Number of potential flows in 3 X 3 array with integer velocities in -n..n, i.e., number of 3 X 3 arrays with adjacent elements differing by no more than n, counting arrays differing by a constant only once.
Let y = 2*n - 1; Then apparently a(n) = y^2*(529*y^6 + 910*y^4 + 721*y^2 + 360)/2520. See A068745 (4 X 4) and A063496 (2 X 2), which is y*(2*y^2 + 1)/3 under the same transformation. Suggests total degree N X N-1, with a factor y or y^2 to make the remaining polynomial even. - R. H. Hardin, Jan 02 2007