A rotor for use in a centrifuge, and a method for balancing the rotor. The rotor includes a plurality of apertures arranged circumferentially around the rotor's axis of rotation, each configured to selectively receive a weight. A critical speed is determined for the rotor, and an imbalance determined for the rotor at a test speed below the critical speed. A trial weight is installed in a reference aperture, and another imbalance determined at the test speed. The trial weight is repeatedly moved to another aperture angularly displaced from the previous aperture, and the imbalance measured at the test speed until a predetermined number of imbalance measurements have been obtained. A target mass and location for balancing the rotor is determined from the imbalance measurements, and balancing weights installed in apertures based on the target mass and location. The balancing process may be repeated for multiple critical frequencies.

The invention relates to a centrifuge (10), comprising a rotor (12), a drive shaft (14), on which the rotor (12) is supported, a motor (18), which drives the rotor (12) by means of the drive shaft (14), a supporting unit (30) having damping elements (36), each of which comprises a spring axis (36a), which supporting unit supports a rotational unit (19), which comprises the motor (18) together with the drive shaft (14) and the rotor (12), a sensor unit (82, 84) for sensing the rotational speed, a distance sensor (80) for determining imbalances of the rotational unit (19), which rotational unit rotates about an axis of rotation (14a), an acceleration sensor (88) for determining imbalances of the rotational unit (19), and a control and evaluation unit (90), which evaluates the data of the sensors (80, 82, 88), wherein the distance sensor (80) senses distance changes in an operative axis (36b). The invention is characterized in that the operative axis (36b) is oriented in relation to the axis of rotation (14a) in such a way that an angle between the operative axis (36b) and the axis of rotation (14a) of less than 90° including 0° results, at least in a projection onto a plane parallel to the operative axis (36b) and through the axis of rotation (14a).

The invention relates to a centrifuge (10) with a housing (12), in which a rotor (32) for receiving a sample that is to be centrifuged is arranged. The rotor (32) is driven by the drive shaft (22) during operation of the centrifuge (10) and rotates about a rotation axis (30). The rotor (32) has a first, rotor-side transceiver unit, which is excited by an electric field, thus inducing voltage in the first transceiver unit (48). The first transceiver unit (48) is associated with a second, housing-side transceiver unit (62), which is connected to a voltage source. The two transceiver units (48, 62) are connected to a transceiver antenna (52, 64) each, and the transceiver units (48, 62) and the transceiver antennas (62, 64) are in each case arranged on an annular support (46, 60) concentrically with the rotation axis (30).

A method of testing a sensing device with a sensing mass includes accelerating the sensing device along a circular path about a central axis. The sensing mass of the sensing device may be movable relative to the central axis. The method includes determining a position of the sensing mass of the sensing device via a sensor and shifting the sensing device radially relative to the central axis based at least in part on the position of the sensing mass during acceleration.

A vibration isolation holding device includes a body portion and an abutment member. The abutment member is arranged between the body portion and a bearing housing, and has an abutment surface abutting on the bearing housing, when a cartridge is held. A biasing member is disposed between the abutment member and the body portion. An interval between the body portion and the abutment member is regulated by a first regulating portion to be shorter than a natural length of the biasing member.

A centrifugal field-flow fractionation device 1 includes a rotation unit 10, a rotation sensor 41, a first vibration sensor 51, a second vibration sensor 52, and an imbalance amount calculation unit 312. When an imbalance occurs in the rotation unit 10, the imbalance amount calculation unit 312 calculates the imbalance amount, based on a detection signal from the rotation sensor 41, a detection signal from the first vibration sensor 51, and a detection signal from the second vibration sensor 52. That is, when an imbalance occurs in the rotation unit 10, the imbalance is calculated by the configuration in the centrifugal field-flow fractionation device 1.

An automatic processing device for liquid samples includes a sample region, a control module, an image identification device and a centrifuge. The sample region is configured to accommodate a plurality of centrifuge tubes. The control module includes a mechanical module. The mechanical module is configured to unscrew or tighten upper caps of the centrifuge tubes, and is configured to draw liquid from the centrifuge tubes or discharge liquid to the centrifuge tubes. The image identification device is coupled to the control module. The centrifuge is coupled to the control module. The centrifuge is configured to accommodate the centrifuge tubes and perform centrifugal treatment.

A vibration isolation holding device includes a body portion and an abutment member. The abutment member is arranged between the body portion and a bearing housing, and has an abutment surface abutting on the bearing housing, when a cartridge is held. A biasing member is disposed between the abutment member and the body portion. An interval between the body portion and the abutment member is regulated by a first regulating portion to be shorter than a natural length of the biasing member.

Accurate measurement of acceleration caused by imbalance in the balance of a rotor is realized even in high-speed rotation with an acceleration sensor which has a processing speed required in low-speed rotation and a control unit. A centrifuge according to the present invention includes a rotor, a drive source for rotating the rotor, a rotating shaft for coupling the rotor and the drive source, an acceleration sensor, and a control unit. The acceleration sensor outputs values indicating acceleration in two different directions which are perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotating shaft. The control unit obtains an acceleration corresponding value, which is a value corresponding to acceleration in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft, based on values indicating acceleration in the two different directions and stops rotation of the rotor in a case where the acceleration corresponding value satisfies a determination criteria.

Damage caused by displacement of a rotating shaft is prevented with an acceleration sensor. A centrifuge according to the present invention includes a rotor, a driving source that rotates the rotor, a rotating shaft that links the rotor with the driving source, an acceleration sensor, and a control unit. The acceleration sensor outputs a value indicating acceleration in at least two different directions which are orthogonal to an axial direction of the rotating shaft. The control unit obtains a displacement conversion value corresponding to a value, which is obtained by dividing a value which is proportional to acceleration based on a value indicating acceleration and outputted by the acceleration sensor, by a value which is proportional to a square of an angular velocity of the rotor, and stops rotation of the rotor when the displacement conversion value satisfies a displacement determination criterion which is predetermined and indicates that displacement is large.