A fluid flow system and method of managing said fluid flow

A rocket engine fluid-flow system (10) includes a pump (16) fluidly interconnecting a fluid source (12) to a combustion chamber (36). A nozzle (15) is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber (36) and includes coolant tubes (26) fluidly arranged between the pump (16) and the combustion chamber (36). An orifice (24) has a throat (50) and is fluidly arranged between the pump (16) and the coolant tubes (26). The orifice (24) has entrance and exit ramps (52, 54) arranged on either side of the throat (50). The exit ramp (54) has an exit ramp surface (58) with a divergent angle (56) that is less than a right angle. The entrance ramp (52) provides a smooth approach to the orifice throat (50). In one example, the exit ramp (54) includes an exit ramp surface (58) having a divergent angle (56) of 20-60°. An exit ramp radius (60) is less than twice the throat radius (62) in one example.