Rock Chip Stabilization Plug for Hardness Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The physical characteristics of shale rock chips, such as their small and sliver-type shape, make it difficult to measure their hardness using traditional hardness testing devices like Brinell hardness testers, as they cannot be effectively placed with the laminar plane parallel to the indenter.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that embeds a laminar rock chip within a plug of solid material, allowing it to be positioned in a hardness tester with the laminar plane perpendicular to the testing device's indenter, using a retention member and flowable material to secure and stabilize the rock chip, enabling accurate hardness measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional hardness testing devices are used on shale rock chips, then the device structure remains simple and operation remains straightforward, but the small size and sliver-type shape of shale rock chips prevent effective placement with the laminar plane parallel to the indenter, making hardness measurement impossible
Solution Approach 1:
A plug made of solid material serves as an intermediary between the shale rock chip and the hardness testing device. The plug embeds the rock chip and provides a stable mounting structure that allows the chip to be positioned correctly with its laminar plane parallel to the indenter, enabling accurate hardness measurement while keeping the testing device itself unchanged
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system is divided into separate components: the rock chip, the plug for mounting, and the hardness testing device. This segmentation allows the rock chip to be prepared and mounted independently in the plug before being tested, solving the placement problem without modifying the hardness testing device
2Measurement precision
If the laminar plane of the rock chip is positioned parallel to the indenter for accurate hardness measurement, then measurement accuracy improves, but the small and thin physical characteristics of shale rock chips make this positioning difficult to achieve and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The plug acts as an intermediary structure that simplifies positioning. By embedding the rock chip in the plug, the operator only needs to position the plug, not the delicate rock chip itself. The plug's larger size and rigid structure make positioning straightforward while ensuring the rock chip's laminar plane is correctly oriented parallel to the indenter
Solution Approach 2:
The rock chip is preliminarily positioned and secured in the plug before the actual hardness testing begins. This preliminary action of embedding the chip in the plug ensures correct orientation is achieved and maintained throughout the testing process, eliminating positioning difficulties during the measurement itself
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
Enables the measurement of shale rock chip hardness using conventional hardness testing devices by stabilizing the rock chip within a plug, ensuring the laminar plane is parallel to the indenter, thus overcoming the size and shape limitations of shale rock chips.
Implementation Method 1
placing into the retention member void a flowable material capable of hardening. The flowable material flows between a bottom surface of the laminar rock chip and the planar surface and further flows around the laminar rock chip... causing the flowable material to harden into a solid while retaining the laminar rock chip in place
Implementation Method 2
removing the plug from the planar surface and abrading a top surface of the plug, the top surface and a bottom surface of the plug being substantially parallel to one another. The top surface is sufficiently abraded so that a contact surface portion of the laminar rock chip is exposed at the top surface
Data Source
AI summary
An article and method for stabilizing a rock chip. The article in one embodiment of the invention includes a laminar rock chip substantially surrounded by and imbedded within a plug having a solid material, the plug forming a top planar surface and a bottom planar surface substantially parallel with the top planar surface, the laminar rock chip forming a contact surface portion exposed at the top planar surface of the plug, a laminar plane of the laminar rock chip being substantially perpendicular with the top planar surface.