Flow Measurements and Plasma Simulations of Double and Single Barrier DBD Plasma Actuators in Quiescent Air

Abstract

In recent years, interest has grown in using surface-mounted dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) as aerodynamic actuators. We present the results of our experimental and computational studies of how variations in discharge geometry aect the induced electro-hydrodynamic (EHD) force. Our studies include both single barrier actuators (one electrode insulated) and double barrier actuators (both electrodes insulated). Pitot tube measurements of the ow velocity induced in quiescent air show that, for both actuator types, parallel time-averaged forces increase as the high voltage electrode diameter decreases. Our uid plasma simulation, which models a reduced geometry, predicts some characteristics of the experimental discharge, but does not fully reproduce the experimental trends of the parallel force with changing electrode diameter.