0003872: Generating power with waterwheels without flow

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Date Submitted

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0003872

Dwarf Fortress

Dwarf Mode -- Buildings, Machines

public

2011-01-06 04:17

2011-01-06 15:53

Reporter

Pickled Tink

Assigned To

Priority

normal

Severity

minor

Reproducibility

always

Status

new

Resolution

open

Platform

Windows

OS Version

XP service Pack3

Product Version

0.31.18

Target Version

Fixed in Version

Summary

0003872: Generating power with waterwheels without flow

Description

It is possible to create a perpetual motion machine with a pump, some gears, a waterwheel, and some water. I have found a way to keep the wheel generating power after giving it a kick start and then remove the pump. Essentially, the waterwheel sits there generating power with no flow at all.

I have no idea how this works. I have gotten it working in 40d as well.

Was unable to find anything on the tracker despite multiple searches.

Steps To Reproduce

First of all, you need to build your generator properly

     PUMPS ---->

           ===
       WWW%% |
        *-*===

WWW = Waterwheel
%% = Pump
=| = Walls
* = Gear
- = Horizontal axle

The hole at the end in the 1x1 encircled destination tile of the pump links to the water under the wheel(The circle is only there to make sure the water does not get spilt). This is important for start up only. As long as the six tiles from the start of the wheel to the pumps destination tile are connected in a way that allows water to flow, this works. Tested with and without fortifications under the pump.

Set up the above, link a lever to the gear connected to the pump.

Now connect the body of water your wheel sits in to a "replenishing" water source (Aquifer, river, large cistern, etc). All you need to do is ensure that the water level averages out to more than 4/7 (I think). just firing it up in a small pool will drop the total water level of the pool and the machine will quickly fail.

Have a dwarf start the pump, wait a few seconds to let the water levels stabilise, and then pull the lever to disconnect the pump. If done correctly the wheel should continue spinning even when the water source fills the pool it is working from to 7/7.

I have a save file I can provide if needed.

This continues to work until the water is forcibly removed (By pump or mining accident, or collapse) or until the wheel is destroyed. You can remove the pump if you like (I do, wood is a valuable resource and I need to conserve corkscrews and pipes).

The pump does not need to draw from under the wheel as in my example. It is just easier to make that way.

Save can be provided upon request.

Notes
(0014799) Footkerchief (manager) 2011-01-06 08:01	Yes, please upload the save to http://dffd.wimbli.com/ [^]

(0014814) Pickled Tink (reporter) 2011-01-06 15:53	http://dffd.wimbli.com/file.php?id=3656 [^] Save provided. It was the test save I built while testing repeatability. I have the bug happening in two of my forts at present, a 40d fort and an extant 0.31.18 fort where it is flooding my dining room.

Issue History
Date Modified	Username	Field	Change
2011-01-06 04:17	Pickled Tink	New Issue
2011-01-06 08:01	Footkerchief	Note Added: 0014799
2011-01-06 15:53	Pickled Tink	Note Added: 0014814

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