Transition Control with Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasmas
Abstract
The objective of the project is to control natural boundary-layer transition through the use of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators. Transition delay or even suppression has its merits not only in lower wall shear stress and frictional drag of laminar as opposed to turbulent boundary layers, but transition control can be instrumental in influencing flow separation, which opens avenues for significantly influencing pressure drag and wake acoustics of bluff bodies or profiles. The focus of the project is on understanding fundamentals of the transition control with DBD actuators and on optimization of actuator design and operating parameters. The project is of experimental nature with accompanying numerical studies. The main questions to be answered concern the applicability of plasma actuators for delay of naturally occurring boundary-layer transition at elevated Reynolds numbers and the characterization of the relevant physical effects. For the understanding of the stabilizing effect, a generic flat plate experiment is used whereas transition delay at elevated Reynolds numbers is demonstrated during in-flight experiments on a motorized glider.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA581643
Entities
People
- A. Duchmann
- Cameron Tropea
- S. Grundmann