Improvements to Centrifuge Apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus used to allow separation of one or more components from a liquid supplied to the apparatus and then, following use of the apparatus, the one or more separated components can be used for further purposes. The apparatus includes a rotatable shaft to which is mounted one or more columns which rotate with the shaft and which also rotate about their own axes and through which the liquid passes. The columns are provided with liquid from flying lead assemblies and the invention provides improved connecting means between the columns and flying lead assemblies to allow the same to be modular. An improved cooling system is also disclosed.

Claims

1. Centrifuge apparatus including a drive shaft and at least one column provided to be rotated by the shaft around the same, said apparatus further comprising: a flying lead assembly to allow passage of a liquid introduced into the apparatus and allow separation of one or more components from the liquid, wherein connection means are provided for attaching the flying lead assembly to the at least one column to allow the flying lead assembly and/or column to be modular.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flying lead assembly and column modules are interchangeable with a remainder of the apparatus.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection means form and maintain a pathway for the liquid and the liquid dynamics between the flying lead assembly and the column.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection means are provided so as to achieve connection with a range of columns of different shapes.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection means are reusable.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the connection means include an insert part which is located in the liquid pathway.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the insert part regulates the liquid pressure as it passes through the connection means.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a thickness of the insert part is adapted so as to provide a specific regulation of the pressure by a particular insert part.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the same form of insert part is used in one or more further liquid paths of the apparatus to balance the apparatus in use.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection means includes a locking mechanism to lock the connection means when in position for use on the apparatus.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one columns are square, elliptical or rectangular in cross-section and have smooth or corrugated side walls.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an interior of the at least one column includes a perforated plate material.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sleeve is provided in which the at least one column is received and a resin material is introduced and located between an inner surface of the sleeve and an outer surface of the at least one column.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a bobbin is provided for use with the at least one column and allows the at least one column to be formed by winding material in position with respect to the bobbin and with the said winding material held in substantially constant tension.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein first and second columns are provided in connection with the drive shaft and located on substantially opposing sides of the drive shaft so as to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft as the drive shaft is driven to rotate about the longitudinal axis.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said at least one columns are rotatable about their respective axes so as to allow separation of at least one component from the liquid passing through the said at least one columns.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes one or more fan assemblies which are provided to be rotated at least during part of a time during which the drive shaft is rotated.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein rotation of the drive shaft is achieved via a motor connected to the drive shaft via a drive assembly.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the motor is located externally of an enclosure in which the said drive shaft and at least one columns are located.

20. Centrifuge apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a shaft which is driven to rotate about its longitudinal axis and at least first and second columns located on opposing sides of the shaft and attached to but offset from the shaft and rotated about the said longitudinal axis, said first and second columns rotatable about their respective longitudinal axes so as to allow separation of at least one component from a liquid supplied from flying lead assemblies and connection means to and through the columns and wherein the apparatus includes one or more fan assemblies which are provided to be rotated at least during part of a time in which the shaft is rotated.

21. The centrifuge apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the one or more fan assemblies are continuously rotated during rotation of the shaft.

22. The centrifuge apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the said one or more fan assemblies are provided at or adjacent to the shaft and/or columns of the apparatus.

23. The centrifuge apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the one or more fan assemblies are located so as to encourage air to enter from externally of an enclosure in which the shaft and first and second columns are located and pass through an interior of the enclosure as an airflow which provides a cooling effect on the shaft as it is rotated and thereby reduce heat created by rotation of the shaft.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the enclosure wall, floor and/or ceiling are provided with one or more inlets and/or vents to further encourage the air to flow in a desired path through the enclosure and provide the cooling effect on the shaft.

Description

[0031] Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrate a first embodiment of the connecting means of the interface between a column of the centrifuge apparatus and flying lead assembly;

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section along line AA of the connector of FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of the inner components of the connector of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates centrifuge apparatus in accordance with one embodiment; and

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates an enclosure and air flow paths of the apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates centrifuge apparatus 1 in accordance with one embodiment in elevation. The apparatus includes a body 3 in which is located a shaft 5 with a longitudinal axis 7 which is connected to a motor which drive the shaft to rotate the same about the longitudinal axis 7.

[0038] Located in connection with the shaft 5 are first and second columns 4, 4′ which are located so as to rotate with the shaft 5 and which also have their own respective longitudinal axis 9. 9′ and the column 4 is also driven to rotate about the axis 9 and the column 4′ is driven to rotate about the axis 9′. Liquid is supplied to pass through the respective columns 4, 4′ as the rotation occurs in order to allow one or more components to be separated from the liquid. The liquid is supplied to the columns via flying lead assemblies 6, one of which is shown and which include liquid passages or leads therein to allow the liquid to be supplied and extracted from the columns whilst allowing the rotation of the same to occur.

[0039] A feature which allows the successful use of the centrifuge apparatus, is the designs of the column 4, 4′ configuration and the interface between the flying lead assembly 6 and the column.

[0040] In particular, it is desirable to be able to use columns which have a shape other than circular in cross section such as, for example, the use of square/rectangular section extruded tube which would allow an increase in the column capacity and hence increase the capacity of the apparatus. Another possibility is the use of corrugated tube to form the walls of the column and thereby improve mixing efficiency. Other forms of shape could include elliptical extrusions and various cross sectional areas but in each case the common problem is the interface between the flying lead assembly and the column of whatever shape as, in order to transition from the column to the transit flying leads a connection means is required which is fluid tight and resistant to wear.

[0041] The connection means, column and/or flying lead assembly in a form which allows the same to be modular inasmuch that the same can be relatively easily separated and replaced without intervention in the remainder of the apparatus and, preferably, with the out the use of tools.

[0042] In accordance with the invention there is provided a connecting means which allows these features to be achieved and an example of one embodiment is described with reference to the Figures.

[0043] The columns in accordance with the invention can have increased capacity of up to, for example, 20 litres or greater and the same may be formed of selected materials such as aluminium alloys, titanium, other alloys, carbon fibre and/or by using 3D printing techniques.

[0044] In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a connecting means 2 for use in the transition between a column 4 of rectangular cross section and a flying lead assembly 6 which is circular in cross section. The connecting means is provided with a channel 8 which allows the passage of fluid there along between the column 4 and flying lead assembly 6 and, at a first end 10, has an engagement formation shaped to receive the end 12 of the column 4 therein. At the opposing end 14 there is an engagement formation shaped to receive the end 16 of the flying lead assembly 6 therein. Intermediate the ends 10,14 there is provided a transition portion 18 which allows the smooth transition between the respective cross sectional shapes whilst minimising the impact on the fluid flow along the channel 8. It should be appreciated that the connecting means can be formed to allow transition between other cross sectional shapes such as from square column to round, corrugated column to round, or elliptical column to round. In addition, or alternatively, the connecting means can be adapted to allow the transition between different materials used to form the column or flying leads such as polymer to stainless steel.

[0045] The connecting means 2 is required to allow the secure location of the same with the flying lead assembly 6 and as shown in FIG. 2 this is achieved using a push fit locking means 20 and which is shown in more detail in FIG. 3.

[0046] The locking means 20 includes formations 22 on the end 14 of the connecting means 2 and formations 24 on a collar 26 located on the flying lead assembly. First 28 and second 30 outer collars overlie the formations 22, 24 end 14 of the connecting means and collar 26 and act, in combination when engaged together, as the outer securing mechanism for the locking means to retain the same in position in a secure and fluid tight manner. The first and second collars 28, 30 are not shown in FIG. 3 for ease of illustration.

[0047] The outer formations 22, 24 respectively receive therein a securing ring which secures the respective parts 14, 26 in position and the inner formations 22, 24 locate on the flying lead assembly 6,

[0048] An insert 34 is provided and located around the interior wall 36 of the flying lead assembly 6 and interior wall 38 of the end 14 of the connecting means such that the insert extends along the interface between the parts 14 and 26 to enable the fluid pathway at this interface to be relatively smooth and crevice free in order to avoid disruption to the fluid flow. In addition, the insert can be selectively formed so as to allow the same to act as a regulator with respect to the fluid. For example, if different materials and/or cross sectional formats are used for the column and/or with different volumes and dimensions, the pressure across the column and at the flying lead may be different. Thus, the insert can be used as a means of regulation by forming the same with the appropriate dimensions to standardise the fluid passage up and down stream.

[0049] For example, the pressure can be balanced by using different insert dimensions, typically the thickness of the same.

[0050] In addition to the above features the apparatus can include an air cooling system as illustrated in FIG. 5 in which there is shown an enclosure 40 in which the centrifuge apparatus 1 is located as shown. The enclosure is typically provided with a door which is shut during operation of the centrifuge apparatus and heat can build up during use of the centrifuge apparatus and in particular at the rotating shaft 5. In accordance with this embodiment there are provided fan assemblies 42, in this case two assemblies, which in this embodiment are located adjacent vents 44, 46 in the enclosure 40. The fan assemblies can be selected and located in order to generate an air flow path 48 which is generated and controlled in order to allow the cooling air from externally of the enclosure to enter the enclosure at vent 44 and pass the apparatus and in particular around the shaft 5 to cool the same and then leave the enclosure via vent 46. The number and location of the fan assemblies and vents may be selected in dependence upon the cooling effect which is required and/or the size of housing. In one embodiment there may be provided an external cooled air source in connection with an inlet vent to the enclosure.