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Concept
Airlock
Summary
An airlock is a compartment which permits passage between environments of differing atmospheric pressure or composition, while minimizing the mixing of environments or change in pressure in the adjoining spaces. "Airlock" is sometimes written as air-lock or air lock, or abbreviated to just lock.
An airlock consists of a chamber with two airtight doors or openings, usually arranged in series, which do not open simultaneously. Airlocks can be small-scale mechanisms, such as those used in fermenting, or larger mechanisms, which often take the form of an antechamber or other type of room.
An airlock may also be used underwater to allow passage between the air environment in a pressure vessel, such as a submarine, and the water environment outside. In such cases the airlock can contain air or water. This is called a floodable airlock or underwater airlock, and is used to prevent water from entering a submersible vessel or underwater habitat.
The procedure of entering an airlock, sealing it, equalizing the pressure, and passing through the inner door, is known as locking in. Conversely, locking out involves equalizing pressure, unsealing the outer door, then exiting the lock compartment to enter the ambient environment. Locking on and off refer to transfer under pressure where the two chambers are physically connected or disconnected prior to equalizing the pressure and locking in or out.
Before opening either door, the air pressure of the airlock chamber is equalized with that of the environment beyond the next door.
A gradual pressure transition minimizes air temperature fluctuations, which helps reduce fogging and condensation, decreases stresses on air seals, and allows safe verification of pressure and space suit operation.
When a person who is not in a pressure suit moves between environments of greatly different pressures, an airlock changes the pressure slowly to help with internal air cavity equalization and to prevent decompression sickness.
Official source
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