FORM2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970 39 of 1970
&
The Patent Rules 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See sections 10 & rule 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A CENTRIFUGE SAFETY DEVICE
2. APPLICANTS (S)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
Neuation Technologies Pvt Ltd Indian Block# 228/1/4 ,Dantali
Industrial Owner Association, Dantali, Kalol - 382721 Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
COMPLETE
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to
be performed.


A CENTRIFUGE SAFETY DEVICE
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a centrifuge safety device. More particularly, the present
disclosure relates to imbalance detection and a power supply cut off device for a centrifuge
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Over the years, centrifuges have been used in various laboratories, domestic and industrial
applications, wherein the fluid samples are needed to be tested for certain properties. For instance, blood samples generally needed to be checked with a test agent to get a result required for the respective test. Such blood samples are mixed with the test agent and placed in a centrifuge for a specific amount of time, so that the blood sample gets properly mixed with the test agent and the required result is obtained. Centrifuges are also used to separate substances of different densities in a sample by rotating the sample at a very high speed, causing the substance to be displaced outward, sometimes through a series of filters or gratings. Denser substances tend to be displaced from the center more than ones that are less dense. In the same manner, the centrifuge is used in various domestic, industrial and other medical applications, where the fluid is needed to be separated and used for further processes.
[0003] Centrifuges are used for separating fluids including but not limited to liquids, semisolids,
and liquids of varying densities and the ones that are used in laboratories are often also referred to as micro centrifuge, as the size of the centrifuge is small and compact, and bigger centrifuges are used in domestic, industrial and aerospace applications. Centrifuges also generally comprise of an outer casing for the protection of the device, a vessel that carries fluid samples in its hollow portions for mixing, a rotating shaft that rotates the vessel, and an electric motor for supplying electrical energy to the rotating shaft to rotate.
[0004] Most of the existing centrifuges are designed and manufactured in such a way that when
electrical power is supplied to the rotating shaft via the electric motor, the rotating shaft rotates, resulting in rotation of the vessel. Due to rotation, centripetal force is created, which rotates the vessel in a direction with constant angular velocity. This constant rotation of the vessel helps to mix fluid samples in the vessel. The vessel is properly balanced on the rotating shaft such that the vessel rotates with constant angular velocity.
[0005] However, there are possibilities of occurrence of imbalance in the vessel of the centrifuge.
The imbalance may be due to fluctuation in power supply to the rotating shaft, switching on the power supply without adjusting the vessel properly, due to overload in the vessel, switching on the centrifuge when its rotor is not balanced, or breaking of the tubes during operation of the centrifuge, and the like.

Such imbalance leads to vibration of the vessel. Existing centrifuges are designed in such a manner that the vessel of the centrifuge can withstand imbalance only to a certain threshold value, up to which the operation of the contribute can be managed but once the vibration exceeds the threshold, there are increasing chances of hazards and/or damages happening to the centrifuge including other devices located near around or even to the user.
[0006] Accordingly, centrifuges are equipped with power supply cut off devices, which are
configured to cut off the power supply from the electric motor to the rotating shaft when the vibration of the vessel exceeds a defined threshold value. Various imbalance detection and power supply cut off devices for the centrifuge are available in the market, which use different vibration sensor based methods to turn off the power supply to the rotating shaft. These devices are expensive and complex as they use sensors to measure imbalance. There are various other switch devices available in the market that also slow down the rotation of the vessel if the vibration of the vessel exceeds threshold but such set ups are extremely complex and expensive.
[0007] Therefore, there exists a need for an imbalance detection and power cut off device for a
centrifuge. There is also a need for a device, which measures excessive imbalance in the centrifuge vessel and cut off the power supply to the rotating shaft if the imbalance exceeds threshold value. There is further a need for a device, which is efficient, simple and cost effective to detect imbalance and cut off power supply to the centrifuge.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a device for imbalance detection and
power cut off for a centrifuge.
[0009] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a device that can safeguard
centrifuges, operation thereof, their surroundings, and the user from excessive vibration and potential
hazards and damages that can result from vibration of the centrifuge.
[00010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a switch device to detect centrifuge
imbalance and cut off power supply to the centrifuge.
[00011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide simple, economical, and cost
efficient imbalance detection and power supply cut off device for a centrifuge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00012] The present disclosure relates to a mechanical centrifuge safety device. More particularly,
the present disclosure relates to imbalance detection and power supply cut off device for a centrifuge,

wherein the mechanical device provides safety to the centrifuge in a simple, efficient and cost effective manner.
[00013] Although the present disclosure is explained with respect to imbalance detection and power
cut off device for a micro centrifuge, it would be appreciated that this application is only used for
illustration purposes of the micro centrifuge safety device, but not as a limitation.
[00014] In an embodiment, a safety device of the present disclosure comprises a switch and a
floating weight/mass, wherein the floating weight/mass is placed on the switch. The safety device can be
placed below the vessel of centrifuge, wherein the vessel is, as is already known, rotated with the help of
a rotating shaft. The switch can be a spring loaded switch, wherein when the switch is pushed, the spring
gets suppressed resulting in cut off of power supply to the rotating shaft.
[00015] In operation, when the vessel starts to vibrate due to imbalance, the floating weight/mass
comes in contact with the vessel and, as a result, exerts pressure on the switch. However, the switch is not
actuated till the vibration due to imbalance in less than a predefined threshold value, which is determined
by the floating weight/mass. Once the vibration of the vessel exceeds the predefined threshold value, the
vessel presses the floating weight/mass with a certain pressure such that the switch is actuated, which
results in cut off of power supply to the rotating shaft and thus the rotation of the vessel is stopped.
[00016] In an embodiment, the floating weight/mass can be placed on the switch, wherein the
switch is adjusted to withstand weight of the floating weight/mass and therefore the switch is actuated
only by the weight/mass of the floating weight/mass. In an embodiment, a floating weight can be made up
of glass, plastic and the like. When the pressure of the floating weight is higher than a predefined
threshold, the switch, configured below the floating weight, gets activated, suppressing the spring in the
switch, resulting in cut-off of the power supply to the centrifuge.
[00017] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the switch comprises any other type of
switch, which on actuation cuts off the power supply to a centrifuge.
[00018] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the switch detects imbalance of a vessel in
horizontal direction, in addition to the vertical direction.
[00019] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the switch detects imbalance and cuts off
power supply to the centrifuge, which is used in domestic, industrial applications, aerospace industry and
the like. In yet another embodiment, the switch can be an electromechanical switch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00020] Fig. 1 illustrates an existing micro centrifuge with a vessel that holds fluid samples.

[00021] Fig. 2 illustrates a safety device for a centrifuge having a switch with a floating
weight/mass on it
[00022] Fig. 3 illustrates operation of the safety device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00023] The present disclosure relates to a safety device for a centrifuge. More particularly, the
present disclosure relates to imbalance detection and power supply cut off device for a centrifuge.
[00024] The present disclosure has been described through multiple embodiments disclosing the
proposed device for providing safety to a centrifuge, wherein imbalance and vibration of a vessel of the centrifuge is detected and power supply is cut off to the centrifuges if the imbalance of the centrifuge exceeds threshold value. Embodiments described below are not limitations and a person who is skilled in . the art can change the device set up or use other units in different other applications to meet the requirement without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[00025] A detailed description of the present disclosure is provided with reference to Fig. 1 and
. Fig. 2, wherein Fig. 1 shows a micro centrifuge 100. The micro centrifuge 100 comprises a hollow interior part, which is occupied by a vessel 102. The vessel 102 can be made up of any metal, glass or plastic material but not limited thereto. The vessel 102 comprises of hollow slots, which are used for placing a plurality of test tubes 104 containing fluid. The test tubes 104 in the vessel 102 can be positioned either vertically or at any other angle with respect to the base of the vessel 102. The vessel 102 is rotated to separate the fluid in the test tube 104 with a constant user adjusted centrifugal velocity. The vessel 102 is designed in such a way that the fluid present within the test tubes 104 is not spilled or leaked out during rotation of the vessel 102 with certain angle and velocity, which results in increase safety in the centrifuge 100. The vessel 102 is attached to a rotating shaft 106, wherein the rotating shaft 106 rotates the vessel 102 with certain centrifugal velocity. The rotating shaft is rotated with the help of an electric motor (not shown in Fig), which converts electrical energy into rotational energy and rotates the rotating shaft 106. When power is on, the rotating shaft 106 begins to rotate, making the vessel 102 rotate with a constant centrifugal velocity, as the vessel is attached to the rotating shaft 106. As the vessel 102 starts rotating, the test tubes 104 present within the vessel 102 are also rotated with the same centrifugal velocity.
[00026] Fig. 2 illustrates the configuration and function of the centrifuge safety device, wherein
the centrifuge 100 comprises a vessel 102, one or more test tubes 104, a rotating shaft 106 that rotates the

vessel 102 with the help of an electric motor, a switch 108, a floating weight/mass 110 placed on the
switch 108 and a stand 112 for adjusting height of the switch 108. In an embodiment, the switch 108 is
placed below the vessel 102 and is adjacent to the rotating shaft 106, so that the switch 108 can detect the
imbalance of the vessel 102 in the centrifuge 100. The switch 108 comprises a switch button 114, which
gets suppressed and actuates the switch 108 to cut off the power supply when the floating mass 110 is
applied on the switch button 114 with a pressure beyond the predefined threshold. The floating
weight/mass 110 is placed on the switch button 114 and is configured to move up and down based on the
movement of the vessel 102 when in touch with the floating weight/mass 110. The switch button 114 is
adjusted in such a way that the weight exerted by the floating weight/mass 110 on the switch button alone
cannot actuate the switch to cut off the power supply to the rotating shaft 106. When the pressure exerted
on the floating weight/mass 110 is below the threshold value, there will not be any change in the state of
the switch. The switch button 114 actuates the switch 108 resulting in cut off of power supply to the
rotating shaft 106 only when the pressure exerted on floating weight/mass 110 exceeds the threshold. The
floating mass 110 can be made up of any light weight material such as glass, wood, plastic and the like
but not limited thereto. Further, in an embodiment, a plurality of plate walls 116 can be incorporated as
constraints around the floating weight/mass 110 to allow the floating weight/mass 110 to move up and
down only in the vertical direction. In yet another embodiment, the switch 108 is an electromechanical
switch. In other embodiments, the switch 108 can be a toggle switch, centrifugal switch, rotary switch,
toggle switch, spring loaded switch, push button switch, speed switch, or pressure switch.
[00027] In an embodiment, a switch 108 with a floating weight/mass 110 is placed below a vessel
102, wherein the vessel 102 is rotated with the help of a rotating shaft 106. The vessel 102 is rotated with
a constant centrifugal velocity thereby being in a balanced state of constant rotation parallel to the base of
the centrifuge 100. The constant state of balanced rotation can be disturbed and the vessel 102 can
become imbalanced due to circumstances including but not limited to power supply fluctuation, improper
closing of the centrifuge, breaking of one or more tubes, overloading of test tubes in the vessel, and the
like. In such cases, balance of the vessel 102 gets disturbed and the vessel 102 begins to vibrate, resulting
in disturbing the constant rotational path. As the rotational path gets disturbed, the vessel 102 starts to
vibrate and rotate in vertical direction. During such vibration, the imbalanced vessel 102 can touch the
floating weight/mass 110 during its vertical motion and exert a certain amount of pressure on it.
[00028] During earlier stages of imbalanced rotation, the vessel 102 touches the surface of the
floating weight/mass 110 and continues its imbalanced rotation. As the vibration of the vessel 102 increases, the vessel 102 begins to rotate with a centrifugal velocity along with increased vertical vibration motion. The pressure exerted on the floating weight/mass 110 increases as the vibration of the vessel 102 increases, but the floating weight/mass 110 does not press the switch button 114 and actuate

the switch 108 to cut off power supply until the pressure exerted on the switch button 114 is below a defined threshold. Such a defined threshold can be governed and controlled by the floating weight/mass 110 properties. Once the vibration of the vessel 102 exceeds the defined threshold, the vessel 102 hits the surface of the floating weight/mass 110 with such a force that the floating weight/mass 110 suppresses the switch button 114, resulting in actuation of the switch 108 and cut off of power supply to the rotating shaft 106. The rotating shaft 106, as a result, stops rotating once the power supply is stopped, thereby stopping the rotation of the vessel 102. As the rotation of the vessel is stopped, vibration of the vessel also stops.
[00029] In an embodiment, the switch 108 can include a spring (not shown) there within, which
gets suppressed by the switch button 114 upon exertion of pressure from the vessel 102 beyond a defined threshold. The spring actuates the switch and cuts off power supply to the centrifuge, avoiding possible hazard from occurring. In another embodiment, a switch can be any other switch, which can cut off the power supply to a centrifuge upon detecting imbalance in a vessel beyond threshold.
[00030] The switch 108 in the present embodiment is placed on a stand 112 such that the stand
112 can be used to adjust height of the switch to set the threshold vibration. In an embodiment, height of
the switch 108 and gap between the vessel 102 and the floating weight/mass 110 on the switch 108 can
determine the defined threshold. The vessel 102 vibrates within the gap between its base and the floating
weight/mass 110. Once the imbalance of the vessel goes beyond defined threshold, the vessel begins to hit
the surface of the floating weight/mass 110 with more pressure than the threshold and the switch 108 gets
actuated resulting in power cut off to the centrifuge 100. The safety device set up is simple, efficient and
cost effective, as the safety device does not require any sensors to sense imbalance of the vessel 102.
[00031] In another embodiment, centrifuge safety device of the present disclosure can be used in
any centrifuge to detect imbalance and to cut off power supply to the centrifuge to avoid damages from occurring. The safety system for centrifuges can be used but not limited for industrial applications, laboratories, domestic applications, aerospace industries and the like.
[00032] In another embodiment, a vessel 102 within a centrifuge can move vertically to the base
of the centrifuge. A switch 108 can be placed below the vessel and adjacent to a rotating shaft to detect imbalance and cut off power supply to the centrifuge if the vibration exceeds threshold. In an embodiment, the switch 108 can also be used to monitor imbalance of the vessel 102 in horizontal, angular, or sideways direction. Similarly, floating mass can also be configured to move vertically, horizontally, sideways, and angularly.
[00033] Fig. 3 illustrates working of the safety device 300 through vibration of the centrifuge and
cut-off of the power supply when the vibration increases beyond a defined threshold. 302 illustrates

original position of the safety device in which floating weight/mass 110'is placed over a switch button 114, which in turn is placed over a switch 108. 304 illustrates upward movement of the floating weight/mass 110. 306 illustrates downward pressing movement of the floating weight/mass 110 on the switch 108. However, at this stage the downward pressure is not above a defined threshold and hence the switch 108 is not activated. 308 illustrates increase of the pressure beyond the defined threshold, thereby activating the switch 108 and cutting off the power supply to the motor of the centrifuge.
[00034] While certain embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and
substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been described by way of illustration and not limitations.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[00035] The present disclosure provides a centrifuge safety device, which detects imbalance and
cuts-off power supply to the centrifuge if vibration exceeds threshold.
[00036] The present disclosure provides a switch with a floating weight/mass placed on it to detect
imbalance of a vessel and cut off power supply to the centrifuge if vibration of the vessel exceeds
threshold.
[00037] The present disclosure provides a simple, effective and cost efficient centrifuge safety
device.
[00038] The present disclosure provides an easy and simple set up for a centrifuge safety device.

CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A centrifuge safety apparatus comprising; .
a switch (108) operatively coupled to a centrifuge;
a floating mass (110) operatively coupled to said switch (108) and said centrifuge, wherein said floating mass activates said switch (108) to cut off power supply based on a defined threshold of vibration of said centrifuge.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said centrifuge comprises a vessel and a shaft,
wherein said power supply operates said vessel through said shaft (106).
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said vessel is operatively coupled with said floating
mass (110), and wherein vibration of said vessel pushes said floating mass (110) such that when said vibration is beyond said defined threshold, said floating mass (110) activates said switch (108) to cut off power supply.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch (108) is operatively coupled with a
switch button (114), and wherein said floating mass (110) is configured on top on said switch button (114), and wherein said floating mass (110) activates said switch (108) based on impact of vibration of said centrifuge on said switch button (114) through said floating mass (110).
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said floating mass (110) is configured to move
vertically, horizontally, sideways, and angularly.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a stand (112),
wherein said switch (108) is configured on said stand (112), and wherein said stand (112) is configured to adjust height of said switch (108).
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises one or more plate walls
(116) configured to control movement of said floating mass (110).

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch (108) is selected from one or more of
electromechanical switch, toggle switch, centrifugal switch, rotary switch, toggle switch, spring loaded switch, push button switch, speed switch, and pressure switch.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vibration includes horizontal, vertical, angular,
and sideways vibration.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said floating mass (110) is made of one or more of
. glass, plastic, fiber, wood, steel, and a light weight material.