WO2000029121A1 - Ameliorations concernant des centrifugeuses - Google Patents

Ameliorations concernant des centrifugeuses Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000029121A1
WO2000029121A1 PCT/GB1999/003746 GB9903746W WO0029121A1 WO 2000029121 A1 WO2000029121 A1 WO 2000029121A1 GB 9903746 W GB9903746 W GB 9903746W WO 0029121 A1 WO0029121 A1 WO 0029121A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rotor
rotation
holding means
axis
sample holding
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1999/003746
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Matthew Smith
Thomas Roberts
Original Assignee
Laboratory Automation Development & Services Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Laboratory Automation Development & Services Limited filed Critical Laboratory Automation Development & Services Limited
Priority to AU10626/00A priority Critical patent/AU1062600A/en
Publication of WO2000029121A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000029121A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B5/00—Other centrifuges
    • B04B5/04—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers
    • B04B5/0407—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers for liquids contained in receptacles
    • B04B5/0414—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers for liquids contained in receptacles comprising test tubes
    • B04B5/0421—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers for liquids contained in receptacles comprising test tubes pivotably mounted

Definitions

  • This invention relates to centrifuge apparatus, most particularly to centrifuge apparatus for laboratory use in the centrifuging of materials for analytical purposes.
  • materials will normally comprise mixtures of fluids (liquids and/or gases) and/or granular solids having fluid properties, the components of the mixture having differing densities so that they are separated by centrifugation.
  • centrifuges comprise a rotor body adapted for rotation about a central axis and at least one sample holder which is mounted for rotation with the rotor, such that centrifugal forces are applied to material located within the sample holder.
  • the sample holder has a longitudinal axis which extends radially outwards from the axis of rotation, so that the centrifugal forces act along the longitudinal axis of the sample holder.
  • the axis of rotation is vertical, so that the rotor rotates in a horizontal plane. In such cases, it is also common for the longitudinal axis of the sample holder to be oriented at an angle to the horizontal, for reasons which shall be explained further below.
  • centrifugal forces applied to the sample holder include components which act across the width of the sample holder, rather than entirely along its longitudinal axis. This has the effect of reducing the difference between Rmax and Rmin and hence reduces the ratio Rmax: Rmin.
  • the difference Rmax-Rmin is constant along the length of the sample holder, while the distance of the path start and end points varies, so that Rmax: Rmin varies also. This results in variations in the degree of centrifugation applied to the sample material along the length of the sample holder, which is undesirable.
  • the present invention in its various aspects, seeks to address these problems.
  • centrifuge apparatus comprising a rotor adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation and at least one sample holding means for receiving material to be centrifuged, said sample holding means being mounted for rotation with said rotor and having a longitudinal axis extending between top and bottom ends thereof, wherein said longitudinal axis is oriented so as to extend along a chord of a circle defined by the rotational path of the perimeter of the rotor, said chord being spaced from the axis of rotation.
  • the axis of rotation is oriented horizontally such that the rotor rotates in a vertical plane.
  • chord along which the longitudinal axis of the sample holder is aligned is preferably spaced from the axis of rotation by as great a distance as possible, within the physical constraints of the apparatus, with the bottom end of the sample holder being located adjacent the periphery of the rotor.
  • chord is selected such that, in use of the apparatus, the centrifugal forces acting on material in the sample holder act to transport said material in a direction from the top towards the bottom of the sample holder.
  • the position of the sample holder may be fixed, or the sample holder may be adapted for movement during operation of the apparatus, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, set out below.
  • centrifuge apparatus comprising a rotor adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation and at least one sample holding means for receiving material to be centrifuged, said sample holding means being mounted for rotation with said rotor and having a longitudinal axis extending between top and bottom ends thereof, and being mounted so as to be movable during operation of the apparatus such that the angle between the centrifugal force direction and the longitudinal axis may be varied in a predetermined manner whilst the apparatus is operating at effective centrifugation speeds .
  • the arrangement is such that, during operation of the apparatus, the centrifugal force direction is at a constant, substantial angle to the longitudinal axis of the sample holder during a main centrifugation period, and said angle is reduced while the rotor is operating at effective centrifugation speed prior to final deceleration of the rotor.
  • the sample holder is mounted for pivotable movement about a hinge axis, said angle being controlled by a biassing mechanism.
  • the biassing mechanism may comprise active or passive biassing means.
  • the apparatus is apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, with the rotor rotating about a horizontal axis.
  • the sample holder is mounted for pivotable movement about a hinge axis adjacent the bottom end thereof, the biassing mechanism operating to restrain outward movement of the top end of the sample holder.
  • the rotor may be mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, the sample holder being adapted to swing outwardly from a vertical rest position to a first position at an angle to the plane of rotation of the rotor during a main centrifugation phase of operation, and subsequently to be released so as to swing out further into the plane of rotation during a final centrifugation phase prior to returning to its vertical rest position upon final deceleration of the rotor.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a centrifuge rotor embodying the first aspect of the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a modified version of the centrifuge rotor of Fig. 1, embodying the second aspect of the invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a further centrifuge rotor, comprising an alternative embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.
  • a centrifuge rotor 10 adapted for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation 12 in a vertical plane.
  • the rotor 10 includes, or is adapted to receive, a sample holder 14 containing material 16 which is to be centrifuged by high speed rotation of the rotor.
  • the sample holder 14 is generally cylindrical and has a longitudinal axis 18 extending along a central line connecting its "top" and “bottom” ends.
  • the longitudinal axis of the sample holder extends through the axis of rotation of the rotor.
  • the longitudinal axis 18 extends along a chord of the circle defined by the periphery of the rotational path of the rotor 10, and does not intersect the axis of rotation 12.
  • the longitudinal axis 18 lies in a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation 12.
  • the centrifugal forces generated by rotation of the rotor 10 act radially outwardly from the axis of rotation 12, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. Because of the orientation of the sample holder 14, the angles at which the lines of force intersect the longitudinal axis 18 vary along the length of the sample holder. Accordingly, the length of the centrifugation path (Rmax-Rmin, as discussed above) across the sample holder 14 varies along the length of the sample holder, increasing as the angle between the radial lines of force and the longitudinal axis 18 decreases .
  • the ratio Rmax:Rmin is constant along the length of the chord for radial paths extending along/across a parallel-sided sample holder. This avoids the problem arising in conventional centrifuges with sample holders angled in a plane including the axis of rotation, where the difference Rmax-Rmin is constant and the ratio Rmax: Rmin varies along the length of the sample holders.
  • the present invention consists of aligning the longitudinal axis of the sample holder with a chord which is located at a distance from the axis of rotation, so as to obtain the benefit of the reduced centrifugation path lengths obtained with conventional angled sample holders while maintaining Rmax: Rmin constant, so as to avoid undesirable variations in the centrifugation of the sample material along the length of the sample holder.
  • the invention therefore combines the speed of centrifugation of conventional angled sample holders with the uniformity of centrifugation of non-angled radial sample holders.
  • the benefit of the invention is increased by increasing the distance between the selected chord and the axis of rotation of the rotor, within 'the physical constraints of the apparatus.
  • the position and orientation of the of the sample holder is further constrained by the need, in most cases, for the centrifugal forces to act at all points of the sample material in a direction which tends to transport the material from the "top" to the "bottom” of the sample holder.
  • the illustrated example shows the sample holder located such that the radius of the rotor circle which intersects the top end of the sample holder is at right angles to the longitudinal axis 18. Generally speaking, this is the limiting case if the sample material may be required to occupy substantially the entire volume of the holder. It is possible that the apparatus could be configured to permit adjustment of the location and/or orientation of the sample holder to suit particular applications.
  • This aspect of the invention is particularly suited for centrifuge apparatus in which the rotor rotates in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis.
  • An example of such apparatus is disclosed in WO-A-97/18022 , in the name of the present Applicant.
  • it is also useful in conventional, vertical axis centrifuges, including fixed-angle and swinging-bucket types.
  • the second aspect of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 2, where it is applied in combination with the first aspect, in a horizontal -axis rotor similar to Fig. 1.
  • the sample holder 24 is mounted for pivoting movement about a hinge axis 30 located, in this example, on the longitudinal axis 28 at the bottom end of the sample holder 24.
  • the top end of the sample holder will tend to swing outwardly to position 24A as the rotor speed increases, in a manner analogous to conventional swinging-bucket rotors.
  • this has" the effect of moving the chord along which the sample holder 24 is aligned away from the axis of rotation 22, so that the effect of the first aspect of the invention is amplified when the centrifuge is at its operational speed of rotation.
  • a biassing mechanism represented schematically in Fig. 2 as a spring 32, anchored at a point radially inward of the top end of the sample holder 24.
  • a biassing mechanism represented schematically in Fig. 2 as a spring 32, anchored at a point radially inward of the top end of the sample holder 24.
  • the buckets are freely swinging about their hinge axes. Accordingly, each bucket swings to its greatest angle (i.e. extending in the plane of rotation or at some angle defined by a limit stop) when the rotational speed of the rotor is relatively low, and well below effective centrifugation speeds, and does not return to its rest position after centrifugation is complete until the rotor speed drops.
  • the effect of the biassing mechanism in this case is to increase the rotor speed at which the sample holder 24 will begin to return towards its rest position as the rotor decelerates.
  • the biassing force is selected such that the sample holder will return wholly or partially to its rest position while the rotor is still rotating at speeds at which effective centrifugation will take place.
  • the rotor 20 will be brought to rest with the sample holder 26 oriented vertically.
  • centrifugation will continue while the sample holder 24 swings back towards being aligned along a radius of the rotor 20.
  • the layers of the centrifuged material 26 will be closer to being at right angles to the longitudinal axis 28 when the sample holder 24 comes to rest, reducing any tendency for the material 26 to be re- mixed by layers collapsing along the walls of the holder 24.
  • the apparatus can be configured such that the lines of force are at a greater angle to the longitudinal axis 28 when the rotor 20 is operating at full speed than would be practicable if the sample holder 24 remained in this working position until the rotor decelerated well below effective centrifugation speed. This allows the centrifugation time to be reduced while maintaining the quality of the final, centrifuged sample.
  • the manner in which the speed of the rotor is varied during the operational cycle may be controlled so as to optimise this effect.
  • the biassing mechanism may take any of a variety of forms. It may utilise passive biassing members (e.g. resilient bias means such as springs or pneumatic elements) or active biassing elements (e.g. controllable actuators such as electromagnetic, mechanical or hydraulic devices) or combinations of these. Limit stops or the likes may also be employed for positively limiting the range of movement of the sample holder.
  • passive biassing members e.g. resilient bias means such as springs or pneumatic elements
  • active biassing elements e.g. controllable actuators such as electromagnetic, mechanical or hydraulic devices
  • Limit stops or the likes may also be employed for positively limiting the range of movement of the sample holder.
  • the hinge axis 30 may be located at any position allowing the required range of movement, and the location and direction of action of the biassing mechanism may be varied to suit.
  • This second aspect of the invention may also be applied to more conventional, vertical axis, swinging bucket centrifuges, such as that illustrated schematically in Fig. 3.
  • a rotor 40 rotates about a vertical axis 42 and is provided with a number of swinging buckets 44 hingeably ' connected around its periphery.
  • the buckets 44 would be free-swinging, possibly with limit stops to restrict their outward movement .
  • biassing mechanisms are included, again illustrated schematically as springs 46, configured to operate in a manner analogous to that described above in relation to Fig. 2. That is, the biassing mechanisms tend to restrain outward swinging of the buckets 44 so that the buckets are maintained at an angle to the plane of rotation (position 44A) when the rotor is operating at or close to full speed, so as to accelerate centrifugation as in the case of conventional fixed-angle or restricted-rise swinging- bucket centrifuges.
  • the buckets would then be released from the biassing means 32 for a final phase of centrifugation, allowing them to swing out into the plane of rotation (position 44B) , so that the layers of centrifuged material tend to align themselves at right-angles to the longitudinal axes of the buckets 44, prior to final deceleration when the buckets are allowed to swing freely back to their rest positions.
  • the biassing means would be re- engaged prior to the next centrifugation cycle.
  • first and second aspects of the invention may be used alone or in combination, and most preferably in combination in a horizontal -axis centrifuge as indicated in Fig. 2. Improvements and modifications may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

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  • Centrifugal Separators (AREA)

Abstract

Centrifugeuse comprenant un rotor (20) possédant un axe de rotation (22) et un support de spécimen (24), dont l'axe longitudinal (28) est orienté de façon à s'étendre le long d'une corde d'un cercle défini par la trajectoire de rotation du périmètre du rotor, cette corde étant éloignée de l'axe de rotation sur une distance maximum. Le support de spécimen peut être fixe par rapport au rotor mais est, de préférence, mobile pendant la mise en service de l'appareil, de façon à pouvoir modifier l'angle entre le sens de la force centrifuge et l'axe longitudinal de manière prédéterminée, tandis que l'appareil fonctionne à des vitesses de centrifugation efficaces, ledit angle étant commandé par un mécanisme de polarisation (32). On peut également appliquer un mécanisme de polarisation semblable à une autre centrifugeuse classique de type 'seau oscillant'. Cet appareil permet d'améliorer la vitesse et l'uniformité de la centrifugation.
PCT/GB1999/003746 1998-11-14 1999-11-10 Ameliorations concernant des centrifugeuses WO2000029121A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU10626/00A AU1062600A (en) 1998-11-14 1999-11-10 Improvements in or relating to centrifuges

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9824923.8 1998-11-14
GBGB9824923.8A GB9824923D0 (en) 1998-11-14 1998-11-14 Improvements in or relating to centrifuges

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000029121A1 true WO2000029121A1 (fr) 2000-05-25

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1999/003746 WO2000029121A1 (fr) 1998-11-14 1999-11-10 Ameliorations concernant des centrifugeuses

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AU (1) AU1062600A (fr)
GB (1) GB9824923D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2000029121A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3236266A1 (fr) * 2016-04-20 2017-10-25 Lite-on Electronics(Guangzhou) Limited Dispositif d'analyse de liquides

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4449964A (en) * 1983-02-17 1984-05-22 Separex Teknik Ab Decanting centrifuge
US5367157A (en) * 1990-11-29 1994-11-22 Hemocue Ab Device for rapidly performing a sedimentation-rate test
EP0688606A1 (fr) * 1994-06-24 1995-12-27 Johnson & Johnson Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. Centrifugeuse améliorée et séparation de phases
US5584790A (en) * 1995-09-08 1996-12-17 Beckman Instruments, Inc. Variable inclination centrifugation assembly for rapid separation of blood

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4449964A (en) * 1983-02-17 1984-05-22 Separex Teknik Ab Decanting centrifuge
US5367157A (en) * 1990-11-29 1994-11-22 Hemocue Ab Device for rapidly performing a sedimentation-rate test
EP0688606A1 (fr) * 1994-06-24 1995-12-27 Johnson & Johnson Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. Centrifugeuse améliorée et séparation de phases
US5584790A (en) * 1995-09-08 1996-12-17 Beckman Instruments, Inc. Variable inclination centrifugation assembly for rapid separation of blood

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3236266A1 (fr) * 2016-04-20 2017-10-25 Lite-on Electronics(Guangzhou) Limited Dispositif d'analyse de liquides
US10067042B2 (en) 2016-04-20 2018-09-04 Skyla Corporation Hsinchu Science Park Branch Liquid analyzing device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1062600A (en) 2000-06-05
GB9824923D0 (en) 1999-01-06

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