OVERSPEED PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR CENTRIFUGE APPARATUS

摘要

In an overspeed protection system for a centrifuge apparatus of the type which uses a coded reflective disk having alternate reflective and non-reflective sectors secured to a rotor to determine the maximum safe operating speed thereof, there is disclosed apparatus for detecting, upon start-up of the centrifuge, whether the disk is in place and operating properly. This is ascertained by determining whether the time durations of the signals from the rotor are greater or less than a predetermined minimum value. If they are greater than the minimum value, this is indicative of the fact that the coded disk is in proper position. If they are less than the minimum value, a power shutdown command is generated.