Centrifuge with a plurality of individual centrifuge devices

Details Centrifuge with a plurality of individual centrifuge devices Centrifuge with a plurality of individual centrifuge devices

1998-05-08

2000-03-07

Cooley, Charles E.

Imperforate bowl: centrifugal separators

Including plurality of separate and distinct bowls

Having bowls equally spaced from a central axis of rotation...

494 84, B04B 502

Patent

active

060333553

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, firstly, to improved centrifuge apparatus and, secondly, to improvements in or relating to electric motors (particularly but not exclusively brushless electric motors). In its preferred form said centrifuge apparatus is based on said improvements in or relating to electric motors.
Brushless motors are commonly available electric machines, utilising the forces generated by the interaction of electric and magnetic fields to generate rotational motion. In the standard design of brushless electric motors, a shaft bearing a plurality of permanent magnets (the rotor) rotates within a cylinder around which one or more coils are wound (the stator).
Centrifuge apparatus of the type commonly used in laboratories for multiple discrete samples generally comprises a rotor body mounted on a vertical spindle and having a plurality of sample holders spaced around or adjacent to its outer periphery. The rotor is driven by any suitable means such as an electric motor. The loading and unloading of samples requires the rotor to be stopped, interrupting the processing of all samples carried by the rotor.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided centrifuge apparatus, typically but not exclusively for use in the analysis of laboratory samples. As used herein, the word "sample" is employed to designate any discrete object which may be centrifuged using the invention.
In its broadest sense, the first aspect of the invention provides apparatus comprising a plurality of individual centrifuge devices, at least one centrifuge loading and/or unloading device and control means for controlling the operation of said devices such that samples may be loaded and unloaded to and from individual ones of said centrifuge devices without interrupting the operation of the remainder of said centrifuge devices.
Accordingly, the invention may be embodied by an array of individual centrifuges together with a robotic loading and/or unloading device which is adapted to access each of the centrifuges in the array. Alternatively, the centrifuge devices may be adapted to be moved relative to a loading/unloading station. Each of the centrifuges may suitably be adapted to process only a single sample at a time, and is preferably adapted to rotate said sample in a vertical plane of rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation. In any case, it is preferred that the centrifuge devices be mounted on a common chassis or in a common enclosure.
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises: predetermined path for rotation about respective rotational axes in respective rotational planes; and axes.
Preferably, said predetermined path defines a closed loop.
Preferably also, said rotational planes of said sample holders extend substantially at right angles to said predetermined path.
Preferably, said predetermined path includes at least one sample loading and unloading station at which samples may be loaded and unloaded to and from sample holders as they pass said station.
Preferably, said predetermined path comprises a circular path and said sample holders are spaced around said path in fixed angular relationship to one another.
Preferably also, said respective rotational axes extend tangentially to said circular path.
Preferably also, said means for translating said sample holders around the closed loop defined by said circular path comprises means for rotating said sample holders together about a central, common axis extending perpendicularly to the plane of said circular path. Preferably also, said sample holders are mounted to a common, central hub. Most preferably, said sample holders are mounted at the ends of respective arms extending radially outwards from said hub, for rotation relative to said arms about said respective, tangential axes. Alternatively, said sample holders are mounted to a peripheral structure extending around the outside of said circular path, said peripheral structure being mounted to a support structure for rotation about sa

REFERENCES:
patent: 3838809 (1974-10-01), Williams
patent: 4233532 (1980-11-01), Esters

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