Anyone might be interested in the answer to the question - “ how does the fountain work?", because today you can quite often find fountains not only in squares and parks, but also in country houses or just on the table at home. Today fountains are classified into static, sculptural, musical and color-dynamic, but also into indoor ones: floor and tabletop. Despite their widespread use, as well as the variety of shapes and sizes, fountains have almost the same method of operation.
How does the fountain work?
Conditionally fountain can be characterized by a device in which water gushing from a source (in Latin means fons), then falling into a bowl of a certain shape, flows back into a container container and is then used again. In other words, a fountain is a mechanism for the water cycle. The reservoir or container can be a real pond or some kind of container, skillfully hidden, mainly in the base of the sculpture. If the fountain is installed “on land”, then a fountain bowl is mounted under the base of the sculptural composition. The height of the fountain, in this case, directly depends on the size of the reservoir and water pressure. The shape or pattern of the fountain is determined by the nozzle, which shapes the flow of water and determines the appearance of the fountain.
In a closed circulation system, the water moves and rises up using a pump. It should also be mentioned that the water in the fountain is regularly updated, since the initial supply of water, after a certain period of time (due to evaporation of water and other factors), will not be enough for the fountain to fully operate.
By water supply method fountains
can be divided into: circulation and flow
. In circulation fountains, water flows through a closed, closed system. Flow-through fountains are distinguished by the fact that the water in them is constantly renewed. The main container or reservoir for circulation fountains is located at the bottom. This container, which varies in shape and size depending on the fountain, is often a decorative ceramic bowl. Water rises from the bowl using a pump. Then, having risen to the top, the water flows back down into the tank. As a result, circulation fountains do not require water outflow or water supply connections.
In flowing fountains, in which the water is constantly renewed, there is a reservoir into which the water flows and is discharged into the drain.
For fountains, submersible and surface pumps are used. Submersible pumps are used for ordinary simple fountains, and in the case of installing several fountains, with a certain height difference, surface pumps are required.
It is famous for many such structures that were built in estates and on the territory of palaces. But they began to decorate streets, parks, and boulevards with particular activity in the first half of the 20th century. Today there are 700 different water features in the capital. The fountain season in Moscow is from early spring to autumn.
The meaning of fountains
They have always played a big role in the lives of native Muscovites and guests of the capital. Some people remember their first date, which took place in a public garden near a fountain; others will never forget their wedding day near the magnificent cascade that can be seen on Poklonnaya Hill.
It is a pity that today we more often perceive this magnificence as a kind of device that tells us about the change of season. Turned off means winter is coming, turned on means summer is ahead. Preoccupied with our own problems, we run past these magnificent structures without appreciating their beauty. Let's stop running for a moment and look at some of the fountains that decorate our capital.
Fountain at the Bolshoi Theater
This grandiose monument is known not only to Muscovites, all residents of the former Soviet Union, but also to many citizens of foreign countries. He is business card capital Cities.
It was built in 1835. The author of the project is I. Vitali, a famous sculptor at that time. His creation became the first public fountain in Moscow, although similar designs have been known since the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich. It was he who organized water fun in Kolomenskoye using “foreign wonders.”
They planned to place a fountain on this site at the beginning of 1940. V.I. Dolganov worked on the creation of the project, but all the plans of the city planners were destroyed by the war. This issue was returned to only after the Great Victory. In 1987, the fountain and square near the Bolshoi Theater were dismantled. The fountain was restored only ten years later. The opening was timed to coincide with the 850th anniversary of our capital. But this was a different fountain, developed in the workshop of the Mosproekt-2 company.
The fountain was placed on an improvised podium in the center of the round square. The composition consists of three bowls containing two types of vases. Spectacular night lighting with colorful lanterns adds to the theatricality of this magnificent water feature.
Today, many fountains operate in the capital. Moscow is proud of these unique structures, but the Bolshoi Theater had and remains to this day a special attitude towards the construction. Perhaps because our dear WWII veterans chose this place for meetings on the day of the Great Victory.
"Rusalka" on Myasnitskaya
The photos you see in our article are all very different. They were built in different time, were designed by different architects, but they are all infinitely dear to the residents of the capital. Like, for example, the “Mermaid” fountain, located on Myasnitskaya Street. It is located in a small but cozy park near the Stroganov Art School.
Today there is no reliable information about who is the author and performer of the water maiden. This concrete sculpture in the center of the bowl is the body of a beautiful girl. It is beautifully curved. and the maiden's head are painted pink, blue and brown.
"The Rape of Europa"
The capital has very unusual and original fountains. Moscow received a composition called “The Rape of Europe” as a gift from the Belgian capital, Brussels. It was installed in 2002 at Kievsky railway station. Its author is avant-garde sculptor Olivier Streble.
The composition of the fountain is based on the figure of a bull in the interweaving of 18-meter pipes. The figure of the kidnapped Europa among the water jets is not easy to see, although experts say that the image of the girl is still present in the composition. It is symbolized by artfully curved pipes, visualizing charm and femininity.
The structure, made of stainless steel pipes, is located in the granite bowl of the dynamic light fountain. Its diameter is 26 meters.
Singing fountains in Moscow
Probably, even native Muscovites have not seen all the water facilities that exist in their city. As we have already said, you can see a variety of fountains in the capital. Moscow treats old structures with care, many of which today are historical monuments.
However, the biggest interest is in water structures with special effects. Every evening they bring together not only tourists from all over the world, but also local residents. The largest such fountain is located in the Tsaritsyno nature reserve, where Empress Catherine II loved to relax.
It was opened in 2007. The fountain is located in a natural reservoir. Its diameter is 55 meters, depth is 1.5 meters. The design consists of 900 jets. The computer controls the direction of flowing water, changing colors, music, according to a pre-developed program. Two works by P. I. Tchaikovsky (“March” and “Waltz of the Flowers”) and two melodies by Paul Mauriat are used here. This beautiful fountain Only open during the spring and summer season. During the rest of the year it is covered with a protective awning.
There is also a singing fountain in Gorky Park. To see its color effects, you need to come to the park at 22.30. The performance lasts 30 minutes.
In 2005, on the 60th anniversary of the victory in the Second World War, the Music of Glory fountain was installed on Glory Square near the Kuzminki metro station. This building was not created for entertainment, but as a monument.
Water and its sources have always been attractive to people. This applies not only to natural sources of water, but also to those created by the efforts and skills of man himself. Of course, we are talking about fountains.
What is the attraction of these buildings? The positive emotions that this non-stop water cycle can evoke are so alluring and magical. The design of the fountain can be different; modern technologies make it possible to create a fountain project that works virtually from scratch.
The classic design of a fountain requires the presence of two required elements:
- bowl - its purpose is to divide the water flow in different directions. Another purpose of the bowl is to hide pipe routing, equipment for adjusting water jets and lighting elements under a layer of water;
- pumping station, located in most cases in the underground part of the fountain. Pumping equipment is usually represented by two pumps - the main one and the backup one.
There is also a replenishment system that allows you to maintain the water level necessary for the normal functioning of the fountain. Most often, this system operates in automatic mode using a solenoid valve connected to the control system.
The valve opens when a signal is sent from the measuring electrodes that the water level has dropped to the minimum permissible. Once the normal level is reached, the valve closes automatically.
The fountain drainage system is designed to remove water in anticipation of the winter period or to clean the bowl.
The fountain device can include a lighting system consisting of:
- sealed lamps installed in a bowl;
- a control system consisting of a timer, step-down transformers and other equipment installed in the pumping station.
Types of fountains
Depending on the design features, fountains can be:
- static;
- color-dynamic;
- sculptural;
- musical.
The reservoir for ensuring the water cycle in the fountain can be either a natural source - a river, lake, pond, or a very small container, specially installed and decorated with plants or sculptures.
The appearance of the fountain determines its functional features. It can perform not only an aesthetic function, but also be a source of decorative lighting, as well as humidify and make hot summer air cooler.
The principle of operation of the fountain is explained in detail in the video:
3 fountains “Joy of Victory”, which are located in Moscow, on Poklonnaya Hill, have 6 bowls, they go in a semicircle, capturing the Museum building in the south-eastern part. They are called segmental, due to the fact that they divide this semicircle into segments.
The jet nozzles, which stand in bowls shaped like clear shot glasses, were previously installed on the Four Seasons fountain, which is located on Manezhnaya Square.
The trial launch of the fountains takes place in mid-April, and they are finally launched every year, according to tradition, on April 30, when the city mayor opens the fountain season.
Coordinates: 55.73320000,37.51076800
Riga Fountain
In 2007, a fountain was installed in the center of the square near the Rizhsky railway station in Moscow, which has the appearance of a traditional European water intake structure, consisting of an octagonal bowl, decorated with bronze ornaments along the edges of the octagon and a column located on a pedestal in the center. The top of the column is crowned by a caravel made of bronze and forged copper, 2.1 meters high, rotating on an axis. The fountain is faced with white, red and brown granite. The details are made of bronze and artificial granite. At the bottom of the pedestal there are niches in which streams of water flow from decorative elements. The jets and water mirror are illuminated by hidden lamps located under the inner edge of the parapet of the fountain bowl. The height of the composition including the caravel is 12 meters.
Fountain "Table"
The various fountains of Ukrainian Boulevard make an indelible impression. Among them is the "Table" fountain - a bowl decorated around the circumference with original elements, from which many jets of different heights emerge vertically.
Fountain-rotunda "Natalia and Alexander"
The rotunda fountain "Natalia and Alexander" was installed in honor of the bicentenary of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin.
The fountain was installed near the Church of the Ascension of the Lord outside the Nikitsky Gate. It was here that Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin married Natalya Nikolaevna Goncharova.
The rotunda fountain was built according to the design of architects Mikhail Belov and Maxim Kharitonov. The sculptural composition was made by sculptor Mikhail Dronov.
According to the architects, new monument should have been harmoniously combined with the architectural image of the famous church. A couple in love - Alexander and Natalya - is surrounded by columns, which are crowned by a dome covered with a special composition that imitates gold.
The monument attracts many loving couples and newlyweds who come here for wedding photo sessions.
Coordinates: 55.75764800,37.59754200
Fountain "Friendship of the Peoples of the USSR"
The fountain “Friendship of the Peoples of the USSR” is one of the main attractions of Moscow. It was erected according to the design of engineer V.I. Klyavin and the famous architect K.T. Topuridze, the construction work was carried out by a team led by A.I. Bazhenova and I.M. Tchaikov. The building embodied the ideals of peace and friendship, which were the central policy line and main strategy of the USSR in the early 50s.
The fountain has a granite stepped base that resembles a flower and smoothly turns into a cup-shaped sheaf of sunflowers and ears of corn. Near it are installed figures of 16 girls, which symbolize the republics that were part of the USSR before 1956. They shimmer beautifully in the light of the sun, as they are covered with gold leaf.
The surface of the water mirror of the fountain occupies an area of about 4 thousand square meters, and the volume of the bowl of the structure is 4000 cubic meters. In 2009, the “Friendship of the Peoples of the USSR” fountain was reconstructed - engineering communications were updated, excellent lighting was installed, which changes 16 times an hour, and supporting structures were strengthened.
Coordinates: 55.82981800,37.63172000
Geyser Fountain
The Geyser Fountain is the main fountain of Manezhnaya Square and the most important fountain of the capital. Every year, on April 30 at 17:00, a small performance takes place here, at the end of which the Mayor of Moscow pronounces the words “Turn on the fountains!” and pours water from a special crystal horn into the “Geyser” bowl, and the first jets rise towards him.
The fountain's jets shoot sharply upward, fall and shoot out again, like a volcano geyser. The fountain is the main thing of the entire fountain complex, which runs from the Alexander Garden to Manezhnaya Square. It was installed in 1996. Since that time, only the jet design has changed; initially the jets flew up in the form of transparent glasses.
The fountain, on Manezhnaya Square in Moscow, “Geyser”, includes a composition consisting of four horses in the center of the fountain - “Four Seasons”, each of the horses symbolizes a certain season. The sculptor of the entire composition is Zurab Tsereteli.
Coordinates: 55.75584600,37.61602900
Fountain "Pillars"
If you move from the Kievsky railway station to Kutuzovsky Prospekt along Ukrainian Boulevard, the first fountain that you will encounter on the way is “Pillars”. The fountain is an irregularly shaped pool, from the water of which a series of powerful single jets shoot straight upward.
Fountain complex "Years of War"
The fountain complex, called “Years of War,” was opened in Moscow, on Poklonnaya Hill in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Victory in 1945. The complex consists of five fountains located along Kutuzovsky Prospekt and is part of the Victory Memorial, which includes a museum, an obelisk, a church and sculptural compositions.
An original solution is the red illumination of the fountain jets in the evening, which symbolizes the color of blood spilled on the battlefields. And the jets of the fountains installed opposite the Church of St. George the Victorious shoot out like a festive victory fireworks.
The entire fountain complex operates around the clock, maintenance of the facilities is carried out from a single place.
Coordinates: 55.72968400,37.51168000
Fountain "Music of Glory" in Kuzminki
The light and music fountain complex "Music of Glory" was opened on May 7, 2005 on the 60th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
According to the architects' idea, the fountain was built as a monument similar to the memorial complex on Poklonnaya Gora. In one large octagonal bowl there is a whole complex of fountains, where the main components are the “Pyramid of Memory” and the “Victory Fanfare”.
In the center of the bowl there is an amphitheater made of pink granite - the “Victory Wreath”. The bottom of the bowl is divided into a black half and a white half.
On the black half there is a tetrahedral ten-meter “Pyramid of Memory” made of red granite. The four sides of the pyramid symbolize four years of war. The pyramid is washed by the water of the fountain, creating the feeling that the entire fountain is mourning for the fallen.
The "Victory Fanfare", located on the light half, consists of seven silver columns of different lengths, rushing into the sky and united by military flags. The height of the fanfare is about 21 meters. "Victory Fanfare" symbolizes the music of victory over the fascist troops. Under the columns there is a white granite stone.
The fountain operates in two main modes - everyday and festive, which is accompanied by dynamic color and light-music effects. Several scenarios have been developed for the holiday mode, including “Battle”, “Mourning”, “Victory Salute”, “War Waltzes”.
IN southeastern district The capital's fountain is one of the central places for Muscovites to walk.
Fountain "Youth"
Located almost opposite the Ukraine Hotel. In the center of the fountain there is a gilded sculpture by A. Burganov. The design is an elegant bowl with an openwork gilded bottom and water jets that directly create the image of the vessel itself. A tall gilded pillar emerging from the center of the bowl is crowned with a sculpture of a running girl. In the evening, the fountain is illuminated by decorative lighting.
Fountain "Adam and Eve"
The Adam and Eve fountain was opened in honor of the 860th anniversary of Moscow near the Novokuznetskaya metro station.
The sculptural composition was designed by a group of architects led by Viktor Simonikhin. The sculptor is Marina Levinskaya.
The fountain is a large bowl made of granite. At its center are Adam and Eve, who are sitting on a snake. Eve is holding an apple in her hands. Next to them is an openwork tree on which birds and insects, covered with gold leaf, sit. Water cascades into the bowl and to the sides. In the evenings, the stream of water is decorated with multi-colored lighting.
There is a flower garden around the fountain.
Coordinates: 55.74194600,37.62909600
Fountains on Poklonnaya Hill
The complex of fountains on Poklonnaya Hill is located in the west of Moscow. 5 fountains along Kutuzovsky Prospekt are called “Years of War”. It contains 15 fountain bowls, each of which has 15 vertical jets. Their total number symbolizes the 225 weeks that the Great Patriotic War lasted.
Fountain "World Clock"
The World Clock fountain is the main dome of the Okhotny Ryad underground shopping arcade. This is a watch with a unique dial, on which the names of cities are indicated. The glass dome rotates slowly and makes a full revolution in a day. You can use the clock to find out the time in major cities world with an accuracy of five minutes, hence the name of the fountain.
To determine the time using the World Clock, you need to know some subtleties. The rotating dome is divided into 24 sectors, which are the time zones of the Earth. The lower ring with numbers remains motionless. At what number the time zone intersects with the fixed panel, there are so many hours in this city now. And minutes can be determined by the lamps: one burning lamp means 5 minutes.
Coordinates: 55.75587500,37.61583800
Fountain "Cascades"
The various fountains of Ukrainian Boulevard make an indelible impression. Among them is the “Cascades” fountain, along the steps of which water smoothly flows into the pool located below. There is a balcony above the steps from where you can look at the flowing water.
Fountain Vitali
The Vitali Fountain is located on Theater Square. This is the oldest operating fountain in Moscow. It was opened in 1835 and was called Petrovsky - after former name Theater Square. According to the author - sculptor Ivan Vitali - 4 cupids are placed under the fountain bowl: Poetry, Tragedy, Comedy and Music. At that time, the fountain was not just a decoration. Due to the insufficient development of the capital's water supply, city residents collected water from it for their needs, and watered horses here.
Today the Vitali Fountain is an ancient monument and an interesting landmark of modern Moscow. The first winter LED lighting was installed on it. There are also many legends and rumors surrounding this object. According to one of them, it is believed that under the fountain there is an entrance to the secret Metro-2.
Coordinates: 55.75787500,37.61979500
Fountain "Stone Flower"
The "Stone Flower" fountain is truly a miracle of architecture; its amazing shapes were inspired by Bazhov's fairy tales. This beautiful fountain adorns Kolkhoz Square at VDNKh.
There are not so many things that can work independently, without an external source of energy, and Heron’s fountain occupies a special place among them. Its main advantage is that it works thanks to the natural laws of nature, without spending external energy.
In fact, everything is not quite like that - this is not a perpetual motion machine, and certainly not a source of free energy. Such a fountain needs regular “recharging” - depending on the design, it may be required every 15-50 minutes. In principle, this is a simple procedure that will require a person to swap a couple of containers. It is the independent work that makes Heron’s fountain interesting, the independent production of which we will talk about in this article. Together with the Dream House website, we will understand its design, study the principle of operation and answer the question, how to make this miracle with your own hands?
How to make Heron's fountain photo
Heron's Fountain: how it works
If we use clever terms, the operation of the Heron Fountain is based on the principle of hydropneumatics - the work of pushing water upward in a stream is done by air and the liquid itself. Naturally, this cannot be done without gravity, thanks to which the necessary pressure is created in the fountain system. This fountain consists of at least three containers.
As you understand, such a fountain will work until the liquid in the upper container is used up - after which a recharge is required, due to which this system has nothing in common with a perpetual motion machine or an endless source of energy. Recharging Heron's fountain is quite simple - a full flask (the one that was bottom) is installed instead of an empty container installed on top, which, in turn, is placed instead of a full container. After recharging, the fountain will need to be started - you will need to add some water to the upper bowl.
As you can see, everything is quite simple, and even the principle of making Heron’s fountain with your own hands is no exception. In its elementary version, it is assembled from plastic bottles and transparent tubes - naturally, you will need a bowl, a mounting structure and various little things that we will deal with as we study the question of how to make a Heron fountain with your own hands?
How to make Heron's fountain: assembly features
So, the principle of operation of the Heron fountain is clear; now it remains to understand the intricacies and options for its assembly. There are several different designs.
In principle, this is the entire system of the Heron Fountain. The only thing that needs to be added here is to clarify a few details. Firstly, the entire system must have exceptional tightness - there should be only a few open places (drain from the bowl and fountain nozzle). Well, and secondly, the height of the jet of this fountain directly depends on the distance between the upper and lower containers - you will have to adjust this whole thing yourself at your discretion.
How to make Heron's fountain: what can be improved
They say that there is no limit to perfection, and almost any thing can be modernized ad infinitum - this is not entirely true, but nevertheless, the possibility of improving any product is almost always available. The Fountain of Heron is no exception in this regard - there are many things that can be modernized in it.
In general, despite the fact that in general Heron’s fountain is a very well-thought-out product, there is still room for its improvement and, apparently, there is no limit to this place. To conclude the topic, it remains to add that according to the principle described above, it is possible to produce quite a lot of different systems, ranging from small experimental models of fountains to huge working models. With the latter, however, the problem of recharging arises, which is very, very difficult to solve without a pump or other ingenious modern devices.
