Water supply system and pump apparatus therefor

Abstract

A supply system for supplying liquid, such as water, from a lower level to a higher level wherein a supply pipe has one end at the lower level and another end connected to a closed container substantially full of water, in use. A pump is immersed in the water in the container with an inlet to draw water from the container and pump it through a supply pipe to supply water to the higher level whereby, in use, the container substantially fills with water which is drawn into the pump and then out through the outlet. Pump apparatus is also described.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A water supply system for supplying water to a building at a higher level than a lake comprising: 
 a water supply pipe with one end in said lake and another end connected to a closed container substantially full of water, in use, and buried completely in the ground at a sufficient depth so that the water does not freeze at that depth,    a water pump immersed in the water in said container with an inlet to draw water from said container and pump it through an outlet of said container,    a water supply pipe with one end connected to said outlet and another end at said building to supply water thereto.    Wherein said inlet is an inlet pitless adapter and said outlet is an outlet pitless adapter.    
     
     
         2 . A water supply system according to  claim 1  wherein a hole is drilled in said inlet pitless adapter and a stand pipe is mounted in said hole with a check valve at its upper end to permit water from said building and outlet line to return back through said pump and said check valve to said inlet pitless adapter and then to said lake when said pump is switched off.  
     
     
         3 . Pump apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a closed container having an inlet and an outlet for water,    (b) a water pump with in said container to draw water in through said inlet and out through said outlet,    (c) whereby, in use, said container substantially fills with water which is drawn into the pump and then out through said outlet,    (d) wherein said inlet is an inlet pitless adapter and said outlet is an outlet pitless adapter.    
     
     
         4 . Pump apparatus according to claims  1 ,  2  or  3  wherein a closeable filler cap is provided in the top of said container for priming purposes.  
     
     
         5 . Pump apparatus according to claims  1 ,  2 ,  3  or  4  including a float switch within said container and connected in the electrical supply of said pump to switch off said pump when the water level in the container drops below a predetermined level.