Flow field measurements of peristaltic and combined paraelectric and peristaltic actuators using an impedance matched polyphase power supply

Summary form only given. The application of atmospheric glow discharge plasma actuators to aerodynamics is a field of growing interest. In this paper, we present the boundary layer velocity profiles obtained with a Pilot tube, of the flow fields associated with peristaltic plasma actuators and a combination of both paraelectric and peristaltic plasma actuators. In the latter case, paraelectric effects help increase the plasma flow velocity to better match the electrostatic traveling wave velocity to the induced gas flow velocity. We have demonstrated that by employing proper impedance matching, the performance, and in turn the maximum velocities obtained, can be enhanced to a much higher level and at the same time the rated power of the RF power supply can be reduced. We use multiple automotive ignition coils to produce the RF polyphase high voltage needed to drive the plasma actuator panels or ducts. We present a paired comparison of the results obtained with and without using the impedance matching network.