Sawtooth multi-ring electrodes for ionic wind propulsion.

Area of Science:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Plasma Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Ionic wind propulsion is gaining attention for atmospheric propulsion.
• Existing devices struggle to generate sufficient thrust for practical use.
• Need for improved electrode designs to enhance thrust and efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and evaluate a novel electrode structure for ionic wind propulsion.
• To enhance ion generation and drift efficiency for increased thrust.
• To develop a compact, lightweight, and structurally stable propulsion system.

Main Methods:

• Designed a novel electrode structure featuring a serrated single-ring emitter and multi-ring collector.
• Compared three electrode structures under varying voltages (20-40 kV), electrode gaps (60-120 mm), and ring diameters (60-100 mm).
• Optimized structural parameters of the sawtooth multi-ring design.

Main Results:

• The sawtooth multi-ring structure achieved a maximum thrust of 164 mN/m at 40 kV and a 60 mm gap.
• Demonstrated a 1-2 times thrust increase due to enhanced ion generation and drift efficiency.
• Achieved a 28.2% enhancement in thrust density through structural parameter optimization.

Conclusions:

• The novel sawtooth multi-ring electrode structure significantly improves ionic wind propulsion performance.
• The compact and lightweight design (17 g) offers practical advantages.
• Results highlight the potential for low-altitude flight applications, with further optimization promising greater efficiency.