Billing System Integrated into a Milling Machine
In one aspect of the present invention, a milling machine is configured for degrading formations. The milling machine comprises a rotary degradation drum disposed on the underside of the machine. The rotary degradation drum comprises a plurality of picks. Additionally, the rotary degradation drum comprises a measuring mechanism that is disposed on the machine and is configured to measure a utilization of the milling machine.
This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/847,674, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/307,527, which was filed on Feb. 10, 2006. These applications are herein incorporated by reference for all that they contain.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to milling machines, specifically milling machines for use in degrading formations. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device to measure the amount of use employed by a milling machine over time.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect of the present invention, a milling machine is configured for use in degrading formations. The milling machine comprises a rotary degradation drum disposed on the underside of the machine. The rotary degradation drum comprises a plurality of picks. Additionally, the rotary degradation drum comprises a measuring mechanism that is disposed on the machine and is configured to measure a utilization of the milling machine.
The measuring mechanism may comprise a weight sensor disposed on a conveyor belt disposed on the forward end of the machine. The measuring mechanism may be configured to record the placement of the rotary degradation drum in relation to the surface of a formation. The measuring mechanism may be configured to record the height difference between a forward propulsion mechanism and a rearward propulsion mechanism. The measuring mechanism may comprise a camera disposed on the backside of a moldboard. The camera may be configured to record the measurement of the depth of cut of the rotary degradation drum. A leading edge and a trailing edge may be disposed on a milling chamber on the underside of the machine. The leading edge and trailing edge may be configured to measure the depth of cut on a pass of the machine. The measuring mechanism may comprise an optical device that is disposed on the underside of the machine. The optical device may be configured to measure the dimensions of a degraded formation. The optical device may be a laser, camera, or infrared device.
The measuring mechanism may comprise an optical device that is disposed on the underside of the machine. The optical device may be configured to measure the dimensions of at least one pick. The measuring mechanism may be disposed on or within the rotary degradation drum and may be configured to measure the force applied to the picks. The measuring mechanism may be disposed on or within the rotary degradation drum and may be configured to measure the pressure applied to the picks. The measuring mechanism may be disposed on or connected to at least one pick and may be configured to measure the hardness of a formation upon impact. The measuring mechanism may comprise a vibration sensor with a time stamp and may be disposed on the underside of the machine on the rotary degradation drum.
The measuring mechanism may comprise an energy consumption gauge that may be disposed on a control system disposed on the machine. The measuring mechanism may comprise a torque measurement device that may be in mechanical communication with a central axis of the rotary degradation drum. The measuring mechanism may comprise a rotational speed measurement device that may be in mechanical communication with a central axis of the rotary degradation drum.
A transmitter may be disposed on the machine and may be in electrical communication with the measuring mechanism. The transmitter may be configured to transmit processed information from the machine to a central processor. The rotary degradation drum may be disposed within a curved moldboard. At least one fluid nozzle may be disposed on the underside of the milling machine proximate the rotary degradation drum. The at least one fluid nozzle may be configured to remove aggregate from the plurality of picks and clean the formation. Processed information from the measuring mechanism may be configured to be removed from the machine manually. The plurality of picks may comprise sintered polycrystalline diamond bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate.
Referring now to the figures,
A measuring mechanism may be disposed on the milling machine 100. The measuring mechanism may be configured to record the use of the plurality of picks 105. In addition, a transmitter 107 may be disposed on the milling machine 100, preferably on the topside of the machine. The transmitter 107 may be in electrical or wireless communication with the measuring mechanism and may be configured to transmit processed and stored information from a local processor 108 on the milling machine 100 to a central processor 109. In some embodiments, the measuring mechanism may be configured to permit manual removal of the stored information from the local processor 108.
The moldboard 202 may be positioned rearward the rotary degradation drum 104 and curved in toward it. The end of the moldboard 202 may be configured to push loose aggregate forward. In some cases, the moldboard 202 may direct loose aggregate forward into the degradation zone. This aggregate may be directed by the rotary degradation drum 104 back to the conveyor belt 106. At least one fluid nozzle 200 may be positioned rearward the moldboard 202 and direct the aggregate forward. A fluid stream from the nozzles 200 may prevent aggregate from escaping under the moldboard 202 and may push the aggregate towards the degradation zone. In some embodiments, the nozzle 200 may fog, mist, spray, and/or shoot liquid underneath an end of the moldboard 202.
The measuring mechanism may be used to determine the wear or use of the machine and/or picks. Various parameters may be measured, which are described below, that may be combined to determine the use or wear. In some embodiments, a single parameter may be used to determine a use or wear. Billing arrangements may be based off of the use or wear of the machine. Thus, the parameters measured by the machine may be used to determine a charge for the machine or determine if charges for use of a millings were cost effective.
The measured parameters may be stored locally on the machine or transmitted to on site equipment for storage. In some embodiments, the data is transmitted (from either the machine directly or from on-site equipment) to an off site location for processing. For example, the data may be transmitted directly from the machine to a satellite that directs the data to a central location where billing is processed.
This system is advantageous for the machine owner, the pick owner, of the owner of any other rented parts on the milling machine. The system is also advantageous for the renter because it reduces his paperwork.
The embodiment of
A measuring mechanism may be configured to record the difference in depth of the forward and rearward tracks 102, 103. In addition, the measuring mechanism may be configured to record the distance over which each difference in depth occurs. The measuring mechanism may be configured to store the data. The stored data may be used to determine the extent in which the machine 100 was in use.
Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
Claims
1. A milling machine for degrading formations, comprising:
- a rotary degradation drum disposed on the underside of the machine;
- the rotary degradation drum comprises a plurality of picks; and
- a measuring mechanism disposed on the machine that is configured to measure a utilization of the machine.
2. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises a weight sensor and is disposed on a conveyor belt disposed on the machine.
3. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanisms configured to record the placement of the rotary degradation drum in relation to the surface of a formation.
4. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism is configured to record the difference in height between a forward propulsion mechanism and a rearward propulsion mechanism.
5. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises a camera disposed on the backside of a moldboard and is configured to measure the depth of cut of the rotary degradation drum.
6. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein a leading edge and a trailing edge are disposed on a milling chamber on the underside of the machine and are configured to measure the depth of cut on a pass of the machine.
7. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises an optical device that is disposed on the underside of the machine and is configured to measure the dimensions of a degraded formation.
8. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises an optical device that is disposed on the underside of the machine and is configured to measure the dimensions of at least one pick.
9. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism is disposed within the rotary degradation drum and is configured to measure the force applied to the picks.
10. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism is disposed within the rotary degradation drum and is configured to measure the pressure applied to the picks.
11. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism is disposed on at least one pick and is configured to measure the hardness of a formation upon impact.
12. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises a vibration sensor with a time stamp and is disposed on the underside of the machine on the rotary degradation drum.
13. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises an energy consumption gauge that is disposed on a control system disposed on the machine.
14. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises a torque measurement device in mechanical communication with a central axis of the rotary degradation drum.
15. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises a rotational speed measurement device in mechanical communication with a central axis of the rotary degradation drum.
16. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein a transmitter in electrical communication with the measuring mechanism is disposed on the machine and configured to transmit processed information from the machine to a central processor.
17. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein a curved moldboard is disposed around the rotary degradation drum.
18. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein a fluid nozzle is disposed on the underside of the milling machine and is configured to remove aggregate from the plurality of picks and clean the formation.
19. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein processed information from the measuring mechanism is configured to be removed from the machine manually.
20. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of picks comprises sintered polycrystalline diamond bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 30, 2010
Publication Date: May 26, 2011
Inventors: David R. Hall (Provo, UT), David Wahlquist (Spanish Fork, UT)
Application Number: 12/957,059
International Classification: E01C 23/12 (20060101); E21C 25/06 (20060101);