Numerical Analysis of Electrohydrodynamics Force Generation Process on Tri-Electrode Plasma Actuator Utilizing Sliding Discharge
M. Tamura, H. Nishida, T. Koizumi, and K. Nakai
Department of Mechanical System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo
Abstract- Tri-Electrode Plasma Actuator utilizing Sliding Discharge (TED-SDPA) can generate stronger jet than that by conventional two-electrode type Plasma Actuator. However, an unexpected phenomenon was observed; the induced jet was deflected upward. The objective of this study is to numerically analyze the jet deflection mechanism of TED-SDPA. Discharge plasma dynamics was simulated based on a three-fluid plasma model, and flow field was simulated based on the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with the source terms which are from the EHD force field obtained in the plasma simulation. As a result, jet deflection occurs in the both cases of negative and positive DC voltage. Results showed a rightward jet generated from AC electrode and a leftward jet generated from the DC electrode, and collision of the two jets generated the upward jet. The mechanism of the rightward jet generation was the same as in the conventional plasma actuator. The leftward jet generation was due to leftward EHD force generated around the DC electrode, and the leftward EHD force was generated by the drift motion of the positive ions in the positive DC voltage case, and on the other hand, that of the negative ions in the negative DC voltage case.
Keywords-Tri-Electrode, EHD force, deflected jet