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[TheCoolSideofthePIllow]

Would it be possible to build a gate like the following: (W = Wall, G = Gate, X = Empty Space)

WGGGW
WXXXW
WXXXW
WXXXW
WGGGW

But have 1 lever operate both gates (which I know is possible in and of itself) but on alternating er... "frequencies?" So that when 1 gate is open, the other gate is closed? You know, like a pressure hatch or something.

I was thinking I would build 1 gate, link it to the lever, close the gate, remove the link, build the other gate and then link both back to the lever, but I am not sure if an open gate losing the lever link will remain open or immediately close.

[Eric Blank]

Yeah, just pull the lever after linking it to the first bridge/floodgate set, then link it to the other one. Then you can link both of them to a pressure plate(s)

[Sphalerite]

Yeah, just pull the lever after linking it to the first bridge/floodgate set, then link it to the other one.

This does not work.  Levers do not send toggle commands, they send open/close commands.  When you pull the lever the second time, both gates will just get set to the same status (open or closed).

There are two ways to do this.  The first is to use some type of dwarven water logic device to invert the action of the lever.  Connect the lever to directly to one of the gates, and also to the input to the inverter.  Connect the output of the inverter to the second gate.  This requires you to build an inverter mechanism, which is not simple.

The second, easier way to do this is to use a raising drawbridge for one of your gates, and a row of floodgates for the other.  Raising bridges and floodgates have opposite actions - the bridge will be lowered when the floodgates are closed - so this will get you the airlock system you're trying to get.

[Urist Da Vinci]

Another way to do this is with 2 retracting bridges. On one side, the bridge crosses a moat when extended. On the other side, the bridge covers a ramped opening going down to the fort when extended.

[Sadrice]

A disadvantage of the drawbridge design is that dwarves can be crushed by it if they are on it when it raises.


A disadvantage of the inverter design is that there will be a delay, so they won't close at the same time.

[TheCoolSideofthePIllow]

Yeah, just pull the lever after linking it to the first bridge/floodgate set, then link it to the other one.

This does not work.  Levers do not send toggle commands, they send open/close commands.  When you pull the lever the second time, both gates will just get set to the same status (open or closed).

There are two ways to do this.  The first is to use some type of dwarven water logic device to invert the action of the lever.  Connect the lever to directly to one of the gates, and also to the input to the inverter.  Connect the output of the inverter to the second gate.  This requires you to build an inverter mechanism, which is not simple.

The second, easier way to do this is to use a raising drawbridge for one of your gates, and a row of floodgates for the other.  Raising bridges and floodgates have opposite actions - the bridge will be lowered when the floodgates are closed - so this will get you the airlock system you're trying to get.

I am rather new to fortress crafting (I used to be an Adventurer...)But then I took an arrow in the knee.
Is the inverter an object my dwarves craft, or something I must build using the mechanics of the game and clever building? Both are fine; I just need to know what I'm doing.

[Sphalerite]

An inverter gate is something you need to build from various devices and furniture, typically some combination of a water-sensing pressure plate, and doors/floodgates/floor hatches to let water on and off the pressure plate.  I recommend using a combination of bridges and floodgates instead.

[kingubu]

Another way to do this is with 2 retracting bridges. On one side, the bridge crosses a moat when extended. On the other side, the bridge covers a ramped opening going down to the fort when extended.

This is the way I do it, except the second bridge covers a ramp going up.  Dwarfs won't get smashed by retracting bridges, and buildingdestroyers can't break in.

[gzoker]

This is basically what was said before, only it can't crush your dwarves, and customizable. It doesn't need an inverter.
You can use more hatches next to each other if you need a wider corridor. Also the hatch cannot be destroyed from below - switch directions if that is a problem.
Only downside is it needs more mechanisms for wider corridors, and it's two Z level High.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

z0
XXXXX
XXHXX
X___X
X___X
X___X
XX_XX
XXHXX
XX_XX
XXaXX

z-1
XXbXX
XXRXX
XXXXX
XXXXX
XXXXX
XXXXX
XX_XX
XXXXX
XXXXX

legend:
X Wall
_ Floor
H Hatch, linked to your lever
R Ramp
a path inside
b path outside

EDIT: typo

[Twangykid]

I usually make, and I made this for markedangels, a raising bridge on one end, and a retracting bridge over a channel on the other.

[blue sam3]

A disadvantage of the drawbridge design is that dwarves can be crushed by it if they are on it when it raises.


A disadvantage of the inverter design is that there will be a delay, so they won't close at the same time.

You could put a delay into the uninverted signal to sync them up again.

[Arkenstone]

A disadvantage of the inverter design is that there will be a delay, so they won't close at the same time.

You could put a delay into the uninverted signal to sync them up again.

What you're looking for is called a "buffer" gate.  Simply build an inverter gate, except with the output pressure plate set to trigger when there is water flowing over it.


But if you're expecting dwarves to be able to use it without micro, I think you'd be better off with a different gate design.