HEXEL: Hydraulic Executable Element
Innovation #54: Hydraulic Computing Game Table
Patent Application Reference: 63/925,672 & 63/927,674
Overview
A Hexel (Hydraulic Executable Element) is a modular hexagonal game tile that translates hydraulic pressure into physical movement. It functions as both a structural game component and a hydraulic actuator, enabling dynamic gameplay where terrain, water, and game elements physically respond to player actions and system state.
The term “Hexel” derives from the portmanteau of “Hexagon” and “Pixel” — representing the smallest addressable unit in the HexIsle game world, analogous to how pixels form images in digital displays.
Core Principle
Unlike traditional hydraulic systems that use continuous fluid circulation, Hexels operate on an Alternating Current (AC) pressure wave principle. Adjacent Hexels share hydraulic pressure inversely — when one Hexel rises, its neighbors tend to fall, creating self-propagating wave patterns across the playing surface without requiring external pumping.
Functional Modes
- Land Mode (Capstone): Static terrain with optional mechanism triggers
- Water Mode (Capwave): Dynamic wave generation with tide cycling via Ouralis mechanism
- Hybrid Mode: Coastal transitions, rivers, swamps with partial water dynamics
Physical Architecture
Component Hierarchy
Each Hexel comprises 12 precision-engineered parts organized into four functional layers:
| Layer | Component | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Top Layer | Capstone (Land) | Interchangeable terrain surface; accepts snap-in features |
| Capwave (Water) | Moving water surface; engages with tide mechanism | |
| Mechanism Layer | Ouralis | Tide accumulator; rises incrementally every 12th rotation |
| Sawtooth60 | Directional current control; engages ship rudder keels at high tide | |
| Tesla Valve | One-way flow control; enables wave propagation directionality | |
| Actuator Layer | Piston Assembly | Converts pressure differential to vertical displacement |
| Return Spring | Stores elastic energy; returns piston to neutral position | |
| Base Layer (Bedrock) | Cylinder Housing | Contains piston; seals working fluid |
| Hydraulic Ports (×6) | Connect to adjacent Hexels; enable pressure sharing | |
| Snap Connectors | Mechanical alignment and retention with neighbors | |
| Rudder Keel Mount | Ship attachment point; fixed to bedrock (not wave) |
Dimensional Specifications
| Parameter | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hexagon Width (flat-to-flat) | 60 mm | Standard production size |
| Hexagon Width (point-to-point) | 69.3 mm | = width × 2/√3 |
| Total Height (assembled) | 45-55 mm | Varies by Capstone terrain type |
| Piston Diameter | 25 mm (1") | Optimized for 2-3 psi operation |
| Piston Stroke | 5-15 mm | Adjustable via spring preload |
| Hydraulic Port Diameter | 4-6 mm | Balance between flow rate and sealing |
| Working Fluid Volume per Hexel | ~15-25 mL | Depends on stroke setting |
Hydraulic Operation
Pressure Requirements
The Hexel piston requires sufficient pressure to overcome return spring force and O-ring friction:
F = P × A
Where F = force (lbs), P = pressure (psi), A = piston area (in²)
| Piston Diameter | Area (in²) | Force @ 2 psi | Force @ 3.5 psi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5" (12.7 mm) | 0.196 | 0.39 lbs | 0.69 lbs |
| 0.75" (19 mm) | 0.442 | 0.88 lbs | 1.55 lbs |
| 1.0" (25 mm) ✓ | 0.785 | 1.57 lbs | 2.75 lbs |
| 1.5" (38 mm) | 1.767 | 3.53 lbs | 6.18 lbs |
Recommendation: 1" (25mm) piston diameter provides optimal balance.
Gravity Reservoir Sizing
Hydrostatic pressure from an elevated water column provides baseline (DC) pressure:
P = ρgh = 0.433 psi per foot of water
| Reservoir Height | Static Pressure | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 2 ft (0.6 m) | 0.87 psi | Desktop prototype |
| 4 ft (1.2 m) ✓ | 1.73 psi | Recommended for 7-Hexel demo |
| 6 ft (1.8 m) | 2.60 psi | Mid-scale demonstrator |
| 8 ft (2.4 m) | 3.47 psi | Full production table |
AC Pressure Wave Generation
The oscillating (AC) pressure component is generated by the Cascading Container System — three nested hexagonal containers of decreasing size that create phase-shifted pressure waves through gravitational displacement.
Operating Principle:
- Outer container (largest, heaviest) descends under gravity
- Displaced fluid pushes middle container upward (Archimedes’ principle)
- Middle container displacement pushes inner container downward
- Elastic recoil reverses the sequence, creating continuous oscillation
- Phase shifts (0°, 120°, 240°) create smooth three-phase AC pressure
Key Mechanisms
Ouralis (Tide Accumulator)
The Ouralis mechanism creates the tidal cycle that defines HexIsle gameplay:
- Function: Accumulates pressure pulses from wave oscillations
- Cycle: Every 12th wave rotation triggers an incremental tide rise
- Range: Full tide cycle = 12 increments up, 12 increments down
- Key Feature: Bedrock stays fixed; only Capwave surface rises
Sawtooth60 (Current Direction)
Determines water current direction and ship movement:
- Design: Asymmetric tooth profile at 60° intervals (matching hexagon geometry)
- Function: Engages ship rudder keels at high tide
- Visual Design: Styled as coral formations for aesthetic integration
Tesla Valve (Flow Control)
One-way flow control without moving parts:
- Principle: Fluid dynamics create preferential flow direction
- Advantage: No moving parts = no wear, no maintenance
- Result: Waves propagate outward from activation point
Character Trigger System
Magnetic-based mechanism activation for interactive gameplay:
- Character Base: Each miniature has embedded magnet (3-5mm diameter)
- Standing Restriction: Characters can ONLY stand where designed (magnetic receptacles)
- Mechanism Examples: Drawbridges, trap doors, catapults, hidden rooms, gates
Network Topology
Hexel counts for common configurations:
| Configuration | Hexel Count | Rings | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prototype Demo | 7 | 1 + center | Kickstarter video |
| Starter Kit | 19 | 2 + center | Entry-level gameplay |
| Island Builder | 37 | 3 + center | Mid-tier Kickstarter |
| World Creator | 61 | 4 + center | Premium Kickstarter |
| Full Table | 169 | 7 + center | Production table |
Hexel Count Formula: For n rings around a center Hexel: Count = 3n² + 3n + 1
Prototype Build
Recommended first build: 7-Hexel Desktop Demonstrator (~$200)
Success Criteria for Demo
The prototype must demonstrate these five capabilities:
- Gravity baseline: Pour water into reservoir → pistons pressurize
- AC oscillation: Push outer container → middle rises, inner falls → oscillation begins
- Wave propagation: Press one Hexel → adjacent Hexels respond → ripple effect visible
- Self-sustaining motion: Waves continue without external input
- Control demonstration: Clock valve open = motion; closed = frozen
Patent Claims Summary
The Hexel system supports these patent claims from Innovation #54:
| Claim | Description |
|---|---|
| Claim 1 | AC Pressure Generation — Nested containers creating alternating pressure waves |
| Claim 4 | Structural-Functional Integration — Support columns as hydraulic manifolds |
| Claim 5 | Self-Propagating Pressure Network — Hexels with one-way valves |
| Claim 6 | Inverse Pressure Coupling — Adjacent Hexels share pressure inversely |
| Claim 12 | Hydraulic Time Control — Master valve controls game temporal state |
| Claim 15 | Modular Scalability — Standardized units enabling system scaling |
Document Control
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document ID | HEXEL-SPEC-54-001 |
| Version | 1.0 |
| Innovation Number | #54 |
| Related Patents | 63/925,672 (Bag #1), 63/927,674 (Bag #3) |
| Author | Jonathan Jones |
For complete technical details including bill of materials and assembly sequence, see the full specification in the Patent Bags.
FOR THE KEEP