New Electro-Active Polymers-Based Plasma Actuators for Simultaneous Flow Control and Ice Protection

Abstract

The current work introduces a new device for effective flow control and ice removal applications based on the combination of a nonthermal plasma discharge with the excitation of an electro-active polymer membrane. This new device designated electro-active polymer (EAP) plasma actuator is particularly interesting for aeronautic and wind power applications since it allows to perform simultaneous flow control and ice removal operations. To prove the concept, in the current work, an electro-active polymer-based plasma actuator device is fabricated and experimentally tested. For the initial tests a “VHB 4910” from 3 M was used as dielectric layer and electrically conductive grease was utilized to fabricate the flexible electrodes. The results demonstrate that this new concept is feasible, and the EAP plasma actuator is able to elongate up to 80% for an applied voltage of 7 kV. In addition, it is proved it can generate induced flow velocities above 2 m/s and, simultaneously, it is able to increase the surface temperature above 100 °C. In comparison to conventional plasma actuator, the new EAP actuator brings several other advantages mainly for de-icing purposes since the electro-active polymer movement will difficult the ice adhesion and help to expel the ice from the surface.