Machinery & Energetics

The substantiation of the generalized criterion of a belt conveyor control optimization during its start has been carried out in the paper. The criterion was presented as the sum of the integral and terminal convolutions of single dynamic and energy indicators of the conveyor. In the research, a mathematical model of the electromechanical system of the belt conveyor has been used. It was represented as a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The mathematical model has mechanical and electrical components. The first was represented by the equations which describe the motion of the reduced masses of the belt, bulk material, the elements of the conveyor drive; the second was presented by equations which describe the electrodynamical processes of the asynchronous frequency controlled electric drive of the conveyor. In order to conduct the research, the mathematical model of the system has been presented in the form of a MISO-system. It allowed for using the modified metaheuristic particle swarm optimization method for the purpose of criterion minimization. The arguments of the function to minimize were the duration of the system’s start, the initial voltage of the conveyor drive and the curve profile of the drive frequency during start. Thus, in the work the optimal values of settings of the frequency-controlled belt conveyor drive were obtained. The developed approach is universal and can also be used for minimization of other undesirable criteria.

belt conveyor, dynamic loads, mathematical model, frequency controlled drive, optimization criterion