Elongated DBD with floating interelectrodes for actuators

In this paper the use of a floating interelectrode for dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators applied in aerodynamics is described. The velocity profiles of airflow generated by a single-DBD actuator with the floating interelectrode are presented. Also double-DBD and multi-DBD plasma actuators with floating interelectrodes were investigated to get a longer DBD on a dielectric surface. Obtained results show that the DBDs with floating interelectrodes are capable of extending the plasma area on the dielectric surface. The airflow induced by the successive DBD sets with floating interelectrodes in the multi-DBD actuator had the same direction enhancing the net airflow. The airflow velocity produced by the investigated multi-DBD actuator was up to 10 m/s. This suggests that multi-DBD actuators with floating interelectrodes can be attractive for many aerodynamic purposes.