Study of Plasma Electrode Arrangements for Optimum Lift in a Mach 5 Flow (Postprint)

Abstract : This work is an experimental effort to study the power efficiency of using a plasma discharge to alter the lift on a body or surface. In this paper several electrode geometries are considered in an effort to reduce the plasma power required for a given change in lift. The cathode electrode position and electrode size are studied. For all cases studied the anode electrode is kept the same. Results are presented for four different size cathodes and four different cathode positions. The primary result presented is the lift change produced by the discharge per unit power input. The lift is determined by measuring the deflection of the model under the applied plasma. This type of a measurement system has some advantages and disadvantages compared to a load cell lift measurement system used by the authors in past work. Results from each of these lift measurement tools compare well. Results for 9 and 24 mA DC discharges are shown in this paper. For the conditions utilized in this work the results indicate that both cathode position and cathode size affect the lift change caused by a plasma discharge per unit of power input.