Stepping motor drive apparatus, gear pump, and stepping motor-driven gear pump system

A stepping motor-driven system, comprising:

• a stepping motor including a rotor configured to rotate in response to driving of the stepping motor;
• an output device including a drive shaft;
• and
• a belt and pulley system operably coupling the rotor of the stepping motor with the drive shaft of the output device such that rotation of the rotor effects rotation of the drive shaft, the belt and pulley system including:
• an input pinion engaged with the rotor of the stepping motor, the input pinion defining a plurality of spaced-apart, annularly arranged first teeth disposed on an outer surface of the input pinion, each tooth defining a first width;
• an output pinion engaged with the drive shaft of the output device, the output pinion defining a plurality of spaced-apart, annularly arranged second teeth disposed on an outer surface of the output pinion, each second tooth defining a second width equal to the first width;
• and
• a timing belt, disposed about the input pinion towards a first end of the timing belt and disposed about the output pinion towards a second end of the timing belt, the timing belt configured to inhibit elongation and defining a plurality of spaced-apart grooves on an inwardly-facing surface thereof, each groove defining a third width greater than each of the first and second widths,
• wherein the first and second teeth of the input and output pinions are disposed in meshed engagement within the grooves of the timing belt such that, as a result of the third width being greater than each of the first and second widths, a gap is defined within each groove, the gaps permitting backlash of the timing belt in response to changes in a rotational speed input to the belt and pulley system from the stepping motor, thereby inhibiting loss of control.