erator's intervention in other ongoing procedures
and programmed operation, triggered for exam-
affected by the alarm condition. An automated
ple by air temperatures, could allow such pneu-
alarm system would be designed to stop, modify,
matic or heating systems to produce beneficial
or adjust ongoing procedures without operator
results when otherwise they might be underuti-
response, increasing safety and reliability. Equip-
lized.
ment to monitor and control gate skew, as de-
Warning system for ice accumulation on barge
scribed earlier, would be an example of an auto-
bottoms at entrance to chamber. Some locks experi-
mated alarm system.
ence groundings of barges in winter, either on
Monitoring and controlling sump pumping equip-
the lock chamber floor or over gate sills, due to
ment. Sump pumping equipment is just one cate-
the buildup of ice on the bottom surface of barg-
gory of general lock machinery, but it is high-
es. It is usually impossible to determine if a
lighted here because it is usually a constant oper-
barge is so affected until a problem arises. Ex-
ational task to maintain. Automation of such
perimental systems have been developed for de-
equipment, with monitoring and alarm provi-
tecting this ice by remote-sensing means. These
sions, would therefore contribute to an important
techniques could be further perfected to be part
reallocation of personnel resources.
of an automated detection and alarm system that
would signal the problem before the barge en-
Debris and ice control
tered the chamber, in time for the barge to be re-
Virtually all locks have systems for the control
moved from the queue.
of debris and/or ice. These systems are deployed
on an as-needed basis, which for some projects
Dam operations
means infrequently.
The various dam operations that may be con-
Programmed operation of pneumatic debris or ice
sidered for automated operation are discussed
flushers and screens. Pneumatic systems ("bub-
below and are listed in Table 3.
blers") for controlling debris or ice are usually
made up of several individual components. They
Gate operation and control
are usually not designed to operate simulta-
There is a wide variety of gate designs and
neously, because this would require unnecessari-
operational sequences. Gates at many Corps
ly large compressor capacities. However, certain
dams have some degree of remote operation
designs are intended to be operated in specific
and/or position indication, but any significant
sequences, now under manual control. For exam-
level of programmed operation would call for
ple, cross-chamber air screens are operated to
greater degrees of automation.
create an ice-free area upstream of miter gates,
Remoting of gate position information and gate
and then gate-recess air flushers are operated to
operation. As indicated above, many dams al-
remove ice from behind the opening gates, with
ready have this minimum level of automation. It
the ice moving into the area just developed by
is a virtual necessity wherever a project's opera-
the operation of the cross-chamber screen. The
tions are part of coordinated basin management
sequences could readily be programmed into au-
under a water control center. Options that may
tomated controls to allow operational personnel
serve overall automation objectives involve
to give greater attention to monitoring system
choices as to where remote operation may be
performance rather than actual operation.
conducted, such as only at the local project's
Interlocks between components of pneumatic
control room, at one project for a number of
debris control or ice control systems. As noted
nearby projects, or at a water control center for
above, certain components of pneumatic debris
most or all projects in a basin.
and ice control systems are not usually operated
Controlling rate of gate motion, including provi-
together. Programmed operation could provide
sion for variable rates. With gate movement con-
for interlocks to prevent the operation of selected
trolled by programmed automation equipment,
components together.
it would be possible to choose rates of gate
Temperature-triggered operating programs for ice
movement and select gate speeds to achieve hy-
control systems. Under many winter conditions
draulic or environmental objectives. For exam-
the operation of ice control systems could be op-
ple, very gradual gate movements could elimi-
timized if they operated frequently for short peri-
nate surges that might increase the risks of bed
ods, but operating personnel are generally too
scour below the dam, or might affect water qual-
busy to follow such schedules. Thus, automated
ity for fish.
8
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