Influence of plasma actuators as a flow separation control device was investigatedexperimentally.Hump model was used to demonstrate the effect of plasma actuators on externalflow separation,while for internal flow separation a set of compressor cascade was adopted.Inorder to investigate the modification of the flow structure by the plasma actuator,the flow fieldwas examined non-intrusively by particle image velocimetry measurements in the hump modelexperiment and by a hot film probe in the compressor cascade experiment.The results showedthat the plasma actuator could be effective in controlling the flow separation both over the humpand in the compressor cascade when the incoming velocity was low.As the incoming velocityincreased,the plasma actuator was less effective.It is urgent to enhance the intensity of theplasma actuator for its better application.Methods to increase the intensity of plasma actuatorwere also studied.
