Development of DBD plasma actuators: The double encapsulated electrode

Rasool Erfani,Hossein Zare-Behtash,Craig Hale,Konstantinos Kontis

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2014.12.016

Rasool Erfani, Hossein Zare-Behtash + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2014.12.016

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Abstract

Plasma actuators are electrical devices that generate a wall bounded jet without the use of any moving parts. For aerodynamic applications they can be used as flow control devices to delay separation and augment lift on a wing. The standard plasma actuator consists of a single encapsulated (ground) electrode. The aim of this project is to investigate the effect of varying the number and distribution of encapsulated electrodes in the dielectric layer. Utilising a transformer cascade, a variety of input voltages are studied for their effect. In the quiescent environment of a Faraday cage the velocity flow field is recorded using particle image velocimetry. Through understanding of the mechanisms involved in producing the wall jet and the importance of the encapsulated electrode a novel actuator design is proposed. The actuator design distributes the encapsulated electrode throughout the dielectric layer. The experiments have shown that actuators with a shallow initial encapsulated electrode induce velocities greater than the baseline case at the same voltage. Actuators with a deep initial encapsulated electrode are able to induce the highest velocities as they can operate at higher voltages without breakdown of the dielectric.

Highlights

The manipulation of the flow over aircraft wings has been the subject of intense research as the appropriate solution can yield a great number of benefits
When one of the electrodes in the configuration is provided with sufficient voltage and frequency magnitude, low current discharges will appear in the current trace
The current discharges occur because the breakdown field strength of the gas in the discharge gap has been reached, resulting in the formation of a plasma that appears constant to the naked eye

Summary

Introduction

The manipulation of the flow over aircraft wings has been the subject of intense research as the appropriate solution can yield a great number of benefits Such techniques focus on the manipulation of the boundary layer, a thin layer located close to the wall of an object travelling through a fluid. Successful control of this region allows for increased lift performance and drag reduction. In today's economic and environmental climate, coupled with the human desire to travel, there is a great requirement for the benefits that can be provided The benefit of such flow control techniques is not the costs but the ability to directly compete with the rugged and thoroughly proven technology of the conventional aircraft flow control devices such as flaps and slats

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