Investigation into the effect of electrode angle on force production of a dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator

Abstract

Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma actuators impart a momentum transfer to the surrounding medium that in turn produces a net response force. The amount of force generated is directly proportional to the electric field strength. The electric field strength of a DBD plasma actuator can be modified by changing the angle between the electrodes. A larger electrode angle produces a higher magnitude electric field and therefore higher magnitude response force. Direct force measurements were made to measure the change in response force produced with changing electrode angle, with higher response forces generated experimentally with larger electrode angles. By analyzing the electrode configuration of a DBD plasma actuator as a capacitor, a theoretical relationship between electrode angle and thrust produced was developed and matched to the experimentally determined results. Results indicate changing the angle between the electrodes increases the electric field strength and therefore response force. Copyright © 2012 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.