Dynamic control of gears in a gear pump having a drive-drive configuration

A pump system comprising:

• a pump assembly that includes,
• a pump casing defining an interior volume,
• a first gear and a second gear disposed in the interior volume such that the first gear meshes with the second gear,
• a first motor to drive the first gear, and
• a second motor to drive the second gear;
• and
• a controller circuit that includes,
• a torque adjustment circuit configured to receive a torque setpoint and a torque feedback signal corresponding to a differential torque between a pair of meshing gear teeth of the first gear and the second gear, the torque adjustment circuit further configured to output a torque adjustment signal corresponding to a difference between the torque setpoint and the torque feedback signal;
• and
• a motion control circuit configured to:
• provide a first speed demand signal to the first motor that drives the first gear and a second demand signal to the second motor that drives the second gear, and
• dynamically synchronize torque between the pair of meshing gear teeth such that the differential torque between the pair of meshing gear teeth is within a predetermined range by adjusting at least one of the first speed demand signal or the second speed demand signal based on the torque adjustment signal,
• wherein the torque feedback signal is an average differential torque based on at least one revolution of the first gear or the second gear, and
• wherein the torque setpoint is based on an average torque value for the pair of meshing gear teeth.

A method of controlling motors of a pump in a drive-drive configuration, the method comprising:

• providing a first speed demand signal to a first motor that drives a first gear;
• providing a second demand signal to a second motor that drives a second gear;
• receiving a torque setpoint;
• receiving a torque feedback signal corresponding to a differential torque between a pair of meshing gear teeth of the first gear and the second gear;
• outputting a torque adjustment signal corresponding to a difference between the torque setpoint and the torque feedback signal;
• and
• dynamically synchronizing torque between the pair of meshing gear teeth such that the differential torque between the pair of meshing gear teeth is within a predetermined range by adjusting at least one of the first speed demand signal or the second speed demand signal based on the torque adjustment signal,
• wherein the torque feedback signal is an average differential torque based on at least one revolution of the first gear or the second gear, and
• wherein the torque setpoint is based on an average torque value for the pair of meshing gear teeth.