Abstract
Computational and experimental studies on the forward-sweep inducer for the rocket-engine turbopump are presented in comparison with the conventional backward-sweep inducer. Computational results show that back flows at the inlet decrease in the case of forward-sweep inducers compared to the back-ward inducer. Moreover, the low pressure region at the back flow is decreased, which is presumed to improve the suction performance of the inducers. Experimental results show that the suction performance of the forward-sweep inducer is almost the same as that of the backward-sweep inducer although it has smaller inlet tip diameter and shorter length. The efficiency of the forward-type inducer is found better than that of the backward-sweep inducer due to the small size of back flows.