Evaluation and Analysis of an Early Inducer Design and its Approach to Backflow Control

The inducer has become an essential component of the modern turbopump. Many investigations have been performed to gain an understanding of the inducer’s adverse operational characteristics that can include fluctuating pressures, unsteady delivery flow and fluctuating loads that compromise reliability. Furthermore, design features have been evaluated that eliminate or attenuate this adverse behavior. This paper describes the first known application of an inducer to a turbopump which fueled a throttleable rocket engine dating from the early 1940’s. The pump is unique in its use of an integral backflow recirculator that corrects the effects of suction recirculation at off-design flow conditions. Modern analysis, including CFD, of this inducer provides insight into its design and operational behavior. The design of this historic inducer offers insight into modern approaches that will correct inducer instabilities.