Validation of limitation value for tension and critical speed of belt in linear section of RopeCon®-type conveyor

Almost all present-day conveyor systems possess some disadvantages, namely: the overstated specific content of metal per linear section of a conveyor and the increased energy consumption per rock mass conveying, which affects the cost of the process and also the operating expenses of the conveyor. One of the possible ways of solving the problems is the use of overhead hybrid RopeCon®-type conveyors, which reduces the specific content of metal by 60% and the energy consumption by 4 times as compared with the conventional belt conveyor. The combination of the belt conveyor technology with the ropeway system and the special design of the belt require reliable engagement between the running rollers and the guide rope. At the increased length and slope of the belt, its tension also grows; for this reason, the probability of disengagement of the running rollers and guide ropes is also high. The formulas are obtained to determine the maximal and minimal allowable tensions for the belts with regard to a wind force, the minimal allowable sag for the belt and suspension cables, and the roller spacing for the reliable engagement between the rollers and the guide ropes of the loaded and empty flights of the belt. A formula is derived to find a critical speed of the conveyor belt, depending on the belt sagging between the running rollers, and on the radius of sag of the guide ropes and suspension cables between the suspension towers. 

Galkin V. I., Vinnikov V. A., Dyachenko V. P., Malakhov V. A., Sazankova E. S. Validation of limitation value for tension and critical speed of belt in linear section of RopeCon®-type conveyor. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2026;(6):98-108. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2026_6_0_98.

V.I. Galkin¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, e-mail: Vgalkin07@rambler.ru,
V.A. Vinnikov¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, e-mail: evgeny.vinnikov@gmail.com,
V.P. Dyachenko¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, e-mail: viach.dyachenko@yandex.ru,
V.A. Malakhov¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, e-mail: _mva@mail.ru,
E.S. Sazankova¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, e-mail sazankova@yandex.ru,
¹ NUST MISIS, 119049, Moscow, Russia.

V.I. Galkin, e-mail: Vgalkin07@rambler.ru.

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