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]
Principle of operation of a Kugel fountain
(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.
(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]
Locations of kugel fountains
Notes
- Visible from Google satellite view
- Visible from Google street view
- Approximate
Gallery
World globe, Jack C. Taylor Conference Center of the United States Naval Institute, Annapolis
Celestial globe, weighing nine tons, being spun by a child
Lansdale station, Railroad Plaza, Lansdale, Pennsylvania
Kugel fountain in Dueren, Germany- The transplanted Döppersberger Brunnen[29] in its new location in the Willy-Brandt-Platz in Wuppertal, Germany
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. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- "Floating Sphere (Kugel ball fountain) from the market leader | KusserUSA". www.kusserusa.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- "Ring water feature". Brahma Granitech, India. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. 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. Archived from the original on 19 May 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
- "Spree-Bogen: Teil 3 | Moabit am Sonntag". 3 August 2014. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
- "Biggest Granite Sphere in Western Europe for Hamburg". Allianz-Realestate. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- ATRAKCJE TURYSTYCZNE: POLANICA ZDRÓJ, summer 2017 Archived 9 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine, 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)
- "Für 13'520 Franken auf Ricardo ersteigert: Weltkugel-Brunnen des Kursaals reist nach Lyss zu neuem Besitzer". TeleBärn (in Swiss High German). 18 October 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- Paultons Park Archived 6 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Summer 2008, Retrieved 15 June 2009
- "Columbus, Indiana Convention and Visitors Bureau". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
- "Hollywood Guinness Museum". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- "Plazas & Public Art". www.dillondesignassociates.com. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
- 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. Archived from the original on 3 October 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- Notre Dame Magazine Online Archived 6 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine, 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. Archived from the original on 19 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- "ReadingEagle.com: Healing garden at Reading Hospital allows visitors to reflect (image caption)". Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
- "Miracle Field Grand Opening This Saturday in Murfreesboro". Archived from the original on 2 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- "Bicentennial Park Map" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 June 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- "Atlas Walk Fountain". Archived from the original on 23 July 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- "Largest kugel". Guinness World Records. 8 January 2003. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- Darcy, Rick (26 July 2016). "CASPER'S 5 BEST WATER FEATURES [PHOTOS]". 95.5 My Country. Archived from the original on 2 May 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- "Five Points Foundation". Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- "St. Rita's Medical Center". Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- "Piazza d'Armi". Massa Carrara Live (in Italian).
- Bakerjian, Martha. "Carrara, Tuscany Guide". Martha's Italy.
- "Neuer Döppersberger Brunnen (1989) - Denkmal-Wuppertal.de". 5 January 2014. Archived from the original on 22 August 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
External links
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.
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