Claims
- 1. A method of converting a groundwater bailer device to a groundwater pumping device having an internal pump structure, comprising the steps of:
- removing a bailer member from an upper end of a universal pump body having a lower check valve assembly connected thereto;
- fitting an assembled internal pump structure in said pump body;
- connecting coaxial gas and water communicating means with a top fitting; and
- connecting said top fitting to said upper end of said universal pump body such that said coaxial means communicates with said internal pump structure.
- 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein:
- said groundwater pumping device comprises a gas-drive pump, and said internal pump structure comprises a water conduit and a dip tube check valve assembly; and
- said method further comprises the step of assembling said internal pump structure by connecting said dip tube check valve assembly to a lower end of said water conduit, prior to said fitting step.
- 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein:
- said groundwater pumping device comprises a bladder pump, and said internal pump structure comprises an internal bladder assembly and a bladder pump check valve assembly; and
- said method further comprises the steps of:
- assembling said internal pump structure by connecting said bladder pump check valve assembly with an upper portion of said bladder assembly, prior to said fitting step; and
- connecting a lower end portion of said bladder assembly with an upper portion of said lower check valve assembly.
- 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein:
- each of said removing, fitting and connecting steps is performed by hand, without the use of tools.
- 5. A method of increasing the length and pumping capacity of a groundwater pump device, comprising the steps of:
- internally coupling a lower end of a first internal pump structure disposed in a first elongated pump body with an upper end of a second internal pump structure;
- inserting said second internal pump structure into a second elongated pump body;
- connecting a lower end of said first pump body with an upper end of said second pump body;
- connecting a lower check valve assembly to a lower end of said second pump body;
- connecting coaxial gas and water communicating means with a top fitting; and
- connecting said top fitting to an upper end of said first pump body such that said coaxial means communicates with said first and second internal pump structures.
- 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein:
- said groundwater pumping device comprises a gas-drive pump, said first internal pump structure comprises a water conduit, and said second internal pump structure comprises a water conduit and a dip tube check valve assembly; and
- said method further comprises the step of assembling said internal pump structure by connecting said dip tube check valve assembly to a lower end of said second water conduit, prior to said step of connecting said lower check valve assembly.
- 7. A method according to claim 5, wherein:
- said groundwater pump device comprises a bladder pump, said first internal pump structure comprises a first bladder assembly and a bladder pump check valve assembly, and said second internal pump structure comprises a second bladder assembly; and
- said method further comprises the steps of:
- assembling said first internal pump structure by connecting said bladder pump check valve assembly with an upper portion of said first bladder assembly; and
- connecting a lower end portion of said second bladder assembly with an upper portion of said lower check valve assembly.
- 8. A method according to claim 5, wherein:
- each of said coupling, inserting and connecting steps is performed by hand, without the use of tools.
- 9. A variable-length bailer convertible between a single-bailer configuration and a multiple-bailer configuration, comprising:
- at least first and second elongated and substantially hollow pump bodies each having upper and lower end fastening portions;
- said first and second pump bodies being substantially identical and interchangeable;
- a bail adaptor removably connected to said upper end fastening portion of said first pump body, said bail adaptor including means for attaching a bail line thereto;
- a lower check valve assembly;
- said lower end fastening portion of said first pump body being adapted to be selectively connected to said lower check valve assembly in said single-bailer configuration; and
- said lower end fastening portion of said first pump body being adapted to be selectively connected to said second pump body in said multiple-bailer configuration.
- 10. A variable-length bailer according to claim 9, wherein said multiple-bailer configuration comprises:
- a pump body coupler removably and sealingly connected between said lower end fastening portion of said first pump body and said upper end fastening portion of said second pump body;
- said lower check valve assembly being removably connected to said lower end fastening portion of said second pump body.
- 11. A variable-length bailer according to claim 9, further comprising:
- an upper check valve assembly removably connected between said upper end of said pump body and said bail adaptor, such that said bailer is of the dual check-valve type.
- 12. A variable-length gas-drive pump convertible between a single gas-drive pump configuration and a multiple gas-drive pump configuration, comprising:
- at least a first elongated and substantially hollow pump body having upper and lower end fastening portions;
- at least a first water conduit removably disposed in said first pump body;
- a substantially hollow top fitting removably connected to said upper end fastening portion of said first pump body;
- a lower check valve assembly;
- a dip tube check valve assembly;
- said lower end fastening portion of said first pump body being adapted to be selectively connected to said lower check valve assembly and said dip tube check valve assembly being adapted to be selectively connected to a lower end of said first water conduit in said single gas-drive pump configuration; and
- said lower end fastening portion of said first pump body being adapted to be selectively connected to said second elongated and substantially hollow pump body, and said dip tube check valve assembly being adapted to be selectively connected to a lower end of a second water conduit in said multiple gas-drive pump configuration.
- 13. A variable-length gas-drive pump according to claim 12, wherein said multiple gas-drive pump configuration comprises:
- a second elongated and substantially hollow pump body having upper and lower end fastening portions;
- a pump body coupler removably and sealingly connected between said lower end fastening portion of said first pump body and said upper end fastening portion of said second pump body;
- said lower check valve assembly being removably connected to said lower end fastening portion of said second pump body;
- a second water conduit having the upper end thereof removably connected to a lower end of said first water conduit by a coupling member, said second water conduit being disposed in said second pump body; and
- said dip tube check valve assembly being removably connected to a lower end of said second water conduit.
- 14. A variable-length gas-drive pump according to claim 13, wherein:
- said first and second pump bodies are substantially identical and interchangeable; and
- said first and second water conduits are substantially identical and interchangeable.
- 15. A variable-length gas-drive pump according to claim 13, wherein:
- a gas passage extends through said top fitting and into a fluid chamber defined in said first and second pump bodies outside said interconnected first and second water conduits.
- 16. A variable-length bladder pump convertible between a single-bladder configuration and a multiple-bladder configuration, comprising:
- at least a first elongated and substantially hollow pump body having upper and lower end fastening portions;
- at least a first elongated bladder assembly having upper and lower end portions, said first bladder assembly being removably disposed in said first pump body;
- a bladder pump check valve assembly operably connected to the upper end portion of said first bladder assembly;
- a substantially hollow top fitting removably connected to said upper end fastening portion of said first pump body;
- a lower check valve assembly;
- said lower end fastening portion of said first pump body being adapted to be selectively connected to said lower check valve assembly in said single-bladder configuration such that said lower end portion of said first bladder assembly is in fluid communication with said lower check valve assembly; and
- said lower end fastening portion of said first pump body being adapted to be selectively connected to a second elongated and substantially hollow pump body in said multiple-bladder configuration.
- 17. A variable-length bladder pump according to claim 16, wherein said multiple-bladder configuration comprises:
- a second elongated and substantially hollow pump body having upper and lower end fastening portions;
- a pump body coupler removably and sealingly connected between said lower end fastening portion of said first pump body and said upper end fastening portion of said second pump body;
- said lower check valve assembly being removably connected to said lower end fastening portion of said second pump body;
- a second bladder assembly having upper and lower end portions, said second bladder assembly being removably disposed in said second pump body; and
- an internal coupling sealingly and removably interconnected between said lower end portion of said first bladder assembly and said upper end portion of said second bladder assembly to provide fluid communication between said first and second bladder assemblies.
- 18. A variable-length bladder pump according to claim 17, wherein:
- said first and second pump bodies are substantially identical and interchangeable; and
- said first and second bladder assemblies are substantially identical and interchangeable.
- 19. A variable-length bladder pump according to claim 17, wherein:
- each said bladder assembly includes a hollow rod provided with a plurality of apertures, and a flexible bladder arranged coaxially around said rod and having the respective ends thereof secured to said upper and lower end portions of said bladder assembly, respectively to define a water chamber inside said bladder.
- 20. A variable-length bladder pump according to claim 19, wherein:
- a water passage extends through said lower check valve assembly, said hollow rod and water chamber of said second bladder assembly, said internal coupler, said hollow rod and water chamber of said first bladder assembly, said bladder pump check valve assembly and said top fitting; and
- an air passage extending outside of said water passage through said top fitting, past outside portions of said bladder pump check valve assembly, into a first fluid chamber defined in said first pump body outside said bladder of said first bladder assembly, through said pump body coupler outside said internal coupler, and into a second fluid chamber defined in said second pump body outside said bladder of said second bladder assembly.
- 21. A convertible groundwater device adapted to be converted from a first device to a second device, and vice versa, the first device having a type of fluid conveying system which is different from a fluid conveying system of the second device, comprising:
- at least one fluid-conducting component which comprises a component which is common to each of said first and second devices;
- lifting means for lifting water from a well to be monitored; and
- means for removably connecting said lifting means with said at least one fluid-conducting component such that water lifted by said lifting means passes through said at least one fluid-conducting component.
- 22. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 21, wherein:
- said first device comprises a bailer and said second device comprises a gas-drive pump.
- 23. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 22, wherein:
- said at least one fluid-conducting component comprises an elongated and substantially hollow universal pump body, and a universal check valve assembly connected to a lower end of said pump body.
- 24. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 23 wherein:
- said lifting means of said bailer comprises a substantially cylindrical and hollow bail adaptor removably connected to an upper end of said pump body, and means for attaching a bail line to said bail adaptor.
- 25. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 24, wherein:
- said bailer further comprises an upper check valve assembly removably connected between said upper end of said pump body and said bail adaptor, such that said bailer is of the dual check-valve type.
- 26. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 24, wherein: said lifting means of said gas-drive pump comprises:
- a substantially cylindrical and hollow top fitting selectively interchangeable with said bail adaptor for removable connection to said upper end of said pump body;
- a water conduit disposed in said pump body;
- means for communicating an upper end of said water conduit with a center conduit of a coaxial tubing arrangement;
- a dip tube check valve assembly connected to a lower end of said water conduit; and
- a gas passage defined in part by an outer conduit of said coaxial tubing arrangement, said gas passage extending through said top fitting outside of said communicating means and into a fluid chamber defined in said pump body outside said water conduit.
- 27. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 6, wherein:
- said gas passage of said gas-drive pump is operably connected with controller actuating means for automatically alternately supplying gas under pressure to said gas passage and venting said gas passage to the ambient in accordance with a predetermined timing cycle.
- 28. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 21, wherein:
- said first device comprises a bailer and said second device comprises a bladder pump.
- 29. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 28, wherein:
- said at least one fluid-conducting component comprises an elongated and substantially hollow universal pump body, and a universal check valve assembly connected to a lower end of said pump body.
- 30. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 28, wherein:
- said lifting means of said bailer comprises a substantially cylindrical and hollow bail adaptor removably connected to an upper end of said pump body, and means for attaching a bail line to said bail adaptor.
- 31. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 30, wherein:
- said bailer further comprises an upper check valve assembly removably connected between said upper end of said pump body and said bail adaptor, such that said bailer is of the dual check-valve type.
- 32. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 30, wherein: said lifting means of said bladder pump comprises:
- a substantially cylindrical and hollow top fitting selectively interchangeable with said bail adaptor for removable connection to said upper end of said pump body;
- an elongated bladder assembly disposed in said pump body and including a hollow rod provided with a plurality of apertures, and a flexible bladder arranged coaxially around said rod and having the respective ends thereof secured to respective end portions of said bladder assembly to define a water chamber inside said bladder;
- a bladder pump check valve assembly operably connected to the upper end portion of said bladder assembly;
- means for communicating an upper end of said bladder pump check valve assembly with a center conduit of a coaxial tubing arrangement;
- a water passage extending through said universal check valve assembly, said hollow rod and water chamber of said bladder assembly, said bladder pump check valve assembly, said communicating means and said center conduit; and
- an air passage defined in part by an outer conduit of said coaxial tubing arrangement, said air passage extending through said top fitting outside of said communicating means, past outside portions of said bladder pump check valve assembly, and into a fluid chamber defined in said pump body outside said bladder.
- 33. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 32, wherein:
- said air passage of said bladder pump is operably connected with controller actuating means for automatically alternately supplying air under pressure to said air passage and venting said air passage to the ambient in accordance with a predetermined timing cycle.
- 34. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 32, wherein:
- said bladder assembly is removably disposed in said pump body, removably connected to said bladder pump check valve assembly at said upper end portion thereof, and removably connected with a portion of said universal check valve assembly at said lower portion thereof.
- 35. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 21, wherein: said at least one fluid-conducting component comprises:
- at least one elongated and substantially hollow universal pump body; and
- a universal check valve assembly removably connected to a lower end of said pump body.
- 36. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 35, wherein: said universal check valve assembly comprises:
- a lower check valve with a check ball seat formed therein;
- a check ball; and
- a check ball retainer removably connected to an upper inner portion of said check valve such that a fluid-conducting passage of said check ball retainer communicates with a check valve passage of said check valve;
- an upper outer portion of said check valve being removably sealingly connected to said lower end of said pump body such that said check ball retainer extends inside the lower end of said pump body.
- 37. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 36, wherein:
- said fluid-conducting passage of said check ball retainer includes an upper end portion thereof adapted to removably and matingly receive a fluid-conducting portion of said lifting means.
- 38. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 21, wherein:
- said first device comprises a bladder pump and said second device comprises a gas-drive pump.
- 39. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 38, wherein:
- said at least one fluid-conducting component comprises an elongated and substantially hollow universal pump body, and a universal check valve assembly connected to a lower end of said pump body.
- 40. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 39, wherein: said lifting means of said bladder pump comprises:
- a substantially cylindrical and hollow top fitting selectively interchangeable with said bail adaptor for removable connection to said upper end of said pump body;
- an elongated bladder assembly disposed in said pump body and including a hollow rod provided with a plurality of apertures, and a flexible bladder arranged coaxially around said rod and having the respective ends thereof secured to respective end portions of said bladder assembly to define a water chamber inside said bladder;
- a bladder pump check valve assembly operably connected to the upper end portion of said bladder assembly;
- means for communicating an upper end of said bladder pump check valve assembly with a center conduit of a coaxial tubing arrangement;
- a water passage extending through said universal check valve assembly, said hollow rod and water chamber of said bladder assembly, said bladder pump check valve assembly, said communicating means and said center conduit; and
- an air passage defined by an outer conduit of said coaxial tubing arrangement, said air passage extending through said top fitting outside of said communicating means, past outside portions of said bladder pump check valve assembly, and into a fluid chamber defined in said pump body outside said bladder.
- 41. A convertible groundwater device according to claim 40, wherein: said lifting means of said gas-drive pump comprises:
- a substantially cylindrical and hollow top fitting selectively interchangeable with said bail adaptor for removable connection to said upper end of said pump body;
- a water conduit disposed in said pump body;
- means for communicating an upper end of said water conduit with a center conduit of a coaxial tubing arrangement;
- a dip tube check valve assembly connected to a lower end of said water conduit;
- a gas passage defined in part by an outer conduit of said coaxial tubing arrangement, said gas passage extending through said top fitting outside of said communicating means and into a fluid chamber defined in said pump body outside said water conduit.
- 42. A converter and variable-length groundwater device adapted to be converted from a first device to a second device, and vice versa, the first device having a type of fluid conveying system which is different from a fluid conveying system of the second device, and each of the first and second devices being of variable length, comprising:
- at least one first fluid-conducting component which is common to each of said first and second devices;
- at least one second fluid-conducting and length-extending component which is selectively connected to said first fluid-conducting common component to extend the length of said devices;
- lifting means for lifting water from a well to be monitored; and
- means for removably connecting said lifting means with said fluid-conducting components.
- 43. A convertible and variable-length groundwater device according to claim 42, wherein:
- said components and said lifting means are adapted to be interconnected without requiring the use of tools.
- 44. A convertible and variable-length groundwater device according to claim 42, wherein:
- said first fluid-conducting component comprises a first elongated and substantially hollow universal pump body and a universal check valve assembly;
- said at least one second fluid-conducting and length-extending component comprises a second elongated and substantially hollow universal pump body and a pump body coupler removably and sealingly connected between a lower end of said first pump body and an upper end of said second pump body; and
- said universal check valve assembly is removably connected to a lower end of said second pump body.
- 45. A convertible and variable-length groundwater device according to claim 44, wherein:
- said first device comprises a variable-length bailer and said second groundwater device comprises a variable-length gas-drive pump.
- 46. A convertible and variable-length groundwater device according to claim 45, wherein:
- said lifting means of said variable-length bailer comprises a substantially cylindrical and hollow bail adaptor removably connected to an upper end of said first pump body, and means for attaching a bail line to said bail adaptor.
- 47. A convertible and variable-length groundwater device according to claim 46, wherein:
- said lifting means of said variable-length gas-drive pump comprises:
- a substantially cylindrical and hollow top fitting selectively interchangeable with said bail adaptor for removable connection to said upper end of said first pump body;
- first and second water conduits sealingly interconnected by a removable coupling member, said first water conduit being disposed in said first pump body and said second water conduit being disposed in said second pump body;
- means for communicating an upper end of said first water conduit with a center conduit of a coaxial tubing arrangement;
- a dip tube check valve assembly connected to a lower end of said second water conduit; and
- a gas passage defined in part by an outer conduit of said coaxial tubing arrangement, said gas passage extending through said top fitting outside of said communicating means and into a fluid chamber defined in said first and second pump bodies outside said interconnected first and second water conduits.
- 48. A convertible and variable-length groundwater device according to claim 44, wherein:
- said first groundwater device comprises a variable-length bailer and said second groundwater device comprises a variable-length bladder pump.
- 49. A convertible and variable-length groundwater device according to claim 48, wherein:
- said lifting means of said variable-length bailer comprises a substantially cylindrical and hollow bail adaptor removably connected to an upper end of said first pump body, and means for attaching a bail line to said bail adaptor.
- 50. A convertible and variable-length groundwater device according to claim 49, wherein:
- said lifting means of said variable-length bladder pump comprises:
- a substantially cylindrical and hollow top fitting selectively interchangeable with said bail adaptor for removable connection to said upper end of said first pump body;
- first and second bladder assemblies, each said bladder assembly including a hollow rod provided with a plurality of apertures, and a flexible bladder arranged coaxially around said rod and having the respective ends thereof secure to respective end portions of said bladder assembly to define a water chamber inside said bladder;
- an internal coupler sealingly and removably interconnected between a lower end portion of said first bladder assembly and an upper end portion of said second bladder assembly to provide fluid communication between said first and second bladder assemblies;
- said first bladder assembly being disposed in said first pump body and said second bladder assembly being disposed in said second pump body;
- a bladder pump check valve assembly operably connected to the upper end portion of said first bladder assembly;
- means for communicating an upper end of said bladder pump check valve assembly with a center conduit of a coaxial tubing arrangement;
- a water passage extending through said universal check valve assembly, said hollow rod and water chamber of said second bladder assembly, said internal coupler, said hollow rod and water chamber of said first bladder assembly, said bladder pump check valve assembly, said communicating means and said center conduit; and
- an air passage defined in part by an outer conduit of said coaxial tubing arrangement, said air passage extending through said top fitting outside of said communicating means, past outside portions of said bladder pump check valve assembly, into a first fluid chamber defined in said first pump body outside said bladder of said first bladder assembly, through said pump body coupler outside said internal coupler, and into a second fluid chamber defined in said second pump body outside said bladder of said second bladder assembly.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 183,663, filed Apr. 19, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,371.
US Referenced Citations (14)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0489533 |
Jan 1930 |
DE2 |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)
Entry |
NWWA/EPA Manual of Ground-Water Sampling Procedures, published in 1981 US Department of the Interior Geological Survey Report, Downhole Pumps for Water Sampling in Small-Diameter Wells, published in 1979. |
TIMCO Manufacturing Company, Catalog of Geotechnical, Ground Water Sampling Products, published in Mar. 1982. |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
183663 |
Apr 1988 |
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