Sealed Canal Lock Water Storage with Vacuum Withdrawal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current canal lock water recirculation systems face inefficiencies due to reliance on underground pumps and open cisterns that lose water to evaporation, and are unable to handle the volume of traffic between oceans, particularly at the Panama Canal.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a sealable storage area with a compressor, such as a jet engine, to create a vacuum for withdrawing and storing water from the lock, and releasing it back using gravity, minimizing evaporation and optimizing water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If underground pumps and open cisterns are used for water recirculation, then water can be transported and stored, but water is lost to evaporation and the system cannot handle high traffic volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a sealable storage area with a flexible membrane or seal to create a closed system that prevents water evaporation. The storage area can be sealed tightly to the surrounding structure, creating an airtight barrier that eliminates water loss while maintaining the ability to store large volumes of water for high traffic periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a compressor to create a vacuum that actively withdraws water from the lock into the storage area. This pneumatic system allows for rapid water transfer and storage, enabling the system to handle high traffic volumes by quickly capturing and releasing water as needed, rather than relying on slow gravitational flow alone.
2Loss of substance
If a sealable storage area with vacuum compression is used, then water loss is minimized and traffic volume is handled efficiently, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealable storage area serves multiple functions: it stores water, prevents evaporation, and works with the compressor to enable rapid water transfer. The same sealed structure that prevents water loss also provides the containment needed for vacuum operation, reducing the need for separate complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the compressor to create a vacuum that automatically draws water into the storage area without requiring external pumping systems. The sealed storage area passively prevents evaporation through its own structure, reducing the need for additional active components and simplifying the overall system.
3Ease of operation
If the storage area is positioned above or level with the lock, then water can be released by gravity, but the vacuum compression requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage area is positioned at the same elevation as the lock, creating an equipotential situation where water can flow between them without gravitational potential energy changes. This eliminates the need for additional pumping to move water, allowing gravity alone to handle water release while the vacuum system manages the water withdrawal phase.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system efficiently recirculates and manages water supply for canal locks, reducing water loss through evaporation and ensuring a constant water supply, capable of handling high traffic volumes by storing and releasing water as needed.
Implementation Method 1
at least one compressor connected to the storage area to create a vacuum to withdraw the water from the lock into the storage area
Implementation Method 2
The at least one compressor is a jet engine
Implementation Method 3
the releasing includes opening a valve to allow the water to flow according to gravity from the storage area to the lock
Data Source
AI summary
A system for recirculating lock water includes a sealable storage area located near a lock for receiving water from the lock. The storage area is large enough to house the lock water with excess space between a maximum water level and the ceiling. The system also includes at least one compressor connected to the storage area to create a vacuum to withdraw the water from the lock into the storage area.