Electroaerodynamics: Dielectric-Barrier Discharges for Lift and Drag Augmentation of Small-Scale Airfoils

Document Type

Dataset

Publication Date

Fall 2026

Abstract

The data presented in the Excel files associated with this dissertation represent the raw aerodynamic forces generated by a small-scale Clark Y (11.7) airfoil during wind tunnel operation, with and without the influence of DC-powered, dielectric-barrier discharge actuation (DBD).

Aerodynamic forces and moments were measured using an ATI Industrial Automation Mini40 six-axis force/torque transducer (US-20-40). The transducer provided 50,000 simultaneous measurements of three orthogonal force components and three moment components, allowing aerodynamic loading to be resolved directly from the mounted airfoil.

The three orthogonal force components represented by Force X, Force Y, and Force Z are located in columns A, B, and C of each Excel spreadsheet. The units that represent these force components are, lbf, or “pounds of force”.

The three moment components represented by Torque X, Torque Y, and Torque Z are located in columns D, E, and F of the Excel spreadsheets. The units that represent these moment components are, lbf-in, or “inch-pounds”.

The analysis of aerodynamic performance during the experimentation phase of this study was performed using the averages of the measured Y and Z force components with Y being the normal force component (lift) and Z representing the axial force component (drag). Moment components were documented and used to monitor the stability of aerodynamic loading, but not analyzed or considered with respect to the conclusions made as a result of this study.

The raw data from these experiments is organized into three separate file folders. They are named 0 AoA, 5 AoA, and 10 AoA, with each delineating the angle of attack (AoA) condition examined. Within the AoA file folders, 11 individual files contain the raw aerodynamic performance data of each experimental condition.

The nomenclature of the individual Excel spreadsheets denotes the applied voltage (10kV), angle of attack configuration (-10 deg), and DBD cathode (-fore/aft) configuration being examined during each discrete test. An Excel spreadsheet with Control in the title denotes a test in which DBD actuation was not present, thus establishing the controls against which all other aerodynamic performance was compared and analyzed. A spreadsheet with -test stopped for secondary ionization event in the title denotes a run where voltage breakdown events occurred i.e., electrical arching between excited electrodes. For the safety of investigator and experimental equipment alike, tests in which this phenomenon was observed were stopped prematurely.

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