Flexible shaft drive system for centrifuge with pivoting arms

摘要

A drive assembly for a centrifugal processing system is provided for rotating the yoke assembly (36) about a first axis at a first angular velocity and rotating the chamber assembly (30) coaxially with the yoke assembly at a second angular velocity A drive motor (60) is provided for rotating the yoke assembly at the first angular velocity A stationary gear (70) is mounted coaxially with the yoke assembly, with a drive linkage (72) comprising a shaft (74) secured to the yoke assembly so as to be rotatable therewith. The shaft is operatively connected on its first end to the stationary gear (70), so that the shaft rotates about its axis as the yoke assembly (36) rotates relative to the stationary gear. The shaft (74) is rotatably connected on its second end to the chamber assembly (30), so that when the shaft is rotated, the shaft rotates the chamber assembly. Preferably, the yoke assembly (36) comprises a first arm (38) and a second arm (40), with the chamber assembly (30) being rotatably secured to the first arm and the first arm being pivotably connected to the second arm, and the shaft (74) being flexible.

主权项

1. A drive assembly for rotating a first structure about a first axis at a first angular velocity and rotating a second structure coaxially with the first structure at a second angular velocity comprising:
a drive motor for rotating the first structure at the first angular velocity; a stationary gear mounted coaxially with the first structure; and a drive linkage comprising a shaft secured to the first structure so as to be rotatable therewith, the shaft being operatively connected on a first end to the stationary gear so that the shaft is rotated about its axis as the first structure is rotated relative to the stationary gear by the drive motor, the shaft being operatively connected on a second end to the second structure so that when the shaft is rotated, the shaft rotates the second structure, wherein the first structure comprises a first arm and a second arm, the second structure being rotatably secured to the first arm and the first arm being pivotably connected to the second arm, and the shaft being flexible to accommodate the pivoting of the first arm to the second arm.