Dynamic distributed model of multi-drive belt conveyor

The article deals with a problem of long multi-drive belt conveyors modeling. Disadvantages of existed methods prevent from using multi-drive long conveyors for ore reloading. The author has described two types of models. In the first type, all loading is calculated and reduced to a torque on a drum. In the second type, the conveyor operation is closely examined. The methods of the first type result in dot patterns, which optimize conveyor operation in the routine mode. The methods of the second type allow calculating breakage of the belt, but the drive dynamics should be determined beforehand. The author has designed a distributed model of such conveyors based on quite simple partial models of physics of conveyor elements. The whole belt should be divided into short segments, forces acting upon segments being integrated along the belt. Features of segment positions should be taken into account: whether the segment is on a driving drum, on a drum without torque, loaded or unloaded, at the place of loading, reloading, or discharge, etc. The algorithm of forces and accelerations calculation is based on the method of simple iterations. The software includes a simple schema editor and subroutines of a model. The adequacy of the modeling results has been shown in the course of normal conveyor regime, in the course of overloading and slipping. The updated model has been considered to be used for synthesis of the system management, in particular, for developing a program for the loaded conveyor start after emergency stop.