Aerodynamic drag reduction by controlling flow structure of simplified vehicle model using plasma actuator

Abstract

In recent years, a dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator (DBD-PA) which is a fluid control device, has been investigated for achieving both aerodynamic functionality and design shape in transportation equipment. In this study, we installed a DBD-PA to a bluff body that reproduced the characteristic flow structures of a sedan-type automobile in order to reduce the aerodynamic drag. In particular, we controlled the flow generated from the curved shape in the rear end of the body side, which has high sensitivity of design and aerodynamic forces. As a result of the wind tunnel test, we showed that the aerodynamic drag can be reduced by 3% with controlling the vortex that causes increment of aerodynamic drag while maintaining the curved shape.