Geometry Effects of SDBD Actuator on Atmospheric-Pressure Discharge Plasma Airflow Acceleration

Surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD), used as the plasma actuator for airflow control at atmospheric pressure, has been widely concerned over the past decades. In this work, four different electrode configurations, i.e., copper mesh, thin wire, blade, and aluminum foil, are chosen as exposed electrodes for the SDBD plasma actuator. The different effects of the four structures on the airflow acceleration behavior are experimentally investigated through the discharge current, surface potential distribution, ionic wind velocity, and mean thrust production. The result shows that the actuator with the copper mesh exposed electrode can generate the maximal induced force, while the actuator with the aluminum foil exposed electrode can generate the minimal induced force. This difference, as analyzed, is mainly due to the distinct discharge characteristics, i.e., different discharge asymmetry and surface potential, caused by the specifically designed exposed electrode configurations. This paper illustrates that the actuator with low surface potential has preferable mechanical performance.