Nonstationary flow field generated by dielectric barrier discharge

The search for new methods of the flow control is of great importance because the capability of traditional control devices is one of the limits of the aircraft efficiency. A promising method of flow control involves application of electrogasdynamic devices based on the direct transformation of the electric energy to the force acting on the flow. An activator employing the principles of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was studied. Nonstationary characteristic of the activator have been studied by measuring the electrodynamic parameters of DBD and the induced velocity fields (particle image velocimetry). Instantaneous and integral parameters of the gas acceleration are determined and the activator efficiency is evaluated.