A sequencing fountain is an ornamental fountain that cycles through a series of patterns of water flow under the control of a programmable control unit. They are typically installed in city centres and

shopping mall A shopping mall (or simply mall) is a North American term for a large indoor shopping center, usually anchored by department stores. The term "mall" originally meant a pedestrian promenade with shops along it (that is, the term was used to refe ...

s as well as smaller-scale domestic applications.

History

While fountains have existed since

antiquity Antiquity or Antiquities may refer to: Historical objects or periods Artifacts *Antiquities, objects or artifacts surviving from ancient cultures Eras Any period before the European Middle Ages (5th to 15th centuries) but still within the histo ...

, programmable choreography in fountains is a development of the late

19th century The 19th (nineteenth) century began on 1 January 1801 ( MDCCCI), and ended on 31 December 1900 ( MCM). The 19th century was the ninth century of the 2nd millennium. The 19th century was characterized by vast social upheaval. Slavery was abolis ...

. During the 20th century, a variety of technology was developed to enhance the programmability of water features and fountains. One such development is the sequencing device. Sequencing devices achieve fast and smooth water sequencing effects within a large water feature. A

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device can produce sequencing effects of up to 10x per second at high switching speeds with no water hammer.

How used

Over the past number of years fountain designers have been experimenting with interactive water features enticing the viewer in to participate. Fountains that entertain and are choreographed with music and color-changing lights have become more popular.

Switching devices

Decorative fountain systems employ fluid amplifiers"Fluid Amplifiers"
Seminar Topics Project Ideas to generate their decorative displays and effects. Fluid amplifiers rely on a fluid control stream to switch a fluid power stream. Fluid amplifiers are so named because a low-energy fluid control signal can control and switch a high-energy fluid power stream to produce an output signal of higher energy level than the fluid control signal. In fluid amplifiers, a fluid power stream, after leaving a nozzle, is switched selectively to one or more of a plurality of outlet passages. This may be done by supplying fluid control pressure continuously, or as a pulse, to one of the control ports at the exit end of the nozzle until the high-energy power stream is diverted. Alternatively, switching may be effected by closing the other control port so that the fluid that is flowing in through one control port from the atmosphere or some other source will create a sufficient fluid pressure imbalance adjacent the exit end of the nozzle to effect switching of the fluid power stream. In use, a fluid amplifier would typically be connected to, and receive the high-energy power stream from, a separate fluid supply manifold that had been previously installed. Typical Installation for Fountains Typical Installation for Playdecks

Where used

* White Square, Moscow, Russia * Oasis and Allure of the Seas, AquaTheatre * Town Lake, Austin, USA * Easton Town Center, Columbus, USA * Gateway Theatre of Shopping Boulevard Water Feature, Durban, South Africa * Metropolitan

Warsaw Warsaw ( pl, Warszawa, ), officially the Capital City of Warsaw,, abbreviation: ''m.st. Warszawa'' is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the River Vistula in east-central Poland, and its population is officia ...

, Poland * Kuala Lumpur City Centre Fountain, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia * Starlight Spectacular / Royal Fountain , Canada's Wonderland, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada

References

{{Reflist

External links

"Crystal Creates Dynamic Water Feature In Moscow"
Aqua magazine Fountains