(With extra pictures and video) A major road bridge with no need to open because ships “submerge” under it – this is the new Tilting Lock invented by Dutch engineers at Royal HaskoningDHV.
The Tilting Lock (in Dutch: Kantelsluis) is a floating structure which has two separate water filled channels with space for five yachts at a time. When the lock is level, the water surface in both channels is 4 metres lower than the water in the river.
Adding 8 Metres Vertical Clearance
After the yacht has entered the channel, the lock tilts and submerges the boat by 8 metres. After the boat has passed under the bridge, the lock reverts to its original position to level the water in-and outside the channel. This way almost all yachts will be able to pass under bridges without the bridge having to open and thereby preventing traffic congestion.
Royal HaskoningDHV's Tilting Lock does not pump water and no weight is being displaced. It remains in position, with tilting being the only movement.
Energy Use
In normal weather conditions, the tilting requires 0.04 kWh of energy, as little as an ecolamp needs to burn for four hours. The lock tilts 32 degrees in three minutes and it takes thirty seconds to set the tilting in motion.
Stopping the tilting produces energy, as do the solar panels on the lock. This energy will be used to tilt the lock and for lighting, as well as opening and closing the lock doors.
Capacity
The lock will be made of steel and will be built at a wharf and then transported to its final location. The lock’s capacity is fifteen to thirty oversized yachts per hour depending on width and length of the lock. Smaller yachts will still be able to pass the bridge as normal.
Pay-Back Time
The investment for building such a lock is € 60 million, depending on size. A cost/benefit analysis predicts the Titling Lock at a busy Dutch opening bridge, such as the Haringvlietbrug, will yield € 100 million over a period of 25 years, with a pay-back time of twelve years.
Applicable as Ordinary Lock
The Tilting Lock can also be used as an energy efficient ordinary lock with no water being lost when moving ships from higher to lower water levels – a persistent problem in canal systems that are dependent on rainwater to maintain sufficient water depth.
Picture: Sailing boats pass under the bridge.
Below a video of the Tillting Lock as well as some extra artist impressions. Please click the pop-out link (the little squares at the bottom right) to view them in their proper dimensions.
