EP3727701B1 - Temperature-controlled centrifuge - Google Patents

Temperature-controlled centrifuge Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3727701B1
EP3727701B1 EP18815977.6A EP18815977A EP3727701B1 EP 3727701 B1 EP3727701 B1 EP 3727701B1 EP 18815977 A EP18815977 A EP 18815977A EP 3727701 B1 EP3727701 B1 EP 3727701B1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
centrifuge
protective gas
temperature control
line
rotor
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EP18815977.6A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3727701A1 (en
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Heiko Müller
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Eppendorf SE
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Eppendorf SE
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B15/00—Other accessories for centrifuges
    • B04B15/02—Other accessories for centrifuges for cooling, heating, or heat insulating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B7/00—Elements of centrifuges
    • B04B7/02—Casings; Lids
    • B04B7/06—Safety devices ; Regulating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B7/00—Elements of centrifuges
    • B04B7/02—Casings; Lids
    • B04B7/06—Safety devices ; Regulating
    • B04B2007/065—Devices and measures in the event of rotor fracturing, e.g. lines of weakness, stress regions

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a centrifuge according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for preventing ignition of combustible temperature control media according to the preamble of claim 14.
  • Centrifuge rotors are used in centrifuges, in particular laboratory centrifuges, in order to separate the components of samples centrifuged therein using mass inertia. Increasingly higher rotation speeds are used to achieve higher segregation rates.
  • Laboratory centrifuges are centrifuges whose rotors work at preferably at least 3,000, preferably at least 10,000, in particular at least 15,000 revolutions per minute and are usually placed on tables. In order to be able to place them on a work table, they have in particular a form factor of less than 1 m ⁇ 1 m ⁇ 1 m, so their installation space is limited.
  • the device depth is preferably limited to a maximum of 70 cm.
  • centrifuges are used in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, biology and chemistry and the like.
  • Such a device is in JP2001321699A known.
  • the samples to be centrifuged are stored in sample containers and these sample containers are driven in rotation by means of a centrifuge rotor.
  • the centrifuge rotors are usually set in rotation by means of a vertical drive shaft that is driven by an electric motor.
  • the sample containers can contain the samples directly, or separate sample containers containing the sample are inserted into the sample containers, so that a large number of samples can be centrifuged simultaneously in one sample container.
  • centrifuge rotors are known in the form of fixed-angle rotors and swing-bucket rotors.
  • samples are centrifuged at certain temperatures.
  • samples that contain proteins and similar organic substances must not be overheated, so that the upper temperature limit for such samples is usually around +40°C.
  • certain samples are cooled by default in the +4°C range (water anomaly starts at 3.98°C).
  • active and passive systems can be used for temperature control.
  • Passive systems are based on air assisted ventilation. This air is routed directly past the centrifuge rotor, which results in temperature control. The air is sucked into the centrifuge chamber through openings and the warmed-up air is discharged again at another point in the centrifuge chamber through further openings, with the intake and discharge being effected independently by the rotation of the centrifuge rotor.
  • Active cooling systems have a refrigerant circuit that tempers the centrifuge container, which indirectly cools the centrifuge rotor and the sample containers contained therein.
  • Many different media are used as cooling or temperature control media. Since, in principle, not only cooling, ie heat reductions, but also heat increases can be specifically desired during centrifugation, tempering and tempering media are spoken of within the scope of the present invention.
  • tempering media commonly used for centrifuges, such as chlorodifluoromethane, Tetrafluoroethane, pentafluoroethane or difluoromethane and many others, there are also flammable temperature control agents such as butane or propane or a wide variety of synthetic mixtures.
  • these combustible temperature control media have very good heat transfer properties, they are usually not used for safety reasons, since the temperature control medium can escape and ignite if the centrifuge rotor crashes. In such a crash, fragments of the centrifuge rotor can act at high speed and thus very high energy inside the centrifuge and thus also destroy the evaporator and lines that carry the temperature control medium.
  • the outflowing combustible tempering medium can then be easily ignited by the energy released during the crash and by electrical or electronic components inside the centrifuge or in its vicinity, which can result in very serious damage, in particular personal injury.
  • the centrifuge according to the invention in particular a laboratory centrifuge, therefore has a centrifuge container in which a centrifuge rotor can be accommodated, a motor for driving the centrifuge rotor, temperature control means for temperature control of the centrifuge rotor and a housing in which the centrifuge container, the centrifuge rotor, the temperature control means and the motor are accommodated ,
  • the temperature control means have a combustible temperature control medium, which is guided in a temperature control medium line, and are characterized in that the centrifuge has a protective gas and is adapted to release the protective gas in the event of a crash of the centrifuge rotor.
  • the protective gas is an inert gas which preferably comprises at least one gas from the group argon, helium, carbon dioxide, krypton, neon, nitrogen and xenon. Such gases are particularly effective protective gases.
  • the protective gas is conducted in a protective gas line which extends around the centrifuge container with at least one, preferably several, turns. Then the protective gas is fed as close as possible to the centrifuge container, so that the in the centrifuge container In the event of a crash, the centrifuge rotor located immediately destroys the protective gas line and thus automatically releases the protective gas.
  • the protective gas line is connected to a protective gas source, which preferably contains the protective gas under an overpressure.
  • a protective gas source which preferably contains the protective gas under an overpressure.
  • a throttle element in particular a fixed throttle element, is arranged between the protective gas line and the protective gas source. This prevents sudden expansion and extends the outflow time of the protective gas, so that the ambient air is displaced for a longer period of time and the escaping tempering medium is mixed with the escaping protective gas and scattered.
  • At least two sections, preferably more, in particular each winding of the protective line are connected in parallel to the protective gas source. This allows the shielding gas to be released in sufficient quantity, regardless of which part of the shielding gas line is opened by the crash.
  • the inert gas line is arranged at least in some areas in relation to the centrifuge container next to and/or below the tempering media line. Then the protective gas line is always opened first or at least at the same time as the tempering medium line. In addition, the protective gas line forms an additional crash absorber, so that it may be possible to prevent the tempering media line from opening.
  • the protective gas line and the tempering media line are externally connected to one another, preferably soldered, at least in regions, preferably at least over a quarter, most preferably at least over a third, in particular at least over half of their respective winding length. This favors a particularly good heat transfer. If the soldered connection is preferably designed to be less tear-resistant than the temperature control medium line, it is ensured that the protective gas line is opened before the temperature control medium line.
  • the protective gas line has a smaller wall thickness than the tempering medium line, at least in certain areas. This ensures that the protective gas is released before the tempering medium.
  • the protective gas line and/or the tempering medium line are arranged directly on the centrifuge container or are at least partially part of the wall of the centrifuge container.
  • the heat transfer is also particularly effective and the installation space can be kept smaller if necessary.
  • monitoring means with regard to the state of the protective gas, preferably the pressure and/or the amount of protective gas, which are adapted to the speed of the respectively used
  • the centrifuge rotor to a size that is not critical for a crash of the centrifuge rotor if specified values for the state of the protective gas are not reached, for example specified values for pressure and quantity are not reached. This ensures that risky rotor operation is only possible if sufficient protective gas can be made available.
  • a fan which, when the centrifuge is in operation, constantly directs air from the interior of the housing into the surroundings of the centrifuge. This reduces the concentration of flammable medium inside the centrifuge, reducing the risk of the formation of flammable mixtures.
  • the centrifuge which is designed in particular as a laboratory centrifuge, a centrifuge container in which a centrifuge rotor can be accommodated, a motor for driving the centrifuge rotor , temperature control means for temperature control of the centrifuge rotor and a housing in which the centrifuge container, the centrifuge rotor, the temperature control means and the motor are accommodated, the temperature control means having a combustible temperature control medium that is guided in a temperature control medium line, and which is characterized in that protective gas in the released in the event of a centrifuge rotor crash.
  • the centrifuge according to the invention is used.
  • the centrifuge 10 is designed as a laboratory centrifuge, which has a housing 12 with a cover 14 and an operating front 15 .
  • a centrifuge rotor 20 is arranged in the centrifuge container 16 of the centrifuge 10 on a drive shaft (not shown) of a centrifuge motor 18 and is designed as a swing-out rotor with centrifuge buckets 22 .
  • centrifuge container 16 is surrounded by windings of a tempering medium line 24 and windings of an inert gas line 26 .
  • in 2 centrifuge rotor 20' is shown as a fixed angle rotor to show that the present invention is independent of the precise type of centrifuge rotor 20, 20'.
  • the two ends 28, 30 of the inert gas line 26 are brought together and thereby connected in parallel to the supply line 32 of an inert gas container 34 which contains a large amount (for example 1000 g) of carbon dioxide as an inert gas under overpressure, for example liquefied.
  • the individual windings 36 are connected to one another by a cross connection (not shown).
  • a pressure monitor 38 is arranged on the inert gas container 34 and is connected to the controller (not shown) of the centrifuge 10 via a plug 40 .
  • the tempering medium line 24 is connected in the usual way to a compressor 42 (behind the ventilation slots 43 of the housing 12) and to a filter drier 44.
  • the centrifuge 10 has, in addition to a base plate 46, a protective cover 48 which is intended to prevent parts of the centrifuge rotor 20' from escaping from the centrifuge 10 in the event of a crash.
  • This protective cover 48 is therefore dimensioned and materially designed in such a way that a sufficient amount of crash energy can be absorbed.
  • Thermal insulation 49 is arranged between the protective cover 48 and the centrifuge container 16 .
  • the windings of the tempering medium line 24, specifically the winding parts 50, 52, form the evaporator.
  • the winding part 50 is located on the winding 36 of the protective gas line 26 and the winding part 52 is arranged next to the winding 36 of the protective gas line 26 .
  • the outer surfaces of the windings 36 of the protective gas line 26 are externally connected to the winding parts 50 of the tempering medium line 24 arranged above them by a soldered connection 54 (cf. 4 ) and the protective gas line 26 and the windings 52 of the temperature control medium line 24 arranged next to the protective gas line 26 are soldered to the centrifuge container 16 at points (not shown), as a result of which the temperature control medium line 24 has sufficient heat conduction to the centrifuge container 16 in all areas of its windings 50, 52 and this ensures adequate active indirect temperature control of the centrifuge rotor 20' and the samples (not shown) accommodated therein.
  • the strength of the soldered connection is designed in such a way that the connection to the tempering medium line 24 breaks in the area of the winding parts 50 before the tempering medium line 24 itself breaks here.
  • Pipes in the form of elongate hollow bodies made of any material, preferably copper or aluminum, are used as the temperature control media line 24 and protective gas line 26, the length of which is generally significantly greater than the diameter of their cross section.
  • the protective gas line 26 and the tempering medium line 24 have a different diameter and/or different wall thicknesses.
  • a smaller wall thickness ensures that the protective gas line 26 tears more easily than the tempering media line 24 .
  • a smaller diameter means that the protective gas line 26 could be arranged in the free space between the centrifuge container 16 and the windings 50 of the tempering media line 24 .
  • the windings 36 , 50 of the protective gas line 26 and the tempering medium line 24 could also run parallel to one another, for example as a multi-channel solution (not shown), so that the tempering medium line 24 would be arranged directly on the centrifuge container 16 .
  • tempering media line 24 and/or the inert gas line 26 at least partially form the centrifuge container 16 (not shown), as a result of which the necessary installation space could be reduced.
  • centrifuge 10 also effectively prevents ignition of the combustible temperature control medium in the event of a crash of centrifuge rotor 20, since in the event of such a crash, components of centrifuge rotor 20 damage protective gas line 26 after centrifuge container 16 has ruptured, causing the protective gas to escape.
  • the protective gas Since the protective gas is under overpressure, it will flow into the entire interior of the centrifuge 10 and displace the oxygen in the air there and also the Dilute any temperature control agents that may escape. Due to the flow generated out of the centrifuge 10, the exiting mixture in the ambient air is additionally swirled and further diluted. This prevents the formation of an ignitable mixture.
  • the pressure monitor 38 monitors this safety function and continuously monitors the quantity and/or pressure of the protective gas in the protective gas container 34 during operation of the centrifuge 10 . If the pressure monitor 38 detects a state of the inert gas that is below previously defined values that are adapted to the specific centrifuge 10, it intervenes in the control (not shown) of the centrifuge 10 in such a way that either the centrifuge 10 does not use the centrifuge rotor 20 at all, 20' starts and possibly outputs an error message or that the centrifuge rotor 20, 20' can only be operated up to a non-critical maximum speed at which a crash cannot release any energy that would damage the tempering medium line 24. This maximum speed is previously determined in a series of tests.
  • a throttle element (not shown) between protective gas container 34 and protective gas line 26 adjusts the outflow time in a targeted manner so that the ambient air and thus the oxygen in the air is displaced for a longer period of time and the escaping tempering medium is mixed with the escaping protective gas and dispersed.
  • the present invention provides a centrifuge 10 with which combustible temperature control media can also be used within the scope of temperature control without any safety concerns.

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Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Zentrifuge nach dem Oberbegriff von Anspruch 1 und ein Verfahren zur Verhinderung einer Zündung von brennbaren Temperierungsmedien nach dem Oberbegriff von Anspruch 14.The present invention relates to a centrifuge according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for preventing ignition of combustible temperature control media according to the preamble of claim 14.

Zentrifugenrotoren werden in Zentrifugen, insbesondere Laborzentrifugen, dazu eingesetzt, um die Bestandteile von darin zentrifugierten Proben unter Ausnutzung der Massenträgheit zu trennen. Dabei werden zur Erzielung hoher Entmischungsraten immer höhere Rotationsgeschwindigkeiten eingesetzt. Laborzentrifugen sind dabei Zentrifugen, deren Rotoren bei vorzugsweise mindestens 3.000, bevorzugt mindestens 10.000, insbesondere mindestens 15.000 Umdrehungen pro Minute arbeiten und zumeist auf Tischen platziert werden. Um sie auf einem Arbeitstisch platzieren zu können, weisen sie insbesondere einen Formfaktor von weniger als 1 m × 1 m × 1 m auf, ihr Bauraum ist also beschränkt. Vorzugsweise ist dabei die Gerätetiefe auf max. 70 cm beschränkt.Centrifuge rotors are used in centrifuges, in particular laboratory centrifuges, in order to separate the components of samples centrifuged therein using mass inertia. Increasingly higher rotation speeds are used to achieve higher segregation rates. Laboratory centrifuges are centrifuges whose rotors work at preferably at least 3,000, preferably at least 10,000, in particular at least 15,000 revolutions per minute and are usually placed on tables. In order to be able to place them on a work table, they have in particular a form factor of less than 1 m×1 m×1 m, so their installation space is limited. The device depth is preferably limited to a maximum of 70 cm.

Solche Zentrifugen werden auf Gebieten der Medizin, der Pharmazie, der Biologie und Chemie dgl. eingesetzt. Derartige Vorrichtung ist in JP2001321699 A bekannt geworden.Such centrifuges are used in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, biology and chemistry and the like. Such a device is in JP2001321699A known.

Die zu zentrifugierenden Proben werden in Probenbehältern gelagert und diese Probenbehälter mittels eines Zentrifugenrotors rotatorisch angetrieben. Dabei werden die Zentrifugenrotoren üblicherweise mittels einer senkrechten Antriebswelle, die von einem elektrischen Motor angetrieben wird, in Rotation versetzt. Es gibt verschiedene Zentrifugenrotoren, die je nach Anwendungszweck eingesetzt werden. Dabei können die Probenbehälter die Proben direkt enthalten oder in den Probenbehältern sind eigene Probenbehältnisse eingesetzt, die die Probe enthalten, so dass in einem Probenbehälter eine Vielzahl von Proben gleichzeitig zentrifugiert werden können. Ganz allgemein sind Zentrifugenrotoren in Form von Festwinkelrotoren und Ausschwingrotoren bekannt.The samples to be centrifuged are stored in sample containers and these sample containers are driven in rotation by means of a centrifuge rotor. The centrifuge rotors are usually set in rotation by means of a vertical drive shaft that is driven by an electric motor. There are different centrifuge rotors that are used depending on the application. The sample containers can contain the samples directly, or separate sample containers containing the sample are inserted into the sample containers, so that a large number of samples can be centrifuged simultaneously in one sample container. Very generally, centrifuge rotors are known in the form of fixed-angle rotors and swing-bucket rotors.

Zumeist ist vorgesehen, dass die Proben bei bestimmten Temperaturen zentrifugiert werden. Beispielsweise dürfen Proben, die Eiweiße und dgl. organische Substanzen enthalten, nicht überhitzt werden, so dass die Obergrenze für die Temperierung solcher Proben standardmäßig im Bereich von +40°C liegt. Andererseits werden bestimmte Proben standardmäßig im Bereich +4°C (die Anomalie des Wassers beginnt bei 3,98°C) gekühlt.In most cases it is provided that the samples are centrifuged at certain temperatures. For example, samples that contain proteins and similar organic substances must not be overheated, so that the upper temperature limit for such samples is usually around +40°C. On the other hand, certain samples are cooled by default in the +4°C range (water anomaly starts at 3.98°C).

Neben solchen vorbestimmten Höchsttemperaturen von beispielsweise ca. +40°C und Standarduntersuchungstemperaturen wie beispielsweise +4°C sind auch weitere Standarduntersuchungstemperaturen vorgesehen, wie beispielsweise bei +11°C, um bei dieser Temperatur zu prüfen, ob die Kälteanlage der Zentrifuge unterhalb Raumtemperatur geregelt läuft. Andererseits ist es aus Arbeitsschutzgründen notwendig, ein Anfassen von Elementen zu verhindern, die eine Temperatur von größer gleich +60°C aufweisen.In addition to such predetermined maximum temperatures of, for example, approx. +40°C and standard test temperatures such as +4°C, other standard test temperatures are also provided, such as +11°C, in order to check at this temperature whether the refrigeration system of the centrifuge is regulated below room temperature . On the other hand, for occupational safety reasons, it is necessary to avoid touching elements that have a temperature of greater than or equal to +60°C.

Zur Temperierung können grundsätzlich aktive und passive Systeme verwendet werden. Passive Systeme basieren auf einer Luft unterstützten Belüftung. Diese Luft wird direkt an dem Zentrifugenrotor vorbei geführt, wodurch eine Temperierung erfolgt. Die Luft wird dabei durch Öffnungen in den Zentrifugenkessel gesaugt und durch weitere Öffnungen wird die aufgewärmte Luft an anderer Stelle des Zentrifugenkessels wieder abgeführt, wobei das Ansaugen und Abführen selbständig durch die Drehung des Zentrifugenrotors erfolgt.In principle, active and passive systems can be used for temperature control. Passive systems are based on air assisted ventilation. This air is routed directly past the centrifuge rotor, which results in temperature control. The air is sucked into the centrifuge chamber through openings and the warmed-up air is discharged again at another point in the centrifuge chamber through further openings, with the intake and discharge being effected independently by the rotation of the centrifuge rotor.

Aktive Kühlungssysteme besitzen dagegen einen Kältemittelkreislauf, der den Zentrifugenbehälter temperiert, wodurch indirekt der Zentrifugenrotor und die darin aufgenommenen Probenbehälter gekühlt werden. Als Kälte- bzw. Temperierungsmedien kommen viele verschiedene Medien zum Einsatz. Da prinzipiell nicht nur Kühlungen, also Wärmereduzierungen, sondern auch Wärmeerhöhungen gezielt während der Zentrifugation gewünscht sein können, wird im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung von Temperierung und Temperierungsmedien gesprochen. Neben den für Zentrifugen üblicherweise verwendeten Temperierungsmedien, wie Chlordifluormethan, Tetrafluorethan, Pentafluorethan oder Difluormethan und vielen weiteren gibt es auch brennbare Temperierungsmittel, wie Butan oder Propan oder auch verschiedenste synthetische Gemische.Active cooling systems, on the other hand, have a refrigerant circuit that tempers the centrifuge container, which indirectly cools the centrifuge rotor and the sample containers contained therein. Many different media are used as cooling or temperature control media. Since, in principle, not only cooling, ie heat reductions, but also heat increases can be specifically desired during centrifugation, tempering and tempering media are spoken of within the scope of the present invention. In addition to the tempering media commonly used for centrifuges, such as chlorodifluoromethane, Tetrafluoroethane, pentafluoroethane or difluoromethane and many others, there are also flammable temperature control agents such as butane or propane or a wide variety of synthetic mixtures.

Diese brennbaren Temperierungsmedien besitzen zwar sehr gute Wärmeübertragungseigenschaften, sie werden aber aus Sicherheitsgründen zumeist nicht eingesetzt, da im Rahmen eines Crashes des Zentrifugenrotors ein Austreten und Entzünden des Temperierungsmittels erfolgen kann. Bei einem solchen Crash können Bruchstücke des Zentrifugenrotors mit hoher Geschwindigkeit und damit sehr hoher Energie innerhalb der Zentrifuge wirken und dadurch auch den Verdampfer und Leitungen zerstören, die das Temperierungsmedium führen. Das ausströmende brennbare Temperierungsmedium kann dann durch die beim Crash freiwerdende Energie und durch elektrische bzw. elektronische Komponenten im Inneren der Zentrifuge oder in deren Umgebung leicht gezündet werden, womit sehr große Schäden, insbesondere auch Personenschäden verbunden sein können.Although these combustible temperature control media have very good heat transfer properties, they are usually not used for safety reasons, since the temperature control medium can escape and ignite if the centrifuge rotor crashes. In such a crash, fragments of the centrifuge rotor can act at high speed and thus very high energy inside the centrifuge and thus also destroy the evaporator and lines that carry the temperature control medium. The outflowing combustible tempering medium can then be easily ignited by the energy released during the crash and by electrical or electronic components inside the centrifuge or in its vicinity, which can result in very serious damage, in particular personal injury.

Um zu verhindern, dass ein Crash des Zentrifugenrotors zu Schäden außerhalb der Zentrifuge führt, wurden schon Versteifungs- und Verstärkungsmittel im Inneren der Zentrifuge vorgeschlagen. Allerdings würde dies nicht einen Austritt von Temperierungsmedien verhindern, weil die Leitungen des Temperierungsmittels, die den Verdampfer bilden, um den Zentrifugenbehälter verlaufen und zwar in Bezug auf diese Verstärkungsmittel zwischen Zentrifugenrotor und Verstärkungsmittel.In order to prevent a crash of the centrifuge rotor from causing damage outside the centrifuge, stiffening and reinforcing means inside the centrifuge have already been proposed. However, this would not prevent an escape of temperature control media, because the lines of the temperature control medium, which form the evaporator, run around the centrifuge container, namely between the centrifuge rotor and the reinforcement means with regard to these reinforcement means.

Es ist daher Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, eine Zentrifuge vorzuschlagen, mit der auch brennbare Temperierungsmedien eingesetzt werden können, ohne dass diese ein Sicherheitsrisiko im Fall eines Crashs des Zentrifugenrotors darstellen.It is therefore the object of the present invention to propose a centrifuge with which combustible temperature control media can also be used without these posing a safety risk in the event of a centrifuge rotor crash.

Diese Aufgabe wird gelöst mit der erfindungsgemäßen Zentrifuge nach Anspruch 1 und dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren zur Verhinderung einer Zündung von brennbaren Temperierungsmedien nach Anspruch 14. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen sind in den Unteransprüchen und in der nachfolgenden Beschreibung zusammen mit den Figuren angegeben.This object is achieved with the centrifuge according to claim 1 according to the invention and the method according to the invention for preventing ignition of combustible temperature control media according to claim 14. Advantageous developments are indicated in the subclaims and in the following description together with the figures.

Erfinderseits wurde erkannt, dass diese Aufgabe in überraschender Art und Weise dadurch besonders einfach gelöst werden kann, wenn im Fall eines Crashs des Zentrifugenrotors ein Schutzgas freigesetzt wird, so dass das Sauerstoff-Temperierungsmedium-Gemisch nicht zündfähig ist. Genauer gesagt bildet das freigesetzte Schutzgas eine Strömung, die den Sauerstoff verdrängt, das austretende Temperierungsmedium verteilt und das momentane Verhältnis der Konzentration Sauerstoff zu Temperierungsmedium grundlegend so verändert, dass sowohl innerhalb auch als außerhalb der Zentrifuge keine Zündung erfolgen kann.The inventors recognized that this task can be solved in a surprising manner in a particularly simple manner if a protective gas is released in the event of a centrifuge rotor crash, so that the oxygen-temperature control medium mixture is not ignitable. More precisely, the protective gas released forms a flow that displaces the oxygen, distributes the emerging temperature control medium and fundamentally changes the current ratio of the concentration of oxygen to the temperature control medium in such a way that no ignition can take place either inside or outside the centrifuge.

Die erfindungsgemäße Zentrifuge, insbesondere Laborzentrifuge, weist daher einen Zentrifugenbehälter, in dem ein Zentrifugenrotor aufnehmbar ist, einen Motor zum Antrieb des Zentrifugenrotors, Temperierungsmittel zum Temperieren des Zentrifugenrotors und ein Gehäuse, in dem der Zentrifugenbehälter, der Zentrifugenrotor, die Temperierungsmittel und der Motor aufgenommen sind, auf, wobei die Temperierungsmittel ein brennbares Temperierungsmedium aufweisen, das in einer Temperierungsmedienleitung geführt ist, und zeichnen sich dadurch aus, dass die Zentrifuge ein Schutzgas aufweist und angepasst ist, das Schutzgas im Falle eines Crashs des Zentrifugenrotors freizusetzen.The centrifuge according to the invention, in particular a laboratory centrifuge, therefore has a centrifuge container in which a centrifuge rotor can be accommodated, a motor for driving the centrifuge rotor, temperature control means for temperature control of the centrifuge rotor and a housing in which the centrifuge container, the centrifuge rotor, the temperature control means and the motor are accommodated , On, wherein the temperature control means have a combustible temperature control medium, which is guided in a temperature control medium line, and are characterized in that the centrifuge has a protective gas and is adapted to release the protective gas in the event of a crash of the centrifuge rotor.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung ist vorgesehen, dass das Schutzgas ein Inertgas ist, das bevorzugt zumindest ein Gas aus der Gruppe Argon, Helium, Kohlendioxid, Krypton, Neon, Stickstoff und Xenon umfasst. Solche Gase sind besonders wirksame Schutzgase.In an advantageous further development it is provided that the protective gas is an inert gas which preferably comprises at least one gas from the group argon, helium, carbon dioxide, krypton, neon, nitrogen and xenon. Such gases are particularly effective protective gases.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung ist vorgesehen, dass das Schutzgas in einer Schutzgasleitung geführt ist, die sich zumindest mit einer, bevorzugt mit mehreren Windungen um den Zentrifugenbehälter erstreckt. Dann wird das Schutzgas nächstmöglich zum Zentrifugenbehälter geführt, so dass der im Zentrifugenbehälter befindliche Zentrifugenrotor im Falle eines Crashs stets unmittelbar die Schutzgasleitung zerstört und damit das Schutzgas selbsttätig freisetzt.In an advantageous further development, it is provided that the protective gas is conducted in a protective gas line which extends around the centrifuge container with at least one, preferably several, turns. Then the protective gas is fed as close as possible to the centrifuge container, so that the in the centrifuge container In the event of a crash, the centrifuge rotor located immediately destroys the protective gas line and thus automatically releases the protective gas.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung ist vorgesehen, dass die Schutzgasleitung mit einer Schutzgasquelle, die bevorzugt das Schutzgas unter einem Überdruck beinhaltet, verbunden ist. Dadurch kann eine große Menge Schutzgas im Falle eines Crashs des Zentrifugenrotors kontinuierlich freigesetzt werden. Wenn Überdruck besteht, dann ist die sich ausbildende Strömung des Schutzgasses fremdenergieunabhängig und es wird nicht nur der Luftsauerstoff im Inneren der Zentrifuge verdrängt, sonders es entsteht eine Luftströmung aus der Zentrifuge heraus, die in der Umgebung eine bewegte Atmosphäre und damit eine weitere Verdünnung des Gemisch erzeugt, die eine Zündung verhindert.In an advantageous development, it is provided that the protective gas line is connected to a protective gas source, which preferably contains the protective gas under an overpressure. As a result, a large amount of protective gas can be continuously released in the event of a centrifuge rotor crash. If there is overpressure, the flow of the protective gas that develops is independent of external energy and not only is the atmospheric oxygen inside the centrifuge displaced, but there is also an air flow out of the centrifuge, which creates a moving atmosphere in the surrounding area and thus further dilutes the mixture generated, which prevents ignition.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung ist vorgesehen, dass zwischen Schutzgasleitung und Schutzgasquelle ein, insbesondere fest eingestelltes Drosselelement angeordnet ist. Dadurch wird eine plötzliche Expansion verhindert und die Ausströmzeit des Schutzgases verlängert, so dass die Umgebungsluft für längere Zeit verdrängt und austretendes Temperierungsmedium mit dem austretenden Schutzgas vermischt und verstreut wird.In an advantageous development, it is provided that a throttle element, in particular a fixed throttle element, is arranged between the protective gas line and the protective gas source. This prevents sudden expansion and extends the outflow time of the protective gas, so that the ambient air is displaced for a longer period of time and the escaping tempering medium is mixed with the escaping protective gas and scattered.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung ist vorgesehen, dass zumindest zwei Abschnitte, bevorzugt mehr, insbesondere jede Wicklung der Schutzleitung mit der Schutzgasquelle parallel verbunden sind. Dadurch kann das Schutzgas in ausreichender Menge freigesetzt werden, unabhängig davon welcher Teil der Schutzgasleitung durch den Crash geöffnet wird.In an advantageous development, it is provided that at least two sections, preferably more, in particular each winding of the protective line are connected in parallel to the protective gas source. This allows the shielding gas to be released in sufficient quantity, regardless of which part of the shielding gas line is opened by the crash.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung ist vorgesehen, dass die Schutzgasleitung zumindest bereichsweise in Bezug auf den Zentrifugenbehälter neben und/oder unter der Temperierungsmedienleitung angeordnet ist. Dann wird stets die Schutzgasleitung zuerst oder zumindest gleichzeitig mit der Temperierungsmedienleitung geöffnet. Außerdem bildet die Schutzgasleitung einen zusätzlichen Crashabsorber, so dass möglicherweise eine Öffnung der Temperierungsmedienleitung verhindert werden kann.In an advantageous development, it is provided that the inert gas line is arranged at least in some areas in relation to the centrifuge container next to and/or below the tempering media line. Then the protective gas line is always opened first or at least at the same time as the tempering medium line. In addition, the protective gas line forms an additional crash absorber, so that it may be possible to prevent the tempering media line from opening.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung ist vorgesehen, dass die Schutzgasleitung und die Temperierungsmedienleitung zumindest bereichsweise, bevorzugt zumindest über ein Viertel, höchst bevorzugt zumindest über ein Drittel, insbesondere zumindest über die Hälfte ihrer jeweiligen Wicklungslänge äußerlich miteinander verbunden, vorzugsweise verlötet sind. Das begünstigt einen besonders guten Wärmeübergang. Wenn die Lötverbindung bevorzugt weniger reißfest ausgebildet ist, als die Temperierungsmedienleitung, wird dafür gesorgt, dass die Schutzgasleitung eher geöffnet wird als die Temperierungsmedienleitung.An advantageous development provides that the protective gas line and the tempering media line are externally connected to one another, preferably soldered, at least in regions, preferably at least over a quarter, most preferably at least over a third, in particular at least over half of their respective winding length. This favors a particularly good heat transfer. If the soldered connection is preferably designed to be less tear-resistant than the temperature control medium line, it is ensured that the protective gas line is opened before the temperature control medium line.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung ist vorgesehen, dass die Schutzgasleitung zumindest bereichsweise eine geringere Wandstärke aufweist als die Temperierungsmedienleitung. Damit ist sichergestellt, dass das Schutzgas vorrangig vor dem Temperierungsmedium freigesetzt wird.In an advantageous development, it is provided that the protective gas line has a smaller wall thickness than the tempering medium line, at least in certain areas. This ensures that the protective gas is released before the tempering medium.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung ist vorgesehen, dass die Schutzgasleitung und/oder die Temperierungsmedienleitung direkt auf dem Zentrifugenbehälter angeordnet sind oder zumindest bereichsweise zumindest Bestandteil der Wandung des Zentrifugenbehälters sind. Dadurch ist der Wärmeübergang ebenfalls besonders wirksam und der Bauraum kann ggf. kleiner gehalten werden.In an advantageous development, it is provided that the protective gas line and/or the tempering medium line are arranged directly on the centrifuge container or are at least partially part of the wall of the centrifuge container. As a result, the heat transfer is also particularly effective and the installation space can be kept smaller if necessary.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung ist vorgesehen, dass ein Mehrkanalsystem dahingehend besteht, dass ein Kanal für das Schutzgas und ein Kanal für das Temperierungsmedium bestehen. Dadurch ist der Wärmeübergang ebenfalls besonders wirksam und der Bauraum kann ggf. kleiner gehalten werden.In an advantageous further development it is provided that there is a multi-channel system in that there is a channel for the protective gas and a channel for the tempering medium. As a result, the heat transfer is also particularly effective and the installation space can be kept smaller if necessary.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung ist vorgesehen, dass Überwachungsmittel hinsichtlich des Zustands des Schutzgases, bevorzugt des Druckes und/oder der Schutzgasmenge bestehen, die angepasst sind, die Drehzahl des jeweils eingesetzten Zentrifugenrotors auf eine für einen Crash des Zentrifugenrotors unkritische Größe zu begrenzen, wenn vorgegebene Werte zum Zustand des Schutzgases nicht erreicht werden, beispielsweise vorgegebene Werte zu Druck und Menge unterschritten werden. Dadurch wird sichergestellt, dass ein riskanter Rotorbetrieb nur möglich ist, wenn ausreichend Schutzgas zu Verfügung gestellt werden kann.In an advantageous development, it is provided that there are monitoring means with regard to the state of the protective gas, preferably the pressure and/or the amount of protective gas, which are adapted to the speed of the respectively used To limit the centrifuge rotor to a size that is not critical for a crash of the centrifuge rotor if specified values for the state of the protective gas are not reached, for example specified values for pressure and quantity are not reached. This ensures that risky rotor operation is only possible if sufficient protective gas can be made available.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung ist vorgesehen, dass ein Lüfter besteht, der im Betrieb der Zentrifuge ständig Luft aus dem Gehäuseinneren in die Umgebung der Zentrifuge leitet. Dadurch wird die Konzentration von brennbarem Medium im Inneren der Zentrifuge herabgesetzt, wodurch die Risiken der Bildung zündfähiger Gemische reduziert werden.In an advantageous further development, it is provided that there is a fan which, when the centrifuge is in operation, constantly directs air from the interior of the housing into the surroundings of the centrifuge. This reduces the concentration of flammable medium inside the centrifuge, reducing the risk of the formation of flammable mixtures.

Unabhängiger Schutz wird beansprucht für das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren zur Verhinderung einer Zündung von brennbaren Temperierungsmedien in Zentrifugen nach einem Crash des Zentrifugenrotors, wobei die Zentrifuge, die insbesondere als Laborzentrifuge ausgebildet ist, einen Zentrifugenbehälter, in dem ein Zentrifugenrotor aufnehmbar ist, einen Motor zum Antrieb des Zentrifugenrotors, Temperierungsmittel zum Temperieren des Zentrifugenrotors und ein Gehäuse, in dem der Zentrifugenbehälter, der Zentrifugenrotor, die Temperierungsmittel und der Motor aufgenommen sind, wobei die Temperierungsmittel ein brennbares Temperierungsmedium aufweisen, das in einer Temperierungsmedienleitung geführt wird, und das sich dadurch auszeichnet, dass Schutzgas im Falle eines Crashs des Zentrifugenrotors freigesetzt wird.Independent protection is claimed for the method according to the invention for preventing ignition of flammable temperature control media in centrifuges after a crash of the centrifuge rotor, the centrifuge, which is designed in particular as a laboratory centrifuge, a centrifuge container in which a centrifuge rotor can be accommodated, a motor for driving the centrifuge rotor , temperature control means for temperature control of the centrifuge rotor and a housing in which the centrifuge container, the centrifuge rotor, the temperature control means and the motor are accommodated, the temperature control means having a combustible temperature control medium that is guided in a temperature control medium line, and which is characterized in that protective gas in the released in the event of a centrifuge rotor crash.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung wird die erfindungsgemäße Zentrifuge verwendet.In an advantageous development, the centrifuge according to the invention is used.

Die Merkmale und weitere Vorteile der vorliegenden Erfindung werden im Folgenden anhand der Beschreibung eines bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiels im Zusammenhang mit den Figuren deutlich werden. Dabei zeigen rein schematisch:

Fig. 1
die erfindungsgemäße Zentrifuge in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,
Fig. 2
die erfindungsgemäße Zentrifuge nach Fig. 1 in einer ersten teilweisen Schnittansicht von rechts,
Fig. 3
die erfindungsgemäße Zentrifuge nach Fig. 1 in einer zweiten teilweisen Schnittansicht von links und
Fig. 4
eine Detailansicht der Fig. 2.
The features and further advantages of the present invention will become clear below on the basis of the description of a preferred exemplary embodiment in connection with the figures. The following are shown purely schematically:
1
the centrifuge according to the invention in a perspective view,
2
the centrifuge according to the invention 1 in a first partial sectional view from the right,
3
the centrifuge according to the invention 1 in a second partial sectional view from the left and
4
a detailed view of 2 .

In den Fig. 1 bis 4 ist die erfindungsgemäße Zentrifuge 10 rein schematisch in verschiedenen Ansichten dargestellt.In the Figures 1 to 4 the centrifuge 10 according to the invention is shown purely schematically in different views.

Es ist zu erkennen, dass die Zentrifuge 10 als Laborzentrifuge ausgebildet ist, die ein Gehäuse 12 mit einem Deckel 14 und einer Bedienungsfront 15 aufweist. In dem Zentrifugenbehälter 16 der Zentrifuge 10 ist auf einer Antriebswelle (nicht gezeigt) eines Zentrifugenmotors 18 ein Zentrifugenrotor 20 angeordnet, der als Ausschwingrotor mit Zentrifugenbechern 22 ausgebildet ist.It can be seen that the centrifuge 10 is designed as a laboratory centrifuge, which has a housing 12 with a cover 14 and an operating front 15 . A centrifuge rotor 20 is arranged in the centrifuge container 16 of the centrifuge 10 on a drive shaft (not shown) of a centrifuge motor 18 and is designed as a swing-out rotor with centrifuge buckets 22 .

In Fig. 2 ist zu erkennen, dass der Zentrifugenbehälter 16 von Wicklungen einer Temperierungsmedienleitung 24 und Wicklungen einer Schutzgasleitung 26 umgeben ist. (In Fig. 2 ist der Zentrifugenrotor 20' als Festwinkelrotor dargestellt, um zu zeigen, dass die vorliegende Erfindung unabhängig vom genauen Typ des Zentrifugenrotors 20, 20' ist.)In 2 it can be seen that the centrifuge container 16 is surrounded by windings of a tempering medium line 24 and windings of an inert gas line 26 . (In 2 centrifuge rotor 20' is shown as a fixed angle rotor to show that the present invention is independent of the precise type of centrifuge rotor 20, 20'.)

Die beiden Enden 28, 30 der Schutzgasleitung 26 sind zusammengeführt und dadurch parallel mit der Zuleitung 32 eines Schutzgasbehälters 34 verbunden, der eine große Menge (beispielsweise 1000 g) Kohlendioxid als Schutzgas unter Überdruck, beispielsweise verflüssigt, enthält.The two ends 28, 30 of the inert gas line 26 are brought together and thereby connected in parallel to the supply line 32 of an inert gas container 34 which contains a large amount (for example 1000 g) of carbon dioxide as an inert gas under overpressure, for example liquefied.

Um die Leitungslänge von dem Schutzgasbehälter 34 zu allen möglichen Punkten der Schutzgasleitung 26 kurz zu halten, kann alternativ vorgesehen sein, dass die einzelnen Wicklungen 36 untereinander durch eine Querverbindung (nicht gezeigt) verbunden sind.In order to keep the line length from the protective gas container 34 to all possible points of the protective gas line 26 short, it can alternatively be provided that the individual windings 36 are connected to one another by a cross connection (not shown).

An dem Schutzgasbehälter 34 ist ein Druckwächter 38 angeordnet, der über einen Stecker 40 mit der Steuerung (nicht gezeigt) der Zentrifuge 10 verbunden ist.A pressure monitor 38 is arranged on the inert gas container 34 and is connected to the controller (not shown) of the centrifuge 10 via a plug 40 .

Die Temperierungsmedienleitung 24 ist in üblicher Weise mit einem Kompressor 42 (hinter den Lüftungsschlitzen 43 des Gehäuses 12) und mit einem Filtertrockner 44 verbunden.The tempering medium line 24 is connected in the usual way to a compressor 42 (behind the ventilation slots 43 of the housing 12) and to a filter drier 44.

In Fig. 2 ist außerdem zu erkennen, dass die Zentrifuge 10 neben einer Bodenplatte 46 eine Schutzhülle 48 aufweist, die verhindern soll, dass im Falle eines Crashs des Zentrifugenrotors 20' dessen Teile aus der Zentrifuge 10 austreten können. Diese Schutzhülle 48 ist also so dimensioniert und materialmäßig ausgebildet, dass ausreichend viel Crashenergie absorbiert werden kann. Zwischen der Schutzhülle 48 und dem Zentrifugenbehälter 16 ist eine Wärmeisolierung 49 angeordnet.In 2 It can also be seen that the centrifuge 10 has, in addition to a base plate 46, a protective cover 48 which is intended to prevent parts of the centrifuge rotor 20' from escaping from the centrifuge 10 in the event of a crash. This protective cover 48 is therefore dimensioned and materially designed in such a way that a sufficient amount of crash energy can be absorbed. Thermal insulation 49 is arranged between the protective cover 48 and the centrifuge container 16 .

Die Wicklungen der Temperierungsmedienleitung 24, speziell die Wicklungsteile 50, 52 bilden den Verdampfer. Der Wicklungsteil 50 befindet sich dabei auf der Wicklung 36 der Schutzgasleitung 26 und der Wicklungsteil 52 ist neben der Wicklung 36 der Schutzgasleitung 26 angeordnet.The windings of the tempering medium line 24, specifically the winding parts 50, 52, form the evaporator. The winding part 50 is located on the winding 36 of the protective gas line 26 and the winding part 52 is arranged next to the winding 36 of the protective gas line 26 .

Die Mantelfächen der Wicklungen 36 der Schutzgasleitung 26 sind mit den darüber angeordneten Wicklungsteilen 50 der Temperierungsmedienleitung 24 durch eine Lötverbindung 54 äußerlich verbunden (vgl. Fig. 4) und die Schutzgasleitung 26 und die neben der Schutzgasleitung 26 angeordneten Wicklungen 52 der Temperierungsmedienleitung 24 sind mit dem Zentrifugenbehälter 16 punktuell verlötet (nicht gezeigt), wodurch die Temperierungsmedienleitung 24 in allen Bereichen ihrer Wicklungen 50, 52 eine ausreichende Wärmeleitung zum Zentrifugenbehälter 16 hin aufweist und dadurch eine ausreichende aktive indirekte Temperierung des Zentrifugenrotors 20' und der darin aufgenommen Proben (nicht gezeigt) sichergestellt ist. Die Lötverbindung ist dabei in ihrer Festigkeit so ausgebildet, dass die Verbindung zur Temperierungsmedienleitung 24 im Bereich der Wicklungsteile 50 aufreißt, bevor die Temperierungsmedienleitung 24 hier selbst reißt.The outer surfaces of the windings 36 of the protective gas line 26 are externally connected to the winding parts 50 of the tempering medium line 24 arranged above them by a soldered connection 54 (cf. 4 ) and the protective gas line 26 and the windings 52 of the temperature control medium line 24 arranged next to the protective gas line 26 are soldered to the centrifuge container 16 at points (not shown), as a result of which the temperature control medium line 24 has sufficient heat conduction to the centrifuge container 16 in all areas of its windings 50, 52 and this ensures adequate active indirect temperature control of the centrifuge rotor 20' and the samples (not shown) accommodated therein. The strength of the soldered connection is designed in such a way that the connection to the tempering medium line 24 breaks in the area of the winding parts 50 before the tempering medium line 24 itself breaks here.

Als Temperierungsmedienleitung 24 und Schutzgasleitung 26 werden Rohre in der Form länglicher Hohlkörper aus beliebigem Material, bevorzugt aus Kupfer oder Aluminium, verwendet, deren Länge in der Regel wesentlich größer ist als der Durchmesser ihres Querschnitts.Pipes in the form of elongate hollow bodies made of any material, preferably copper or aluminum, are used as the temperature control media line 24 and protective gas line 26, the length of which is generally significantly greater than the diameter of their cross section.

Dabei könnte vorgesehen sein, dass die Schutzgasleitung 26 und die Temperierungsmedienleitung 24 einen unterschiedlichen Durchmesser und/oder unterschiedliche Wandstärken aufweisen. Durch eine geringere Wandstärke ist sichergestellt, dass die Schutzgasleitung 26 eher reißt als die Temperierungsmedienleitung 24. Durch einen geringeren Durchmesser könnte die Schutzgasleitung 26 in den Freiraum zwischen dem Zentrifugenbehälter 16 und den Windungen 50 der Temperierungsmedienleitung 24 angeordnet werden.It could be provided that the protective gas line 26 and the tempering medium line 24 have a different diameter and/or different wall thicknesses. A smaller wall thickness ensures that the protective gas line 26 tears more easily than the tempering media line 24 . A smaller diameter means that the protective gas line 26 could be arranged in the free space between the centrifuge container 16 and the windings 50 of the tempering media line 24 .

Alternativ könnten die Wicklungen 36, 50 von Schutzgasleitung 26 und Temperierungsmedienleitung 24 auch parallel nebeneinander, beispielsweise als eine Mehrkanallösung (nicht gezeigt) verlaufen, so dass die Temperierungsmedienleitung 24 direkt auf dem Zentrifugenbehälter 16 angeordnet wäre.Alternatively, the windings 36 , 50 of the protective gas line 26 and the tempering medium line 24 could also run parallel to one another, for example as a multi-channel solution (not shown), so that the tempering medium line 24 would be arranged directly on the centrifuge container 16 .

Außerdem könnte auch vorgesehen sein, dass die Temperierungsmedienleitung 24 und/oder die Schutzgasleitung 26 zumindest teilweise den Zentrifugenbehälter 16 bilden (nicht gezeigt), wodurch der notwendige Bauraum reduziert werden könnte.In addition, it could also be provided that the tempering media line 24 and/or the inert gas line 26 at least partially form the centrifuge container 16 (not shown), as a result of which the necessary installation space could be reduced.

Im Betrieb wird durch diese Ausgestaltung der Zentrifuge 10 auch im Fall eines Crash des Zentrifugenrotors 20 ein Zünden des brennbaren Temperierungsmediums wirksam verhindert, da im Falle eines solchen Crashs Bestandteile des Zentrifugenrotors 20 nach Durchschlagen des Zentrifugenbehälters 16 die Schutzgasleitung 26 beschädigen, wodurch das Schutzgas austritt.During operation, this configuration of centrifuge 10 also effectively prevents ignition of the combustible temperature control medium in the event of a crash of centrifuge rotor 20, since in the event of such a crash, components of centrifuge rotor 20 damage protective gas line 26 after centrifuge container 16 has ruptured, causing the protective gas to escape.

Da das Schutzgas unter Überdruck steht, wird es in den gesamten Innenraum der Zentrifuge 10 strömen und dort den Luftsauerstoff verdrängen und außerdem das möglicherweise austretende Temperierungsmittel verdünnen. Durch die erzeugte Strömung aus der Zentrifuge 10 heraus wird zusätzlich das austretende Gemisch in der Umgebungsluft verwirbelt und weiter verdünnt. Dadurch wird die Entstehung eines zündfähigen Gemischs verhindert.Since the protective gas is under overpressure, it will flow into the entire interior of the centrifuge 10 and displace the oxygen in the air there and also the Dilute any temperature control agents that may escape. Due to the flow generated out of the centrifuge 10, the exiting mixture in the ambient air is additionally swirled and further diluted. This prevents the formation of an ignitable mixture.

Zur Überwachung dieser Sicherheitsfunktion besteht der Druckwächter 38, der im Betrieb der Zentrifuge 10 kontinuierlich Menge und/oder Druck des Schutzgases im Schutzgasbehälter 34 überwacht. Falls der Druckwächter 38 einen Zustand des Schutzgases erkennt, der unter vorab festgelegten und auf die konkrete Zentrifuge 10 angepassten Werten liegt, greift er so in die Steuerung (nicht gezeigt) der Zentrifuge 10 ein, dass entweder die Zentrifuge 10 überhaupt nicht den Zentrifugenrotor 20, 20' startet und ggf. eine Fehlermeldung ausgibt oder dass der Zentrifugenrotor 20, 20' nur bis zu einer unkritischen Maximaldrehzahl betreibbar ist, bei der ein Crash keine Energien freisetzen kann, die die Temperierungsmedienleitung 24 beschädigt. Diese Maximaldrehzahl wird vorher in Versuchsreihen bestimmt.The pressure monitor 38 monitors this safety function and continuously monitors the quantity and/or pressure of the protective gas in the protective gas container 34 during operation of the centrifuge 10 . If the pressure monitor 38 detects a state of the inert gas that is below previously defined values that are adapted to the specific centrifuge 10, it intervenes in the control (not shown) of the centrifuge 10 in such a way that either the centrifuge 10 does not use the centrifuge rotor 20 at all, 20' starts and possibly outputs an error message or that the centrifuge rotor 20, 20' can only be operated up to a non-critical maximum speed at which a crash cannot release any energy that would damage the tempering medium line 24. This maximum speed is previously determined in a series of tests.

Durch ein Drosselelement (nicht gezeigt) zwischen Schutzgasbehälter 34 und Schutzgasleitung 26 wird die Ausströmzeit gezielt angepasst, so dass die Umgebungsluft und damit der Luftsauerstoff für einen längeren Zeitraum verdrängt und austretendes Temperierungsmedium mit dem austretenden Schutzgas vermischt und verstreut wird.A throttle element (not shown) between protective gas container 34 and protective gas line 26 adjusts the outflow time in a targeted manner so that the ambient air and thus the oxygen in the air is displaced for a longer period of time and the escaping tempering medium is mixed with the escaping protective gas and dispersed.

Durch Vorsehung eines im Betrieb der Zentrifuge 10 in Anlehnung an die DIN EN 378 ständig laufenden Ventilators (nicht gezeigt) werden innerhalb des Gehäuses 12 Risiken der Bildung eines zündfähigen Gemisches aus der Entstehung einer Leckage in der Temperierungsmedienleitung 24 zusätzlich vermieden.By providing a fan (not shown) that runs constantly during operation of the centrifuge 10 based on DIN EN 378, risks of the formation of an ignitable mixture from the formation of a leak in the tempering medium line 24 are additionally avoided within the housing 12 .

Aus der vorstehenden Darstellung ist deutlich geworden, dass mit der vorliegenden Erfindung eine Zentrifuge 10 bereitgestellt wird, mit der ohne Sicherheitsbedenken auch brennbare Temperierungsmedien im Rahmen einer Temperierung eingesetzt werden können.It has become clear from the above description that the present invention provides a centrifuge 10 with which combustible temperature control media can also be used within the scope of temperature control without any safety concerns.

BezugszeichenlisteReference List

1010
erfindungsgemäße Zentrifuge, Laborzentrifugecentrifuge according to the invention, laboratory centrifuge
1212
Gehäusehousing
1414
Deckellid
1515
Bedienungsfrontcontrol panel
1616
Zentrifugenbehältercentrifuge container
1818
Zentrifugenmotorcentrifuge motor
2020
Zentrifugenrotor, AusschwingrotorCentrifuge rotor, swing-bucket rotor
20'20'
Zentrifugenrotor, FestwinkelrotorCentrifuge rotor, fixed angle rotor
2222
Zentrifugenbechercentrifuge beaker
2424
TemperierungsmedienleitungTempering media line
2626
Schutzgasleitungprotective gas line
28, 3028, 30
Enden der Schutzgasleitung 26Ends of the shielding gas line 26
3232
Zuleitung des Schutzgasbehälters 34Inert gas tank supply line 34
3434
Schutzgasbehälterinert gas tank
3636
Wicklungen der Schutzgasleitung 26Windings of the shielding gas line 26
3838
Druckwächterpressure switch
4040
Steckerplug
4242
Kompressorcompressor
4444
Filtertrocknerfilter dryer
4646
Bodenplattebottom plate
4848
Schutzhülleprotective cover
4949
Wärmeisolierungthermal insulation
5050
Wicklungen der Temperierungsmedienleitung 24, die sich über Wicklungen 36 der Schutzgasleitung 26 befindenWindings of the tempering medium line 24 which are located over windings 36 of the protective gas line 26
5252
neben der Schutzgasleitung 26 angeordnete Wicklungen 52 der Temperierungsmedienleitung 24Windings 52 of the tempering medium line 24 arranged next to the protective gas line 26
5454
Lötverbindung zwischen den Wicklunge 36 der Schutzgasleitung 26 und den Wicklungen 50 der Temperierungsmedienleitung 24Solder connection between the windings 36 of the protective gas line 26 and the windings 50 of the tempering medium line 24

Claims (15)

  1. Centrifuge (10), in particular laboratory centrifuge, having a centrifuge container (16) in which a centrifuge rotor (20, 20') can be accommodated, a motor (18) for driving the centrifuge rotor (20, 20'), temperature control means (24, 42, 44) for controlling the temperature of the centrifuge rotor (20, 20'), and a housing (12) in which the centrifuge container (16), the centrifuge rotor (20, 20'), the temperature control means (24, 42, 44) and the motor (18) are accommodated, wherein the temperature control means (24, 42, 44) comprise a combustible temperature control medium which is guided in a temperature control medium line (24), wherein
    the centrifuge (10) has a protective gas and is adapted to release the protective gas in the event of a crash of the centrifuge rotor (20, 20').
  2. Centrifuge (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the protective gas is an inert gas, which preferably includes at least one gas from the group argon, helium, carbon dioxide, krypton, neon, nitrogen and xenon.
  3. Centrifuge (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the protective gas is guided in a protective gas line (26) which extends with one, preferably with multiple, winding(s) (36) around the centrifuge container (16).
  4. Centrifuge (10) according to claim 3, characterised in that the protective gas line (26) is connected to a protective gas source (34), which preferably contains the protective gas under an overpressure.
  5. Centrifuge (10) according to claim 4, characterised in that a throttle element, in particular a fixedly adjusted throttle element, is arranged between the protective gas line (26) and the protective gas source (34).
  6. Centrifuge (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that at least two portions (28, 30), preferably more, in particular each winding of the protective line (26), are connected in parallel with the protective gas source (34).
  7. Centrifuge (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the protective gas line (26) is arranged at least in some regions (36) next to and/or beneath the temperature control medium line (50) in relation to the centrifuge container (16).
  8. Centrifuge (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterised in that the protective gas line (26) and the temperature control medium line (24) are connected, preferably soldered, to one another at least in some regions, preferably at least over a quarter, most preferably at least over a third, in particular at least over half of their respective winding length.
  9. Centrifuge (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterised in that the protective gas line (26) has a smaller wall thickness than the temperature control medium line (24) at least in some regions.
  10. Centrifuge (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterised in that the protective gas line (26) and/or the temperature control medium line (24) are arranged directly on the centrifuge container (16) or are at least part of the wall of the centrifuge container (16) at least in some regions.
  11. Centrifuge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is a multi-channel system in that there is a channel for the protective gas and a channel for the temperature control medium.
  12. Centrifuge (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there are monitoring means (38) for monitoring the state of the protective gas, preferably the pressure and/or the amount of protective gas, which are adapted to limit the rotational speed of the centrifuge rotor (20, 20') to a value that is not critical for a crash of the centrifuge rotor (20, 20') if predefined values relating to the state of the protective gas are not reached.
  13. Centrifuge (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is a fan which, during operation of the centrifuge (10), continuously conducts air from the interior of the housing into the area surrounding the centrifuge (10).
  14. Method for preventing ignition of combustible temperature control media in centrifuges (10) following a crash of the centrifuge rotor (20, 20'), wherein the centrifuge (10), which in particular is in the form of a laboratory centrifuge, has a centrifuge container (16) in which a centrifuge rotor (20, 20') can be accommodated, a motor (18) for driving the centrifuge rotor (20, 20'), temperature control means (24, 42, 44) for controlling the temperature of the centrifuge rotor (20, 20'), and a housing (12) in which the centrifuge container (16), the centrifuge rotor (20, 20'), the temperature control means (24, 42, 44) and the motor (18) are accommodated, wherein the temperature control means (24, 42, 44) comprise a combustible temperature control medium which is guided in a temperature control medium line (24), wherein
    protective gas is released in the event of a crash of the centrifuge rotor (20, 20').
  15. Method according to claim 14, characterised in that the centrifuge (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is used.
EP18815977.6A 2017-12-20 2018-12-03 Temperature-controlled centrifuge Active EP3727701B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102017130785.0A DE102017130785A1 (en) 2017-12-20 2017-12-20 Tempered centrifuge
PCT/EP2018/083335 WO2019120967A1 (en) 2017-12-20 2018-12-03 Temperature-controlled centrifuge

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3727701A1 EP3727701A1 (en) 2020-10-28
EP3727701B1 true EP3727701B1 (en) 2022-03-09

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EP18815977.6A Active EP3727701B1 (en) 2017-12-20 2018-12-03 Temperature-controlled centrifuge

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US (1) US11577257B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3727701B1 (en)
JP (1) JP7196180B2 (en)
CN (1) CN111655380B (en)
DE (1) DE102017130785A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2019120967A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN111655380B (en) 2022-04-15
US11577257B2 (en) 2023-02-14
DE102017130785A1 (en) 2019-06-27
WO2019120967A1 (en) 2019-06-27
CN111655380A (en) 2020-09-11
JP2021506582A (en) 2021-02-22
US20210001352A1 (en) 2021-01-07
JP7196180B2 (en) 2022-12-26
EP3727701A1 (en) 2020-10-28

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