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]
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
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
See also
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.
- 1 2 "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.
- 1 2 "Atlas Walk Fountain". Archived from the original on 23 July 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- 1 2 "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
- 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.