Pnigeus

Water organ according to the description of the Heron of Alexandria

A pnigeus is a hydraulic air reservoir for an organ and is used to regulate and stabilize the wind pressure.

The technique of the pnigeus was already known in antiquity . In the 3rd century BC The mechanic Ktesibios from Alexandria developed the so-called water organ ("Hydraulis"), an organ-like instrument whose wind pressure was regulated by water. A simple Pnigeus, the structure of which is comparable to a gasometer, served as an air reservoir . A pump is used to supply air to a funnel that is open at the bottom and is standing in a container half filled with water . This forces the water in the funnel back into the surrounding container. The upper end of the funnel is connected to the wind box for the pipes , the so-called arcula . During the game there was an almost constant pressure in it, as air continuously flows in from the Pnigeus, whereby the water level in it rises again.

Remarks

1. ↑ The History of Music: Organs ( Memento of the original from June 27, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English)