Wire Plasma Actuator for Curved Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sheet plasma actuators face challenges when applied to three-dimensional curved surfaces, such as turbine blades or windmill blades, due to rigidity issues leading to turbulence and air resistance, and are prone to short circuits and increased weight when used on conductive casings, which affects their effectiveness and safety.
Innovation Solution
A surface plasma actuator using a conducting wire with an insulating film is attached to the target object, allowing for flexible placement and reducing the risk of short circuits by grounding the casing, while minimizing the attaching area and enhancing aerodynamic characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sheet plasma actuator is applied to three-dimensional curved surfaces, then plasma generation capability is maintained, but rigidity issues cause turbulence and air resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet plasma actuator is divided into multiple independent wire plasma actuators that can be separately positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows each wire actuator to independently generate plasma without the rigidity constraints of a continuous sheet, thereby maintaining plasma generation capability while reducing turbulence and air resistance on three-dimensional curved surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a rigid sheet structure to flexible wire elements that can conform to three-dimensional curved surfaces. These thin wire structures with insulating coatings provide the flexibility needed to adapt to complex geometries while minimizing disruption to the gas flow, thus reducing turbulence and air resistance.
2Reliability
If a sheet plasma actuator is used on conductive casings, then plasma generation is achieved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential plasma-generating components (thin conducting wire with insulating coating) from the bulky sheet structure. By removing the heavy sheet material and retaining only the necessary wire elements, the actuator achieves plasma generation with significantly reduced weight, making it suitable for applications where weight is critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire plasma actuator uses lightweight, easily replaceable wire elements instead of heavy, permanent sheet structures. These thin wire components are inexpensive and can be easily replaced if needed, providing a cost-effective and lightweight alternative that maintains plasma generation capability without the weight penalty of sheet actuators.
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
The wire plasma actuator provides a flexible and safe solution for three-dimensional surfaces, reducing turbulence and air resistance, and preventing short circuits, thus improving aerodynamic characteristics and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Surface plasma is generated along a neighborhood of the conducting wire by applying a pulse voltage between the conducting wire and the electrode
Implementation Method 2
an induced gas flow is generated by the surface plasma
Implementation Method 3
A conducting wire with an insulating film is attached to the target object, allowing for flexible placement and reducing the risk of short circuits by grounding the casing
Data Source
AI summary
A surface plasma actuator includes a conducting wire attached to a surface of a target object and electrically insulated from the target object. Surface plasma is generated along a neighborhood of the conducting wire by applying a pulse voltage between the conducting wire and a conductive portion on a side of the target object. An induced gas flow is generated by the surface plasma.