Networks [networks]

A library to build and manage networks based on tubelib2 tubes, pipes, or cables.

Power Networks

Power networks consists of following node types:

• Generators, nodes providing power
• Consumers, nodes consuming power
• Storage nodes, nodes storing power
• Cables, to build power connections
• Junctions, to connect point to point connection to networks
• Switches, to turn on/off network segments

All storage nodes in a network form a storage system. Storage systems are required as buffers. Generators "charge" the storage system, consumers "discharge" the storage system.

Charging the storage system follows a degressive/adaptive charging curve. When the storage system e.g. is 80% full, the charging load is continuously reduced. This ensures that all generators are loaded in a balanced manner.

Cables, junctions, and switches can be hidden under blocks (plastering) and opened again with a tool. This makes power installations in buildings more realistic. The mod uses a whitelist for filling material. The function networks.register_filling_items is used to register node names.

Liquid Networks

Liquid networks consists of following node types:

• Pumps, nodes pumping liquids from/to tanks
• Tanks, storing liquids
• Junctions, to connect pipes to networks
• Valves, to turn on/off pipe segments

Control

In addition to any network the 'control' API can be used to send commands or request data from nodes, specified via 'node_type'.

Test Nodes

The file ./test/test_power.lua contains test nodes of each kind of power nodes. It can be used to play with the features and to study the use of networks.

• [G] a generator, which provides 20 units of power every 2 s
• [C] a consumer, which need 5 units of power every 2 s
• [S] a storage with 500 units capacity

All three nodes can be turned on/off by right-clicking.

• cable node for power transportation
• junction node for power distribution
• a power switch to turn on/off consumers
• a tool to hide/open cables and junctions

The file ./test/test_liquid.lua contains test nodes of each kind of liquid nodes.

• [P] a pump which pumps 2 items every 2 s
• [T] tree types of tanks (empty, milk, water)
• junction node
• a value to connect/disconnect pipes

The file ./test/test_control.lua contains server [S] and client [C] nodes to demonstrate simple on/off commands.

All this testing nodes can be enabled via mod settings networks_test_enabled = true in minetest.conf

License

Copyright (C) 2021-2023 Joachim Stolberg Code: Licensed under the GNU AGPL version 3 or later. See LICENSE.txt
Textures: CC BY-SA 3.0

Dependencies

Required: tubelib2

History

2021-05-23 V0.01

• First shot

2021-05-24 V0.02

• Add switch
• Add tool and hide/open feature
• bug fixes and improvements

2021-05-25 V0.03

• Add function networks.get_power_data
• bug fixes and improvements

2021-05-29 V0.04

• bug fixes and improvements

2021-05-30 V0.05

• Change power API

2021-06-03 V0.06

• Add 'liquid'
• bug fixes and improvements

2021-06-04 V0.07

• Add 'control' API

2021-07-06 V0.08

• Add 'transfer' functions to the 'power' API

2021-07-23 V0.09

• bug fixes and improvements

2021-09-18 V0.10

• Add support for colored cables (PR #1 by Thomas--S)

2022-01-06 V0.11

• Support for junction rotation added

2022-09-10 V0.12

• New API function networks.liquid.get_liquids added

2023-02-19 V0.13

• New API function networks.power.get_storage_percent added