Modular engine: Difference between revisions
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Crankshafts are the core of an engine. Cylinders can be attached to the outer surfaces, while other crankshafts can be attached in the front/back to form longer engines. | Crankshafts are the core of an engine. Cylinders can be attached to the outer surfaces, while other crankshafts can be attached in the front/back to form longer engines. | ||
Converters allow the usage of different crankshaft, cylinder, or flywheel sizes in one engine. | Converters allow the usage of different crankshaft, cylinder, or flywheel sizes in one engine. | ||
[[File:Crankshafts array.png|alt=All available crankshafts, from size 1x1x1 to 5x5x5|thumb|Crankshafts]] | [[File:Crankshafts array.png|alt=All available crankshafts, from size 1x1x1 to 5x5x5|thumb|Crankshafts]] | ||
There are 4 unique crankshaft components and two converters. | There are 4 unique crankshaft components and two converters. | ||
Keep in mind that crankshafts do have resistance, so it is more efficient to minimize the amount of unnecessary crankshafts. | |||
==== Flywheel ==== | |||
A flywheel is an ''optional'' component that adds rotational inertia (or momentum) to the engine. This can help with stability and smoothness in some cases, and also help prevent stalling. | |||
It is not recommended to add a flywheel if it isn't needed. | |||
==== Cylinder ==== | |||
Cylinders allow for fuel and oxygen to combust. Large cylinders function in the same way as small ones, the only difference being dramatically increased fuel consumption and power output. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|+ | |||
!Cylinder | |||
!Effective Power | |||
|- | |||
|1x1x1 | |||
|1 | |||
|- | |||
|3x3x3 | |||
|27 | |||
|- | |||
|5x5x5 | |||
|125 | |||
|} | |||
==== Clutch ==== | |||
A modular engine clutch allows for mechanical power (RPS) to exit the engine. | |||
The engagement of the clutch follows <code>x^3</code>, where X is the input. Meaning the amount of power transferred does not linearly correlate to the input to the clutch. | |||
And instead follows the curve shown by the graph below. | |||
[[File:Modular engine clutch engagement.png|thumb|Graph of clutch input to torque transfer]] | |||
This non-linearity can be corrected for by feeding the input to the clutch through a function block with the function <code>x^(1/3)</code> first to compensate. | |||
NOTE: Engaging the clutch too early or too suddenly can prevent the engine from starting by continuously stalling it. | |||
==== Manifolds ==== | |||
There are four manifold types: | |||
A '''Fuel''' manifold allows fuel to enter the engine. A fuel pump is never required. | |||
An '''Air''' manifold allows air to enter the engine. Adding a pump here is optional, but can increase power by up to 80%. It does, however, also increase heat generation and complicate the Air:Fuel ratio calculation. | |||
An '''Exhaust''' manifold allows exhaust gas to leave the engine. | |||
A '''Coolant''' manifold has two connections that allow coolant to enter and leave the engine. All coolant is shared throughout the entire engine, which means that a single coolant manifold can draw coolant from both outputs at the same time, provided the coolant enters the engine through another manifold. Coolant manifolds do '''not''' have a built-in pump, which means they will not circulate coolant without an external pump. | |||
==== Belt addons ==== | |||
Belt drives are not required to build a functioning engine, and can be replaced by a second clutch. There are a number of components that can be attached to a belt drive: | |||
A '''starter motor''' is a small electric motor used to start the engine. It can reach up to 5 RPS. | |||
An '''alternator''' is a small generator. It is extremely inefficient compared to [[Generator]]<nowiki/>s. | |||
A '''belt pump''' is a small pump with an inconveniently placed fluid input. It isn't very powerful or efficient, but is commonly used to circulate coolant in extremely small engines. | |||
[[Category:Engine]] | [[Category:Engine]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:33, 29 May 2026
Components COLLAPSE!
Crankshaft
Crankshafts are the core of an engine. Cylinders can be attached to the outer surfaces, while other crankshafts can be attached in the front/back to form longer engines.
Converters allow the usage of different crankshaft, cylinder, or flywheel sizes in one engine.
There are 4 unique crankshaft components and two converters.
Keep in mind that crankshafts do have resistance, so it is more efficient to minimize the amount of unnecessary crankshafts.
Flywheel
A flywheel is an optional component that adds rotational inertia (or momentum) to the engine. This can help with stability and smoothness in some cases, and also help prevent stalling.
It is not recommended to add a flywheel if it isn't needed.
Cylinder
Cylinders allow for fuel and oxygen to combust. Large cylinders function in the same way as small ones, the only difference being dramatically increased fuel consumption and power output.
| Cylinder | Effective Power |
|---|---|
| 1x1x1 | 1 |
| 3x3x3 | 27 |
| 5x5x5 | 125 |
Clutch
A modular engine clutch allows for mechanical power (RPS) to exit the engine.
The engagement of the clutch follows x^3, where X is the input. Meaning the amount of power transferred does not linearly correlate to the input to the clutch.
And instead follows the curve shown by the graph below.
This non-linearity can be corrected for by feeding the input to the clutch through a function block with the function x^(1/3) first to compensate.
NOTE: Engaging the clutch too early or too suddenly can prevent the engine from starting by continuously stalling it.
Manifolds
There are four manifold types:
A Fuel manifold allows fuel to enter the engine. A fuel pump is never required.
An Air manifold allows air to enter the engine. Adding a pump here is optional, but can increase power by up to 80%. It does, however, also increase heat generation and complicate the Air:Fuel ratio calculation.
An Exhaust manifold allows exhaust gas to leave the engine.
A Coolant manifold has two connections that allow coolant to enter and leave the engine. All coolant is shared throughout the entire engine, which means that a single coolant manifold can draw coolant from both outputs at the same time, provided the coolant enters the engine through another manifold. Coolant manifolds do not have a built-in pump, which means they will not circulate coolant without an external pump.
Belt addons
Belt drives are not required to build a functioning engine, and can be replaced by a second clutch. There are a number of components that can be attached to a belt drive:
A starter motor is a small electric motor used to start the engine. It can reach up to 5 RPS.
An alternator is a small generator. It is extremely inefficient compared to Generators.
A belt pump is a small pump with an inconveniently placed fluid input. It isn't very powerful or efficient, but is commonly used to circulate coolant in extremely small engines.