Direct Drive Centrifuges

In traditional separator designs, the motor and centrifuge shaft are discrete units that must be connected to transfer energy from the motor to the shaft. Traditionally, this connection is indirect, in that an intervening mechanism makes the connection. In one common approach, a system of gears translates the motion from the rotor to the shaft.  Another approach uses a drive belt to transmit energy. While both geared and belt-driven systems are highly reliable, having so many moving parts contributes to loss of energy during transmission.

Direct drive systems accomplish the transmission with fewer parts as the motor shaft becomes the centrifuge shaft. The motor mounts directly beneath the bowl and its single shaft extends directly into the bowl. Driving the centrifuge directly from the motor minimizes energy lost in the process, enables more compact designs and reduces the maintenance that gear-or belt-driven systems might require otherwise.