Engineering Utilities
A starship includes a number of related systems whose purpose is the distribution of vital commodities throughout the ship. All require complex interconnections throughout the volume of the spacecraft, and nearly all systems have one or more redundant backup systems.
Power
Power transmission for systems accomplished by a network of microwave waveguides know as electro plasma system. (EPS) Major power supplies derive power from the warp propulsion conduits and the impulse engines. Power is also fed of from auxiliary fusion generators.
Optical Data Network
This is the data network onboard the starship. Transmission is accomplished with a network of multiplexed optical monocrystal microfibers. Five redundant optical trunks link the two main cores in the primary hull, and an additional set of trunks link these to the third core in the engineering section. Any individual trunk is designed to be able to handle the total data load of the ships basic operation systems. Major ODN trunks also provide information links to many subprocessors located throughout the ship. These subprocessors improve system response time by distributing system load and provide a system of redundancy in case of a major system failure. From these subprocessors, additional ODN links connect to each individual control panel or display surface. Two secondary optical data networks provide protected linkages to key systems and stations; these backup systems are physically separated from the primary system and from each other.
Atmosphere
Breathable atmosphere is distributed throughout the habitable volume of the ship by means of two independent networks of air-conditioning ducts that recirculate the atmosphere after reprocessing. Switching nodes permit alternate system segments to be employed in the event part of one primary system is unavailable.
Water
Water is distributed by two conduit networks. These run parallel with wastewater return conduits to the four recycling and reprocessing facilities.
Solid waste disposal
Linear induction utility conduits are used to convey solid waste to reprocessing facilities. Such waste is separated into mechanically and chemically recyclable material., with the remainder stored for matter synthesis (replication) recycling.
Transport conduits
A series of high energy waveguides serves to connect each transporter chamber to its associated pattern buffer and and then to the various external transporter emitter arrays. Because any give personnel or cargo transporter may need to be linked to any of the seventeen external arrays, this network must provide for any interconnection permutation.
Replicator conduits
Similar to the transporter beam conduits, these wave guides connect the food service to replicator terminals.
Structural Integrity field conduits
Force field generators for the structural integrity field are strategically placed over the ship. Two parallel molybdenum-jacked triphase waveguide conduit networks distribute the field energy to the SIF conductivity elements built into the spacecraft framework. Crossovers between the Saucer and Engineering sections permit field generators in one hull to feed the entire ship if necessary.
IDF power conduits
Inertial dampening field generators can mostly be found near a SIF generator. Both networks work with a triphase waveguide network.
Synthetic gravity field bleed
Although the ship's gravity field is created by generators throughout the ship, a network of forcefield conduits is employed to allow translation of excess inertial potential to other parts of the ship. (High G-movements of the ship)
Cryogenic fluid transfer
These are a number insulated piping trunks that provide for intraship transfer of cryogenic fluids.
Deuterium fuel transfer
Two conduits with a diameter of 45 cm provide the transfer of liquid deuterium between the tanks and the impulse systems. Additional conduits connect the deuterium tank with the warp propulsion system, and the saucer module impulse engines and its associated fuel storage tankage. Smaller (18.5 cm) conduits connect various auxiliary storage tanks and the auxiliary fusion power generators.
Turboelevator systems
This includes the actual turboshaft tubes as well as the dedicated EPS power trunks and ODN links that support the system.
Reserve utilities distribution
These refers to a low capacity independent system of atmosphere, power, data and water distribution networks. These systems serve as backups.
Protected utilities distribution
Redundant utilities trunks.
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