College of Mining, NUST MISIS, Moscow, Russia:

V. I. Galkin, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences
E. E. Sheshko, Professor, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, esheshko@mail.ru
V. P. Dyachenko, Associate Professor, Candidate of Engineering Sciences

In recent years, long belt conveyors with curves along the route enjoy wide application in mining and in other industries. Such conveyors are advantageous for ecological safety as rehandling points are excluded from the route, for reduction in cost of equipment and elimination of dust formation. This article addresses determination of belt conveyor design parameters such that to ensure stable running of belt without lateral displacement in the curved branches. The authors present formulas for calculating allowable curvature radius and optimum incline of idler for a carrying branch of the curved belt conveyor. Based on the identified types and strength characteristics of the available belts, the authors determine minimum curvature radii for horizontal curves of a belt at the fixed incline of the carrying branch idler on the ground of the review of the international projects of long belt conveyors with horizontal curves. An illustration is given in terms of rubber and aramid conveyor belts of foreign manufacture. Calculation of curved section radius as function of belt strength, friction coefficient between belt and rollers in the carrying branch as well as idler incline in the curved section of belt conveyor is exemplified. The article describes design of rollers that allow reducing curvature radii in the curved branches of belt conveyors.

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