Flow shaping using three-dimensional microscale gas discharge
Abstract
We introduce a flow shaping mechanism using surface compliant microscale gas discharge. A three-dimensional finite element-based multiscale ionized gas flow code is utilized to analyze charge separation, potential distribution, and flow inducement mechanism. For the case of quiescent flow, a horseshoe-shaped plasma generator is introduced. Due to its unusual shape, the three-dimensional electric force excites a pinching effect on the fluid inside selectively powered electrode arc. Such effect is capable of tripping the flow-ejecting fluid normal to the plane of the actuator and thus can be very useful for many applications.
- Publication:
-
Applied Physics Letters
- Pub Date:
- August 2009
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.3216046
- Bibcode:
- 2009ApPhL..95h1501W
- Keywords:
-
- 52.30.-q;
- 52.80.Mg;
- 52.50.Nr;
- 52.58.Lq;
- 02.70.Dh;
- Plasma dynamics and flow;
- Arcs;
- sparks;
- lightning;
- atmospheric electricity;
- Plasma heating by DC fields;
- ohmic heating arcs;
- Z-pinches plasma focus and other pinch devices;
- Finite-element and Galerkin methods