Centrifuge apparatus

A rotor for a high speed centrifuge having a vertical drive shaft with the upper end thereof adapted to couple to the rotor for rotating the rotor with the shaft comprising:

• a rotor body symmetrically conformed around a central axis;
• sample carrying means supported by said rotor body for rotation therewith;
• a hub assembly in the form of a substantially cylindrically shaped body having a central opening therein for receiving said shaft, said body being slotted on opposite sides thereof to form thin web sections adjacent said central opening and oppositely disposed semicircular shaped heavier sections attached to said thin web sections, said web sections being relatively thin compared to said heavier sections;
• holes formed through said heavier sections of said hub, said holes each having a counterbore substantially through the major thickness of said hub section and adjacent the juncture between said hub and the bottom of said rotor;
• bolt means disposed through said holes and attaching said heavier sections to the bottom of said rotor, said counterbore of each of said holes creating a space between the radially inward facing side of said bolt and the radially inward sidewall of said hole, permitting said heavier sections to move without requiring a shearing action against said bolt members holding said hub section to said rotor;
• and
• said thin web sections being so designed and constructed as to rupture under the centrifugal force created by said heavier sections at a predetermined rotational velocity whereby said hub body is caused to depart from said shaft leaving no driving capacity or support for said rotor on said shaft.