The present disclosure provides a method of operating a separator (1,1a, 1b) for separating particles from a particle-laden airflow. The method comprises receiving, in the controller (18), a separation unit status signal from the separation unit status sensor (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d), deriving, in the controller (18), separator status data based on the separation unit status signal, communicating, via the communication device (19), the separator status data to the external unit (1a, 1b, 26), receiving, via the communication device (19), incoming control data from the external unit (1a, 1b, 26), determining, in the controller (18), based on the separator status data and based on the incoming control data, whether to initiate separating unit maintenance, and selectively initiating separating unit maintenance based on said determination. The disclosure also provides a separator for implementing the method and a system comprising two or more such separators.

A centrifugal separator apparatus for separating components of a fluid stream; the apparatus comprising a support structure and a centrifugal separator unit rotatably mounted on the support structure so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis extending through the centrifugal separator unit; a drive element for driving rotation of the centrifugal separator unit; wherein the centrifugal separator unit comprises a centrifugal separation chamber having an inlet which is connected or connectable to a source of fluid requiring separation, a first outlet for collecting a higher density component of the fluid stream, and a second outlet for collecting a lower density component of the fluid stream; the first outlet being connected or connectable to a first collector for collecting the higher density component and the second outlet being connected or connectable to a second collector for collecting the lower density component; the centrifugal separation chamber comprising a curved or inclined guide surface for guiding flow of the fluid from the inlet in a radially outward direction; wherein the centrifugal separator unit is provided with a wall member which is axially movable to provide a selected degree of occlusion of the first outlet and thereby control flow of the higher density component through the first outlet.

The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

A method for continuous purification of motor lubricant oil includes circulating lubricant oil between a motor lubricant oil tank and a motor; transporting contaminated lubricant oil from the motor lubricant oil tank in a cleaning loop. The transport in the cleaning loop includes adding at least one liquid separation aid to contaminated lubricant oil; supplying contaminated lubricant oil to a three-phase centrifugal separator; continuously separating contaminants from the lubricant oil in the separator and continuously discharging a first liquid phase including purified lubricant oil from a liquid light phase outlet of the separator, continuously discharging a second liquid phase including solid contaminants from a liquid heavy phase outlet of the separator and continuously discharging a sludge phase from a sludge outlet by the aid of a conveyor screw of the three-phase separator. The method further includes transporting the first liquid phase including purified oil back to the lubricant oil tank. The present invention further provides a system for carrying out the method.

A centrifuge rotor having a curved shape is offset on a spinning rotor base and creates contiguous areas of low to high centrifugal force depending on the distances from the axis of the rotor base and a method of separating components in a fluid based upon a difference in density of the components, the method comprising the steps of providing to a rotor as described herein the fluid containing the mixed together components to be separated based upon the difference in density of the mixed together components; continuously flowing the components in the fluid to the rotor through an input tube connected to the input port while the rotor is spinning about a centrifugal axis of rotation; separating the components in the fluid into fractions based upon the difference in density of the mixed together components with the use of centrifugal force when the rotor is spinning; collecting components having i) a first density via a first tube connected to the output port at the first end on the rotor, ii) a second density via a second tube connected to the output port at the second end on the rotor, iii) a third density via a third tube connected to the output port at the junction on the rotor and iv) a fourth density via a fourth tube connected to the output port between the input port and the output port at the first end.

A centrifugal separator includes a rotor arrangement and a drive arrangement. A user of electric energy is arranged in the rotor arrangement. The centrifugal separator includes a rotary transformer, the rotary transformer including a transformer stator and a transformer rotor. The transformer stator and the transformer rotor are arranged adjacent to each other with an airgap therebetween. The transformer rotor includes a secondary coil and is rotatable together with the rotor arrangement. The secondary coil is electrically connected to the user of electric energy arranged in the rotor arrangement for providing the user of electric energy with an electric current. The user of electric energy may be an actuator, and/or a sensor, and/or a control unit.

The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

A hand device includes: a first hand fixed to a robot arm; a second hand that has a workpiece stage on which a workpiece is placed and that is coupled to the first hand; a positioning mechanism that positions the second hand relative to the first hand when the second hand is to be coupled to the first hand; and a coupling mechanism that couples the second hand having been positioned by the positioning mechanism to the first hand, and uncouples the second hand from the first hand, wherein the hand device is configured to clamp the workpiece between the first hand and the second hand by moving at least a part of the first hand toward the second hand.