Patent Publication Number: US-7713031-B2

Title: Submersible pump apparatus and method for using same

Description:
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to submersible pumps and, more particularly, to a submersible pump apparatus that is uniquely designed to be installed, used, and retrieved from a body of water. 
   II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
   Submersible pumps such as circulation or aeration devices are commonly used for creating directional flow in a pond or lake to turn still, stagnant water into a stream environment. This helps, among other things, to add vital oxygen to the water and improve pond or lake aeration; reduce aquatic plant growth and inhibit mosquito reproduction; and protect permanent fixtures in the water such as docks, etc . . . 
   Some examples of circulation or aeration devices are disclosed in the following identified patents, listed below by order of issuance. 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
             
           
             
                 
             
             
               Inventor 
               Issued 
               Title of Patent 
               U.S. Pat. No. 
             
             
                 
             
           
          
             
               Tormaschy 
               Aug. 27, 2002 
               Water Circulation Apparatus and Method 
               6,439,853 
             
             
               Wegner 
               Jun. 05, 2001 
               Waste Pond Liquid Circulation System 
               6,241,221 
             
             
                 
                 
               Having An Impeller and Spaced Pontoons 
             
             
               Bernhardt 
               Dec. 10, 1991 
               Apparatus For Cleaning And Aeration of 
               5,071,550 
             
             
                 
                 
               Open Bodies of Water 
             
             
               Desjardins 
               Jul. 18, 1989 
               Aeration Device With A Protection Skirt 
               4,849,101 
             
             
               Freeman 
               Dec. 29, 1981 
               Water Aeration And Circulation Apparatus 
               4,308,137 
             
             
               Kelley 
               Dec. 30, 1980 
               Aerator Apparatus 
               4,242,199 
             
             
               Yoshinaga 
               Apr. 25, 1978 
               Centrifugal Pump 
               4,086,306 
             
             
               Henegar 
               Jun. 21, 1977 
               Floating Aerator Having Means To Vary The 
               4,030,859 
             
             
                 
                 
               Length of the Draft Pipe 
             
             
               Griffith 
               Feb. 16, 1965 
               Pond Water Circulator, Aerator, and Foam 
               3,169,921 
             
             
                 
                 
               Formation Eliminator 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   These devices fall generally into two types of circulation or aeration devices: (i) those devices that float along the top surface of the water; and (ii) those devices that rest along the bottom surface of the water. 
   With respect to the first type of devices, these include the following patents. U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,853 discloses a circulation device equipped with an impeller fitted over the top of a draft tube through which water from a pond or reservoir is drawn. Water is drawn up into the draft tube by the pressure differential generated by the impeller and then discharged radially outward from the impeller across a large diffuser plate with a laminar flow diffuser lip to inhibit the passage of water back to the pond to increase the efficiency of the apparatus. This generates the desired liquid circulation. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,221 discloses a waste pond liquid circulator that is comprised of multiple pontoons that extend radially from the base. A motor mounted to the base drives an impeller about the central axis. The impeller is rotated to produce a vortex current of liquid directed upward toward the base. The pontoons are configured to receive the current and direct it radially away from the base through wedged shaped spaces to properly circulate the body of water. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,550 discloses an apparatus for cleaning and aerating bodies of water. The device floats on the surface of the body of water. A fan at the top of the apparatus creates a vacuum that sucks air through an air intake pipe into a collection chamber. The vacuum also sucks water through a filter into the collection chamber. Inside the collection chamber the air aerates and agitates the water. The water is then discharged out of the chamber through several discharge tubes and the air is discharged past the fan through a discharge pipe. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,137 discloses a treatment apparatus for a body of water. The device comprises flotation devices supporting a driving or motor mechanism above the water surface and a circulation or agitation device below the surface of the water. The motor mechanism actuates the circulation or agitation device such that naturally occurring oxygen-saturated water near the surface is drawn downwardly and mixed with the lower oxygen-deficient water at the bottom of the body of water. Optionally, the motor mechanism also drives a bubble generator so that air bubbles are drawn down with the oxygen-saturated surface water, dissolving into the oxygen-deficient water. Additionally, selective directional control structures can be included for directing the oxygen-saturated discharge stream against nutrient-rich sediment, sludge or residues on the bottom of the body of water. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,859 discloses a water circulator for use in a lake, pond, or reservoir. The device comprises a raft with a wind driven shaft for vertical rotation. A mixing chamber is mounted beneath the raft, the upper edge of the chamber being above the surface of the water. At the lower end of the shaft is a propeller within the mixing chamber. A pipe extends from the bottom of the mixing chamber to the bottom of the body of water and is adjustable. Wind rotates the shaft and the propeller, which draws water up from the bottom of the lake through the pipe into the mixing chamber and up over the top edge of the chamber back into the body of water to circulate and aerate the water. 
   With respect to the second type of devices, these include the following patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,101 discloses an aeration device for oxygenating water contained in an aeration-sedimentation basin. The aeration device comprises a vertical, hollow column with an inlet at the bottom and an outlet at the top. Within the column is an orifice that connects to a pipe of pressurized air which produces an upward jet of air through the column. A skirt surrounds the aeration column. The lower end of the skirt is closed and surrounds the inlet, and the upper end of the skirt is open and extends above the level of the solid accumulations in the basin. The action of the air jet draws water from the upper, open end of the skirt down into the aeration column inlet, where the water is oxygenated by the air jet as it passes through the aeration column and then pumped out of the column outlet back into the basin. By the addition of the skirt, the aeration device aerates only water that is substantially free of solids. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,242,199 discloses an aerator apparatus used in waste treatment plants for oxygenating waste water as the water is forced through the apparatus by an axial flow impeller. The apparatus sits on the bottom of a body of water. Water is forced vertically upward into a chamber by an axial flow impeller. Once in the chamber, compressed oxidizing gas, such as air, entering into the chamber through an array of ports aerates and agitates the water. The aerated water is then discharged from the chamber horizontally back into the surrounding body of water. Alternatively, the water may be drawn from and discharged in the same or opposite direction, as desired. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,306 discloses an oxygenating centrifugal pump for circulating aerated water in a culture pond. The pump is a flat-bottomed cuplike vessel that floats on the pond surface with legs extending down into the water. Each leg is a hollow cylinder with an opening at the bottom to let water into the leg and an opening at the top that opens into the inside of the cuplike vessel. Within the vessel is a cylinder with a motor at the top, opening in the middle to allow water into the cylinder, and an impeller at the bottom connected to the motor by a rod. Also within the cylinder is an air suction pipe. The device works by the motor turning the impeller which creates suction within the cylinder. The force of the suction translates through the legs and draws water into and up the legs, into the inside of the vessel, and into the cylinder. At the same time, the pressure difference generated by the impeller draws air into the cylinder through the air suction pipe. The air aerates and agitates the water within the cylinder and both are expelled from the cylinder past the impeller and back into the pond. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,169,921 discloses a means for circulating and aerating sewage before being discharged into an aquatic pond for its final treatment. The device consists of circulators that are connected to a concrete slab. Each circulator consists of a pipe with many holes drilled into the top along the length of the pipe. Above the circulators is a hood that is elevated above the concrete slab and top level of the pond bed. Pressurized air from an external blower is sent through the circulators and draws water from the pond up under and into the hood and then discharged through an opening of the hood back into the pond. This provides the desired aeration and agitation. 
   The problem with the above devices and, in particular, the devices that are along the bottom surface of the water is that: (1) the devices can be difficult to install in the correct position and orientation in a body of water; (2) the devices are susceptible to being easily turned over or flipped when being installed or while in operation; (3) the devices often cannot be easily accessed for cleaning once installed; (4) the devices are difficult to move or be reoriented; (5) the devices are difficult to remove from the body of water; and/or (6) if the silt depth is unknown, the devices do not disclose a means for preventing the device from sinking or being absorbed into the silt depth and being rendered useless. This often occurs, for example, with devices having concrete slabs or leg supports. 
   Applicant&#39;s inventive submersible pump device and the method for installing, using, and retrieving the inventive submersible pump solves these problems. Thus, there is a need and there has never been disclosed Applicant&#39;s unique submersible pump. 
   III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a submersible pump apparatus comprising a housing containing all the components of the pump assembly for using the submersible pump apparatus in a body of water. A float or a plurality of floats are attached to the top side of the housing for providing a positive buoyancy to the submersible pump apparatus. The float is provided with a channel for slidably receiving a single weight or a plurality of weights. The weight is used to overcome the positive buoyancy of the float and achieve a negative buoyancy for submerging the submersible pump apparatus to the bottom of the body of water. A sled is attached to the bottom side of the housing and comprises the combination of both legs and feet for supporting the submersible pump apparatus at the bottom of a body of water. A finder float floating at the water surface level is attached using a rope to both the weight and the housing. By removing the weight or weights from the float, a positive buoyancy is restored to raise the submersible pump apparatus. 

   
     IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The Description of the Preferred Embodiment will be better understood with reference to the following figures: 
       FIG. 1   a  is a side perspective view of Applicant&#39;s submersible pump apparatus. 
       FIG. 1   b  is an end view of the submersible pump apparatus. 
       FIG. 2   a  is a cross sectional view, taken along line  2   a - 2   a  of  FIG. 1   a , illustrating, in particular, the pump assembly contained within the housing and the receiving channel contained within the floats. 
       FIG. 2   b  is a side perspective view, with portions removed, of the float and the receiving channel contained within the float. 
       FIG. 2   c  is a side perspective view of the weight that is received into the receiving channel of the floats. 
       FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the submersible pump apparatus at it resides at the water surface level while in the process of being installed in a body of water. 
       FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the submersible pump apparatus at it resides at the bottom of the body of water upon being installed. 
       FIG. 5   a  is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of Applicant&#39;s submersible pump apparatus. 
       FIG. 5   b  is a side perspective view of the alternate embodiment of Applicant&#39;s submersible pump apparatus. 
   

   V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Turning first to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a submersible pump apparatus  20 . The submersible pump  20  comprises a housing  22 , floats  24 , and a sled  26 . The housing  22  is an elongated tube having a proximal end  28  and a distal end  30 . A flexible tubing hose  33  is attached to the proximal end  28  of the housing  22  by a flange connection  32  using bolts  34  and nuts  36 . Alternatively, it is contemplated that any other means known to one skilled in the art may be used for securing the flexible tubing hose  33  to the housing  22 . As discussed in more detail below, a front eye-bolt  38  is attached to the flange connection  32  and a rear eye-bolt  48  is attached adjacent to the distal end  30  of the housing  22 . Alternatively, the front eye-bolt  38  and the rear eye-bolt  48  may be attached to any portion of the housing  22 . The rear eye-bolt  48  may also be separated into two rear eye-bolts  48  attached on opposite sides of the housing  22 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Situated adjacent to the distal end  30  of the housing  22  are also suction tubes and screens  40 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, each float  24  is rotationally molded into a single piece forming a hollow shell and having a homogeneous surface without any seams. Each float  24  is preferably made of a polyethylene plastic material. The hollow shell is then filled with a urethane foam. In this manner, the homogeneous surface assures leak free integrity, the foam filling provides rigidity and strength to the shell, and should the shell be damaged while submerged under water, the foam provides closed cells to prevent water from being absorbed within the float  24  and sinking the submersible pump  20 . The float  24  is also preferably black in color, ultraviolet light resistant, and provides a material that is impervious to water. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the float  24  may be made of any other type of material or properties known to one skilled in the art provided that it can be used in the manner described herein. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the floats  24  each have a density that is less than water to thereby provide a positive buoyancy to the submersible pump  20 . Although the floats  24  may have any desired shape, the buoyancy of the floats  24  are more convenient or practical if the floats  24  have a relatively smaller thickness and larger diameter. In the preferred embodiment, one float  24  is attached adjacent to the proximal end  28  of the housing  22  and the other float  24  is attached adjacent to the distal end  30  of the housing  22 . Depending upon the weight of the submersible pump  20  from the proximal end  28  to the distal end  30 , the buoyancy provided by each float  24  is sufficient to overcome the weight along each end. For example, if the weight along the proximal end  28  of the submersible pump  20  is substantially equal to the weight along the distal end  30 , then the buoyancy provided by each of the floats  24  will be substantially equal. If, however, the weight along the proximal end  28  is more or less than the weight along the distal end  30 , then the float  24  located adjacent the proximal end  28  will have a buoyancy that is equivalently more or less than the buoyancy of the float  24  located adjacent the distal end  30 . In this manner, the location and buoyancy of the floats  24  coact to stabilize the submersible pump  20  in an upright, balanced orientation when submerged in the body of water. 
   The floats  24  also coact for preventing the submersible pump  20  from rotating in any one direction to permanently change the upright, balanced orientation of the submersible pump  20 . For example, should the body of water experience turbulent conditions forcing the submersible pump  20  into unusual orientations, the floats  24 , which are situated above the center of gravity of the submersible pump  20 , are sufficient to always counterbalance any such affects and thereby return or re-orient the submersible pump  20  back to its upright, balanced orientation. Alternatively, the number of the floats and the location of the floats  24  may be anywhere along the housing  22  provided that the number, location, and buoyancy of the floats  24  are sufficient to maintain the upright, balanced orientation of the submersible pump  20 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, each float  24  provides a receiving channel  44  for receiving a weight  46 . The receiving channel  44  is more clearly illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b . Preferably, the receiving channel  44  is a six inch (6″) pipe. Alternatively, the receiving channel  44  may be larger or smaller or made of any other materials known to one skilled in the art provided that it is used in the manner described herein. 
   Each float  24  is fixedly attached to the housing  22  using a mount  4   1 . The mount  41  is preferably fixedly secured to the housing  22 . Alternatively, any means known to one skilled in the art for fixedly attaching the float  24  to the housing  22  may be used. 
   The weight  46  may be a single weight or multiple weights of varying sizes. The weight  46  should be shaped for being slidably received into the receiving channel  44 . In the preferred embodiment, the weight  46  is a round bar having a weight of about five (5) to ten (10) pounds in water, as illustrated in  FIG. 2   c . The weight  46  may be made of any material including but not limited to any non-rusting material such as aluminum, metal encased within a plastic coating, polyvinyl, cast iron, or any material known to one skilled in the art. Alternatively, any material or size/weight for the weight  46  may be used provided that it provides a specific gravity in water to be used in the manner described herein. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the single weight  46  or the last weight  46  (if multiple weights are used) received into the receiving channel  44  is attached to a finder float rope  50 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2c , the weight  46  is provided with a hollow passageway  100  that extends through the entire thickness of the weight  46 . The hollow passageway  100  is preferably located adjacent one end of the weight  46 . The finder float rope  50  is inserted through the hollow passageway  100  and a knot  102  is formed in the finder float rope  50  for securing the finder float rope  50  to the weight  46 . Alternatively, any other means for fixedly securing the finder float rope  50  to the weight  46  may be used. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 1   a , the portion of the finder float rope, identified by reference number  50 a, extends from the weight  46  to a finder float  52  floating at the water surface level  54 . The finder float rope  50   a  should be of sufficient length to accommodate the distance between the submersible pump  20  and the finder float  52 . From the finder float  52 , the portion of the finder float rope, identified by reference number  50   b , extends back down and attaches to the front eye-bolt  38  or the rear eye-bolt  48 , respectively. In this manner, the weight  46  and the finder float  52  remain secured to the submersible pump  20 . It is further contemplated that the finder float rope  50  can be any type of rope, twine, wire, or any other material known to one skilled in the art. The finder float rope  50  preferably has qualities that make it impervious to water thereby avoiding unnecessary deterioration and usefulness. Alternatively, if the finder float rope  50  does not contain these qualities, this too is sufficient although the finder float rope  50  may need to be repaired or replaced more often. 
   The finder float  52  may be any floatation device provided that it floats along the water surface level  54 . Also, the finder float  52  may be of any color or color combination to assist in visibly locating the finder float  52  at the water surface level  54 . Bright colors such as red, yellow, orange, etc . . . may be used. Alternatively, depending upon the preference of the user and/or the size of the body of water, any color may be acceptable. 
   The sled  26  comprises opposed legs  56 , opposed legs  58 , and feet  60  and  62 . In the preferred embodiment, the sled  26  is made of a hollow polyvinyl plastic material, commonly known as PVC plastic material. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the opposed legs and feet may be made of any other type of material known to one skilled in the art provided that they can be used in the manner described herein. 
   Opposed legs  56  and opposed legs  58  each extend outwardly and down from adjacent the proximal end  28  or distal end  30  of the housing  22 , respectively. This is also more clearly illustrated in  FIG. 1   b . Preferably, the opposed legs  56  and opposed legs  58  are each attached and secured to the housing  22  using a mount  42 . Each of the opposed legs  56  and opposed legs  58  are also attached to the corresponding feet  60  and  62  using a coupling means  64 . Alternatively, it is contemplated that any variation from a single leg to a combination of multiple legs (as depicted) may be used in combination with a single foot or a combination of feet (as depicted) to connect the housing  22  to the sled  26 . 
   Caps  68  are attached to the ends of each of the feet  60  and  62  and are used to prevent mud or other debris from getting into the feet  60  and  62  of the sled  26 . As depicted, the feet  60 ,  62  of the sled  26  rest primarily on top of the silt  70  or the bottom of the body of water. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the sled  26  is designed to provide a minimal amount of weight over a larger surface area between and from the ends of foot  60  to foot  62 . In this manner, the weight of the sled  26  is dispersed such that it assists, in combination with the floats  24 , to permit the submersible pump  20  to rest very lightly on the silt  70 . Alternatively, even if no sled  26  were present, the submersible pump  20  can still achieve the same results with the floats  24  only. 
   Also the feet  60  and  62  have a length that extends substantially the length of the housing  22 . In this manner, should the submersible pump  20  move or be forced across the silt  70 , the feet  60  and  62  act as a sled runner for the sled  26  to skim across the top surface of the silt  70 . 
   A mooring or anchoring line  72  is attached at one end to the front eye-bolt  38  and at the other end to a mooring or anchoring stake  96  on the shoreline or land  98  (See  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). A tow line  74  is attached to the rear eye-bolt  48 . 
   To install the submersible pump  20  in any body of water, the process begins as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Using the tow line  74 , the submersible pump  20  is pulled out into the body of water to a desired location. It is contemplated that any means for pulling the submersible pump  20  out into the body of water is acceptable. For example, in small bodies of water, a person with the tow line  74  may stand on the ground alongside the body of water and pull the submersible pump  20  from that location. In larger bodies of water, any type of manual or power boat may be used to pull or transport the submersible pump  20  to the desired location in the body of water. The flexible tubing  33  and mooring line  72  are both pre-attached to the submersible pump  20 . Alternatively, it is contemplated that the flexible tubing  33  and the mooring line  32  may be attached to the submersible pump  20  at any time prior to submerging the submersible pump  20 . When the submersible pump  20  is being pulled to the desired location, the floats  24  act as floatation devices for maintaining the submersible pump  20  at the water surface level  54 . In this manner, the top of the floats  76  remain visibly exposed while the remainder of the floats  24  and submersible pump  20  are held floating just under the water surface level  54 . 
   When the desired location is reached, weights  46  are then inserted into the receiving channel  44  (see  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b ) of the floats  24 . In the preferred embodiment, the totality of the weight  46  inserted into each float  24  should be of sufficient weight to just overcome the buoyancy provided by the floats  24  thereby creating a negative buoyancy. As previously described, the weight  46  may be a single weight or a combination of any number of weights. If the weight  46  is a single weight, the weight of the single weight will be sufficient to obtain this negative buoyancy. If the weight  46  is the combination of any number of weights, a first weight is inserted into the receiving channel  44  of the float  24 . The first weight will proceed to the bottom of the receiving channel  44 . A second weight is then inserted into the receiving channel  44  directly behind and abuting the first weight. A third weight, fourth weight, etc . . . are then inserted into the receiving channel  44  in successive order directly behind the second weight. At some point, the combined weight of the first weight, second weight, third weight, fourth weights, etc . . . inserted into the receiving channel  44  will be sufficient to obtain the negative buoyancy in the float  24 . When this occurs, the single weight or the last weight inserted is attached to the finder float rope  50 . Preferably, each of the weights  46  are substantially the same size and weight of about five (5) to ten (10) pounds in water. 
   As the buoyancy of the floats  24  are no longer able to sustain the submersible pump  20  at the water surface level  54  and negative buoyancy is achieved (referred to herein as “sinking weight”), the submersible pump  20  will begin to sink and continue to sink until it reaches the bottom of the body of water, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . During this submerging, the floats  24  maintain the submersible pump  20  in an upright, balanced orientation within the body of water. 
   This process can be further illustrated in the following non-limiting example. For example, the typical weight of the submersible pump  20  can be anywhere between fifty (50) pounds and five hundred (500) pounds. If we assume that the submersible pump  20  has a weight of two hundred (200) pounds and this weight is uniformly distributed across the housing  22  from the proximal end  28  to the distal end  30 , each of the floats  24  will provide substantially the same buoyancy of at least two hundred (200) pounds. If we assume the buoyancy of the floats  24  is two hundred and twenty (220) pounds, this means that the floats  24  have a reserve buoyancy of twenty (20) pounds. If we assume that each weight  46  weights approximately five (5) pounds, the first four weights  46  inserted into each of the receiving channel  44  of the floats  24  will total twenty (20) pounds thereby increasing the total weight of the submersible pump  20  to equal the reserve buoyancy provided by the floats  24 . Upon inserting the next five (5) pound weight  46  into each of the floats  24  will exceed the reserve buoyancy and create a negative buoyance of five (5) pounds in each float  24 . When this occurs, the sinking weight is achieved and the submersible pump  20  will sink to the bottom of the body of water. 
   As the above is a non-limiting example, the weight of the submersible pump  20 , the reserve buoyancy of the floats  24 , and the weight of the weights  46  may be any variation of weights. However, the reserve buoyancy of the floats  24  must at least be larger than the weight of the submersible pump  20  and the total weight of the weight  46  must at least be larger than the reserve buoyancy of the floats  24  to obtain the negative buoyancy or sinking weight. Accordingly, the less or larger the reserve buoyancy provided by the floats, the less or larger the weight of the weights  46  that will be necessary to achieve the negative buoyancy. 
   When the submersible pump  20  reaches the bottom of the body of water, the finder float rope  50   a  remains attached to the weight  46 . The remaining portion of the finder float rope  50   b  is attached to the submersible pump  20  to keep the finder float  52  and weight  46  secured to the submersible pump  20 . In this manner, the finder float  52  remains visible as it floats at the water surface level  54  thereby acting as a marker to locate the submersible pump  20  for later identification of the submersible pump  20 , servicing, and/or retrieval. 
   Also, when the submersible pump  20  reaches the bottom of the body of water, the sled  26  comes to rest on the bottom of the body of water. As the negative buoyancy is created using the minimum amount of weight, the submersible pump  20  is able to achieve a resting position sufficiently on top of the silt  70  at the bottom of the water. For example, using the same example from above, the submersible pump  20  has a combined ten (10) pounds of negative buoyancy or weight in the water (i.e., five (5) pounds from the weights in each float  24 ). Although the silt  70  has a very low weight bearing capacity, this ten (10) pounds of negative buoyancy or weight in the water prevents the submersible pump  20  and, in particular, the sled  26 , from sinking deeply into the silt  70  at the bottom of the body of water. Due to the minimal weight of the submersible pump  20  achieved, the feet  60  and  62  of the sled  26 , engage and become partially submerged into the silt  70  while the remaining portion of the feet  60  and  62  remain primarily exposed, resting above the silt  70 . In this manner, the submersible pump  20  and including the sled  26  remain crested on top of the silt  70  for use and later retrieval. Alternatively, any negative buoyancy or weight in the water of the submersible pump  20  can be used provided that it prevents the submersible pump  20  from sinking deeply into the silt  70  and inhibiting the use, servicing, and/or retrieval of the submersible pump  20 . 
   Also, the legs  56  and  58  of the sled  26  create a separation of water between the housing  22  and the feet  60  and  62 . As depicted in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , the legs  56  and  58  may either be equal in length or, as depicted here in  FIG. 4 , the legs  56  may have a longer length than legs  58 . 
   The submersible pump  20  is now in position and ready for use like any other submersible pump known to one skilled in the art. Essentially, the submersible pump  20  pulls in water through the suction tube and screens  40 , through the pump assembly contained within the housing  22 , and discharges the water into the flexible tubing hose  33 . As depicted in  FIG. 2   a , the submersible pump  20  accomplishes this using the pump assembly components of a pump  78  and motor  80 . Other components include but are not limited to a nipple  82 , a pvc spacer  84 , a pump support  86 , a motor support  88 , a plug  90 , a rubber plug  92 , and a motor lead wire  94 . Alternatively, any means known to one skilled in the art for using the submersible pump  20  in this manner may be used. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the mooring line  72  and tube hose  33  preferably coact to prevent the submersible pump  20  from moving in the backward direction due to the thrust forces exerted from the pump while in use. The mooring line  72  and tube hose  33  also assist in keeping the submersible pump  20  pointed in the correct direction and vertical orientation. 
   If the submersible pump  20  is required to be removed from the body of water for servicing or replacement, the finder floats  52  are located. Each finder float rope  50   a  is then pulled in the upward direction such that the weight  46  attached to finder float rope  50   a  is likewise pulled in the upward direction. When the weight  46  is sufficiently pulled, the weight  46  slides out of and is released from the receiving channel  44 . Without the weights  46 , the buoyancy of the submersible pump  20  is reversed. The negative buoyancy is removed and the positive buoyancy provided by the floats  24  is reestablished. In this manner, the floats  24  begin to lift the submersible pump  20  from the bottom of the body of water towards the water surface level  54 . If the mud or other debris happens to restrain the submersible pump  20  preventing the positive buoyancy of the floats  24  from lifting the submersible pump  20  to the water surface level  54 , the finder float rope  50   b  can be pulled in the upward direction providing an upward force on the housing  22  to overcome and release the submersible pump  20  from the restraining debris. Once the submersible pump  20  reaches the water service level  54 , the submersible pump  20  is then accessible for servicing or removal. 
   In an alternate embodiment, the submersible pump  20  may utilize a single float  24  or a single set of legs, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , to accomplish the same results as described herein. 
   It is contemplated that the submersible pump  20  can be used as a bottom circulator, waterfall and stream pump, irrigation pump, de-watering pump, transfer pump, irrigation pump, irrigation pump station feed pump, and/or any other related pumping applications where the water source is a pond, lake, or other body of water, and/or any other means known to one skilled in the art. 
   Thus, there has been provided a unique apparatus and method for installing, using, and retrieving a submersible pump. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.