Online monitoring of a pipe conveyor. Part I: Measurement and analysis of selected operational parameters

Abstract The need to maximize the performance and operational reliability of ecological continuous conveyor systems is increasing nowadays and their requirements are difficult to fulfil. One of the main reasons to this is the complexity of ecological continuous conveyor systems. Regular tracking and monitoring of systems selected parameters and indicators support their proper functioning and operational reliability. However, the process becomes useless if the parameters are not tracked and evaluated. The paper shall present the results of research aimed at determination of evaluation criteria for selected parameters. The research was carried out by a method of experimental measurement on an experimental rig the construction of which is similar to the construction of real pipe conveyors used in practice. Some of the convenient parameters to be tracked on a tube conveyor are a tension force and contact forces on hexagonal idler housing. The paper aims to track the course of contact forces and their mutual relations with intensity of tension forces. In order to create a comprehensive evaluation and analysis of the research, the experimental measurements were carried out for two cases, with and without material. The experimental tests are evaluated with the use of basic mathematical and statistics methods.