Battelle Memorial Institute

Gas Research Institute

First Co.

Steve Grimes

Thomas D Haubert

Randy L Jones

Vince Contini

Stephen C Wardlaw

Jan B Yates

Paul E George, Ii

Sherwood G Talbert

William H Wilkinson

John S Laudo

Stephen E Petty

Donald Anson

David A Ball

Eric R Navin

Douglas Dickson

Michael J Grassi

Stephan C Wardlaw

Kurt Creamer

Albert E Iii Weller

A tube and float system for use in separation and axial expansion of the buffy coat includes a transparent or semi-transparent, flexible sample tube and a rigid separator float having a specific gravity intermediate that of red blood cells and plasma. The float includes a main body portion of reduced diameter to provide a clearance gap between the inner wall of the sample tube and the float. One or more protrusions on the main body portion serve to support the flexible tube. During centrifugation, the centrifugal force causes the diameter of the flexible tube to expand and permit density-based axial movement of the float in the tube. The float further includes a pressure relief system to alleviate pressure build up in the trapped red blood cell blood fraction below the float, thereby preventing red blood cells from being forced into the annular gap containing the buffy coat layers.

Buffy coat separator float system and method

Buffy Coat separator float system and method

A test tube (') defines a test tube axis () and contains or supports an associated sample in an annular sampling region (). At least two alignment bearings () engage the test tube at opposite sides of the annular sampling region along the test tube axis. At least one bias bearing () is radially spaced apart from the at least two alignment bearings and presses the test tube against the at least two alignment bearings to align a portion of the annular sampling region respective to the at least two alignment bearings. A motor () engages the test tube to selectively rotate the test tube.

Sample tube handling apparatus

A heating system uses a dynamic thermal stabilizer for receiving, mixing, holding and outputting a circulating heat exchange liquid in a fashion similar to the use of a flywheel in the mechanical arts. Liquid is returned to the dynamic thermal stabilizer from both an input heat exchange unit and an output heat exchange unit. A two pump system affords a simple tee fitting arrangement that provides room air heating by directly using hot liquid either from the dynamic thermal stabilizer or directly (and at higher temperature) from the input heat exchange unit itself to automatically achieve an additional boost of room heat using higher temperature liquid. The system can also provide initial short draws of domestic hot water from the dynamic thermal stabilizer alone or long draws of hot water by using the input heat exchange unit as a further source of heat input. The system includes a through-the-wall mounting system that simultaneously provides a source of combustion air and vents exhaust products, a spacer to maintain combustion air and exhaust pipes in spaced-apart relation, and a vent device for maintaining a cool, outer-vent surface. The system is combined with an air conditioning or heat pump system to provide a triple integrated appliance that provides room air heating and cooling and a source of domestic hot water.

Heating system

An open steam generator system is disclosed which comprises a substantially enclosed vessel having an opening for exhausting steam generated and an opening for draining residual water from the vessel. Within the vessel also is a heat exchange coil having a heat transfer fluid circulating through its runs. The vessel also includes an injector for spraying water onto the heating coil to form steam. The disclosed steam generator achieves tolerance for low water quality by minimizing surface areas in contact with water. In addition, the system promotes self-cleaning of heat exchange surfaces using thermal shock to dislodge scale deposits.

Steam generator

Growing community of inventors

Westerville, OH, United States of America

Steve Grimes