PIV Measurements and Mechanisms of Adjacent Synthetic Jets Interactions

Interactions of adjacent synthetic jet actuators with varying relative amplitude and the relative phase of driving voltage are measured using a particle image velocimetry (PIV). Varying relative amplitude or relative phase of driving voltage of the adjacent actuators vectors the direction of the ensuing merged jet of the adjacent synthetic jets. The vectoring mechanism of the adjacent vortex pairs, attract-impact causing deflection (AICD), is provided to explain why the merged jet is generally vectored to the side of the phase-leading synthetic jet or the synthetic jet with higher driving voltage.