Abstract: A liquid gathering and transferring apparatus for gathering liquid from a liquid source containing a quantity of liquid having a liquid surface and containing debris and discharging the liquid into a liquid receiving location includes an intake chamber having a chamber discharge end in fluid communication with the liquid receiving location and a chamber structural end opposite the chamber discharge end and a chamber side wall extending between the chamber discharge end and the chamber structural end and a longitudinal series of liquid intake ports in the chamber side wall extending generally between the chamber discharge end and the chamber structural end, the intake ports being of generally increasing diameter along the chamber side wall toward the chamber structural end for minimizing liquid vortex formation at the intake ports; so that the intake chamber can be suspended below the liquid surface at a minimal depth where less debris is present and draw liquid with negligible vortex formation.

Abstract: A method of operation of marine locks includes the steps of supporting a first column of water within a lock chamber upon a vertically movable first floor, supporting a second column of water within a balance chamber upon a vertically movable second floor, supporting the first and second floors upon a confined volume of compressed air communicated between the lock chamber and the balance chamber and causing the first floor to rise or fall by application of upward or downward hydraulic pressure on the first floor while causing the second floor to move in the opposite direction by application of contrary hydraulic pressure on the second floor. Lock systems to perform the new methods are disclosed.