Title: Drag reduction of a 3D bluff body using plasma actuators

Authors: V. Boucinha, R. Weber, A. Kourta

Addresses: Institut Prisme, Polytech'Orleans, 8 rue Leonard de Vinci, 45072 ORLEANS Cedex 2, France. ' Institut Prisme, Polytech'Orleans, 8 rue Leonard de Vinci, 45072 ORLEANS Cedex 2, France. ' Institut Prisme, Polytech'Orleans, 8 rue Leonard de Vinci, 45072 ORLEANS Cedex 2, France

Abstract: The aim of this study is to reduce the drag of a simplified car geometry using surface dielectric barrier discharge actuators. Experiments were conducted in a wind tunnel for a low Reynolds number (6.7.10⁵) with the Ahmed body reference (rear slant angle of 25°, zero yaw angle). The effect of steady and unsteady actuation on the flow topology was investigated carrying out 2C-PIV and 1D hot wire measurements. The efficiency of the actuators was characterised by stationary balance measurements. Drag reductions up to 8% were obtained by suppressing the separation bubble above the rear window. The results suggest that plasma actuators are simple to implement on a model and can provide useful information for automotive aerodynamics through parametric studies with parameters relevant for flow control (position, surface, frequency and duty cycle of the pulsed actuation).

Keywords: ground vehicles; vehicle aerodynamics; Ahmed body; drag reduction; plasma actuators; dielectric barrier discharges; DBD; flow control; separation; longitudinal vortices; ionic wind; bluff bodies; automotive aerodynamics; automobile industry; rear windows.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAD.2011.038845

International Journal of Aerodynamics, 2011 Vol.1 No.3/4, pp.262 - 281

Published online: 28 Feb 2015 *

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