Demonstration of Plasma Actuators as Active Flow Control Devices
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
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.
