Surface pressure modification driven by a dielectric-barrier-discharge plasma actuator: Performance dependence on airfoil shape

Optimization of the airfoil shape and flow-control device is critical for optimal performance of fluid devices, such as wind turbines and aircraft. In this study, the combined effects of an airfoil and a dielectric-barrier-discharge plasma actuator (DBD-PA), utilized as the flow-control device, were evaluated through surface pressure measurements in a wind-tunnel experiment using three types of airfoils: Göttingen 387, SG6043, and the NASA Common Research Model (NASA-CRM). Our experimental results demonstrated that combining the DBD-PA with either the SG6043 or NASA-CRM foil improved the maximum lift of the airfoil; the DBD-PA with the Göttingen 387 foil maintained lift even after the stall angle. These results indicate that the flow-control performance of a DBD-PA varies not only with the Reynolds number but also with the shape of the airfoil.