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Electro Active Polymer-based Dimple Actuators with Ultra-thin Metal Electrode for Flow Control

K. T. Madhavan

Abstract


Research efforts are being pursued currently at CSIR-NAL towards the development and application of Electro-Active Polymers (EAP)-based dimple as a micro-actuator for flow control at low Reynolds numbers. Dimple actuators with ultra-thin metal electrodes have been fabricated and demonstrated for their effectiveness in flow separation control on airfoils. This paper describes the design, fabrication, characterization and validation of EAP-based dimple actuators and their characterization, in terms of their response to electrical fields at different excitation frequencies. After characterization, validation tests have been carried out on the actuators at low Reynolds numbers in the wind tunnel. Tests were done with an array of dimple actuators on a NACA4415 airfoil using PIV measurements. It has been found that the device is very effective in reducing flow separation which is of high relevance in MAV applications.

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21535%2FProICIUS.2013.v9.432

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