Surface potential distribution and airflow performance of different air-exposed electrode plasma actuators at different alternating current/direct current voltages

Abstract

Asymmetric surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) plasma actuators have been intensely studied for a number of years due to their potential applications for aerodynamic control. In this paper, four types of actuators with different configurations of exposed electrode are proposed. The SDBD actuators investigated are driven by dual-power supply, referred to as a fixed AC high voltage and an adjustable DC bias. The effects of the electrode structures on the dielectric surface potential distribution, the electric wind velocity, and the mean thrust production are studied, and the dominative factors of airflow acceleration behavior are revealed. The results have shown that the actions of the SDBD actuator are mainly dependent on the geometry of the exposed electrode. Besides, the surface potential distribution can effectively affect the airflow acceleration behavior. With the application of an appropriate additional DC bias, the surface potential will be modified. As a result, the performance of the electric wind produced by a single SDBD can be significantly improved. In addition, the work also illustrates that the actuators with more negative surface potential present better mechanical performance. V C 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.

Experimental Study on Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuator with Different Encapsulated Electrode Widths for Airflow Control at Atmospheric Pressure

“…In our previous work [22,23] , the method for the surface potential measurement has been described in detail. This paper only gives a concise description of this method to make the paper better understood.…”

The effects of applying different bias voltages and phase differences on performance of an asymmetric surface dielectric barrier discharge; an experimental investigation

“…Recently, Cristofolini et al [21] have investigated the effect of charge surface deposition on the induced flow by using three different geometrical configurations. Young et al also [22] designed thin foil, blade, wire, and copper mesh configurations of the upper electrode and drove it by an AC high voltage and DC biases to investigate the relevancy of surface potential to the mechanical characteristics.…”