## 3 Results
Figure 4 and the Euclidean distance calculation make it clear that to identify the failure correctly and unambiguously, the focus must be on:  
* Positions that are most affected by the failure (differences in contact forces (CFs) for individual failures and a failure-free state are large enough);
* Determining the number of measured positions so that the classification is valid and dependable. In step 4, for the identification of selected failures in the pipe conveyor's operation using the discrimination method, the dynamic nature of the actual pipe conveyor was considered. Due to its dynamic nature (dynamics of the transportation process, variance in measurement results, and flexibility of the conveyor belt material), an estimate was needed for the time interval for evaluating continuous contact force (CF) measurements. Determining the minimum value of the difference in contact forces (CFs) between a failure-free operation and a failure, as well as the difference in the value of contact forces (CFs) between individual failures, relates to the dynamic nature of the transport system. Previous measurements show that after setting the tension force in the conveyor belt, the conveyor belt becomes relaxed, and the tension force as well as the contact forces (CFs) gradually stabilize. However, this does not happen in real conditions since the system is dynamic, and changes in contact forces (CFs) and the tension force in the conveyor belt are triggered by the process of transport. Therefore, it is necessary to use the results of measurements that record contact force (CF) dynamics and the tension force during relaxation, and based on them, estimate the required data (time interval for continuous measurements evaluation, determining the minimum value of a difference in contact forces (CFs) between the failure  
Figure 5: Average values of the contact forces (CFs) at roller positions ID7 \(\div\) ID12. free operation and a failure, as well as the difference in the value of contact forces (CFs) between individual failures). Using the discrimination method, the above four steps for classifying selected failures in an idler housing and a conveyor belt, in the straight sections of the pipe conveyor, resulted in a formulation of partial research tasks:  
1. Determine the time interval for measurement evaluation;
2. Determine the minimum value of the difference in contact forces (CFs) between a failure-free operation and a failure, as well as the difference in contact forces (CFs) between individual failures;
3. Determine the positions of measuring points to measure contact forces (CFs) on rollers, so that it is possible to clearly identify the defined failures, based on the measured values of contact forces (CFs);
4. Create a decision-making algorithm to determine a failure-free state and a failure;
5. Verify the validity and reliability of the decision-making algorithm using simulated data. Under the procedure mentioned in this Section, experimental research was carried out to verify the hypothesis that using data obtained continuously by measuring the selected operational parameters of a pipe conveyor, with the use of a discrimination method, it is possible to identify undesirable situations that jeopardize the pipe conveyor's operation and reduce its reliability.