![]() Imagine an architectural water feature similar to the system described above. When the design intent is that the flows are not equal, the individual elements become active control factors. To function correctly, the complete system will have to be designed so that the flow rate through the stream equals the flow rates over the waterfalls balanced flow rates are controlling the design/engineering of the water feature system. This system could easily be built with a single pump recirculating water from the lowest basin to the uppermost pool above the first waterfall, replicating a system repeated countless times in nature. Here is an example of a design element functioning as a control element: imagine a dogbone-shaped water feature, with a broad waterfall pouring into a basin, which outflows into a narrow stream, which in turn flows into a pool and over another broad waterfall and basin before recirculating. Each of these components has an effect on the fountain’s water character, and these effects must be taken into consideration when the fountain is designed, lest they become undesirable controlling elements. Examples include weirs (setting and/or maintaining water levels,) runnel design (slope, profile, and texture controlling flow rate and velocity), hydraulic head, nozzle selection, etc. Not typically considered part of the control system, design elements of a fountain can, in fact, be very active control features. These systems run the gamut from extremely simple to highly complex the level of the system’s complexity, generally, is reflective of the overall complexity (or lack thereof) of the fountain being controlled. The reality, however, is that there are three control systems interacting with one another in any given fountain: the design of the fountain itself, the hydraulic system, and the electrical control system. When people think of the control system for a water feature, often the first thing to come to mind is the electrical control panel – a grey box attached to some conduits, with knobs and buttons on the face, or perhaps a touchscreen. By Chris Roy, Director of Creative Design, OTL, Inc.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |