Centrifuge having a single swing arm for retaining a stator tube

An apparatus for rotating a vessel while holding a stator in a stationary position, the apparatus comprising:

• a base having a rotatable turntable mounted thereon, the turntable configured to rotate the vessel about an axis of rotation;
• a rotatable shaft spaced from and extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, the shaft having a first end rotatable on the base, and a second end;
• a swing arm pivotable about a pivot axis and having a first end and a second end, the first end of the swing arm being connected to the second end of the shaft, and the second end of the swing arm having an engagement portion for contacting the stator of the vessel;
• holding means, located on the swing arm and pivotable therewith, for cooperating with the stator to hold the stator against rotation about the axis of rotation when the swing arm is in a predetermined angular position, and for maintaining the stator in a substantially fixed position relative to the swing arm during a centrifuge operation;
• and
• spring biased means for resisting pivotal movement of the swing arm in response to a predetermined rotational force about the pivot axis applied to the swing arm, the spring biased resisting means including means for responding to a rotational force about the pivot axis which is greater than the predetermined rotational force to permit pivotal movement of the swing arm.

An apparatus for rotating a vessel while holding a stator in a stationary position, the apparatus comprising:

• a base having a rotatable turntable mounted thereon, the turntable configured to rotate the vessel about an axis of rotation;
• a pivotable swing arm having a first end and a second end, the second end having an engagement portion for contacting the stator of the rotating vessel;
• support means for connecting the base and the swing arm in a manner permitting the swing arm to pivot toward and away from the stator;
• holding means, located on the swing arm and pivotable therewith, for holding the stator against rotation when the swing arm is in a predetermined angular position,
• resisting means, having a portion fixed to the support means for resisting a predetermined rotational force applied to the swing arm when the swing arm is in the predetermined angular position, the resisting means permitting pivotal movement of the swing arm in response to a force, applied to the swing arm, greater than the predetermined force;
• and
• means, located at the engagement portion of the swing arm, for urging at least a portion of the stator in a direction toward the vessel as the swing arm is pivoted into the predetermined angular position.

An apparatus for holding a stator of a vessel rotatable about an axis of rotation during a centrifuge operation, the apparatus comprising:

• a swing arm pivotable about a pivot axis and having a first end and a second end, the second end having an engagement portion configured to engage the stator of the rotatable vessel;
• support means connected to the first end of the swing arm and having an axis spaced from and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, the support means for supporting the swing arm in a manner permitting the swing arm to pivot toward and away from the stator;
• holding means, located on the swing arm and pivotable therewith, for cooperating with the stator to hold the stator against rotation when the swing arm is in a predetermined angular position, and for maintaining the stator in a fixed position relative to the swing arm during a centrifuge operation;
• and
• spring biased means for exerting a predetermined resist force to resist pivotal movement of the swing arm, the spring biased means including means for responding to a rotational force applied about the pivot axis to the swing arm that is greater than the predetermined resist force to permit the swing arm to pivot.