Contribution of plasma control technology for aerodynamic applications

During these past ten years, plasma actuators have been envisaged to control air flows. Usually, two main kinds of plasma actuators are available: the DC discharge actuator and the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) actuator, but also some combinations of both systems are now being studied. In this paper we present the results obtained with these different kinds of actuators. The control parameters, the electrical behaviors, and the mechanical efficiencies of the actuators are given. Aerodynamic experiments have been made in several wind tunnels using Particle Image Velocimetry (P.I.V.), visualization, Laser Dopler Velocimetry and special Pitot tube techniques. Advantages and disadvantages of each actuator are discussed, and finally some aerodynamic applications are shown.