Abstract: In this paper, the induced velocity fields of three plasma actuators of the H-type, O-type and L-type respectively are measured quantitatively by using the particle image velocimetry (PIV) in quiescent air. The flow field structures are analyzed and the effects of the design parameters are studied. The results show that all the three plasma actuators can induce an upward jet flow. The jet flow velocities of the O-type and L-type are obviously affected by the excitation voltage; they increase with the increase of the excitation voltage. The velocity of the jet flow induced by the H-type actuator is influenced by the width between the electrodes, which increases with the increasing width between the electrodes, and the maximum velocity emerges at the width of 22 mm. The velocity of the jet flow induced by the O-type actuator is influenced by the diameter of the electrodes, which increases with the increasing diameter of the electrodes, and the maximum velocity appears at the diameter of 30 mm. The direction of the jet flow induced by the L-type actuator is influenced by the angle of the electrodes. With the increase of the angle, the orientation of the jet flow changes from vertical to parallel. This research may serve as a basis for the design and application of plasma actuators.

Key words: plasma actuator, particle image velocimetry, jet flow, induced velocity, flow field characteristic