Turbopump system for driving a plurality of pumps

A turbopump system for pumping two separate fluids comprising:

• a) a first centrifugal pump having a first stationary housing defining a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet, and a first impeller located in the first housing so as to rotate about a first axis,
• b) a second centrifugal pump having a second stationary housing defining a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet, and a second impeller located in the second housing so as to rotate about the first axis;
• c) a stationary turbine casing interconnecting the first and second stationary pump housings;
• d) an inner turbine rotor located within the turbine casing so as to rotate about the first axis and operatively associated with the first impeller such that rotation of the inner turbine rotor causes rotation of the first impeller;
• e) an outer turbine rotor located within the turbine casing concentric with respect to the inner turbine rotor, the outer turbine being rotatable about the first axis and defining, with the inner turbine rotor a generally annular space extending about the first axis, the outer turbine rotor being operatively associated with the second impeller such that rotation of the outer turbine rotor causes rotation of the second impeller;
• f) at least one stage of first rotor blades attached to the inner turbine rotor and extending into the annular space;
• g) at least one stage of second rotor blades attached to the outer turbine rotor and extending into the annular space axially adjacent to the at least one stage of first rotor blades;
• and,
• h) means to supply a propellant fluid to the annular space so as to rotate the first and second turbine rotors in opposite directions.