Intelligent jug: an Old Iranian Technology

Abstract

This jug operates according to the differences between densities of two liquids such as water and oil. It consists of a jug with a mechanism inside, and two side outlets at the bottom of the jug. The inside mechanism consists of a horizontal balance rod which can tilt around the connection point of the rod and a vertical stand attached to the bottom of the jug. A cup and a balancing weight are attached to each end of the rod and liquids poured into the cup are emptied to either side of the jug according to the tilting direction of the balance rod .The tilt direction is determined by the density of the fluid and the balancing weight This jug was manufactured and tested as a part of a research project, called, "Iranian old technologies" undertaken by mechanical engineering research center of the Iranian Research Organization for Science Technology (IROST). The magic jug was originally designed by Ahmad Ben Musa Shakkir Khorassani of the 9th century A.C, one of the three brothers of "Bano Musa Shakkir Khorassani ". The original design is presented in the "book Al Hiyal" written by Ahmad Ben Musa. The jug was tested for suggested operation in the book (Al Hiyal) to withhold the concept of the design and to establish correct operation of the jug. However, minor modifications were made to its original design and it was tested and as a result the jug operated as expected.

Keywords

• banu musa ahmad ben musa jug book al hiyal intelligent magic jar