Lanthanide capacitors
Lanthanide capacitors posted in Spaceships & Vehicles forum comment posted by cobalt_phoenix| Author |
In passing (and not to argue a very minor point from an old conversation) the "Superconductor Technology" sidebar in the PHB, page 179, establishes that an energy cell is a superconducting capacitor, a dry, purely physics-based device with no chemical reactions involved. They interact with electrochemical technology in the form of charge projectile weapons.
Rather than standard sizes, capacities or output levels of lanth cells, it's probably closer to the truth, as the PHB mentions briefly, that each device has its own non-interchangeable design, perhaps excepting charge weapons that might be standardised to some degree. |
Well, I would say that there probably would be a lot more standardization in their designs, but that it wouldn't necessarily be as helpful as it sounds. I can easily see most military forces standardizing power packs for every weapon of a given category, in much the same way as real world militaries standardize cartridges, batteries, magazines, etc. The reason that doesn't necessarily help is that the manufacturers are likely to standardize, too, to easy their own production, but that they aren't interchangeable with other products (every computer company uses their own power cell, so you always have to go to them to buy replacements).
I also think that the lanthanide cells are more than just capacitors, and it just depends on what the application is.
I also think that charge weapons use batteries, not capacitors, and that the stated voltage is way to high, but those things have so many problems that I don't want to get into it here.
| Author |
| The Lighthouse's installation, normally used only as a balancing component for routing main power from the mass reactor, can provide minimal power for one to two days. On some assumptions for the size of the station, that might need 250 Power Factors to maintain life support, 50 Power Factors to keep the computer core operating (that's MINA and, on the standard Grid model, probably most internal communications. There's no reason she would take any harm from being shut down for a short while or that other systems wouldn't operate without the AI - it'd just be highly inconvenient) and some restricted use of other systems. |
I would definitely say that the Lighthouse is equipped with a large set of accumulators, which behave like capacitors. And I can definitely see them being used to balance out the power distribution system of the station.
I personally think that, even with the superconducting technologies available, there is probably going to be power loss over large distances, especially given how large ships can be (and the Lighthouse is a good example). The power distribution system could be far more complex than normally imagined, with the main reactor having its output converted over to AC current with DC converters where needed, just to help reduce losses. Having capacitors distributed throughout would definitely help with the power demands, and serve a s good backup.
I'm actually kind of surprised, though, that space stations and other large spacecraft like the Lighthouse aren't equipped with some sort of backup reactor system. Maybe very small grav-fusion reactors (made smaller and more efficient thanks to the extra centuries of development since their introduction, and the further advancements of the various component technologies) should be included. Not enough to provide full power, but enough to keep the life support running for a couple of weeks until support can arrive.
That may actually be a good integration into such large stations and ships. The majority of the life support systems are backed up with mini fusion reactors with limited fuel, with capacitors/accumulators serving as supplemental for other systems. In the case of the Lighthouse, in an emergency situation, the fusion reactors provide life support power for the main city section decks, the hanger area, and the command/engineering section. The accumulators can then help to provide temporary power to the central spine, which would then be evacuated into the city section. Once that is completed, those decks are shut down (only running the elevator when needed), and the remaining capacitor power is held for using sensors, communications, and other important areas where you can afford to turn them off for longer stretches than the life support.
Oh, and you may be able to run the main computers and AI core at lower power levels, too. That could reduce MINA's effectiveness, but she is powerful enough that I would assume she could handle it. It may mean that many of various tasks she handles are flipped to "off" during such an emergency, but that may free up enough computational cycles for her to remain effective at vital tasks.
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