Centrifugally activated tube rotator mechanism and method for using the same
US6135940A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 11, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB04B5/0414
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for use in a centrifuge apparatus to rotate a fluid tube about its longitudinal axis while the rotor of the centrifuge apparatus is rotating the fluid tube in a rotational direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The apparatus comprises a cam which is mechanically coupled to the fluid tube, and a cam follower configured to apply a driving force to the cam to cause the cam to rotate, which in turn rotates the fluid tube about its longitudinal axis. The cam follower applies the driving force to the cam in response to changes in the magnitude of centrifugal force applied to the cam follower caused by increases and decreases in the speed of rotation of the rotor. The centrifuge apparatus can therefore obtain optical readings of the centrifuged sample from different locations about the circumference of the fluid tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.