Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
494010000 | WITH MEANS FOR INDICATING, INSPECTING, MEASURING, SIGNALING OR TESTING | 46 |
20080248938 | AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BLOOD COMPONENTS SEPARATION AND PROCESSING - A blood processing centrifuge comprising: a rotor having an axis of rotation and being controllably spun around the axis, a mechanism for processing whole blood within the rotor while spinning, a computer controlling blood processing operations, the computer being mounted to the rotor and spinning therewith. | 10-09-2008 |
20090156383 | Blood Processing Apparatus With Sealed Diffuser in Optical Control Apparatus - A centrifugal blood separation apparatus having an optical camera control system with a focused, stationary light source. A diffusion plate mounted on a rotor, rather than on or near the light source, allows an intense light beam to be transmitted from the light source to the rotor and then diffused at the rotor across an observation region. Different characteristics of a diffusion surface allow different lighting regions within the observation region. The diffusion plate has upper and lower plates with a diffusion surface sealed between the plates. This prevents degradation or contamination of the diffusion surface by abrasion, dirt, blood components or other materials that might incidentally contact the diffusion surface. | 06-18-2009 |
20090275458 | SPLIT SPIN CENTRIFUGATION OF TEST ELEMENTS - High-throughput centrifugation of batches of samples is achieved by dividing a single centrifugation run of a batch of samples into two or more staggered, discrete spins with fewer samples and in which the availability of centrifuge slots for loading or unloading of samples and the subsequent delivery of experimental results can be enhanced. The methodology is particularly useful in situations where multiple samples need to be processed rapidly, for example, as part of a STAT blood typing program in urgent care facilities prior to blood transfusion. | 11-05-2009 |
20090298666 | Three Phase Separator - A separator with an at least inwardly singly or doubly conical separator drum ( | 12-03-2009 |
20100137120 | Spinning Force Apparatus - A spinning force system and methods of operation are provided for measuring a characteristic of a sample. The system includes a detection module having a light source for illuminating the sample and an objective being aligned to the light source to define a light path for producing an image of the sample. A rotor is mechanically coupled to the detection module and configured to rotate the light path for applying a force to the sample. The force may include a centrifugal force and other forms of force (such as a viscous drag force) resulted from the rotation. In some examples, the force is applied in a direction that is not parallel to a surface of the sample. | 06-03-2010 |
20100152013 | CARTRIDGE AND CENTRIFUGE HAVING A CARTRIDGE - A cartridge ( | 06-17-2010 |
20100160133 | CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS - Centrifugal separator devices, systems and to related methods are described. More particularly, fluid transfer connections for a centrifugal separator system having support assemblies with a movable member coupled to a connection tube and coupled to a fixed member, such that the movable member is constrained to movement along a fixed path relative to the fixed member are described. Also, centrifugal separator systems including such fluid transfer connections are described. Additionally, methods of installing, removing and/or replacing centrifugal separators from centrifugal separator systems are described. | 06-24-2010 |
20100160134 | Blood Processing Apparatus with Digitally Controlled Linear Voltage Regulator for Optical Pulses - The invention relates to apparatus for controlling the processing of blood into blood components, particularly components for stroboscopic LED light sources for centrifuges. A digital control circuit controls a high amperage linear voltage regulator. The voltage regulator charges a capacitor bank, which in turn powers LED light sources. The digital control circuit comprises an N-channel switched mode FET. The switched mode FET receives a pulsed digital signal from the microprocessor controlling the blood processing apparatus. A by-pass resistor in parallel with the FET allows most of the current to flow past the FET, thus minimizes heating of the FET. The performance of the FET, therefore, remains stable despite extended use of the apparatus. | 06-24-2010 |
20100267538 | Methods and Apparatus for Hemolysis Detection in Centrifugal Blood Separator - A centrifugal blood processing apparatus comprising a centrifuge rotor, a separation chamber, a tubing set for conducting blood components and fluids and having an inlet line, and an outlet line. Apparatus tests flow conditions using a red light-green light sensor to detect non-recoverable hemolysis during priming by identifying a high R/G ratio, preferably a ratio of greater than or equal to fifty (50), prior to the beginning of the first return of blood components to a donor followed by identifying a R/G ratio at least as great as one and one tenth (1.1) together with a green signal less than a predetermined value, preferably less than or equal to one thousand (1000) reflectance units. If these conditions are detected, an alarm is given and the apheresis procedure is discontinued. | 10-21-2010 |
20100331162 | PROCESS AND APPARATUS TO AUTOMATICALLY REFILL EVAPORATION APPARATUS - A fraction collector, sample drier that automatically re-fills sample contains is described. Profiles of RPM and/or back EMF decays as a rotating but unpowered rotor comes to a stop are generated. The profiles may be generated for rotors with full, partially filled and empty sample containers. During a drying operation as the non-volatile samples are collected by evaporating the liquids more sample may be loaded while the rotor is spinning. The operation is to unpower the mechanism and measure the decay profile of PPM and/or EMF over time. A threshold may be set so that the lighter rotor will stop more quickly, and if the threshold is crossed the mechanism will load more sample into the containers. | 12-30-2010 |
20110039679 | Wet cyclone particle collector - A wet cyclone particle collector is disclosed. The wet cyclone particle collector includes a cyclone unit, a liquid delivery unit and a sample collection unit. The cyclone unit draws a gas sample into a cyclone chamber and creates a circular flow of the gas sample inside the cyclone chamber so that particles in the gas sample are separated from said gas sample by centrifugation force. The liquid delivery unit delivers a collection liquid into the cyclone in a non-continuous fashion. The sample collection unit harvests the collection liquid from the cyclone unit. The non-continuous delivery of the collection liquid significantly reduces consumption of collection liquid during operation of the particle collector. | 02-17-2011 |
20110045959 | CELL PROCESSING DEVICE - The count of cells that are to be concentrated in a centrifugal container and transplanted can be measured without damaging these cells. Disclosed is a cell processing device comprising: a centrifugal separator which concentrates cells by rotating a centrifugal container that contains a cell suspension yielded by digestion of a biological tissue; a property detection unit which detects a property of the cell suspension contained in the centrifugal container of the centrifugal separator; and a cell count enumeration unit which calculates the cell count on the basis of the property of the cell suspension detected by the property detection unit. | 02-24-2011 |
20110059835 | CENTRIFUGE - According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a centrifuge including: a motor; a rotor chamber that accommodates a rotor rotated by the motor thereinside; a vacuum pump that sucks air from the rotor chamber to reduce a pressure therein; and a controller that controls the centrifuge to operate in: (1) a normal operation mode in which the rotor is rotated while activating the vacuum pump; and (2) a pulsed operation mode in which the rotor is rotated without activating the vacuum pump. | 03-10-2011 |
20110143905 | System for Blood Separation with Shielded Extraction Port and Optical Control - A centrifugal blood separation system comprising a rotor, a light source, an optical sensor, a control system, a separation vessel, and an optical cell on the separation vessel. The optical cell has a first extraction port extending radially outwardly into the optical cell, a red blood cell extraction port downstream from the first extraction port and extending into the optical cell beyond the first extraction port; and a dam between said first extraction port and said red blood cell extraction port, having an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the first extraction port and the red cell extraction port are radially between the upper edge and the lower edge of the dam. Also, a first extraction port having a bore having a first diameter, a lumen having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and a frustro-conical passageway coupling the bore to the lumen. | 06-16-2011 |
20110190111 | CONTINUOUS CENTRIFUGE - A continuous centrifuge includes: a cylindrical rotor configured to separate a specimen; a centrifuging chamber accommodating the rotor; a driving unit configured to rotate the rotor; a specimen line configured to continuously supply and discharge the specimen to and from the rotor during rotation of the rotor; and a controller configured to control the driving unit. The control unit has a cleansing mode which flows a liquid chemical through the specimen line so as to conduct sterilization and/or cleansing while rotating the rotor. | 08-04-2011 |
20110212819 | Lid for Closing a Centrifuge Rotor - The present invention relates to a lid for closing a centrifuge rotor, characterized by a form-fitting, rotation-actuated closure mechanism which, pre-positioned on the centrifuge rotor, moves automatically into a closed position by virtue of the intrinsic weight of the lid. | 09-01-2011 |
20110230327 | CENTRIFUGE AND CENTRIFUGE OPERATION INFORMATION COLLECTING SYSTEM - A centrifuge includes: a driving unit; a rotor configured to be rotated by the driving unit and hold a sample; a control unit configured to control rotation of the driving unit; and a communication controller configured to communicate with an external network. The control unit has an automatic transmission mode in which operation data is collected at predetermined intervals while the centrifuge is operating and the operation data is periodically transmitted to a data managing apparatus through the network. | 09-22-2011 |
20110294641 | Apparatus and Method for Operating a Multi-Unit Blood Processor with Varying Units of Blood - A multi-unit blood processor uses a hydraulic bladder system to express blood components out of whole blood bags and into collection bags. A dummy whole blood bag, containing an inert fluid, may be placed in a processing location. The dummy bag has characteristics that allow the blood processor to recognize the presence of the dummy bag. An opaque feature may be detected by a photo sensor. A radio frequency sensor may be used to detect a passive radio frequency emitter on the dummy bag. The dummy bag may have a bar code label identifying it as a dummy bag. The blood processor will not attempt to process the dummy bag. | 12-01-2011 |
20110301012 | Multi-Unit Blood Processor with Volume Prediction - Method and Apparatus for predicting the volume of a component separated from a composite fluid by predicting the volume of the composite fluid from sensed pressure and predicting the volume of other separated components from sensed movement of the other components to collection bags. | 12-08-2011 |
20120010062 | BLOOD PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTED COLLECTION TARGETS - A method and apparatus for collecting a maximum amount of platelets for a selected blood separation procedure without collecting excess platelets above those required for a selected platelet product, whether that product was one unit of platelets, two units of platelets (a double platelet), or more. The method and apparatus will continue to adjust the platelet yield target for platelet collection throughout the procedure without operator intervention, unless the selected procedure cannot be completed successfully, and the operator is required to select another allowed procedure. | 01-12-2012 |
20120129675 | CENTRIFUGE - Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants. | 05-24-2012 |
20120220441 | CONTINUOUS FLOW ULTRA-CENTRIFUGATION SYSTEMS - A continuous flow centrifuge system is provided. The system includes a rotor, a stator, a stator housing, upper and lower bearing plates, upper and lower bearings, first and second snap rings, and lip seal. The upper bearing rotatably secures a shaft of the rotor in the upper bearing plate. The first snap ring secures the upper bearing to the rotor shaft. The lip seal is over the upper bearing and forms a rotatable seal with the upper bearing plate. The second snap ring secures the lip seal to an inner diameter of the upper bearing plate. The upper and lower bearing plates are secured to the stator housing so that the rotor is operatively aligned with the stator. | 08-30-2012 |
20120245013 | SPINNING DISC CENTRIFUGE ROTOR - The spinning disc centrifuge rotor includes a sample holder formed from a cylindrical disc body and a cover plate that are made from a transparent material, such as polycarbonate, preferably Lexan® (Lexan is a registered trademark of General Electric Company of Schenectady, N.Y.). The disc-shaped body has two concentric or coaxial recesses defined therein. The first recess forms a cylindrical well or sample chamber for receiving a generally cylindrical rock sample. The second recess has a larger diameter than the first recess, and is shallower, forming a fluid collection area above the sample well, the second recess forming an annular ring extending around the top edge or rim of the sample well. An O-ring snugly within the outer wall of the second recess and forms a seal between the cover plate and the floor of the second recess, preventing fluid leakage. A rotor shaft extends from the bottom face of the cylindrical disc. | 09-27-2012 |
20120270717 | Methods, Systems and Apparatus for Manipulating Particles - An apparatus for manipulating particles includes: a rotor rotatable at a speed about an axis, the rotor having an outer periphery and front and rear opposite sides; at least one chamber ( | 10-25-2012 |
20130040797 | System for Blood Separation with Replacement Fluid Apparatus and Method - A method is provided in a centrifugal blood processing system for adding replacement fluid without a dedicated peristaltic pump to blood components being returned to the donor. A disposable blood processing set for use in the method comprises a hermetically sealed set of blood bags, connecting tubes, needles or connectors, and supporting structures with a replacement fluid line coupled directly to a return reservoir without contact with an intervening pump. | 02-14-2013 |
20130045852 | Centrifuge separation method and apparatus using a medium density fluid - The centrifugation vessel includes an outer wall containing an interior space. A dam defines a barrier which divides the interior space into at least two regions including a catch basin defining a higher gee region and a reservoir defining a lower gee region. These regions are joined together over the dam. The dam includes a face which is preferably tapered to enable optimization of speed of separation of a sample placed within the vessel. The vessel is usable in a biological sample processing method by having the higher gee region of the vessel configured to have an elongate form and the volume optimized for collection of a higher density fraction of the sample. Supply and withdrawal tubes extend into the regions for reliable extraction and separate collection of differing density fractions after separation by centrifugation. A medium density fluid is used within the vessel to further isolate constituents of differing densities. | 02-21-2013 |
20130072367 | Blood Processing Apparatus with Robust Automated Process Control - A centrifuge for separating blood having a camera observing fluid flow, and a controller controlling the flow. The location of an interface is detected by image processing steps, which may comprise the steps of “spoiling” the image, “diffusing” the image, “edge detection”, “edge linking”, “region-based confirmation”, and “interface calculation”. “Spoiling” reduces the number of pixels to be examined preferentially on orthogonal axis oriented with respect to the expected location of the interface or phase boundary. “Diffusing” smoothes out small oscillations in the interface boundary, making to the location of the interface more distinct. “Edge detection” computes the rate of change in pixel intensity. “Edge linking” connects adjacent maxima. “Region-based confirmation” creates a pseudo image of the regions that qualify as distinct. “Final edge calculation” uses the points where the shade changes in the pseudo image, averages the radial displacement of these points for the interface position. | 03-21-2013 |
20130116102 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED SAMPLE PREPARATION - A system for automatically processing a biological specimen is provided that includes an elevator comprising a plurality of shelves configured to receive a plurality of sample trays. The trays may comprise a plurality of sample containers containing a sample and having a plurality of respective caps engaged therewith. The trays may further include a plurality of centrifuge tube racks each containing a plurality of centrifuge tubes. The system may include a first transport mechanism, a second transport mechanism and a third transport mechanism. The system may include a chain-of-custody device configured to read identifiers on each of the containers. The system may also include a pipetting device configured to remove a portion from the sample containers and dispense the sample into the centrifuge tubes. | 05-09-2013 |
20130130884 | APPARATUS FOR MEASUREMENT OF SPINNING FORCES RELATING TO MOLECULES - An apparatus for measuring a characteristic of a sample includes a sample measurement apparatus ( | 05-23-2013 |
20130150225 | PRESSURE SENSOR - One embodiment relates to a pressure sensor apparatus, including a housing with a flexible member and an aperture configured to receive a fluid. The pressure sensor apparatus further includes a first member disposed on the flexible member, a second member removeably coupled to the first member configured to move in response to a pressure of the fluid and a sensor configured to detect the movement of the second member. The pressure sensor apparatus generates a pressure signal for the fluid based on the displacement of the second member | 06-13-2013 |
20130203581 | CENTRIFUGE INTEGRATING TACHOMETRIC DEVICE MOUNTED IN AN UPPER PART OF THE CHAMBER, ESPECIALLY MOUNTED ON THE LID - A centrifuge is provided, which includes a chamber with a vessel in which are mounted a drive shaft for rotating a rotating assembly, and a measuring device for measuring the rotation speed of the rotating assembly. The chamber extends vertically between a bottom and an upper portion and includes a cover for opening/closing. The measuring device includes a transmitting portion rotated by the drive shaft and a second portion able to detect a passing frequency of the transmitting portion at a fixed point. The transmitting portion is supported by the rotating assembly and the second portion is mounted on the upper portion. | 08-08-2013 |
20130237399 | CENTRIFUGE COMPRISING VISUAL AND/OR TACTILE INDICATOR FOR INDICATING THE ACCURATE MOUNTING OF THE ROTOR ON THE DRIVE SHAFT, AND CORRESPONDING ROTOR - A centrifuge is provided, which includes a drive shaft and a rotor intended to be removably mounted on the drive shaft in a mounting position. The drive shaft and the rotor are rotatably linked. The centrifuge also includes an axial locking device, which locks the rotor on the drive shaft and includes at least one male element supported by the rotor, resiliently biased and able to engage with a female element on the drive shaft. The male element(s) is(are) linked to a visual and/or tactile indicator, providing a visual and/or tactile indication of the engagement of the male element(s) with the female element. | 09-12-2013 |
20140005023 | System for Blood Separation with Shielded Extraction Port and Optical Control | 01-02-2014 |
20140057770 | High Speed, Compact Centrifuge for Use with Small Sample Volumes - In one nonlimiting example, an automated system is provided for separating one or more components in a biological fluid, wherein the system comprises: (a) a centrifuge comprising one or more bucket configured to receive a container to effect said separating of one or more components in a fluid sample; and (b) the container, wherein the container includes one or more shaped feature that is complementary to a shaped feature of the bucket. | 02-27-2014 |
20140057771 | OPTICAL MONITORING SYSTEM FOR BLOOD PROCESSING SYSTEM - An optical monitoring system is provided for use with a blood processing system. The system includes a light source configured to illuminate a disposable flow circuit received in a centrifuge and a light detector configured to receive an image of the disposable flow circuit. A controller combines two or more of the images received by the light detector to generate a two-dimensional output. The output is used to control the separation of blood within the disposable flow circuit. The monitoring system may also be used to verify that the disposable flow circuit is suitable for use with the centrifuge or that the disposable flow circuit is properly aligned within the centrifuge. The monitoring system may be positioned outside of the centrifuge bucket which receives the centrifuge. | 02-27-2014 |
20140235420 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A DECANTER CENTRIFUGE - A torque sensing device capable of measuring the force exerted by a torque arm on a lever is positioned between the torque arm and the lever. The torque arm is connected to the pinion of a planetary gearbox for rotating the bowl and screw conveyer of a decanter centrifuge at different speeds. The torque sensing device measures the torque between the pinion gear and the planetary gearbox. The sensor can be connected to a controller which can reduce the flow of the liquid/solid mixture to the decanter centrifuge thereby/reducing the torque and avoiding substantial damage to the planetary gearbox. | 08-21-2014 |
20140235421 | CENTRIFUGE, CENTRIFUGE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A centrifuge device displays a workflow diagram during operation. The workflow diagram includes a loading step-indicator, a running step-indicator, and an unloading step-indicator. The loading step-indicator is displayed when the centrifuge device is operating in a loading mode. The running step-indicator is displayed when the centrifuge device is operating in a running mode. The unloading step-indicator is displayed when the centrifuge device is operating in the unloading mode. A centrifuge system includes the centrifuge device and a handheld device operable remote from the centrifuge device, which displays a status of the centrifuge device. Methods of operating a centrifuge device and a centrifuge system are also disclosed. | 08-21-2014 |
20140357464 | CENTRIFUGE - A flow apparatus for a separation apparatus for separating solids from a solids laden drilling fluid, the flow system comprising a feed conduit ( | 12-04-2014 |
20140371047 | CENTRIFUGE ROTOR - A centrifuge rotor for measuring a characteristic of a sample subjected to centrifugation, the centrifuge rotor including: a rotor body; at least one sample holder for holding a sample; at least one on-board measurement device for measuring a characteristic of the sample held in the at least one sample holder during rotation of the rotor. | 12-18-2014 |
20150057141 | CENTRIFUGE AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING OPERATION DATA OF CENTRIFUGE - A centrifuge including: a rotor configured to separate a sample; a driving unit configured to rotate the rotor; a control device configured to control the driving unit and generate operation data; a data storage device configured to store the operation data; and a communication unit configured to connect the centrifuge with another centrifuge, wherein the storage device has a first storage area configured to store the operation data of the centrifuge, and a second storage area configured to store operation data of the other centrifuge acquired through the communication unit. | 02-26-2015 |
20150111716 | Tri-Axial Centrifuge Apparatus - The invention provides a tri-axial centrifuge apparatus for testing of petro-physical properties and gathering of geo-mechanical information, as well as methods of using the tri-axial centrifuge apparatus. The tri-axial centrifuge apparatus includes a tri-axial sample holder, a fluid sample holder, a centrifuge, at least one electrical sensor, at least one acoustic sensor, and an x-ray instrument. | 04-23-2015 |
20150321204 | Method And Apparatus For Continuous Removal Of Sub-Micron Sized Particles In A Closed Loop Liquid Flow System - A method and apparatus for continuous removal of sub-micron sized particles and other materials attached thereto such as cancer cells and bacteria from blood and other liquids. A centrifuge rotor having a curved shape is offset on a spinning rotor base and creates contiguous areas of low to high centrifugal force depending on the distances from the axis of the rotor base. This creates a density gradient field that separates materials of different densities input to the centrifuge that exit via different outputs. A monitor detects components of the fluid that are mixed with the particles before they exit the centrifuge. If there are any unwanted components detected with the particles logic circuitry changes the speed of rotation of the rotor, and the flow rate of pumps inputting and removing separated fluid and particles to and from the centrifuge until there are no unwanted components in the fluid exiting with the particles from the centrifuge. | 11-12-2015 |
20150360239 | CENTRIFUGING SYSTEM, SAMPLE PREPROCESSING SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD - A sample preprocessing system is capable of reducing centrifuging time, which accounts for the majority of time required for a preprocessing step, and at the same time, performing centrifuging under various conditions. A system management unit ascertains the states of a plurality of centrifuge devices, particularly comparing centrifuging start times and centrifuging termination times for the respective centrifuge devices, and selects the centrifuge device for which the processing time is shortest. Specifically, the system includes an adapter that forms a plurality of batches, sample transfer means for transferring a sample to the adapter, a plurality of centrifuge rotors that centrifuge the adapter in batch units, and calculation means for calculating in advance a start timing and a termination timing of the centrifuging in batch units, and the batch, into which samples are transferred, is controlled on the basis of at least one of the calculated start timing and termination timing. | 12-17-2015 |
20150367063 | Blood Component Separation Apparatus - A blood component separation device includes a centrifugal separator and a container for containing a predetermined blood component which is centrifugally separated and is configured to perform a plurality of steps of collecting a predetermined blood component which is separated. The blood component separation device includes a calculation unit which calculates an estimated extracorporeal circulation volume from a hematocrit value calculated by correcting a hematocrit value measured with a blood cell counter. The calculation unit calculates a correction value used in the correction from a data value of the estimated extracorporeal circulation volume of a plurality of immediately preceding collecting operations and a data value of sampled blood volume measured in the first cycle of each of the plurality of immediately preceding collecting operations. | 12-24-2015 |
20160058938 | System for Blood Separation with Replacement Fluid Apparatus and Method - A method is provided in a centrifugal blood processing system for adding replacement fluid without a dedicated peristaltic pump to blood components being returned to the donor. A disposable blood processing set for use in the method comprises a hermetically sealed set of blood bags, connecting tubes, needles or connectors, and supporting structures with a replacement fluid line coupled directly to a return reservoir without contact with an intervening pump. | 03-03-2016 |
20160074881 | CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING SUITABLE MOMENT FOR REMOVAL OF HEAVY PHASE CONTENT - A centrifugal separator for separating a fluid mixture into components, including a non-rotating part, a rotor which is attached to a shaft which is rotatably supported in the non-rotating part around a rotational axis, which rotor forms within itself a separation space delimited by a rotor wall. The separator includes an inlet extending into the rotor for supply of a fluid mixture to be separated in the separation space, at least one sensor measuring unbalance conditions in the frame; a level determining arrangement including two or more space defining elements of arbitrary form arranged on the interior surface of, or close to, the rotor wall, where each space defining element defines a space which communicates with the separation space or another of the space defining elements through at least one inlet opening arranged at a certain radius from the rotational axis and not outside that radius and where that certain radii of the space defining elements are different. Methods for determining when a predetermined amount of heavy phase fluid (purification) or sludge (clarification) has been separated are also disclosed. The separator and methods make it possible to determine when the level of separated heavy phase fluid or sludge is high enough for emptying or discharge of the separator. | 03-17-2016 |