US3676723A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High speed centrifuge drive assembly
Assignee: BIO CONSULTANTS Inc
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Filing: 1970-03-02
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A drive assembly for a motor driven centrifuge, or other rotatable mechanisms, is provided which includes a resilient rotatably driven spindle. The rotating spindle and centrifuge rotor normally create gyroscopic effects so that the rotor is rotated with minimal radial vibration about a mass center, even in the presence of some unbalancing of the rotor assembly. The apparatus also includes contact means associated with the spindle for providing a desired electrical control signal should the rotor unbalancing exceed a safe threshold. The control signal is used normally to de-energize the drive motor and to cause the rotor to stop.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth G Drucker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:32
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K7/00; H02K7/14; H02K7/16; B; B04; B04B; B04B9/00; B04B9/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A rotatable rotor assembly comprising a frame; a motor mounted on said frame; a resilient spindle mechanically coupled to said motor and extending vertically upwardly therefrom to be rotatably driven thereby; a rotor; means for mounting said rotor on said spindle at the upper end thereof remote from said motor to be rotatably driven by said spindle; a tubular electrically conductive member mounted in fixed relationship with said frame and insulated therefrom, said tubular member extending upwardly along said spindle in coaxial relationship therewith but spaced radially therefrom; and electrical contact means mounted on the upper end of said spindle for engagement with said electrically conductive member when the radial deflection of said spindle exceeds a particular threshold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A rotatable rotor assembly comprising a frame; a motor mounted on said frame; a resilient spindle mechanically coupled to said motor and extending vertically upwardly therefrom to be rotatably driven thereby; a rotor; means for mounting said rotor on said spindle at the upper end thereof remote from said motor to be rotatably driven by said spindle; a tubular electrically conductive member mounted in fixed relationship with said frame and insulated therefrom, said tubular member extending upwardly along said spindle in coaxial relationship therewith but spaced radially therefrom; and electrical contact means mounted on the upper end of said spindle for engagement with said electrically conductive member when the radial deflection of said spindle exceeds a particular threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The assembly defined in claim 1, and which includes a tubular drive shaft mounted on the upper end of said spindle and extending downwardly along said spindle in coaxial relationship therewith; a tubular bushing mounted on said frame and surrounding said spindle; bearing means for said spindle; and flexible sealing means mounting said bearing means to said bushing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The assembly defined in claim 2, and which includes an annular shoulder member mounted on said tubular drive shaft above said sealing means and adjacent thereto for protecting said bearing means from liquids and serving as a support for said rotor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The assembly defined in claim 2, in which said tubular drive shaft has a tapered thread at the upper extremity thereof, and which includes nut means engaging said tapered thread to produce a press-fit between the upper extremity of said tubular shaft and the upper extremity of said spindle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly defined in claim 2, in which said tubular drive shaft is attached at the upper extremity thereof to the upper extremity of said spindle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The assembly defined in claim 2, in which said bearing means includes a tubular retainer having an annular shoulder thereon; and a resilient annular bumper member mounted on said annular shoulder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly defined in claim 2, in which said tubular electrically conductive member is positioned to be engaged by the lower end of said tubular drive shaft when the radial deflection of said spindle exceeds a particular threshold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The assembly defined in claim 1, in which includes an electric control circuit connected to said tubular member and to said motor for de-energizing said motor upon the engagement of said electrical contact means with said electrically conductive tubular member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
The assembly defined in claim 8, in which said control circuit includes a transformer having a secondary winding connected across said tubular member and said electrical contact means to be short-circuited when said electrical contact means engages said tubular member, and which includes a latching relay circuit connected to the primary of said transformer for deenergizing said motor when said secondary winding is short-circuited, and for maintaining said motor de-energized until the control circuit is reset.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |