Low pressure characterization of dielectric barrier discharge actuators

Abstract

Dielectric barrier discharge actuators tested for thrust inducement between 13 and 101 kPa ambient air pressure show that as the pressure decreases, the thrust increases to a maximum, then drops steadily approaching zero while the power consumption monotonically increases. The amplification in induced thrust at the peak ranges from a few percent to several folds of the thrust measured at atmospheric condition. The effect is more pronounced for thinner dielectrics at lower operating voltages than thicker dielectrics at higher operating voltages and is fairly independent of the ground electrode width. Results identify several optimal control parameters for high-altitude operations. © 2013 American Institute of Physics.