Plasma Aerodynamics

Mini and Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) development is a further major research focus of the Future Workshop Electrofluidsystems. See for summary of results in the recent publication "Wind-Tunnel Experiments to Active Flow Control at Low Re-Numbers" presented at the First European Micro Air Vehicle Conference and Flight Competition EMAV 2004, Braunschweig, Germany.

Lift and drag diagrams are available in project folder Airfoil Wake Control.

Picture: Fibonacci flying wing drawings for 78, 42 and 30 cm span width models with Eppler E338 airfoil.

42-78 cm span width model (141-313 g):

Maximum Cord Length:

Span Width without Outer Wing:
Wing Area without Outer Wing:
Aspect Ratio without Outer Wing:

Total Span Width with Outer Wing:
Total Wing Area with Outer Wing:
Aspect Ratio with Outer Wing:

Eppler-Code Estimation for 78 cm model
at alpha=2° and u=10 m/s:

Lift Coefficient to Sustain Level Flight:
Total Drag Coefficient:
Lift/Drag (Glide) Ratio:
Glide Angle (Epsilon):
Sink Rate:

482 mm   (18.97 in)

418 mm   (16.45 in)
0.1253 m²
1.4079

778 mm   (30.63 in)
0.1538 m²
3.9341

0.3230
0.0252
12.820
4.46°
0.783 m/s

30 cm span width model (100 g):

Maximum Cord Length:
Total Span Width:
Total Wing Area:
Aspect Ratio:

Eppler-Code Estimation for 30 cm model
at alpha=5° and u=11.1 m/s (25 mph):

Lift Coefficient to Sustain Level Flight:
Total Drag Coefficient:
Lift/Drag (Glide) Ratio:
Glide Angle (Epsilon):
Sink Rate:

186 mm   (7.32 in)
300 mm   (11.81 in)
22876 mm² (35.46 in²)
3.9341

0.5623
0.0515
10.92
5.23°
1.02 m/s

Picture: Reynolds-number and lift distribution for 78 and 30 cm span width models estimated using Frank Ranis' Flying Wing Program.

Pictures: 42-78 cm span width Fibonacci flying wing wind-tunnel half model.

Pictures: Miniaturized EMCO 5 V, 250 mA input 10kV DC power supply with 28 g weight (left one) for 30 cm span width model.

Picture: Fibonacci flying wing with 30 cm span width and embedded EMCO 10 kV power supply.

Pictures: Miniaturized plasma ball 12 V, 300 mA input 3 kV p-p AC HV power supplies with 50 g weight for 42 and 78 cm span width model with surface-smooth plasma actuators.