Implementation of DBD plasma actuators to control boundary layers in subsonic flow

Abstract

The goal of this work is to demonstrate the ability of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators to control boundary layer in subsonic flow condition. The plasma actuator technique was implemented in three different fields of aerodynamics in order to verify their efficiency on the boundary layer development. A specific DBD plasma actuator has been developed for each application: 1) Laminar to turbulent transition control on a flat plate model (ONERA internal project called ‘plasma useful to master aerodynamics’ – 2004–2007) and on a 2D model with pressure gradient (European project PLASMAERO 2009–2012); 2) Turbulent skin friction reduction on a flat plate model (internal department project 2009–2010); 3) Static and dynamic stall control in ONERA F2 wind tunnel (SIMCOS project DLR-ONERA 2007–2011). A characterisation of the ionic wind of each DBD actuator type was performed and static and dynamic operating modes were used to control boundary layers.