharge of liquid takes place at the solids discharge of the centrifuge. In accordance with the method of this invention, the rotation speed of the centrifuge bowl (2) and/or of the screw conveyor (4) is briefly abruptly changed immediately before this critical rotation speed is reached, so that the liquid ring is caused to spiral toward the liquid discharge openings (5) at the other end of the centrifuge (1) by the screw helices (3) of the screw conveyor (4).

Abstract: A decanter centrifuge is provided with a dual motor drive for purposes of start-up and efficient operation. The two motors are coupled together during, at least, the start-up of the centrifuge rotation so as to provide the desired power requirements and to reduce the thermal load on the motors. After reaching operational speed, a first motor continues to drive the centrifuge at the desired operational speed and the second motor may be disengaged from operation. The dual motor drive may be varied by use of wye-start and delta-run phase connections for the motors. The operating conditions of the two motors can be varied to provide the necessary power while maximizing efficiency of the operation.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a drive which revolves a rotor whose speed is controlled by a sensor located on a mounting plate which is immovably fixed in a recess of a ring installed on the mounting surface of the drive casing. The ring has a hole accommodating a movable element installed with a provision for touching over the radius of curvature upon said mounting surface of the drive casing and ensuring the movement of said ring relative to the lower surface of the rotor for installing the sensor at a certain distance from said surface at which the optimum sensitivity to the rotation speed of the rotor is ensured.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of protecting a centrifuge from rotor overspeed and resultant mishap by computation of the rotor moment of inertia is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a centrifuge is driven by a rotor mounted on a shaft which shaft is in turn driven by a constant current motor. A tachometer for detecting angular velocity of the drive shaft is used. A desired and ultimate centrifuge operating speed is selected by the operator. The times at which the rotor passes through discrete speeds are recorded and from the time difference the moment of inertia is computed. The moment of inertia can thereafter be utilized to discretely identify or "finger print" rotors to disqualify certain rotors from use in particular centrifuge protocols and establish gross limits of centrifuge 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: 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: An apparatus for determining the actual speed and maximum safe speed of a centrifuge rotor. A single circular array of equally spaced coding elements of two clearly distinguishable types is attached to the rotor. A single detector responsive to the coding elements produces an output signal that varies in accordance with both the number and type of the coding elements. A first circuit network is responsive to the number of coding elements encountered per unit time, without regard to type, to produce an actual speed or tachometer signal. A second circuit network is responsive to the number of coding elements of each type encountered during each revolution of the rotor, without regard to the speed thereof, to produce a rotor identification signal that is indicative of the maximum safe speed of the rotor.

Abstract: A method of initiating an operation in dependence on the combined mass of an element and matter which is in or on the element can be used to remove matter which has accumulated on the rotor of a centrifuge. A substantial change is effected in the speed of rotation of the rotor and the rate of change is then measured. The operation is initiated when the rate of change is above or below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A light emitting element and a photo detector are disposed opposite each other in an outer housing of a centrifuge. When an angle rotor is mounted on a motor shaft, light emitted from the light emitting element is received by the photo detector without being intercepted by the angle rotor and, by the output of the photo detector, a permissible maximum revolving speed of the angle rotor is set high. When a swing rotor is mounted on the motor shaft, the light from the light emitting element is intercepted by the swing rotor, and hence is not received by the photo detector and, by the output of the photo detector, a permissible maximum revolving speed of the swing rotor is set low.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for controlling the operation of a centrifugal separator having a relatively rotating drum and screw conveyor whereby the speed of each is measured and the torque for driving the screw is measured and the speed differential control is in a predetermined functional relationship to the torque and at a particular maximum and minimum value of torque, the speed differential being changed independently of torque and when a predetermined change in torque is obtained, the predetermined functional relationship between the torque and speed differential being changed to a different characteristic step-wise with the characteristic or relationship being shifted step-wise.