Excitation of controllable perturbations in the three-dimensional boundary layer using plasma actuators

Abstract

Two versions of the structure of a multi-discharge plasma actuator intended to excite boundary layer perturbations in the neighborhood of the leading swept-wing edge are suggested. The actuator must prevent from appearance and development of the crossflow instability modes leading to laminarturbulent transition under the normal conditions. In the case of flow past a swept wing, excitation of controllable perturbations by the plasma actuator is simulated numerically in the steady-state approximation under the typical conditions of cruising flight of a subsonic aircraft. The local body force and thermal impact on the boundary layer flow which is periodic along the leading wing edge is considered. The calculations are carried out for the physical impact parameters realizable in the near-surface dielectric barrier discharge.