A pendulum pump includes a housing, a cover positioned on the housing and forming a cavity therebetween, an inner rotor and an outer rotor positioned within the cavity, wherein the inner rotor is connected via a plurality of pendulums to the outer rotor, and the pendulums are mounted to the outer rotor in an articulated manner such that a rotational eccentricity can be imparted between the inner rotor and the outer rotor to control a flow rate of the pendulum pump, and a protective plate positioned within the cavity and against a surface of one of the housing and the cover.