Write something about how/why Cybertronians "breathe".

 

unsure what eventual section this would go in, so i'm just gonna give it to you right here as its own.

Cooling Systems, Temperature Regulation, Heat Venting (Breathing)

Machines and other technology based things tend to overheat when they are overworked or run undesirable conditions. Due to the mechanical nature of Cybertronians, they too have this same problem. Transformers have internal redundancy systems devoted entirely to keeping their bodies and systems cool in order to prevent damage to their internal organs, moving parts, and other such issues caused by overheating, (just as you would any other computer or machine) whether it be caused by friction in moving joints, heat produced by internal processes and components overworking, or the result of extremely outside conditions such as terrestrial weather.

The coolant part of the circulatory system (see circulatory system) is the primary system for cooling down a cybertronian, the veins and arteries that carry the coolant around the body are placed strategically around heat prone areas, such at the t-cog, and other heat producing organs.

Placed in proximity to these same organs and other such heat prone areas are heatsinks that not only draw heat away from the organs and surrounding areas themselves but also out of the coolant system of which they are attached to. Once the heat sinks reach a specific temperature, the heat is vented out of the body in various areas. The heat sink is then flushed with coolant to bring its temperature back down and the cycle continues. (for example, the heat sink and vent devoted to the brain module on Optimus Prime is located on the forehead and is quite iconic to his overall appearance)

This venting process requires vents tubes and other avenues for the hot/air and gasses to escape from. The constant opening and closing of all these vents cause the entire torso to seemingly expand and contract. This movement is much more obvious depending how hard the venting systems are working.

Many organic species mistake expanding and contracting of the torso cause by the venting process as breathing.

If a cybertronian begins to severely overheat however, they will in fact begin to breath heavily in the traditional sense. This is an emergency action taken by the body to bring in AS MUCH cool air, gasses, or liquids (if the cybertronian is underwater) in order to bring down internal temperatures quickly and aid the overworked cooling system. This "proper breathing" is also used to fill pressurized gas tanks as a backup that can be used for cooling in the event of an emergency such as severe overheating in a vacuum in which there are no outside cool gasses to bring into the body. These pressurized gas tanks can also be used to aid in movement in a zero G environment.

 

Very nice. Cooling was my answer for why TFs huff and puff sometimes too.