METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING CENTRIFUGE OPERATION PARAMETERS BASED UPON WINDAGE

摘要

A method and system of determining an operation parameter for a centrifuge includes measuring one or more physical characteristics of a rotor interchangeably supported by a rotor drive. In the preferred embodiment, windage is measured at a first rotational speed and a speed-dependent signal is generated to adjust a vacuum system based upon changes in rotational speed of the rotor. Changes in windage may also be used as a basis for adjusting a refrigeration circuit. Either as an alternative or in addition to monitoring windage, the moment of inertia can be measured and used to adjust adaptive circuitry. For example, the drive circuitry may be adjusted based upon a determination of inertia as the physical characteristic of interest. The method and system isolate inertia and windage as the main forms of resistance to acceleration of the rotor.