How Organs Work

SCHEMATIC DRAWINGS OF MECHANICAL ACTION ORGANS

SUSPENDED ACTION

  1. Bellows
  2. Valve
  3. Wind trunk
  4. Spring
  5. Pallet
  6. Pallet box
  7. Key
  8. Tracker
  9. Tone channel
  10. Slider
  11. Toe board
  12. Channel board
  13. Pipe
  14. Weight
  15. Case
  16. Trundle
  17. Roller
  18. Roller arm
  19. Stop knob
  20. Pivot
  21. Stop action backfall
  22. Air enters bellows
  23. Air enters organ

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SUSPENDED ACTION (ENLARGED)

  1. Bellows
  2. Valve
  3. Wind trunk
  4. Spring
  5. Pallet
  6. Pallet box
  7. Key
  8. Tracker
  9. Tone channel
  10. Slider
  11. Toe board
  12. Channel board
  1. Pipe
  2. Weight
  3. Case
  4. Trundle
  5. Roller
  6. Roller arm
  7. Stop knob
  8. Pivot
  9. Stop action backfall
  10. Air enters bellows
  11. Air enters organ

When the bellows (1) are raised manually, air (wind) enters them through the feeder valve (2). The bellows slowly deflate, pushed down by their weights (14), which sends air through the wind trunk (3) towards the pallet box (6) at a predetermined pressure.

When depressed, each key (7) pulls down its corresponding pallet or valve (5), allowing the air stored under pressure to be directed through channels in the wind chest to the corresponding pipes (13). Channels (9), sliders (10) and toeboards (11) together make up the wind chest.

The pipes sound because of the combination of the wind system (bellows, wind trunk, wind chest), key action (key, tracker, pallets) and stop action (draw knobs, sliders).

Each register or row of pipes is controlled by pushing or pulling the slider tabs which protrude from the sides of the organ (10). These move the interior sliders sideways and allow the air to pass from the wind chest to a particular rank of the pipes, if sound is desired, or to close off the air passage if those pipes are not meant to sound.

Restored Organs with Suspended Action

Basílica de la Soledad
Catedral de Oaxaca
San Matías Jalatlaco
Santo Domingo Tepelmeme
San Jerónimo Tlacochahuaya
Santa María Asunción Tlacolula
Santa María Asunción Tlaxiaco
Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán
San Pedro Zapotitlan Lagunas

DIRECT STICKER ACTION (TABLE ORGANS)

  1. Bellows
  2. Valve
  3. Wind trunk
  4. Spring
  5. Pallet
  6. Pallet box
  7. Key
  8. Tracker
  9. Tone channel
  10. Slider
  11. Toe board
  12. Channel board
  13. Pipe
  14. Weight
  15. Case
  16. Table
  17. Air enters bellows
  18. Air enters organ

Click here to download a copy

DIRECT STICKER ACTION (ENLARGED)

  1. Bellows
  2. Valve
  3. Wind trunk
  4. Spring
  5. Pallet
  6. Pallet box
  7. Key
  8. Tracker
  9. Tone channel
  1. Slider
  2. Toe board
  3. Channel board
  4. Pipe
  5. Weight
  6. Case
  7. Table
  8. Air enters bellows
  9. Air enters organ

When the bellows (1) are raised manually, air (wind) enters them through the feeder valve (2). The bellows slowly deflate, pushed down by their weights (14), which sends air through the wind trunk (3) towards the pallet box (6) at a predetermined pressure. When depressed, each key (7) pulls down its corresponding pallet or valve (5), allowing the air stored under pressure to be directed through channels in the wind chest to the corresponding pipes (13).

Channels (9), sliders (10) and toeboards (11) together make up the wind chest.

The pipes sound because of the combination of the wind system (bellows, wind trunk, wind chest), key action (key, tracker, pallets) and stop action (slider tabs, sliders).

Each register or row of pipes is controlled by pushing or pulling the slider tabs which protrude from the sides of the organ (10). These move the interior sliders sideways and allow the air to pass from the wind chest to a particular rank of the pipes, if sound is desired, or to close off the air passage if those pipes are not meant to sound.

Table Organs with Direct Action

San Andrés Huayapam
San Pedro Quiatoni
Santa María Natividad Tamazulapan
San Pedro Mártir Yucuxaco
San Andrés Zautla
Santiago Guevea de Humboldt
San Pedro Cholula
San Juan Bautista Coixtlahuaca
San Andrés Nuxiño
Santiago Ixtaltepec
San Miguel del Valle
Santa María Asunción Tlacolula