Discharge characteristics and acceleration effect of symmetric plasma aerodynamic actuators

Diagnosis of the gas flow induced by plasma aerodynamic actuation is the basis of plasma flow control. We researched the electrical and flow characteristics of plasma aerodynamic actuation generated on symmetric dielectric barrier discharge actuator. The test results show that the discharge of symmetric actuator, which is generated around the high-voltage electrode, is different from that of asymmetric actuator. There are many fine and narrow pulsed currents at the positive half cycle of actuation voltage, showing that the discharge mode is diffusive but filamentary. The jet induced by plasma aerodynamic actuation is vertical to the actuator surface when the amplitude and phase of the voltage exerted on adjacent electrodes are the same. The maximum velocity of the jet is on the order of m/s. When the amplitude or the phase of the voltage exerted on adjacent electrodes is changed, the top-left or top-right jet is induced while the induced gas flow velocity can hardly be enhanced.