Kugel fountain
A kugel fountain (also called a "floating" sphere fountain or by the pleonasmic name kugel ball) is a water feature or sculpture where a sphere sits in a fitted hollow in a pedestal, and is supported by aquaplaning on a thin film of water. Pressurized water flows between the sphere and socket, creating a mechanical hydrostatic bearing that is nearly frictionless. The sphere can weigh thousands of kilograms, but the efficient bearing allows it to be spun by the force of a hand. The sphere does not float, being denser than water; it is often made from granite.[1] The hydraulics of the fountain can be controlled so that the axis of rotation of the sphere changes continually.[2] Ring sculptures that rotate on an axis are also built.[2][3]
(A) Water flowing between the sphere and its shaped holder lifts the ball slightly.
(B) Water flows over the sides into a reservoir.
(C) Water is pumped back in an endless loop.
(D) Pump.
(E) Ball can easily be moved by hand.
Kugel fountains can be found all over the world. Many are at popular tourist destinations, such as science museums,[4] shopping centers, lobbies, and gardens.
The term kugel is from the German word Kugel for ball or sphere.[5]
Kugel fountains
Celestial globe, weighing nine tons, being spun by a child.
Lansdale station, Railroad Plaza, Lansdale, Pennsylvania
Locations of kugel fountains
Notes
- Visible from Google satellite view
- Visible from Google street view
- Approximate
References
- Snoeijer, Jacco H.; van der Weele, Ko (November 2014). "Physics of the granite sphere fountain" (PDF). American Journal of Physics. 82 (11): 1029–1039. Bibcode:2014AmJPh..82.1029S. doi:10.1119/1.4886365.
- "Floating Sphere (Kugel ball fountain) from the market leader | KusserUSA". www.kusserusa.com.
- "Ring water feature". Brahma Granitech, India. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
- Amanda Oaks, Richmond in the Record Books, Richmond.com, 18 August, [2004], Retrieved 18 September 2007
- "German-English dictionary: Kugel translation". Reverso.net. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
- https://www.denkmal-wuppertal.de/2014/01/neuer-doppersberger-brunnen-1989.html
- "Biggest Granite Sphere in Western Europe for Hamburg". Allianz-Realestate. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ATRAKCJE TURYSTYCZNE: POLANICA ZDRÓJ, summer 2017, Retrieved on 8 August 2017 (in Polish)
- Kosmiczna fontanna w Tarnowie juz dziala Archived 15 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Spring 2011, Retrieved on 5 June 2011 (in Polish)
- Paultons Park Archived 6 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Summer 2008, Retrieved 15 June 2009
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Hollywood Guinness Museum
- "Plazas & Public Art". www.dillondesignassociates.com. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
- http://www.dillondesignassociates.com/Canyon3.JPG. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - The State Botanical Garden of Georgia: Art in the Garden Archived 26 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 30 May 2012
- "Fountain Plaza and Sculptures | Lafayette, IN – Official Website". www.lafayette.in.gov. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- Notre Dame Magazine Online, Summer 2001, Retrieved 31 July 2008
- "Top Stone, Inc. is Excited to Announce 'World's Largest' 4 Foot/5,500 Pound Basketball Rolling Sphere Fountain at 'Cornhuskers' Nebraska Devany Sports Complex". PRWeb. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ReadingEagle.com: Healing garden at Reading Hospital allows visitors to reflect (image caption)
- Miracle Field Grand Opening This Saturday in Murfreesboro
- Bicentennial Park Map
- "Largest kugel". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kugel fountains. |
- Snoeijer, Jacco H.; der Weele, Ko van (November 2014). "Physics of the granite sphere fountain" (PDF). American Journal of Physics. 82 (11): 1029–1039. Bibcode:2014AmJPh..82.1029S. doi:10.1119/1.4886365.
- Kugel fountain FAQ
- Terracache dedicated to the kugel fountain.
- Waymarking list of large kugel fountains, with GPS coordinates and images.