Time-correlated force production measurements of the dielectric barrier discharge plasma aerodynamic actuator

Abstract

An atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma, operated as a surface-mode discharge with a single encapsulated electrode and an asymmetric electrode alignment, is known to couple momentum into the surrounding neutral fluid and through this coupling has shown considerable promise as an aerodynamic flow control device. Several different models, often with conflicting explanations, have been offered to explain the process of this momentum coupling. The DBD is known to proceed in two stages during the discharge cycle, one on the positive-going portion of the applied ac high-voltage waveform and the other on the negative-going portion. By using the actuator to drive a second-order mechanical system, we show here that the great majority (97%) of the momentum coupling occurs during the negative-going portion of the discharge cycle and we relate this behavior to dramatic differences in the structure of the discharge revealed with high-speed photography. This information is critical in evaluating descriptions of the momentum-coupling processes in the plasma.

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

“…On the other hand, the backward stroke seems to have little effect in momentum addition although still produces positive force rendering the overall forcing scenario to PUSH-push. Different research groups 14,18 argue that this asymmetry is coupled to the nature of the discharge. For the negative discharge, a large number of microdischarges are responsible for a diffusive and uniform momentum transfer to the neutrals.…”

“…The majority of experimental [12][13][14]16 and numerical 10,18 investigations on the DBD forcing mechanisms discuss the sine waveform, albeit for different carrier frequencies and applied voltages. The temporal evolution of velocity and acceleration in the plasma region is presented in Fig.…”

“…The current status of experimental research into the forcing mechanisms of the plasma actuator is restricted to either spatial 13 or temporal 12,14 resolution of the flowfield. The experimental investigation in this paper is aimed at the simultaneous spatial and temporal resolution of the induced flowfield from the operation of the plasma actuator within one period of forcing.…”

Experimental study on dielectric barrier discharge actuators operating in pulse mode

“…[8][9][10] Several parametric and optimization studies have been performed for maximizing the produced body force and induced velocity. [11][12][13][14][15][16] More recently the use of advanced techniques such as nanopulse discharges 17,18 and three-electrode designs 19 have been proposed. The general consensus of these studies is that although the actuators have the potential for efficient flow control at low velocity regimes, their effectiveness decreases with increased Reynolds number.…”

Experimental Study on the Body Force Field of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Actuators

“…Several studies focus on the investigation of the induced flow field and the produced thrust from the actuators. 16,17 These two quantities can lead to an estimation of the space domain integrated magnitude of the exerted body force. These techniques and others have been used successfully by researchers for investigations and parametric studies on plasma actuators.…”