Experimental work has shown that altering the plasma actuator’s electrode geometry and dielectric permittivity, along with its applied voltage waveform, can significantly impact the strength of the resulting plasma actuation.^10,11 Preliminary results also indicate that by placing one or more plasma actuators on an aerodynamic surface, designers can also considerably alter control effectiveness. AFRL’s ultimate goal is to use the new analysis codes to investigate plasma actuator design variables, ultimately aiding designers in optimizing plasma actuator flow control devices for use in future AF weapon systems.

Mr. Benjamin J. Case (SENTEL Corporation) and Mr. Steven Ellison, of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Munitions Directorate, wrote this article. For more information, contact TECH CONNECT at (800) 203-6451 or place a request at http://www.afrl.af.mil/techconn_index.asp. Reference document MN-H-05-18.

References

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² Ashpis, D. E. and Hultgren, L. S. “Demonstration of Separation Delay With Glow-Discharge Plasma Actuators.” Technical Paper 2003-1025, AIAA Press, Washington DC (2003).
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