Technical Overview
The Diagonal Lock is designed as an alternative to a traditional flight of locks, connecting the canal at the summit of an incline to the canal at the base.
The concept is based on the construction of a watertight, concrete tube built on the incline
- allowing boats to float securely inside the tube as the water level is varied via a system
of pumps.
The proposed design is inherently simple, consisting of 4 key components - click the links below for details.
 |
The Diagonal Lock - Overview
- Narrow boats access the summit via a traditional lock gate.
- The boats enter the lock tube and are secured to the floating bollard.
- Engines are turned off, and boaters can then disembark if they wish.
- The water is pumped out of the lock tube into side pounds, enabling the boats to descend into the tube.
- When the boats reach the base of the lock tube, the bottom gate is opened.
- Boaters embark at the base, the boats are untied from the floating bollard and can continue their journey on the canal.
- The process is reversed for boats ascending from the base to the summit.
|
 |
Floating Bollard
Allowing a boat to float unsecured inside a concrete tube would doubtless lead to damage of either boat or cargo. When a boat enters the lock tube it will be secured to the floating bollard, this is essentially a floating dock that keeps the boat steady within the lock tube.
Once the boat is secured, the engine can be turned off and passengers and crew can exit, leaving the boat to ascend or descend unmanned. A guide wheel fixed on top of the floating bollard will run in a groove in the lock tube, further minimising movement during transit.
A lightweight canopy can be fixed to the top of the floating bollard to protect the boats from drips inside the lock tube.
|
 |
The Lock Tube
A concrete, watertight tube that can be customised both in height and gradient to meet the challenges of diverse terrains and environments. The lock tube will be large enough in diameter to ensure that a range of vessels can be accommodated.
A system of pumps will fill / empty the lock tube with water, allowing the boats to ascend / descend the incline. The speed of transit will be determined by the pump system and the gradient and size of the tube, approximate estimates indicate that a Diagonal Lock which replaces an equivalant of 4 traditional locks could be traversed in 30 minutes.
If built in a rural environment, the lock tube could be landscaped over if necessary - minimising the visual impact on scenic countryside.
|
 |
Side Pounds
Water can be pumped to and from side pounds to vary the water level in the lock tube. The use of side pounds ensures that the Diagonal Lock can operate at a consistent and predictable level, irrespective of variable water supplies in the surrounding waterway network.
In locations where there is a guaranteed water supply, the lock tube can be filled directly from the canal, eliminating the need for side pounds and therefore reducing initial construction costs.
As with the lock tube, side pounds can be landscaped over to minimise the visual impact on the canal and its surrounding enviroment.
|
 |
Bottom Gate
When a boat descends to the bottom of the lock tube the bottom gate will open to enable the boat to exit. Conversely, during an ascent the bottom gate will be closed, ensuring the water pressure is maintained throughout the ascent.
Although the water pressure in the lock tube when completely full will be relatively high the bottom gate will be custom-made to withstand these pressures, using similar technology to that used in existing flood defence sluice systems in the U.K.
|
Commercial & Technical Viability
The Diagonal Lock technology has been assessed by various technical and research organisations, resulting in the following conclusions:
- The key components of the Diagonal Lock utilize standard construction technologies which would make best use of precast solutions - this increases the speed and ease of construction. One Diagonal Lock is likely, depending on specific site condition, to be more cost effective to construct than a flight of 4+ conventional locks for the equivalent incline.
- Ongoing maintenance costs will be less than the cost of maintaining a flight of conventional locks.
- The ability to re-use water using side pounds will produce quantifiable environmental benefits.
- The Diagonal Lock will be a powerful focus of interest and generate an economic boost to the local community - through increasing tourist numbers and attracting investment into the area.
