Engineering Utilities
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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 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.
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.
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 is distributed by two conduit networks. These run parallel with wastewater return conduits to the four recycling and reprocessing facilities.
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.
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.
Similar to the transporter beam conduits, these wave guides connect the food service to replicator terminals.
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.
Inertial Damping Field generators can mostly be found near a SIF generator. Both networks work with a triphase waveguide network.
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)
These are a number insulated piping trunks that provide for intraship transfer of cryogenic fluids.
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.
This includes the actual turboshaft tubes as well as the dedicated EPS power trunks and ODN links that support the system.
These refers to a low capacity independent system of atmosphere, power, data and water distribution networks. These systems serve as backups.
Redundant utilities trunks.
Principal among these are the resupply umbilical connect clusters located along the spine of the Engineering section. These include provisions for deuterium fuel loading, cryogenic oxygen resupply, gaseous atmospheric support, fresh water, wastewater off-loading, EPS external support, external synthetic gravity support, and external SIF/IDF support. Some of the umbilicals are used for resupply, the remainder allow external support systems (such as those available at a starbase) to carry the load of key systems, allowing the ship's systems to be shut down for servicing.
This is a system of access tunnels and utilities corridors that carry much of the various utilities conduits and waveguides. The Jeffries Tubes covers the entire volume of the ship, providing access to trunks and circuitry. Also located within these tubes are a variety of maintenance and testing points that allow the performance of various systems to be physically measured at key points.
Additional distribution is provided by a network of passageways located within the personnel corridor walls. These corridor paths are accessible from within the corridor by removing the wall panels. Also located within certain access panels are various emergency support packages.
Utilities systems include a number of small auxiliary fusion generators that provide power when the warp and impulse reactors are inactive these fusion generators also provide supplemental power when needed and are a key element of contingency operations. |
