Speed control of engine pump via summing differential

Abstract

A fluid pumping system for an engine includes a pump; a summing differential connected to the pump; a gearbox connected to the summing differential, wherein the gearbox causes the pump to rotate to provide a fluid flow in the engine via the summing differential; and a motor connected to the summing differential, wherein the motor adjusts a rotational speed of the pump via the summing differential

1 . A fluid pumping system for an engine, comprising:
 a pump;   a summing differential connected to the pump;   a gearbox connected to the summing differential, wherein the gearbox causes the pump to rotate to provide a fluid flow in the engine via the summing differential; and   a motor connected to the summing differential, wherein the motor adjusts a rotational speed of the pump via the summing differential.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the gearbox transfers power from the engine to the pump via the summing differential. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the gearbox is connected to a first leg of the summing differential, and wherein the motor is connected to a second leg of the summing differential. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the motor reduces or increases the rotational speed of the pump based on a flow meter that measures the fluid flow in the engine. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid pumping system of  claim 4 , wherein the motor is controlled by an electronic engine controller of the engine based on input from the flow meter. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the motor comprises an electric motor. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid pumping system of  claim 6 , wherein the motor is powered by one of a power grid, an auxiliary power unit (APU), and an engine electrical generator. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow comprises one of a liquid or a gas. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid pumping system of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid flow comprises one of fuel, oil, air, or glycol 
     
     
         10 . The fluid pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the motor adjusts the rotational speed of the pump to meet a target flow requirement of the fluid flow. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid pumping system of  claim 10 , wherein the target flow requirement is based on a target operating condition of the engine. 
     
     
         12 . A method for speed control of a pump to provide a fluid flow in an engine, the method comprising:
 powering the pump to rotate by a gearbox connected to a summing differential to provide the fluid flow in the engine; and   adjusting a rotational speed of the pump by a motor connected to the summing differential.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the motor adjusts the rotational speed of the pump based on a flow sensor of the fluid flow in the engine to meet a target flow requirement of the fluid flow, wherein the target flow requirement is based on a target operating condition of the engine. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein, in the event the operating condition of the engine is high, the motor is configured to increase the rotational speed of the pump. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein, in the event the operating condition of the engine is low, the motor is configured to reduce the rotational speed of the pump. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein, in the event the operating condition of the engine is steady, the motor is configured to perform no change of the rotational speed of the pump. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the gearbox is configured to transfer power from the engine to the pump. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the gearbox is connected to a first leg of the summing differential, and wherein the motor is connected to a second leg of the summing differential. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the motor reduces or increases the rotational speed of the pump based on a flow meter that measures the fluid flow in the engine. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the motor is controlled by an electronic engine controller of the engine based on input from the flow meter.