# US 12,111,292 B2 · Method for determination of properties of cuttings from rock drilling

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- Number: US 12,111,292 B2
- Document ID: US12111292B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/769,286
- Filed: 2020-09-16
- Published: 2022-12-29
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2019-09-17
- Assignees: Think and Vision GmbH
- Applicants: Think and Vision GmbH
- Inventors: Juergen Schoen; Christian Koller; Luis Arnaldo Gonzalez
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12111292B2

## CPC

- E21B 49/003: {by analysing drilling variables or conditions (E21B49/005 takes precedence; systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions E21B44/00)}
- G01N 3/06: Special adaptations of indicating or recording means
- E21B 49/02: by mechanically taking samples of the soil
- G01N 33/24: Earth materials (G01N33/42 takes precedence)
- G01N 2203/0087: Resistance to crushing
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

In a method for determination of properties of cuttings from rock drilling the cuttings are crushed between at least two rollers, at least one roller being driven by a motor. A mechanic specific energy of the cuttings is determined by measuring the energy applied by the motor.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for determining properties of cuttings from rock drilling in which the cuttings are crushed between at least two rollers, at least one of the at least two rollers being driven by a motor, the method comprising:
determining a mechanic specific energy of the cuttings by measuring electric energy applied by the motor, the mechanic specific energy being calculated as
M
⁢
S
⁢
E
=
U
*
η
V
r
*
[
∫
t
s
t
e
I
⁡
(
t
)
⁢
dt
]
where:
MSE=the mechanic specific energy,
U=a voltage,
I=an electric current,
Vr=a volume of rock cuttings,
η=a mechanical efficiency of the at least two rollers,
ts=a test start time, and
te=a test end time.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the motor is an electric motor and the electric energy applied by the electric motor is measured.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein a fixed amount of rock cuttings is crushed.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein a fixed time is set to crush rock cuttings.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein a torque applied by the motor is measured.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein a fixed amount of rock cuttings is crushed.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein a fixed time is set to crush rock cuttings.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fixed amount of rock cuttings is crushed.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fixed time is set to crush rock cuttings.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a correlation between the mechanic specific energy and unconfined compressive strength is developed, and
based on the correlation, unconfined compressive strength is derived from mechanic specific energy data.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a correlation between the mechanic specific energy and cohesion is developed, and
based on the correlation, cohesion is derived from mechanic specific energy data.

### Claim 12

A method for determining properties of cuttings from rock drilling in which the cuttings are crushed between at least two rollers, at least one of the at least two rollers being driven by a motor, the method comprising:
determining a mechanic specific energy of the cuttings by measuring electric energy applied by the motor,
wherein a torque applied by the motor is measured,
wherein the electric energy applied by the motor is calculated as
M
⁢
S
⁢
E
=
π
*
η
3
⁢
0
*
V
r
[
∫
ts
te
T
⁡
(
t
)
*
n
⁡
(
t
)
*
d
⁢
t
]
where:
MSE=the mechanic specific energy,
T=the torque,
n=a rotational speed,
Vr=a volume of rock cuttings,
η=a mechanical efficiency of the at least two rollers,
ts=a test start time, and
te=a test end time.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein a fixed amount of rock cuttings is crushed.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein a fixed time is set to crush rock cuttings.

### Claim 15

A method for determining properties of cuttings from rock drilling in which the cuttings are crushed between at least two rollers, at least one of the at least two rollers being driven by a motor, the method comprising:
determining a mechanic specific energy of the cuttings by measuring electric energy applied by the motor,
wherein a torque applied by the motor is measured,
wherein the electric energy applied by the motor is calculated as
M
⁢
S
⁢
E
=
π
*
η
3
⁢
0
*
V
r
[
∑
t
s
t
e
[
T
i
*
n
i
*
Δ
⁢
t
]
]
where:
MSE=the mechanic specific energy,
Ti=the torque,
ni=a rotational speed,
Vr=a volume of rock cuttings,
η=a mechanical efficiency of the at least two rollers,
Δt=a time between two measurements,
ts=a test start time, and
te=a test end time.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein a fixed amount of rock cuttings is crushed.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein a fixed time is set to crush rock cuttings.