We present a computational study that demonstrates the concept of a microwave excited plasma flow sensor. The geometric configuration consists of an array of circularly arranged “receiver” (ground) electrodes that surround a central “transmitter” (excited) electrode that is flush mounted on a surface exposed to incident flow. Microwave excitation is used to strike a low-temperature plasma between the transmitter electrode and the receiver electrode. Depending on the flow direction, a more intense plasma kernel is formed between the transmitter electrode and the downstream electrode for sufficiently strong excitation conditions. The differential current between the receiver electrodes is used to establish the flow direction and magnitude. The computational model establishes the effectiveness of the concept as a flow sensor. Parametric studies involving excitation voltages, flow velocities, scale lengths, electrode shape, and excitation frequency are performed. It is observed that the sensitivity of the device to the imposed flow is considerably improved with increasing excitation frequency in the microwave regime.
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28 February 2021
Research Article|
February 24 2021
Computational study of a novel microwave excited plasma sensor for aerodynamic flows Available to Purchase
Special Collection:
Fundamentals and Applications of Atmospheric Pressure Plasmas
Anand Karpatne
;
Anand Karpatne
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin
, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
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Ashish Sharma
;
Ashish Sharma
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin
, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
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Jayant Sirohi
;
Jayant Sirohi
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin
, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Laxminarayan L. Raja
Laxminarayan L. Raja
a)
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin
, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: [email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:
Anand Karpatne
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin
, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
Ashish Sharma
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin
, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
Jayant Sirohi
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin
, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
Laxminarayan L. Raja
a)
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin
, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: [email protected]
Note: This paper is part of the Special Topic on Fundamentals and Applications of Atmospheric Pressure Plasmas.
J. Appl. Phys. 129, 084503 (2021)
Article history
Received:
November 15 2020
Accepted:
February 04 2021
Citation
Anand Karpatne, Ashish Sharma, Jayant Sirohi, Laxminarayan L. Raja; Computational study of a novel microwave excited plasma sensor for aerodynamic flows. J. Appl. Phys. 28 February 2021; 129 (8): 084503. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0037743
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