Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
A system for providing an analog output signal whose average amplitude is proportional to the frequency of an input signal including a constant pulse width generator responsive to the input signal for providing a series of pulses each of which has a predetermined duration at the same frequency as the input signal and an averaging circuit responsive to the series of pulses for providing an analog signal whose average amplitude is a function of the duty cycle of the constant pulse width generator.
Abstract:
A system for sensing an overspeed condition which may exist in a rotating device such as a centrifuge. The system receives, as its inputs, a train of pulses, each pulse indicative of a predetermined number of revolutions of the rotating device. The system functions as an events per-unit-time counter, counting the input pulse rate for a given interval of time with the total pulse count representing the desired speed if the rotating device is onspeed. If the device exceeds the desired speed by a predetermined percentage, the system is activated to indicate an overspeed condition and automatically remove power from the rotating device drive circuits. To prevent premature shutdown of the rotating device by spurious triggering signals, a time delay circuit requires that the overspeed condition exist for a predetermined time interval before system shutdown is accomplished.
Abstract:
An electronic circuit for balancing a differential amplifier by periodically equalizing the inputs of the amplifier and monitoring the output of the amplifier with equalized inputs. The output of the amplifier is then used to balance the amplifier by changing the current in one leg of the differential amplifier circuit until the output level correctly indicates the equalized inputs.