PLASMA ACTUATORS FOR DRAG REDUCTION ON WINGS, NACELLES AND/OR FUSELAGE OF VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AND LANDING AIRCRAFT

摘要

An aircraft includes a surface over which an airflow passes. A plasma actuator is configured to generate a plasma above the surface, the plasma coupling a directed momentum into the air surrounding the surface to reduce separation of the airflow from the surface. A method of reducing separation of an airflow from a surface of an aircraft includes generating a plasma in air surrounding the surface at a position where the airflow would separate from the surface in the absence of the plasma.