Abstract: In combination with a pump, a valve for operation at the interface between underlying heavier liquid and overlying lighter liquid is disclosed. The valve includes an inlet within the heavier liquid communicated from a valve seat to a conduit which typically is connected to the inlet of a pump. A valve disc opens and closes the valve seat to admit the heavier liquid to flow to the pump. The pump is preferably pneumatic and of the type which when flooded with liquid, automatically undertakes pumping and when empty of liquid ceases pumping. A buoyant member having a specific density between that of the lighter liquid and the heavier liquid is buoyantly supported at the interface and moves with the interface. This buoyant member is connected to an assembly which actuates the valve. Where lighter liquid is predominantly present, the float sinks and closes the valve preventing pumping. Where heavier liquid is predominantly present, the float rises, opens the pump inlet to permit pumping.

Abstract: In a pneumatic pump of the float actuated variety, a radial check valve array is utilized for minimizing the trigger point of the pump relative to the bottom of the leachate and/or groundwater table. The pump includes a fluid-tight casing from which fluid to be pumped can be discharged to an outflow conduit such as a well casing. An outflow conduit extends from a outflow conduit inlet at the bottom inside of the fluid-tight casing to a pumped fluid discharge--such as a well casing--exterior of the casing. An actuating float is disposed within the pump casing and is moveable over a distance responsive to liquid level within the casing from a first lower position adjacent the bottom of the casing to a second upper position for actuating an air inlet to discharge air into the casing. An air inlet check valve is provided having an inlet for communication to a source of air under pressure exterior of the pump casing and an outlet to the interior of the pump casing.

Abstract: An improved ball retaining mechanism is disclosed in combination with an improved valve body for maintaining a checking ball within a ball check valve. The valve body includes a central conduit configured about a flow axis passing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet. Adjacent the valve inlet, there is defined a Venturi contoured seat. When an inserted checking ball is lodged on the seat, fluid flow from the outlet to the inlet is stopped. Beyond the seat, an expanded valve flow chamber is defined communicating to the valve outlet having sufficient volume to accommodate both the lifted checking ball and fluid flow around the lifted checking ball from inlet to outlet. The improvement to the valve body includes a the spring steel wire retainer and an interior annulus in the valve body at the expanded flow volume for receiving a spring steel wire retainer. A spring steel wire retainer is provided having a circular section and ball retaining tangs.

Abstract: In float actuated pump having a rod and lever actuation from the float, an improved connect between the rod and lever is disclosed enabling valve opening substantially free of constraint by the rod and attached fittings. Such arrangement also enabling exhaust valve opening in a two-step momentum inducing method. Specifically, a valve actuating lever biased by a counter weight at one lever end, connects to the operating rod at the improved joint at the other lever end. The end of the rod is provided with an arcuate slot made of magnetic attractive material. The lever connects at a lever pin to the arcuate slot. The curvature of the slot prevents towards and away movement of the rod; the length of the slot gives free up and down rod movement at the lever pin within the elongate slot. At the top of the travel of the arcuate slot, a magnet is included in the pump head.