U.S. patent number 3,724,748 [Application Number 05/014,487] was granted by the patent office on 1973-04-03 for centrifuge indexing seal head assembly and method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Beckman Instruments Inc.. Invention is credited to Kenneth E. Jacobson.
United States Patent |
3,724,748 |
Jacobson |
April 3, 1973 |
CENTRIFUGE INDEXING SEAL HEAD ASSEMBLY AND METHOD
Abstract
An indexing seal head assembly and method for selectively
loading and unloading one or more cells in a multi-cell centrifuge
rotor while the rotor is spinning.
Inventors: |
Jacobson; Kenneth E. (Fremont,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Beckman Instruments Inc.
(N/A)
|
Family
ID: |
21765789 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/014,487 |
Filed: |
February 26, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
494/11; 494/33;
494/84; 494/27; 494/41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B04B
11/00 (20130101); B04B 5/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B04B
5/04 (20060101); B04B 11/00 (20060101); B04B
5/00 (20060101); B04b 011/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;233/1R,1A,1D,14A,16,19R,2R,21,26,27,28 ;222/194 ;417/64 ;23/259
;73/422GC |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Franklin; Jordan
Assistant Examiner: Krizmanich; George H.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a centrifuge including a multi-cell rotor having inlet and
outlet passages connecting with each of its cells, the improvement
comprising: means rotatable with said rotor and having at least a
pair of fluid carrying passages positioned to communicate with the
inlet and outlet passages of each cell, said means being movable to
a multitude of discrete positions for aligning its passages with
said inlet and outlet passages of said rotor cells to selectively
load and unload one rotor cell at a time while the rotor is
spinning.
2. In a centrifuge including a multi-cell rotor having a plurality
of inlet and outlet passageways communicating with each of the
rotor cells, the improvement comprising: means rotatable with said
rotor and having at least a pair of fluid carrying passages
positioned to communicate with the inlet and outlet passages of
each cell, said means being movable to a multitude of discrete
positions for aligning its passages with said inlet and outlet
passages of said rotor cells for selectively loading and unloading
one rotor cell to the exclusion of the remaining cells while the
rotor is spinning.
3. In a centrifuge including a multi-cell rotor having inlet and
outlet passages connecting with each of its cells, and a fluid
carrying conduit outside the rotor the improvement comprising:
means rotatable with said rotor and having at least a pair of fluid
carrying passages positioned to communicate with the inlet and
outlet passages of each cell, said means being movable to a
multitude of positions for aligning its passages with said inlet
and outlet passages of said rotor cells for selectively connecting
in sequence one rotor cell at a time in fluid communication with
the fluid carrying conduit while the rotor is spinning whereby the
rotor may be loaded and unloaded during rotor rotation.
4. In a centrifuge including a multi-cell rotor having inlet and
outlet passages connecting with each of its cells, and a fluid
conduit located outside of the rotor, the improvement comprising:
means coupled to and cooperating with the rotor, said means being
rotatable with said rotor and having at least a pair of fluid
carrying passages positioned to communicate with the inlet and
outlet passages of each cell, said means being movable to a
multitude of positions for aligning its passages with said inlet
and outlet passages of said rotor cells for selectively
interconnecting in sequence each of the rotor cells to the fluid
conduit outside the rotor while the rotor is spinning whereby each
of the rotor cells may be loaded and unloaded without bringing the
rotor to rest.
5. In a centrifuge including a multi-cell rotor, a rotary seal
assembly including a rotary seal member having at least one fluid
carrying passageway carried by and normally rotatable with the
rotor; the improvement comprising: an indexing assembly means
connected to the rotary seal member for selectively interconnecting
the fluid carrying passageway in the rotary seal member with one
rotor cell at a time while the rotor is spinning whereby each cell
may be loaded and unloaded without bringing the rotor to rest.
6. In a centrifuge including a multi-cell rotor, each cell
communicating with at least one fluid carrying passageway formed in
the rotor, a rotary seal assembly including a rotary seal member
normally rotatable with the rotor and having at least one fluid
carrying passageway; the improvement comprising: a first member
slideably secured to and rotatable with said rotary seal for
interconnecting the fluid carrying passageway in the rotary seal
with a rotor passageway associated with a rotor cell; and indexing
means connected to said first member for indexing the first member
and the rotary seal to register the rotary seal passageway in fluid
communication with successive rotor cells while the rotor is
spinning whereby the rotor cells may be loaded and unloaded without
bringing the rotor to rest.
7. An improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein said indexing means
comprises means for momentarily retarding the rotational movement
of the first member and the rotary seal member with respect to that
of the rotor.
8. An improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein said indexing means
comprises means for frictionally engaging the first member to
momentarily retard the rotational movement of the first member and
the rotary seal to cause the position of these latter elements to
slip relative to the rotor.
9. An improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein said indexing means
comprises a braking means for frictionally engaging the first
member to momentarily retard the rotational movement of the first
member and the rotary seal member causing the position of these
latter elements to slip in a rotational direction relative to that
of the rotor and means for vertically moving said first member with
respect to said rotary seal member.
10. An improvement as defined in claim 9 wherein said vertically
moving means comprises a second member movable vertically up and
down and bearing means connected between said first and second
members for translating vertical movement of said second member to
said first member.
11. An improvement as defined in claim 10 wherein said first member
comprises a first cylindrical shaped sleeve having a groove formed
about the surface thereof and comprising a plurality of spaced
upper and lower circumferentially extending segments, the ends of
alternate ones of the circumferentially extending segments being
interconnected by vertically extending segments to form a
continuous groove with one edge of each circumferentially extending
segment corresponding to a rotor cell position and comprising in
addition a lug member carried by a rotor housing and extending
radially into the groove formed in the first member whereby upon
activation of said braking means said lug member is caused to
advance between adjacent vertically extending segments of said
groove.
12. An improvement as defined in claim 11 wherein said second
member comprises a second cylindrical shaped sleeve having a groove
formed about the surface thereof, the geometrical configuration of
the groove being identical with that of the groove formed in the
first cylindrical sleeve so that one edge of each circumferentially
extending segment corresponds to a rotor cell position, and said
second cylindrical sleeve being selectively movable in a rotational
direction to track the position of said first cylindrical
sleeve.
13. An improvement as defined in claim 12 comprising in addition a
stationary housing disposed about said second cylindrical shaped
sleeve and a spherical ball bearing carried by the inside wall of
said housing, said ball bearing cooperating with the groove formed
in said second cylindrical sleeve to enable the latter sleeve to
move both in rotational and vertical directions relative to said
housing.
14. An improvement as defined in claim 13 wherein said housing
includes at least one opening therein exposing a portion of said
second cylindrical sleeve to provide easy access thereto.
15. An improvement as defined in claim 13 wherein said braking
means comprises a brake shoe disposed intermediate said stationary
housing and said first cylindrical sleeve; resilient means normally
urging said brake shoe out of contact with said first sleeve; and,
actuator means connected to said brake shoe and extending outside
of said housing for momentarily urging said brake shoe into
frictional engagement with said first sleeve.
16. An improvement as defined in claim 12 comprising in addition
means connected to said rotary seal fluid passageway for
transmitting sample through said passageway whereby selected rotor
cells may be loaded while the rotor is spinning.
17. A method of loading a multi-cell centrifuge rotor with the
sample to be investigated comprising the steps of (1) spinning the
rotor at a rotational speed above its low speed critical, (2)
registering a cell selection mechanism in communication with one
rotor cell only, (3) introducing sample through the cell selection
mechanism into the selected cell while the rotor is spinning, and
(4) indexing the cell selection mechanism into registry with the
next successive cell without interrupting rotor rotation to permit
such cell to be loaded with sample.
18. A method as defined in claim 17 wherein the indexing step
comprises retarding the normal rotational movement of the cell
selection mechanism relative to that of the rotor.
19. A method as defined in claim 17 comprising in addition
repeating steps (2), (3) and (4) until all of the cells in the
rotor are loaded.
20. A method of selecting one cell of a multi-cell centrifuge rotor
for loading with sample while the rotor is spinning comprising the
steps of spinning the rotor at a rotational speed above its low
speed critical and registering a cell selection assembly which
rotates with the rotor in communication with one rotor cell only
whereby sample may be introduced into the selected cell while the
rotor is rotating.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to centrifuges and more
particularly to an indexing seal head assembly and method for
selectively interconnecting one or more cells of a multi-cell
centrifuge rotor with at least one fluid passageway while the rotor
is spinning to permit the selected rotor cell or cells to be loaded
or unloaded during rotor rotation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Commercially available centrifuges and ultracentrifuges generally
employ either fixed angle, swinging bucket, or zonal rotors
depending upon the nature of the experiment being conducted. Fixed
angle and swinging bucket rotors are loaded and unloaded by the
operator while the rotor is at rest. As the rotor accelerates and
decelerates between rest and its operating speed it passes through
certain critical speeds, known as low speed criticals, in which
vibration occurs. During deceleration this vibration may cause
undesirable mixing and loss of resolution in a sample which had
been centrifugally separated. Moreover, the tubes carrying the
sample normally include generally parallel side walls which produce
undesirable effects because the sample is in part forced against
them during centrifugation. Furthermore, the tubes must often be
handled by the operator of the centrifuge which contributes to
additional loss and resolution.
As for zonal rotors, heretofore it has been the practice to load or
unload all of the sector-shaped compartments simultaneously. Indeed
until the present invention it has been impossible to do otherwise.
Among other limitations, such as the absence of a stabilizing
gravity field during loading and unloading (since present zonal
rotors must be loaded and unloaded at relatively low speeds) this
has meant that only one sample per run could be investigated.
Investigation of other samples required additional runs with
obviously varying conditions making accurate comparisons difficult,
if not impossible. There is, therefore, a great need for an
apparatus capable of loading and unloading selected cells of a
multi-cell centrifuge rotor while the rotor is spinning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention contemplates a method and apparatus for
loading and unloading one or more selected cells of a multi-cell
centrifuge rotor while the rotor is spinning and avoids or
eliminates the aforediscussed problems and concomitant limitations
associated with present loading techniques. The uninterrupted
spinning of the rotor produces a stabilizing gravity field which
permits a plurality of samples to be run under substantially
identical conditions. Moreover, by loading and unloading the rotor
at a speed above its low speed critical, mixing caused by vibration
is eliminated and resolution is substantially improved.
It is in general an object of the present invention to provide a
new and novel method and apparatus for loading and unloading a
centrifuge rotor which avoids the problems encountered with
presently used loading techniques.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method and
apparatus for selectively loading and unloading one or more
selected cells in a multi-cell centrifuge rotor while the rotor is
spinning.
A still additional object of the present invention is to provide an
apparatus including a zonal rotor having a plurality of sector
shaped cells or compartments.
A further object is the provision of an indexing assembly for
selectively interconnecting one or more rotor cells in a multi-cell
rotor with at least one fluid passageway while the rotor is
spinning.
These and other objects and features of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description in which the
preferred embodiment is set forth in detail in conjunction with the
accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a partially exploded, partially broken away, perspective
view of one embodiment of an indexing seal head assembly in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1
taken substantially along line 2--2 with all the passages in
alignment therewith;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of an alternate geometrical groove
configuration which may be used in the rotary indexing sleeve
13.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2
thereof, it will be observed that the indexing seal head assembly
of the present invention comprises, generally speaking, a rotary
indexing sleeve member 12, a stationary indexing sleeve member 13,
a braking means 15 and a housing 14 surrounding these elements to
provide a stationary connection to the centrifuge body. The
indexing seal assembly cooperates with a multi-cell centrifuge
rotor 11 which in the illustrated embodiment takes the form of a
zonal rotor. Rotor 11 is spun at selected speeds through a motor --
drive shaft combination (not shown) connected to the underside of
the rotor 11.
In accordance with the present invention zonal rotor 11 includes a
plurality of sector-shaped compartments (only one of which is
illustrated) which serve as sample cells 19 for containing the
sample to be centrifuged. Compartments or cells 19 are equally
spaced and disposed symmetrically about the rotational axis 17 of
rotor 11 and each includes a pair of radially extending side walls
21, substantially parallel top and bottom walls 22 and 23,
respectively, inner wall 24 and a circumferentially extending outer
edge 26. In the illustrated rotor the upper and lower walls 22, 23
are fabricated of a transparent material, such as clear plastic or
glass to permit observation of the sample within the cell by
suitable optical monitoring means. While for purposes of
description a zonal rotor is shown, it will be appreciated that the
present invention may be readily adapted to be used with all types
of rotors whether they be zonal, fixed angle, or swinging bucket
rotors. Also, it will be understood that the term "cell" as used
herein refers generically to either a sector-shaped compartment of
a zonal rotor, or individual tubes carried by swinging bucket or
fixed angle rotors. Furthermore, the cells may be stacked
vertically, as opposed to arranged horizontally, if desired.
Each cell 19 is associated with one pair of flow passageways 31 and
32 which carry fluid to and from the sector-shaped cell to which
they are connected. Passageways 31 and 32 extend outwardly in a
radial direction with the passageway 31 passing through the inner
wall 24 to communicate with the inner radius of cell 19 and
passageway 32 communicating with the outer edge of cell 19. Fluid
is fed to passageways 31 and 32 by way of inner and outer feed
lines 91 and 92, (FIG. 2) respectively. In practice density
gradient solution, cushion fluid, and displacing solution are fed
through outer feed line 92 and passageway 32 while the sample
solution, overlay, and, after centrifugation, the centrifuged
sample pass through inner line 91 and passageway 31. However, it
will be appreciated that the lines through which these solutions
are transmitted into and removed from the rotor cell 19 may be
varied at the will of the operator.
The sample to be investigated as well as appropriate density
gradient and displacing solutions and cushion fluids are introduced
into feed lines 91 and 92 via tubular conduits 100 and 101,
respectively, which conduits are interconnected with either conduit
102 or conduit 103 by way of four way valve 105. A suitable
gradient pump 104 is inserted in conduit 102 to force gradient
solution through the connecting lines and into the rotor cells.
Conduit 103 communicates via valve 107 with either a sample pump
106 operatively connected to a sample reservoir (not shown) or a
fraction collector (not shown) to collect and store the centrifuged
sample. Instead of a sample pump the sample to be investigated may
be introduced into the system by means of a commercially available
syringe, if desired.
During operation, since the rotor is spun at rapid rotational
speeds, a conventional upper rotating bearing and seal assembly is
employed to provide liquid communication between the stationary and
spinning components of the centrifuge. Generally speaking, this
assembly comprises a cylindrical shaped rotating seal member 36
located beneath a cylindrical stationary seal member 86 and a
resilient coil spring 97 which presses against the upper surface of
stationary seal 86 to urge the lower face of stationary member 86
into sealing engagement with the upper face of rotary member 36
thereby providing a liquid-tight dynamic seal between these
faces.
Rotary seal member 36 is carried by rotor 11 and a seal 43. More
specifically, a U-shaped seal 43 is disposed about the wall of a
similarly shaped wall 28 formed along the rotational axis 17 in the
upper surface of rotor 11. Seal 43 is affixed to the wall of the
well 28 to permit the rotary seal member 36 to slip relative to
rotor 11 (at selected times) and includes a plurality of
circumferential spaced openings 44 and 46 (one pair for each rotor
cell) which communicate with the passageways 31 and 32,
respectively, formed in rotor 11.
Rotary motion is imparted to seal member 36 by rotor 11 via rotary
sleeve 12. In particular, as will be presently discussed in more
detail, sleeve 12 is operatively connected to rotor 11 by a lug 47
and to rotary seal 36 by a pair of diametrically opposed pins 39
(only one of which is shown) each pin of which engages a one side
of a corresponding slot 38 formed in the seal member 36. Thus,
rotor 11 drives sleeve 12 which in turn drives seal 36.
The upper portion of rotary seal 36 projects through a counterbore
29 formed in a hub 27 integrally associated with the upper surface
of rotor 11. Counterbore 29 is slightly larger than well 28 for
receiving rotary sleeve 36 in a manner to be presently
discussed.
Stationary seal member 86 includes two side-by-side passageways 88
and 89, the former of which is formed along the rotational axis 17,
communicating with inner and outer feed lines 91 and 92,
respectively, while rotary seal 36 also includes two side-by-side
passageways 41 and 42 communicating with passageways 88 and 89,
respectively, each of which projects in a L-shaped fashion to
terminate at the outer wall of rotational member 36 at openings 41a
and 42a, respectively. In order to provide continuous communication
between the passageway 89 and passageway 42, in the rotatable seal
36, an annular groove 86a is formed below passageway 89 in the
stationary seal 86 and the inlet to passageway 42 is always in
communication with the groove 86a regardless of the rotational
position of the sleeve 36. Openings 41a and 42a are selectively
aligned (in a manner to be presently described) with one set of
passageways 44 and 46 formed in seal member 43 to provide a pair of
continuous paths to transmit fluid into and out of a rotor cell 19.
More specifically, a first continuous fluid path is defined by
inner feed line 91, passageway 88, passageway 41, opening 41a,
passageways 44 and 31 while a second continuous fluid path is
defined by outer feed line 92, passageway 89, passageway 42,
opening 42a and passageways 46 and 32. Although in the preferred
embodiment only one set of openings 41a and 42a are illustrated, it
will be appreciated that more than one set of openings may be
provided, if desired. Each of the sets of openings may be provided,
if desired. Each of the sets of openings would be connected to
passageways 41 and 42, respectively, and, thus, would enable the
operator to selectively load and unload two or more of the cells 19
simultaneously.
As briefly mentioned above, the indexing seal head assembly
comprises a rotary indexing sleeve member 12, a stationary indexing
sleeve member 13, a braking means 15 and an outer housing 14.
Cylindrical rotary indexing sleeve 12 fits over and about the
rotating seal assembly (consisting of rotary seal 36 and stationary
seal 86) and rests in counterbore 29 filling the remaining space
between the outer surface of rotary seal 36 and the inner wall of
the counterbore 29. Rotary indexing sleeve 12 is fixedly secured to
rotary seal member 36 so as to rotate with it by a pair of
diametrically opposed pins 39 (only one of which is shown) carried
by the indexing sleeve 12. In the preferred embodiment each pin 39
is threadably secured in a small hole drilled through the wall of
sleeve 12. While indexing sleeve 12 is prevented from rotational
movement with respect to the rotary seal 36, these two elements are
still permitted limited relative axial (vertical) movement with
respect to each other. More specifically, the inner surface of
rotary seal member 36 includes a pair of diametrically opposed
(only one of which is shown) short, vertical extending grooves 38
(FIG. 2) into which the pins 39 extend. Consequently, the indexing
sleeve 12 may be moved up and down in a vertical direction relative
to the rotary seal member 36 a distance equal to the length of
grooves 38. Thus, sleeve 12 at all times rotates with rotary seal
member 36, but, may be selectively moved relative thereto in a
vertical direction in a manner to be presently discussed.
To index and hold the rotary seal 36 and indexing sleeve 12
combination in a plurality of selected rotational positions with
respect to the rotor 11 so that openings 41a and 42a may cooperate
with the passageways communicating with different cells 19 in rotor
11, there is provided a lug member 47 carried by the hub 27 of
rotor 11 and a generally circumferentially extending groove 48
formed in the outer surface of the indexing sleeve 12. The lug 47
projects radially from the inner wall of hub 27 and slidably
engages the groove 48.
Groove 48 is formed in the outer surface of the indexing sleeve 12
by a conventional process such as milling. It takes the form of a
plurality of alternate upper and lower circumferentially extending
segments 48a and a plurality of axially (vertical) extending
segments 48b interconnecting the ends of the adjacent upper and
lower circumferentially extending segments to provide one
continuous up and down stepped groove 48. Groove 48 also includes
at least one axially extending segment 48c which opens through the
lower edge of the surface of the sleeve 12 to provide a means of
ingress and egress for the lug member 47 thereby permitting the
rotary indexing sleeve 12 to be inserted into and removed from
counterbore 29.
Alternatively, the groove 48 may take other forms, such as the
step-ladder configuration illustrated in FIG. 3.
The left-hand edge of each circumferentially extending segment 48a
corresponds to a cell 19 in rotor 11. Thus, by rotating indexing
sleeve 12 through successive segments 48a relative to stationary
lug 47 openings 41a and 42a are brought into registry with
successive rotor cells 19. To so move the indexing sleeve-rotary
seal combination, indexing sleeve 12 must first be moved up or down
in a vertical direction, depending upon whether lug 47 is located
in an upper or lower segment 48a, and then rotated
circumferentially with respect to rotor 11.
Vertical motion is translated to rotary indexing sleeve 12 through
a cylindrical bearing 51 which rotates about its vertical axis and
is interposed between rotary indexing sleeve 12 and stationary
indexing sleeve 13. Bearing 51 is journaled between a shoulder 52
formed about the outer surface of the sleeve 12 and upon which
bearing 51 rests and a lock ring 53 held in an annular groove 54
formed in the outer surface about the top of the sleeve 12 to
constrain the bearing against axial movement relative to the rotary
indexing sleeve 12. Similarly, bearing 51 is secured to and
constrained against axial movement relative to the indexing sleeve
13 by journalling the bearing 51 between an annular rib 56 formed
on the upper edge of the inner wall of the indexing sleeve and a
lock ring 57 disposed in the annular groove 58 formed about the
lower edge of sleeve 13. Accordingly, stationary sleeve 13, bearing
51, and rotary indexing sleeve 12 are moved as a single unit in a
vertical direction and any vertical (up or down) motion of
stationary indexing sleeve 13 manifests itself in similar movement
of rotary indexing sleeve 12. At this point it should be noted that
while sleeve 13 may be selectively moved both vertically and
rotationally, it is referred to herein as a stationary sleeve since
it does not rotate with the rotor like rotary sleeve 12.
Stationary indexing sleeve 13 is slideably and rotatably mounted
within a housing 14. Housing 14 includes a cylindrical side wall 61
and a generally planar top wall 62 having a pair of small apertures
94 and 96 through which feed lines 91 and 92 extend. Portions of
the side and top walls are cut away, as indicated at 63 and 64, to
facilitate access to the stationary indexing sleeve 13. Housing 14
serves as the cover for the indexing sleeves 12 and 13 and braking
means 15 and is removably secured to the outer centrifuge housing
by a pair of diagonally opposed L-shaped slots 66 each of which
engages a suitable shaped yoke (not shown) mounted on the
centrifuge body.
Since stationary indexing sleeve 13 may be easily reached by the
operator through the openings 63 and 64 in housing 14, vertical
movement is translated to rotary indexing sleeve 12 by merely
manually pulling up or pushing down on stationary sleeve 13. To
this end the top edge of stationary sleeve 13 is knurled (FIG. 1)
to facilitate gripping of this member.
Stationary indexing sleeve 13 also includes a groove 68 in the
outer surface thereof having a geometrical configuration identical
to and, when resting in a rotor cell position, corresponding in
position with that of groove 48. That is, groove 68 is made up of
alternate upper and lower circumferentially extending segments 68a
connected together by axially extending segments 68b with all of
the segments 68a and 68b corresponding in position to similarly
orientated segments 48a and 48b of groove 48. It follows that
stationary sleeve 13 may be made to track the position of the
rotary indexing sleeve 12. Thus, by inscribing each cell position
with a number 1, 2, 3, etc. about the upper edge of sleeve 13, the
operator may easily identify which cell is being loaded or
unloaded.
A spherical ball 69 constrained between the sleeve 13 and housing
14 travels along the groove 68. To ensure that the spherical ball
69 is retained within and travels along groove 68, the groove has a
depth on the order of one half the diameter of the ball and the
ball is also held in a small socket formed on the inner surface of
the housing 14. A set screw 71 cooperates with the surface of
spherical ball 69 by way of an internally threaded bore 72 formed
in housing 14. Set screw 71 provides means for selectively
adjusting the pressure on the ball 69 and hence the ease of
movement of the indexing sleeve 13.
A braking means 15 cooperates with the upper surface of indexing
sleeve 13 for momentarily retarding the rotation of this sleeve and
hence rotary seal member 36, relative to the rotor 11 thereby
permitting the openings 41a and 42a to index to different cells 19
in the rotor 11. This braking means comprises semi-annular shaped
brake shoe 76, fabricated of a semi-rigid material, disposed about
the upper portion of the indexing sleeve 12. A small gap 77 is
formed at one point along the shoe 76 to permit movement between
expanded and contracted positions. The outer portion of the brake
shoe 76 includes a radially extending flange 79 which is slidably
mounted in a groove 70 formed in the inner surface of stationary
indexing sleeve 13. Thus, the braking means 15 and the indexing
sleeve 12 may be moved up and down together in a vertical
direction. In the preferred embodiment, the diameters of the
rotatable indexing sleeve 12, the brake shoe 76, and flange 79 are
chosen such that the brake shoe can be compressed to engage the
sleeve 12 without disengaging the flange portion from the groove
70.
A pair of diametrically opposed button assemblies 81 are threadably
connected to opposite sides of brake shoe 76 for compressing the
brake shoe 76 to engage the sleeve 12. That is, the operator by
momentarily pushing on button assemblies 81 may compress brake shoe
76. A resilient spring member 83 is disposed intermediate the side
wall 61 of housing 14 and button 81 to provide means for yieldably
urging the brake shoe 76 out of contact with the indexing sleeve
12.
In operation, while the rotor is spinning at a very low speed, the
indexing assembly including rotary sleeve 12, stationary sleeve 13,
braking means 15, and housing 14, is mounted on the centrifuge body
by inserting rotary seal 36 into well 28, groove 48c in sleeve 12
over lug member 47, and manually twisting housing 14 clockwise a
short distance to seat the associated mounting yokes (on the
centrifuge body) into L-shaped slots 46. Naturally, it may happen
that groove 48c does not at first line up with lug 47, in which
case, brake actuating buttons 81 are momentarily pressed to cause
sleeve 12 (and rotary seal 36) to rotate relative to rotor 11 until
groove 48c is aligned with lug 47.
After alignment, lug member 47 is brought into registry with upper
circumferentially extending segment 48a by pushing downward on
stationary sleeve 13 and then brake buttons 81 are again
momentarily depressed to cause rotary sleeve 12 and rotary seal 36
to slip counterclockwise (assuming the rotor is spinning clockwise)
with respect to rotor 11 until lug 47 rests against the left-hand
edge of upper segment 48a. In this position, openings 41a and 42a
(rotary seal 36) register with passageways 31 and 32 to provide
fluid communication with one of the cells 19 in the rotor 11. at
this time the rotary sleeve 12 is spinning together with rotary
seal 36 and rotor 11 while stationary sleeve 13, braking means 15,
and housing 14 remain stationary.
While the rotor is spinning (at some speed slightly above low speed
critical) the first cell 19 is loaded by introducing in a
predetermined and well known sequence, gradient solution and
cushion fluid through outer feed line 92 and passageway 32 and
sample solution through inner feed line 91 and passageway 31. When
the first cell 19 has been fully loaded, the rotary indexing
assembly may be then indexed to another of its discrete positions
to prepare for loading a second cell 19.
Indexing of the rotary seal assembly from the first to the second
position is achieved by first manually pulling up on stationary
indexing sleeve 13 which upward movement is translated through
bearing 51 to rotary indexing sleeve 12 (in the manner previously
discussed) to cause lug member 47 to travel downwardly in segment
48b of groove 48 until it reaches the next succeeding lower
circumferentially extending segment 48a. Simultaneously, as
previously noted, spherical ball 69 travels downward (relatively
speaking) within an axial extending segment 68b of groove 68 formed
in stationary sleeve 13. Once lug member 47 is aligned with lower
circumferentially extending segment 48a (and spherical ball 69 with
lower circumferentially extending segment 68a) stationary sleeve 13
is manually turned in a counterclockwise direction relative to
housing 14 to cause spherical ball 69 to move along
circumferentially extending segment 68a until it comes to rest
against the left-hand edge of the segment. This position of sleeve
13 corresponds to the second rotor cell 19 location and is marked
as such.
The final step is to momentarily press brake buttons 81 causing
brake shoes 76 to frictionally engage rotary sleeve 12 which causes
sleeve 12 (and rotary seal 36) to slip relative to rotor 11 until
lug member 47 engages the left-hand edge of the lower extending
segment 48a in which it is traveling. The rotary seal 36 has now
been indexed to its next succeeding position and openings 41a and
42a thereof are in communication (by way of openings 44 and 46 in
sleeve 12) with passageways 31 and 32, respectively, of the next
rotor cell 19.
When all of the cells in the rotor 11 have been loaded, the
indexing assembly is removed and the rotor is capped to close the
well 28. The speed of the rotor is then increased to its normal
operating speed and the sample solutions are centrifuged.
Once centrifugation is completed, the cells may be selectively
unloaded by slowing down the rotor to a speed slightly greater than
its low speed critical, uncapping well 28, and replacing the index
assembly on the rotor in the manner previously described. Each cell
19 is then unloaded by successively indexing rotary seal 36 into
communication with each cell 19 in the manner previously discussed
and transmitting displacing solution through outer feed line 92 and
passageway 32 to force the centrifuge sample out through passageway
31 and inner feed line 91.
While the invention has been described with respect to a preferred
physical embodiment constructed in accordance therewith, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications
and improvements may be made without departing from the inventive
concept of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be
construed as limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended
claims.
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