Mesomechanics Testing System Integrating Heating and Observation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rock mechanics testing methods fail to accurately capture the mechanical properties of rock materials at real-time high temperatures due to limitations in simultaneous heating and observation, leading to incomplete understanding of crack extension laws and thermal-mechanical coupling effects.

Innovation Solution

A mesomechanics testing system and method that integrates heating and observation, comprising a control and collection module, a loading module, a vacuum module, and an observation module, which allows for real-time heating and simultaneous mechanical loading and observation of mesoscopic rock samples.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional rock mechanics testing is performed after high-temperature treatment, then the mechanical properties of rock can be measured, but the cooling process affects the mechanical properties and the results cannot represent the actual formation temperature conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting temperatureVSAvoidaccuracy of mechanical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heating device and observation system into an integrated testing apparatus, allowing simultaneous high-temperature treatment and mechanical testing. The heating device can maintain the sample at formation temperatures while the loading system applies mechanical loads, and the observation system records the deformation process in real-time, eliminating the need to cool the sample before testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a high-temperature resistant observation system as an intermediary that can operate in the high-temperature environment. This observation system includes high-temperature cameras and sensors that can capture deformation and failure processes without being damaged by the heat, allowing accurate measurement while maintaining formation temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If real-time high-temperature mechanical loading is performed, then the mechanical properties at formation temperature can be obtained, but the system lacks synchronous observation capability to capture crack extension processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of mechanical properties at formation temperatureVSAvoidcrack extension process data

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a high-temperature resistant observation system as an intermediary that can operate in the high-temperature environment. This observation system includes high-temperature cameras and sensors that can capture deformation and failure processes without being damaged by the heat, allowing accurate measurement while maintaining formation temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The observation system operates continuously throughout the entire testing process at high temperature, capturing the complete deformation and failure process without interruption. The system maintains continuous monitoring of crack initiation, propagation, and coalescence, ensuring no critical information is lost during the dynamic failure process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of information

If CT scanning technology is used to acquire image data during loading, then internal structure can be observed, but the scanning time prevents true synchronous observation of deformation and failure processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal structure dataVSAvoidscanning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical CT scanning system with an optical observation system that uses high-temperature resistant cameras and lighting. This optical system can capture images at high frame rates without the mechanical movement and time delays associated with CT scanning, enabling true synchronous observation of the dynamic deformation and failure processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The observation system operates continuously throughout the entire testing process at high temperature, capturing the complete deformation and failure process without interruption. The system maintains continuous monitoring of crack initiation, propagation, and coalescence, ensuring no critical information is lost during the dynamic failure process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Ease of manufacture

If macro-scale standard samples are prepared for conventional rock mechanics testing, then standardized mechanical properties can be obtained, but samples that do not meet standard requirements cannot be tested

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandardization of testingVSAvoidapplicability to limited samples

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the scale parameter of the testing system from macro-scale to micro-scale. The miniature loading device and observation system are designed to work with small mesoscopic samples that do not require standard macro-scale dimensions. This allows testing of limited or irregular samples while maintaining controlled and measurable testing conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies localized measurement and loading techniques that focus on specific regions of the sample rather than requiring entire samples to meet standard dimensions. The observation system can capture local deformation and crack propagation in specific areas, allowing meaningful testing of small or irregular samples by focusing on critical regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system enables synchronous acquisition of load-displacement data and image data of rock samples at real-time high temperatures, providing accurate mechanical properties and crack evolution laws under thermal-mechanical coupling conditions, thereby overcoming the limitations of previous testing methods.

Implementation Method 1

the vacuum module is configured to provide a mesoscopic sample to be tested with a vacuum space for real-time heating and mechanics testing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

providing, by a vacuum module, a mesoscopic sample to be tested with a vacuum space for real-time heating and mechanics testing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12222329B1Mesomechanics testing system and method integrating heating and observation

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 INSTITUTE OF GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

AI summary

Provided are a mesomechanics testing system and method integrating heating and observation, relating to the field of rock mechanics testing. The system includes a control and collection module, a loading module, a vacuum module, and an observation module. The loading module and the observation module are both connected to the control and collection module; the loading module is configured to apply a load required by mechanics testing to a mesoscopic sample to be tested, and transmit mechanics testing data to the control and collection module; the vacuum module is configured to provide the mesoscopic sample with a vacuum space for real-time heating and mechanics testing; and the observation module is configured to collect image data of the mesoscopic sample during the mechanics testing, and transmit the image data to the control and collection module.