Centrifuges

Question 1

What is the purpose of the friction coupling?

Answer 1

Ensures a gentle start and acceleration, thus preventing overloading of the worm gear and motor

Question 2

Reference an alpha lava centrifuge, what allows the motor to drive the vertical spindle?

Answer 2

The motor rotates the bowl through a centrifugal clutch which is connected to the worm wheel.

This drives a worm gear on the vertical spindle

Question 3

What are the three main parts of a centrifuge?

Answer 3

The body, the bowl and the bowl drive cartridge

Question 4

What must be removed along with the hood to access the bowl drive assembly?

Answer 4

The three pipes are removed and rotated through 90 degrees

The stirrup, three interlocking unions and distribution pipe are removed

The four hood clamps are undone and the hood is ready to be lifted

Question 5

What procedure should be observed when servicing the bowl assembly?

Answer 5

The bowl assembly is a balanced unit and therefore needs to be replaced as a unit

Exceptions are the seals, pairing and gravity disc

Question 6

Why do the gravity disc and pairings not require replacement with the bowl assembly?

Answer 6

They do not rotate with the bowl assembly and therefore do not need to be balanced

Question 7

What checks are to be carried out before post repair trials?

Answer 7

Ensure pipe unions are tight
Check stirrup is tight
Ensure the hood clamps are secure
Check for loose bolts and nuts
Ensure water sealing supply is connected
Connect air hose supply
Connect fuel gauge line
Remove break cover and carefully rotate to ascertain free movement of the bowl assembly
Check area for misplaced tools and rags
Muster tools and ensure all specialist tools are back on shadow board