US3901434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-extruding lid seal for centrifuges
Assignee: Beckman Coulter Inc
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Filing: 1973-10-10
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1993-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A centrifuge rotor having chambers for sample containers and a cover is formed with fluid release openings in the cover to form what amounts to a pressure relief valve. The release openings communicate with a seal-ring groove in the cover. This guards against possible expulsion of the seal ring from the seal-ring groove in the event that one or more of the containers should rupture so that the fluid escaping from the container, producing centrifugal force and fluid pressure acting upon the cover, should bend it up sufficiently to open a gap for expulsion of the sealing ring thereby permitting the fluid to escape. The provision of the fluid release openings communicating between the seal-ring groove and the exterior of the cover permits sufficient fluid to escape through the opening in the event of partial distortion of the sealing ring upon the bending of the cover to allow the cover to return to sealing condition and to retain the remainder of the fluid within the rotor.
Inventors
- 👤 Herschel E Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:20
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04B; B04B5/00; B04B5/04; B04B5/0407; B04B5/0414; B04B7/00; B04B7/02; B04B2007/025; F; F16; F16K; F16K15/00; F16K15/14; F16K15/141; F16K15/142; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/91; Y10S277/928
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
In a rotating receptacle having a chambered rotor and a cover therefor, a fluid pressure and centrifugal force relieving seal comprising: confronting peripheral portions of the rotor and the cover having confronting, normally contiguous, contacting surfaces, one of the members comprising the rotor and the cover having an annular groove at the confronting surface thereof, said groove having a first wall substantially parallel to the plane of the contacting surfaces and an outer cylindrical wall intersecting the first wall, the grooved member having a pressure-releasing hole extending to the exterior thereof from the intersection of said intersecting walls, and a resilient deformable sealing ring in said groove of such cross-sectional dimensions as normally to lie tangent to walls of the groove in the grooved member and to the confronting surface of the other member for sealing the confronting surfaces, whereby distortion of either of the members by fluid pressure or centrifugal force causing parting of the confronting surfaces of sufficient magnitude to distort the sealing ring out of tangency with either of the said groove walls opens said hole to permit release of sufficient fluid pressure to permit restoration of contact between said contiguous surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a rotating receptacle having a chambered rotor and a cover therefor, a fluid pressure and centrifugal force relieving seal comprising: confronting peripheral portions of the rotor and the cover having confronting, normally contiguous, contacting surfaces, one of the members comprising the rotor and the cover having an annular groove at the confronting surface thereof, said groove having a first wall substantially parallel to the plane of the contacting surfaces and an outer cylindrical wall intersecting the first wall, the grooved member having a pressure-releasing hole extending to the exterior thereof from the intersection of said intersecting walls, and a resilient deformable sealing ring in said groove of such cross-sectional dimensions as normally to lie tangent to walls of the groove in the grooved member and to the confronting surface of the other member for sealing the confronting surfaces, whereby distortion of either of the members by fluid pressure or centrifugal force causing parting of the confronting surfaces of sufficient magnitude to distort the sealing ring out of tangency with either of the said groove walls opens said hole to permit release of sufficient fluid pressure to permit restoration of contact between said contiguous surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The seal defined in claim 1 wherein the pressure releasing hole extends radially.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The seal defined in claim 1 wherein the cover is the grooved member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The seal defined in claim 1 wherein the cover is the grooved member and the pressure releasing hole extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The seal defined in claim 1 wherein the rotor is the grooved member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The seal defined in claim 5 wherein the pressure releasing hole extends radially.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3366320A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |