Billing System Integrated into a Milling Machine

Abstract

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.

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.