System and method for balancing a centrifuge rotor

Abstract

A rotor hub assembly for a centrifuge rotor includes a rotor hub including a head portion, an elongated shaft portion extending axially away from the head portion, and a central bore extending through the head portion and the shaft portion. The head portion includes a plurality of balance holes each configured to selectively receive at least one balance weight for balancing the centrifuge rotor. A method for balancing a centrifuge rotor is also provided.

Description

[0001] This invention patent application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on May 27, 2021, with application number 202110585101.X and titled "System and Method for Balancing Centrifuge Rotors". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to centrifuge rotors, and more specifically to rotors used in conjunction with centrifuges for balancing purposes. Background Technology

[0003] Centrifuge rotors are commonly used in laboratory centrifuges to hold samples during centrifugation. While the construction and size of centrifuge rotors can vary significantly, a common rotor configuration is a fixed-angle rotor with a solid rotor body having multiple small chambers radially distributed within the rotor body and arranged symmetrically about the axis of rotation. Samples are placed in these chambers, allowing multiple samples to undergo centrifugation.

[0004] Because centrifuge rotors are typically used in high-rotation applications where centrifuge speeds can exceed hundreds or even thousands of revolutions per minute, they must be carefully balanced. In this regard, changes in the mass of the rotor load at high speeds can cause undesirable force imbalances. These imbalances strain the spindle driving the rotor and can potentially damage the centrifuge, as well as lead to poor efficiency, wear, and noise. Conventional balancing techniques use combinations of samples and balancing tubes all with the same counterweight, or various other balancing methods without balancing tubes.

[0005] Diagnostic devices or balancing machines, such as those commercially available from the American Hofmann Corporation of Lynchburg, Virginia, or the Schenck Corporation of Deer Park, New York, can be used to detect rotor imbalances and pinpoint specific locations on the rotor body where additional counterweights are needed to properly balance the rotor. Then, based on the information provided by the diagnostic device, holes are manually drilled at the identified locations in the rotor body, which may be constructed of carbon fiber, and the counterweights are press-fitted into the holes. The counterweights can be, for example, cylindrical bodies of metal with a specific mass, to compensate for the imbalance detected by the diagnostic device.

[0006] Typically, a rotor may need to be rebalanced multiple times throughout its lifespan. For example, as the rotor ages and wears, its mass distribution may change, necessitating rebalancing. When this occurs, it is usually necessary to remove previously installed counterweights from previously drilled holes and to drill new holes in the rotor body so that the same or new configuration can be press-fitted into the new holes. This renders the previously drilled holes unusable. For structural and / or aesthetic purposes, it is often desirable to plug the previously drilled holes, which requires repairing the rotor body. Each time the rotor is rebalanced, the cycle of drilling new holes in the rotor body and repairing the rotor body to plug the previously drilled holes is repeated.

[0007] Therefore, it is desirable to provide improved systems and methods for balancing centrifuge rotors, which address these and other problems associated with conventional rotors. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention overcomes the aforementioned and other disadvantages and drawbacks of systems and methods for balancing centrifuge rotors known to date. While the invention will be discussed in conjunction with certain embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Rather, the invention encompasses all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0009] According to one embodiment, a rotor hub assembly for a centrifuge rotor is provided, the rotor hub assembly having a rotor hub including a head portion, an elongated shaft portion extending axially away from the head portion, and a central bore extending through the head portion and the shaft portion. The head portion includes a plurality of balancing holes, each of the plurality of balancing holes being configured to selectively receive at least one balancing weight.

[0010] To balance the rotor, a diagnostic device can be used to detect rotor imbalance and identify at least one target position and at least one corresponding target amount of counterweight on the rotor hub. Adding a counterweight at the target position on the hub will help to properly balance the rotor. A suitable balancing hole corresponding to the target position, and a balancing counterweight with a weight relatively close to the target amount, can then be selected.

[0011] In one embodiment, the at least one counterweight includes at least one positioning screw having at least one threaded outer surface, and the plurality of counterweight holes are threaded.

[0012] The head portion of the rotor hub may include a plurality of fastening holes, each configured to selectively receive a fastener for securing at least one ring to the rotor hub. In one embodiment, the at least one ring is secured to the rotor hub and covers the at least one counterweight inserted into at least one balancing hole. The ring may include at least one of a magnetic ring or an annular shield. If the ring is magnetic, it may include a plurality of blind holes on its top side to selectively receive a plurality of corresponding magnets. The selected arrangement of magnets on the magnetic ring provides an identifiable magnetic field via the Hall effect, which can be detected by a centrifuge or an associated sensor / reader, allowing the centrifuge to identify the rotor hub and / or the rotor mounted in the centrifuge. When the ring is a shield, it may be made of a highly magnetic material capable of preventing the magnetic field provided by the magnets from pointing upward toward the hub, instead of focusing the magnetic field downward toward the centrifuge's sensor / reader.

[0013] According to another embodiment, a centrifuge rotor is provided, comprising a rotor body having a plurality of tubular cavities, each configured to receive a sample container therein. The centrifuge rotor further includes a rotor hub assembly as described above, wherein the rotor hub is configured to transmit torque from the centrifuge spindle to the rotor body.

[0014] A method for operating a centrifuge rotor is also provided, the centrifuge rotor comprising a rotor body having a plurality of tubular cavities and a rotor hub having a plurality of balancing holes, each of the plurality of balancing holes being configured to selectively receive at least one of a plurality of balancing weights.

[0015] A method according to one embodiment includes the steps of: detecting an imbalance in a centrifuge rotor, and in response to the detected imbalance, selectively engaging at least one of the plurality of balancing weights with at least one of the plurality of balancing holes.

[0016] The balancing method may also include the following steps: identifying at least one target position on the rotor hub and at least one target position to be added below the rotor hub for balancing at least one corresponding target amount of counterweight.

[0017] An exemplary method may further include the following steps: selecting at least one balance hole and at least one balance weight from the plurality of balance holes in response to the target position of the at least one identified object and the at least one corresponding target amount of the balance weight.

[0018] Various additional features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the foregoing general description of the invention and the following detailed description, serve to explain the invention.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a hub assembly for a centrifuge rotor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded perspective view of the wheel hub assembly.

[0022] Figure 3A yes Figure 1 An exploded cross-sectional view of the wheel hub assembly taken along section line 3A-3A.

[0023] Figure 3B yes Figure 1 An exploded cross-sectional view of the wheel hub assembly taken along section line 3B-3B.

[0024] Figure 4 It includes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the centrifuge rotor of the hub assembly.

[0025] Figure 5 It is similar to the centrifuge rotor and hub assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 A cross-sectional view. Detailed Implementation

[0026] refer to Figure 1-3B This illustrates a centrifuge rotor 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 An exemplary hub assembly 10 is provided. The hub assembly 10 includes a rotor hub 14 and at least one counterweight 16 removably embedded in the rotor hub 14. As described in more detail below, the counterweight 16 can be selectively positioned at a plurality of predetermined locations on the rotor hub 14 to balance the rotor 12.

[0027] The rotor hub 14 shown, which may be constructed from a metallic material such as titanium, includes, for example, a head portion 20 and an elongated shaft portion 22 extending axially from the head portion 20. The shaft portion 22 includes a threaded outer end surface 24 located distal to the head portion 20 and a threaded outer intermediate surface 26 located proximal to the head portion 20. Figure 3A and 3BAs shown in the best embodiment, the central multi-stage bore 30 extends through the shaft portion 22 of the head portion 20 and the rotor hub 14, and includes a threaded inner surface 32 located within the shaft portion 22 on the distal side of the head portion 20.

[0028] An annular recess 34 is provided in the bottom side of the rotor hub 14, located distal to the shaft portion 22, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced threaded fastening holes 36 lead to the recess 34. Each fastening hole 36 is configured to thread-receive a corresponding fastener 38 to secure a ring, such as a magnet ring 40 and / or annular shield 42, to the bottom side of the rotor hub 14. In this regard, the illustrated magnet ring 40 includes a plurality of through holes 44, each configured to receive a corresponding fastener among the fasteners 38. The magnet ring 40 may also include a plurality of blind holes 46 on its top side to selectively receive a plurality of corresponding magnets 48. The selected arrangement of the magnets 48 on the magnet ring 40 provides an identifiable magnetic field via the Hall effect, which can be detected by a centrifuge (or its associated sensor / reader), thereby enabling the centrifuge (or its associated controller) to identify the hub 14 and / or rotor 12, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, a centrifuge (or its controller) can compare the detected magnetic field with different magnetic field values ​​stored in a database to identify a specific rotor 12 or the type of rotor 12 in the centrifuge.

[0029] The annular shield 42 shown includes a plurality of through holes 50, each configured to receive a corresponding fastener 38, such that when the fastener 38 is threadedly received in its corresponding fastening hole 36, the annular shield 42 can be clamped between the magnet ring 40 and the head portion 20 of the rotor hub 14 located within the recess 34. The shield 42 may be made of a highly magnetic material that prevents the magnetic field provided by the magnet 48 from pointing upward toward the hub 14, thus replacing a sensor / reader that focuses the magnetic field downward toward the centrifuge. In one embodiment, the shield 42 may be made of a high-permeability alloy (Mu-metal) (e.g., ASTM A753 Alloy 4).

[0030] An exemplary head portion 20 of the rotor hub 14 further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced threaded balancing holes 52 leading to a recess 34. In the illustrated embodiment, each balancing hole 52 extends substantially parallel to the center hole 30 of the rotor hub 14. Each balancing hole 52 is configured to selectively and threadedly receive one of the balancing weights 16 to balance the rotor 12. More specifically, the balancing holes 52 may have a uniform configuration such that each balancing hole 52 has, for example, the same depth, cross-sectional dimensions, and / or pitch. In this way, each balancing hole 52 may be able to threadedly receive one or more of the same balancing weights 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the uniform configuration of the balancing holes 52 differs from the configuration of the fastening holes 36, such that the balancing holes 52 can be dedicated to receiving the balancing weights 16, while the fastening holes 36 can be dedicated to receiving the fasteners 38.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, as Figure 2 As best shown, eight balancing holes 52 are provided and are circumferentially spaced in four pairs around the central hole 30. Thus, the balancing holes 52 define eight predetermined positions on the rotor hub 14 for receiving the counterweight 16. However, any suitable number of balancing holes 52 can be used at any suitable interval. In this respect, the cross-sectional dimensions of the head portion 20 may affect the available surface area of ​​the balancing holes 52 and may be increased to provide additional surface area for accommodating, for example, a larger number of balancing holes 52. It should be understood that the number of balancing holes 52 may be related to the number of options for placing the counterweight 16, and also to the degree of control over the center of gravity of the rotor hub 14, which affects the stability of the rotor 12.

[0032] The illustrated counterweight 16 includes a locating screw 60 having a threaded outer surface 62 and extending between a first end 64 and a second end 66, thereby defining the length of the counterweight 16. A hexagonal socket 68 is provided in the first end 64 to receive a tool such as a wrench, thereby facilitating the insertion or removal of the counterweight 16 into or from one of the balance holes 52. The threaded outer surface 62 of the counterweight 16 allows the counterweight 16 to be easily inserted into or removed from any of the balance holes 52 without causing any deformation to the rotor hub 14 or any other component of the rotor 12. Although the illustrated counterweight 16 and balance holes 52 are threaded, allowing the counterweight 16 to reliably and removably engage with one or more balance holes 52, the counterweight 16 can be reliably and / or removably engaged with the hub 14 by any other suitable component. In one embodiment, multiple counterweights 16 with various lengths and / or masses can be provided, such that counterweights 16 with different balancing characteristics can be selectively positioned in a specific balancing hole 52 to achieve customized balance.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, one or more counterweights 16 may be covered or hidden within one or more corresponding balance holes 52 by a magnet ring 40 and / or annular shield 42, such that one or more counterweights 16 are invisible or not easily accessible from the outside of the hub assembly 10.

[0034] Now for reference Figure 4 The rotor hub assembly 10 can be used in the centrifuge rotor 12. The rotor 12 includes a rotor body 70 symmetrical about a rotation axis defined by the rotor hub 14, and a sample contained in a sample container (not shown) positioned in the rotor body 70 can be centrifugally rotated about the rotor body.

[0035] The rotor body 70 shown includes a generally cylindrical bore 72 for receiving at least the shaft portion 22 of the hub 14, and the cylindrical bore is configured to be coaxial with the hub 14 such that the bore 72 also defines a rotation axis. As shown, a plurality of recesses 74 are provided around the bore 72, the purpose of which is described below. The rotor body 70 also includes an upper cavity 76 and a lower cavity 78 adjacent to opposite ends of the bore 72.

[0036] Multiple tubular chambers 80 extend from the upper chamber 76 into the rotor body 70. Each chamber 80 is appropriately sized and shaped to receive at least one sample container within it, such that the container can be centrifugally rotated about the axis of rotation. It should be understood that any suitable number of chambers 80 can be used. As used herein, the term "tubular" refers to any suitable cross-sectional shape, including, but not limited to, circular shapes (e.g., elliptical, circular, or conical), quadrilateral shapes, regular or irregular polygonal shapes, or any other suitable shape. Therefore, this term is not intended to limit the generally circular cross-sectional profile of the exemplary chamber 80 shown in the figures. In one embodiment, the rotor body 70 is constructed of carbon fiber material. For example, the rotor body 70 may be formed by compression molding of a resin-coated carbon fiber laminate.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the rotor insert 82 and the rotor body 70 are co-molded within the bore 72. The insert 82 includes a threaded bore 84 for receiving and threadedly engaging at least the threaded outer intermediate surface 26 of the shaft portion 22 of the hub 14 to securely seat the rotor body 70 onto the hub 14. The insert 82 also includes a plurality of flexible meshes 86, each of which is received within a corresponding recess in a recess 74 of the rotor body 70. In use, as the rotor 12 rotates, the hub 14 applies torque to the insert 82, and the insert 82 applies torque to the rotor body 70 through, for example, the engagement between the flexible meshes 86 and the recesses 74.

[0038] With the rotor body 70 positioned on the rotor hub 14, the hub retainer 90 is removably fastened to the hub 14 to further facilitate holding the rotor body 70, hub 14, and insert 82 in place relative to each other. In this regard, the hub retainer 90 includes a threaded hole 92 for receiving and threadedly engaging at least the threaded outer end surface 24 of the shaft portion 22 of the hub 14.

[0039] The rotor 12 also includes a cover 100, which is removably coupled to the rotor hub 14 above the rotor body 70 to assist in holding the sample container within the rotor body, for example, during rotation of the rotor body 70. The cover 100 shown is generally disc-shaped and includes a central aperture 102 and a peripheral recess 104, the purpose of which is described below. The peripheral recess is for receiving an O-ring 106 to provide a fluid-proof seal between the cover 100 and the rotor body 70 when the cover 100 is removably coupled to the rotor body 70. In one embodiment, the cover 100 is made of carbon fiber material. For example, the cover 100 may be formed by compression molding of a resin-coated carbon fiber laminate.

[0040] As shown, the cover 100 is removably coupled to the rotor body 70 via a cover screw 110. The cover screw shown includes an upper flange 112, a threaded lower outer surface 114, and a multi-stage bore 116. As shown, the threaded lower outer surface 114 is received and threadedly engaged by the threaded inner surface 32 of the hub 14, such that the upper flange 112 presses the spacer 118 against the cover 100. When removably coupled to the rotor body 70 via the engagement of the cover screw 110 with the hub 14 and the engagement of the spacer 118 with the cover 100, the cover 100 may obstruct access to the sample container held in the cavity 80 during high-speed rotation. A tethering screw or pin 120 can be inserted through the bore 116 of the cover screw 110 and can be threadedly coupled to a knob 122. The tethering pin 120 can be configured to engage a mating bore on the centrifuge spindle (not shown), thereby facilitating the securing of the rotor 12 to the centrifuge spindle. As shown in the figure, the tethering pin 120 can be biased away from the centrifuge spindle by the helical spring 124. The threshold force of the helical spring 124 can be overcome to cause the tethering pin 120 to engage with a bore in the centrifuge spindle, which can then be actuated to drive the rotor 12 into high-speed centrifugal rotation. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, one or more of the rotor mounting assemblies described above can be made of any suitable metallic or non-metallic material.

[0041] To balance rotor 12, a diagnostic device can be used to detect imbalances in rotor 12 and identify at least one target position and at least one corresponding target amount of counterweight on hub 14. Increasing the target position on hub 14 will help to properly balance rotor 12. Depending on the specific diagnostic device used, the user can input a radius value (e.g., distance from the axis of rotation) indicating the desired target position on hub 14 rather than on rotor body 70. A suitable balancing hole 52 corresponding to the target position, and a balancing counterweight 16 with a weight relatively close to the target amount, can then be selected.

[0042] Then, the selected at least one balancing weight 16 can be threadedly engaged with the at least one balancing hole 52 according to information provided by the diagnostic device, in order to compensate for the imbalance detected by the diagnostic device. For example, a single balancing weight 16 can be threadedly engaged with one of the balancing holes 52, while the remaining balancing holes 52 can remain empty, as shown. Alternatively, any number of balancing holes 52 can be filled with any number of balancing weights 16, as may be suitable for achieving the desired balance of the rotor 12. In any case, the balancing weights 16 can be concealed within the corresponding balancing holes 52 as described above, and the balanced rotor 12 can be safely rotated at high speed for centrifugal operation.

[0043] Subsequently, the rotor 12 can be rebalanced by, for example, detecting new imbalances in the rotor 12 and simply disengaging one or more balancing weights 16 from their respective balancing holes 52 by threading them out, repositioning one or more removed balancing weights 16 into different balancing holes 52, threading one or more different balancing weights 16 into one or more different balancing holes 52, and / or replacing one or more removed balancing weights 16 with one or more balancing weights 16 of different lengths and / or masses. Thus, the balancing weights 16 and balancing holes 52 eliminate the need for repeated drilling into the rotor body 70 or plugging these drilled holes during rebalancing, which would otherwise become obsolete.

[0044] Although the counterweight 16 and the corresponding balancing bore 52 have been described with respect to the illustrated hub assembly 10 and rotor 12, the counterweight 16 and balancing bore 52 can be incorporated into any suitable hub assembly and / or rotor. For example, the counterweight 16 and balancing bore 52 can be incorporated into a hub assembly that does not feature the magnet ring 40 (containing magnet 48) and / or annular shield 42. In this case, a special cover can be used to conceal the counterweight 16, or the counterweight 16 can be exposed. Alternatively, the counterweight 16 and balancing bore 52 can be incorporated into other carbon fiber rotors of various designs and / or rotors made of different materials.

[0045] By way of example and not limitation, other exemplary rotors suitable for balancing according to the rotor balancing method described herein are the F10-4x1000 LEX, F21-8x50y, F12-6x500 LEX, F20-12x50 LEX, F14-14x50cy, F14-6x250y, and F17-6x250 LEX rotors, which are commercially available from the common applicant, Fiberlite Centrifuge, LLC of Santa Clara, CA.

[0046] Figure 5 Centrifuge rotor 12a and hub assembly 10a according to alternative embodiments of the invention are shown, such as the F10-4x1000 centrifuge rotor of the co-applicant.

[0047] Figure 5 The centrifuge rotor 12a includes four circumferentially spaced chambers 80a, each of which, by way of example, is configured to removably receive a large-capacity sample container, such as a sample container capable of holding at least 750 ml and up to 1000 ml of sample. Suitable for use with [other centrifuges] is fully described in U.S. Patents 8,215,508 and 9,987,634. Figure 5 An exemplary large-capacity sample container used with rotor 12a, each of which is owned by a co-applicant and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0048] Similar to Figure 4 An embodiment of a centrifuge rotor 12 and hub assembly 10, for use in centrifuges. Figure 5 The centrifuge rotor 12a's hub assembly 10a includes a rotor hub 14a and at least one counterweight 16a, said at least one counterweight being removably embedded in the rotor hub 14a, similar to... Figure 4 The balancing weight is 16.

[0049] Similar to Figure 4 The rotor hub 14, shown as a rotor hub 14a, may be made of a metallic material (e.g., titanium) and includes a head portion 20a and an elongated shaft portion 22a extending axially from the head portion 20a. The shaft portion 22a includes a threaded outer end surface 24a located distal to the head portion 20a and a threaded outer intermediate surface 26a located proximal to the head portion 20a. A central multi-stage bore 30a extends through the head portion 20a and the shaft portion 22a of the rotor hub 14a and includes a threaded inner surface 32a located within the shaft portion 22a distal to the head portion 20a.

[0050] An annular recess 34a is provided in the bottom side of the rotor hub 14a located far from the shaft portion 22a, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced threaded fastening holes (not shown) (similar to...) Figure 3A The fastening hole 36) leads to the recess 34a. Each of the fastening holes (not shown) is configured to thread-receive a corresponding fastener (not shown), similar to... Figure 3A and 3B Fasteners 38 are used to secure the magnet ring 40a and / or the annular shield 42a to the bottom side of the rotor hub 14a. The magnet ring 40a shown includes multiple through holes (not shown), similar to... Figure 3A The through holes 44, each of the plurality of through holes being configured to receive a corresponding fastener (not shown) among the fasteners. The magnet ring 40a may also include a plurality of blind holes (not shown) on its top side, similar to Figure 3B The blind hole 46 is designed to selectively accommodate multiple corresponding magnets (not shown), similar to... Figure 3A and 3B Magnet 48. The selected arrangement of magnets on magnet ring 40a provides an identifiable magnetic field via the Hall effect, which can be detected by a centrifuge (or its associated sensor / reader), thereby enabling the centrifuge (or its associated controller) to identify hub 14a and / or rotor 12a, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, the centrifuge (or its controller) can compare the detected magnetic field with different magnetic field values ​​stored in a database to identify a specific rotor 12a or the type of rotor 12a in the centrifuge.

[0051] Similar to Figure 3A , 3B The annular shield 42a of component 4 contains a plurality of through holes (not shown), similar to the annular shield 42 of component 4. Figure 3A The through holes 50, each of the plurality of through holes being configured to receive a corresponding fastener (not shown), such that when the fastener (not shown) is threadedly received in the corresponding fastening hole (not shown), the annular shield 42a can be clamped between the magnet ring 40a and the head portion 20a of the rotor hub 14a located within the recess 34a. As described above Figure 3A , 3B As described in the description of shield 42, shield 42a may be made of a highly magnetic material that prevents the magnetic field provided by the magnet (not shown) from pointing upward toward the hub 14a, thereby replacing the sensor / reader that focuses the magnetic field downward toward the centrifuge. In one embodiment, shield 42a may be made of a high-permeability alloy (e.g., ASTM A753 Alloy 4).

[0052] The head portion 20a of the rotor hub 14a further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced threaded balance holes 52a leading to the recess 34a. In the illustrated embodiment, each balance hole 52a extends substantially parallel to the central hole 30a of the rotor hub 14a. Each balance hole 52a is configured to selectively and threadedly receive one of the balance weights 16a in a manner similar to the combination described above. Figure 4 The centrifuge rotor 12 is described in detail in terms of the balancing method of balancing rotor 12a.

[0053] Similar to Figure 4 The centrifuge rotor 12, one or more counterweights 16a may be covered or hidden in one or more corresponding balance holes 52a by a magnet ring 40a and / or annular shield 42a, so that one or more counterweights 16a are invisible or not easily accessible from the outside of the hub assembly 10a.

[0054] like Figure 5 As shown, rotor 12a includes a rotor body 70a symmetrical about a rotation axis defined by rotor hub 14a, and a sample contained in a sample container (not shown) positioned in rotor body 70a can be centrifugally rotated about rotor body.

[0055] Figure 5 The rotor body 70a includes a generally cylindrical bore 72a for receiving at least the shaft portion 22a of the hub 14a, and the cylindrical bore is configured to be coaxial with the hub 14a such that the bore 72a can also define the axis of rotation.

[0056] Tubular chamber cavities 80a extend from the upper cavity 76a into the rotor body 70a. The size and shape of each cavity 80a are appropriately configured to accommodate at least one sample container within it, such that the container can be centrifugally rotated about the axis of rotation. (As shown in...) Figure 4 As with rotor 12, it should be understood that any suitable number of chambers 80a can be used. In one embodiment, similar to Figure 4 The rotor 12 has a rotor body 70a made of carbon fiber material. For example, the rotor body 70a can be formed by compression molding of a resin-coated carbon fiber laminate.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the rotor insert 82a and the rotor body 70a are co-molded within the bore 72a. The insert 82a includes a threaded bore 84a for receiving and threadedly engaging at least the threaded outer intermediate surface 26a of the shaft portion 22a of the hub 14a to securely seat the rotor body 70a onto the hub 14a.

[0058] With the rotor body 70a positioned on the rotor hub 14a, the hub retainer 90a is removably fastened to the hub 14a to further facilitate holding the rotor body 70a, hub 14a, and insert 82a in place relative to each other. The hub retainer 90a includes a threaded hole 92a for receiving and threadedly engaging at least the threaded outer end surface 24a of the shaft portion 22a of the hub 14a.

[0059] The rotor 12a also includes a cover 100a, which is removably coupled to the rotor hub 14a above the rotor body 70a to assist in holding the sample container within the rotor body, for example, during rotation of the rotor body 70a. The cover 100a is generally disc-shaped and includes a central hole 102a and a peripheral groove 104a for receiving an O-ring 106a to provide a fluid-proof seal between the cover 100a and the rotor body 70a when the cover 100a is removably coupled to the rotor body 70a. In one embodiment, the cover 100a is made of carbon fiber material. For example, the cover 100a may be formed by compression molding of a resin-coated carbon fiber laminate.

[0060] Similar to Figure 4 The cover 100a is removably coupled to the rotor body 70a via a cover screw 110a. The cover screw shown includes an upper flange 112a, a threaded lower outer surface 114a, and a multi-stage hole 116a. As shown, the threaded lower outer surface 114a is received and threadedly engaged by the threaded inner surface 32a of the hub 14a, such that the upper flange 112a presses the spacer 118a against the cover 100a. When removably coupled to the rotor body 70a via the engagement of the cover screw 110a with the hub 14a and the engagement of the spacer 118a with the cover 100a, the cover 100a prevents access to the sample container held in the cavity 80a during high-speed rotation. A fastening screw or pin 120a can be inserted through the hole 116a of the cover screw 110a and can be threadedly coupled to a knob 122a. The tethering pin 120a can be configured to engage a mating hole in the centrifuge spindle (not shown), thereby facilitating the securing of the rotor 12a to the centrifuge spindle. As shown, the tethering pin 120a can be biased away from the centrifuge spindle by a helical spring 124a. The threshold force of the helical spring 124a can be overcome to cause the tethering pin 120a to engage with the hole in the centrifuge spindle, which can then be actuated to drive the rotor 12a into high-speed centrifugal rotation. Similar to... Figure 4 The centrifuge rotor 12 and hub assembly 10, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, can be made of any suitable metallic or non-metallic material.

[0061] While various aspects of the invention have been described through the description of various embodiments, and although the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to or in any way restrict it to such details. The various features shown and described herein can be used alone or in any combination. Further advantages and modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Thus, deviations from such details may be made without departing from the overall scope of the inventive concept.

Claims

1. A rotor hub assembly for a centrifuge rotor, the rotor hub assembly comprising: A rotor hub comprising a head portion, an elongated shaft portion extending axially away from the head portion, and a central bore extending through the head portion and the shaft portion, wherein the head portion comprises a plurality of balance holes, each of the plurality of balance holes being configured to selectively receive at least one balance weight.

2. The rotor hub assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: At least one balancing weight, wherein the at least one balancing weight is received by at least one of the plurality of balancing holes.

3. The rotor hub assembly according to claim 2, wherein the at least one counterweight comprises at least one locating screw having at least one threaded outer surface.

4. The rotor hub assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the at least one counterweight is selected to balance the centrifuge rotor during centrifugation.

5. The rotor hub assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the head portion includes a plurality of fastening holes, each of the fastening holes being configured to selectively receive a fastener for securing at least one ring to the rotor hub.

6. The rotor hub assembly of claim 5, wherein each of the balance holes has a first configuration, and each of the fastening holes has a second configuration different from the first configuration.

7. The rotor hub assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: At least one ring, which is fixed to the rotor hub and covers the at least one counterweight.

8. The rotor hub assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one ring comprises at least one of a magnet ring or an annular shield.

9. The rotor hub assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of balance holes have a uniform configuration.

10. The rotor hub assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plurality of balancing holes are circumferentially spaced apart from each other on the head portion of the rotor hub.

11. The rotor hub assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each of the plurality of balance holes is threaded.

12. The rotor hub assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the plurality of balance holes comprises eight balance holes.

13. The rotor hub assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the rotor hub is made of a metallic material.

14. A centrifuge rotor comprising: The rotor body has multiple tubular cavities, each cavity being configured to receive a sample container therein; as well as The rotor hub assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the rotor hub is configured to transmit torque from the centrifuge spindle to the rotor body.

15. A method for operating a centrifuge rotor, the centrifuge rotor comprising a rotor body having a plurality of tubular cavities and a rotor hub having a plurality of balancing holes, each of the plurality of balancing holes being configured to selectively receive at least one of a plurality of balancing weights, the method comprising: Detect the imbalance of the centrifuge rotor; as well as In response to a detected imbalance, at least one of the plurality of balancing weights is selectively engaged with at least one of the plurality of balancing holes.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: Identify at least one target position on the rotor hub and a counterweight to be added to the at least one target position on the rotor hub for balancing at least one corresponding target amount of the rotor.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: At least one balance hole and at least one balance weight are selected from the plurality of balance holes in response to the target position of the at least one identified object and the at least one corresponding target amount of the balance weight.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein selectively engaging at least one of the plurality of counterweights with at least one of the plurality of balance holes comprises threading the at least one counterweight with the at least one balance hole.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising: The centrifuge rotor is rotated to perform centrifugation, wherein the at least one counterweight selectively engages with the at least one balancing hole.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: After centrifugation, the at least one balancing weight is selectively disengaged from the at least one balancing hole.

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