Someone on another forum asked why Durandal's nacelles retract, specifically asking how retracting the nacelles could provide extra power for the ship. I was pretty proud of what I came up with, so I decided I'll share it here too, and see what you other trekkies think of my technobabble. Especially look for any potential continuity issues, for example, if EPS conduits on regular starships are either much faster or much slower than I have specified here:
The primary reason for folding nacelles is to protect them during combat, making her excellent for blockade running, or hit-and-run missions where the ability to leave even after taking heavy fire is essential. The reduced profile of the ship with nacelles folded in means a smaller surface area for the shields to cover. Reduced shield power requirements means more available shield power.
The ship is also supposed to have a new plasma exchange system that utilizes warp plasma in the nacelles as an auxiliary power source through a larger network of EPS conduits (which are already present in Federation ships, and already use small amounts of warp plasma to help power other systems). With the nacelles in, Durandal has nearly three times the available EPS exchange stations, instead of the few available through the warp pylons on most starships. The increased number of EPS exchanges between the warp nacelles and secondary hull allow both more warp plasma to be siphoned off for auxiliary power, as well as a much more expedient return of that plasma to the nacelles when preparing for warp. Starfleet protocol dictates at least 60% of warp plasma remain in the nacelles in standard conditions, allowing a maximum emergency warp speed of 4.5 in Durandal, increasing as warp plasma volume in the nacelles increases. Approximately 74% of the maximum amount of warp plasma siphoned off is returned to the nacelles via those EPS conduits in 3.4 seconds before the nacelles begin extending. The remaining 26% is returned to the nacelles via standard EPS conduits in the nacelle pylons, carefully timed to finish .14 seconds before the nacelles are fully extended. Nacelle extension takes 2.67 seconds.
Durandal's warp nacelles are available for full operation when retracted into the hull, with the option to extend them while in warp. In the retracted position, engaged warp nacelles create a much less stable warp field, and have also been shown to cause interference with systems in the adjoining section of the secondary hull, as well as potentialy negative impacts on the health of crew members. For Durandal, maximum suggested warp operation with nacelles retracted is 5 minutes (after this point system difficulties and heath risks become an "unacceptable risk", as they increase with exposure), while the ships systems have a built in 7 minute automatic extension, which can only be overridden by the chief engineer, captain, or first officer of the vessel.
First up, the forward "trench" houses the secondary deflector, two torpedo launchers, and a forward targeting sensor. On the sides of the saucer are the additional targeting sensors behind the RCS thrusters. You can tell they were inspired by the Defiant.
The side of the saucer shows the detail, meant to sort of merge aspects of the ships designed for Voyager (Voyager, Prometheus, Equinox) and First Contact (Sovereign, Steamrunner, Akira). Small pairs of escape pods, the forward dorsal phaser array, and some inset windows. You can also see what resembles a 23rd century phaser bank. This design was revived by starfleet engineers to allow installation of pulse phasers not limited to forward-firing positions (like the Defiant):
Two more pulse phaser banks can be seen on the front of the saucer. There are no rear firing pulse phaser banks, they are primarily an offensive weapon on Durandal. Two more torpedo tubes can be seen, the housing located just forward of the deflector and captain's yacht:
The captain's yacht, standard Aeroshuttle design. The main deflector is also visible:
The warp core and ventral impulse engines:
Aft ventral torpedo tubes. The housing is of the same design as the forward ventral structure:
The warp nacelle junctions include phaser arrays:
Durandal's nacelles are heavily armored, to increase the chances of maintaining warp capability in battle. When retracted, most of the vital areas of the nacelles are covered by thick armor on the secondary hull, save these three small warp field grills.
With nacelles retracted, Durandal's shields shrink to fit the smaller shape, allowing a 26% increase in shield strength. The nacelles also help provide additional power to vital systems when retracted. Plasma vents are visible along the spine of the ship. Below them are the aft dorsal torpedo launchers, above them the secondary shuttlebay.
I'm new to this thread, and just saw this ship, and must say I really love the design... might I be able to get a copy of the card model, so I can build one?
More progress. As you can see, the warp sled is almost done. It still needs the lower impulse engines. You can also see that the middle modules just slide right into the gap.
Top stuff, I think the new runabout is excellent also and keeps so many design elements of the older ship and sleeks them out. A very believeable replacement IMO Great job with all of these.
I love that but there is one thing. I love the Awacs pod but it looks out of place with your design. Try and make it more sleek. Anyways good job man. :thumb:
I think this version is better then the original version... I do like how it seems to be more structurally sound then the orignal one... like it can take more of a beating in combat... It would be a great replacement to the dunbee class....
It seems as though a member of this forum has notified the site that is hosting your files. That member has forced the site to take down your models. I wonder if it is out of jealousy. After witnessing some of their tantrums in the past, no doubt that is the case.
Sorry to see the models that you have created being taken down.
Posts
-Stev0
The primary reason for folding nacelles is to protect them during combat, making her excellent for blockade running, or hit-and-run missions where the ability to leave even after taking heavy fire is essential. The reduced profile of the ship with nacelles folded in means a smaller surface area for the shields to cover. Reduced shield power requirements means more available shield power.
The ship is also supposed to have a new plasma exchange system that utilizes warp plasma in the nacelles as an auxiliary power source through a larger network of EPS conduits (which are already present in Federation ships, and already use small amounts of warp plasma to help power other systems). With the nacelles in, Durandal has nearly three times the available EPS exchange stations, instead of the few available through the warp pylons on most starships. The increased number of EPS exchanges between the warp nacelles and secondary hull allow both more warp plasma to be siphoned off for auxiliary power, as well as a much more expedient return of that plasma to the nacelles when preparing for warp. Starfleet protocol dictates at least 60% of warp plasma remain in the nacelles in standard conditions, allowing a maximum emergency warp speed of 4.5 in Durandal, increasing as warp plasma volume in the nacelles increases. Approximately 74% of the maximum amount of warp plasma siphoned off is returned to the nacelles via those EPS conduits in 3.4 seconds before the nacelles begin extending. The remaining 26% is returned to the nacelles via standard EPS conduits in the nacelle pylons, carefully timed to finish .14 seconds before the nacelles are fully extended. Nacelle extension takes 2.67 seconds.
Durandal's warp nacelles are available for full operation when retracted into the hull, with the option to extend them while in warp. In the retracted position, engaged warp nacelles create a much less stable warp field, and have also been shown to cause interference with systems in the adjoining section of the secondary hull, as well as potentialy negative impacts on the health of crew members. For Durandal, maximum suggested warp operation with nacelles retracted is 5 minutes (after this point system difficulties and heath risks become an "unacceptable risk", as they increase with exposure), while the ships systems have a built in 7 minute automatic extension, which can only be overridden by the chief engineer, captain, or first officer of the vessel.
I'm new to this thread, and just saw this ship, and must say I really love the design... might I be able to get a copy of the card model, so I can build one?
First, the Intrepid:
Second, a Galaxy class with separating saucer:
Then, two classes from Wolf 359, first, the New Orleans, and then the Cheyenne:
The "USS Dauntless" from Voyager:
Then, more recently, a Type 11 shuttle attached to the Enterprise E:
And finally, one of my absolute favorite ships, the scout ship Data used in Insurrection:
Some more progress on the Colorado. Note that the cockpit section is compatible with my Danube class model. All the modules will be interchangeable.
Excellent work
that's all I have to say
And a CG model. Way cool.
Sorry to see the models that you have created being taken down.
Spoiled by someone else.