Performance Reduction of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuators at Higher Mach Numbers

A novel diagnostic approach to quantify discharge characteristics of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators is introduced and demonstrated for actuation in quiescent air and at high-speed conditions. Using the method a significant decrease of actuator performance is observed for operation at higher Mach numbers.As such, calibrations of the actuator obtained in quiescent air can be shown to strongly overestimate the exerted body force at higher Mach numbers, thus biasing numerical simulations of the actuator effects on the flow. Furthermore, the new approach for monitoring actuator discharge also provides clear guidelines for matching the impedance of the electrical system and for estimating the degree of system de-tuning as the air-flow velocity changes.