Abstract: A buffering portion of boundary layer flow along a flight vehicle surface diverted into an internal cavity at a downstream edge of a surface mounted window isolating recirculating flow of the diverted fluid through the cavity while it is cooled therewithin. Outflow of the cooled buffering fluid from at an upstream edge of the window is conducted into the buffering portion of the boundary layer flow to cool the window and prevent damage thereof by aerodynamically generated heating of the surface under high velocity flight conditions.

Abstract: A radome type nose cone shell subjected to aerodynamic heating during protile travel, is ablatively cooled by evaporation of metal coolant from a solidified coating thereof adhering to the external surface of a porous section of the cone shell through which the coolant seeps from internal storage at a rate regulated by formation of the solidified coating. The evaporating coolant from the coating mixes with the air in the flow stream to form a protective a boundary layer extending downstream from the porous section of the nose cone shell. The coolant is melted by said aerodynamic heating during internal storage within the nose cone shell for seepage outflow from the porous section and has the requisite heats of vaporation and fusion to effect alternate freezing and thawing thereof in response to withdrawal of heat by the cooling process for establishment and maintenance of the flow regulating coating.