The invention is directed to a rotary joint which supplies and discharges a liquid to and from a container which is revolved around a rotation axis, the rotary joint includes: a shaft body which is immovably provided; a tube body into which the shaft body is inserted and which is rotated around the shaft body; a shaft-side supply flow path as defined herein; a shaft-side discharge flow path as defined herein; a tube-side supply flow path as defined herein; a tube-side discharge flow path as defined herein; a supply communication flow path as defined herein; and a discharge communication flow path as defined herein, the tube-side supply flow path is inclined as defined herein, and the tube-side discharge flow path is inclined as defined herein.

The invention is directed to a rotary joint which supplies and discharges a liquid to and from a container which is revolved around a rotation axis, the rotary joint includes: a shaft body which is immovably provided; a tube body into which the shaft body is inserted and which is rotated around the shaft body; a shaft-side supply flow path as defined herein; a shaft-side discharge flow path as defined herein; a tube-side supply flow path as defined herein; a tube-side discharge flow path as defined herein; a supply communication flow path as defined herein; and a discharge communication flow path as defined herein, the tube-side supply flow path is inclined as defined herein, and the tube-side discharge flow path is inclined as defined herein.

In a centrifugal screening apparatus wherein a housing (10, 11) mounts a screen assembly (12) and a scroll assembly (20) to be differentially rotated about the machine axis, there is provided an inlet assembly (30) having an inlet body (31) defining an annular inlet space (32) coaxial with and opening in to an open apical end of the screen assembly (12) and a material supply conduit (35) delivering material to be screened to the annular space (32) and being aligned in a tangent to the annular space to deliver material to the screen assembly (12) substantially in the direction of rotation of the screen assembly (12).

In a centrifugal screening apparatus wherein a housing (10, 11) mounts a screen assembly (12) and a scroll assembly (20) to be differentially rotated about the machine axis, there is provided an inlet assembly (30) having an inlet body (31) defining an annular inlet space (32) coaxial with and opening in to an open apical end of the screen assembly (12) and a material supply conduit (35) delivering material to be screened to the annular space (32) and being aligned in a tangent to the annular space to deliver material to the screen assembly (12) substantially in the direction of rotation of the screen assembly (12).

In a centrifugal scroll screen apparatus there is provided a scroll assembly (20) driven by a scroll assembly drive shaft (25) and being connected to the scroll assembly by an axial adjuster comprising a shaft cam portion (92) and a scroll portion (96) each having a respective camming surface (94) whereby relative rotation of the scroll portion (96) and the shaft portion (92) axially adjusts the proximity of the vanes to a coaxial conical screening surface, and a locking ring (97) selectively operable to rotationally secure the scroll portion (96) and the shaft portion (92).

In a centrifugal scroll screen apparatus there is provided a scroll assembly (20) driven by a scroll assembly drive shaft (25) and being connected to the scroll assembly by an axial adjuster comprising a shaft cam portion (92) and a scroll portion (96) each having a respective camming surface (94) whereby relative rotation of the scroll portion (96) and the shaft portion (92) axially adjusts the proximity of the vanes to a coaxial conical screening surface, and a locking ring (97) selectively operable to rotationally secure the scroll portion (96) and the shaft portion (92).

An analytical laboratory system and method for processing samples is disclosed. A sample container is transported from an input area to a distribution area by a gripper comprising a means for inspecting a tube. An image is captured of the sample container. The image is analyzed to determine a sample container identification. A liquid level of the sample in the sample container is determined. A scheduling system determines a priority for processing the sample container based on the sample container identification. The sample container is transported from the distribution area to a subsequent processing module by the gripper.

An analytical laboratory system and method for processing samples is disclosed. A sample container is transported from an input area to a distribution area by a gripper comprising a means for inspecting a tube. An image is captured of the sample container. The image is analyzed to determine a sample container identification. A liquid level of the sample in the sample container is determined. A scheduling system determines a priority for processing the sample container based on the sample container identification. The sample container is transported from the distribution area to a subsequent processing module by the gripper.

An apparatus for measuring a characteristic of a sample includes a sample measurement apparatus (1404), which includes a light source (1406) configured to illuminate the sample; and a detector (1412) configured to receive light from the sample. The sample measurement apparatus is sized and dimensioned to fit within a centrifuge receptacle, the centrifuge receptacle (1416) coupled to a spindle configured to rotate the centrifuge receptacle to apply a force to the sample.

An apparatus for measuring a characteristic of a sample includes a sample measurement apparatus (1404), which includes a light source (1406) configured to illuminate the sample; and a detector (1412) configured to receive light from the sample. The sample measurement apparatus is sized and dimensioned to fit within a centrifuge receptacle, the centrifuge receptacle (1416) coupled to a spindle configured to rotate the centrifuge receptacle to apply a force to the sample.