Patent ID: 7186230

Claim:
An apparatus for separating components of a fluid ( 800 ) comprising: an outer housing ( 100 ) with an upper housing end ( 110 ) and a lower housing end ( 190 ), wherein said outer housing ( 100 ) increases in diameter from said upper housing end ( 110 ) to said lower housing end ( 190 ), said lower housing end ( 190 ) having a housing floor ( 180 ) and said housing upper end ( 110 ) having a housing outlet ( 700 ), said outer housing ( 100 ) having an interior volume ( 710 ) and adapted for rotation about a center axis ( 11 ); a core ( 200 ) connected with said outer housing ( 100 ) for rotation therewith; having an outer wall ( 210 ) having an upper core end ( 205 ) and a lower core end ( 295 ), said lower core end ( 295 ) having a core floor ( 290 ) and said upper core end ( 205 ) having a core outlet ( 720 ); occupying a coaxial volume of said interior volume ( 710 ) of said outer housing ( 100 ), and providing a separation volume ( 220 ) between said core ( 200 ) and said outer housing ( 100 ); a lower plate ( 300 ) having a top surface ( 730 ), said lower plate ( 300 ) positioned within said separation volume ( 220 ), beneath said core floor ( 290 ) and above said housing floor ( 180 ); a lumen ( 400 ) positioned inside said core ( 200 ), said lumen ( 400 ) extending axially through said core ( 200 ); a first bowl channel ( 420 ) within said lumen ( 400 ) to said top surface ( 730 ) of said lower plate ( 300 ) for inflowing said fluid ( 800 ); a second bowl channel ( 410 ) from within said separation volume ( 220 ) beneath said lower plate ( 300 ) for removing a first separated fluid component ( 810 ), and a third bowl channel ( 740 ) from said separation volume ( 220 ) above said lower plate ( 300 ) for removing a second separated fluid component ( 820 ) wherein the housing, core, and plate rotate when said apparatus is rotated, said outer housing ( 100 ) comprises a locking mechanism adapted to secure said outer housing ( 100 ) to a rotational device, and wherein said locking mechanism comprises protrusions ( 150 ).