The special topic of this technology is the way of operating the
gate.
There are no hydraulics, no electric or other motors, either. The gate
wings are moved by metal rods which are combined by chains with a
system
of a diving bell with counter weights. The diving bells are located in
separate wells outside the lock basin and they are filled with water.
The
diving bell is tied to a counter weight that hangs between gate wing
and
wall by a chain.
When the diving bell is filled with air it floats up, the counter
weight
goes down and the rod shuts the gate.
When the diving bell is flooded again (by letting the air out) it would
sink but cannot because the gate is held closed by the water pressure
of
the filled basin.
As soon as the basin is empty the gate opens by itself.
Swivel gate open
The diving bell is filled with air and floats up, the
gate closes.
Diving bell up / Weights down / Gate closed
Is the diving bell flooded now, it cannot sink, because the gate is held closed by the water pressure of the filled lock basin.
Is the basin empty again, the gate opens by itself. (Both diving bells sink).
original text of 1898