Rotary seal and centrifuge incorporating same

Claim 2

A sealing assembly capable of effecting a fluid tight seal between two components, one of which is rotatable relative to the other, comprising in combination: a. an elastomeric ring member capable of forming a static seal with one of said components and having an upper section with a friction-generating outer surface and a pressure deformable central section; b. a rigid, low friction ring member capable of forming a dynamic seal having a lower surface adapted to make a low friction rubbing contact with a surface of the other of said components; and c. locking means associated with the outer surface of the central section of said rigid, low friction member and adapted to prevent relative rotation between said sealing assembly and the one of said components in which it is mounted.

Claim 3

A sealing assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said locking member comprises a multifaceted cylindrical configuration forming said outer surface of said central section.

Claim 4

effluent tube means surrounding said feed tube means above said horizontal ring and defining therewith an annular channel adapted to provide supernatant liquid withdrawal means, said effluent tube means terminating at its lower end in a horizontally disposed shoulder member having a second downwardly inclined skirt, said shoulder member providing a dynamic sealing surface; said horizontal ring and first downwardly inclined skirt of said feed tube means being positioned below said collar member and said second downwardly inclined skirt of said effluent tube means and arranged in spaced relationship therewith to define a fluid passage communicating between the centrifuge and said annular channel; b. said second assembly of components comprising:

Claim 5

effluent tube means surrounding said feed tube means above said horizontal ring and defining therewith an annular channel adapted to provide supernatant liquid withdrawal means, said effluent tube means terminating at its lower end in a horizontally disposed shoulder member having a second downwardly inclined skirt, said shoulder member providing a dynamic sealing surface; said horizontal ring and first downwardly inclined skirt of said feed tube means being positioned below said collar member and said second downwardly inclined skirt of said effluent tube means and arranged in spaced relationship therewith to define a fluid passage communicating between the centrifuge and said annular channel; b. said second assembly of components comprising:

Claim 6

a centrifuge housing surrounding said centrifuge core and defining around at least a portion of said effluent tube means a recess adapted to hold a rotary seal assembly; and c. a rotary seal assembly disposed around said effluent tube means and defining a spacing therewith, said seal assembly comprising:

Claim 7

a centrifuge housing surrounding said centrifuge core and defining around at least a portion of said effluent tube means a recess adapted to hold a rotary seal assembly; and c. a rotary seal assembly disposed around said effluent tube means and defining a spacing therewith, said seal assembly comprising:

Claim 8

a rigid, low friction ring member capable of forming a dynamic seal and having an upper section adapted to form a friction grip with said lower section of said elastomeric member and a lower surface adapted to make a low friction rubbing contact with said dynamic sealing surface of said shoulder of said effluent tube means; and

Claim 9

a rigid, low friction ring member capable of forming a dynamic seal and having an upper section adapted to form a friction grip with said lower section of said elastomeric member and a lower surface adapted to make a low friction rubbing contact with said dynamic sealing surface of said shoulder of said effluent tube means; and

Claim 10

locking means adapted to prevent relative rotation of said rotary seal assembly and said centrifuge housing.

Claim 11

locking means adapted to prevent relative rotation of said rotary seal assembly and said centrifuge housing.

Claim 12

A sealing assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said locking means comprise keys on said outer surface of said central section and corresponding keyways in the surface of said one of said components.

Claim 13

A centrifuge having a rotating assembly of components and a stationary assembly of components in axial alignment therewith, characterized in that it has incorporated therein a sealing assembly capable of effecting a fluid tight seal between said rotating assembly and said stationary assembly, said sealing assembly comprising in combination: a. an elastomeric ring member capable of forming a static seal with said rotating components and having upper and lower sections with friction-generating outer surfaces and a pressure deformable central section; b. a rigid, low friction ring member capable of forming a dynamic seal and having an upper section adapted to form a friction grip with said lower section of said elastomeric member and a lower surface adapted to make a low friction rubbing on contact with a surface of said stationary component; and c. locking means associated with the outer surface of the central section of said rigid, low friction member and adapted to prevent relative rotation between said sealing assembly and that assembly of components in which said sealing assembly is mounted.

Claim 14

A centrifuge having a rotating assembly of components and a stationary assembly of components in axial alignment therewith, characterized in that it has incorporated therein a sealing assembly capable of effecting a fluid tight seal between said rotating assembly and said stationary assembly, said sealing assembly comprising in combination: a. an elastomeric ring member capable of forming a static seal with said rotating components and having upper and lower sections with friction-generating outer surfaces and a pressure deformable central section; b. a rigid, low friction ring member capable of forming a dynamic seal and having an upper section adapted to form a friction grip with said lower section of said elastomeric member and a lower surface adapted to make a low friction rubbing on contact with a surface of said stationary component; and c. locking means associated with the outer surface of the central section of said rigid, low friction member and adapted to prevent relative rotation between said sealing assembly and that assembly of components in which said sealing assembly is mounted.

Claim 15

A centrifuge adapted to process liquids which Must be maintained free from contaminants and from localized heating and having a first and second assembly of components one of which is capable of rotating relative to the other comprising in combination: a. said first assembly of components comprising;

Claim 16

A centrifuge adapted to process liquids which Must be maintained free from contaminants and from localized heating and having a first and second assembly of components one of which is capable of rotating relative to the other comprising in combination: a. said first assembly of components comprising;