air lock

air·lock

or air lock A5168500 (âr′lŏk′)n.1. An airtight chamber, usually located between two regions of unequal pressure, in which air pressure can be regulated.2. A bubble or pocket of air or vapor, as in a pipe, that stops the normal flow of fluid through the conducting part.

air′ lock`

n. 1. an airtight chamber permitting passage to or from a space, as in a caisson, in which the air is kept under pressure. 2. an impedance in the functioning of a pump or a system of piping caused by the presence of an air bubble; vapor lock. [1855–60]

Thesaurus

Noun

air lock - a chamber that provides access to space where air is under pressureairlockchamber - a natural or artificial enclosed space

Translations

air lock

lock, air:

see air lockair lock,
compartment connecting two different environments, usually at different pressures, that enables personnel to transfer from one environment to the other. Space capsules have air locks to enable astronauts to move between the pressurized cabin and the near vacuum of
..... Click the link for more information. .

air lock,

compartment connecting two different environments, usually at different pressures, that enables personnel to transfer from one environment to the other. Space capsules have air locks to enable astronauts to move between the pressurized cabin and the near vacuum of space. A more common example is the air lock between the outer atmosphere and the working chamber of a caissoncaisson
[Fr.,=big box], in engineering, a chamber, usually of steel but sometimes of wood or reinforced concrete, used in the construction of foundations or piers in or near a body of water. There are several types.
..... Click the link for more information. . By its means access can be gained to the working chamber without loss of pressure. It is also used at the head of tunnel excavations underwater. There is a door at each end. When the outer door of the air lock is opened, men or material may be admitted into the compartment. After the outer door is closed, compressed air is admitted to raise pressure in the air lock to the level of the pressure in the working chamber, and the inner door can be opened. The reverse of this procedure takes place on leaving the working chamber. Great care must be exercised in passing workmen through an air lock, so that the change of atmospheric pressure takes place gradually. Too sudden a change of pressure may cause decompression sicknessdecompression sickness,
physiological disorder caused by a rapid decrease in atmospheric pressure, resulting in the release of nitrogen bubbles into the body tissues. It is also known as caisson disease, altitude sickness, and the bends.
..... Click the link for more information. .

Air lock

A lobby or small room with self-closing doors to allow access between two other spaces while restricting the amount of air exchanged between them.

air lock

[′er ‚läk] (engineering) 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. An air bubble in a pipeline which impedes liquid flow. A depression on the surface of a molded plastic part that results from air trapped between the surface of the mold and the plastic. (mining engineering) A casing atop an upcast mine shaft to minimize surface air leakage into the fan.

air lock

1. A space which is designed to isolate an air conditioned space from another space to which it is connected. 2. In a pump or piping system, the stoppage of flow resulting from the presence of trapped air. 3. An enclosure with control doors between two rooms that permits the ingress and egress from one room to another while permitting minimal air movement between rooms.

air lock

i. A stoppage or diminution of flow in a fuel system, hydraulic system, or the like caused by a pocket of air or vapor. Often called vapor lock.
ii. A chamber capable of being hermetically sealed that provides for passage between two places of different pressure, as between an altitude chamber and the outside atmosphere.

air lock

air·lock

air′ lock`

air lock

lock, air:

air lock,

Air lock

air lock

air lock

air lock

air lock

Synonyms for air lock

noun a chamber that provides access to space where air is under pressure

Synonyms

Related Words