Antimatter converter assembly?

[TIN_MAN]

The Star Trek.com database lists the “Antimatter converter assembly” and says that this term comes from the second pilot Where No Man Has Gone Before, but I’ve read some transcripts and re-watched the episode and I can’t seem to find where this term is used in that episode.

I know later in the series mention was made of a “dilithium crystal converter assembly” which I assume is essentially the same thing, but I’ve never heard of an antimatter converter assembly, at least not in TOS.

I’d like to know if anybody here can help confirm or refute the usage of this term. I’m only interested as I am trying to compile a list of all the technical terms related to warp drive that were used in TOS/TAS with the aim of clarifying just how comparable (or not) the tech of TOS/TAS is to later series.

Thanks in advance.

 

[uniderth]

The only two references to converter assemblies are in Mudd's Women and Elaan of Troyius. They are "converter assembly" and "dilithium crystal converter assembly" respectively.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

An Antimatter Convertor was also used by Tahna Los to make a bomb to collapse the Bajoran Wormhole in 2369.

 

[blssdwlf]

As far as I can tell, "anti-matter converter assembly" was never mentioned in TOS. As Bry points out one was used in "Past Prologue".

 

[TIN_MAN]

Okay, thanks again everyone. It seems the answer is no, this term was never used in WNMHGB.
I just thought maybe it was used in some obscure intercom chatter in the background. Maybe it was in the script but was never used or was cut out or something?
I wonder why star trek.com would think that it was? It seems they need to do some editing here.

 

[blssdwlf]

My guess is that it is a bit of retconning where in TOS originally had dilithium as the source of power but then made it anti-matter instead ala TNG, etc. Or perhaps a mistake by the web site?
Looking at "Past Prologue", they actually just said "anti-matter converter" and no "assembly" so it might not be the same.

 

[STEPhon IT]

The Star Trek.com database lists the “Antimatter converter assembly” and says that this term comes from the second pilot Where No Man Has Gone Before, but I’ve read some transcripts and re-watched the episode and I can’t seem to find where this term is used in that episode.

I know later in the series mention was made of a “dilithium crystal converter assembly” which I assume is essentially the same thing, but I’ve never heard of an antimatter converter assembly, at least not in TOS.

I’d like to know if anybody here can help confirm or refute the usage of this term. I’m only interested as I am trying to compile a list of all the technical terms related to warp drive that were used in TOS/TAS with the aim of clarifying just how comparable (or not) the tech of TOS/TAS is to later series.

Thanks in advance.

When you're done I would love to read them. TOS' terms were very interesting and simply than the crazy stuff done on TNG manual. It's best to list them now because the modern trekterms seemed to be washing over what was true in TOS.

 

[TIN_MAN]

When you're done I would love to read them.

Here's what I've got so far, it's not complete yet but it's a decent start.
Any suggestions or constructive criticisms are appreciated.

Matter/Anti-Matter Nacelles - AKA Matter/Anti-Matter Pods:
Or simply Antimatter nacelles AKA antimatter pods
“Warp drive” nacelles AKA “warp drive” pods
“Power” nacelles AKA “power” pods* (generate energy [TDM])
Propulsion/power units*

* used only in supplemental or “behind-the-scenes” material

Warp Drive:
AKA “main” drive (associated with M/A-M propulsion)
AKA “star drive” (as opposed to impulse drive)

(There may, or may not be, a distinction between warp drive “engines” and warp drive nacelles/pods?)

Engines:
Ship’s engines (from which A-M can be drained)
Warp engines (associated with the M/A-M reserves)
Main engines (associated with space warp capability) [WNMHGB] can “burn out” if overstressed [TPS, WNMHGB]
All engines [TPS]

Dilithium crystals:
Are the very heart of the power of a ship [TAF]
Need more than one for “full power” [MW, TPS]
Used in high energy situations (mainly deflectors) [MW, TPS]
Used to power ships systems (phasers, shields/deflectors) [EOT]
Must be in “energized” condition [TAF]
Prolonged use at high power can drain crystals [MW]
Re-energizing done in special facility [TAF]
Will “discharge” and/or deplete if they deteriorate [DOTD] (leaving the ship without “engine power”)
Can de-crystallize [TDT]
Ships power is said to “feed through” and be “pulled through” crystals [MW] and shape can affect “energy flow” [EOT]

Dilithium crystal converter assembly:
If “fused” for any reason, W/D cannot be restored without new crystals [EOT]
Can be “blown” if deflectors are overextended, preventing use of by-pass circuits due to burn out of said circuits [MW]

Dilithium/lithium circuits:
There are (thousands of) dilithium crystal connections in the warp drive circuitry – which can be bypassed if necessary (distinguished from “main” circuits and associated “big” D/L crystals) [TTI]

Energizers:
“Main” energizers (associated with warp power) [TDM]

Anti-matter fuel:
Drawn on continuously for propulsion in high speed situations (sabotage or unauthorized modification)[TC,[TWS]]
Have reserve supply which can be tapped into (via warp engines) for additional power [TUC]

Anti-matter reactor(s):
Ship is propelled by M-A/M reactors (2 -one in each nacelle?) [BAON]
Emergency overload Bypass valve, on the matter/antimatter reaction chamber (1)
There is an access tube leading to the matter-antimatter reaction chamber (1) Emergency bypass control of the matter-antimatter integrator (1) [TWS]
Antimatter input valve (1) [TC]
Energy release controls [TC]

Generators:
AKA? matter/anti-matter generators [MTMT]
Can be “knocked out” if shields fail [TDM]

(In both the above situations, a stasis or dampening field was involved resulting in “de-activation” of anti-matter in one case, and rendering the ship immobilized in the other)

Regenerate (re-energise):
The power regenerates (implying an automatic, continuous cycle) [TMOG]
Main Engines must be regenerated/reenergized after “burn out” [WNMHGB]
Engines will not regenerate if reserve drops below less than 2 kilos of A-M (In the A-M regeneration chamber within the nacelle [OOOPIM])
Warming up the engines and/or anti-matter linked to regeneration [TNT]
(Takes about thirty minutes)
Engines must be regenerated if stopped for any reason [TIY]

 

[blssdwlf]

There is also "The Tholian Web" where the "power supply converters" were fused from a hit from the Tholians. The Enterprise started to drift. Later after some repairs they needed time to build up their power level.

 

[TIN_MAN]

There is also "The Tholian Web" where the "power supply converters" were fused from a hit from the Tholians. The Enterprise started to drift. Later after some repairs they needed time to build up their power level.

Ah, good catch; I'll add that to my list.

"Power supply converters" sounds like it might be a more general term for the Di-lithium crystal converter assembly, considering it also had a tendency to fuse? The need to build up power levels after repairs is also consistent with what I think the original idea behind the use of Di-lithium was, that is, they charge up from the energy of produced by the M/A-M reaction -after which they supply the power for everything else.

 

[STEPhon IT]

It has always struck me as odd when "Nacelles" comes about. It's clear it was a definition for the propulsion units in Star Trek: The Next Generation. But from my knowledge of TOS the propulsion units was the term used and not nacelles. People are confusing what they know of the recon term which has been said, mentioned and whitewashed for 31 years.

When TOS mentioned nacelles I don't believe it was defined to mean propulsion units which was already the definition. Nacelles could've meant a casing or cover, but one thing I know was TOS were consistent on their terms through the entire series.

 

[STEPhon IT]

Here's what I've got so far, it's not complete yet but it's a decent start.
Any suggestions or constructive criticisms are appreciated.

Matter/Anti-Matter Nacelles - AKA Matter/Anti-Matter Pods:
Or simply Antimatter nacelles AKA antimatter pods
“Warp drive” nacelles AKA “warp drive” pods
“Power” nacelles AKA “power” pods* (generate energy [TDM])
Propulsion/power units*

* used only in supplemental or “behind-the-scenes” material

Warp Drive:
AKA “main” drive (associated with M/A-M propulsion)
AKA “star drive” (as opposed to impulse drive)

(There may, or may not be, a distinction between warp drive “engines” and warp drive nacelles/pods?)

Engines:
Ship’s engines (from which A-M can be drained)
Warp engines (associated with the M/A-M reserves)
Main engines (associated with space warp capability) [WNMHGB] can “burn out” if overstressed [TPS, WNMHGB]
All engines [TPS]

Dilithium crystals:
Are the very heart of the power of a ship [TAF]
Need more than one for “full power” [MW, TPS]
Used in high energy situations (mainly deflectors) [MW, TPS]
Used to power ships systems (phasers, shields/deflectors) [EOT]
Must be in “energized” condition [TAF]
Prolonged use at high power can drain crystals [MW]
Re-energizing done in special facility [TAF]
Will “discharge” and/or deplete if they deteriorate [DOTD] (leaving the ship without “engine power”)
Can de-crystallize [TDT]
Ships power is said to “feed through” and be “pulled through” crystals [MW] and shape can affect “energy flow” [EOT]

Dilithium crystal converter assembly:
If “fused” for any reason, W/D cannot be restored without new crystals [EOT]
Can be “blown” if deflectors are overextended, preventing use of by-pass circuits due to burn out of said circuits [MW]

Dilithium/lithium circuits:
There are (thousands of) dilithium crystal connections in the warp drive circuitry – which can be bypassed if necessary (distinguished from “main” circuits and associated “big” D/L crystals) [TTI]

Energizers:
“Main” energizers (associated with warp power) [TDM]

Anti-matter fuel:
Drawn on continuously for propulsion in high speed situations (sabotage or unauthorized modification)[TC,[TWS]]
Have reserve supply which can be tapped into (via warp engines) for additional power [TUC]

Anti-matter reactor(s):
Ship is propelled by M-A/M reactors (2 -one in each nacelle?) [BAON]
Emergency overload Bypass valve, on the matter/antimatter reaction chamber (1)
There is an access tube leading to the matter-antimatter reaction chamber (1) Emergency bypass control of the matter-antimatter integrator (1) [TWS]
Antimatter input valve (1) [TC]
Energy release controls [TC]

Generators:
AKA? matter/anti-matter generators [MTMT]
Can be “knocked out” if shields fail [TDM]

(In both the above situations, a stasis or dampening field was involved resulting in “de-activation” of anti-matter in one case, and rendering the ship immobilized in the other)

Regenerate (re-energise):
The power regenerates (implying an automatic, continuous cycle) [TMOG]
Main Engines must be regenerated/reenergized after “burn out” [WNMHGB]
Engines will not regenerate if reserve drops below less than 2 kilos of A-M (In the A-M regeneration chamber within the nacelle [OOOPIM])
Warming up the engines and/or anti-matter linked to regeneration [TNT]
(Takes about thirty minutes)
Engines must be regenerated if stopped for any reason [TIY]

I'm failing to understand most of the abbreviations for sources. I get Where No Man Has Gone Before but what are the others??? Any chance in the future could you type the entire title, please?

 

[Tenacity]

There may, or may not be, a distinction between warp drive “engines” and warp drive nacelles/pods?

The TNG tech manual said the the warp core (aka the reactor-reactors) is the "engine" that produces power, while the nacelles-pods are the "propellers."

Think azipods.

On a car, what's under the hood is the engine, and the tires make the car move.

 

[Mytran]

It has always struck me as odd when "Nacelles" comes about. It's clear it was a definition for the propulsion units in Star Trek: The Next Generation. But from my knowledge of TOS the propulsion units was the term used and not nacelles. People are confusing what they know of the recon term which has been said, mentioned and whitewashed for 31 years.

When TOS mentioned nacelles I don't believe it was defined to mean propulsion units which was already the definition. Nacelles could've meant a casing or cover, but one thing I know was TOS were consistent on their terms through the entire series.

The term "nacelles" was first used in The Doomsday Machine:

KIRK: Whatever it is, we can't let it go beyond us to the next solar system. We have to stop it. If it's a robot, what are the chances of deactivating it?
SPOCK: I would say none, Captain. The energy generated by our power nacelles seems to attracts it. I doubt we could manoeuvre close enough without drawing a direct attack upon ourselves.

The term was also used in The Apple (with regard to discarding them), Bread & Circuses (specifically, those of the SS Beagle), by Scotty as a means to self-destruct the ship in By Any Other Name, and finally in The Savage Curtain (again with regards to performing a saucer separation)

 

[STEPhon IT]

I am aware of the term spoken in those episodes but I'm not certain the characters were referring to the Propulsion Units. I have to check again to see if they were near a graph or some illustration to suggest it was but I doubt it.

 

[blssdwlf]

I am aware of the term spoken in those episodes but I'm not certain the characters were referring to the Propulsion Units. I have to check again to see if they were near a graph or some illustration to suggest it was but I doubt it.

Weird, in TOS I only find one reference to nuclear "Propulsion Units" owned by a different race in "Elaan of Troyius". Curious, where are you thinking the "Propulsion Units" are on the TOS Enterprise?

 

[Mytran]

I am aware of the term spoken in those episodes but I'm not certain the characters were referring to the Propulsion Units. I have to check again to see if they were near a graph or some illustration to suggest it was but I doubt it.

Since nacelles are outboard devices and since the characters always refer to them in plural, what else could they be but the 2 cylindrical devices at the back of the ship?

 

[Tenacity]

if the ship has multiple reactors, that could be the engines plural

kirk spoke of a starfeet vessel having a nuclear reactor in court martial

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

In TOS the nacelles were intended to be the power-generating hardware for Starfleet ships, hence the different number of nacelles on other designs affecting their performance (the single unit on the Saladin/Hermes limited them to destroyer/patrol and scout duties respectively, whilst the three nacelle Federation was an advanced dreadnought). This was later retconned though.

 

[Mytran]

if the ship has multiple reactors, that could be the engines plural

It could be...except that the references are to nacelles, not reactors:

SCOTT: Sir, we're doing everything within engineering reason.
KIRK: Then use your imagination. Tie every ounce of power the ship has into the impulse engines. Discard the warp drive nacelles if you have to, and crack out of there with the main section, but get that ship out of there!

SCOTT: I have opened the control valves to the matter-anti-matter nacelles. On your signal, I will flood them with positive energy.
KIRK: What?
SPOCK: When we engage the barrier, the ship will explode. The Kelvans will be stopped here.

KIRK: Scotty, inform Starfleet Command. Disengage nacelles, jettison if possible. Mister Spock, assist them. Advise and analyse.

Now, if you're arguing that TOS reactors are inside the nacelles, that's something we can certainly agree on!

kirk spoke of a starfeet vessel having a nuclear reactor in court martial

I assume you mean this line:

STONE: It's common knowledge that something happened to your friendship.
KIRK: It's no secret. We were assigned to the same ship some years later. I relieved him on watch once and found a circuit open to the atomic matter piles that should've been closed. Another five minutes, it could have blown up the ship.

Since the term "atomic matter pile" can be used as an archaic term for a nuclear reactor, I have to agree that the USS Republic had one. And since there's a reference to "points" which have decayed to lead in WNMHGB it's reasonable to assume that they used fission for minor energy generating purposes on board the Enterprise, too. However, since fission would be wholly useless as an efficient means of propulsion for sub-light engines, let alone warp drive it's likely that the nuclear reactor mentioned was just part of the ship's backup power, or maybe Impulse Engine startup routine (the WNMHGB quote is specifically related to the Impulse Decks)