Patent ID: 9567056
Date: 2017-02-14
CPC Classifications: B64C,B64D,F15D,Y02T,Y10T

Claim:
1. An apparatus for controlling fluid flow over a window of a moveable optical instrument housing, the housing comprising a perimeter and at least partially protruding from a vehicle into a freestream flow field, the apparatus comprising: an inner perimeter configured to complement the perimeter of the housing; an arcuate top surface comprising a curvature and configured to extend into an upstream portion of the freestream flow field; and an arcuate outer perimeter coupled to the arcuate top surface, wherein the apparatus is configured to couple with the housing and to split the freestream flow field into a first flow field that is at least partially above the apparatus and window and a second flow field that is at least partially under the apparatus and around the housing; wherein the first flow field comprises an aero-optical flow region that extends at least partially over the arcuate top surface and continues at least partially over the window, and wherein the aero-optical flow region is maintained within a range of angular orientations of the apparatus relative to the freestream flow.