Air locks (Chambers)
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- Work cat.: Trout, Otto F. An investigation of leakage of large-diameter O-ring seals on spacecraft air-lock hatches, 1968:p. 1 ("An investigation has been conducted to determine the leakage of large-diameter O-ring seals for operable hatch doors and static joints with a vacuum of 1.0 x 10(-6 superscript) torr (1.33 x 10(-2 superscript)N/m(2 superscript) on one side and atmospheric pressure on the other")
- McGraw-Hill dictionary of scientific and technical terms, 2003:p. 57 ("air lock - (eng[ineering]) - 1. A chamber capable of being hermetically sealed that provides for passage between two places of different pressure, such as between an altitude chamber and the outside atmosphere, or between the outside atmosphere and the work area in a tunnel or shaft being excavated through soil subjected to water pressure higher than atmospheric. Also known as lock. 2. An air bubble in a pipeline which impedes liquid flow. 3. A depression on the surface of a molded plastic part that results from air trapped between the surface of the mold and the plastic. (min[ing] eng[ineering]) - A casing atop an upcast mine shaft to minimize surface air leakage into the fan")
- Academic Press dictionary of science and technology, 1992:p. 65 ("air lock - civil engineering - an airtight chamber used to permit passage between two areas of differing air pressure ... Engineering - a pocket of air or gas in a pipe that impedes or stops the flow of liquid. Mining engineering - a casing at the top of an upcast mine shaft, used to inhibit the leakage of surface air into the fan")
- OCLC, Dec. 26, 2002(fin ti airlock - [examples] - Design of a minimum loss airlock for use in low gravity, high vacuum space environments, 1987; Independent orbiter assessment. Volume 2 of 2, Assessment of the life support & airlock support systems, 1988; Personal transfer airlock, 1987)
An airlock is a room or compartment which permits passage between environments of differing atmospheric pressure or composition, while minimizing the changing of pressure or composition between the differing environments. An airlock consists of a chamber with two airtight doors or openings, usually arranged in series, which do not open simultaneously. Airlocks can be small-scale mechanisms, such as those used in fermenting, or larger mechanisms, which often take the form of an antechamber. An airlock may also be used underwater to allow passage between the air environment in a pressure vessel, such as a submarine, and the water environment outside. In such cases the airlock can contain either air or water. This is called a floodable airlock or underwater airlock, and is used to prevent water from entering a submersible vessel or underwater habitat.
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