An Herodotus machine, or bottom-source, up-stair, hybrid pump and step lock system, includes synchronized reciprocating cross-gate displacers with commonly synchronized gates and floating body movers; specifically including a sequence of ascending adjacent step locks separated by gates with reciprocating gears on axles aligned over respective gates. A chain over each reciprocating gear has a displacer on each end, with one displacer in the upper lock and the other displacer in the lower lock. Rotating first, the downstream displacer descends to raise the lower lock water level, while the upstream displacer rises to lower the upper lock water level, and vice versa on the reverse gear rotation. Displacers are sized such that water levels in alternate pairs of upper lock and lower lock are made the same. The gate is then opened and a watercraft can be transferred from the lower lock to the upper lock or vice versa.

An Herodotus machine, or bottom-source, up-stair, hybrid pump and step lock system, includes synchronized reciprocating cross-gate displacers with commonly synchronized gates and floating body movers; specifically including a sequence of ascending adjacent step locks separated by gates with reciprocating gears on axles aligned over respective gates. A chain over each reciprocating gear has a displacer on each end, with one displacer in the upper lock and the other displacer in the lower lock. Rotating first, the downstream displacer descends to raise the lower lock water level, while the upstream displacer rises to lower the upper lock water level, and vice versa on the reverse gear rotation. Displacers are sized such that water levels in alternate pairs of upper lock and lower lock are made the same. The gate is then opened and a watercraft can be transferred from the lower lock to the upper lock or vice versa.

The invention is an immersion system for decontamination of ship outer surfaces while a ship is located in a lock structure. The lock structure is modified with an inflatable bladder and shortened containment gates. When the ship enters or exits the lock structure, the inflatable bladder is deflated before opening the containment gates. When the inflatable bladder is deflated, a lower treated fluid layer sinks and water adjacent to the lock structure enters the lock through wall ports to create an upper fluid layer on which the ship enters. When the ship is located in the lock structure and the containment gates are closed, the inflatable bladder is inflated. When the inflatable bladder is inflated, the lower treated fluid layer rises and surrounds the ship surface to kill invasive aquatic species.

The invention is an immersion system for decontamination of ship outer surfaces while a ship is located in a lock structure. The lock structure is modified with an inflatable bladder and shortened containment gates. When the ship enters or exits the lock structure, the inflatable bladder is deflated before opening the containment gates. When the inflatable bladder is deflated, a lower treated fluid layer sinks and water adjacent to the lock structure enters the lock through wall ports to create an upper fluid layer on which the ship enters. When the ship is located in the lock structure and the containment gates are closed, the inflatable bladder is inflated. When the inflatable bladder is inflated, the lower treated fluid layer rises and surrounds the ship surface to kill invasive aquatic species.

The invention is an immersion system for decontamination of ship outer surfaces while a ship is located in a lock structure. The lock structure is modified with an inflatable bladder and shortened containment gates. When the ship enters or exits the lock structure, the inflatable bladder is deflated before opening the containment gates. When the inflatable bladder is deflated, a lower treated fluid layer sinks and water adjacent to the lock structure enters the lock through wall ports to create an upper fluid layer on which the ship enters. When the ship is located in the lock structure and the containment gates are closed, the inflatable bladder is inflated. When the inflatable bladder is inflated, the lower treated fluid layer rises and surrounds the ship surface to kill invasive aquatic species.

An Herodotus machine, or bottom-source, up-stair, hybrid pump and step lock system, includes synchronized reciprocating cross-gate displacers with commonly synchronized gates and floating body movers; specifically including a sequence of ascending adjacent step locks separated by gates with reciprocating gears on axles aligned over respective gates. A chain over each reciprocating gear has a displacer on each end, with one displacer in the upper lock and the other displacer in the lower lock. Rotating first, the downstream displacer descends to raise the lower lock water level, while the upstream displacer rises to lower the upper lock water level, and vice versa on the reverse gear rotation. Displacers are sized such that water levels in alternate pairs of upper lock and lower lock are made the same. The gate is then opened and a watercraft can be transferred from the lower lock to the upper lock or vice versa.

An Herodotus machine, or bottom-source, up-stair, hybrid pump and step lock system, includes synchronized reciprocating cross-gate displacers with commonly synchronized gates and floating body movers; specifically including a sequence of ascending adjacent step locks separated by gates with reciprocating gears on axles aligned over respective gates. A chain over each reciprocating gear has a displacer on each end, with one displacer in the upper lock and the other displacer in the lower lock. Rotating first, the downstream displacer descends to raise the lower lock water level, while the upstream displacer rises to lower the upper lock water level, and vice versa on the reverse gear rotation. Displacers are sized such that water levels in alternate pairs of upper lock and lower lock are made the same. The gate is then opened and a watercraft can be transferred from the lower lock to the upper lock or vice versa.