US2787220A

US2787220A - Pumping system

Info

Publication number: US2787220A
Authority: US
Inventors: Glenn A Patterson; Elmer M Deters
Original assignee: Red Jacket Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Red Jacket Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1954-03-01
Filing date: 1954-03-01
Publication date: 1957-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 1974-04-02

Description

PUMPING SYSTEM Filed March 1, 1954 r. V m 1 m m V My mfi/ F M? 7 J m M w E 6 6 1 w 6 4 PUMPING SYSTEM Glenn A. Patterson and Elmer M. Deters, Davenport, Iowa, assignors to Red Jacket Manufacturing Co., Davenport, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Application March 1, 1954, Serial No. 413,094

22 Claims. (Cl. 103-6) This invention relates to water systems of the type wherein water is pumped from the well and stored under pressure for distribution and in which the pump and storage means are automatically controlled.

An important object of this invention is the provision of a water system wherein the pump, reservoir and the control means for the pump are located at the well where by the controls may be supplied with electrical energy independent of the buildings which receive a water supply from the well and whereby the water may be distributed directly from the well to the several buildings.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a water system wherein the fluid reservoir is disposed in the ground on the top of the well casing and below the frost level whereby the water in the reservoir is maintained at a relatively uniform temperature throughout the year.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a water system wherein the fluid reservoir is disposed on the top of the well casing below the ground level and a casing extension extends upwardly from the reservoir in axial alignment with the well casing to a point above the ground level whereby the pump, valves and the piping associated therewith may be removed from the well casing through the reservoir and well extension without disconnecting the reservoir from the distribution system.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a water system wherein all parts of the system are underground and at greater than atmospheric pressure to eliminate the possibility of leakage into the system and thereby avoid contamination of the water supply.

These, together with various ancillary objects and advantages of this invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary vertical section through a well showing the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the fluid reservoir and the controls disposed therein for establishing and maintaining an air cushion in the reservoir and for operating the pump in accordance with the pressure in the reservoir;

Pig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through the air release valve;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section of the air shifter valve taken on the plane 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the plane 55 of Fig. 2.

In accordance with the present invention, the complete Water system including the pump, reservoir and the controls therefor is located at the well, which well is commonly required by well codes to be positioned at a distance from the house or other building supplied from the well to avoid contamination of the well. This permits the electrical energy for operating the pump to be conducted from an outside transformer directly to the well thereby eliminating the necessity for the wiring to nited States Patent 0 enter the house or the like and since the water is stored at the well under pressure, the water may be distributed directly from the well to the several buildings. This greatly enhances the utility of the well as a fire protection device since the well is not disabled by a fire in the house or other building which were formerly utilized to house the reservoir and the pump controls.

Referring now more specifically to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a well enclosure extending from the bottom of the well to a point above the ground and which includes a well casing 10 having a. fluid reservoir 11 mounted on the top thereof in communication therewith and a casing extension 12 extending upwardly from the top of the reservoir to a point above the ground level. The reservoir may conveniently be in the form of an upstanding cylindrical tank having side walls 13 and top and

bottom walls

14 and 15 respectively, the bottom wall having an internally threaded sleeve 16 secured thereto for threaded attachment to the upper end of the casing 10 whereby the reservoir forms an upwardly extending continuation of the casing. The casing extension 12 which, for reasons set forth more fully hereinafter is of a larger diameter than the well casing, is secured as by welding to the top of the reservoir and extends upwardly therefrom in axial alignment with the well casing. The reservoir is disposed below the ground a distance suflicient to prevent freezing of the liquid contained therein and a laterally extending discharge pipe 17 communicates with the reservoir for drawing off liquid therefrom. As illustrated in the drawings, the discharge pipe communicates with the reservoir below the liquid level therein and extends upwardly at 18 therefrom to a point below the frost level from which the distributor pipe or pipes 19 extend laterally to the several buildings. Obviously, if desired, the discharge pipe could be arranged to extend through the side walls of the reservoir at any desired level therein and have 21 depending intake pipe which extends downwardly in the reservoir to a point below the liquid level.

An adapter unit indicated generally by the numeral 21 (best shown in Fig. 2), is provided in the well enclosure adjacent the bottom of the reservoir and provides a casing seal thereat. The adapter is preferably in the form of a casting having an annular upper wall 22 disposed in the sleeve 16 on the lower end of the reservoir and sealed thereto by an O-ring 23 disposed in the peripheral recess 24 in the upper wall. The adapter unit is supported in position at the lower end of the reservoir by the peripheral chamfered flange 25 formed thereon and which rests on the beveled shoulder 26 formed on the upper end of the sleeve 16. A fluid inlet port 27 is formed in the upper wall of the casting and communicates through a downwardly extending closed passage 28 with the upper end of the riser pipe 29 which is threadedly attached to the lower end of the passage as at 31. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the inlet port is offset from the center of the adapter unit and the lower end of the passage 28 is offset on the opposite side of center of the adapter unit so that the riser pipe attached to the lower end of the passage is in alignment with the drop pipe 32 which is threadedly received in a passage 33 in the upper wall of the adapter unit in fluid tight connection therewith. A reinforcing web 34 joins the offset lower end of the passage 28 with the upper wall of the adapter unit. Thus, the center of gravity of the riser pipe and the pump instru mentalities described more fully hereinafter which are connected by the riser pipe are substantially aligned with the drop pipe so that the entire assembly may be inserted and removed from the well casing through the reservoir and the casing extension 12. For this purpose, the inner diameter of the casing extension 12 is made .3 larger than the external diameter of the adapter unit 21 to permit insertion and removal of the unit through the casing extension.

The upper end of the well enclosure is sealed by a well seal indicated generally by the numeral 35. The wellenclosure is thus sealed at a point below the reservoir 11 by the adapter unit 21 and also sealed at the top thereof by the well seal 35 to thereby form a fluid tight storage chamber in the reservoir and casing extension 12. The well seal, as shown in Fig. 2 or" the drawing, is in the form of a flat plate 36 which is secured to the flange 37 on the upper end of the casing extension 12 by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts 38, a gasket 39 of resilient material being interposed between the plate 36 and the flange to form a fluid tight seal .thereat. The drop pipe 32 extends upwardly through an opening 41 and is sealed to the cover plate 36 by the packing 42 and the packing gland 43 which compresses the packing 42 against the drop pipe.

JJater is pumped upwardly through the riser pipe 29 into the reservoir, a check valve 45 (Fig. 2) being pro vided to control the flow of fluid through the inlet port. The check valve is arranged to open to admit fluid from the pump and to close to prevent return flow. The check valve includes an annular valve seat 4d positioned in the inlet port and a valve member 47, the stem 48 of which is guidably mounted in the yoke 49 for movementtowards and away from the valve seat. As shown in ,Fig. 5, the yoke is secured to the upper wall 22 of the adapter unit by means of fasteners 51 and a conical coil spring 52 is disposed between the yoke and the valve member 4'7 to yieldably urge the latter to its closed position. The means for pumping the fluid upwardly in the riser pipe 25' may be of several different forms, the pump arrangement illustrated in the drawings comprising a submersible pump 55 which is carried by the lower end of the riser pipe 29, electrical energy for the motor 56 on the pump being supplied through conductor 57. When the pump is operated, water is pumped from the well in through the intake screen 58 and upwardly through the riser pipe 29, through the passage 23 in the adapter unit and past the check valve 4 into the reservoir, the check valve seating to block return flow of liquid when the pump stops.

Provision is made for introducing air into the reservoir to provide an air cushion therein. In the'present invention this is achieved by-the provision of a bleeder valve 61 in the riser pipe 2?, which bleeder valve is adapted to open when the pump stops and allow the liquid in the riser pipe above the bleeder valve to drain outwardly therefrom into .the casing 19. The bleeder valve is pressure operated to its closed position when the pump is in operation and prevents discharge of fluid therethrough under those conditions. An air snifter valve 62is disposed in the passage 28 between the bleeder valveand the check valve 45 to introduce air into the riser pipe and allow the liquid to drain therefrom. As best seen in Fig. 4, the snifter valve includes an inverted cup-shaped valve body 63 having a plurality of ports 64 therein, a resilient valve seat as having a central port 66 therein being disposed over the open lower end of the valve body. The valve seat 65 overlies the flanged lower end of the valve body and is retained in position thereon by means or" a plate 67 the ends of which are secured to the walls of the passage 28 by fasteners as. The plate 67 has an opening 71 extending therethrough and a ball valve member 72 is disposed in the valve housing and yieldably urged into seated position on the valve seat 65 by a spring 73. When the pump stops and the liquid begins to drain from the riser pipe 29 throughthe bleeder valve 61, the shifter valve opens and allows air to be introduced into the upper-end of theriser pipe so that theliquid level in the riser pipe may belowered to thelevel of the bleeder valve. As

'4 is conventional, a foot valve (not shown) is provided adjacent the outlet of the pump on the lower end of the riser pipe to prevent return flow of fluid thereby.

The air for the snifter valve is provided through the drop pipe 32 which communicates at its lower end with the well casing below the upper wall of the adapter unit and at its upper end communicates with the atmosphere through the opening 74 (see Fig. 2). Conveniently, the conductors 57 to the motor extend downwardly through the drop pipe 32 and thence downwardly through the well casing to the motor. In this manner, the drop pipe not only serves to enable the removal of the adapter unit and the pump associated therewith but in addition provides air for the snifter valve and provides a passage through which the conductors 57 which lead to the motor may extend thereby obviating the necessity of providing separate seals in the well seal 35 and the adapter unit 21 for the pump motor conductors.

Each time the pump is operated, the air in the riser pipe between the bleeder valve and the check valve 45 is pumped upwardly into the reservoir to provide an air cushion therein, this charge of air being followed by the fluid discharged from the pump. This system is arranged to provide an excess of air in the reservoir and means is provided for releasing the excess air contained in the reservoir. In the present invention, the air release means comprises an air release valve 81 formed in a passage 82 in the valve body 83 which is threadedly received in an opening 34 in the cover plate 35. A valve seat 86 is provided in the passage 82 and is formed with a central passage 87 and several lateral passages 88 which open on the lower end of the valve body 83. A valve member 89 formed of an inverted cup-shaped member 91 and a resilient insert 92 is disposed in the passage 82 for movement towards and away from the valve seat 86 to control the flow of fluid through the passage 37. The valve member is yieldably urged to its closed position by means of a compression spring 93 disposed between the movable valve member 89 and the plug 94 which is threadedly received in the passage 82. A stem 95 is attached to the valve member and extends downwardly through the central passage 87 and terminates in an enlarged head 96 which is'adapted to be engaged by the operating lever 97. As shown in Fig. 2 the operating lever 97 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a pivot pin 98 to depending ears on the plug 83 and has an opening 99 in one end thereof which loosely receives the stem 95. The other end of the lever 97 is pivoted at 191 to the float rod 102 carried by the float 163, which float is guidably mounted on the drop pipe 32 by a yoke 1% clamped to the drop pipe (see Fig. l). The air release valve is arranged so that the valve member 39 is moved out of its seated position against the bias of the spring 93 when the pressure in the reservoir exceeds a predetermined value such as 20 pounds, the air being discharged from the reservoir through the passages 8% and 87 past the valve seat and out through the passage 1% to atmosphere. A deflector 105 overlies the upper end of the passage 104 to prevent the entrance of foreign matter thereinto. Thus, when the pressure in the reservoir exceeds 29 pounds, the air is discharged through the air release valve 81, the fluid entering the reservoir continuing to fill the latter until the liquid level therein causes the float 193 to rise. The float then causes the lever 97 to pivot about the pivot pin 98 in a clockwise direction as viewed in. Fig. 2 to thereby urge the air release valve to its closed position and prevent the further escape of air. Water will continue to be pumped into the reservoir until the pressure therein reaches a predetermined maximum such as 40 pounds at which time the pump motor is de-energized in a manner described hereinafter.

The pump motor is controlled by a pressure switch 111 carried by a plate 112 mounted on the upper end of the drop pipe 32, the plate 112 also carrying the other control equipment such as the capacitors for the motor.

sure within the reservoir by means of a conduit 113 which extends downwardly through an opening 114 in the coverpiate 36 of the well seal, the conduit being sealed thereto by means of a gland 115. The lower end of the conduit 113 terminates within the reservoir above the liquid level therein and may either directly communicate with the air in the reservoir or may, as shown in the drawings, be provided with a bulb 116 which transmits the air pressure in the reservoir through a non-freezing liquid contained in the bulb 116 and conduit 113 to the pressure swtich. All of the controls for the well which are mounted on the top of the well enclosure are enclosed within a housing 115 which is mounted on the well seal 35. A master control switch 116 is provided in the power line leading to the conductors 57 to control the application of power thereto.

Operation After the pump has cycled a number of times, the proper rate of air and water will be established in the reservoir. When water is again withdrawn from the reservoir through the discharge pipe 17, in quantity sufficient to reduce the pressure in the reservoir to a preset minimum, such as pounds, the pressure switch 111 is actuated to energize the pump motor 56. When the pump is started, the pressure in the riser pipe 29 is increased thereby closing the bleeder valve 61 and the air snifter valve 62. The air in the riser pipe between the bleeder valve and the check valve 45 is forced past the check valve into the reservoir 11 thereby introducing a measured charge of air determined by the spacing between the bleeder valve and the check valve. This charge of air is followed by the fluid displaced by the pump which causes the liquid level in the reservoir to rise and compress the air in the reservoir above the liquid. When the air pressure exceeds the predetermined minimum pressure such as 20 pounds determined by the spring 93 on the air release valve 81 the air release valve opens and permits the excess air to be vented to atmosphere. The venting of the air continues until the water raises the float and effects closing of the air release valve. The pump continues in operation until the liquid level in the reservoir has risen sufficiently to raise the air pressure to a predetermined maximum such as pounds at which time the pressure switch is operated to de-energize the pump motor and stop the pump completing the cycle. If the quantity of air in the reservoir is insufficient, the air release valve 81 will not open to vent the air from the reservoir when the float is lowered, and consequently the charges of air introuced each time the pump is operated will build up the quantity of air in the reservoir to the desired amount. When the pump is stopped, the bleeder valve 61 opens to permit the water in the riser pipe above the bleeder valve to drain into the casing, the air snifter valve 62 opening to admit air into the riser pipe.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the entire pumping system including the pump, reservoir and controls therefor are located at the well whereby electrical power may be brought directly to the well for operating the pump and the water may be distributed directly from the well to the several buildings. The pumping system is therefore separate from any of the buildings so that a fire in the buildings would not disable the Well. Further, the reservoir is arranged on the top of the Well casing as are the controls for the pump and storage reservoir so that the adapter unit, riser pipe and pump may be inserted and removed from the well casing through the reservoir and well casing extension. While the reservoir is preferably arranged in the upright position illustrated in the drawings, the reservoir may be otherwise disposed without departing from the scope of the present invention and, may be arranged in a horizontal position with the casing extension mounted thereon and extending upward- 1y therefrom in axial alignment with the well casing so that the pump may be easily removed therefrom.

Since the water is stored below the ground below thefrost level, the water does not freeze in winter and does not heat up in summer thereby maintaining a relatively uniform temperature. It is a further advantage of this construction that the entire system is under pressure thereby avoiding the possibility of water leaking into the system.

While the apparatus has been described in connection with a water supply system, it is apparent that many of the features thereof may be utilized in the handling of other liquids and the apparatus is not to be construed as limited solely to the pumping of water.

We claim:

1. In a water supply pressure storage system, a well enclosure extending from a point above the ground downwardly int the well, a first seal means in the well enclosure spaced above the bottom of the well and having an inlet port therein, a second seal means disposed in the well enclosure above said first seal means, said seal means spanning the enclosure and adapted to seal thereagainst to define with said enclosure a fluid storage reservoir therebetween, means for charging air into the reservoir, means communicating with said inlet for pumping water from the well into said reservoir for storage therein under a pneumatic pressure head, a check valve located between the pumping means and the reservoir for controlling the flow through said inlet port to open for flow from the pumping means and to close to prevent return flow, and means for drawing ofl? liquid from below the liquid level in the reservoir.

2. In a water supply pressure storage system, a well enclosure extending from a point above the ground downwardly into the well, a first seal means in the well enclosure spaced above the bottom thereof and having an inlet port therein, a second seal means disposed in the well enclosure above said first seal means, said seal means spanning the well enclosure and defining therewith a fluid reservoir therebetween, .a riser pipe attached to said first seal means in communication with said port therein and extending downwardly therefrom in said well enclosure, pump means in said well enclosure carried by said riser pipe for pumping water upwardly through said pipe into said reservoir, a check valve for controlling flow through said inlet port to open for flow from the pumping means and to close to prevent return flow, means for drawing oif liquid from below the liquid level in the reservoir and a pressure switch responsive to the pressure of the water in the reservoir to start and stop the pumping means at preset lower and upper pressures.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the pressure switch is mounted adjacent the upper end of the well enclosure and means extends through said second sealing mean-s for applying the fluid pressure in said reservoir to said pressure switch to operate the latter in accordance with the pressure in said reservoir.

4. The combination of claim 2 including means for introducing air into said riser pipe for delivery by the pump to said reservoir to provide an air cushion therein, and means extending through said second seal means for venting the excess air from said reservoir.

5. In a water supply pressure storage system, a well enclosure extending from a point above the ground downwardly into the well, a first seal means in the well enclosure spaced above the bottom of the well and having an inlet port therein, a second seal means disposed in the well enclosure above said first seal means and defining a fluid reservoir therebetween, a riser pipe attached to said first seal means in communication with said port therein and extending downwardly therefrom in said well enclosure, pump means in said well enclosure carried by said riser pipe for pumping liquid upwardly through said pipe into said reservoir, a check valve on said first seal means for controlling flow through said inlet port to open for flow from the pumping means and to close toprevent return flow, a connection for connecting the reservoir with a water distribution system communicating with the reservoir near the bottom thereof for delivery of water from the lower portion of the reservoir, a shoulder in said well enclosure engageable with said first seal means for supporting the latter in said well enclosure, and a drop pipe connecting said first seal means to said second seal means for removal therewith from said enclosure.

6. In a water supply pressure storage system, a well enclosure, a first seal mean-s in said well enclosure spaced above the bottom of the well and having an inlet port therein, a second seal means disposed in the well enclosure above the first seal means and defining a fluid storage reservoir therebetween, a riser pipe attached to said first seal means in communication with said inlet port therein and extending downwardly therefirom in the well enclosure, pump means for pumping liquid upwardly in said riser pipe into said reservoir, a check valve for cont-rolling the flow of liquid through said inlet port to open for flow from the pumping means and to close to prevent return flow, a drop pipe secured to said first and second seal means and extending therethrough to communicate the space in said well enclosure below said first seal means with the atmosphere above said second seal means, a connection for connecting the reservoir with a water distribution system communicating with the reservoir near the bottom thereof for delivery of water from the reservoir and a pressure switch responsive to the pressure on the water in the reservoir to start and step said pumping means at preset lower and upper pressures.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the pump means includes a motor disposed in the well at the lower end of said riser pipe for driving said pumping means and power conductors for said motor extend from the top of the well enclosure through said drop pipe and downwardly in the well enclosure to the motor.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein control means for the motor is mounted on the upper end of the well enclosure having means for connection to a source of electric power and said power conductors connect said control means with said motor.

9. In a water supply pressure storage system, a well enclosure, a first seal means in said well enclosure spaced above the bottom of the well and having an inlet port therein, a second seal means disposed in the well enclosure above the first seal means and defining a fluid reservoir therebetween, a riser pipe attached to said first seal means in communication with said inlet port therein and extending downwardly therefrom in the well enclosure, pump means for pumping liquid upwardly in said riser pipe into said reservoir, a check valve for controlling the flow of liquid through said inlet port to open for flow from the pumping means and to close to prevent return flow, a drop pipe secured to said first and second seal means and extending therethrough to communicate the space in said well enclosure below said first seal means with the atmosphere above said second seal means, means communicating with said well casing below said first seal means and above the liquid level in the well for introducing air into said reservoir to provide an air cushion therein, means extending through the second seal means for discharging the excess air from the reservoir, and means for withdrawing liquid from the reservoir.

10. In a water supply pressure storage system, a well enclosure comprising a well casing, a fluid reservoir of greater transverse dimension than the well casing mounted on the upper end of said casing in con1munication therewith, and a casing extension mounted on the top of said reservoir in communication therewith and disposed in axial alignment with said well casing, a'first seal means disposed in the well enclosure closing the lower end of the reservoir, a second seal means spanning the well extension and closing the upper end of the reservoir,

said first'seal means'having'an inlet port therein, a riser pipe attached to the first seal means in communication with the inlet port, means for pumping liquid upwardly in the riser pipe into the reservoir, a check valve for controlling the flow through said inlet port to open for flow from the pumping means and to close to prevent return flow, a drop pipe connecting said first seal means to the second seal means for removal therewith from the well enclosure to admit air to the well casing, and means for withdrawing liquid from the reservoir.

11. The combination of claim 10 including means for introducing air into the reservoir to provide an air cushion therein, an air discharge valve communicating with said reservoir and adapted to open to discharge air from the reservoir through the second seal means when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined value, and float means in said reservoir for preventing opening of said air discharge valve when the liquid level in the reservoir is above a predetermined level.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said float means is guidably mounted on said drop pipe.

13. In a water supply pressure storage system, a well enclosure comprising a well casing, an enlarged fluid reservoir mounted on the upper end of the well casing buried in the ground and in communication therewith, and a casing extension on the top of the reservoir communicating therewith and disposed in axial alignment With the Well casing extending upwardly to a point above ground, means defining a shoulder in the well enclosure adjacent the bottom of the reservoir, an adapter unit supported on the shoulder in fluid sealing engagement with the well enclosure to form a lower casing seal, a well seal mounted on the upper end of the casing extension, a drop pipe connecting said adapter unit to said well seal, said adapter unit having an inlet port therein, a riser pipe attached to said adapter unit in communication with said inlet port, means for pumping liquid upwardly in said riser pipe into said reservoir, and means for withdrawing liquid from said reservoir.

14. In a water supply pressure storage system, a well enclosure comprising a well casing, an enlarged fluid storage reservoir mounted on the upper end of the well casing in communication therewith, and a casing extension on the top of the reservoir communicating therewith and disposed in axial alignment with the well casing, an adapter unit in fluid sealing engagement with the well enclosure to form a lower casing seal, an upper seal spanning the casing extension in fluid sealing engagement therewith closing the upper end of the reservoir, a drop pipe extending through said adapter unit in fluid sealing engagement therewith and through said upper seal to introduce air into the well enclosure below the adapter unit, said adapter unit having an inlet port therein and a riser pipe attached to the adapter unit in communication with the inlet port, pump means for pumping liquid upwardly in the riser pipe into the reservoir, a check valve controlling fiow through the inlet port to open for flow from the pump means and to close to prevent return flow, a float valve, a bleeder valve disposed in the riser pipe between the check valve and the pump arranged to close in response to the flow of fluid upwardly in the drop pipe and open in the absence of such flow to permit liquid in the riser pipe between the bleeder valve and the check valve to drain into the well casing, and a normally closed air snifter valve for admitting air into the riser pipe as the liquid drains therefrom.

15. The combination of claim 14 including an air release valve supported on the upper seal for venting air from the reservoir when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined value, and float means operatively connected to said release valve for preventing opening thereof when the liquid level in the reservoir exceeds a predetermined level.

16. in a water supply pneumatic pressure system, a well enclosure extending from a point above the ground downwardly through a well opening, spaced seal means in said well enclosure spanning the same and adapted to seal against the walls of said enclosure above the lower end of the enclosure, defining with said enclosure a fluid storage reservoir between the seal means, means for delivering water from the well and for periodically recharging air into said reservoir during operation of the system for storage of water therein under a pneumatic pressure head, and conduit means communicating with said reservoir at a point near the bottom of the reservoir for delivery of water therefrom.

17. In a water supply pneumatic pressure system, a well enclosure comprising a well casing extending downwardly into a well opening, a pressure storage tank buried in the ground and attached to the upper end of the casing in communication therewith, and a casing extension secured to the top of the tank in axial alignment with the casing extending to a point above the ground, means for sealing the well enclosure above and below the tank, means for pumping water from the well into the tank and for periodically introducing air thereto to maintain a continuing pressure head in said tank during operation of the system, a check valve in the last mentioned means for preventing return flow of water, and a connection for connecting the tank to a water distribution system cornmunicating with the tank near the bottom thereof for the delivery of water from the tank.

18. in a water supply pressure system, a well enclosure comprising a well casing extending downwardly into a well ope ing, a pressure storage tank buried in the ground and attached to the upper end of the casing in communication therewith, and a casing extension secured to the top of the tank in axial alignment with the casing extending to a point above the ground, means for sealing the well enclosure above and below the tank, a conduit extending downwardly 1n the casing from the tank to the water in the well, a submersible motor driven pump secured to the lower end of said conduit for delivering water and air therethrough to the tank under pressure, a check valve in said conduit for preventing return flow, a connection to said tank for connecting the tank to a water distribution system, and means passing through said seal means for admitting air to the well casing.

19. In a water supply pressure system, a well onclosure comprising a well casing extending downward into a well opening, a pressure storage tank buried in the ground and attached to the upper end of the casing in communication therewith, and a casing extension secured to the top of the tank in axial alignment with the casing, extending to a point above ground, upper and lower sealing means for sealing the well enclosure above and below the tank, a riser pipe attached to the lower sealing means extending downward in the casing to the water in the well, a submersible electric motor driven pump attached to the lower end of the riser pipe for pumping water upwardly in the riser pipe to the tank, a check valve for preventing return flow through the riser pipe, a drop pipe extending downwardly through the casing extension to the lower sealing means to admit atmospheric air to the well casing, means communicating with the well casing below the lower sealing means to introduce air into the tank, control means for said motor arranged for connection to a source of electric power mounted on the upper end of said casing extension including a pressure switch responsive to the pressure in the tank, and electric conductors passing downward from the control means through said drop pipe to the well casing and through the casing to the motor of said pump.

20. In a water supply pneumatic pressure storage system, an imperforate well enclosure extending from a point above the ground downwardly into the well, means spaced above the bottom of the well defining a fluid pressure reservoir within said well enclosure, means for providing and maintaining a pneumatic cushion in said reservoir, a riser pipe in said well enclosure communicating with said reservoir and extending downwardly therefrom, pump means in the well having a discharge connection to said riser pipe for pumping water from the well upwardly through the riser pipe to the reservoir for storage therein under the pressure head of said pneumatic cushion, a check valve located between said pump means and said reservoir for controlling the flow from said pump means to said reservoir to open for flow from the pump means and to close to prevent return flow, and means for drawing off water from said reservoir.

21. In a water supply pneumatic pressure storage system, an imperforate well enclosure extending from a point above the ground downwardly into the well, means spaced above the bottom of the well defining a fluid pressure reservoir within said well enclosure, means for providing and maintaining a pneumatic cushion in said reservoir, a riser pipe in said well enclosure communi eating with said reservoir and extending downwardly therefrom, pump means in the well having a discharge connection to said riser pipe for pumping water from the well upwardly through the riser pipe to the reservoir for storage therein under the pressure head of said pneumatic cushion, a check valve located between said pump means and said reservoir for controlling the flow from said pump means to said reservoir to open for flow from the pump means and to close to prevent return flow, means for drawing off water from said reservoir, and a pressure switch located at said well and responsive to the pressure in said reservoir to start and stop said pump means at preset lower and upper pressures.

22. in a water supply pneumatic pressure storage system, an imperforate well enclosure extending from a point above the ground downwardly into the well, means spaced above the bottom of the well defining a fluid pressure reservoir within said well enclosure, means for providing and maintaining a pneumatic cushion in said reservoir, a riser pipe in said well enclosure communicating with said reservoir and extending downwardly therefrom, pump means in the well having a discharge connection to said riser pipe for pumping water from the well upwardly through the riser pipe to the reservoir for storage therein under the pressure head of said pneumatic cushion, a check valve located between said pump means and said reservoir for controlling the flow from said pump means to said reservoir to open for flow from the pump means and to close to prevent return flow, means for drawing off water from said reservoir, said reservoir defining means being removably mounted in said well enclosure to permit axial withdrawal therefrom, a drop pipe in said well enclosure extending downwardly from the upper end thereof, and means including said reservoir defining means for connecting said drop pipe to said riser pipe to permit axial withdrawal of said pump means, said riser pipe and said reservoir defining means from said well enclosure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,572,231 Buvinger et al. Feb. 9, 1926 1,649,524 Hammond Nov. 15, 1927 1,957,320 Coberly et al. May 1, 1934 2,214,064 Niles Sept. 10, 1940 2,242,166 Bennett May 13, 1941 2,475,918 Ruth July 12, 1949 2,614,498 Piccardo Oct. 21, 1952 2,657,637 Baker Nov. 3, 1953