Dynamic Characteristics of the Chain Drive System of Scraper Conveyor Based on the Speed Difference

The scraper conveyor is the unique transport equipment in coal mining face. Its chain drive system is the core subsystem. The dynamic characteristics of the chain drive system need monitoring for a safe mining. Existing monitoring methods include controlling the chain tension, chain speed and motor current. However, the above-mentioned methods have many disadvantages, such as difficult and costly to implement in mining face, due to the poor working environment and the limitations of the scraper conveyor's structure. This study proposes a monitoring method for the dynamic characteristics of the scraper conveyor on the basis of the speed difference between the head and the tail sprockets. Such an initiative is carried out to study the dynamic characteristics of the scraper conveyor under real working conditions and describe its running state. The speed difference of the head and tail sprockets under different chain speeds, terrains, and loads is monitored and studied. Research results show that the average and maximum speed differences are 0.797% and 0.990%, respectively. Due to the complex terrain, the tighter the scraper chain gets, the smaller the difference of the rotational speed is, compared with the flat working condition. The speed difference under load greatly increases compared with no load. Research results provide data support for the research of the chain drive system dynamics of the scraper conveyor. These results will also provide a new idea for the monitoring of the operating state of the scraper conveyor.