A Low Discrepancy Heuristic Evolution ELM and Ground Effect Theory-Based Serial Hybrid Soft Sensor Model of Floating Height in Air Cushion Furnace

In air cushion furnace, the floating height is a key process parameter which greatly affects the quality and production efficiency of high quality metal strips. However, the floating height is hard to be collected in the complex and abominable industry environment. Furthermore, due to the flow field characteristics, some important process variables are difficult to accurately calculate by traditional mechanism modeling methods. In order to accurately predict the floating height, firstly, a low discrepancy heuristic evolution ELM and ground effect theory based serial hybrid soft sensor model is proposed, which constituted by a mechanism model and two data driven models. Secondly, based on the force equilibrium equation and ground effect theory, the mechanism model is constructed, which describes the relationship between the floating height and the process variables including the jet impact angle. Thirdly, a low discrepancy heuristic evolution ELM is proposed as the data driven model to predict the jet impinging angle. In the data driven model, the novel dual mutation strategies collaboration differential evolution is proposed to guarantee the low discrepancy and physical applicability of data driven model. The effectiveness of the proposed method was validated on the self-developed air cushion experiment platform and got desirable experimental results. The research lays an important foundation for the successful implementation of monitoring and control of the strip floating process.