Rotor Chamber; Safety Devices - Thermo Scientific Sorvall MTX 150 Instruction Manual

1

Rotor chamber

The structure of the rotor chamber (vacuum chamber) is shown in Fig. 1-3.
Over-speed sensor
Stops the rotor if it rotates faster than the
maximum allowable speed of the rotor.
sensors provided)
Figure 1-3. Rotor Chamber

Safety devices

1. Protection of rotor chamber
Should the rotor fail at high speed (or comes off the drive shaft), the safety of the operator is
ensured by the thick armored barrier ring enclosing the cooling bowl (Fig. 1-3).
2. Imbalance detector
If during operation the vibration of the rotor becomes excessive due to serious imbalance or
improper bucket setting, the imbalance detector detects the situation and decelerates the rotor
immediately. However, the micro-ultracentrifuge is designed to tolerate imbalance associated with
visual balancing - it is equipped with an imbalance tolerant drive. (For more information on the
balancing of rotors, see
3. Door lock system
The chamber door automatically locks for safety while the rotor is spinning. When the power supply
is off, the door remains locked. The door can only be opened and closed when the rotor is at rest and
the rotor chamber vacuum has been vented. To open the door in the event of a power failure, see
"Emergency recovery from power failure"
4. Overspeed detector
This micro-ultracentrifuge incorporates a detector designed to prevent the rotor from spinning at a
speed exceeding the maximum allowable speed.
Two independent microprocessors (CPUs) check the rotor for overspeed, thus increasing safety
1-6 Sorvall MTX 150
Chamber door seal
(Two
Imbalance detection device
Detects abnormal balance and stops the rotor.
"Preparing tubes/bottles and rotors"
Cooling bowl (Rotor Chamber)
Cools the rotor.
on page
on page 2-70.
Drive shaft (crown)
Sets the rotor and
rotates.
Protector
(Barrier Ring)
Temperature sensor
Measures the temperature
in the rotor chamber.
2-3.)
Thermo Scientific