Thrust characteristic of a multipoint-grid type EHD gas pump under negative corona operation in air

The ionic wind technology produced by corona discharge has drawn massive attention as a new driving force, especially in flow control applications. This paper introduces a non-friction test platform with air track in order to gauge the thrust produced by a 19 points-to-grid and a 31 points-to-grid EHD gas pump. Five major parameters of the EHD gas pump are focused, which includes the electrode gap, the spacing of point electrode, the curvature of point tips, the applied voltage and the discharge current. Through experimental study, the relationships between the performance of thrust of EHD gas pump and its major parameters are clarified. Eventually, a method of achieving high thrust with a low power consumption is brought up.