: Historically used in underwater tunnels and bridge foundations (caissons) to transition workers from atmospheric pressure to high-pressure work zones.
: It can lead to sputtering faucets, no water flow in gravity-fed systems, or the failure of pumps that rely on liquid for lubrication.
: Vital for space vehicles, allowing astronauts to exit for spacewalks while keeping the cabin pressurized. air lock
An air lock (or vapor lock) occurs when gas becomes trapped in a high point of a liquid-filled pipe system, partially or completely blocking the flow .
In engineering, an air lock is a chamber that allows people or objects to pass between areas of different air pressures without significantly changing the pressure of either environment. : Historically used in underwater tunnels and bridge
Related resources for this article ... Courtesy of Elgood-Mayo Corp., Lancaster, Pa. Courtesy of Elgood-Mayo Corp., Lancaster, Pa. Britannica Kids
: Air can enter a system during maintenance, pump restarts, or through dissolution in the liquid itself. air lock - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help An air lock (or vapor lock) occurs when
: Pharmaceutical facilities use them to prevent contamination by maintaining a pressure cascade between rooms. 2. Fluid Blockage (Plumbing & Irrigation)