I was never heavy into BT or the lore of Mechwarrior. How does engine power translate to the movement of the 'mech's legs, arms, and torso? Does the engine generate electricity for massive servos? Does it use mechanical power like gears and pulleys and such? Does it compress hydraulic fluid to move cylinders? or is it some advanced future tech that hasn't been invented IRL yet?
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How Do "mech Engines Work?
Started by Jazzbandit1313, Sep 28 2013 08:34 PM
12 replies to this topic
#1
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Posted 28 September 2013 - 08:34 PM
#2
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Posted 28 September 2013 - 09:12 PM
According to Lore:
The engine is a 'Tokomak' style fusion reactor that generates electricity to run the mech. Basically, that's a magnetically sealed donut with hydrogen fusing into plasma spinning around it. This is why mech's don't explode- when containment is lost, the plasma just fizzles out. It's nothing like a nuclear reactor that we have today. Prototype reactors of this type exist in Real Life™, (The first one was built in 1963, in fact) but none are efficient enough to use as an energy source. I.E., they all lose more energy generating the containment field then they produce from the reaction.
Most of the actual engine weight is the shielding required to keep damage out and the massive heat in. The mech is moved primary by stuff called 'myomer' which is a synthetic fiber that contracts like a muscle when exposed to electric current. (note: a similar fiber does exist in real life, but is not good enough to make robots walk with. yet. it's used by the US Navy in large naval turrets iirc) Actuators are used for more precise movements. The engine weight, as a game stat, represents the shielding and myomer bundles as well as the engine itself, which is why heavier engines are needed to move faster. The actual Tokomak part is pretty much the same size, regardless of engine rating.
It also explains why, in-universe, engines are never changed in and out of mechs except at a factory-class facility. You have to take the entire mech apart and rebuild it. Even Clan Omnimechs aren't able to swap out their engines. Fortunately for our gameplay, we don't have that restriction in MW.
Basically, 'mechs are made out of stuff we have had here in Real Life™ for several decades, but refined and improved to work on scales that are impossible today. In fact, Real Life™ tech is substantially more advanced in many areas, computers in particular.
The engine is a 'Tokomak' style fusion reactor that generates electricity to run the mech. Basically, that's a magnetically sealed donut with hydrogen fusing into plasma spinning around it. This is why mech's don't explode- when containment is lost, the plasma just fizzles out. It's nothing like a nuclear reactor that we have today. Prototype reactors of this type exist in Real Life™, (The first one was built in 1963, in fact) but none are efficient enough to use as an energy source. I.E., they all lose more energy generating the containment field then they produce from the reaction.
Most of the actual engine weight is the shielding required to keep damage out and the massive heat in. The mech is moved primary by stuff called 'myomer' which is a synthetic fiber that contracts like a muscle when exposed to electric current. (note: a similar fiber does exist in real life, but is not good enough to make robots walk with. yet. it's used by the US Navy in large naval turrets iirc) Actuators are used for more precise movements. The engine weight, as a game stat, represents the shielding and myomer bundles as well as the engine itself, which is why heavier engines are needed to move faster. The actual Tokomak part is pretty much the same size, regardless of engine rating.
It also explains why, in-universe, engines are never changed in and out of mechs except at a factory-class facility. You have to take the entire mech apart and rebuild it. Even Clan Omnimechs aren't able to swap out their engines. Fortunately for our gameplay, we don't have that restriction in MW.
Basically, 'mechs are made out of stuff we have had here in Real Life™ for several decades, but refined and improved to work on scales that are impossible today. In fact, Real Life™ tech is substantially more advanced in many areas, computers in particular.
Edited by RandomLurker, 28 September 2013 - 09:29 PM.
#3
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Posted 28 September 2013 - 09:23 PM
Wow that was a hell of an explanation, thanks! This is very interesting stuff.
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Posted 28 September 2013 - 09:38 PM
RandomLurker, on 28 September 2013 - 09:12 PM, said:
According to Lore:
The engine is a 'Tokomak' style fusion reactor that generates electricity to run the mech. Basically, that's a magnetically sealed donut with hydrogen fusing into plasma spinning around it. This is why mech's don't explode- when containment is lost, the plasma just fizzles out. It's nothing like a nuclear reactor that we have today. The heat from the reaction is harvested in some unspecified manner to make usable electricity. Most likely, some high tech version of photovoltaic cells, but that's a guess on my part.
Most of the actual engine weight is the shielding required to keep damage out and the massive heat in. The mech is moved primary by stuff called 'myomer' which is a synthetic fiber that contracts like a muscle when exposed to electric current. (note: a similar fiber does exist in real life, but is not efficient or precise enough to make robots walk with. yet. it's used by the US Navy in large naval turrets iirc) Actuators are used for more precise movements. The engine weight, as a game stat, represents the shielding and myomer bundles as well as the engine itself, which is why heavier engines are needed to move faster.
It also explains why, in-universe, engines are never changed in and out of mechs except at a factory-class facility. You have to take the entire mech apart and rebuild it. Even Clan Omnimechs aren't able to swap out their engines. Fortunately for our gameplay, we don't have that restriction in MW.
The engine is a 'Tokomak' style fusion reactor that generates electricity to run the mech. Basically, that's a magnetically sealed donut with hydrogen fusing into plasma spinning around it. This is why mech's don't explode- when containment is lost, the plasma just fizzles out. It's nothing like a nuclear reactor that we have today. The heat from the reaction is harvested in some unspecified manner to make usable electricity. Most likely, some high tech version of photovoltaic cells, but that's a guess on my part.
Most of the actual engine weight is the shielding required to keep damage out and the massive heat in. The mech is moved primary by stuff called 'myomer' which is a synthetic fiber that contracts like a muscle when exposed to electric current. (note: a similar fiber does exist in real life, but is not efficient or precise enough to make robots walk with. yet. it's used by the US Navy in large naval turrets iirc) Actuators are used for more precise movements. The engine weight, as a game stat, represents the shielding and myomer bundles as well as the engine itself, which is why heavier engines are needed to move faster.
It also explains why, in-universe, engines are never changed in and out of mechs except at a factory-class facility. You have to take the entire mech apart and rebuild it. Even Clan Omnimechs aren't able to swap out their engines. Fortunately for our gameplay, we don't have that restriction in MW.
Thermoelectric effect - This is a more appropriate method of collecting energy from a spinning, doughnut shaped sun. Space magic probably makes these systems work WAAAAYYYYY better than now because of Star League and all their Space Wizards.
As for "myomers", you have Electroactive polymers which have been around since forever. In fact, EAP's can be used in actuator motors, so you could make a giant stompy robot with them right now.
EAP's are not actually used in naval turrets, that job goes to massive motors turning the turret as it is balanced on a ring of ball bearings (massive, massive ball bearings). If you capsize a large BB, the turrets will fall out simply because they're mounted there by gravity. On a side note, nothing the US Navy operates currently uses anything close to a "large naval battery", since the last BB (the only Naval vessels with large cannon batteries) was put out of commission for good in 1991 (USS Wisconsin, BB-64).
With that said, interesting bit of lore.
Edited by Alek Ituin, 28 September 2013 - 09:47 PM.
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Posted 28 September 2013 - 11:09 PM
To keep it simple.
They have a fusion reactor that generates electricity.
The mechs move because they have giant plastic muscles called Myomers that contract when you put an electric current through them.
They also have gigantic gyros to help keep the mech upright.
The last bit of the equation is the Neuro-Helmet. The mechwarrior himself wears a sort of limited mind reading type of helmet that links the pilot into the machine more than just a normal set of controls. It gives the pilot a sense of feeling of what his mech is doing, balance, and sensory imputs, and along with control sticks it lets the pilot move the mech as if it was his own body.
They have a fusion reactor that generates electricity.
The mechs move because they have giant plastic muscles called Myomers that contract when you put an electric current through them.
They also have gigantic gyros to help keep the mech upright.
The last bit of the equation is the Neuro-Helmet. The mechwarrior himself wears a sort of limited mind reading type of helmet that links the pilot into the machine more than just a normal set of controls. It gives the pilot a sense of feeling of what his mech is doing, balance, and sensory imputs, and along with control sticks it lets the pilot move the mech as if it was his own body.
#6
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Posted 29 September 2013 - 02:12 AM
I learned more about real life physics by tracking down the origins of Btech fluff then I ever did in school 
It's pretty awesome how closely tied a lot of it is to real world tech.
It's pretty awesome how closely tied a lot of it is to real world tech.
#7
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Posted 30 September 2013 - 01:09 PM
*pushes Engine on switch. Listen to Engine hum* Silly guys thats how the Engine works. You said donut...yummmm!
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Posted 01 October 2013 - 05:40 AM
Alek Ituin, on 28 September 2013 - 09:38 PM, said:
EAP's are not actually used in naval turrets, that job goes to massive motors turning the turret as it is balanced on a ring of ball bearings (massive, massive ball bearings). If you capsize a large BB, the turrets will fall out simply because they're mounted there by gravity. On a side note, nothing the US Navy operates currently uses anything close to a "large naval battery", since the last BB (the only Naval vessels with large cannon batteries) was put out of commission for good in 1991 (USS Wisconsin, BB-64).
With that said, interesting bit of lore.
Actually the Missouri was decommed last in 1992. I still feel one of these should be in inventory as a shock and awe display. Nothing compares to seeing and hearing and FEELING those 9 16 inch guns firing. completely amazing
former CTI3 (Petty Officer 3rd class) here.
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Posted 01 October 2013 - 06:41 AM
RussianWolf, on 01 October 2013 - 05:40 AM, said:
Actually the Missouri was decommed last in 1992. I still feel one of these should be in inventory as a shock and awe display. Nothing compares to seeing and hearing and FEELING those 9 16 inch guns firing. completely amazing
former CTI3 (Petty Officer 3rd class) here.
Hmmm, I did not know that, thanks.
And I completely agree, although aren't there two sea-worthy BB's held on reserve at any one time as part of some defense act? The Wisconsin and Iowa were part of it IIRC, but I'm fuzzy on details. And those 16 inch cannons make one helluva bombardment weapon, especially with a 38km range.
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Posted 01 October 2013 - 08:29 AM
Alek Ituin, on 01 October 2013 - 06:41 AM, said:
Hmmm, I did not know that, thanks.
And I completely agree, although aren't there two sea-worthy BB's held on reserve at any one time as part of some defense act? The Wisconsin and Iowa were part of it IIRC, but I'm fuzzy on details. And those 16 inch cannons make one helluva bombardment weapon, especially with a 38km range.
pretty sure all four of the Iowa class ships are museum ships now. And the older South Dakota class ships I know a couple were scrapped. The upkeep on them (maintaining the engines and basic systems) was getting to be a real issue was the reasoning for the full decom.
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Posted 01 October 2013 - 12:03 PM
Space magic.
#13
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Posted 02 October 2013 - 01:56 PM
Found some images that might help.
Tokomak fusion reactor. The plasma makes magentic fields. You tap that to generate electricity.
And how to get movement out of a battlemech? You use plastic muscles that contract when you put electricity through them.
Tokomak fusion reactor. The plasma makes magentic fields. You tap that to generate electricity.
And how to get movement out of a battlemech? You use plastic muscles that contract when you put electricity through them.
Edited by Hans Von Lohman, 02 October 2013 - 01:58 PM.
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