Functional Block Diagram F.0 Global Village System

Diagrams

Notes

(1) When too many flows exist to show on a single page, they are displayed as multiple pages. It is still a single functional block diagram, merely split for readability.

(2) Some flows may be zero amount depending on design.

(3) Diagram is incomplete as of version 0.3 08 May 2011

Description

The Global Village System as a whole includes several top level functions. A function converts its inputs to its outputs using mechanisms and according to controls. For a function such as "cut metal parts", a control is a cutting diagram for a metal sheet. The inputs would be an uncut sheet plus electric power, and the outputs would be cut parts plus cutting scraps. The mechanisms would a plasma cutter machine plus human labor to operate the machine. Functions are represented as boxes on these diagrams.

Numerical values should generally not be included in the diagrams themselves. They are subject to change as the design progresses or become a variable when you do an analysis. Instead note them in the description, or enter them into a system model, such as an Input/Output spreadsheet.

F1.0 Global Village People - This includes all the people connected to a village, both working and non-working. The latter are included because they use flows generated by other functions, such as food.

F2.0 Global Village Information - This includes all information needed to construct, operate, and maintain the system. Types of information include drawings, manuals, procedures, and training.

F3.0 Global Village Equipment - This includes machines such as the Global Village Construction Set, other tools, parts, and materials. A given machine may have hardware, software, and supplies needed to operate it.

F4.0 Global Village Facilities - This includes land, buildings, and outdoor modifications/additions. Generally items permanently attached to the ground are included as facilities. A device such as a wind turbine could also be counted as equipment, so the distinction is somewhat arbitrary. The important thing is to only list a given item in one place, and track the flows going in and out of it.

Flow is the general term for anything that goes from one place to another in the system. They are represented as arrows on these diagrams. As you develop more detail in the functions to be performed, it exposes more details of the flows at the same time. Every flow needs both ends accounted for. They do not appear or vanish from or to nothing. The "no loose ends" rule ensures all parts of the system are accounted for. Internal flows are categorized as controls, inputs, mechanisms, and outputs. They can merge and split as needed when they connect different functions, and change types at the ends. For example the output of a biofuel extractor can become the input of fuel for machines. That flow can then divide into the fuel input for each machine. A merged flow simply represents the total of its lower level component flows.

External flows to this diagram cross the system boundary, since this is the top level diagram. The flows entering and leaving the external environment are shown on diagram E.0 Environment. Internal flows connect functions to each other or represent part of an external flow. Internal flows are categorized as controls, inputs, mechanisms, and outputs.

I.1 Equipment Energy - This is the sum of energy inputs to all the equipment. This includes energy supplied from one machine to another, from available facility energy, and solar, and electric energy supplied from outside the system.

I.2 Facilities Energy - This is the sum of energy inputs to all the facilities. This includes energy supplied from one facility to another, and energy supplied from outside the system (solar, electric, moving water, etc).

I.3 Human Food - This includes the human portion of available food produced by F4.0 Facilities plus part of E.2 Food from outside

I.4 Nonhuman Food - This includes food for pets, livestock, and plants. Sources are part of available food produced by F4.0 Facilities plus part of E.2 Food from outside.

I.5 Supply Water - This is water entering F4.0 Facilities. Water distribution to point of use is part of the Facilities function, including clean water for drinking. It does not include well water since that is internal to the land component. It does include rain, streams, and public water supply as those enter from outside the system via E.3 Water Sources from Environment.

I.6 Drinking Water - This is the portion of clean water used by humans for drinking. Additional clean water stays within F.0 Facilities for household use (cooking, cleaning, showers), pets, and livestock. Other water, such as for sanitation and irrigation, does not necessarily have to be clean to drinking standards. Meeting local requirements for water purification and testing may be required.

I.7 Parts and Materials for Equipment - Parts are objects which do not perform a complete function by themselves, and need to be assembled with other parts. Materials include fuels, lubricants, and stock to be converted into parts. Sources include the land part of facilities, produced parts and materials from the F3.0 Equipment function, and from outside the system via E.4 Parts and Materials from Environment.

I.8 Parts and Materials for Facilities - This is similar to I.7 except sources from land is internal to F4.0 and so not an input. Sources for this flow are produced parts and materials from F3.0 Equipment and from outside the system via E.4 Parts and Materials from Environment.

I.9 Tools and Machines for Equipment - These are items which perform a complete function by themselves and are obtained from outside the system. An example is a two-cycle engine for the power cube. Tools are unpowered, for example a metal forming die. Machines are powered, for example a hydraulic press.

Links to Related Diagrams

Higher Level: E.0 Environment

Controls: (To be done)

Functions: F.1 Global Village People

Inputs: (To be done)

Mechanisms: (To be done)

Outputs: (To be done)

Mechanisms: (To be done)