Drip Pump System and Method

Abstract

A system and method for pumping an underground drip includes a pump barrel housing with a plunger and an elongated stroke actuator cylinder sealed to the pump barrel that vertically reciprocates the plunger. The pump barrel and plunger are preferably vented to avoid vacuum lock during pumping. The plunger pumps the fluid located in the drip upwardly to a low pressure tank or a pressurized surface vessel. A ball valve may be screwed onto the siphon line to allow for insertion and removal of the pump barrel and seals the siphon line if the pump is removed. A stuffing box seals the pump barrel to the upper end of the siphon line to prevent air from entering the system. The stuffing box also allows the pump depth to be easily adjustable by sliding the pump in until the pump tags bottom and then tightening at any point needed.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of pumping an underground drip comprising the steps of:
 inserting a pump barrel into an underground drip until a straining nipple end of the pump barrel tags a bottom portion of the underground drip;   sealing the pump barrel at an upper end of the pump barrel;   positioning and sealing an elongated stroke actuator cylinder supported above and attached to the pump barrel and in alignment therewith;   connecting a collection vessel to a tee fitting in communication with the pump barrel;   sequentially vertically manipulating a plunger within the pump barrel and in communication with the stroke actuator cylinder to pump a fluid located within the underground drip to the collection vessel.   
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein said step of inserting further comprises the step of passing the pump barrel through an open ball valve attached to an upper end of a siphon line. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19  further comprising the steps of removing the pump barrel from a siphon line and closing an open end of the siphon line. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 20  further comprising said closing step including shutting the open ball valve attached to the upper end of the siphon line. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 20  further comprising a draining step, said draining step being accomplished by a tee with a valve located below the ball valve.