Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuators with Novel Geometries for Flow Modification: Experimental Measurements and Validation with a 2-D Fluid Model

Abstract

Optical characteristics of surface dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators with wire/planar electrodes were studied using an intensified charge-coupled device camera and a monochromator in atmospheric pressure air. Spatial and temporal images were recorded both parallel and perpendicular to actuator surfaces on nanosecond time scales. By tilting the actuator surface, arc-shaped discharges jumping from above the powered wire across the dielectric above the grounded planar electrode were observed for the first time. Time resolved velocity measurements of the air flow fields induced by planar DBD actuators were also made by phase contrast imaging of buoyant plumes passing through the discharge. Studies of the use of DBDs to prevent flow separation from the suction side of an airfoil in air demonstrated that separation-control depends on the size of the exposed electrodes and the amplitude of the applied voltage. Suppression of separation was seen in both flow visualization images and in measurements of the lift produced by the airfoil. Coaxial radio frequency atmospheric pressure air plus helium DBDs with one electrode covered with glass were also investigated. The coaxial design allowed operation with very low power density plasmas and a much larger plasma size than the parallel plate designs.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 30, 2013
Accession Number
ADA597242

Entities

People

  • Noah Hershkowitz
  • Riccardo Bonazza

Organizations

  • University of Wisconsin–Madison

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Flow
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Barometric Pressure
  • Dielectrics
  • Electrons
  • Flow
  • Flow Rate
  • Flow Separation
  • Flow Visualization
  • Frequency
  • Geometry
  • High Voltage
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Measurement
  • Nanosecond Time
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics.
  • Plasma Physics.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.