Herein a centrifugal separator is disclosed. The centrifugal separator includes a housing, a spindle, and a rotor. The spindle is only journalled in a bearing arrangement fixedly positioned in the housing at the first axial end portion. The centrifugal separator includes a seal arranged between the spindle and the housing. The seal is arranged at a distance from the bearing arrangement where the spindle is subjected to deflection. The seal includes a cylindrical inner surface associated with the housing, a circular slot in the spindle or in a rotating member associated with the spindle, and a piston ring arranged in the slot and abutting against the cylindrical inner surface.

Herein a centrifugal separator is disclosed. The centrifugal separator includes a housing, a spindle, and a rotor. The spindle is only journalled in a bearing arrangement fixedly positioned in the housing at the first axial end portion. The centrifugal separator includes a seal arranged between the spindle and the housing. The seal is arranged at a distance from the bearing arrangement where the spindle is subjected to deflection. The seal includes a cylindrical inner surface associated with the housing, a circular slot in the spindle or in a rotating member associated with the spindle, and a piston ring arranged in the slot and abutting against the cylindrical inner surface.

A disc-type centrifuge is configured to use clean water as sealing water to be supplied at high pressure to a sealing mechanism unit. A pump is disposed on a circulation pathway connecting a sealing water tank, in which the sealing water is stored, and the sealing mechanism unit. The sealing water (clean water) is circulated between the sealing water tank and the sealing mechanism unit by the pump. The pump is connected to the drive shaft of a motor that supplies a driving force to a rotating shaft and bowl and is configured so that the pump is operated by receiving the driving force of the motor.

A rotor assembly (10, 150, 270, 310) and method of using the rotor assembly (10, 150, 270, 310). The rotor assembly (10, 150, 270, 310) includes a bio-process bag (48), a drum (46) that receives a lower portion of the bag (48), and a pressure ring (50). A holder (54, 182) couples an upper portion of the bag (48) to the pressure ring (50). The pressure ring (50) is coupled to the drum (46) to define an interior space that contains the bag (48). A liquid transport assembly (35, 178, 272) passes through an opening in the holder (54, 182) so that liquids can be added to, and removed from, the bag (48) without removing the rotor (16, 154) from the centrifuge. A bearing assembly (190) in the holder (54, 182) couples the liquid transport assembly (35, 178, 272) to the rotor (16, 154), and enables the liquid transport assembly (35, 178, 272) to remain stationary while the rotor (16, 154) rotates around it. One or more seal assemblies (276, 312) provide a fluid-tight seal against the outer portion of the liquid transport assembly (35, 178, 272), and prevent fluids from leaking from the bag (48) during centrifugation.

A rotor assembly (10, 150, 270, 310) and method of using the rotor assembly (10, 150, 270, 310). The rotor assembly (10, 150, 270, 310) includes a bio-process bag (48), a drum (46) that receives a lower portion of the bag (48), and a pressure ring (50). A holder (54, 182) couples an upper portion of the bag (48) to the pressure ring (50). The pressure ring (50) is coupled to the drum (46) to define an interior space that contains the bag (48). A liquid transport assembly (35, 178, 272) passes through an opening in the holder (54, 182) so that liquids can be added to, and removed from, the bag (48) without removing the rotor (16, 154) from the centrifuge. A bearing assembly (190) in the holder (54, 182) couples the liquid transport assembly (35, 178, 272) to the rotor (16, 154), and enables the liquid transport assembly (35, 178, 272) to remain stationary while the rotor (16, 154) rotates around it. One or more seal assemblies (276, 312) provide a fluid-tight seal against the outer portion of the liquid transport assembly (35, 178, 272), and prevent fluids from leaking from the bag (48) during centrifugation.

A centrifugal separator is configured for processing a product by separating a relatively, heavy component and a relatively light component therefrom. The centrifugal separator includes a spindle supported by a stationary frame, A drive unit acts on a rotating member mounted on the spindle to rotate the spindle. A centrifuge rotor mounted to the spindle encloses a separation space. An upper bearing housing is mounted to the stationary frame and supports bearings including an outer bearing ring attached to the upper bearing housing and an inner bearing ring attached to the spindle. The upper bearing housing is mounted to the stationary frame via an elastic member permitting the upper bearing housing and the spindle to move radially, and via an upper tilting member permitting the spindle to tilt during operation of the centrifugal separator.

A centrifugal separator is configured for processing a product by separating a relatively, heavy component and a relatively light component therefrom. The centrifugal separator includes a spindle supported by a stationary frame, A drive unit acts on a rotating member mounted on the spindle to rotate the spindle. A centrifuge rotor mounted to the spindle encloses a separation space. An upper bearing housing is mounted to the stationary frame and supports bearings including an outer bearing ring attached to the upper bearing housing and an inner bearing ring attached to the spindle. The upper bearing housing is mounted to the stationary frame via an elastic member permitting the upper bearing housing and the spindle to move radially, and via an upper tilting member permitting the spindle to tilt during operation of the centrifugal separator.

A separator for separating a flowable suspension in a centrifugal field into at least two flowable phases of different density. The separator includes a housing, which is stationary during operation and is designed as a tank having at least three openings. The three openings include an inlet for an inflowing suspension and two outlets vertically spaced apart from each other for flowable phases of different density. Annular spaces of the housing are associated with the two outlets. A rotatable drum is arranged within the housing and has a vertical axis of rotation. The drum has three openings, corresponding to the openings of the housing. A multi-part support and drive device, which keeps the drum suspended within the housing, is supported and is set into rotation. An air gap is formed vertically between the two outlets and annular spaces of the housing during operation. The air gap is not filled with one of the outflowing phases during operation when the drum is rotating.

A separator for separating a flowable suspension in a centrifugal field into at least two flowable phases of different density. The separator includes a housing, which is stationary during operation and is designed as a tank having at least three openings. The three openings include an inlet for an inflowing suspension and two outlets vertically spaced apart from each other for flowable phases of different density. Annular spaces of the housing are associated with the two outlets. A rotatable drum is arranged within the housing and has a vertical axis of rotation. The drum has three openings, corresponding to the openings of the housing. A multi-part support and drive device, which keeps the drum suspended within the housing, is supported and is set into rotation. An air gap is formed vertically between the two outlets and annular spaces of the housing during operation. The air gap is not filled with one of the outflowing phases during operation when the drum is rotating.

Embodiments of a portable and compact centrifugal system with methods of energy efficient centrifugation are described. The centrifugal system may be used to separate biological samples contained in conventional laboratory tubes and may be powered by a set of battery cells. The centrifugal system may comprise a vibration damping system which may comprise a tuned mass damper with a damper mass, a damper wall, and an elastic coupler. Many features such as the device's voltages, vibration damping methods, firmware, circuitry, component placement, and material required careful consideration, experimentation, and selection to converge into a functional product. Centrifugation of biological samples typically requires bulky instruments that cannot be readily moved, which can prove inconvenient for remote areas and third world countries. Biological sample quality also degrades outside the body over time, so immediate access to a centrifugal system can improve sample quality.