US3779451A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible shaft stabilizer
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1971-11-22
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1991-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A flexible shaft construction to transmit rotational energy between a motor and a centrifuge rotor having a thin, long flexible shaft surrounded by a resilient sleeve and a stiff tubular member. The shaft, sleeve and tubular member are arranged so that there is no relative rotational motion between them.
Inventors
- 👤 I Lehman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:16
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04B; B04B5/00; B04B5/04; B04B5/0407; B04B5/0414; B04B9/00; B04B9/08; B04B9/12; F; F16; F16C; F16C1/00; B04B2009/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A flexible shaft construction for transmitting rotational energy between a centrifuge rotor and a motor which comprises a shaft having a regular horizontal cross section about its vertical axis, said shaft being sufficiently flexible when attached to a centrifuge rotor to permit self-balancing of the shaft to occur during rotation, said shaft having means on a first end for being coupled to a motor and having means on a second end for being coupled to a centrifuge rotor, a tubular member attached to the first end of said shaft so that the shaft and tubular member do not rotate relative to each other during rotation, a resilient sleeve between said tubular member and shaft to prevent contact of said shaft and tubular member during rotation, said tubular member having means at a first end for being coupled to a motor and to said first end of said shaft, said tubular member at a second end being unattached and surrounding said shaft, said second end of said tubular member positioned so that said shaft is located along the vertical axis of the tubular member and said tubular member and resilient sleeve positioned to prevent said shaft to be permanently deformed while permitting said shaft to be deflected by virtue of self balancing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
A flexible shaft construction for transmitting rotational energy between a centrifuge rotor and a motor which comprises a shaft having a regular horizontal cross section about its vertical axis, said shaft being sufficiently flexible when attached to a centrifuge rotor to permit self-balancing of the shaft to occur during rotation, said shaft having means on a first end for being coupled to a motor and having means on a second end for being coupled to a centrifuge rotor, a tubular member attached to the first end of said shaft so that the shaft and tubular member do not rotate relative to each other during rotation, a resilient sleeve between said tubular member and shaft to prevent contact of said shaft and tubular member during rotation, said tubular member having means at a first end for being coupled to a motor and to said first end of said shaft, said tubular member at a second end being unattached and surrounding said shaft, said second end of said tubular member positioned so that said shaft is located along the vertical axis of the tubular member and said tubular member and resilient sleeve positioned to prevent said shaft to be permanently deformed while permitting said shaft to be deflected by virtue of self balancing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The construction of claim 1 wherein the length to diameter ratio of the shaft is between about 15 to one and 30 to one.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
225 words
A centrifuge comprising a centrifuge rotor, a motor, a housing for said motor and a flexible shaft construction for transmitting rotational energy between the centrifuge rotor and the motor which comprises a shaft having a regular horizontal cross section about its vertical axis, said shaft being sufficiently flexible when attached to the cenrifuge rotor to permit self balancing of the shaft to occur during rotation, said shaft having means on a first end for being coupled to the motor and having means on a second end for being coupled to the centrifuge rotor, a tubular member attached to the first end of said shaft so that the shaft and tubular member do not rotate relative to each other during rotation, a resilient sleeve between said tubular member and shaft to prevent contact of said shaft and tubular member during rotation, said tubular member having means at a first end for being coupled to the motor and to said first end of said shaft, said tubular member at a second end being unattached and surrounding said shaft, said second end of said tubular member positioned so that said shaft is located along the vertical axis of the tubular member and said tubular member and resilient sleeve positioned to prevent said shaft to be permanently deformed while permitting said shaft to be deflected by virtue of self-balancing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
225 words
A centrifuge comprising a centrifuge rotor, a motor, a housing for said motor and a flexible shaft construction for transmitting rotational energy between the centrifuge rotor and the motor which comprises a shaft having a regular horizontal cross section about its vertical axis, said shaft being sufficiently flexible when attached to the cenrifuge rotor to permit self balancing of the shaft to occur during rotation, said shaft having means on a first end for being coupled to the motor and having means on a second end for being coupled to the centrifuge rotor, a tubular member attached to the first end of said shaft so that the shaft and tubular member do not rotate relative to each other during rotation, a resilient sleeve between said tubular member and shaft to prevent contact of said shaft and tubular member during rotation, said tubular member having means at a first end for being coupled to the motor and to said first end of said shaft, said tubular member at a second end being unattached and surrounding said shaft, said second end of said tubular member positioned so that said shaft is located along the vertical axis of the tubular member and said tubular member and resilient sleeve positioned to prevent said shaft to be permanently deformed while permitting said shaft to be deflected by virtue of self-balancing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The centrifuge of claim 3 wherein the length to diameter ratio of the shaft is between about 15 to one and 30 to one.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |