Centrifuge Apparatus

Abstract

A flying leads assembly includes a flying lead having an inner layer which forms a liquid passage and an outer layer which acts as a sacrificial layer in use, thereby allowing integrity of the passage to be maintained for a long period of time. A further layer is provided intermediate the inner and outer layers which can be used to provide support to the assembly. The flying lead assembly, or a number of assemblies, are then located in a guide with lubricant material.

Claims

1. A centrifuge apparatus including an inlet for the supply of one or more liquids provided to pass through the apparatus, at least one pump to allow the fluid to be pumped into and through a plurality of flying lead assemblies, a rotatable centrifuge body through which the said flying lead assemblies pass and from which one or more separated components of the said liquid are collected via outlets of the said flying lead assemblies, and at least one of the said flying lead assemblies includes an inner layer which defines a passage for liquid to flow therealong and at least one further layer which acts as the outer layer of the flying lead assembly, wherein the outer layer acts as a sacrificial layer of the flying lead assembly during use of the apparatus.

2. (canceled)

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the outer layer is laminated to an external surface of a wall of the said inner layer.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the said outer layer extends between opposing ends of the said passage.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the said at least one flying lead assembly includes at least one further layer which is located intermediate said inner and outer layers.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the at least one further layer acts to provide support and/or greater rigidity for the at least one flying lead assembly.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of said flying lead assemblies are provided and accommodated within and along a guide channel.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein a lubricant material is provided in a cavity formed between the outer layer of at least one flying lead assemblies located in a guide channel and an inner surface of a wall of the said guide channel.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the lubricant material is trapped within the cavity by seals provided at opposing ends of the guide channel.

10. A flying lead assembly, said assembly including a passage defined by an inner layer and along which a liquid can pass between opposing ends of the passage and wherein the assembly includes an outer, layer which extends at least partially between the said opposing ends and forms an external surface of the flying lead assembly wherein the outer layer acts as a sacrificial layer of the said flying lead assembly.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the assembly includes a further layer located intermediate the inner and outer layers.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said outer layer is laminated to the external surface of the inner layer or further layer when provided, at least at or adjacent to the opposing ends of the passage.

13. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the outer layer is formed of a polymer material.

14. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein a plurality of flying lead assemblies are located along a guide channel.

15. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the flying lead assembly and/or guide channel are provided as, part of a cassette which is selectively removable from the apparatus to allow the same to be replaced or repaired.

Description

[0022] Specific embodiments of the invention are now described; wherein

[0023] FIGS. 1a-d illustrate centrifuge apparatus in a format with which the flying lead assemblies in accordance with the invention can be used; and

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates views of the guide channels for flying lead assemblies in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates part of the guide channel with flying lead assemblies located therein in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

[0026] FIGS. 4a-c illustrates embodiments of flying lead assemblies in accordance with the invention.

[0027] Referring firstly to FIG. 1a there is illustrated centrifuge apparatus 2 in one format. The apparatus 2 includes a centrifuge body 4, an example of which is shown in FIGS. 1b-d and which is intended to be rotated at high speeds, for example in excess of 2000 rpm. The centrifuge body 4 is located in a housing 6 for protection and control of environmental conditions such as temperature. A control system 8 is provided in the housing along with a motor (not shown) to allow controlled rotation of the body 4. Liquid reservoirs 10 are connected to an inlet 12 to allow the required liquid to enter into the centrifuge body via pump unit 14 and flying leads 16 which are located in guide channels 17 and an outlet 18 allow the separated liquid components to leave the centrifuge body 4 and be collected at collection apparatus 20 and stored for subsequent use.

[0028] The centrifuge body 4 is mounted on a support wall of the housing and has a shaft 19 which is driven by a motor via a drive belt The flying lead assemblies 16 pass through the centrifuge body 4 and into planetary parts 21, 23 which are themselves rotatable about respective axes 25, 27 and are rotated with respect to the shaft 19 so as to allow the separation of the liquid into liquid components within the flying lead assemblies.

[0029] Turning now to the guide channels 17 for the flying lead assemblies 16 in accordance with the invention, these are shown in more detail in FIG. 2 and typically are formed of relatively rigid material such as stainless steel but could also be made of, for example, a relatively rigid polymer, and are secured to the body 4 via flanges 29 and securing bolts.

[0030] With reference now to FIG. 3, the interior 31 of the guide channel 17 is shown in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. It will be seen that within and along the guide channel interior 31 there are provided, in this embodiment, two flying lead assemblies 16, 16′ and in the cavity 33 between the outer walls of the flying lead assemblies and the inner surface 35 of the guide channel there is provided a lubricant material, such as grease.

[0031] The flying lead assemblies are free to move about inside the guide channel 17 but their movement is constrained at the opposing ends of the guide channel. In order to reduce the effect of wear on the flying lead assemblies which can be caused by the primary contact with the inner surface 35 of the guide channel, the inner surface 35 is typically coated with a polymer such as PTFE.

[0032] The interior passage 31 extends along the length of the guide channel and along which the flying lead assemblies 16, 16′, and the liquid therein, passes.

[0033] FIGS. 4a-c illustrate cross sectional elevations of a number of embodiments of a flying lead assembly 16 in accordance with the invention. In FIG. 4a, the flying lead assembly comprises a core inner layer 22 which defines the passage 24 along which the liquid passes. In FIG. 4a there is also provided an outer layer 26 of a relatively hard wearing material, such as PTFE, and, in use this acts as a sacrificial layer inasmuch that it will wear over time but, as this layer forms the outer surface of the flying lead assembly and is therefore the surface which is in contact with the causes of the wear, such as other flying lead assemblies and/or the guide channel, the wear of this outer layer prevents the wear of the inner core layer 22 and hence protects the material of the inner layer 22 from being worn during use. This, in turn, maintains the integrity of the core passage 24 and prevents leakage of liquid from the same and so enhances and increases the lifetime of the flying lead assembly in comparison to the conventional single layer flying lead.

[0034] In FIGS. 4b and 4c the inner core layer 22 is again provided, as is the outer layer 26, but, in FIG. 4b, an intermediate layer 28 is provided.

[0035] In FIG. 4c a further intermediate layer 30 is provided.

[0036] In one embodiment the said outer layer 26 and, when provided intermediate layers 28,30 can be provided separately to the inner layer and/or each other. Alternatively the one or more layers may be joined together, perhaps by lamination, at least partially along their length, and typically at least at the opposing ends, so that the said layers are integrally connected in use.

[0037] In both embodiments the intermediate layers 28, 30 are preferably formed of a material which has greater rigidity and/or strength than at least one of the inner layer 22 and/or outer layer 26 in order to provide increased structural support and/or rigidity for the flying lead assembly. Typically the use of one or both intermediate layers 28, 30 and/or the materials used to form the same is selected with reference to the particular size requirements and/or particular forms of the centrifuge apparatus in which the flying lead assemblies are to be used.

[0038] Typically both of the flying lead 16.16′ are formed with an inner layer 22 and outer layer 26 and most typically the same form of flying leads assemblies are used along the same guide channel.

[0039] In one embodiment each flying lead assembly 16, 16′ can be provided as a replaceable cassette alone, or alternatively the flying guide assemblies 16,16′ can be provided as a combined cassette to be replaced together or alternatively the flying lead assemblies 16,16′ and guide channel 17 can be provided as a combine cassette, so as to allow the same to removed and replaced.

[0040] In each option, the cassette can be replaced at fixed time intervals and thereby avoids the need as is conventionally the case of having to thread individual flying leads through the apparatus when there is a failure or leakage of a flying lead. This thereby allowing the regular maintenance of the flying lead assemblies to be achieved on site and by non-skilled personnel.

[0041] As such this invention allows greater flexibility in use of the flying lead assembly and the design of the same in terms of different column configurations and connectivity to suit particular usage and environments.