Groundwater sampling device

Abstract

A groundwater sampling and pumping device and system for withdrawing groundwater from a well of small size, not exceeding 1.5 inches I.D. The device includes a hollow outer housing having water inlet ports formed through a bottom thereof and a hollow inner housing sized to be positioned integrally within the outer housing and defining a water flow passage therebetween. An electric motor in the inner housing is connected to a water impeller operably positioned to draw groundwater into the water passage. The water passing upwardly through the water flow passage provides cooling for the motor. Preferably the housing is formed of a polymer material, and/or a metal, such as stainless steel.

1 . A groundwater sampling and centrifugal pump device comprising a hollow outer housing having water inlet ports near a bottom thereof and an integral hollow conduit sized to be positioned as part of the outer housing;
 an inner housing sized and shaped to receive a DC electric motor therein;   said motor having a downwardly extending shaft;   said shaft carrying an impeller to move the water from the inlet ports through said integral hollow conduit;   said maximum outer diameter of the outer housing being smaller than the inner diameter of 1.5 inches of a well;   said device being capable of lifting groundwater to a height of at least 30 feet.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further including a voltage/current controller/booster electrically connected to said motor to provide a power input to the motor from 0 to 39 V DC. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow conduit is positioned adjacent to the inner housing containing the water to provide cooling to the motor. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner and outer housings are made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of polymeric material and stainless steel. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a seal between the shaft and the inner housing. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , further including a flexible conduit connected to said integral hollow conduit to convey water above the ground level in which the well is situated. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , further including at least one additional pumping stage and the hollow conduit conveys water to the at least one additional stage. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein there are at least three stages to which water is conveyed before being discharged to above the ground level. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , coupled to an electric conduit. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the electrical conduit is electrically connected to a low flow sampling controller. 
   
   
       11 . A method of conveying ground water from a well having a maximum inner diameter (ID) of 1.5 inches comprising lowering a centrifugal pump having a DC powered electric motor into said well until it contacts said groundwater;
 supplying DC voltage to the electric motor causing rotation of an impeller to cause flow of water through an integral hollow conduit adjacent to a housing in which the motor is contained;   and simultaneously cooling the motor and conveying the groundwater above the level of the ground in which the well is situated.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , in which the groundwater is conveyed upwardly to a distance of more than 30 feet. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the distance is more than 200 feet. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the groundwater passes through at least a second stage of the pump before it reaches the level of the ground in which the well is situated. 
   
   
       15 . A method of conveying groundwater from a well having a maximum inner diameter of 1.5 inches by increasing a centrifugal pump in said groundwater, emerging the pump through a DC motor and lifting the groundwater at least 30 feet. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the groundwater is lifted between 30 and 200 feet. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the groundwater is lifted at least 200 feet. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the centrifugal pump is a single stage pump. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the centrifugal pump is a multi-stage pump. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the housing is made of polymeric material and/or stainless steel. 
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pump has an outer housing of not greater than 0.8 inch.