Well Pumping System Construction

Abstract

A well pumping system construction having top and bottom seals spaced within a well casing or well shaft forming a combination water storage and air pressure tank chamber therein. A water delivery pipe communicates with and extends through the tank chamber and is connected at the lower end to a pump and is connected at the upper end to a water supply line above the well casing. Pump controls are located at top of the delivery pipe above the well casing and are enclosed by a protective housing. A conduit within the well casing provides the means for inflating the bottom seal, provides a well breather passage, and contains the electrical wires for the pump.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to water well pumping systems and more particularly to well system constructions in which a combination air pressure and water storage tank chamber is formed within the well casing or shaft. The tank chamber communicates with the related pump controls located on top of the well casing eliminating the need of a separate tank and controls at a distant location. The lower tank seal may be of various constructions for installation in the well casing or in the well shaft below the well casing in order to form a sufficiently large tank chamber.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Present deep water well systems used in many rural and suburban homes include a well casing which is inserted into a well shaft providing access to a water pool below. A delivery pipe extends throughout the well casing and well shaft having a submersible or jet pump attached at the lower end in the water pool. The delivery pipe is connected to a combination storage and pressure tank, generally located at a distant point, for maintaining the house water system pressure within a predetermined range and to eliminate repeated pump operations each time water is drawn out of the system. Such tanks are usually located in a basement, garage or pump room and have the associated pump control equipment located nearby.

This system has the disadvantage of the unsightly tank and control equipment in the basement or garage and the additional space required for their installation. A greater problem arises for mobile homes or homes built without a basement or garage in which to place such equipment. Such situations have resulted in the need to build a separate and expensive pump room to contain the tank and pump controls.

Known well constructions which attempt to eliminate these problems by incorporating the pressure and storage tank within or around the well casing have many disadvantages and have proved unsatisfactory. Some constructions provide a tank having a diameter larger than the well casing, placed in the ground and connected to the top of the well casing or surrounding the upper part of the well casing. These installations require large and deep excavations to contain the tank, since such tanks should be located beneath the frost line in cold climate areas to prevent freezing. Such tanks must be of a material capable to resist deterioration when buried in the ground and, therefore, are expensive. Likewise, the means used to connect the tank to the well casing and to the delivery pipe require special connections and discharge couplings which are expensive and difficult to install.

Well pumping constructions in which a tank is formed within the well casing, heretofore, have required special expensive discharge heads for exiting the delivery pipe from the well casing and tank chamber below the frost line. Also, known lower seals are difficult to install beyond a coupling joining two sections of casing without damaging the sealing ring. Thus, in most installations the lower seal must be located within the uppermost casing section thereby preventing a sufficiently large tank chamber from being formed to contain the needed amount of water and air to prevent numerous pump operations.

Likewise, elaborate float and valve means are needed in such belowground pressure and storage tanks to emit and eject water and air into the tank for proper pumping operations. Maintenance or replacement of these operating valves and floats is expensive due to their location within the tank chamber and well casing.

Occasionally in drilling a well shaft, rock will be encountered eliminating the need for installing a well casing through the rock area to the water pool. These situations prevent forming of a storage chamber within the well casing if a sufficient length of well casing is not installed prior to encountering the rock, since known chamber sealing means must be installed within a well casing.

These problems are solved and the difficulties encountered are eliminated by the well pumping system construction of the invention which permits a pressure and storage tank chamber to be formed and properly spaced in a well casing or well shaft with relatively simple sealing means, permitting an aboveground delivery pipe exit, and locating the pump controls at the well casing top exit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Objectives of the invention include providing a well pumping system construction in which a pressure and storage tank chamber is formed within the well casing; providing a well system construction in which the tank chamber seals are of a simple construction, void of moving parts and in which the bottom seal is easily located at various depths in the well casing; providing a well system construction in which a delivery pipe exists aboveground eliminating expensive and difficult to install discharge heads; providing a well system construction in which the lower tank chamber seal can be located within the well shaft below the well casing; providing a well system construction in which the pump controls are located at the well casing exit above ground level without the danger of freezing; providing a well system construction eliminating the need for inducing and expelling air in and from the tank chamber during each pumping operation; and providing a well system construction which is simple in construction and installation, and which eliminates difficulties heretofore encountered, achieves the objectives indicated, and solves problems and satisfies needs existing in the art.

These objects and advantages are obtained by the well pumping system construction of the invention, the general nature of which may be stated as including a well shaft, a well casing extending from aboveground into the well shaft; bottom and top sealing means spaced within the well casing forming a tank chamber between the sealing means and the well casing; the bottom sealing means having an inflatable member expandable within the well casing; air-liquid separator means located within the tank chamber; a delivery pipe extending throughout the well shaft having openings formed therein, communicating with the tank chamber; pump means attached to a lower end of the delivery pipe; a supply pipe connected to the delivery pipe above the well casing; pump control means located above the well casing communicating with the pump means and the tank chamber; conduit means extending downward from a point above the well casing through the top and bottom sealing means; said conduit having electric wires contained within and formed with a breather passage and an inflate passage; said inflate passage communicates with the inflatable member in the bottom sealing means for inflating said member, said breather passage terminates in the casing below the bottom sealing means and said wires supply power to the pump means; and housing means placed over the pump controls and the aboveground well casing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention - illustrative of the best mode in which applicants have contemplated applying the principles--is set forth in the following description and shown in the accompanying drawings, and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view, with parts in section showing the well casing pressure and storage tank construction;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2--2, FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 3--3, FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4--4, FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5--5, FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 6--6, FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view, with parts broken away, of an alternate lower seal construction;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 8--8, FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, with parts broken away, of another alternate lower seal construction;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10--10, FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 11--11, FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 12--12, FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 13--13, FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 14--14, FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view, with parts broken away, of a noninflatable alternate lower seal construction;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken on line 16--16, FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 17--17, FIG. 15.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The improved well pumping system construction (FIG. 1) includes a well casing 1 which extends into a well shaft 2 formed in the ground 3. A bottom seal 4 is located within casing 1 at a predetermined distance below a top seal 5 forming a tank chamber 6 between seals 4 and 5 and casing 1.

A delivery pipe 7 extends throughout casing 1 and shaft 2 to a water pool below, having a pump means 7a attached to the lower end of pipe 7 below the water level. The pump controls 8 are attached to an elbow 9 at the top end of pipe 7 at the junction with a supply line 10.

Pump controls 8 consist of a usual pressure switch 11, pressure gauge 12 and wires 13 which connect switch 11 to a source of electrical power. Supply line 10 connects delivery pipe 7 to the house or other location where the well water is to be pumped. Supply line 10 may consist of a sleeve 14, elbows 15, a coupling 16 and sections of pipe 17 which extend parallel to casing 1 into ground 3. Pipe 17 should extend a sufficient distance into ground 3 so as to be below the frost line before extending outward from casing 1.

A housing 18 which includes an outer shell 19 and an inner lining 20 of insulation, such as styrofoam, is placed over the exposed well system components to protect them from physical damage and from freezing in cold climates. The lower end of housing 18 preferably extends into ground 3 below the frost line. Air vents 21 are formed in the top of housing 18 and are covered by a baffle plate 22.

Top seal 5 is a usual packing type seal which includes upper and lower circular steel plates 23 and 24, respectively, which are slightly smaller than the inner diameter of casing 1. A flange 25 is formed on upper plate 23. A central opening 26, oblong opening 27 and a plug hole 28 are formed in each plate 23 and 24. A disc 29 of sponge or resilient material is located between plates 23 and 24 and is expanded outward against casing 1 providing an airtight seal when plates 23 and 24 are drawn toward each other by bolts 30. Likewise, flange 25 is seated tightly against the casing top edge 31 as bolts 30 are tightened.

Bottom seal 4 includes an inflatable bag 32 molded to and located between concave circular plates 33. Plates 33 are formed with central openings 34 and aligned offset openings 35. A short section of delivery pipe 36 extends through central openings 34 and bag 32, and is secured to plates 33 preferably by tack welds 36a. Pipe 36 has a plurality of openings 37 formed near the top end beyond top plate 33. A tubular boss 38 surrounds each opening 35 and extends outward from plate 33.

An oblong-shaped conduit 39 (FIG. 3), preferably molded of rubber and having electrical wires 40 embedded within, is formed with a breather passage 41 and an inflate passage 42 throughout its length. Conduit 39 is inserted through openings 27 in top seal plates 23 and 24 and secured therein by the expansion of disc 29. Conduit 39 extends through tank chamber 6 and through openings 35 in bottom seal plates 33, and terminates a short distance below bottom seal 4.

A rubber gasket 43 is located within each boss 38 and is formed with an opening 44 similar in shape and size to conduit 39 (FIGS. 5 and 6). A washer 45 having an opening 46 is forced against gasket 43 by the inturned edges 47 of nut 48. The force exerted by washer 45 expands gasket 43 within boss 38 forming an airtight seal for conduit 39.

A usual air valve stem 49 (FIG. 3) is connected to inflate passage 42 at the top of conduit 39 and may be secured therein by a coupling 50. A plug 51 is inserted into inflate passage 42 at the lower end of conduit 39 below bottom seal 4. An opening 52 is formed in conduit 39 prior to placing conduit 39 through seal 4 which opening is located within bag 32 and communicates with inflate passage 42 for inflating bag 32 (FIG. 6). The upper and lower ends of breather passage 41 are left open to provide an air passage between the atmosphere above ground 3 and the space below bottom seal 4 to prevent a vacuum from being formed above the water pool after repeated pumping operations. Likewise, breather passage 41 permits the air above the water pool, which is at a constant, moderate temperature, to be drawn into housing 18 which maintains the ambient air surrounding pump controls 8, tank chamber 6 and supply line 10 at a nearly uniform temperature. This prevents both freezing during the winter and overheating during the summer. Electrical wires 53 are connected with conduit wires 40 at 54, and extend downward to pump means 7a.

The assembly of the well pumping system construction is relatively simple requiring no special tools or equipment. The required distance between seals 4 and 5 needed for sufficient storage capacity is determined after drilling of well shaft 2 and insertion of well casing 1. Delivery pipe section 36 of bottom seal 4 is connected to delivery pipe 7 by sleeves 55 at a determined location, so that bottom seal 4 is at the proper distance below top seal 5 after pipe 7 is inserted into casing 1. Conduit 39 is inserted through and secured to bottom seal 4 and the wiring connection made at 54. Delivery pipe 7 is then lowered into casing 1 after attachment and connection of pump means 7a. Top seal 5 is then attached to casing 1 forming chamber 6 and securing pipe 7 and conduit 39 in their proper position. Bag 32 may then be inflated through inflate passage 42 by means of an air bottle, air compressor, or the like connected with valve stem 49 expanding bag 32 against casing 1 forming an air and watertight bottom seal.

Pump controls 8 are then installed and connected, and pump means 7a is operated, partially filling tank chamber 6 with water. A usual check valve (not shown) mounted in the pump means prevents return flow of the water from chamber 6 into the water pool. An oil base liquid, similar to mineral oil, normally used in aboveground well pressure and storage tanks is poured into chamber 6 through top seal hole 28 where it forms an air-liquid separator film 56 on top of the water 56a. A plug 28a may then be placed in hole 28 to seal chamber 6. A sufficient amount of compressed air is then introduced into chamber 6 through delivery pipe 7 and delivery pipe openings 37 by means of a second valve stem 57 connected to elbow 9, until the usual air and water ratio needed for efficient operation, as in an aboveground pressure-storage tank is obtained.

The pumping operation of the new well construction is similar to a usual aboveground pressure-storage tank system. Incoming water 56a which is forced upward by pumping means 7a, enters chamber 6 through openings 37 causing separator film 56 to rise in the chamber. The trapped air in the top of the chamber above film 56 is thus compressed causing the chamber pressure to increase. This pressure is transmitted through delivery pipe 7 to pressure switch 11 which is set to deenergize the pumping means upon the pressure reaching a predetermined level. The chamber pressure decreases as water is withdrawn through delivery pipe 7 and supply line 10. Switch 11 energizes the pump means when the chamber pressure drops to a predetermined minimum level refilling chamber 6 and thus repeating the above operation.

Well installations in which the lower end of shaft 2 is formed in sufficiently solid rock 58 eliminates the need of installing casing 1 completely throughout shaft 2. Heretofore, in many such installations the forming of a sufficiently large tank chamber 6 has been prevented by this reduced casing length. The use of a slightly modified bottom seal 59 in shaft 2 at the location of rock 58 (FIGS. 7 and 8) enables the correct size chamber 6 to be formed. Seal 59 is similar to seal 4 except a larger inflatable bag 60 is used between plates 33 to provide a greater sealing area against the uneven rock 58. A usual collar sealing means 61 may be formed at the junction of casing 1 with rock 58.

The diameter of uninflated bag 60 being smaller than the inner diameter of shaft 2 enables seal 59 to be easily located within shaft 2 without damaging bag 60 by movement against rock 58. Bag 60 is inflated in a similar manner as bag 32, after seal 59 is properly located within shaft 2, and conforms to the uneven rock 58 providing an air and watertight bottom seal for chamber 6.

An alternate inflatable bottom seal construction for mounting within well casing 1 is indicated at 62 (FIGS. 9 and 10). Seal 62 includes spaced circular metal plates 63 secured to a short section of delivery pipe 36 as by tack welds 64. Plates 63 are formed with central openings 65 through which pipe 36 extends, and is provided with aligned offset openings 66 through which a valve assembly 67 extends. The peripheries of plates 63 are formed with generally S-shaped flanges 68 which project toward the opposite plate 63.

A replaceable tire-like boot 69, formed preferably of neoprene rubber, has a flat center section 70 which terminates in inturned lips 71. Boot 69 is easily compressed and snapped between plates 63 with lips 71 engaging plate flanges 68.

Valve assembly 67 is preferably molded of rubber having an upper valve stem 72 and a lower valve stem 73 formed at its respective ends, with a short section of flexible conduit 74, therebetween. Stems 72 and 73 are each formed with annular grooves 75 which engage plates 63 forming airtight seals at openings 66 when stems 72 and 73 are inserted through plates 63 (FIG. 11).

A breather passage 76 is formed throughout valve assembly 67 with an inflate passage 77 being formed only in upper stem 72. Conduit 74 may have a circular cross section as shown in FIG. 14 having electrical wires 78 molded within, and extending through lower stem 73 for connection with pumping means 7a. Wires 78 terminate in buttons 79 at the upper end of stem 72 for contacting similar buttons 79 attached to wires 40. A threaded sleeve 80 is bonded to the upper end of stem 72.

Installation of alternate seal 62 within well casing 1 is similar to the installation of seals 4 and 59 except for the connection of conduit 39 to seal 62. A gasket 81 is inserted in stem sleeve 80 and the lower end of conduit 39 is telescoped through gasket 81 abutting the end of stem 72. Breather passage 41, inflate passage 42 and wires 40 of conduit 39 align with breather passage 76, inflate passage 77 and wires 78 of stem 72, respectively. A washer 81a and nut 82, similar to washer 45 and nut 48, secure conduit 39 within stem sleeve 80.

An alternate, noninflatable lower seal construction for use in the new well pumping system construction is indicated at 83 and is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

Seal 83 includes a circular plate 84 which is formed with a central opening 85 and an offset opening 86. A flexible cylinder 87, preferably formed of neoprene rubber or the like, is supported on plate 84. Cylinder 87 includes a circular end wall 88 which abuts plate 84 and bellows-like side walls 89 which terminates in an open upper end 90. End wall 88 is formed with a central opening 91 and an offset opening 92 which align with plate openings 85 and 86, respectively.

A delivery pipe section 36 extends through central openings 85 and 91 for connection to delivery pipe 7 and is secured to plate 84 as by welds 93. A valve stem 94 is inserted through and secured in offset openings 86 and 92 by means of annular groove 95 formed in stem 94. Valve stem 94 is somewhat similar in construction to valve stem 72, having wires 96 imbedded within, a threaded sleeve 97 secured to the stem top, and formed with a breather passage 98.

A conduit 99 (FIG. 17) preferably having an outer shape similar to conduit 39 has electric wires 100 imbedded within and is formed with a breather passage 101. Conduit 99 is aligned and secured to valve stem 94 in a similar manner as valve 72 and conduit 39 described above, and extends through top seal 5 with wires 100 connected to pressure switch 11.

Pipe 36 of seal 83 is connected to delivery pipe 7 by sleeves 55 prior to being lowered within well casing 1. Side walls 89 are expanded lengthwise while being lowered within casing 1 by contact with casing 1. After seal 83 is lowered to its proper depth, delivery pipe 7 is pulled upward a short distance, compressing side walls 89 and forming a tight seal against casing 1. Water is pumped into chamber 6 through delivery pipe openings 37 filling cylinder 87 and expanding side walls 89 outward against casing 1 providing an even tighter seal with casing 1.

A separator film 56 is formed in chamber 6 and compressed air is introducted to achieve the initial air to water ratio. Likewise, the pumping operation and the pump means control are the same as described above. However, no inflate valve stem 49 and inflate passage is required for alternate seal 83.

Accordingly, the new well pumping system construction provides a means for forming an air pressure and water storage tank chamber within a well casing and well shaft; provides a construction having an aboveground delivery pipe exit and having the pump controls located near the well; provides a construction easy to install and maintain; and provides a construction which is effective, safe, inexpensive and efficient, which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior constructions, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly contrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the well pumping system construction is made and operates, the characteristics of the new construction, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained, the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, procedures, and methods are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. Well pumping system construction including a well shaft extending downwardly into the ground to a water pool below; a well casing extending from a point above the ground downwardly into said shaft; an inflatable bottom sealing means and a top sealing means spaced within said well casing, said sealing means forming an air and water chamber therebetween with said casing; a water delivery pipe extending from a point above the ground downwardly into the well shaft to said water pool; said delivery pipe being formed with openings, said openings communicating with said chamber; pump means communicating with said delivery pipe for pumping water from the water pool into the chamber; air-liquid separator means placed within said chamber; pump control means communicating with said pump means; a water supply pipe connected to said delivery pipe at a point aboveground; air breather means extending from below said bottom sealing means to a point above said top sealing means; and means for inflating said bottom seal.

2. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the inflatable bottom sealing means includes a pair of spaced plates; in which each plate is formed with an opening, through which openings said delivery pipe extends; in which an inflatable member is located between said plates; and in which said inflating means communicates with said inflatable member.

3. The construction defined in claim 2 in which the inflatable means is bag-like and is bonded to said pair of spaced plates; in which a pair of oppositely located bosses extend outward from said plates; and in which said inflating means extends through said bosses and communicates with said inflatable means.

4. The construction defined in claim 2 in which the pair of spaced plates are each formed with central openings and opposite offset openings; in which said delivery pipe extends through said central openings and in which said inflating means extends through said offset openings; in which said plates have peripheral flanges extending inward toward each other; in which said inflatable means is a tire-like boot having a generally flat center portion when expended against said casing; and in which said center section terminates in inturned lips, said lips engaging said plate flanges.

5. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the inflating means is a molded flexible conduit formed with an inflate passage; in which an opening is provided in said conduit communicating with said inflate passage; and in which said opening communicates with the bottom sealing means.

6. The construction defined in claim 5 in which electric wires are embedded within said conduit; and in which said wires extend between and connect to said pump means and to said pump control means.

7. The construction defined in claim 5 in which said conduit means is formed with a breather passage; and in which said breather passage extends from below said bottom sealing means to a point above said top sealing means.

8. The construction defined in claim 1 in which a housing covers said well casing which extends aboveground; covers said pump control means; and covers said supply pipe.

9. Well pumping system construction including a well shaft extending downwardly into the ground to a water pool below; a well casing extending from a point above the ground downward into said shaft; a bottom sealing means and a top sealing means spaced within said well casing, said sealing means forming an air and water chamber therebetween with said casing; a water delivery pipe extending from a point above the ground downwardly into the well shaft to said water pool; said delivery pipe being formed with openings, said openings communicating with said chamber; pump means communicating with said delivery pipe for pumping water from the water pool to the chamber; air-liquid separator means placed within said chamber; pump control means communicating with said pump means; a water supply pipe connected to said delivery pipe at said terminal point aboveground; and air breather means extending from below said bottom sealing means to a point above said top sealing means.

10. The construction defined in claim 9 in which said bottom sealing means includes a plate, a flexible cylinder supported on said plate; in which said cylinder has an end wall abutting said plate, and bellows-like side walls forming an open upper end, in which said side walls contact said casing; in which a pair of openings are formed in said cylinder end wall; in which a pair of similar openings are formed in said plate, which plate openings align with said end wall openings; and in which the delivery pipe extends through one pair of aligned openings, and in which the air breather means and pump control means extend through the other pair of aligned openings.

11. Well pumping system construction including a well shaft extending downwardly into the ground to a water pool below; a well casing extending from a point above the ground downward in said shaft; a top sealing means disposed in said well casing and an inflatable bottom sealing means disposed in said well shaft spaced below said top sealing means, said sealing means forming an air and water chamber therebetween with said casing and shaft; a water delivery pipe extending from a point above the ground downwardly in the well shaft to said water pool; said delivery pipe being formed with openings, said openings communicating with said chamber; pump means communicating with said delivery pipe for pumping water from the water pool to the chamber; air-liquid separator means placed within said chamber; pump control means communicating with said pump means; a water supply pipe connected to said delivery pipe at said terminal point aboveground; and air breather means extending from below said bottom sealing means to a point above said top sealing means.