Definition
The curved, vaned section at the center of a centrifugal compressor impeller that receives incoming air and turns it smoothly outward into the radial blades of the impeller. The inducer accelerates the air and changes its direction from axial (along the engine) to radial (outward) before it enters the main compressor vanes.
Plain English
The first part of a centrifugal compressor that catches the incoming air and guides it from flowing straight in to flowing outward, so the rest of the compressor can squeeze it.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of aircraft engine turbochargers, superchargers, and centrifugal compressors.
Derivation
From Latin inducere, meaning 'to lead in.' The inducer literally leads air into the compressor, which is exactly what the name describes.
Why Pilots Care
Efficient inducer design directly affects turbocharger response, engine power at altitude, and overall reliability in turbocharged aircraft.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse an inducer with electrical induction. Here, it is a physical set of blades that guides air into a compressor.
Example Sentence 1
During the borescope inspection, the technician checked the inducer for nicks and erosion from sand ingestion.
Example Sentence 2
A cracked inducer on the turbocharger reduced the engine's ability to maintain manifold pressure at altitude.