US4693702A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotor having frangible projections thereon
Assignee: EIDP Inc
•
Filing: 1986-08-04
•
Granted: 1987-09-15
•
Expires: 2006-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A centrifuge rotor is provided with a pair of projections frangibly connected thereto. As the rotor reaches a predetermined speed the projections simultaneously fracture forming projectiles which puncture the evacuated chamber in which the rotor is mounted. Ambient air is drawn into the chamber, thereby windage limiting the speed of the rotor. The projections are each sized and positioned to impart a total unbalance less than the multiplication product of 0.5 gram-inches times the weight of the rotor.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Carson
- 👤 Oakley L. Weyant, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:32
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04B; B04B7/00; B04B7/02; B04B7/06; B04B9/00; B04B9/10; B04B2007/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A centrifuge rotor for use in a centrifuge instrument of the type having an enclosable and evacuable chamber with a drive member adapted to connect the rotor to a source of motive energy projecting into the chamber, the rotor having a predetermined weight associated therewith, the rotor having at least a first projection connected thereto through a frangible connecting region, the frangible connecting region being configured so as to fracture and thereby separate the projection from the rotor when the rotor is driven to a predetermined rotational speed, the projection being sized and positioned on the rotor so as to exhibit an unbalance of less than the multiplication product of 0.5 gram-inches for each pound of rotor weight so that the projection may separate from the rotor without unbalancing the same to an extent sufficient to cause the rotor to leave the drive member, the projection upon separation from the rotor forming a projectile having an energy content sufficient to puncture the chamber to admit ambient air thereinto thereby to windage limit the rotational speed of the rotor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A centrifuge rotor for use in a centrifuge instrument of the type having an enclosable and evacuable chamber with a drive member adapted to connect the rotor to a source of motive energy projecting into the chamber, the rotor having a predetermined weight associated therewith, the rotor having at least a first projection connected thereto through a frangible connecting region, the frangible connecting region being configured so as to fracture and thereby separate the projection from the rotor when the rotor is driven to a predetermined rotational speed, the projection being sized and positioned on the rotor so as to exhibit an unbalance of less than the multiplication product of 0.5 gram-inches for each pound of rotor weight so that the projection may separate from the rotor without unbalancing the same to an extent sufficient to cause the rotor to leave the drive member, the projection upon separation from the rotor forming a projectile having an energy content sufficient to puncture the chamber to admit ambient air thereinto thereby to windage limit the rotational speed of the rotor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 1 wherein the rotor has an upper and a lower surface thereon and wherein the projection is mounted to the rotor adjacent to the lower surface thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 2 wherein the projection is integrally formed with the rotor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 1 wherein the rotor has an upper and a lower surface thereon and wherein the projection is mounted to the rotor adjacent to the upper surface thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 4 wherein the projection is integrally formed with the rotor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 1 wherein the projection is integrally formed with the rotor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 1 wherein the rotor has a boss on the lower surface thereof, further comprising: and a collar having the projection connected thereto through the frangible connection, the collar being attached to the boss on the rotor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 1 wherein the rotor has a boss on the upper surface thereof, further comprising: and a collar having the projection connected thereto through the frangible connection, the collar being attached to the boss on the rotor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
185 words
A centrifuge rotor for use in a centrifuge instrument of the type having an enclosable and evacuable chamber with a drive member adapted to connect the rotor to a source of motive energy projecting into the chamber, the rotor having a predetermined weight associated therewith, the rotor having a first and a second projection each connected to the rotor through a frangible connecting region, each frangible connecting region being configured so as to fracture and thereby separate the projection associated therewith from the rotor when the rotor is driven to a predetermined rotational speed. each projection being sized and positioned on the rotor so as to exhibit an unbalance of less than the multiplication product of 0.5 gram-inches for each pound of rotor weight so that the projection may separate from the rotor without unbalancing the same to an extent sufficient to cause the rotor to leave the drive member, each projection being sized and configured to form a projectile having an energy content sufficient to puncture the chamber to admit ambient air thereinto and thereby to windage limit the rotational speed of the rotor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
185 words
A centrifuge rotor for use in a centrifuge instrument of the type having an enclosable and evacuable chamber with a drive member adapted to connect the rotor to a source of motive energy projecting into the chamber, the rotor having a predetermined weight associated therewith, the rotor having a first and a second projection each connected to the rotor through a frangible connecting region, each frangible connecting region being configured so as to fracture and thereby separate the projection associated therewith from the rotor when the rotor is driven to a predetermined rotational speed. each projection being sized and positioned on the rotor so as to exhibit an unbalance of less than the multiplication product of 0.5 gram-inches for each pound of rotor weight so that the projection may separate from the rotor without unbalancing the same to an extent sufficient to cause the rotor to leave the drive member, each projection being sized and configured to form a projectile having an energy content sufficient to puncture the chamber to admit ambient air thereinto and thereby to windage limit the rotational speed of the rotor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 9 wherein the rotor has an upper and a lower surface thereon and wherein the projections are mounted to the rotor adjacent to the lower surface thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 10 wherein the the projections are integrally mounted to the rotor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 10 wherein the rotor has a boss on the upper surface thereof, further comprising: a collar having the projection connected thereto through the frangible connection, the collar being attached to the boss on the rotor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 9 wherein the rotor has an upper and a lower surface thereon and wherein the projections are mounted to the rotor adjacent to the upper surface thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 13 wherein the the projections are integrally mounted to the rotor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 9 wherein the the projections are integrally mounted to the rotor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 9 wherein the rotor has a boss on the lower surface thereof, further comprising: a collar having the projections connected thereto through the frangible connections, the collar being attached to the boss on the rotor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 16 wherein the collar is press fit onto the boss.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 17 wherein the projections are each substantially diamond-shaped.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 16 wherein the collar is integrally formed with the boss.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The centrifuge rotor of claim 17 wherein the projections are each substantially diamond-shaped.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3961745A
Cited
US4054243A
Cited
US3990633A
Cited
US4244513A
Cited
US4226669A
Cited
US4226669B1
Cited
US4568325A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-09-14 | 1991-03-16 | 1991-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-09-14 | 1995-03-16 | 1995-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-09-14 | 1999-03-16 | 1999-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |