Abstract:
A system, apparatus and method for a superduct representing a unique process for helium distillation/liquefaction by means of a hypersonic stochastic switch is described. A supersonically expanded isentropic continuum is switched into a stochastic vortex flux by means of a thermally reactive slanted shafted nosecone and an extreme high pressure source hypersonic vortex flux. The concept can be further developed to a bridge spanning 1-10 miles of superduct segments, owing to its virtual nature and extreme power packaged kinetic energy of the hypersonic stochastic motive system.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/316,435, filed on Mar. 31, 2016 and entitled “Apparatus and Methods for A Stochastic Switch”, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Although helium is the second most abundant element in the universe, helium has a minimal evolutionary or cosmic furnace presence of 5 ppm atmospheric on planet earth. However, helium is also a byproduct of radioactive decay in the core of the earth that reappears as a natural gas component, whereby helium is recovered via fractional distillation by liquefaction of the natural gas component and hence compressed for bulk transportation to avoid cryogenic chilling and bulk liquefaction complications. 
         [0003]    In accordance with the present state of art for liquefaction of helium it is limited to (1) Linde (1913)—compression regression method and Claude (1950)—Turbo Expansion cryogenic chilling reaching up to 2-4K Helium distillation/liquefaction threshold. Because refrigeration becomes exponentially complex in the cryogenic zone, Carnot efficiency falls dramatically below 50K whereby the cost @4K refrigeration=75× cost @300K refrigeration (and 150× multiplier @2K). Both Liquid Nitrogen and Liquid Hydrogen are relative cheap abundant commodities and the cost of pre/sub cooling is in the limits of economical budgets. 
         [0004]    Hence there is a need for a more economical method for helium liquefaction wherein a superduct structure becomes an infinite superconductor and liquid helium transportation conduit requiring fractional pumping/compression motive force as to Liquefaction infrastructure and ancillaries. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In a preferred embodiment, a consonance of a number of singularities or switches into a rational cryogenic refrigeration engine is described. More specifically towards a superconductor transmission line/conduit conforming simultaneously as a liquid helium distillation plant. The process may consequentially by development reformatted into autonomous 1-10 mile superduct superconductor conduits bridging trans-continental generator/city divides with 99.99% transmission efficacy. Because of (1) the extreme efficiency of hypersonic vortex tube and Carnot refrigeration conversion in the cryogenic zone and (2) zero loss superconductor phenomenon in the 4K ABSOLUTE zone, the superduct superconductor refrigeration engine defaults into a liquid helium distillation plant in addition to performing the primary superconductor refrigeration purpose. The singularities/switches technology however lends itself additionally to adaptation of extreme process and natural/social/stellar sciences problem solving. 
         [0006]    As for carnot efficiency (coefficient of performance) the COP=heat removed/work input. Given heat removed=latent heat of evaporation of Helium=10 Btu/lb and work of compression @Pr=100 (10&gt;&gt;1500 psi), COP=10/nRT[100̂0.286−1]=10/(1.4×53×10×(3.7−1))/788=10/2003/778=10/2.5=4.0; which is 100× superior to Claude/Linde processes. 
         [0007]    However, because the zero-loss uniqueness of the superduct vortex tube superconductor conduit within the 4K superconductive zone, only the first superduct stage will require helium compression, then the distilled liquid helium will be regressively flashed and pumped as a superfluid @4/5/6K from 0.5 to +100 atm into the critical 1,000 to 5,000 psi pressure zone, regeneratively intercooling the second and consequential (n+1) superduct stages. With the regenerative stage set the superduct becomes an infinite superconductor and liquid helium transportation conduit requiring fractional pumping/compression motive force as to infrastructure and ancillaries. 
         [0008]    In another preferred embodiment, a superduct synthesis on a thermally reactive nosecone comprising a tip, the tip having a slanted intake aperture; a shaft; a thermally reactive bore and the nosecone functioning as a hypersonic vortex generator is described. A high pressure supersonic isentropic expansion nozzle additionally whereby liquid helium is distilled out of compressed helium by means of an incipient shockwave being transformed into a stochastic vortex flux via the thermally reactive shafted nosecone vortex tube, the primary stochastic vortex flux is transformed into a contra-rotating double helix vortex by means of a sudden Coanda expansion at the tail end of the vortex tube spawning Joule-Thomson throttling (refrigeration), the exit (double helix) vortex flux is reset into a supersonic (isentropic) continuum downstream of the Coanda expansion ramp by means of planetary spline slots and a consequential contra-rotating vortex flux spawning second tier Joule-Thomson refrigeration in conformance with the first Law of thermodynamics whereby dQ=dh=pdV. 
         [0009]    In another preferred embodiment, a superduct synthesis is described based on a thermally reactive nosecone comprising thermally reactive nosecone, the high pressure helium source is sub-cooled into the cryogenic zone via flashing of liquid nitrogen proximal 70K prior to hypersonic isentropic expansion and stochastic conversion, wherein the high pressure helium source is (regenerative) chilled proximal 35K prior to hypersonic expansion (10K post hypersonic expansion) enabling complex Carnot refrigeration as a consequence of stochastic gyrations and double helix vortex conversion chilling the vortex tube regressively into the 4K helium saturation domain, the vortex tube shell conforms as the complex-Carnot refrigeration core as a consequence of centrifuging and flashing of liquefied Helium on the vortex tube shell driven by the gyrating stagnation pressure surges and the double helix vortex core as the heat sink. 
         [0010]    In another preferred embodiment, a superduct synthesis is described based on a thermally reactive nosecone comprising thermally reactive nosecone, the vortex tube is bundled into and superconducting power transmission cluster, the superduct vortex tube is by development stretched into 1-10 miles autonomous 4K superconductor, the superduct is turbocharged via a multiplicity of throttling switches. 
         [0011]    In another preferred embodiment, a superduct synthesis is described based on a thermally reactive nosecone, the superduct with liquid helium separation means is configured into a liquid helium distillation plant in consonance with primary superconductor refrigeration conduit, regenerative chilling is achieved via flashing of liquid hydrogen proximal 35K as an autonomous enterprise resource to maximize liquid helium distillation, the distilled liquid helium is regressively flashed and pumped regressively (in lieu of compression) into the critical 2000 to 5,000 psi (enabling) expansion zone and regeneratively flashed with recurring superduct stages and finally the thermally reactive nosecone is configured as a personal (transportable) liquid helium distillation plant. 
         [0012]    This specification is not limited to a single embodiment, rather the methods and systems presented should be construed broadly and further incorporate the material presented in the drawings. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1 : Illustrates an elemental isentropic/supersonic expansion nozzle and thermally reactive nosecone. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2 : Illustrates an elemental isentropic/supersonic expansion nozzle and thermally reactive nosecone with sudden Coanda expansion. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3 : Illustrates an elemental isentropic/supersonic expansion nozzle and thermally reactive nosecone with sudden Coanda expansion and planetary spline slots. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4 : Illustrates a regenerative cryogenically sub-cooled isentropic/supersonic expansion nozzle and thermally reactive nosecone with sudden Coanda expansion and planetary spline slots planetary. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a gyrating hypersonic stagnation swings curve which penetrates helium saturation curve. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a gyrating hypersonic absolute temperature swings curve which penetrates helium saturation curve. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6 : Illustrates a double-helix (inner/outer) vortex interaction as a consequence of sudden Coanda expansion and planetary spline slots of an elemental isentropic/supersonic expansion nozzle and thermally reactive nosecone. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7 : Illustrates a cross section of double-helix (inner/outer) (contra-rotating) vortex streams driving the complex carnot absolute zero refrigeration engine as a consequence of sudden Coanda expansion and planetary spline slots of an elemental isentropic/supersonic expansion nozzle and thermally reactive nosecone. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8 : Illustrates a superduct/superconductor core of an isentropic/supersonic expansion nozzle and thermally reactive nosecone. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9 : Illustrates a daisy-chained superduct/superconductor core of a supersonic 4K absoluteo zero vortextube superconductor power transmission conduit. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10 : Illustrates an elemental isentropic/supersonic expansion nozzle and thermally reactive nosecone with a multiplicity of throttling switches. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11 : Illustrates a Liquid Hydrogen regenerative cryogenically sub-cooled isentropic/supersonic expansion nozzle and thermally reactive nosecone with sudden Coanda expansion and planetary spline slots planetary. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12 : Illustrates a flash pumping distilled/liquid Helium regressively (in lieu of compression) into the critical 5,000 psi expansion zone with recurring superduct stages. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13 : Illustrates a setup for a personal/mobile liquid Helium distillation assembly. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14 : Illustrates a saturation zone of helium and associated stochastic gyrations. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Persons skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and variations are possible in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and actions which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this inventive concept and that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit and scope of the teachings and claims contained therein. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a system  100  is represented by high pressure (1/2/3/4/5/10,000 psi) helium  110  is expanded in an isentropic supersonic expansion nozzle  120  where after the MACH 2/3/4/5/10 (expanded) Helium blast engages with the thermally reactive nosecone  140  with a first switch or singularity  150  wherein the supersonic Helium blast  120  is transformed into a stochastic harmonic vortex flux  130 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a system  200  is represented by high pressure (1/2/3/4/5,000 psi) helium  210 , isentropically expanded in a supersonic expansion nozzle  220  where after the MACH 2/3/4/5/10 HELIUM blast engages with the thermally reactive nosecone  240  with first switch or singularity  250 , wherein the supersonic helium blast  220  is transformed into a stochastic harmonic vortex flux  230  prior to being throttled/refrigerated and transformed into a double-helix contra-rotating vortex stream  270  via sudden Coanda expansion second switch or singularity  215  at the tail end of the vortex tube, generating exit vortex stream  225 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a system  300  is represented by high pressure (2/3/4/5/10,000 psi) helium  310  is expanded in an isentropic supersonic expansion nozzle  320  where after the MACH 5/6/7/8/9/10 (expanded) helium blast engages with the thermally reactive nosecone  340  and first switch or singularity  350  wherein the supersonic helium blast  320  is transformed into a stochastic harmonic vortex flux  330  prior to being throttled/refrigerated (and transformed) into a double helix (contra-rotating) vortex stream  370  via sudden Coanda expansion second switch or singularity  315  at the tail end of the vortex tube where after exit vortex stream  325  is transformed into (contra-rotating) spline (vortices)  335  third switch or singularity  345  in circumferential SPLINE shafts  355 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a system  400  is represented by a superduct process, which is initiated via a high pressure (2/3/4/5,000 psi) helium  410  source which is isentropically expanded in a supersonic expansion nozzle  420  where after the MACH 2/3/4/5/10 (expanded) helium blast engages with the thermally reactive nosecone  440  and first switch or singularity  450  wherein the HELIUM blast  420  is transformed into a stochastic harmonic vortex flux  430  prior to being throttled and transformed into a double helix contra-rotating vortex stream  470  via sudden Coanda expansion second switch or singularity  415  at the tail end of the vortex tube where after exit vortex stream  425  is transformed into (contra-rotating) spline (vortices)  435  third switch or singularity  445  via planetary spline shafts  455  into a 4K saturated/liquefacted (isentropic) generating continuum  465 . In accordance with the superduct synthesis the 4K saturated/liquefacted (isentropic) continuum  465  is henceforth (regeneratively) flashed and pumped/pumped and flashed to the enabling 2000 to 5,000 psi (expansion) pressure threshold replicating the superduct hypersonic/stochastic switching cycle indefinitely. In isolation, the first superduct stage may however by development be transformed into an (enterprise scale) liquid helium production plant. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 5A , a plot is represented by a gyrating hypersonic stagnation swings curve  520  (jointly and severally) penetrates helium saturation curve  510  triggering complex Carnot refrigeration that generates 4K absolute temperature threshold  530 . In accordance with  FIG. 5B  gyrating (hypersonic) absolute temperature swings curve  540  penetrates helium saturation curve  510  triggering complex Carnot refrigeration that generates 4K absolute temperature threshold  530  conversely. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a system  600  is represented by a double-helix (inner/outer) vortex interaction (concurrent with complex—Carnot heat flux) as a consequence of sudden Coanda expansion-second switch  615  and planetary spline slots third switch  645  of an elemental isentropic/supersonic expansion nozzle and thermally reactive nosecone in greater detail. Triggering (stochastic transformation) switch first switch  650  transforms hypersonic front  620  into vortex flux  630  within the confinements of vortex tube  675  with double helix and splines transformation switches. Although preferred inner/outer vortex direction has been stated, vortex orientation within the context of (i) contrarotating) double helix vortex system and (ii) complex Carnot refrigeration is irrelevant. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a system  700  is represented by a double helix core vortex flux  730  first switch is reversed within the vortex tube  710  and merges with outer vortex  720  within the vortextube slanted intake shaft and merges with the outer vortex tube to generate the exit vortex flux  780 . In accordance with the superduct absolute zero synthesis the vortex tube shell functions as the cold/refrigerated plate with heat flux Q 1   740  consequently being generated/withdrawn via vortex flux  720  and the heat of condensation (and stochastic work performed) Q 2   750  consequently being rejected via (inner) vortex flux  730 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a system  800  is represented by a superduct superconductor core of an isentropic/supersonic expansion nozzle and thermally reactive nosecone. Vortex tube core  810  and superconductor core  820  are bundled in the center of the superconductor bundle. The superduct and superconductor cores are enclosed within a concentric helium return duct  830  (in event of a closed loop superduct configuration). The superconductor bundle is consequently wrapped in a super-insulation jacket  840  with vacuum chambers  850  and  860 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a system  900  is represented by a daisy-chained  910  one or more superduct superconductor core  920  of a supersonic 4K absolute zero (zero loss) vortex tube superconductor power transmission conduit. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a system  1000  is represented by an elemental isentropic/supersonic expansion nozzle  1010  and thermally reactive nosecone  1020  with a multiplicity of Joule-Thomson throttling switches  1050 / 1015 / 1035 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , a system  1100  is represented by a liquid hydrogen regenerative cryogenically sub-cooled isentropic/supersonic expansion nozzle and thermally reactive nosecone with sudden Coanda expansion and planetary spline slots. A high pressure 2000 to 5,000 psi Helium  1110  is isentropically expanded in a supersonic expansion nozzle  1120  where after the MACH 2/3/4/5/10 (expanded) helium blast engages with the thermally reactive nosecone  1140  and first switch or singularity  1150  wherein the helium blast  1120  is transformed into a stochastic (harmonic) vortex flux  1130  prior to being throttled and transformed into a DOUBLE-HELIX (contra-rotating) vortex stream  1170  via sudden Coanda expansion second switch or singularity  1115  at the tail end of the vortex tube where after exit vortex stream  1125  is transformed into (contra-rotating) spline (vortices)  1135  third switch or singularity  1145  enabling the 4K complex Carnot Refrigeration process/switch  1180  via planetary SPLINE shafts  1155  into a 4K saturated/liquefacted (isentropic) continuum  1165 . In accordance with the superduct synthesis the 4K saturated/liquefacted (isentropic) continuum  1165  is henceforth (regeneratively) flashed and pumped/pumped and flashed to the enabling 2000 to 5000 psi (expansion) pressure threshold replicating the superduct hypersonic/stochastic switching cycle indefinitely. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , a system  1200  is represented by a flash pumping distilled/liquid helium regressively (in lieu of compression) into the critical 2000 to 5,000 psi expansion zone with recurring superduct stages like stage-1: 1210 and stage-2: 1220. Referring to  FIG. 13 , a system  1300  is represented by a setup for a personal/mobile liquid helium distillation assembly. A Helium source is represented by  1310  and Liquid Nitrogen source by  1320 . The Collection tower is represented as  1330  and the Liquid Helium distilled is collected at  1340   
         [0041]    Referring  FIG. 14 , a representation  1400  refers to the saturation zone of helium and associated stochastic gyrations thereto. The high pressure helium is sequentially pre/subcooled with liquid nitrogen (90K) and/or liquid hydrogen (35K) and/or regenerative 4K helium (35K) and isentropically expanded via supersonic expansion nozzle  120 / 220 / 320  prior to engaging into the thermally reactive shafted nosecone  140 / 240 / 340 -First Switch whereby the super/hypersonic continuum is transformed into a wildly gyrating (stochastic) vortex flux generating stagnation 20C thermal swing  1410  (@M5) whereby the saturation curve of helium (6K) is penetrated triggering complex-Carnot refrigeration process with a MLTD (mean log temperature difference) of 4K  146  above the absolute zero scale @0.8 ATM suction. 
         [0042]    In accordance with the present/prevailing state of art liquefaction of helium is limited to Linde (1913)—compression regression and Claude (1950)—Turbo Expansion cryogenic chilling the reach the 2/3/4K helium distillation/liquefaction threshold. Because refrigeration becomes exponentially complex in the cryogenic zone, CARNOT efficiency falls dramatically below 50K whereby the cost @4K refrigeration=75× cost @300K refrigeration (and 150× multiplier @2K). 
         [0043]    Given a basis of COP=4 (Carnot coefficient of performance @300K) 4K will render COP=5/75=0.053 and 2K will render COP=4/150=0.027. Conversely the superduct vortextube will render COP=4 because of (1) the stochastic (extreme vortex) and (2) nature of the stochastic gyrations that penetrates the helium saturation zone @15-25K outside the helium saturation zone. However, because (1) the superduct defaults into a virtual liquid helium production engine at 4 k because of zero superduct losses at 4K and (2) advent of helium sourcing concurrent with natural gas production, the superduct because of extreme stochastic efficiency opens a unique window of opportunity of (transcontinental) superconductor power transmission opportunity with concurrent (liquid/distilled) helium transportation from source to point of sale. 
         [0044]    In accordance with the fundamental superduct postulation gaseous helium is compressed to 2000 to 5,000 psi and pre/subcooled to 35K into the cryogenic zone thereafter supersonically expanded proximal to absolute zero and in isentropic nozzle to MACH 5/6/7/8/9/10 prior to engaging the thermally reactive vortex shaft of the enabling stochastic vortex conversion switch first switch or singularity. In accordance with the isentropic equations of state expanding 5,000 psi HELIUM to 50 psi (Pr=5,000/50=100) will generate Tr=100̂0.286=3.733 rendering 35/3.733=9.4K thermal threshold. However, the first switch stochastic perturbations will generate 9.4+0.8×9.4=16.9K swings will penetrate the HELIUM saturation zone proximal 5K generating 4K (LMA) logarithmic mean absolute zero threshold regressively @0.8 atm suction. By orchestrating liquid Nitrogen and/or liquid Hydrogen and/or regenerative distilled (HELIUM) pre/subcooling sequentially in sync with the enabling first switch hypersonic stochastic transformation, complex-Carnot refrigeration is instilled which is hence regeneratively replicated recursively through nth stage via an elemental pumping/flashing and/or flashing/pumping attribute. Pumping only constitutes a fraction (6%) of compression power @ 10R. [144/nRT(100̂0.286−1)/144=144/1.4×53×10×3.2/144=144/2374=0.06 (6%)].