Abstract
Renewed interest in flow control devices using various forms of plasmas has motivated the design and systematic investigation of localized arc filament plasma actuators, or LAFPA-type devices. Our newly constructed system creates electric arcs by generating electric fields in the range of 20 kV/cm between two pin-type electrodes. The potential of the actuator to influence surrounding quiescent air flow when placed in a 1.6 × 5 mm cavity was investigated using emission imaging, particle image velocimetry (PIV), and current and voltage measurements. The emission imaging showed both temporal and spatial variation. The emission was most intense and variable in the first microsecond after breakdown. The PIV data were acquired for several plasma currents, on-times, and actuation frequencies. The data showed characteristic features of a hot gas expansion from a cavity, such as rapid gas dilatation exemplified through a blast wave and cavity refilling from post-discharge cooling. The electric measurements were correlated to their respective emission imaging and PIV measurements. The plasma voltage was found to alternate between two distinct modes: "high-voltage" and "low-voltage". From the emission imaging, it is theorized that this actually may be the plasma alternating between glow and arc discharge modes as a result of the restricted current.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2012 |
Event | 50th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition - Nashville, TN, United States Duration: Jan 9 2012 → Jan 12 2012 |
Other
Other | 50th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition |
---|---|
Country/Territory | United States |
City | Nashville, TN |
Period | 1/9/12 → 1/12/12 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Aerospace Engineering