# US 2018/0321098 A1 · Centrifuge calibration apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0321098 A1 - Document ID: US20180321098A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/588,171 - Filed: 2017-05-05 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-05 - Inventors: Richard AGOSTINELLI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180321098A1 ## CPC - G01L 5/0071: {Specific indicating arrangements, e.g. of overload} - B04B 5/0414: {comprising test tubes} - B04B 15/00: Other accessories for centrifuges - G01L 1/046: {of spiral springs} - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) - B04B: CENTRIFUGES (high-speed drum mills B02C19/11; domestic spin driers D06F; analysing, measuring or monitoring physical or chemical properties of samples during centrifuging, see the relevant subclasses for these procedures, e.g. G01N) ## Abstract A centrifuge calibration apparatus (10) configured to be spun in a centrifuge and to provide an indication (25) of performance of the centrifuge. Spinning of the apparatus in the centrifuge causes a piston (14) to exert centrifugal force to compress a spring (22), thereby generating relative movement between a pointer (24) and a scale (26). The scale may be calibrated in units of G-force or RPM. A ratchet mechanism (40) holds the pointer at its most displaced position upon completion of the spinning and removal of the apparatus from the centrifuge. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for testing centrifuge operation, the apparatus comprising: a tube sized to fit into a rotor of a centrifuge; a spring supported within the tube; a piston supported by the spring within the tube, the piston operable to exert a centrifugal force against the spring when the tube is spun in the centrifuge; and an indicator responsive to a displacement of the piston resulting from the centrifugal force. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an alignment pin extending along a longitudinal axis of the tube, the spring being concentric with the alignment pin and the piston displaceable along a longitudinal axis of the alignment pin. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an anchor disposed within the tube, a first end of the alignment pin supported by the anchor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a cap inserted into an end of the tube, a second end of the alignment pin supported by the cap. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a weight attached to the piston. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator further comprises: a scale supported by the tube; and a pointer moveable with the piston relative to the scale. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the scale is marked in units of G force. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ratchet mechanism operable to hold the piston at a position of maximum displacement resulting from the centrifugal force. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ratchet mechanism comprising: a rack structure on an inside surface of the tube; and a pawl structure positioned on the piston to engage the rack structure as the piston is displaced. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piston is vented. ### Claim 11 An apparatus for testing centrifuge operation, the apparatus comprising: a frame configured for insertion into a centrifuge rotor; a flexible object supported by the frame, the flexible object operative to deform when the frame is spinning in the centrifuge rotor; and an indicator operative to indicate deformation of the flexible object resulting from the spinning in the centrifuge rotor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flexible object comprises a spring. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a mass supported by the elastic object and operative to exert a centrifugal force onto the flexible object during the spinning in the centrifuge rotor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the frame comprises a tube and the mass comprises a piston disposed within the tube. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an alignment pin supported within the tube, the piston slidably displaceable along the alignment pin in response to the centrifugal force. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the alignment pin is supported at a first end by an anchor disposed within the tube, and is supported at a second end by a cap adapted to fit into an end of the tube. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the flexible object comprises a spring supported within the tube and concentric with the alignment pin. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the indicator comprises: a scale supported by the tube; and a pointer supported by the piston. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a ratchet mechanism operable to hold the piston in a most-displaced position resulting from the centrifugal force. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the ratchet mechanism comprises: a rack supported by the frame; and a pawl supported by the piston.