Performance Maximization of Plasma Actuator by Discharge Mode Control

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H06133
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Aerospace engineering
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Nishida Hiroyuki 東京農工大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (60545945)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: プラズマアクチュエータ / 流体制御 / 大気圧放電

Outline of Final Research Achievements

For the purpose of maximizing the performance of DBD plasma actuator which is a flow control device utilizing Dielectric-Barrier-Discharge, we parametrically optimize the applied voltage waveform. The result shows that the waveform composed of steep and gradual voltage slope can provide the best performance, and it is clarified that the performance improvement mechanism is dense plasma production in the steep-voltage slope period and maintaining electric field strength for plasma acceleration in the gradual-voltage slope period. Furthermore, we propose the new concept of tri-electrode plasma actuator which combine use of AC and DC discharge. The numerical simulation shows that higher performance can be obtained in it because the DC discharge, which has high-efficient electrohydrodynamic force production, is enhanced by electron supply from the AC discharge.

Free Research Field

流体工学，プラズマ工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本課題において，プラズマアクチュエータのエネルギー効率を約50%向上させることに成功した．プラズマアクチュエータは汎用性の高い流体制御デバイスである．本課題の遂行で得た成果により適用可能な主流範囲が拡大され，航空機や車輛の空力性能改善、タービンの発電効率改善など、多岐に渡る産業分野での実用化の加速が期待できる．また，本課題の研究により，大気圧放電における電気流体力学的現象の様々なメカニズムが明らかになった．静電気工学，プラズマ工学分野における学術的価値の高い知見が得られた．