Load Sharing of Dual Motor Grinding Mill Drives

Relatively small slowly varying shaft position and velocity variations superimposed on the normal running speed of dual drive grinding mill motors can cause individual motor torque variations which disturb load sharing. The magnitude of load or torque unbalance is a function of the magnitude of the mechanical variation, the type of motors used, i.e., induction or synchronous, the number of motor poles, and the ratio of the gear connecting the motors to the load. When the magnitude is large enough to be of concern, it can be compensated for through motor secondary or field controls. How the causative factors relate, how dual drive motors should be specified for purchase are discussed, and a compensating load sharing controller for dual drive synchronous motors is described.