A centrifuge (10) and a method for preventing the ignition of combustible temperature control media in centrifuges (10) after a crash of the centrifuge rotor are presented. Ignition is prevented by the release of a protective gas in the event of a crash. More precisely, the released protective gas forms a flow that displaces the oxygen, distributes the escaping temperature control medium and fundamentally changes the momentary ratio of the concentration of oxygen to temperature control medium in such a manner that no ignition can take place either inside or outside the centrifuge (10). Thereby, combustible temperature control media can be used without safety concerns for controlling the temperature of centrifuges (10).

A centrifugal field-flow fractionation device includes: a rotor having a rotation axis, the rotor being provided to be rotatable about the rotation axis; a cover covering the rotor; a protective member arranged inside the cover to over the rotor about the rotation axis; a shock-absorbing member arranged between the protective member and the cover; and a fixing part provided in a breakable manner to fix the protective member to the cover. The rotor is arranged such that the rotation axis orients in a horizontal direction. In a case where a part of the rotor disintegrates and is brought into contact with the protective member during the rotation of the rotor, the fixing part breaks to cause the protective member and the shock-absorbing member to move with the rotor while receiving the impact of the rotor to buffer the kinetic energy of the rotor.

A centrifuge (10) and a method for preventing the ignition of combustible tempering media in centrifuges (10) after a crash of the centrifuge rotor are presented. Ignition is prevented by the release of a protective gas in the event of a crash. More precisely, the released protective gas forms a flow that displaces the oxygen, distributes the escaping tempering medium and fundamentally changes the momentary ratio of the concentration of oxygen to tempering medium in such a manner that no ignition can take place either inside or outside the centrifuge (10). This means that combustible tempering media can also be used without safety concerns within the scope of controlling the temperature of centrifuges (10).

A housing of a centrifuge having an abutment for a ground on which the housing sits, as well as to a centrifuge. The housing is divided into two parts, i.e. a first housing and a second housing which is connected to the first housing via a pivot bearing, with at least one energy absorber being arranged between the first housing and the second housing, which energy absorber will counteract the forces, in particular the torques, generated in the event of a crash and will absorb the energy of the crash so as to prevent at least the part of the second housing which rests on the ground from moving relative to the ground, which pivot bearing allows the first housing to rotate relative to the second housing against the action of the one or plural energy absorber(s) which is/are separate from the pivot bearing.

A system for the continuous monitoring of wear and/or pressure within a gravity concentrator/centrifugal separator [10] is disclosed. The system may comprise a gravity concentrator/centrifugal separator [10] having a cone [30], rotor housing shell [20], and water jacket [40]. At least one detector [34] may be provided to at least one of the cone [30], rotor housing shell [20], and water jacket [40]. At least one integrated or handheld sensor [60] may be provided adjacent to portions of the gravity concentrator/centrifugal separator [10], the sensor [60] being configured to communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with the at least one detector [34] during operation of the gravity concentrator/centrifugal separator [10]. In use, the cone [30] may wear away and ultimately affect a function of the least one detector [34]. In use, pressure changes within the water jacket [40] may change and ultimately affect a function (e.g., an output signal) of the least one detector [34]. The at least one sensor [60] may be configured to monitor said function(s) of the least one detector [34]. When the at least one sensor [60] detects a change in the signal of the at least one detector [34], an operator or control system may be notified that maintenance or cone [30] replacement may be necessary; and/or an operator or control system may be notified that one or more operational inputs may need to be adjusted to obtain peak performance of the gravity concentrator/centrifugal separator [10].

A housing of a centrifuge having an abutment for a ground on which the housing sits, as well as to a centrifuge. The housing is divided into two parts, i.e. a first housing and a second housing which is connected to the first housing via a pivot bearing, with at least one energy absorber being arranged between the first housing and the second housing, which energy absorber will counteract the forces, in particular the torques, generated in the event of a crash and will absorb the energy of the crash so as to prevent at least the part of the second housing which rests on the ground from moving relative to the ground, which pivot bearing allows the first housing to rotate relative to the second housing against the action of the one or plural energy absorber(s) which is/are separate from the pivot bearing.

A centrifugal field-flow fractionation device includes: a rotor having a rotation axis, the rotor being provided to be rotatable about the rotation axis; a cover covering the rotor; a protective member arranged inside the cover to over the rotor about the rotation axis; a shock-absorbing member arranged between the protective member and the cover; and a fixing part provided in a breakable manner to fix the protective member to the cover. The rotor is arranged such that the rotation axis orients in a horizontal direction. In a case where a part of the rotor disintegrates and is brought into contact with the protective member during the rotation of the rotor, the fixing part breaks to cause the protective member and the shock-absorbing member to move with the rotor while receiving the impact of the rotor to buffer the kinetic energy of the rotor.