Nautical Term: Air-tight door
Definition of Air-tight door
An air-tight door is a door specifically designed to prevent the passage of air when closed. These doors are commonly found in maritime contexts, such as in air locks or other compartments where maintaining an air pressure difference is necessary for safety or operational reasons.
For instance, when a sailor needs to enter or exit a submarine or an airtight storage compartment, they must do so through an airlock, which typically consists of two interconnected chambers. The first chamber, or the outer chamber, is kept at the atmospheric pressure of the surrounding environment. The second chamber, or the inner chamber, is kept at the desired air pressure level, which could be higher or lower than the atmospheric pressure of the surrounding environment.
To transfer a person or cargo between the two chambers, the sailor first enters the outer chamber and seals the door to that chamber. Next, the sailor opens the inner chamber door, and, while ensuring that the inner chamber is at the desired air pressure level, the sailor enters the inner chamber and seals the door to that chamber. Once both doors are sealed, the sailor can transfer the person or cargo between the two chambers, as needed
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