Abstract:
A method of supplying water from a well is provided. The method includes the following steps. First, a supply apparatus is provided that includes a container having first and second ends and a first chamber extending to a first opening in the second end. The supply apparatus also has a first fluid conduit with a first branch for use in transporting the water from the first chamber. Next, at least a portion of the second end of the container is submerged within the water in the well such that the first chamber contains a quantity of air. Then, at least a portion of the quantity of air from the first chamber is removed by an air compressor thereby drawing a vacuum within the first chamber. The vacuum in turn draws a quantity of water from the well into the first chamber through the first opening. Next, the removal of air from the first chamber is stopped when the water has obtained a first predetermined level within the first chamber. The first opening is then closed. Compressed air is supplied to the first chamber from the air compressor above the first predetermined level of water thereby forcing at least a portion of the quantity of water out of the first chamber and through the first branch of the first fluid conduit. Finally, the supply of compressed air to the first chamber is stopped when the water has obtained a second predetermined level within the first chamber. In another embodiment the container has two chambers permitting continuous supply of water.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention pertains to the art of moving fluids and more specifically to methods and apparatuses for supplying water from an underground well. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Methods and apparatuses for obtaining water from underground wells are generally known within the related art. In rural circumstances water is typically drawn from a well by way of a pump and supplied to a pressurized tank near the occupant&#39;s home. When the occupant turns on the water (typically by opening a faucet) water is delivered from the tank. When the pressure within the tank drops below a predetermined level the pump provides additional water to the tank for use by the home occupants. In other words, the pump operates to re-pressurize the system. Such pumps are known to experience wear especially if sand or other such material should enter into the pump with the water. 
     The present invention eliminates the need for a separate pressurized tank and the typical water pump. The difficulties in the art are therefore overcome in a way that is simple and efficient, while providing better and more advantageous results. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of this invention, a method of supplying water from a well is provided. The method includes the following steps. First, a supply apparatus is provided that includes a container having first and second ends and a first chamber extending to a first opening in the second end. The supply apparatus also has a first fluid conduit with a first branch for use in transporting the water from the first chamber. Next, at least a portion of the second end of the container is submerged within the water in the well such that the first chamber contains a quantity of air. Then, at least a portion of the quantity of air from the first chamber is removed thereby drawing a vacuum within the first chamber. The vacuum in turn draws a quantity of water from the well into the first chamber through the first opening. Next, the removal of air from the first chamber is stopped when the water has obtained a first predetermined level within the first chamber. The first opening is then closed. Additional air is supplied to the first chamber above the first predetermined level of water thereby forcing at least a portion of the quantity of water out of the first chamber and through the first branch of the first fluid conduit. Finally, the supply of additional air to the first chamber is stopped when the water has obtained a second predetermined level within the first chamber. 
     According to another aspect of this invention, a supply apparatus for use in supplying a first fluid is provided. The supply apparatus includes a container having first and second ends and a first chamber extending to a first opening in the second end. The second end of the container is submerged within a well of the first fluid. The supply apparatus also includes a first fluid conduit having a first branch for use in transporting the first fluid from the first chamber in the container, a second fluid supply means for selectively supplying a second fluid to the first chamber, a second fluid removal means for selectively removing the second fluid from the first chamber, and a second fluid conduit having a first branch for use in transporting the second fluid from the second fluid supply means to the first chamber in the container. Preferably, the second fluid supply means and the second fluid removal means are both supplied by a single air compressor or air pump. 
     According to still another aspect of this invention, the container also has a second chamber extending to a second opening in the second end and the first fluid conduit has a second branch for use in transporting the first fluid from the second chamber in the container. The second fluid supply means also selectively supplies the second fluid to the second chamber and the second fluid removal means also selectively removes the second fluid from the second chamber. The second fluid conduit has a second branch for use in transporting the second fluid from the second fluid supply means to the second chamber in the container. 
     One advantage of the present invention is that the typical water pump and pressurized tank used in known systems are not required. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that an air pump or air compressor replaces the typical pump. This minimizes wear due to sand or other such material. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the two chamber embodiment provides for continual supply of water or other fluid. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that it is easy and inexpensive to assemble. 
     Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation view of the supply apparatus of this invention showing the water at a first predetermined level within the chamber of the container. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation view of the supply apparatus of this invention similar to FIG. 1 except showing the water at a second predetermined level within the chamber of the container. 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation view of another embodiment of this invention showing a supply apparatus having first and second chambers within the container. 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3 showing the wall that separates the container into first and second chambers. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows the present invention, a supply apparatus  10  positioned such that it is partially submerged within a first fluid  8  located in a well  6 . In the preferred embodiments shown in the FIGS., the first fluid  8  is water, the well  6  refers to an underground water supply, and a later to be described second fluid  26  is air. However, this invention is applicable with any well or pool of any first fluid  8  and any second fluid  26  chosen with sound engineering judgment. 
     With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the supply apparatus  10  includes a container  11  having first and second ends  12 ,  14  respectively. Within the container  11  a chamber  16  extends to a first opening  18  in the second end  14 . Preferably, a removable cap  54  seals the chamber  16  at the first end  12 . The cap  54  must provide a substantially airtight seal but is preferably removable to provide access into the chamber  16 . The container  11  can be shaped as required and formed of any material chosen with sound engineering judgment. However, in the preferred embodiment the container  11  is a cylindrically shaped tube having an inside diameter between 4.0 and 12.0 inches. This provides the required capacity for most rural homes. Preferably the container  11  is formed of poly vinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. This provides for an airtight, light structure that will not rust. When an underground well  6  is the source of the first liquid  8 , the container  11  is placed within the ground such that the second end  14  of the container  11  is submerged within the first fluid  8 . As will become inherent from the description herein, the container  11  serves as the storage tank to store the fluid. The container  11  is supported in any manner known in the art. 
     With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the supply apparatus  10  also includes a first fluid conduit  20  that is used to transport the first fluid  8  from the chamber  16  to an occupant&#39;s home or for other use (not shown). A second fluid conduit  28  is used to transport a second fluid  26 ,from a second fluid supply means  24  to the chamber  16  and to transport the second fluid from the chamber  16  to a second fluid removal means  32 . In other words, the second fluid supply means  24  is used to selectively provide the second fluid  26  to the chamber  16  and the second fluid removal means  32  is used to selectively remove the second fluid  26  from the chamber  16 . Both means  24 ,  32  are shown in representative form in the FIGS. In the preferred embodiment the second fluid  26  is air and the second fluid supply means  24  and the second fluid removal means  32  are together a single air pump or air compressor. Thus, the second fluid supply means  24  provides compressed air (air that may have a pressure above atmospheric pressure) to the chamber  16  and the second fluid removal means  32  draws a vacuum (air that may have a pressure less than atmospheric pressure) within the chamber  16 . The air pump or compressor may be located as desired. 
     With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, preferably a first branch  22  of the first fluid conduit  20  extends downward toward the second end  14  of the container  11  and a first branch  30 , of the second fluid conduit  28  extends upward toward the first end  12  of the container  11 . This positioning of the branches  22 ,  30  optimizes the operating range of the supply apparatus  10  as will become clear below. It is also preferred that a check valve  34  be operatively mounted to the first opening  18  at the second end  14  of the container  11 . The check valve  34  is positioned and used, as is commonly known in the art, to permit the first fluid  8  to enter the first opening  18  but also to prevent the first fluid  8  from exiting the first opening  18 . A screen  36  may be used to screen or filter the first fluid  8  prior to its entry into the chamber  16 . Preferably, the screen  36  is connected to the second end  14  of the container  11  as shown. 
     Still referring to FIGS. 1-2, the supply apparatus  10  preferably also includes a chamber level detecting means  38  for use in detecting the level of the first fluid  8  within the chamber  16 . Most preferably, the detecting means  38  includes a first level switch  38   a  mounted at the first end  12  of the container  11  near the end of the first branch  30  and a second level switch  38   b  mounted at the second end  12  of the container  11  near the end of the first branch  22 . Both level switches  38   a ,  38   b  are used to determine the level of the first liquid  8  within the chamber  16  and then send a corresponding signal to the air compressor  24 ,  32 . This will be discussed further below. Applicant notes that the general operation of such level switches is well known in the art. 
     With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation of the supply apparatus  10  when water from an underground well  6  is supplied to a home (not shown) will now be discussed. This embodiment further includes that water is the first fluid  8 , air is the second fluid  26  and a single air compressor is both the second fluid supply means  24  and the second fluid removal means  32 . Of course the supply apparatus  10  can be used with other first and second fluids  8 ,  26  and other supply and removal means  24 ,  32  chosen with sound engineering judgment. As shown, at least a portion of the second end  14  of the container  11  is submerged within the water  8  in the well  6 . This ensures that the first opening  18  is also submerged within the water  8 . It is important that some quantity of air  26  remain within the chamber  16 . This air  26  will naturally remain above any water  8  that may enter the chamber  16  as the container  11  is placed into the well  6 . By naturally it is meant that, as is well known in the art, air is less dense than water and thus gravitational forces will cause any water within the chamber  16  to remain below any air. Once the container  11  is properly positioned and secured within the well  6 , the operation of the supply apparatus  10  may be considered as occurring in two stages—a filling stage and a supply stage. During the filling stage the container  11  is filled with the water  8  from the well  6 . During the supply stage the water  8  is supplied, as required, to the corresponding home or other such user. 
     With continuing referral to FIGS. 1 and 2, first the filling stage will be described. At least a portion of the quantity of air  26  within the chamber  16  is removed by activating the air compressor  32  and removing the air through the second fluid conduit  28  thereby drawing a vacuum within the chamber  16 . The vacuum will then draw a quantity of water  6  from the well  6  into the chamber  16  through the first opening  18 . Air  26  is continually drawn out of the chamber  16  (maintaining or increasing the vacuum pressure) until the water  6  reaches a first predetermined level L 1  within the chamber  16  as detected by the first level switch  38   a . Preferably, the first predetermined level L 1  is established to be a safe distance below the end of the first branch  30 . If the water level rose above the end of the first branch  30 , water would be drawn through the first branch  30  and into the air compressor. This is obviously undesirable. Once the water  8  reaches the first predetermined level L 1 , the first level switch  38   a  will switch thereby sending a signal (preferably an electric signal) to the air compressor  32  to de-activate the air compressor  32  thereby stopping the removal of air  26 . This will prevent the water level within the chamber  16  from increasing further. The first check valve  34  prevents the water  8  within the chamber  16  from returning to the well  6  through the first opening  18 . At this point the filling stage is complete. This is the condition shown in FIG.  1 . Applicants contemplate that this filling stage may occur during the night when the demand for water is minimal in the typical home. 
     Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the supply stage will now be described. When water is required within the home, separate controls (not shown) signal the air compressor  24 ,  32  that water  8  is required. These separate controls may be of any type chosen with sound engineering judgment and may sense the pressure reduction in the water supply piping when, for example, a faucet (not shown) is opened. The air compressor  24  then supplies compressed air  26  to the chamber  16  through the second fluid conduit  28 . This additional air  26  increases the air pressure within the top of the chamber  16 . The air pressure forces the water  8  within the container  11  to exit the chamber  16  through the first fluid conduit  20  and flow to the occupant&#39;s home water system (not shown). It should be remembered that the check valve  34  prevents the water  8  from exiting through the first opening  18 . Thus, the level of water within the chamber  16  is lowered as water is provided to the home. When the demand for water is satisfied, the air compressor is signaled to stop supplying compressed air to the chamber  16 . This will stop the supply of water as the pressures within the chamber  16  will equalize and water flow will be prevented. When the demand for water re-occurs, the air compressor  24  is again signaled to supply compressed air and water  8  is again provided as described. The water  8  within the chamber  16  can be supplied as required until the water level within the chamber  16  reaches a second predetermined level L 2  as measured by the second level switch  38   b . Preferably, the second predetermined level L 2  is established to be a safe distance above the end of the first branch  22 . If the water level dropped below the end of the first branch  22 , air would be introduced into the water system. This is obviously undesirable. For any given inside diameter of the container  11  (and thus the diameter of the chamber  16 ), the greater the distance between the first predetermined level L 1  and the second predetermined level L 2  the greater the volume of water (or other first fluid) that can be filled into the container  11 . Thus, the distance between the first and second predetermined levels L 1 , L 2  helps define the operational range of the supply apparatus  10 . Once the water  8  reaches the second predetermined level L 2 , the second level switch  38   b  will switch thereby sending a signal (preferably an electric signal) to the air compressor  32  to de-activate the air compressor  32  thereby stopping the supply of compressed air  26 . This will stop the supply of water. At this point the supply stage is complete. This is the condition shown in FIG.  2 . To refill the supply apparatus  10 , it is only necessary to operate under the filling stage as described above. 
     FIGS. 3-4 show another embodiment of this invention, a second supply apparatus  60  where a container  11  has first and second chambers  16 ,  40 . In operation this embodiment may function similar to two of the previously described supply apparatuses  10  running offset. By running offset it is meant that typically while the first chamber  16  is operating in the filling stage, the second chamber  40  is operating in the supply stage. Similarly, when the second chamber  40  is operating in the filling stage, the first chamber  16  is typically operating in the supply stage. In this way water (or any other first fluid  8 ) can be supplied continuously as the demand requires. 
     With reference then to FIGS. 3-4, the second supply apparatus  60  includes a container  11  having first and second ends  12 ,  14  respectively. Within the container  11  first and second chambers  16 ,  40  are separated by a wall  62 . As shown, the wall  62  evenly divides the container  11  such that the first and second chambers  16 ,  40  are of the same size. Of course the wall  62  may be positioned within the container such that the chambers  16 ,  40  have different sizes. The chambers  16 ,  40  extend to first and second openings  18 ,  42  respectively in the second end  14 . Again it is preferred that a removable cap  54  seals the chambers  16 ,  40  at the first end  12  and that the container  11  is a cylindrically shaped tube. 
     With continuing reference to FIGS. 3-4, the supply apparatus  60  includes two first fluid conduits  20 ,  20  that are used to transport the first fluid  8 , water in this embodiment, from the chambers  16 ,  40  to an occupant&#39;s home or for other use (not shown). Two second fluid conduits  28 ,  28  are used to transport a second fluid  26  from a second fluid supply means  24  to the chambers  16 ,  40  and to transport the second fluid from the chambers  16 ,  40  to a second fluid removal means  32 . As above, it is preferred that the second fluid  26  is air and the second fluid supply means  24  and the second fluid removal means  32  are together a single air pump or air compressor. Also as above, preferably first branches  22 ,  44  of the first fluid conduits  20 ,  20  extend downward toward the second end  14  of the container  11  and first branches  30 ,  46  of the second fluid conduits  28 ,  28  extend upward toward the first end  12  of the container  11 . First and second check valves  34 ,  48  are used to permit the water  8  to enter the first and second openings  18 ,  42  respectively but also to prevent the first fluid  8  from exiting the first and second openings  18 ,  42 . A screen  36  may be used to screen or filter the first fluid  8  prior to its entry into the chambers  16 ,  40 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, the supply apparatus  60  preferably also includes first and second chamber level detecting means  38 ,  52  for use in detecting the level of the first fluid  8  within the first and second chambers  16 ,  40  respectively. Most preferably, the first and second detecting means  38 ,  52  each include a first level switch  38   a ,  52   a  mounted at the first end  12  of the container  11  near the ends of the first and second branches  30 ,  46  and a second level switch  38   b ,  52   b  mounted at the second end  12  of the container  11  near the ends of the first and second branches  22 ,  44 . All the level switches  38   a ,  38   b ,  52   a ,  52   b  are used to determine the level of the first liquid  8  within the chambers  16 ,  40  and then to send a corresponding signal to the air compressor  24 ,  32 . 
     The operation of the supply apparatus  60 , shown in FIG. 3, is quite similar to the operation of the previously described supply apparatus  10 . Again the operation of the supply apparatus  60  may be considered as occurring in two stages a filling stage and a supply stage. However, in this case the filling and supply stages may occur in offset as described above. It should be noted, however, that it is not a requirement that the first and second chambers  16 ,  40  operate in offset. It is also contemplated that both chambers may be in the filling stage or the supply stage simultaneously. 
     With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the air compressor  32  is used to removing the air through the appropriate second fluid conduit  28  or  28  thereby drawing a vacuum within the corresponding chamber  16  or  40  as required. This vacuum in turn draws a quantity of water  6  from the well  6  into either the first or second chamber  16 ,  40  as required. Air  26  is continually drawn until the water  6  reaches a first predetermined level within the corresponding chamber  16  or  40 . Once the water  8  reaches the first predetermined level, the appropriate level switch  38   a  or  52   a  will switch thereby sending a signal to the air compressor  32  to deactivate the air compressor  32  thereby stopping the removal of air  26 . This will prevent the water level within the chamber  16  or  40  from increasing further. The first and second check valves  34 ,  48  prevent the water  8  from returning to the well  6 . Again this describes the filling stage. 
     Still referring to FIG. 3, when water is required, separate controls (not shown) signal the air compressor  24 ,  32  to supply compressed air  26  to the appropriate chamber  16 , or  40 . The air pressure forces the water  8  within the container  11  to exit the corresponding chamber  16  or  40  and flow to the occupant&#39;s home water system (not shown). When the demand for water is satisfied, the air compressor is signaled to stop supplying compressed air to the chamber  16 , or  40 . This will stop the supply of water. When the demand for water re-occurs, the air compressor  24  is again signaled to supply compressed air and water  8  is again provided as described. The water  8  can be supplied as required until the water level within the appropriate chamber  16  or  40  reaches a second predetermined level. Once the water  8  reaches the second predetermined level, the air compressor  32  is signaled to de-activate the air compressor  32  thereby stopping the supply of compressed air  26 . This will stop the supply of water. As should be evident from this description, the supply apparatus  60  provides for a continuous supply of water or other first fluid  8 . 
     While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments and applications, no intention to restrict the invention to the examples shown is contemplated. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.