Dielectric Barrier Discharge-Induced Vortex Generation With Discharge-Actuated Boundary Layer Bleed

Abstract

The characteristics of vortices induced by spanwise forcing using a streamwise-oriented dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) vortex generator (VG) are investigated with and without a boundary layer bleed slot, the flow of which is also driven by a DBD actuator. The velocity fields of the induced flows are characterized by ensemble averaged particle image velocimetry. A stronger downward motion and proximity of the induced vortex to the forcing electrode and the wall are observed when the DBD VG is used in conjunction with a DBD-active bleed slot. The effect of varying the applied voltage and freestream velocity on the induced vortex is examined. Researches are carried out on the ability for this DBD VG to control the separation on an inclined flat-plate and diverging ramp. We find that the DBD VG, together with DBD-activated bleed slots, leads to more robust separation control in these adverse pressure gradient configurations.