WO2018148678A1

WO2018148678A1 - Oil filter centrifuge rotation indicator

Info

Publication number: WO2018148678A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/017860
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas G. Bayerlein; Nicholas A. Oblamski; Joseph A. JOHNSON; Vance E. Emons; Derek T. JORDAN; Edwin A. BATURA
Original assignee: Woodway Usa, Inc.
Priority date: 2017-02-13
Filing date: 2018-02-12
Publication date: 2018-08-16

Abstract

Systems and methods described herein relate to a centrifuge. The centrifuge includes a housing or cover defining a hollow cavity, a turbine assembly rotatably mounted within the hollow cavity, an indicator at least partially provided on an outside surface of the cover, wherein the indicator includes a sensor coupled to an indicator or alarm system, and at least one magnet provided on the turbine assembly. The indicator is configured to sense, by the sensor, rotation of the turbine assembly via the at least one magnet, determine rotations per minute (RPM) of the turbine based on the sensed rotation, and activate an indicator or alarm system in response to the RPM of the turbine being below a prescribed number.

Description

OIL FILTER CENTRIFUGE ROTATION INDICATOR

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/458,195, entitled "OIL FILTER CENTRIFUGE ROTATION INDICATOR," filed February 13, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention pertains generally to oil filtration systems and, more particularly, to a centrifugal oil filtration system with an indicator that shows whether the centrifuge of the system is rotating or rotating at a desired speed.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Diesel engines are typically designed with filters that remove debris particles from the lubricating oil of the engine. For example, diesel engine manufacturers often install full-flow filters on their engines that remove particles down to 20-25 microns. However, even with a full-flow filter, particles smaller than 20-25 microns can accumulate in the lubricating oil of the engine during normal operation of the engine, causing engine wear and shortening the engine life. Centrifugal oil filtration systems, on the other hand, may be capable of removing particles down to less than a micron in size. As such, using a centrifugal oil filtration system to replace or supplement a conventional filter, such as a full- flow filter, on an engine may help decrease engine wear and lengthen the life of the engine.

SUMMARY

[0004] One embodiment relates to a centrifuge. The centrifuge includes a cover defining a hollow cavity, a turbine assembly rotatably mounted within the hollow cavity, an indicator at least partially provided on an outside surface of the cover, wherein the indicator includes a sensor coupled to an alarm system, and at least one magnet provided on the turbine assembly. The indicator is configured to sense, by the sensor, rotation of the turbine assembly via the at least one magnet, determine rotations per minute (RPM) of the turbine based on the sensed rotation, and activate the alarm system in response to the RPM of the turbine being below a number. [0005] Another embodiment relates to a method of providing an alarm in response to rotation of a turbine assembly of a centrifuge, the turbine assembly mounted within a hollow cavity defined by a cover of the centrifuge. The method includes sensing, by a sensor, rotation of the turbine assembly via at least one magnet provided on the turbine assembly, determining rotations per minute (RPM) of the turbine based on the sensed rotations, and activating an alarm system in response to the RPM of the turbine being below a number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a side view of an oil filter centrifuge including a rotation indicator.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the oil filter centrifuge of FIG. 1 along lines A- A of the centrifuge shown in FIG. 1.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a close-up cross-sectional view of the rotation indicator of the oil filter centrifuge of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a printed circuit board included in the rotation indicator of FIGS. 1-3.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a side view of an end sense sensor.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a rear view of a face sense sensor centered on protruding teeth of a gear.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a rear view of a face sense sensor centered between a diametric pitch and an outer diameter of a gear.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a rear view of a face sense sensor centered on slots of a gear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Centrifugal oil filtration systems are susceptible to failures in which the centrifuge of the system ceases rotating or rotates at a reduced speed insufficient to effectively remove the particulates. This is often difficult to detect, as the housing of the oil filter centrifuge hides the fact that the centrifuge has ceased rotating or is rotating at a reduced speed. One way to remedy this issue is to provide one or more indicators external to the housing of the oil filter centrifuge that indicate whether the centrifuge is rotating at a desired speed. While the innovation described herein is focused on centrifuges used to filter lubricating oil of an engine, persons skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that the innovations can be used with any liquid in which centrifugal filtration is utilized to separate particulates from liquid or to separate two or more liquid components from one another.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an oil filter centrifuge 100 including a rotation indicator 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the rotation indicator 102 is provided on a housing or cover 104 of the centrifuge 100. The housing 104 is coupled to a base 105 of the centrifuge 100 through a suitable coupling member or clamp 106 with a handle 107. As shown in FIG. 1, the base 105 includes at least two apparatus or openings to allow oil to flow into and out of the centrifuge 100: one of these apertures is an inlet 108 provided to receive pressurized, uncleaned oil into the centrifuge 100 and another is an outlet 109 is provided for the discharge of clean oil from the centrifuge 100.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the oil filter centrifuge 100 taken along the lines A- A 110 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the oil filter centrifuge 100 includes a turbine assembly 112 configured to rotate around a stationary support or shaft assembly 114 extending between the base 105 and a housing assembly 118. The housing assembly 118 is coupled to the housing 104 such that the housing 104, the base 105, the shaft assembly 114, and the housing assembly 118 define a substantially hollow cavity 120 in which the turbine assembly 112 is rotatably supported or mounted.

[0017] The turbine assembly 112 includes a cylindrical turbine casing 122. In a preferred embodiment, an inner surface 123 of the turbine casing 122 is lined with turbine sleeve which is preferably selectively removable so that it can be easily replaced or repaired. The turbine sleeve may be made out of paper or another disposable material. The top of the turbine casing 122 is coupled to a turbine cover 124 preferably extending at an angle from the top of the turbine casing 122 to the central shaft assembly 114. A turbine nut 128 selectively caps the turbine cover 124 where the turbine cover 124 meets the shaft assembly

114. The bottom of the turbine casing 122 is coupled to a turbine baffle 126 preferably extending at an angle from the bottom of the turbine casing 122 radially inward towards the central shaft assembly 114. Together, the turbine casing 122, the turbine cover 124, the turbine baffle 126, and the shaft assembly 114 define a substantially hollow turbine reservoir or bowl 130 within the turbine assembly 112. The bottom of the turbine casing 122 is also coupled to a turbine base 131 that is positioned beneath the turbine baffle 126. The turbine base 131 extends from the turbine casing 122 to the shaft assembly 114 such that the turbine base 131, the turbine baffle 126, and the shaft assembly 114 form a substantially hollow turbine cavity 132. A plurality of nozzles are formed into or coupled to the turbine base 131 (not shown in FIG. 2). In a preferred embodiment, two nozzles are screwed into the turbine base 131 and they are spaced substantially 180 degrees apart from each other in the turbine base 131. The plurality of nozzles connect the turbine cavity 132 with an outlet channel 133 that extends between the turbine base 131 and the outlet 109 in the base 105. The purpose of the nozzles are used to convert the fluid pressure of fluid within the turbine cavity 132 into rotation of the turbine assembly 112.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the shaft assembly 114 includes a solid shaft 134 positioned in the center of the shaft assembly 114 and extending between the base 105 and the housing assembly 118. At least part of the shaft 134 is surrounded by a shaft cover 136. The shaft cover 136 is radially spaced from the shaft 134 such that a hollow annular space is formed between the shaft cover 136 and the shaft 134, the hollow space creating a shaft channel 138 suitable for the flow of oil. A plurality of orifices 140 are formed in the top of the shaft cover 136, extending through the shaft cover 136 to fluidly connect the turbine bowl 130 with the shaft channel 138. At the bottom of the shaft 134, a shaft duct 142, defining a hollow space therein, extends from the inlet 108 in the base 105 into the body of the shaft 134. A plurality of shaft duct connections 146 (only one connection 146 is shown in FIG. 2) extend from the top of the shaft duct 142 and through the shaft 134 to the shaft channel 138.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, contaminants, particles and debris are removed from engine oil by the oil filter centrifuge 100 through the following process. Oil or fluid under pressure enters the centrifuge 100 through the inlet 108. The pressurized oil passes from the inlet 108 into the shaft duct 142 formed in the shaft 134 and then moves upward through the shaft duct 142 and through the shaft duct connections 146 into the shaft channel 138. Next, the pressurized oil moves upward through the shaft channel 138 and is forced through the plurality of orifices 140 into the turbine bowl 130 as a spray. When the pressurized oil is sprayed through the plurality of orifices 140, the oil typically hits the inner surface 123 of the turbine casing 122, which is preferably lined with a filtering turbine sleeve. As pressurized oil is sprayed through the plurality of orifices 140, oil fills the turbine bowl 130, building pressure within the turbine bowl 130. Eventually, the pressure in the turbine bowl 130 forces the oil to flow past or through the turbine baffle 126 (e.g., through a space between the turbine baffle 126 and the shaft assembly 114), into the turbine cavity 132, and through the plurality of nozzles in the turbine base 131.

[0020] The plurality of nozzles in the turbine base 131 are configured and arranged such that the pressurized oil flows out of the nozzles at an angle relative to the axis of rotation B- B of the shaft 134. The angle of the nozzles relative to the shaft, the size of the outlets of the nozzles, and the pressure of the fluid is selected to translate the force of the discharging fluid into rotational force exerted on the turbine assembly 112. As the turbine assembly 112 starts to rotate, centrifugal force starts to be exerted on the fluid and any suspended contaminants, particulates and impurities in the fluid. As the speed of rotation increases, particulates and impurities in the oil contained in the turbine bowl 130 are forced radially outwardly from the axis of rotation B-B until the particulates contact the inner surface 123 of the turbine casing 122. As the turbine assembly 112 and fluid continue to rotate and new, unfiltered fluid is supplied to the turbine assembly 112, then more and more particulates will collect on the turbine sleeve lining the inner surface 123. After being forced through the plurality of nozzles in the turbine base 131, the clean, filtered oil flows through the outlet channel 133 and out of the centrifuge 100 through the outlet 109.

[0021] Over time, this process causes particles to build up on the inner surface 123 of the turbine casing 122. When the volume of particles reaches a certain level, a user

disassembles the centrifuge 100 for cleaning. For example, as part of cleaning the centrifuge 100, the user may remove the disposable turbine sleeve lining the inner surface 123 of the turbine casing 122, the sleeve containing the build-up of particles thereon, and replace the used turbine sleeve with a new turbine sleeve. In this way, the centrifuge 100 effectively cleans the oil, and the turbine sleeve allows for easy cleaning of the centrifuge 100.

[0022] Of course, in order for the oil filter centrifuge 100 to effectively filter particles from the oil, the turbine assembly 112 of the centrifuge 100 must rotate at an RPM to effectively extract the particulates. It may be difficult to determine whether the turbine assembly 112 is rotating or rotating at the desired level because, as shown in FIG. 1, the housing 104 is typically opaque. For this reason, the rotation indicator 102 is provided on the housing 104 of the oil filter centrifuge 100 and provides a visual and electronic indication to a user as to whether the turbine assembly 112 is rotating correctly, as described in further detail below. Additionally, the indicator 102 may also provide a signal indicating the specific RPM of the turbine assembly 112 to an external alert device, which may also provide some indication or information to a user as to whether the centrifuge 100 is rotating and at what RPM speed. FIG. 3 shows a close-up cross-sectional view of the rotation indicator 102. As shown in FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, an opening 150 is provided in the housing 104 of the centrifuge 100 and a weld nut 152 is coupled or securely fastened to the housing 104 surrounding the opening 150. The weld nut is secured or fastened to the housing 104 and provides a suitable structure in which to mount the indicator 102 to the housing 104. The indicator 102 is positioned such that at least a portion of the indicator 102 preferably extends through the weld nut 152 and the opening 150 of the housing 104 and into the hollow cavity 120. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the indicator 102 is "T-shaped" such that the a wide top 154 of the indicator 102 rests on top of the weld nut 152 and a vertical body 156 of the indicator 102 extends through the weld nut 152 and the opening 150 and into the hollow cavity 120. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the indicator 102 may be provided in a different shape, size, etc. and be coupled to the housing 104 of the centrifuge 100 by another mechanism, structure, etc. than what is shown in FIG. 3. It is also not necessary that the indicator 102 extend into the hollow cavity. For example, the indicator need not extend into the hollow cavity 120. The key is that the indicator 102 be mounted so that it can read or sense the rotation of the turbine assembly 112.

[0023] An outer surface 157 of the indicator 102 is defined by an indicator housing 158. The indicator housing 158 also defines an inner portion 160 of the indicator 102. As shown in FIG. 3, the indicator housing 158 may include threading 162 provided on the body 156 of the indicator 102 to allow the body 156 to be screwed through the weld nut 152 and into hollow cavity 120. A printed circuit board (PCB) 164 with a microcontroller is preferably positioned within the inner portion 160 of the top 154 of the indicator 102. One or more LEDs 166 can be provided on an exposed top surface 170 of the indicator 102 along with one or more external wires 168 or leads. Preferably, the LEDs 166 and wires 168 are electrically connected to the PCB 164. As shown in FIG. 3, the one or more LEDs 166 extend from the PCB 164 through the indicator housing 158 of the top 154 of the indicator 102 such that the one or more LEDs 166 protrude past the top surface 170 of the indicator 102 and are visible to an individual viewing the indicator 102. Similarly, the plurality of external wires 168 extend from the PCB 164 through the indicator housing 158 of the top 154 of the indicator 102 and to one or more external devices (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of external wires 168 connect the PCB 164 to a suitable power source (e.g., a 12 Volt power supply) and in some applications to external alert device, as described in further detail below. While the embodiment displayed depicts a hand-wired connection between the PCB 164 and the external device, a wireless connection between these components may also be implemented.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, a sensor 172 is positioned within the inner portion 160 of the body 156 of the indicator 102 such that the sensor 172 substantially abuts and creates a bottom surface 176 of the indicator 102. The bottom surface 174 of the sensor 172 is preferably adjacent to and positioned above the turbine cover 124 of the turbine assembly 112. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, at least one, but preferably a plurality of magnets 178 are coupled to the portion of the turbine cover 124 that is adjacent to and rotates past the sensor 172 as the turbine assembly 112 rotates. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each magnet 178 may be coupled to the turbine cover 124 with a screw 180, though those of skill in the art will appreciate that other mechanisms for coupling the plurality of magnets 178 to the turbine cover 124 may be used. Further, the sensor 172 is connected to the PCB 164 by a plurality of internal wires 179 running through the body 156 of the indicator 102 (not shown in FIG. 3). While the embodiment displayed depicts the mounting of the indicator 102 on the top of the housing cover 104 and the magnet 178 on the turbine cover, it is to be understood that any number of locations for these elements is within the scope of the invention. For example, in some applications, it may be better to locate the indicator 102 on the sidewall of the housing cover 104 which may necessitate relocation of the magnets 178 on the turbine assembly 112.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the PCB 164, according to a preferred embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment, the plurality of external wires 168 connecting the PCB 164 to one or more external devices include a wire 181 to a 12 Volt power supply, a ground wire 182, and a wire 184 providing an RPM signal indicating the RPM of the centrifuge 100 to an external alert or indicator device or system. The alert or indicator device or system may be customized to any number of indicators, gauges or displays, for example, an analog or digital RPM gauge; one or more LEDs on a control panel (e.g., a green LED that lights up when the RPM is above a certain level and a red LED that lights up when the RPM is below a certain level); an audible warning buzzer, alert, or alarm; a remote indicator system; or any other auditory or visual alarm system that indicates, displays or identifies the RPM of the turbine assembly 112 or the RPM of the turbine assembly 112 in relation to a specified RPM level. In other embodiments, the plurality of external wires 168 may also include wires to additional or alternative (e.g., a power supply of a different voltage than 12 Volts) external devices.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment, the plurality of internal wires 179 running through the body 156 of the indicator 102 between the PCB 164 and the sensor 172 include a wire 186 providing 5 Volts to the sensor 172, a wire 188 providing a signal produced by the sensor 172 to the PCB 164, and a ground wire 190. However, in other embodiments, the internal wires 179 may include additional or alternative wires, for example, carrying a different amount of power, carrying different signals, carrying additional signals, etc.

[0027] As discussed, the PCB 164 may also be connected to one or more LEDs 166. As shown in FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment, the PCB 164 includes a connection 192 to a green LED 166a and a connection 194 to a red LED 166b. The PCB 164 sends sufficient power to illuminate the green LED 166a if the RPM of the turbine assembly 112 of the centrifuge 100 is operating at or above a specified level and the PCB 164 sends sufficient power to illuminate the red LED 166b if the RPM of the turbine assembly 112 of the centrifuge 100 is operating at or below a specified level. For example, the PCB 164 may illuminate the green LED 166a if the RPM of the turbine assembly 112 is above 1000 RPM. Conversely, the PCB 164 may illuminate the red LED 166b if the RPM of the turbine assembly 112 is below 1000 RPM, as rotations below 1000 RPM may indicate that the turbine assembly 112 is not rotating or rotating at a reduced speed and thus not filtering the oil at the desired (e.g., because the oil entering the centrifuge 100 is at 60 psi, which usually causes turbine assembly 112 to rotate at 2700 RPM). However, in other embodiments, the PCB 164 may include connections to additional or fewer LEDs 166, may include connections to LEDs 166 of different colors, may have different criteria for turning the one or more LEDs 166 "on" or "off," etc. Additionally, those of skill in the art will appreciate that, in some embodiments, the one or more LEDs 166 may be replaced or supplemented with, for example, RPM gauges that display the specific RPM of the turbine assembly 112, alarms that the PCB 164 turns "on" if the RPM of the turbine assembly 112 falls below a certain level, or any other structure or mechanism for alerting a user that the RPM of the turbine assembly 112 is below a certain level.

[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, in a preferred embodiment, the indicator 102 operates through the following process. The wire 181 provides the PCB 164 with a 12 Volt power supply, and the PCB 164, in turn, provides 5 Volts through the wire 186 to the sensor 172. As the turbine assembly 112 rotates according to the process described above with respect to FIG. 2, the plurality of magnets 178 positioned on the turbine cover 124 also rotate. In response to the rotation of the plurality of magnets 178, the sensor 172 (e.g., an electromagnetic pickup) produces pulses in response to the magnets 178 passing by based on the speed of the rotation of the turbine assembly 112. The wire 188 carries the pulse signals to the PCB 164, which uses the signals to determine the RPM of the centrifuge 100. If the RPM is below a certain number (e.g., 1000 RPM), the PCB 164 lights up the red LED 166b through connection 194. If the RPM is above a certain number (e.g., 1000 RPM), the PCB lights up the green LED 166a through connection 192. Additionally or alternatively, the PCB 164 may send or transmit a signal indicating the RPM of the centrifuge 100 to an external alert device through wire 184. As discussed, the external alert device may be, for example, an analog or digital RPM gauge; one or more LEDs on a control panel (e.g., a green LED that lights up when the RPM is above a certain level and a red LED that lights up when the RPM is below a certain level); a warning buzzer, alert, or alarm; a remote indicator system; or any other auditory or visual alarm system that indicates that the RPM of the turbine assembly 112 is below a certain level. Accordingly, the indicator 102 indicates the RPM of the turbine assembly 112 both through the one or more LEDs 166 (e.g., green LED 166a and red LED 166b) and through the RPM signal sent to the external alert device through wire 184. [0029] However, it should be understood that the indicator 102 may instead include a different sensor for detecting movement of the turbine assembly 112. For example, the sensor 172 may be configured to detect magnets (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 2-4), teeth, holes, voids, bumps, or dissimilar metals or materials in the rotating turbine assembly 112. As an illustration, FIGS. 5-8 show views of a sensor 172 held within the vertical body 156 provided with two weld nuts 152. Referring first to FIG. 5, the sensor 172 is configured in an end sense position relative to a gear 200. As shown, the sensor 172 is in a side position and centered along a center line 202 of the gear 200 facing the ends of teeth 204 of the gear 200. As such, the sensor 172 detects movement of the gear 200 based on rotations of the ends of the teeth 204. Referring next to FIGS. 6-8, the sensor 172 is configured in a face sense position relative to the gear 200 in each of these figures. More specifically, in FIG. 6, the sensor 172 is in a rear position (e.g., such that only the vertical body 156 and one of the weld nuts 152 is visible) and centered on the protruding teeth 204 of the gear 200.

Similarly, in FIG. 7, the sensor 172 is in a rear position and located halfway between a diametric pitch 206 of the gear 200 (i.e., the halfway point between the bases and ends of the teeth 204 of the gear 200) and the outer diameter of the gear 200 (i.e., the diameter formed by the ends 204 of the teeth of the gear 200). Thus, in both FIGS. 6 and 7, the sensor 172 detects movement of the gear 200 based on rotations of the sides of the teeth 204 of the gear 200. Finally, in FIG. 8, the sensor 172 is in a rear position and centered on slots 208 of the gear 200. The sensor 172 therefore detects movement of the gear 200 based on movement of the slots 208.

[0030] Additionally, the sensor 172 may be wired, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or wireless (e.g., communicating with other components of the indicator 102 by Wi-Fi, radio-frequency identification ("RFID"), near-field communication ("NFC"), etc.). Furthermore, the sensor 172 may be located in a different location on the centrifuge 100, provided that the sensing element of the sensor 172 is able to sense the motion, displacement, speed, etc. of the turbine assembly 112, or may be embedded within any of the components of the turbine assembly 112. As an illustration, the sensor 172 may be mounted on any location of the external surface of the housing 104, may be mounted on an external surface of the base 105 pointing towards the turbine assembly 112, or may be mounted on an internal surface of the base 105 pointing towards the turbine assembly 112. Accordingly, the magnets 178, or other component used by the sensor 172 to sense the movement, displacement, speed, etc. of the turbine assembly 112, may also be positioned on any location of the turbine assembly 112 corresponding to the location of the sensor 172.

[0031] It should further be understood that the embodiments described herein could be used in various applications that require the cleaning of debris or particles from liquids such as oil. For example, the embodiments described herein could be used as part of a locomotive engine, as part of a ship engine, to clean cooking oil, etc. Moreover, the embodiments described herein could be used as filtration systems by themselves, be implemented as supplemental filtration systems, or be implemented as part of a combination filtration system (e.g., as part of a kidney loop system).

[0032] The embodiments herein have been described with reference to drawings. The drawings illustrate certain details of specific embodiments that implement the systems and methods described herein. However, describing the embodiments with drawing should not be construed as imposing on the disclosure any limitations that may be present in the drawings.

[0033] Additionally, the foregoing description of embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from this disclosure. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re- sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0034] As utilized herein, the terms "approximately," "about," "substantially," and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure.

[0035] It should be noted that the term "preferred" as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

[0036] For the purpose of this disclosure, the term "coupled" means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another, or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature.

[0037] It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other preferred embodiments and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A centrifuge, comprising:

a housing defining a hollow cavity;

a turbine assembly rotatably mounted within the hollow cavity;

an indicator at least partially provided on an outside surface of the cover, wherein the indicator comprises a sensor coupled to an indicator system; and

at least one magnet provided on the turbine assembly;

wherein the indicator is configured to detect, by the sensor, rotation of the turbine assembly via the movement of the at least one magnet, determine rotations per minute (RPM) of the turbine assembly based on the sensed rotation, and activate the indicator system in response to the RPM of the turbine assembly being below a number.

2. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the centrifuge is coupled to an engine.

3. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the indicator is further configured to transmit a signal to an external indicator device, the signal indicating the RPM of the turbine assembly of the centrifuge.

4. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the indicator further comprises a microcontroller, and wherein the microcontroller is configured to determine the RPM of the turbine assembly and activate the indicator system.

5. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the indicator system comprises an auditory alarm system.

6. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the indicator system comprises one or more LEDs.

7. The centrifuge of claim 6, wherein the indicator system comprises a first LED and a second LED, and wherein the indicator is configured to activate the first LED in response to the RPM being below the number and activate the second LED in response to the RPM being above the number.

8. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the indicator is configured to activate the indicator system in response to the RPM of the turbine being below 1000 RPM.

9. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein a plurality of magnets are provided on the turbine assembly.

10. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the indicator is powered by an external power source.

11. A method of providing a signal in response to rotation of a turbine assembly of a centrifuge, the turbine assembly mounted within a hollow cavity defined by a cover of the centrifuge, the method comprising:

sensing, by a sensor, rotation of the turbine assembly via at least one magnet provided on the turbine assembly;

determining rotations per minute (RPM) of the turbine assembly based on the sensed rotations; and

activating an indicator system in response to the RPM of the turbine being below a prescribed number.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the centrifuge is coupled to an engine.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising transmitting a signal to an external alert device, the signal indicating the RPM of the centrifuge.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the RPM of the turbine comprises determining, by a microcontroller, RPM of the turbine based on the sensed rotations, and wherein activating the indicator system comprises activating, by the microcontroller, the indicator system in response to the RPM of the turbine assembly being below the number.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein activating the indicator system comprises activating an auditory alarm system.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein activating the indicator system comprises activating one or more LEDs.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the prescribed number is 1000 RPM.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein a plurality of magnets are provided on the turbine assembly.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein at least the sensor and the indicator system are powered by an external power source.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the indicator system is provided on an outside surface of the cover.