The sector gate of the ship lock can hold water in both directions and operate under some water head，and has the outstanding advantages of opened lock operation and filling and emptying by gate gap，which can significantly improve the operation efficiency of the ship lock.In view of the high quality development requirements of inland water transport and the technical requirements of opened lock operation of many new ship locks，this paper systematically summarizes the practical application and the related research progress of opened lock operation and filling and emptying by gate gap of sector gate，and expounds the main influencing factors affecting its application.Based on the analysis of the main problems existing at present，it is proposed that the operation experience should be combined with the test and research of relevant technical indicators to create the basic theory and standard of opened lock operation and filling and emptying by gate gap so as to provide scientific basis for its wide application.