| ...Deflectors | |
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The tactical deflector system is a series of powerful EM and gravity fields that protect both the ship and its crew from both natural and artificial hazards. Like most forcefields, the deflector system creates a localized zone of highly focused spatial distortion within which an energetic graviton field is maintained, along with a directed EM field. The deflector field itself is emitter and shaped by a series of conformal transmission grids on the starship exterior, resulting in a field that almost exactly follows the form of the ship. This field is highly resistant to impact due to mechanical impacts of all sorts, from relativistic particles to torpedoes, rocks, and other space debris. When such an intrusion occurs, field energy is concentrated at the point of impact, creating an intense localized spatial distortion; The EM field also becomes focused in this direction. To the starship-bound observer, it looks like the intruding object bounced off the shield like a rubber ball off a wall. To a zero-dimensional observer on the object, however, it looks like the ship suddenly jumped out of the way. This is somewhat analogous to the spatial distortion created by natural gravity wells, and is usually accompanied by a flash of Cerenkov radiation (radiation emitted when objects exceed the speed of light in a local medium), which looks like a blue flash. The field is also effective against a wide range of EM, nuclear and other field energies. The shields are enhanced with a number of factors, such as: * Double Redundancy Systems * Ultra EM Band Support * Rapid Remodulation Systems * Electromagnetic Regeneration Systems Double Redundancy systems ensure shields even in the case of total primary shield failure; Ultra EM band support meaning that EM radiation above that of even Gamma rays are used, and protected against the same radiation, eliminating some of the risk from high-output X-ray and Gamma ray sources; Rapid Remodulation systems are two genetic-algorithm equipped engineering processors that employ frequency-hopping to defeat Borg and otherwise-inspired weaponry; the genetic algorithms ensure that only the successful patterns 'survive' to do their job again; EM regeneration systems use specially controlled electromagnetic field to help boost and regenerate shield generation. Field Generators The deflector system utilizes one of more graviton polarity source generators whose output is phase-synchronized though a series of subspace field distortion amplifiers. Each generator consists of a cluster of 15 40 MW graviton polarity sources feeding a pair of 734 millicochrane subspace field distortion amplifiers. Cruise Mode operating rules require one generator in each major section to be operational at all times, with at least two additional units available for activation should the need arise. During all Alert situations, every single generator is brought to hot standby. A pair of liquid helium coolant looks provides heat dissipation on each generator. Four backup generators are located in each hull, providing up to 36 hours at 68% of rated power. Normal duty cycle on primary generators is 13 hrs online, with nominal 11 hrs degauss and scheduled maintenance. Graviton polarity sources are rated for 5,000 operating hours between routine servicing of superconductive and gravity-generating elements. |
