Direct Drive Centrifuge

A centrifuge includes a yoke driven at a rotational speed with respect to a stationary frame of the centrifuge by a drive shaft extending from a motor. A timing belt engages a stationary sun gear and a planet gear, with rotation of the yoke rotating the timing belt and the planet gear. A shaft is associated with the planet gear, with rotation of the planet gear causing the shaft and an associated first sheave to rotate within and with respect to the yoke. Another timing belt engages the first sheave, with rotation of the first sheave causing the second timing belt and a second sheave to rotate with respect to the yoke. A receptacle rotates with the second sheave to cause a fluid separation chamber to rotate with respect to the stationary frame at a speed that is double the rotational speed at which the drive shaft is driven.