A rotor assembly for a centrifugal pump is configured with at least one non-planar outer surface, in either the rotor cover or the rotor, or both, to produce centrifugal forces which exert an inward force on the rotor cover and/or rotor to counterbalance centrifugal pressures and suction pressures exerted on the rotor assembly from within the rotor chamber which cause deleterious deflections of the rotor assembly, thereby limiting the operational speed of the pump, limiting suction pressure and accelerating degradation of the seals associated with the rotor cover.
Methods and apparatus for conveying fluids (e.g., liquids, gases, and mixtures thereof) are disclosed. A turbopump in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention comprises an impeller defining at least one flow channel and a shroud defining an opening communicating with the at least one flow channel. In certain advantageous implementations, at least one inlet partial of the impeller extends into the opening defined by the shroud. The at least one inlet partial may advantageously be capable of supporting the opening in the shroud. In some cases, the impeller may include a plurality of these inlet partials.
