Plasma Actuator Sensing for Airflow Separation Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting airflow separation on surfaces, such as wings, often require new sensors that can interfere aerodynamically or use existing sensors at inappropriate positions, making it difficult to accurately detect separation without additional installation.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a plasma actuator with alternating-current voltage to detect airflow separation by measuring the temporal variation rate of electric power consumption or current, allowing for detection without additional sensors, and determining the separation position based on these measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If new sensors are installed to detect airflow separation, then detection accuracy is improved, but aerodynamic interference and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma actuator serves dual functions: it generates airflow control effects and simultaneously detects airflow separation through monitoring its own power consumption or current characteristics. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate detection sensors, thereby avoiding additional aerodynamic interference while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The plasma actuator is designed to perform multiple functions: airflow generation/control and airflow separation detection. By utilizing the same device for both actuation and sensing, the system avoids adding separate detection components that would increase aerodynamic interference and device complexity.
2Device complexity
If existing sensors are used at current positions, then device complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to inappropriate sensor positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma actuator monitors its own operational parameters (power consumption or current) to detect airflow separation. This self-detection mechanism eliminates the need for separately installed sensors, ensuring both low device complexity and high detection accuracy without compromising sensor positioning.
3Reliability
If multiple plasma actuators are used for detection, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system divides the wing surface into multiple regions, each equipped with a plasma actuator. By strategically positioning actuators at key locations where separation is most likely to occur, the system achieves comprehensive detection coverage with a minimal number of devices, balancing reliability with simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of distributing plasma actuators uniformly across the entire wing surface, the system places them selectively at critical positions where airflow separation is most likely to occur. This partial coverage approach maintains high detection reliability while minimizing the total number of actuators required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective detection of airflow separation and its position on surfaces without the need for new sensors, improving accuracy and reducing aerodynamic interference, and is applicable to various surfaces including aircraft and wind power generator wings.
Implementation Method 1
The plasma actuator is configured to generate plasma discharge by applying an alternating-current voltage between the pair of electrodes
Implementation Method 2
a body force is generated in the air... in a direction of the generated plasma discharge
Implementation Method 3
Activation of such a plasma actuator allows for formation of an air in a direction of the generated plasma discharge
Implementation Method 4
detecting that separation, from the surface of the object, of an airflow flowing on the surface of the object is occurring, in a case where an absolute value of a temporal variation rate of an electric power consumption value of the plasma actuator or an absolute value of a temporal variation rate of a current value of the plasma actuator is equal to or greater than a predetermined value
Data Source
AI summary
An airflow separation detecting method includes: applying an alternating-current voltage having a predetermined voltage value to a plasma actuator, the plasma actuator being disposed on a part of a surface of an object; and detecting that separation, from the surface of the object, of an airflow flowing on the surface of the object is occurring, in a case where an absolute value of a temporal variation rate of an electric power consumption value of the plasma actuator or an absolute value of a temporal variation rate of a current value of the plasma actuator is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the temporal variation rate being a rate of variation relative to time, the electric power consumption value or the current value of the plasma actuator being measured under application of the alternating-current voltage having the predetermined voltage value to the plasma actuator.