SBIR-STTR Award

Advanced pump inducer design technology that uses high inlet diffusion blades, operates at a very low flow coefficient, and employs a cavitation control and stability device. A preliminary scoping inducer test with this technology indicated a doubling of the suction specific speed capability over current inducers. A three to four fold increase over current technology is the goal of this research effort. This increase would significantly enhance the capability of rocket engine systems through increased thrust-to-weight, specific impulse, simplicity, operational safety, and turbopump life. It would also reduce turbopump and propellant tank weight and system costs by eliminating boost pump systems and allowing for thinner lower pressure tank walls. Ultimately, the technology opens up the rocket engine/vehicle design space and allows for a large increase in vehicle performance by significantly moving the pump suction performance constraint from its current position.

The proposed innovation provides a way to design low flow coefficient inducers that have higher cavitation breakdown margin, larger blade angles, thicker more structurally robust blades, and better off-design flow stability than the current state-of-the-art designs. The technology will increase the structural, stability, and suction margin of inducers designed in the currently acceptable flow coefficient range of about 0.06 to 0.1. In addition, it will allow for stable and structurally robust designs at much lower flow coefficients than previously thought possible (down to at least 0.02) for the capability to operate in near zero net positive suction pressure inlet environments. The innovation is based upon a synergistic coupling of Concepts NREC's patented cavitation control device with a new blade design approach that takes full advantage of the CCD's characteristics for optimal suction performance. The technology significantly enhances the capability of rocket engine systems through increased thrust-to-weight, specific impulse, simplicity, operational safety, and turbopump life. It will also reduce turbopump and propellant tank weight and system costs by eliminating boost pump systems and allowing for lighter lower pressure tanks.