Apparatus for supporting an object at a controllable depth within a body of water

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting an object at a controllable depth within a fluid features buoyant and ballast devices connected to a device for supporting the object. The opposing buoyant and gravitational forces acting on the support device cause it to maintain a generally constant orientation in the fluid and recover from deviations therefrom. The buoyant device has a variable buoyancy that can be controlled in order to control the depth at which the object is supported. A control device allows the user to raise, lower or maintain the vertical position of the object within the fluid.

Description

This invention relates to an apparatus for supporting an object within a fluid, and more specifically an apparatus for supporting an object at a controllable depth in a fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In some fields it is necessary to support an object within a fluid in a generally stationary position for a period of time. For example, submersible pumps are often used for supplying lake water to cottages as an alternative to drilling a well. A pump is disposed in the lake at a sufficient depth to ensure that the pump will remain submersed and thus able to pump water from the lake to shore through a tubular passage. The pump is supported on the lake floor in an upright position so as to take in water at an inlet spaced upward from a bottom end of the pump.

It is known to provide a base of significant weight on which a pump is supported in an upright manner in order to prevent tipping over of the pump. Should the pump tip over, the inlet may become at least partially blocked. While a weighted base may improve stability, it may not be enough to prevent tipping of the pump if exposed to a significant amount of force. In addition, removal of the pump from the lake for service, replacement or other purpose can be difficult and time consuming.

As a result, there is a demand for a product that is capable of maintaining a predetermined orientation of an object disposed within a fluid and simplifying the removal of the object from the fluid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for supporting an object at a controllable depth within a body of water, said apparatus comprising:

a buoyant device having variable buoyancy with respect to the water;

a control device connected to the buoyant device and arranged to control the buoyancy thereof;

a ballast device having a density greater than the water; and

a support device connected to the buoyant and ballast devices and arranged to support the object.

The buoyant device and ballast device exert forces on the support device in opposite directions, thereby tending to support the object in a predetermined orientation. By controlling the buoyancy of the buoyant device, the control device allows a user to control the depth at which the object is supported. The object can be caused to float upward, sink downward or maintain a generally constant vertical position within the body of water.

The apparatus may be provided in combination with the object, wherein the object comprises a submersible pump for pumping water out of the body of water. In this case, the submersible pump is preferably operably connected to a power source located outside the body of water.

Used with a submersible pump, the apparatus prevents tipping of the pump from an upright orientation. The pump is sunk to a depth such that the ballast device rests on the lake floor and the buoyant device pulls upward on the support device such that the pump remains generally vertical. If subjected to forces that disrupt this orientation, the floating tendency of the buoyant member will return the pump to its original position. The pump can be easily removed from the water by increasing the buoyancy until it floats up to the surface of the lake.

Preferably the buoyant device comprises an expandable buoyant member and a fixed protective housing, the buoyant member providing the variable buoyancy of said buoyant device and being contained within the protective housing.

Preferably the protective housing has at least one opening therein through which water can pass into and out of said housing.

Preferably the at least one opening in the protective housing is covered with at least one screen to prevent entry of objects larger than holes in said at least one screen into said housing.

Preferably the protective housing is openable for access to the buoyant member contained therein.

Preferably the ballast device comprises a container to and from which material can be added and removed respectively to vary the density of the ballast device.

Preferably the support device comprises an enclosure member within which the object can be contained.

The enclosure member may have at least one opening therein through which water can pass into and out of said housing. In this case, preferably the at least one opening in the enclosure member is covered with at least one screen to prevent entry of objects larger than holes in said at least one screen into said housing.

Preferably the support device comprises an enclosure member within which the object can be contained, said enclosure member being openable for access to the object.

Preferably the buoyant device comprises an inflatable member and the control device comprises a mechanism for transferring gas to and from said inflatable member.

Preferably the control device further comprises a pressure gauge operably connected to the inflatable member for measuring gas pressure therein.

Preferably the control device further comprises a release valve operably connected to the inflatable member for releasing gas therefrom.

Preferably the control device further comprises a shut-off valve operably connected between the mechanism and the inflatable member for selectively blocking the transfer of gas.

Preferably the mechanism comprises an air pump.

Preferably an auxiliary valve is connected to the inflatable member for selectively providing an additional passageway through which gas can exit said inflatable member.

Preferably at least a portion of the control device is housed within an openable casing for protection.

Preferably the openable casing is lockable to prevent unauthorized access to the any portion of the control device housed therein.

Preferably the control device is remotely positioned with respect to the buoyant device, the ballast device and the support device for operation of said control device from outside the body of water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an apparatus for supporting an object at a controllable depth within a body of water.

FIG. 2 is a close up elevational view of a first embodiment of the buoyant device of the apparatus FIG. 1 in which a lid of the buoyant device is in a partially removed condition.

FIG. 3 is a close up elevational view of a first embodiment of the support device of the apparatus according to FIG. 1 with a cap thereof in an engaged condition.

FIG. 4 is a close up elevational view of a first embodiment of the ballast device of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a lid thereof in a partially removed condition.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a first embodiment of the control device of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a protective casing thereof in an open condition to show contents thereof.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the buoyant device, the support device and the ballast device of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the control device of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 10 featuring a buoyant device 12, a support device 14 and a ballast device 16 disposed within a body of water 2 and a control device 18 disposed on shore. The support device 14 is used to support an object within the body of water 2 and is connected to each of the buoyant and ballast devices 12 and 16. The ballast device 16 has a density greater than the water and thus tends to pull the support device 14 to the water body floor 6. The buoyant device 12 has variable buoyancy that can be adjusted to control an upward force tending to pull the support device 14 to the top surface 8 of the water body 2. The opposing forces acting on the support device act to maintain a predetermined orientation thereof. The control device 18 is operatively connected to the buoyant device in order to control the buoyancy thereof, and thus also control the depth at which the support device, and any object connected thereto, is disposed within the body of water. The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures are used to support a submersible pump in a lake for pumping lake water to the shore for use on land.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the buoyant device 12 features an expandable buoyant member 20 supported within a fixed protective housing 22. The buoyant member 20 is an inflatable rubber bladder to and from which air can be pumped and drawn respectively through air line 24 in order to control the buoyancy of the buoyant device 12. The air line 24 passes through a wall of the protective housing 22 in order to connect to the control device 18 remotely disposed with respect to the buoyant device 12. The air line can be made of nylon tubing or other conduit known to those of skill in the art capable of preventing communication between air flowing through it and the surrounding water.

The protective housing 22 is openable by means of a removable lid 26 having a threaded base 28 for engaging a respective threaded portion of the housing 22. An transverse through hole 29 is provided in the lid 26 in order to define a handle for gripping of the lid in order to lift, lower, rotate and otherwise maneuver it. When engaged to one another, the lid 26 and the housing 22 define a substantially enclosed space in which the buoyant member 20 is protected from damage that could possibly lead to leakage. An auxiliary valve 30 is supported on the housing 22 and connected to the buoyant member 20 by a shorter air line 32 in order to provide a passageway for air in close proximity to the buoyant member. A T-connector 34 allows connection of each air line to the buoyant member 20 at a single location, thereby reducing the points at which air leakage may develop. Openings 36 are provided in the housing so that water can flow in and out to fill the variable amount of space defined between the housing 22 and the inflatable buoyant member 20 as it is inflated and deflated. The openings 36 may be screened off to prevent the entry of objects, debris or life forms larger than the openings of a suitable screening material that may damage the expandable buoyant member 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the support device includes an enclosure member 40 having a removable cap 42. The enclosure member 40 is sized to receive a submersible pump therein. An outlet coupling 46 passes through an opening provided in the cap 42 to operably connect an outlet of the submersible pump 44 contained within the enclosure 40 to a T-joint 50 disposed thereabove. The outlet coupling 46 is attached to the cap 42 so as to also support and locate the pump 44 within the enclosure member 40 when the cap is removably engaged thereon. At an end 52 opposite the outlet coupling 46, the T-joint 50 is attached to a support coupling 54 which connects to the housing 22 of the buoyant device 12. The end 52 of the outlet coupling 46 is closed, so that water pumped from the outlet 48 of the pump 44 does not flow upward through the support coupling 54 toward the buoyant device 12. A outlet portion 56 of the T-joint is open and communicates with water line 57 that runs through the body of water to the shore such that water supplied from the outlet of the pump 44 will flow through the line 57 for use on land. A power supply opening 58 is provided in the enclosure through which power line 59 passes to operably connect the pump 44 to a remotely disposed power source on land.

Openings 60 and 62 are provided near the center and bottom of the enclosure member 40 respectively in order to allow the entry of water therein to supply the pump 44. The upper openings 60 are located a height generally equal to an inlet 64 of the pump 44 and are screened off in order to prevent entry of objects or life forms that may damage the pump should they reach the inlet 64. Lower openings 62 are circumferentially disposed about the enclosure member 40 and covered by a single cylindrical screen 66 to further protect the pump 44. An eyebolt 68 is provided at the bottom of the enclosure member 40 to facilitate connection thereof to the ballast member 16.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ballast device 16 features a container 70 having the same form as the protective housing 22 of the buoyant device in order to save on manufacturing costs. Just like the housing, the container 70 features a removable lid 72 having a threaded portion 74 for engaging a mating portion of the container 70 and a transverse through hole 76 defining a handle in the lid. An access portion 78 of a wall of the container 70 is pivotally mounted by a hinge 80 for movement between open and closed positions in which access to the interior of the container is allowed and blocked respectively. Latches 82 are provided to selectively secure the door-like access portion 78 in the closed position. Material having a greater density than water is added to the container to act as ballast for weighing down the support device 14. As such, the weight and density of the container can be controlled by the type and amount of material contained therein. The access portion 78 allows material to be added or removed without having to remove the lid 72. An eyebolt 84 is provided atop the lid 72 to facilitate connection to that of the support device 14 by means of a flexible connection member 86, such as but not limited to a cable or chain. The flexibility of the connection member 86 ensures that the support and buoyant devices will return to their original positions axially aligned with the ballast device. If the connection was rigid and the devices were tipped to the extent that the ballast reached the water body floor 6, the buoyancy of the buoyant device may not be strong enough to return the support device to an upright orientation. Openings 88 allow water to flow into and out of the container 70 so that space therein not having ballast material may be filled and drained of water.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 18 of the apparatus is connected to an end of the air line 24 opposite the buoyant device 12. A supply mechanism 90 for transferring gas to the inflatable buoyant member 20 is provided in the form of a conventional hand operated air pump. Between the source mechanism 90 and the air line 24 are connected a series of devices for controlling the flow of air between the mechanism and the buoyant member 20. A shut-off valve 92 allows the passage of air between the mechanism 90 and air line 24 to be selectively blocked to maintain air pressure in the air line 24 and buoyant member 20. A release valve 94 allows air in the line 24 and buoyant member 20 to be drained out into the surrounding environment. A pressure gauge 96 measures the air pressure in the line 24 and buoyant member 20 to provide a precise level of control over the buoyancy of the buoyant member 20. The air line 24 is attached to the gauge 96 by a fitting 98 and the release valve 94 is connected between the gauge and shut-off valve 92 by couplings 100. A source line 102 connects the supply mechanism 90 to the shut-off valve 92.

A casing 104 of the control device 18 features mating top and bottom halves 106 and 108 pivotally connected along adjacent sides thereof for motion between closed and open conditions. In the closed condition, the halves define an enclosed space in which the mechanism, valves and gauge are contained. In the open condition, these components are accessible to a user. Mounting elements 110 support the valves and gauge in an interior of the bottom half 108 of the casing. A releasable mounting element 112 removably supports the gas transfer mechanism 90 on the top half 106 of the casing to provide room for its operation with the casing 104 in the open condition. Releasable latches 114 are provided to secure the casing 104 in the closed condition in which the two halves mate to form a water tight seal in order to protect the components inside from water damage. The air line 24 passes through the bottom half 108 of the casing in a sealed manner for connection to the gauge 96 such that water cannot enter around the tubular line. The latches 114 are of a conventional locking type such that the casing 104 can be locked in the closed condition such that a user can prevent access to the components within by others.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a second embodiment of each of the buoyant device 12, the support device 14 and the ballast device 16 are illustrated. In this instance the buoyant device comprises a similar protective housing 22 which is rigid in construction having a cylindrical side wall and an integral bottom enclosing a bottom end of the cylindrical side wall. An opening is formed through the top end which receives the bladder 20 therethrough. As in the previous embodiment the buoyant member 20 comprises an inflatable rubber bladder receiving air through the air line 24 or alternatively through the auxiliary valve 30 as described above.

A lid 26 is again provided for enclosing the open top end of the housing 22 however in this instance the lid fully spans the open top end and includes a peripheral flange which overlaps a rim of the housing about the open top end. A shaft 200 is mounted centrally on the base of the housing for connection to the support coupling 54 of the support device 14. The shaft 200 extends upwardly through a center of the housing 22 beyond the open top end for being received through a central opening in the lid 26.

A retainer pin 202 is selectively received through cooperating apertures at the top end of the shaft 20 directly above the lid 26 in the closed position of the lid to prevent sliding removal of the lid off of the shaft 200 as the pin 202 is larger in a diametrical direction than the shaft and the corresponding opening in the lid 26 receiving the shaft 200 therethrough.

The openings 36 in this instance are provided both in the base of the housing 22 at the bottom end and in the lid 26, spaced circumferentially about the shaft 200.

According to the second embodiment of the support device 14, as shown in FIG. 6, the support device comprises a similar enclosure member 40 in the form of an elongate tubular housing extending in a longitudinal direction between the buoyant device 12 thereabove and the ballast device 16 therebelow. A bottom cap 204 is either glued across the open bottom end or is integrally formed thereon so that the bottom end of the tubular housing forming the enclosure member 40 is enclosed.

A removable cap 42 is again provided at the open top end to provide access to the hollow interior of the enclosure member 40 which receives the submersible pump 44 therein similarly to the previous embodiment. Central openings 60 are again provided at circumferentially spaced positions at a mid-length along the housing between the top and bottom ends for alignment with a respective inlet 64 of the inline pump which is arranged to be aligned With the openings 60. Screens 66 spanning the openings 60 therefore prevent debris from entering the inlet of the pump.

An outlet coupling 46 of the pump is again communicated through the removable cap 42 for connection to a T-connector 50 which directs the outlet flow from the pump to the water line 57 as described in the previous embodiment. The removable cap 42 in this instance similarly spans the open top end of the housing and includes a peripheral flange which is arranged to overlap the peripheral rim about the open top end of the enclosure member 40. Retainer pins 206 are selectively received through cooperating apertures in the cap 42 and the enclosure member 40 to selectively retain the cap enclosed over the top end of the housing forming the retainer member such that the retainer member fully surrounds and encloses the pump contained therein when the lid is closed.

Auxiliary openings 62 are provided both in the bottom cap 204 and the removable cap 42 to ensure adequate flow of the water from the surrounding body of water into the submersible pump in use. Screens are again provided which span each of the openings in the support device 14. The support device 14 also includes an eye bolt 68 fastened centrally in the bottom cap 204 for connection of the connection member 86 between the support device 14 and the ballast device 16 as in the previous embodiment.

According to the second embodiment the ballast device comprises a container 70 of similar form to the second embodiment of the protective housing 22 of the buoyant device 12. The container 70 includes rigid cylindrical side walls enclosed at a bottom end by an integral base like the housing 22. An open top end of the container 70 is also selectively enclosed by a lid 72 having a peripheral flange which overlaps the peripheral rim about the open top end of the container 70 when the lid is closed to span the opening. The opening permits access to fill the container 70 with ballast material in use. Alternatively ballast material may also be introduced through an access panel 78 which is formed in the cylindrical side wall similarly to the previous embodiment.

The container 70 also includes a central shaft 208 which is anchored to the base of the container centrally thereon for extending upwardly through the open top end of the container. A cooperating aperture located centrally in the lid 72 receives the top end of the shaft therein. Openings 88 are again provided in the lid to permit free flow of water into and out of the container 70. When the lid is mounted across the open top end of the container 70 with the shaft 208 received therethrough, a suitable retainer pin 210 extends through cooperating apertures in the shaft 208 immediately above the lid 72 so that the lid is effectively retained by the pin in the closed position when the pin is engaged.

When the flexible connecting member 86 comprises a chain anchored to the eyebolt 68 on the bottom of the support device, the retainer pin 210 may also extend through one of the links of the chain to selectively couple the support device 14 to the ballast device 16. In this arrangement the length of the connecting member 86 between the support device and the ballast member 16 can be adjusted by selecting which link of chain the retainer pin 210 communicates through. This permits depth of the pump container within the support device 14 to be adjusted relative to the ballast device 16 to be supported at the bottom of a body of water. In this arrangement the support device 14 can also be readily separated from the ballast device by simply removing the retainer pin 210.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a second embodiment of the control device 18 is illustrated in which the control device is again connected to an end of the air line 24 opposite the buoyant device 12. The supply mechanism 90 which is provided may again comprise a manually operated pump or alternatively any type of self powered pump suitable for producing a flow of pressurized air.

The shutoff valve 92 and the release valve 94 in this embodiment are connected in series between the buoyant device 12 and the source or supply mechanism 90. Accordingly both valves 92 and 94 must be open in order to pump air from the supply mechanism to the buoyant device 12. Turning off the valve 92 maintains pressure in the air line 24 so that subsequent opening of the release valve 94 only allows draining of pressure from the pressure gauge 96. The pressure gauge 96 is coupled in series between the shutoff valve 92 and the release valve 94 by the fitting 98.

Alternatively when the release valve 94 is closed and the shutoff valve 92 is open, the gauge 96 communicates with the air line 24 so that the gauge indicates the pressure in the air line 24. Opening the release valve 94 in this instance permits air to be released from the air line 24 while monitoring the pressure thereof with the gauge 96. Releasing air effectively decreases buoyancy of the buoyant device to permit the apparatus to be sunk to the bottom of the body of water. Opening both valves 92 and 94 and operating the supply mechanism, causes air to be reintroduced into the bladder of the buoyant device to increase buoyancy and permit the apparatus to be floated towards the surface of the body of water. The source line 102 in this instance couples the release valve to the supply mechanism 90.

The casing 104 comprises a main housing receiving the valves 92 and 94 therein along with the fitting 98, however the supply mechanism 90 is mounted externally from the casing and communicates through the side wall of the casing 104. The pressure gauge 96 is also located externally of the casing 104 and communicates through a fitting in the side wall. The air line 24 communicates through a respective port in the side wall of the casing 104.

An opening is provided in the top side of the casing through which all of the components in the hollow interior can be accessed. A lid (not shown) is provided for selectively locking and enclosing the components within the hollow interior of the casing. Latches 114, in the form of lateral protrusions with cooperating apertures formed therein, are provided on both the main portion of the casing 104 and the lid thereof for mating alignment with one another when the lid encloses the opening in the casing. A suitable locking member can be inserted through the cooperating apertures to restrict access to the hollow interior of the casing by unauthorized persons.

Accordingly both embodiments of the buoyant device 12, the support device 14, the ballast device 16 and the controlled device 18 are similar to one another in their function and operation. In each instance a submersible pump is supported within the support device 14 in an upright orientation by connecting the ballast device and buoyant device to opposite ends of the elongate support device. The support device fully surrounds and contains the pump and serves to orient the pump to extend in the longitudinal direction between opposed ends of the support device coupled to the buoyant device and ballast device respectively.

When supported on shore, the control device is preferably arranged to actuate variation of buoyancy of the buoyancy device from a position on shore which is remote with respect to the buoyant device, the ballast device and the support device supported in the body of water. Buoyancy of the buoyant device 12 may also be controlled in proximity to the device by using the auxiliary valve 30 located adjacent the lid at the top end of the buoyant device 12. This may be desirable when performing maintenance to the pump within the support device 14 by floating the buoyant device 12 up to the surface of the body of water but without returning the mechanism to shore. In either embodiment, the pump communicates at its outlet line through the outlet opening formed in the cap 42 while one or more inlet openings 60 and 62 are provided for communication with the inlet of the pump.

The use of the apparatus, in the exemplary context of supporting a submersible pump near the bottom of a body of water for the purpose of pumping some of the water to shore, will now be explained. The pump 44 is installed on the cap 42 of the enclosure member 40 by operably connecting the output coupling 46 mounted on the cap to the outlet 48 of the pump 44. The power line 59 is passed through the power supply opening 58 and operably connected to the pump 44 in order to later supply power thereto. The cap 42 is then removably engaged to the enclosure member 40 such that the pump is protectively supported therein. Water line 57 is connected to the outlet portion 56 of the T-joint for later receiving water from the pump 44 once activated. The inflatable buoyant member 20 is connected to air line 24 and auxiliary valve 30 and placed within the protective housing 22. The lid 26 is removably engaged to the housing 22 to enclose the buoyant member therein. The container 70 is at least partially filled with ballast material to provide a density greater than that of the body of water and then closed by removable lid 72 and openable access portion 78.

With ends of the lines somehow anchored on shore, the buoyant, support and ballast devices are taken out on the water in a boat a desired distance from shore. The buoyant member 20 is inflated by means of the auxiliary valve 30 and the buoyant device 12 is connected to the support device 14 by means of attaching the support coupling 54 between the protective housing 22 and the T-joint 50. Once these components are connected, the buoyancy of the buoyant member can be tested and adjusted to ensure that it can overcome any sinking tendency of the enclosure member 40 and pump 44 contained therein. The ballast and support devices are then connected by means of connection member 86. The devices are all then lowered into the body of water. Should the devices tend to float, the buoyancy of the buoyant member 20 may be decreased by means of deflating through the auxiliary valve 30 until the components begin sinking.

Once the ballast device 16 reaches the floor of the body of water, the buoyancy of the buoyant device 12 will pull upward on the support device to maintain it in an upright orientation as shown in FIG. 1. This arrangement avoids contact between the pump supporting device 14 and the water body floor, whereas tipping over of a pump may occur with the use of a weighted base alone, causing material from the floor to block intake to the pump. With the underwater devices in place, the installer can return to shore and connect the air line 24 to the control device 18 to allow control of the buoyancy from shore. The water line 57 is connected to a suitable destination to which water is to be supplied. Finally, the power line 59 can be connected to an appropriate power source to activate the pump 44 and start the flow of water to land. Portions of the air, water and power lines may be bound together, so long as the air and water lines are not overly compressed so as to block or restrict flow therethrough, so that they may lie along a single path between the underwater devices and the shore.

Should maintenance or removal of the underwater devices become necessary, the buoyancy of the buoyant member 20 can be increased through the control device by pumping in additional air through the mechanism 90 and then closing the shut-off valve 92 to keep the air in the air line 24 and buoyant member 20. Once sufficient buoyancy is reached to overcome weight of the underwater components, the devices will float to the water body's surface for easy removal. The devices can even be removed in winter conditions. The control device 18 can be used to float the underwater devices up toward a frozen surface of the water body. The devices can then be detected under the ice so that a hole can cut therethrough for access to the devices. For example, including metal components on the devices would allow detection beneath the ice by means of a metal detector.

It should be appreciated that the apparatus may be employed through an alternative installation process having a different steps and/or order thereof. The buoyant member can be inflated or deflated through either of the control device 18 or the auxiliary valve 30. The control device 18 may be taken out on the boat for use during installation. In such a case, the lines would be laid in the body of water during the return to shore. The order of the steps in which the underwater devices are filled and connected can also be varied. It should be appreciated that the overall result is an apparatus that prevents tipping of the pump 44 and resulting detrimental effects to its performance and provides easy recovery of the pump 44 from the water body floor through means of an on shore control device.

In the case of supporting a submersible pump, for example for providing water from a lake to a cottage for use therein, the pump is typically disposed approximately 50 feet from the shore or at a distance where the lake is approximately 10 feet deep. This provides adequate depth to prevent ice from forming about the underwater devices in winter, for example 6 feet of water disposed below 4 feet of ice. The lines must be of sufficient length to reach desired destinations on land from the point at which the underwater devices are disposed. For example, in the case where the pump is disposed 50 feet from shore, it may be desirable to provide up to 100 feet of air line for connection of the control and buoyant devices. Any one of the lines may or may not be provided with the other components of the invention. For example, the present invention may be sold as a product for use with submersible pumps already in use. In such a case, the buyer would likely already have a power and water line that could be used in combination with the product.

It should be appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention may be used or adapted for supporting objects other than submersible pumps within a fluid. Furthermore, the apparatus may be used to at depths other than at the bottom of a fluid body. Balancing buoyant and gravitational forces allows the depth at which the object is supported to be maintained. The controllable variable buoyancy provides control over the depth at which the object is supported by allowing upward and downward movement.

Adaptations to the present invention may be readily applied by those of skill in the art. The hand operated air pump of the control device can be replaced with alternative mechanisms for controlling air distribution and pressure. For example, the control device may be adapted for connection to a conventional powered air compressor or may feature a closed system in which the distribution of a fixed mass of air between the buoyant member and an alternate mechanism can be controlled. The connection member 86 for connecting the support and ballast members may adjustable in length to control the spaced relationship of the two and may feature quick release mechanisms for easy detachment from each device. It should be appreciated that while shown and described as using rigid couplings to connect the support and buoyant devices, these two components may be connected by a flexible either separate from or connected to the outlet coupling from the pump. In the detailed embodiment, the housing 22, enclosure member 40, container 70 and casing 104 for protecting their respective contents are made a plastic material in order to resist water damage. It should be appreciated that various specific materials known to those of skill in the art may be applied to the present invention.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting an object at a controllable depth within a body of water, said apparatus comprising:

a buoyant device having variable buoyancy with respect to the water;

a control device connected to the buoyant device and arranged to control the buoyancy thereof;

a ballast device having a density greater than the water; and

a support device connected to the buoyant and ballast devices and arranged to support the object.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 in combination with the object wherein the object comprises a submersible pump for pumping water out of the body of water.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein is the submersible pump is operably connected to a power source located outside the body of water.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the buoyant device comprises an expandable buoyant member and a rigid protective housing, the buoyant member providing the variable buoyancy of said buoyant device and being contained within the protective housing.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the protective housing has at least one opening therein through which water can pass into and out of said housing.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said at least one opening in the protective housing is covered with a screen.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the protective housing has an opening through which the buoyant member is accessible and a lid arranged to selectively close the opening.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the ballast device comprises a container to and from which material can be added and removed respectively to vary the density of the ballast device.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support device comprises an enclosure member which is arranged to surround and contain the object.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the enclosure member has at least one opening therein through which water can pass into and out of said housing.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the enclosure member is arranged to receive a pump therein and wherein said at least one opening in the enclosure member comprises an outlet opening arranged to receive an outlet line of the pump therethrough and an inlet opening arranged to communicate with an inlet of the pump, the inlet opening being covered with a screen.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the buoyant device comprises an inflatable member and the control device comprises a mechanism for transferring gas to and from said inflatable member.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the control device further comprises a pressure gauge operably connected to the inflatable member for measuring gas pressure therein.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the control device further comprises a release valve operably connected to the inflatable member for releasing gas therefrom.

15. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the control device further comprises a shut-off valve operably connected between the mechanism and the inflatable member for selectively blocking the transfer of gas.

16. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein an auxiliary valve is connected to the inflatable member adjacent the buoyant device, the auxiliary valve being arranged to selectively provide an additional passageway through which gas can exit said inflatable member.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a control device arranged to actuate variation of buoyancy of the buoyancy device, the control device being remotely positioned on shore with respect to the buoyant device, the ballast device and the support device supported in the body of water for operation of said control device from outside the body of water.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein at least a portion of the control device is housed within a lockable casing arranged to prevent unauthorized access to said at least a portion of the control device.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the ballast device and the buoyant device are connected to opposing ends of the support device.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein there is provided a connecting member coupling the ballast device to the support device, the connecting member being adjustable in length such that the connecting member is arranged to couple the ballast device to the support device at an adjustable relative spacing.