US3272131A - Well system - Google Patents

Description

Sep. 13, 1966 H, A. TUBES 3,272,131

WELL SYSTEM Filed April 22, 1964 H TTONE'Y United States Patent O 3,272,131 WELL SYSTEM Howard A. Tubbs, 32 Corte Nogel, Danville, Calif. Filed Apr. 22, 1964, Ser. No. 361,755 7 Claims. (Cl. 10S-6) The invention relates to well systems of the type normally used in supplying water in rural areas for domestic or commercial purposes.

The invention further relates to the method of priming the storage tank of such a well system. Priming of the storage tank referred t-o hereinafter is defined as the process of building up the pressure within the storage tank `from atmospheric or zero to the desired range while also accomplishing the desired water level to be maintained in the tank for normal operation.

In particular, the invention relates to the type of well system employing a pressurized storage tank in which an air volume control is utilized for releasing excess air from within the tank as desired. In a system of this type a charge of air is introduced into the water storage tank in each cycle of pump operation and a control device is necessary to effect a discharge of excess air.

The pumping device most commonly used in this type of well system would 'be of the submersible type wherein the pump is located within the well casing and the pump together with its motor is suspended from a drop or feed pipe which delivers the water from within the well casing to the storage tank.

In a system of this type the air volume control most commonly used incorporates a valve controlled by a float which responds to the condition of the water level in the storage tank. In pumping systems employing pressure ranges between 20 lbs. and 40 lbs., the weight of the toat and the size or the valve, which it controls, does n-ot present any undue problems, however, where the pressure range is increased to -a 40 lbs. to 60 lbs. system, problems arise with reference to the weight of the float and the size of the valve which it controls. The problems are enhanced ybecause such a well system, when initially installed, most go through a virgin cycle of pump operation in which the pressure within the storage tank is zero- (atmospheric).

The principal object of the invention is to provide a well system in which the problems are minimized where the higher pressure ranges lare involved.

A further object is to provide a well system in which an air volume control can be installed in a storage tank having a side wall opening for mounting the control.

A further object is to provide an air volume control `for mounting in a tank side wall opening wherein the control oat assembly can be of the vertical type and Icompletely assembled prior to inserti-on through the tank opening.

A further object is to provide la tank wall {fitting for use with a vertical type air volume control in which `the iitting provides =for c-ontinuous exposure of tank pressure to a pressure responsive switch mounted exteriorly of the tank while also providing a discharge passage, .controlled by the air volume control, so as to have intermittent exposure to tank pressure.

A `further object is to provide an air volume control with an improved valve `assembly which functions more satisfactorily than prior art devices.

A further speciiic object is to provide in an air volume control a float which utilizes the water within the storage tank for establishing its weight characteristics.

A `further object is to provide an air volume control in which the iloat can employ a variable weight as desired. With this type of lloat a larger size valve opening can be utilized.

3,272,13l Patented Sept. 13, 1966 ICC A further object is to provide an air v-olume control of the type which is generally improved over prior art types of controls.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing specification and appended drawing in which:

FIGURE y1 is a schematic view of one type of well system and the air volume control employed therewith.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail view of a portion of the system of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional detail view of the lfloat assembly of the air volume control employed in the system of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary end view of the upper portion of the air volume control taken in the direction indicated rby line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional detail plan view of the discharge end of the air volume control and taken on the line 5-'5 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is 'an enlarged sectional detail view taken on line 46-6 of FIGURE 1 with tank wall removed.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail view of a portion of the air discharge valve.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional detail view of the insert which provides the valve sea-t and discharge passage.

The type of Well system shown in FIGURE 1 includes the well casing A, which in practice would -be m-ade up of sections of pipe secured together to 'form a continuous pipe extending down into the ground to a depth sufficient to encounter the source of water. The well casing normally has a common inside diameter throughout its length to laccommodate the pump and motor uni-t B which is submerged at all times below Water level within the casing. The pump and motor unit is suspended from the drop pipe C which, of course, is yformed of sections connected together so as to extend throughout the length of the well casing continuously. The upper end of the drop pipe is connected to a coupling D from whence the water enters the storage tank E and is `dispensed into the house or other place of usage through the discharge pipe F (only a portion of Lwhich is shown). Suitable electric wiring G leads from the source of electricity (n-ot shown) into the interior of the well casing and on down through the well casing to the pump and motor unit. A pressure switch H of conventional construction is responsive to the air pressure within the storage tank for automatically controlling the operation of the pump and motor unit.

The coupling D may be of conventional construction, such as, for example, of the type shown in tPatent No. 2,918,972. The water thus travels up through the drop or feed pipe C tfrom the pump land motor unit through the couplin-g D and thence through the water transfer pipe 10 into the interior of the storage tank E.

It is necessary to introduce air into the interior of the storage tank as needed to provide a suitable air cushion above the water level in the tank for pressurizing the system and this air Iis introduced into the tank through appropriate bleeders 11 and 12 in a manner to be explained hereinafter. Excess air is discharged yfrom the -tank to atmosphere through the elongated air discharge conduit tubing 13 and the Iultimate discharge passage d4 (see FIGURE 5).

As heretofore mentioned the air which is added into the tank enters an opening 15 at `the upper end olf casing section 16 and thence travels down through the interior of casing A to the -bleeders 11 and 12. When the pump is operating, water is being delivered up through the drop pipe and into the interior of the storage tank until the pressure switch opens the electrical circuit to the pump motor. Then when the pump ceases operating, a

one way chec-k valve 18 prevents 4the water in the storage tank from running 'back down through the drop pipe, however, the receding of `the rwater fwithin the drop pipe below the check valve 18 causes a suction condition to commence building up within the drop pipe (see FIG- URE 2) between the `check valve 18 and the upper bleeder 11. The ball 19 lwill be sucked over against the inner end of the chamber within the bleeder housing, as shown in FIGURE 2. The passage a at the inner end of the bleeder housing chamber permits entry of air into the interior of the drop pipe C even though the ball 19 is in the inward position as .shown in FIGURE 2. Air commences entering the drop pipe through passage 20a even though there is still a column of water in the drop pipe between the ycheck valve A18 and upper bleeder 11. When the water in the drop pipe recedes to the level of passage 20a, then it recedes considerably more rapidly (while draining o-ut through the lower bleeder 12) until the `water level reaches the bleeder 12. The column of water in the drop pipe C remains 4at the level of bleeder112 (due to check valve 23 being closed) pending the next operation of the pump. The check valve 23 may be of the same general construction as the check valve 18 and the bleeder 12 may be of the same general construction as the bleeder 11. The check valves and bleeders are of conventional construction.

Thus, with a column of air supplied within the drop pipe, when the pump next operates, a change of air is pushed through the check valve '18 and on into the storage tank ahead o-f the column of Water coming up through the drop pipe. When the pump forces the column of water up through the drop pipe, the interior of said pipe becomes pressurized lcausing the balls in the bleeders 11 and l12 to move outwardly against the valve seat 20 in bleeder 11 and the comparable valve seat in bleeder 12, thereby closing off .passage 22 in bleeder ,11 and the comparable passage in bleeder `1,2. As has been previously explained, if too much air is int-roduced into the storage tank, the excess will be expelled out through the tubing 13 and discharge passage 14 by operation of the air volume control. It will be understood that air may be added Vinto the storage tank (under inducement of pump operation) through some means other than with bleeders 11 and 12, 'for example, a small compressor can have its outlet dischange communicating directly with the interior of the storage tank while being electrically interlocked with the pressure responsive switch H so as to add air into the interior -of the tank whenever the pressure switch activates the pump. I prefer to disclose the conventional bleeder type of air inlet apparatus as shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, I have sholwn the valve and float assembly portion of the air volume control in detail. It includes a cylindrical elongated outer casing or sleeve 25 of tubular construction having v inwardly crimped stops 26 at the open end 27. The other end of the sleeve is telescopically mounted on the annular shoulder 28 of the fitting 29. The casing or sleeve is anchored to such fitting as by means of a suitafble adhesive. The fitting has an externally threaded end 30 .which is threaded into the hollow coupling 31. The upper end of the coupling has a diametrically reduced bore (as shown in dotted lines at 31a in FIGURE 4) into which the lower end of tubing 13 is secured. The fitting 29 has an axial bore 32 which communicates with a restricted passage 33 which terminates at the valve seat 34. Under some conditions it may be desirable to eliminate the coupling 31 in which -case the bore `32 in fitting 29 is of the proper diameter to receive the lower end of tubing 13 which is then cemented therein as by use of a suitable adhesive. In this type of construction, the float assembly is permanently connected to the tubing 13, whereas, such is not the case when coupling 31 is employed. The use of the coupling facilitates packaging and shipping since the oat assembly can be separate from the tubing 13 for packaging and shipping purposes.

Referring to FIGURES 3, 7 and 8, the valve seat and passage may be in the form of an insert (identified generally by the numeral 36) which is secured within a suitable bore formed in the fitting boss 37. The insert insures a valve `seat 34 of uniform quality (under volume production conditions) for coacting with the valve face 38 to prevent air leakage when the valve is closed. In a typical domestic water system with a 40-60 lb. tank pressure range, the inside diameter of passage 33 may be approximaely .0468 inch so as to function acceptably with a ioat 39 of the length and diameter as shown in FIGURE 3. Thus, the insert shown in detail in FIGURE 8 is approximately four times actual size.

The float and weight assembly 39 includes a cylindrical shell or casing portion 43 closed off at its lower end by means of a circular cap 42 which is secured thereto as by means of -a suitable adhesive. A similar circular cap 44 closes off the upper end of the shell 43 and also serves as a mounting for the lower end of a cylindrical casing portion 46 which forms the upper end portion of the float and weight assembly. The casing portion 46 is closed off at its upper end with a circular cap 47 (similar to caps 42 and 44). Thus, the upper end of the float and weight assembly is provided with a closed chamber 51 with air trapped therein between the circular partition walls 52 and 53. The inwardly converging stops 26 of casing 25 prevents the float and weight assembly from dropping out of the casing.

The cap member 47 at the upper end of the float has an annular flange 55 which defines a cylindrical pocket into which the annular base portion 56 of the valve block is secured. The valve block may be formed of rubber (or other elastic material having the characteristics of rubber) and the hardness thereof may be such as to effect a durometer reading in the 40 or 45 range. A block of the type shown, if molded of rubber, w1l1 have a hardness as indicated immediately above and thus to effect better valve closing action, I prefer to provide the block with a hollow interior which results in a valve seat wall 57 having a thickness of about 1/16 of an inch. The fiexibility of such a valve seat wall affords better Valve closing and opening action between the valve face 38 and valve seat 34. In fact, the behavoir of wall 57 is such that valving action would be comparable to that afforded by a rubber valve seat in which hardness thereof would be in the range of a 10 or l5 durometer reading. Ihave provided openings 59 in the valve block wall so that the hollow interior 60 thereof will be pressurized in accordance with the pressure conditions inside of the tank E. Thus, any tendency of the valve block to become dislodged from the cap 47, is materially lessened and during initial installation of the base portion of the Valve block into the pocket defined by annular flange 55, there will be no trapping of air within the pocket so as to interfere with such installation-such air being immediately expelled through openings 59, thereby permitting the under surface of the valve block to seat snugly against the upper surface of the partition wall 53 of the cap member 47.

The casing 25 has openings 62 near the upper end thereof to prevent any pressure build up within the casing 25 when the water in the storage tank is rising in the interior thereof. The casing section 43 has openings 63 `in its wall to permit entry of water into the chamber 64 which is provided by the casing section 43 thereby providing the weight as desired. A pocket 65 exists within the casing 43 above the level of the openings 63 for reasons to be presented hereinafter. During the virgin cycle of the operation of the pump, the air pressure within the tank is zero or atmospheric. As the water level in the tank rises the weight portion of the fioat and weight assembly will be resting in the bottom of the shell 25 against the stops 26. The valve is open and a small amount of air is escaping through passage 33, bore 32,

discharge tubing 13 and discharge passage 14. The chamber 64 is filled with air and hence the weight and float assembly is in its condition of lightest weight and will be of such buoyancy as to augment closing off the valve face 38 against the valve seat 34 at an early time during the risin-g of the water level in the storage tank. That is, the iloat will close olf the valve before the water level in the tank reaches openings 63. Thus, the escape of air through passage 33 will be cut off at an early stage during rising water level, thereby permitting a more rapid pressurizing Iof the interior of the storage tank.

As the water level rises in the tank above the level of openings 63, the chamber 64 commences iilling with water thereby adding additional weight to the Weight. The valve will, however, remain closed since the water level in the storage tank is common with the water level inside of the weight, the specic gravity of such water bein-g constant. Since the air pressure in the tank was at zero, the water will continue rising in the tank to an abnormally high level before the tank pressure reaches 60 lbs. Several cycles of operation of the pump may be needed before an adequate quantity of air is trapped within the tank to complete the priming process. In other words, the rst cycle of operation of the pump may result in the water level reaching a height in the tank such that the valve will remain closed through several subsequent cycles of opera tion of the pump. Thus, a new quantity of air is being added into the tank each time the pump operates without any air being expelled from the tank. The water level in the tank keeps receding to a new level after each cycle of pump operation until the desired level for normal operation is reached wherein the float operate-d valve will then maintain a substantially constant quantity of air in the tank. The priming process may then be considered completed.

With the priming process completed and the system operating as desired, then, whenever the pressure switch opens the electrical circuit, the pump will cease operating and subsequent usage of the water from the tank through discharge pipe F will cause the water level in the tank to recede until it drops below the openings 63. The water level within the chamber 64 will llikewise recede to the lowermost level of openings 63 thereby tending to keep the valve closed slightly longer because of the decrease of the weight within the weight chamber. The water within the chamber beneath the lowermost level of openings 63 is, however, permanently trapped and provides the necessary weighting of the weight for subsequent valve opening and closing purposes. It will be understood that since the pressure inside of the tank exceeds the pressure within passage 33 (which is atmospheric). the valve will remain seated or closed until the weight within chamber 64 is adequate to overcome the effect of this pressure difterential. Thus, in a 40-60 lb. pumping system, the minimum press-ure within the tank is 40 lbs. greater than atmospheric (at 40 lbs. tank pressure, the pump commences operating and keeps operating until the pressure within the tank reaches 6() lbs., -at which pressure the pump ceases operating and remains inoperative until tank pressure drops to 40 lbs.). The dotted line J in FIGURE l is intended t-o indicate the approximate desired water level wherein pump operation would be imminent for adding more water into the tank.

An important objective is to provide a pumping system in which a vertical type float operated valve assembly is employed with a side wall tank opening. That is, in the type of tank show-n in FIGURE l, the internally threaded annular boss or flange 68 (which provides access to the tank interior) is mounted in the side wall 69 of the tank. In order to utilize the vertical or upright type of iioat and valve assembly, I suspend same from a supporting tube 13 which is formed with a generally gooseneck type configuration as is apparent when viewing 6 FIGURE 1. Thus, the ultimate position of height which the float assembly assumes within the tank interior is rather accurately determined beforehand, as is desirable and necessary (since the height at which the float assembly is maintained is determinative of the desired water level within the tank for normal operation). The gooseneck configuration of the tubing 13 provides the desired length of air discharge route (from valve passage 33 to discharge passage 14) while also providing adequate clearance to permit rotation of the entire float assembly within the tank interior while fitting body 71 is being threaded on a horizontal axis into tank ange 68. That is, the float assembly, tubing and fitting body 71 are preassembled before installation in the storage tank-the diameter of shell 25 being that it can be easily inserted through the tank opening provided by mounting ange 68. As the fitting body is threaded into the tank flange, the tubing 13 and the oat assembly will be swung rotatively about the axis of the tting body and the gooseneck configuration of the tubing results in the desired limited diametric dimension of the circular path described thereby. The gooseneck coniiguration of the tubing also permits use of a oat assembly of adequate length to function 4properly when used with a storage tank having a side wall mounting flange which is situated at a standard height from the bottom of the tank (a height which is determined beforehand by the tank manufacturer) As an example of a typical storage tank installation, the inside diameter of the tank may be 14 inches. Thus, the circular path described by the rotation of the tubing and float assembly must be less than 14 inches in diameter in order to avoid Contact with the tank side wall. By employing the gooseneck shaped tubing, the lower end of casing 25 can be situated a distance radially from the axis of the tank tting body 71 of about 6% to 61/2 inches, thereby describing a circular path of 13 inches in diameter or less, which of course is less than the inside diameter of the tank. Additionally, the gooseneck shape of the tubing permits the horizontal insertion of the casing 25 (the diameter of which is slightly less than 1% inches) through a standard 1% inch tank wall opening without incurring any binding condition when the casing 25 is swung from horizontal to vertical position as desired.

Referring to FIGURE 6, I have shown an end view of the tting as seen from within the tankthe tank wall being omitted. The tting body has a pocket 73 which serves to establish communication between the interior of the tank and the pipe nipples 74 and 75 (which are situated exteriorly of the tank). The pressure responsive switch H may be secured to the end of pipe nipple 74 so as to be continuously subjected to internal tank pressure and a pressure gage (not shown) may be secured to the end of pipe nipple 75 so as to continuously register the internal tank pressure. As an alternative construction (not shown in the drawing) the pocket 73 in the fitting body could be in the form of a bore of considerably lesser cross sectional area than that of the pocket 73 provided the bore communicates with the laterally extending bores into which the pipe nipples 74 and 75 are threaded.

The portion of the lifting body above the pocket 73 is provided with a bore 77 into which the end portion 78 of tubing 13 is secured. A valve passage 79 is normally closed off by a spring pressed ball valve 80. The ultimate air discharge passage 14 extends through the threaded plug 81 against which the spring 82 reacts. The tension exerted by the spring on the ball can be said to be nominal and the valve will be readily opened when the pressure within tubing 13 is a pound or so above atmospheric. The principal objective of the ball valve is to prevent the possibility of contamination of the interior of the storage tank, such as would occur in case of a flooded basement (or tank pit) if the flood water rose above the level of the air discharge passage 14.

I claim:

1. A water pumping and storage apparatus comprising: a hollow casing extending down into the ground to the source of water; a water feed pipe within the casing; a

vwater and air storage tank having top, bottom and side walls for receiving the water from the feed pipe, said tank having an inlet in communication with the feed pipe; pumping apparatus for pumping the water from the source through the feed pipe and into the storage tank; means for admitting air into the storage tank during activation of the pumping apparatus and control means for expelling excessive air from the storage tank, said last means including:

a fitting mounted in a side wall of the tank and having an air discharge passage therein; a hollow air discharge conduit having its outer end connected to the fitting and in communication with the air discharge passage; a first valve member disposed within said tank and having a passage in communication with the inner end portion of said conduit; a second valve member disposed within said tank; for coacting with the first valve member; a vertically disposed elongated sleeve disposed within said tank, a float having said second valve member mounted at the upper end thereof and with such float disposed within said sleeve for vertical movement therein in accordance with the change of water level in the tank, said sleeve being suspended from the inner end of said conduit and limiting the movement of said float and second valve therein.

2. For use in a water supply system having a tank for receiving and storing water under pressure and for discharging same for use, and having means for pumping water into said tank, and also having means for admitting air into the tank and control means for expelling excessive air from the tank, a device for controlling the discharge of excessive air from the interior of the tank in accordance with the change of the level of the water within the tank, said device comprising: a fitting mounted in a side wall of the tank and having a discharge passage therein opening exteriorly of the tank; an air discharge conduit disposed within said tank and connected horizontally at its outer end to the fitting and communicating with the discharge passage, a vertically disposed elongated sleeve disposed within said tank, a oat disposed within said sleeve for vertical movement therein in accordance Iwith the change of water level within the tank, a valve mounted at the upper end of said fioat and in communication with the inner end of said conduit for opening or closing the inner end portion of said conduit with reference to the interior of the tank, said valve being constructed to be activated by a change of water level in the tank, said conduit having a gooseneck configuration between the fitting and the valve.

3. For use in a water supply system having a tank for receiving and storing water under pressure and for discharging same for use, and having means for pumping water into said tank, and also having means for admitting air into the tank and control means for expelling excessive air from the tank, a device for controlling the discharge of excessive air from the interior of the tank in accordance with the change of the level of the water within the tank, said device comprising: a fitting mounted in a side wall of the tank and having a discharge passage therein opening exteriorly of the tank; an air discharge conduit disposed within said tank and connected horizontally at its outer end to the fitting and communicating with the discharge passage; a valve for opening or closing communication between the inner end portion of said conduit and the interior of the tank; a vertically disposed elongated sleeve disposed within said tank, a oat disposed within said sleeve and having said valve mounted at the upper float end and with said float being movable substantially vertically within said sleeve in accordance with the change of water level in the tank, said conduit having a gooseneck configuration between the fitting and the valve so that the inner end of the conduit is substantially vertical.

4. For use in a water supply system having a tank for receiving and storing water under pressure and for discharging same for use, and having means for pumping water into said tank, and also having means for admitting air into the tank and control means for expelling excessive air from the tank, a device for controlling the discharge of excessive air from the interior of the tank in accordance with the change of the level of the water within the tank, said device comprising: a fitting mounted in a side wall of the tank and having a discharge passage therein opening exteriorly of the tank; an air discharge conduit disposed within said tank and connected at its outer end to the fitting and communicating with the discharge passage; a valve for opening or closing communication between the interior of the conduit and the interior of the tank; a vertically disposed elongated sleeve disposed within said tank, a float disposed within said sleeve and having said valve mounted at the upper float end and with said float being movable within said sleeve in accordance with change of water level in the tank; said fitting having a pocket therein in open communication with the interior of the tank; and a pressure responsive device connected to the fitting exteriorly of the tank and in communication with the fitting pocket.

5. For use in a water supply system having a tank for receiving and storing water under pressure and for discharging same for use, and having means for pumping water into said tank, and also having means for admitting air into the tank and control means for expelling excessive air from the tank, a device for controlling the discharge of excessive air from the interior of the tank in accordance with the change of the level of the water within the tank, said device comprising: a fitting mounted on a horizontal axis in a side wall of the tank and having a discharge passage therein opening exteriorly of the tank; a gooseneck-shaped air discharge conduit disposed within said tank and connected horizontally at its outer end to the fitting and communicating with the discharge passage; a valve for opening or closing communication between the interior of the conduit and the interior of the tank; a vertically disposed elongated sleeve disposed within said tank, a float disposed within said sleeve and having said valve mounted at the upper float end and with said float being movable substantially vertically within said sleeve in accordance with the change of rwater level in the tank; said sleeve being suspended from the inner vertical end of said conduit and limiting the range of movement of the float, the vertical dimension of the conduit and sleeve being such as to permit rotation thereof within the tank about the horizontal axis of the fitting during installation of the fitting in the tank side wall.

6. For use in a water supply system having a tank for receiving and storing water under pressure and for discharging same for use, and having means for pumping water into said tank, and also having means for admitting air into the tank and control means for expelling excessive air from the tank, a device for controlling the discharge of excessive air from the interior of the tank in accordance with the change of the level of the water within the tank, said device comprising: a fitting mounted in the tank and having a discharge passage therein opening exteriorly of the tank; an air discharge conduit disposed within said tank and connected at its outer end to the fitting and in communication with the discharge passage; a valve seat connected at the inner end of said conduit; a valve member for coacting with the valve seat for opening or closing communication between the interior of the tank and the interior of the conduit; a vertically disposed elongated sleeve disposed within said tank, a oat disposed within said sleeve and having said valve member mounted at the upper iloat end and with said iloat being movable in accordance with the change of water level in the tank; means for limiting the range of movement of the valve member and tloat, said valve member being disposed at the upper end of the float and being of elastic material and having a hollow chamber therein and an opening in a wall thereof to establish communication between the chamber and the interior of the tank and a thin wall portion at the upper end of the chamber for engaging the valve seat.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the conduit is of gooseneck configuration between the tting and the rst valve member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Nelson et al 103-6 Fagan 103-203 Patterson 103-6 Ortman 10S-6 Schmaus 137-209 Andrew 103-6 Tubbs 103-6 Shelter 103-6 MARK NEWMAN, Primary Examiner.

DONLEY I. STOCKING, Examiner.

15 W. L. FREEH, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A WATER PUMPING AND STORAGE APPARATUS COMPRISING: A HOLLOW CASING EXTENDING DOWN INTO THE GROUND TO THE SOURCE OF WATER; A WATER FEED PIPE WITHIN THE CASING; A WATER AND AIR STORAGE TANK HAVING TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS FOR RECEIVING THE WATER FROM THE FEED PIPE, SAID TANK HAVING AN INLET IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE FEED PIPE; PUMPING APPARATUS FOR PUMPING THE WATER FROM THE SOURCE THROUGH THE FEED PIPE AND INTO THE STORAGE TANK; MEANS FOR ADMITTING AIR INTO THE STORAGE TANK; DURING ACTIVATION OF THE PUMPING APPARATUS AND CONTROL MEANS FOR EXPELLING EXCESSIVE AIR FROM THE STORAGE TANK, SAID LAST MEANS INCLUDING: A FITTING MOUNTED IN A SIDE WALL OF THE TANK AND HAVING AN AIR DISCHARGE PASSAGE THEREIN; A HOLLOW AIR DISCHARGE CONDUIT HAVING ITS OUTER END CONNECTED TO THE FITTING AND IN COMMMUNICAITON WITH THE AIR DISCHARGE PASSAGE; A FIRST VALVE MEMBER DISPOSED WITHIN SAID TANK AND HAVING A PASSAGE IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE INNER END PORTION OF SAID CONDUIT; A SECOND VALVE MEMBER DISPOSED WITHIN SAID TANK; FOR COACTING WITH THE FIRST VALVE MEMBER; A VERTICALLY DISPOSED ELONGATED SLEEVE DISPOSED WITHIN SAID TANK, A FLOAT HAVING SAID SECOND VALVE MEMBER MOUNTED AT THE UPPER END THEREOF AND WITH SUCH FLOAT DISPOSED WITHIN SAID

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