Demonstration of Plasma Actuators as Active Flow Control Devices

Presenter Information

Jason Stumfoll

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Major

Aerospace Engineering

Research Advisor

Rovey, Joshua L.

Advisor's Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Funding Source

Missouri S&T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program; Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department

Abstract

Active flow control is an area of intense research in the aerospace community. Single Dielectric Barrier Discharge (SDBD) plasma actuators are a recent development that shows potential as a solution to replace large mechanical systems with low power electrical systems. Plasma actuators have been shown to improve the efficiency and reduce noise on aircraft systems, eliminate flow separation, and increase the stall angle of attack, both experimentally and computationally. Computer simulations previously performed by S&T students were experimentally tested by constructing a wind tunnel model capable of demonstrating various Teflon and Kapton based plasma actuators at differing model locations. Lift and drag characteristics were measured and shown to improve with the introduction of plasma, and flow reattachment was demonstrated using smoke flow visualization in the Subsonic Wind Tunnel at S&T. This experiment will be used in future aerospace class demonstrations as an undergraduate laboratory exercise.

Biography

Jason, from Springfield, Missouri, will graduate in May 2012 with his Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. Jason has been an active member on the Missouri Satellite Team, helping to complete the design of the team’s nano-satellite for the Air Force Research Lab’s Nanosat-7 program, and is a member of the Advanced Aero Vehicle Group, serving as the team’s design lead for the NASA University Student Launch Initiative competition for the 2011-2012 year. He will be continuing his education at S&T in the coming fall, pursuing a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, with a focus on Aerodynamics and Propulsion.

Research Category

Engineering

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Document Type

Poster

Location

Upper Atrium/Hallway

Presentation Date

10 Apr 2012, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

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Apr 10th, 1:00 PM Apr 10th, 3:00 PM

Demonstration of Plasma Actuators as Active Flow Control Devices

Upper Atrium/Hallway

Active flow control is an area of intense research in the aerospace community. Single Dielectric Barrier Discharge (SDBD) plasma actuators are a recent development that shows potential as a solution to replace large mechanical systems with low power electrical systems. Plasma actuators have been shown to improve the efficiency and reduce noise on aircraft systems, eliminate flow separation, and increase the stall angle of attack, both experimentally and computationally. Computer simulations previously performed by S&T students were experimentally tested by constructing a wind tunnel model capable of demonstrating various Teflon and Kapton based plasma actuators at differing model locations. Lift and drag characteristics were measured and shown to improve with the introduction of plasma, and flow reattachment was demonstrated using smoke flow visualization in the Subsonic Wind Tunnel at S&T. This experiment will be used in future aerospace class demonstrations as an undergraduate laboratory exercise.