Sector gate

The sector gates, or Tainter gates, are designed for use in wide open-channel flows, or for covered channels or at the end of a penstock. The concept consists of a curved gate leaf in form of a sector of cylinder connected to its rotation axis by an openwork pivot arm. Due to the fact that hydraulic pressure is applying to a cylindrical form, it does not exert any resistive torque to the hoisting, making it possible to lift the gate with moderate force. Water can flow over the crest of the gate but more generally flows under the gate sill. Sector gates are operated by hydraulic cylinder, chain or cable hoists.
These gates consist of a gate leaf, closing a sluice on 3 or 4 sides, which rotates partially around pivot points under the action of a handling mechanism. The pivot points are located high over the sill and are entirely out of the flow when the gate is completely open. Water can then run out freely below. Water under pressure flows under the gate, even in partial opening, making it possible to control the upstream level or the water flow.

Applications:

The sector gates allow controlling the upstream water level. Their geometrical characteristic (convergent forces of pressure in the centre of rotation limiting the handling torque) makes them particularly adapted to the sites with large hydraulic pressure (gates with wide dimension or under important load). For precise level regulation, they can be provided with an integrated flap gate at the crest of the structure.

Type of handling mechanism:

The sector gates can be operated by one or more hydraulic cylinders, by an electric actuator, directly or via cables or chains. Many alternatives of positioning of the hoist mechanism make it possible to adapt to all the sites.