PUMPING APPARATUS AND METHODS

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for pumping liquids, in particular using hydraulic ram pump techniques. The techniques we describe can advantageously be used, for example, for drawing water from a deep well in a developing country. We describe a hydraulic ram liquid pump, the pump comprising: a liquid conduit having first and second arms and a connecting portion to connect said arms; first and second one-way inlet valves to said liquid conduit; first and second internal shockwave generating devices within said liquid conduit between said first and second inlets; at least one one-way exit valve from said liquid conduit; wherein, in use, when said second shockwave generating device is sealed a column of liquid in said first arm is in fluid communication with a said exit valve and when said first shockwave generating device is sealed a column of liquid in said second arm is in fluid communication with a said exit valve.