Patent ID: 8523115

Claim:
An apparatus for controlling boundary layer flow across an aerodynamic structure, the apparatus comprising a dielectric-barrier-discharge electrode assembly to be connected to a surface of an aerodynamic structure, the electrode assembly comprising: an insulating dielectric layer having an environmental fluid facing surface defining a top surface and an aerodynamic structure facing surface defining a bottom surface; a first electrode layer positioned in contact with the top surface of the insulating dielectric layer and having a plurality of oblong voids extending therethrough, each oblong void substantially completely surrounded by a portion of the first electrode layer, the portion of the first electrode substantially completely surrounding each respective one of the plurality of oblong voids substantially defining a perimeter of an extent of the respective oblong void; and a second electrode layer comprising a plurality of separate and spaced apart oblong electrodes defining a plurality of secondary electrodes positioned in contact with the bottom surface of the insulating dielectric layer so that the insulating dielectric layer is positioned between at least substantial portions of the first electrode layer and each of the plurality of spaced apart secondary electrodes, each of the plurality of secondary electrodes positioned beneath a separate one of the plurality of oblong voids to complement the respective separate one of the plurality of oblong voids and positioned laterally substantially within confines of a normal extending along the perimeter of the respective complementing separate one of the plurality of oblong voids; the portion of the first electrode defining the perimeter of the extent of the respective oblong void, the complementing secondary electrode associated therewith, and a respective adjacent portion of the dielectric layer positioned between the surrounding portion of the first electrode and the complementing secondary electrode forming a separate active plasma region of a plurality of active plasma regions, each plasma region dimensioned so that when activated the respective plasma region functions to impart a net velocity to the surrounding environmental fluid having a substantial vertical component normal to and extending away from the portion of the top surface of dielectric layer within the respective oblong void.