The gates remain closed until the water level in the present lock reaches the level of the forward lock at the Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal
Gates Closed
The gates start to open …
Gates Opening
Opening the Locks
Open Gates
Once the gates are fully open, it is clear sailing to Lake Gatun
Open Sailing
A catamaran leads the car-container ship through the locks and onto Lake Gatun
A Catamaran Leads
The lock gates for the third set of locks (expansion) on Panama Canal basically consist of two orthotropic steel plates (skins) held apart by truss structures and plates forming the compartmented buoyancy chamber that, when submerged, reduce the operational weight carried by two rolling wagons. These steel structures, as large as 187 by 105 by 33 feet, are supported by an upper wagon, running on rails situated in the gate recess, and a lower wagon, running on rails situated in the lock chamber. The gates are opened and closed by drive systems consisting of cables, winches, and sheaves.
Closing the Gate
Gate Closed
Palace Gates
The tall and sturdy wooden gates of this palace in India were meant not only for protection but also to accommodate elephants (and the carriages) that provided transportation to the maharaja