Tricyclic input manifold

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The tricyclic input manifold is a device which is part of the propulsion system on the USS Voyager. It is similar to Multi-port fuel injection on cars of the 20th century. Three separate injectors converge in the combustion chamber on Voyager, where precise amounts of anti-matter are mixed with matter. The tricyclic function allows for redundancy and more precise mixture, resulting in a cruising speed of warp 9.97.

This means Voyager is the fastest starship in production. Other starships can briefly achieve this velocity, but Voyager can sustain this speed due to the tricyclic manifold design.

The tricyclic design allows for three different amounts of anti-matter to be injected based on ship speed and engine load. For example, the third injector is designed for high speed cruising. It is activated when the ships computer detects heavy engine load and high warp speeds. The third injector is only used at speeds over warp 7.

Also, if the input manifold is damaged, the ship can still achieve warp speed on just one injector stream, but obviously engine performance will be negatively affected.