A centrifuge rotor (10) includes a closure (32) between a lower part (12) of the centrifuge rotor (10) and a cover (14). The centrifuge rotor has been improved such that proper single-handed operation is made possible. In particular, the closure (32) can be closed and detached again using just one hand. The cover (14) includes a circular cut-out (20) for fastening the centrifuge rotor (10) in a centrifuge. The cover (14) is attached to the lower part (12) by levers having a concave shaping (66). The cover (14) and the levers cooperate to provide a visual indication whether the cover is properly closed.

A centrifuge rotor (10) includes a closure (32) between a lower part (12) of the centrifuge rotor (10) and a cover (14). The centrifuge rotor has been improved such that proper single-handed operation is made possible. In particular, the closure (32) can be closed and detached again using just one hand. The cover (14) includes a circular cut-out (20) for fastening the centrifuge rotor (10) in a centrifuge. The cover (14) is attached to the lower part (12) by levers having a concave shaping (66). The cover (14) and the levers cooperate to provide a visual indication whether the cover is properly closed.

A separator includes a housing that is stationary during operation and is a tank having at least two openings. A drum is located inside the housing, has a vertical axis of rotation, and a number of openings to the housing corresponding to the openings of the housing. A single multi-part support and drive device with at least one control device and a motor including of a stator, a stator magnet assembly, and a rotor with a rotor magnet assembly, which keep the drum suspended inside the housing, radially and axially supported, and set in rotation. The stator magnet assembly is located outside the housing and the rotor magnet assembly is located inside the housing on the drum so that an air gap is formed between the housing and the drum while the drum is rotating during operation. The axial support and centering of the drum is implemented by controlling the axial position of the rotor magnet assembly using the control device by actuating the motor.

A separator includes a housing that is stationary during operation and is a tank having at least two openings. A drum is located inside the housing, has a vertical axis of rotation, and a number of openings to the housing corresponding to the openings of the housing. A single multi-part support and drive device with at least one control device and a motor including of a stator, a stator magnet assembly, and a rotor with a rotor magnet assembly, which keep the drum suspended inside the housing, radially and axially supported, and set in rotation. The stator magnet assembly is located outside the housing and the rotor magnet assembly is located inside the housing on the drum so that an air gap is formed between the housing and the drum while the drum is rotating during operation. The axial support and centering of the drum is implemented by controlling the axial position of the rotor magnet assembly using the control device by actuating the motor.

A rotor assembly that includes a rotor body having a plurality of rotor wells. The rotor body includes an upstanding annular lip that defines an annular containment groove configured to capture and retain material leaked from a sample container received a rotor well during rotation of the rotor assembly. The rotor body also includes an annular containment lip that forms a continuous extension of the annular containment groove. The rotor assembly includes a lid selectively attachable to the open end of the rotor body that includes a first undercut channel configured to receive a portion of a first sealing gasket formed as an annular disk. The lid is supported above the upper surface of the rotor body by the annular containment lip such that the first sealing gasket is positioned between the lid and the annular containment lip to form a seal between the lid and the rotor body.

A rotor assembly that includes a rotor body having a plurality of rotor wells. The rotor body includes an upstanding annular lip that defines an annular containment groove configured to capture and retain material leaked from a sample container received a rotor well during rotation of the rotor assembly. The rotor body also includes an annular containment lip that forms a continuous extension of the annular containment groove. The rotor assembly includes a lid selectively attachable to the open end of the rotor body that includes a first undercut channel configured to receive a portion of a first sealing gasket formed as an annular disk. The lid is supported above the upper surface of the rotor body by the annular containment lip such that the first sealing gasket is positioned between the lid and the annular containment lip to form a seal between the lid and the rotor body.

Embodiments for a portable and compact centrifugation and thermal management system capable of separating and transporting biological samples while maintaining sample quality for periods of shipment time are described. A compact, automatic centrifuge holding exactly one sample tube is inside an insulating and thermally managed container suitable for standard shipping. A rotor to retain a sample tube is pre-balanced. An electronic controller starts, times and stops centrifugation automatically, responsive to placement of a lid. Thermal management may comprise a phase change material. Embodiments are free of user controls. Embodiments are free of the need for external power or external control.

A forward secant swirl tube may be used to separate heavier particles such as oil and moisture from an air flow. The swirl tube includes a central hub having a centerline and a circular perimeter. An outer circular housing extends from an inlet edge to an outlet edge. A plurality of vanes extends from the central hub to the outer housing. The vanes are equally spaced around the central hub. Each vane has an inlet transition portion connected to a discharge portion. The top edge of the inlet transition portion of each vane is offset from the centerline of the central hub forming a forward secant line with respect to the centerline of the central hub and a direction of spin induced by the plurality of vanes.

A forward secant swirl tube may be used to separate heavier particles such as oil and moisture from an air flow. The swirl tube includes a central hub having a centerline and a circular perimeter. An outer circular housing extends from an inlet edge to an outlet edge. A plurality of vanes extends from the central hub to the outer housing. The vanes are equally spaced around the central hub. Each vane has an inlet transition portion connected to a discharge portion. The top edge of the inlet transition portion of each vane is offset from the centerline of the central hub forming a forward secant line with respect to the centerline of the central hub and a direction of spin induced by the plurality of vanes.

A valve bridge portion, in which four valves A to D are connected in a bridge shape, is interposed between sample lines to a rotor of a continuous centrifuge. A microcomputer is able to open and close the valves A to D independently and is capable of switching between top feed and bottom feed to the sample line. When sample supply is started, switching between the top feed and the bottom feed is performed multiple times, and in the middle of switching and sending a sample liquid, the microcomputer executes an operation of temporarily increasing a liquid pressure multiple times by temporarily closing an outlet valve (C or D) and then immediately opening the valve. As a result of repeating the operation of switching between the said sample feed directions and temporarily increasing the liquid pressure, air that accumulates inside the rotor can be effectively discharged.