This experimental investigation presents a new active flow control technique based on plasma actuators applied to a backward facing step whose structure is similar to that formed by the hangar and flight deck of small naval vessels. These experiments were carried out by testing a simple frigate shape model settled at 0° wind over deck in a low-speed wind tunnel. Two different configurations of dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator have been used to modify the flow downstream of the step. Results obtained investigating the flow by particle image velocimetry prove the capacity of plasma actuators by reducing instabilities and turbulence over the simple frigate shape model.
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