Mechanisms and Responses of a Single Dielectric Barrier Plasma Actuator: Plasma Morphology

Abstract

We present simultaneous optical, electrical, and thrust measurements of an aerodynamic plasma actuator. These measurements indicate that the plasma actuator is a form of the dielectric barrier discharge, whose behavior is governed primarily by the buildup of charge on the dielectric-encapsulated electrode. Our measurements reveal the temporal and macroscale spatial structure of the plasma. Correlating the morphology of the plasma and the electrical characteristics of the discharge to the actuator performance as measured by the thrust produced indicates a direct coupling between the interelectrode electric field (strongly modified by the presence of the plasma) and the charges in the plasma. Our measurements discount bulk heating or asymmetries in the structure of the discharge as mechanisms for the production of bulk motion of the surrounding neutral air, although such asymmetries clearly exist and impact the effectiveness of the actuator.

Forcing mechanisms of dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators at carrier frequency of 625 Hz

“…12,19 This has been verified in the present study. Furthermore, four different waveform shapes have been investigated in order to gain insight in the asymmetry and its influence on the plasma forcing.…”

“…10,18,19 The velocity has reached the maximum value and starts decelerating as the voltage increases (instant B). Furthermore, positive vertical acceleration is registered causing fluid to move away from the dielectric wall.…”

“…Positive and negative sawtooth waveforms have been investigated, albeit in a time averaged way. 19,20 Additionally, the rising and sinking ramp voltage has been investigated numerically as stand alone cases 8 The evolution of velocity and acceleration for the positive sawtooth waveform is shown in Fig. 11 while snapshots of the fields are given in Fig.…”

Momentum transfer and flow induction in a dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator

“…The behavior of electric discharge in a DBD plasma actuator was investigated, and its temporal behavior was clarified. 4,8 These studies are important because it is 2158-3226/2012/2(4)/042150/10 C Author(s) 2012 2, 042150-1 believed that momentum transfer is caused by electric discharge. Furthermore, the acoustic wave emission associated with a DBD plasma actuator was investigated.…”

“…Furthermore, considerable experimental and theoretical efforts have been made to understand the working mechanism of these actuators. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] In a surface DBD plasma actuator, a surface electric discharge is generated under an atmospheric condition, and this leads to momentum transfer to the ambient gas. Increasing the effectiveness of momentum transfer is essential for enhancing the performance of plasma actuators.…”