Development of DBD plasma actuators: the double encapsulated electrode

Erfani, R., Zare-Behtash, H. , Hale, C. and Kontis, K. (2015) Development of DBD plasma actuators: the double encapsulated electrode. Acta Astronautica, 109, pp. 132-143. (doi: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2014.12.016)

Abstract

Plasma actuators are electrical devices that generate a wall bounded jet without the use of any moving parts. For aerodynamic applications they can be used as flow control devices to delay separation and augment lift on a wing. The standard plasma actuator consists of a single encapsulated (ground) electrode. The aim of this project is to investigate the effect of varying the number and distribution of encapsulated electrodes in the dielectric layer. Utilising a transformer cascade, a variety of input voltages are studied for their effect. In the quiescent environment of a Faraday cage the velocity flow field is recorded using particle image velocimetry. Through understanding of the mechanisms involved in producing the wall jet and the importance of the encapsulated electrode a novel actuator design is proposed. The actuator design distributes the encapsulated electrode throughout the dielectric layer. The experiments have shown that actuators with a shallow initial encapsulated electrode induce velocities greater than the baseline case at the same voltage. Actuators with a deep initial encapsulated electrode are able to induce the highest velocities as they can operate at higher voltages without breakdown of the dielectric.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Zare-Behtash, Dr Hossein and Kontis, Professor Konstantinos
• Authors: Erfani, R., Zare-Behtash, H., Hale, C., and Kontis, K.
• Subjects: Q Science > Q Science (General); Q Science > QC Physics; T Technology > T Technology (General); T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
• Journal Name: Acta Astronautica
• Publisher: Elsevier on behalf of IAA
• ISSN: 0094-5765
• ISSN (Online): 1879-2030
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 IAA
• First Published: First published in Acta Astronautica 109:132-143
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License