Control of the Airflow Close to a Flat Plate With Electrohydrodynamic Actuators

This work analyses the ability of an electrohydrodynamic actuator to modify the characteristics of a flow over a flat plate. The device considered uses flush mounted electrodes and a d.c. power supply to create a plasma sheet on the surface of the plate. We analyze the effect of this plasma sheet on the flow in the region close to the leading edge of the plate. From Particle Image Velocimetry and at incident flow velocities in the range 11.6–18.6 m/s, we estimate the force per unit surface exerted by the discharge. We conclude that it can induce an important acceleration of the flow close to the surface with a relative good efficiency when compared with other actuators.Copyright © 2002 by ASME