Simulation Analysis of Charge and Flow Features in a Needle-to-Ring Electrohydrodynamic Actuator

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) numerical studies closer to real physical scenarios have received increasing academic attention for providing a better design reference for electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumping technology. A 3D computational model of a cylindrical EHD cascade actuator based on needle-to-ring electrodes is established in this paper, in which the effects of injection, field-enhanced dissociation, and surface charge accumulation are jointly involved. We explore the strongly coupling behavior of the EHD flow pattern with charge motion in an isothermal incompressible dielectric liquid, analyzing the flow rate, dynamic pressure, and current. It is found that an asymmetrical 3D vortex structure appears within the 2D axisymmetric actuator body, which is attributed to the motion of opposite charges.