JPS61263657A - Stone crusher equipped with improved feed controller - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to stone crushers, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a stone crusher to maximize its efficiency.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional cone stone crushers used in stone crushing consist of a large housing having a central cavity with a fixed upper cone and a pivoting lower cone disposed within the central cavity. A drive mechanism is provided for pivoting the lower cone within the central cavity. In conventional configurations, an electric motor is provided to drive the lower cone. The stone crusher is further placed above the cone.
The rock to be supplied to the central cavity is accommodated and crushed between the fixed and rotating cones.

Equipped with par. Conventional truncated cone rock crushers also share a conveyor belt feeder or vibratory feeder that feeds the rock hopper, which feeder includes a variable speed drive mechanism to vary the rate of rock feed to the hopper. .

Furthermore, a control device for controlling the rock supply speed to the conventional stone crushers #'i, E, and No. 9- is provided. In one conventional rock crusher manufactured by the applicant, means are within the control means for increasing the rate of supply of rock to the rock crusher to a point where the rock crusher operates at a capacity that maximizes its productivity. included in.

Control features are also provided to prevent the feed rate from becoming too full as the feed rate increases. In such conventional stone crushers, a transducer is connected to the cone crushing motor and measures the power consumption of the cone during its operation. Furthermore, an analog level sensor or a level contact dropper is suspended above the hopper and emits a signal depending on the rock level in the hopper. Power consumption converter.

It is connected to a microprocessor containing a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control loop. The PID control loop compares the measured power consumption to a predetermined power consumption when the rock crusher is operating at its maximum safe power level. If the measured power consumption is less than the predetermined power consumption, the PID sends a signal to the variable speed feeder drive to increase the feed rate.

If the measured power consumption is at the same level as the prescribed power consumption, the PI
D sends a control signal to the variable speed drive to maintain the current speed. If the measured power dissipation gt is greater than a predetermined power consumption, the %PID sends a signal to the variable speed feeder drive to reduce the feed rate. In addition, if the supply rate is such that the rock level in the tank exceeds a predetermined level,
An analog level sensor sends a signal to the feeder to reduce the feed rate.

During the operation of such a conventional rock crusher, if the rock crusher is operating in a condition limited by the rock level in the Hochnotar, while the power consumption is below a predetermined value.

The PID continues to send a signal to the feeder to increase the feed rate and increase the amount of rock fed to E, No. 9-. As the supply of rock increases, power consumption increases and the rock level in the hopper increases. When the rock level in the hopper reaches the upper limit, an analog level sensor or level probe issues a signal to reduce the feed rate. As the supply of rock decreases, the power consumption sensed by the crushing motor decreases, so the PID again increases the supply rate. Continue increasing the feed rate until the analog level sensor or level probe begins to decrease the feed rate.

PROBLEM SOLVED BY THE INVENTION The above configuration allows the rock crusher to operate at levels close to the desired power consumption level, but while the feed rate is increased by the PID, the feed rate is increased by the PID, while the feed rate is increased by the PID. This causes continuous periodic fluctuations in the rate of rock feed to the hopper. As a result.

The average production rate is less than the maximum value due to periodic fluctuations.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to ensure that the feed rate to the stone crusher hopper by the feeder is carefully (controlled) and kept within nine f meters, and that the power level at which the stone crusher is operated is within a narrow range of the optimum operating range of the stone crusher. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved stone crusher and an improved method and apparatus for controlling the operation of the stone crusher and the rock supply conveyor so that the operation of the rock crusher and the rock supply conveyor are maintained within the same conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An apparatus embodying the invention receives an input signal from a watt converter for sensing power consumption by a stone crushing motor.
A second PI that receives signals from the ID control loop and an analog level sensor that measures the rock level in the hopper.
A control means such as a microprocessor having a D control loop is provided. The first PID compares the sensed power consumption to a predetermined power consumption and provides an output signal proportional to the error or difference between the sensed power consumption and the predetermined power consumption. The second PID compares the detected level in the hopper with a predetermined or desired level in the hopper and generates a signal proportional to the measured difference. The signal from the first PID and the signal from the second PID are transmitted to an arbitration routine of the control means where they are compared. If the feeder is operating at a speed where the detected power consumption is less than the predetermined power consumption, and at the same time the detected level in the hopper is lower than the rock level in the predetermined hole/4-, both the first and second PIDs are activated. Sends a signal to the arbitration routine to increase the feed rate. Either a first or second signal requesting a lower feed rate is then transmitted to the feeder.

As feed rates increase, power consumption and raw material levels increase. The power consumption and material level in the room continue to be sensed, the PID continues to generate first and second output signals, and the Okayama force signal is sent to the arbitration routine. Once the power consumption or Fi feed level reaches their predetermined or desired value, the feed rate is maintained at that rate resulting in the desired power consumption or feed level.

The power consumption of a rock crusher motor is influenced by the size of the rock supplied to the rock crusher and the hardness of the rock. Since the rock supplied to the rock crusher is not uniform in size and hardness, the power consumption of the motor varies during the operation of the rock crusher. During operation of the rock crusher, control signals to the feeder are generated by either the power consumption PID or the material level PID, depending on which PID requires a lower feed rate. As the power consumption of the motor changes as different materials are fed to the stone crusher, the feed rate Fi is controlled first by one PID output and then by the other PID output.

This control method gives precise control of the feeder.

The stone crusher operates at a power consumption and raw material level that is close to the power consumption and raw material level that yields the desired or maximum productivity. It remains relatively constant despite changes.

Another embodiment of the invention includes an additional PID control loop that receives signals from other parameter sensing devices of the rock crusher and controls the feed rate depending on these additional inputs and power consumption and material level. may be included in the microprocessor.

Other various features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings.

Before describing preferred embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of components described below and illustrated in the drawings. It is possible to implement and put it into practical use in various ways. Additionally, the phrases and terms used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as limiting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 shows a stone crusher lO, of the type used to crush rocks to make raw ore into a suitable size for processing, or to make aggregate or gravel. . Stone crusher 1
0 is a #1 cylindrical body 1 with a conical central cavity 16
A pace or frame 12 that supports 4 is provided. A barrel liner 17 is located within the conical central cavity 16 and
It is fixedly supported by 4. A lower cone or mantle 18 is located within the cavity 16 and is urged into pivoting movement relative to the inner surface of the barrel liner 17. Torso 14
．． The construction of the mantle 18° cone drive mechanism is conventional and details are not shown. Although a variety of devices may be used to drive the mantle 18, in the device shown, the central #1 upright rotating main shaft 20 drives the mantle 14 in the central cavity 1.
A mantle 18 is supported within the pulley 24 .6 and an electric motor 22 is connected to the pulley 24 . Drive shaft 26. Gears 28 and 30. It is dynamically connected to the mantle 18 via an eccentric body 31 or the like, and rotates the mantle 18 about the axis of the trunk liner 17.

The stone crusher 10 is also. A cylindrical body 14 is provided above the cylindrical body 14, and supports a large amount of rock to be supplied to the stone crusher.

While operating stone crusher 10, Hoy no! -34 falls through the opening 36 into the top 3 of the rock crusher and is received between the mantle 18 and the shell liner 17.

When the mantle 18 is rotated eccentrically, the cone 18 crushes rock against the conical liner 17, and the crushed rock passes through a gear, de38, between the bottom of the cone 18 and the conical liner 170. and falls onto the conveyor 40, from where it is transported to a storage location.

Also provided is a means for supplying rocks to the hole, page 4-34. Various methods can be used, but in one example configuration, it's HORA A! - The means for supplying the rock to the stone crusher consists of a conventional belt conveyor or feeder 42 having one end 44 located below the large feeder 9-46 and the other end 48 located above the hopper 34 of the crusher. ing. In other configurations, feeder 42 may be located directly below a large feed hopper and include a variable speed vibrating pan. Belt conveyor 42 includes a variable speed vibrating pan that includes a variable speed motor 50 dynamically coupled to belt 43 .

The rock in the hoy/"-46 is unloaded onto the belt of the feeder 42 and carried by the belt to the opposite end 48 of the feeder where it is dropped into the hoy/mother 34.

The apparatus is also provided with means for controlling the operation of a variable speed motor 50 which controls the amount of rock fed to the crusher hopper 34. The control means for the variable speed motor 50 is a controller 5 which is interlocked with the variable speed motor 50 and has a function of transmitting an electric signal to control the operation of the variable speed motor 50.
It is equipped with 4. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, controller 54 comprises a conventional microprocessor;
Other configurations could be replaced with a microprocessor programmable controller or combination controller.

The operation control means of the speed/reaction variable motor 50 further includes a stone crusher 1
Means for detecting the power consumption by the motor 22 of the stone crusher 4-34 and means for detecting the level of rock or other material in the rock crusher 4-34 are provided. Although various means for detecting power consumption by the motor 22 are possible, in the illustrated configuration a conventional watt converter 58 is connected to the stone crusher motor 22 to measure the motor's output, or its horsepower.

The signal from the watt converter 58 is transmitted to the microcontroller 54. This signal may also be in the form of the centage of horsepower of the motor 22 operating at maximum power.

Although various means are possible for detecting the level of material in the hopper 34, in one illustrated configuration an analog level sensor 60 is mounted above the hopper 34. The analog level sensor 60 is a normal one and the hopper 34
An electrical signal representative of the rock level within is transmitted to microprocessor 54#c. The signal from the analog level sensor 60 can be in the form of the hopper's total capacity.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the microcontroller 54 comprises a model 8031 microprocessor manufactured by Intsl Corporation of Newpail, Calif., although other configurations are possible. Microprocessor 54 includes two proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control loops (FIG. 2). A watt converter 58 is connected to the microprocessor 54 to provide an input signal at -1 of both PIDs indicating power consumption, and the output from the analog material level sensor 60 is transmitted to the microprocessor 54&C. , the other PIDIC provides a second electrical input signal.

The PID control loop is conventional and produces an output signal based on the following formula: Output - Bias + (r in)
- (Differential Term)) The microprocessor 54 is programmed so that the bias ring in the PID provides a constant starting speed for the variable speed feeder 42 for this application. This starting speed can be entered into the PID as a percentage of the conveyor's maximum operating speed. The start-up speed is set by the stone crusher operator to be near the speed of the conveyor or feeder 42 at which the stone crusher 10 is operating most productively. However, the speed is within safe operating limits for the stone crusher and is at a value recognized by the operator to ensure that the feeder 42 does not overfeed the hopper or -34. The starting speed of the feeder can be selected based on experience with the operation of conical rock crushers and feed conveyors.

For example, at 60% of the feeder's maximum operating speed, the rock crusher is fed with rock to such an extent that the crusher is normally operated at 751 to 9096 at maximum production. The starting speed of the feeder is set relatively low so that the rock crusher is initially operated with a relatively light load. The PID then increases the speed of the feeder in the trench which causes the crusher to operate at maximum production level.

PI that receives the signal from the motor'power consumption converter 58
Error 1 in D is the specified power consumption of the stone crusher at maximum production minus the power consumption when the conical stone crusher is actually operating as measured by the power consumption converter. . When programming the power dissipation 5RPID, the micro-loader 54 is programmed to have the horsepower that will allow the rock crusher to operate most productively. During operation of the stone crusher, the power consumption converter 58 is connected to the motor 2 of the stone crusher.
2, and these two power factors are compared to determine the power consumption PID
The error ring used within the control loop is calculated.

Ingredient level PIIIlj is programmed to include a predetermined maximum ho, /4'-ingredient level. During operation of the rock crusher, an analog level sensor 60 provides a signal indicating the actual material level within the barb 34. The predetermined level is compared with the actual level detected by the analog level sensor 60 to determine the raw material level PID.
Compute the error ring for the control loop.

One integral term in each PID control loop, PI
The total value of "1 error" measured during continuous operation of the D control loop is divided by a predetermined integration time AI parameter.

Another factor input to the microprocessor 54 is the power consumption of the empty stone crusher. The power consumption of an empty stone crusher is the power consumption during empty operation of the stone crusher plus a factor of approximately 10% to 20%. The controller 54 requires the power consumption of an empty stone crusher such that if the power consumption is less than the power consumption of an empty stone crusher, the PID control loop signal to the feeder is interrupted.

Importantly, if the power consumption of the stone crusher is less than the power consumption of the empty stone crusher, the speed of the feeder is reset to starting speed.

As the rock is not fed to the rock crusher 10, blocks of rock or other obstructions may occur in the feeder. As the amount of raw material fed to the rock crusher 10 decreases, the power consumption of the rock crusher decreases. The power consumption PID attempts to increase the power consumption of the stone crusher by increasing the speed of the feeder.If not reset here, the power consumption PID will increase the power consumption of the stone crusher by increasing the speed of the feeder. If you enter the power consumption of the empty stone crusher, the speed of the feeder will be set to the starting speed.

Once the rock blockage or blockage at the feeder is removed, the rock is fed by the feeder at the starting speed and the PID once again increases the feed rate to the desired operating level. I can do it.

Microprocessor 54 also includes a startup time factor. This is the amount of time the microprocessor is keeping the feeder up to speed. The microprocessor is programmed so that the time begins when the power consumption by one cone crusher exceeds the power consumption by an empty stone crusher. A suitable start-up time is 1, for example approximately 1.5 seconds, during which time the PID provides an output signal to maintain the feed rate at the start-up speed until the rock crusher starts.

This stabilizes both the stone crusher power consumption and material level signals supplied to the PID at the level at the feeder start speed.

This also prevents the PID from reacting too much to large fluctuations caused by large 1 error" values that occur during initial operation of the PID control loop.

A "wide 1 error" is caused at the start because there is a wide difference between the set value and the measured value provided by the power consumption conversion 658 and the analog level sensor 60 PIDVc.

During operation, if the stone crusher is operating at empty power consumption, the operator starts the feeder or conveyor 42 and the feeder is staggered to operate at the set feed start speed.

When the rock is fed into the stone crusher 10, the motor 2 of the stone crusher
2 is loaded, the power consumption of the stone crusher begins to rise beyond the power consumption of an empty stone crusher, and the start timer begins to function. The feeder speed remains at feed start speed for the first 15 seconds. If at any time the power consumption sensed by converter 58 is less than the empty power consumption, the feeder speed is reset to the start speed and the start timer is reset to begin timing the start time. During this startup time, signals from converter 58 and analog level sensor 60 are continuously sent to the PID.

If either the power consumption signal or the raw material level signal supplied to the PID exceeds the power consumption or raw material level setting, the timer is canceled and the PI
D does not wait for the timer to expire and immediately begins controlling the feed rate. Power consumption and material level PID % after end of startup time or if timer is canceled
An output signal from the feeder controls the operating speed of the feeder.

If the PID receives a signal from the converter indicating the power consumption of the stone crusher, the output signal of the PID is equal to: Starting speed value - actual power consumption signal) + (integral term)) To take an example, if the starting speed is 75 - of the maximum feed rate and the power consumption set point is 80% of the maximum power consumption of the stone crusher, is taken to be 0.5, and the actual power consumption signal at a particular time is 7056 of the maximum power consumption, then the error at that particular time is 10%. The output signal is calculated as follows: Output = 75 + 0.5 (10 + 1) and the output signal emitted by the power consumption PID is
Instruct the motor 50 of the feeder to 80% of the maximum feed speed.
Raise it to . (For convenience.

Cut out the few. ) The power consumption converter of the rock crusher continues to transmit the power consumption signal 1 to the first PID control loop,
The PID control loop continues to transmit the output signal.

A second PID control loop similarly receives input signals from the analog level sensor and provides the following output signals:

Output = Starting speed + (Gain) (Material level setting value - gA
Raw material level detected at @) + (integral term) two PIDs
Receive the output signal from the control loop.

Means are also provided for transmitting a selected one of the signals from the control loop to the variable speed motor of the supply conveyor. In the illustrated configuration, microprocessor 54 is further programmed to include an arbitration routine for selecting the output signal from the primary IPID and the secondary PID. The output signals from the power consumption PID and the output signals from the material level PID are sent to an arbitration routine where a PID output signal requesting a reduction in feed rate is sent to the feed conveyor or feed machine 4.
The signal is transmitted to the variable speed motor 50 of No. 2.

In one aspect of the invention, the arbitration routine selects one signal from two signals.
It consists of an ordinary comparison statement to select one.

The arbitration routine is also programmed so that the PID that signals the feeder speed up adds the then detected error to the integral term. If the detected value is below the set value, P
If the addition of an error to the integral term in the ID equation causes the feeder output signal to rise, no error is added to the integral term and the integral term and output signal remain unchanged 11. If the sensed value exceeds the set value, the error is added to the integral term and the PID
emits a new, lower output signal. The output signals from the two PIDs are again compared and an output signal requesting a feeder speed reduction is transmitted to the variable speed feed drive.

The relationship between each output of PID control rule l! ia rice.

This means that the power consumption set value and the maximum raw material level set value can each be set to the maximum safe limit regardless of the other.
The cone rock crusher is operated at approximately the lowest of these operating limits. The various features of the invention are set out in the claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a rock crusher, a rock supply conveyor, and a control device according to the present invention; and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the control device shown in FIG. 1. 10... Stone crusher% 14... Nou-jing (fuselage)
. 16... Stone crushing chamber, 18... Stone crushing means (cone). 22... Stone crushing means drive motor, 34... E, No. 9-
142...Rock supply machine (conveyor, supply means), 50
... Feeder driving means, 54... Control means (controller, microprocessor), 58... Electric power detection means, 60... Rock level detection means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A method for controlling the operation of a stone crusher and a rock feeder that supplies rocks to the stone crusher, which includes: a hopper in which the stone crusher receives rocks from a rock crusher chamber rock feeder, and puts the rocks into the rock crusher chamber; A means for crushing stone in a stone crushing chamber, a motor for driving the stone crushing means,
A power consumption detection means for measuring the power consumption by the motor driving the rock crushing means, a level detection means for measuring the rock level in the hopper, a means for driving the feeder at a variable speed, and a control means for controlling the speed of the feeder. generating a first signal proportional to the difference between the power consumption sensed by the power consumption sensing means and a predetermined power consumption; generating a second signal proportional to the difference between the rock level in the hopper; comparing the first signal and the second signal; and transmitting the selected one of the first signal and the second signal to the control means. A method for controlling the operation of a stone crusher, characterized in that, in the step of controlling the speed of the feeder, one of the selected signals is a signal that produces a lower feed speed. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined power consumption is the power consumption by the motor when the stone crusher is operated at maximum productivity. 3. The step of generating the first signal includes the step of measuring the power consumption by the motor and transmitting the signal indicating the power consumption by the motor to the first proportional-integral-derivative control loop of the controller, where the power consumption signal is determined at a predetermined level. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of: comparing the power consumption of the device. 4. The step of generating a second signal is the step of measuring the rock level in the hopper and transmitting the signal indicating the rock level in the hopper to the second proportional-integral-derivative control loop of the controller, where it is detected. 4. The method of claim 3 including the step of causing the hopper rock level to be compared to a predetermined hopper rock level. 5. A method for controlling the operation of a stone crusher and a rock feeder that supplies rocks to the stone crusher, in which the stone crusher includes a stone crushing chamber, a hopper that receives rocks from a conveyor and puts the rocks into the stone crushing chamber, and a means for crushing the rocks in the stone crushing chamber. , a motor driving the stone crushing means;
power consumption detection means for measuring power consumption by the motor;
a level sensing means for measuring the rock level in the hopper; a control means having a first proportional-integral-derivative control loop for producing a first output signal; and a second proportional-integral-derivative control loop for producing a second output signal; and a rock supply. With means for driving the machine at variable speed: sensing the power consumption of the motor driving the stone crushing means and emitting a first input signal proportional to the power consumption by the motor driving the stone crushing means; transmitting the signal to a first proportional-integral-derivative control loop; sensing the level of material in the hopper and providing a second input signal proportional to the level of material in the hopper; transmitting to the integral-differential control loop; comparing a first output signal from the first proportional-integral-derivative control loop with a second output signal from the second proportional-integral-derivative control loop; and and transmitting the selected one of the second output signals to the conveyor driving means to control the driving speed of the feeder, the selected output signal being the first and second output signals.
A method for controlling the operation of a stone crusher, characterized in that the signal produces a lower supply rate among the output signals; 6. A method for controlling the operation of a stone crusher and a rock supply means for supplying rocks to the stone crusher, wherein the stone crusher has a housing having a stone crushing chamber, is located above the stone crushing chamber, receives rocks from the rock supply means, and processes the rocks. A hopper to put the stone into the stone crushing chamber, a cone placed in the stone crushing chamber, a motor that moves the cone to crush stones,
A power consumption detection means for measuring power consumption by a motor that moves a cone to crush stones, a raw material level measuring means for measuring a raw material level in a hopper, and a means for driving a supply means, the means for driving the supply means being a supply means. means for controlling the drive speed of: sensing power consumption by a motor causing a lithotripsy motion of the cone; issuing a first input signal indicative of power consumption by a motor causing a lithotripsy motion of the cone; The signal is processed by the microprocessor's first proportional, integral,
transmitting to a differential control loop where the first input signal is converted to a first output signal; sensing the level of material in the hopper; issuing a second input signal indicative of the level of material in the hopper. ; The second input signal is processed by the microprocessor's second proportional, integral,
transmitting the second input signal to a differential control loop, where the second input signal is converted to a second output signal; comparing the first and second output signals; and selecting the first and second output signals. In the step of transmitting one of the first and second output signals to the means for driving the supply means to control the driving speed of the supply means, the output signal selected and transmitted is a signal that produces a lower supply speed of the first and second output signals. A method for controlling the operation of a stone crusher, comprising: 7. A device that controls the operation of the stone crusher and the rock feeder that supplies rocks to the stone crusher, where the stone crusher operates in a stone crushing chamber, a hopper that receives rocks from the rock feeder and puts the rocks into the crushing chamber, and a hopper that receives rocks from the rock crusher and puts the rocks into the crushing chamber, and crushes the rocks in the stone crushing chamber. a motor for driving the rock crushing means; a power consumption detection means for measuring power consumption by the motor; a level detection means for measuring the rock level in the hopper;
In the apparatus comprising: means for driving the rock feeder at a variable speed; and a control means for controlling the speed of the rock feeder: Means for generating one signal; Means for generating a second signal proportional to the difference between the rock level in the hopper detected by the rock level measuring means and a predetermined rock level in the hopper; Comparing the first signal and the second signal. and means for controlling the speed of the feeder by transmitting a selected one of the first signal and the second signal to the control means, wherein the selected one signal is a signal that produces a lower feed speed. , the transmission means includes means for comparing the first signal and the second signal;
A device consisting of 8. The means for generating the first signal comprises a controller including means for measuring power consumption by the motor, means for comparing the power consumption by the motor with a predetermined power consumption, and transmitting a signal representative of the power consumption by the motor to the controller. 8. The device according to claim 7, further comprising means for: 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said means for comparing the power consumption by the motor with a predetermined power consumption comprises a first proportional-integral-derivative control loop. 10. The means for generating a second signal comprises means for measuring the rock level in the hopper, means for comparing the sensed rock level in the hopper with a rock level in a predetermined hopper, and means for measuring the rock level in the hopper. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising means for transmitting a signal representative of the detected rock level in the hopper to said means for comparing the rock level in a predetermined hopper. 11. A body having a stone crushing chamber, a stone crushing means disposed within the stone crushing chamber, a means for rotating the stone crushing means within the stone crushing chamber, the rotating movement means including a stone crushing motor, and a body located above the stone crushing chamber to move the rock into the stone crushing chamber. means for feeding rock into the hopper, the rock feeding means including variable speed drive means for controlling the rate of rock feeding into the hopper; means for sensing power consumption of the rock crushing motor; wherein the power consumption sensing means includes means for generating a first input signal indicative of power consumption of the rock crushing motor; means for sensing a rock level within the hopper, the rock level sensing means indicating a rock level within the hopper; means for generating a second input signal; means for receiving a first input signal and generating a first output signal;
the first input signal receiving means includes a first proportional-integral-derivative control loop; and means for receiving a second input signal and producing a second output signal, wherein the second input signal receiving means includes a first proportional-integral-derivative control loop; - including an integral-derivative control loop; and means for transmitting a selected one of the first and second output signals to a variable speed drive means for controlling the rate of rock feed to the hopper;
An apparatus characterized in that the selection signal transmitted to the variable speed drive means is a signal that causes rock to be fed into the hopper at a lower speed. 12. A stone crusher having a body, wherein the body includes a stone crushing chamber, and the body is disposed within the stone crushing chamber, and the cone in the stone crushing chamber can be rotated more freely within the stone crushing chamber than crushing stones between the cone and the body. a supported cone, means for rotating the cone within the stone crushing chamber, the means for rotating the cone including a stone crushing motor, a hopper located above the stone crushing chamber for supplying rock into the stone crushing chamber, and a hopper for transporting the rock into the stone crushing chamber. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a rock crusher assembly, comprising: means for supplying rock to a hopper, the rock supply means comprising variable speed drive means for controlling the rate of rock supply to the hopper, the rock crusher assembly comprising: sensing power consumption of a rock crusher motor; means for sensing a rock level in the hopper, the power consumption sensing means including means for emitting a first input signal indicative of power consumption of the rock crushing motor; means for receiving a first input signal and emitting a first output signal;
the first input signal receiving means includes a first proportional-integral-derivative control loop; and means for receiving a second input signal and producing a second output signal, wherein the second input signal receiving means includes a first proportional-integral-derivative control loop; - including an integral-derivative control loop; and means for transmitting a selected one of the first and second output signals to a variable speed drive means for controlling the rate of rock feed to the hopper;
An apparatus characterized in that the selection signal transmitted to the variable speed drive means is a signal that causes rock to be fed into the hopper at a lower speed.