Irrigation system

A drip irrigation system for irrigating a field, comprising

• a plurality of drip irrigation pipes each having an upstream end and a downstream end, and divided into a first set of drip irrigation pipes and a second set of drip irrigation pipes;
• each drip irrigation pipe has an inlet valve connected to the upstream end thereof;
• each drip irrigation pipe has an outlet valve connected to the downstream end thereof;
• each inlet valve and each outlet valve having an inlet, an outlet, and an inlet command port configured to:
• prevent flow between its inlet and outlet, when an inlet command signal is applied thereto, and
• permit flow between its inlet and outlet, in the absence of an inlet command signal applied thereto;
• a distribution pipe communicating with the inlet of each inlet valve at the upstream end;
• a first command valve connected to the command ports of the inlet valves belonging to the first set, and also connected to the command ports of the outlet valves belonging to the second set;
• a second command valve connected to the command ports of the inlet valves belonging to the second set, and also connected to the command ports of the outlet valves belonging to the first set;
• wherein:
• in a first irrigation state in which both the first and the second command valves are closed, both sets are configured to drip irrigate;
• in a second irrigation state in which the first command valve is open and the second command valve is closed:
• the first set is configured to not drip irrigate;
• and
• the second set is configured to drip irrigate while simultaneously being flushed with liquid exiting their outlet valves via the outlets;
• in a third irrigation state in which the first command valve is closed and the second command valve is open:
• the first set is configured to drip irrigate while simultaneously being flushed with liquid exiting their outlet valves via the outlets;
• and
• the second set is configured to not drip irrigate.

A drip irrigation system comprising:

• a distribution pipe,
• a plurality of drip irrigation pipes branching off in communication with the distribution pipe, each drip irrigation pipe having an upstream end and a downstream end,
• the plurality of drip irrigation pipes partitioned into a first set of drip irrigation pipes comprising a first number of drip irrigation pipes, and a second set of drip irrigation pipes comprising a second number of drip irrigation pipes,
• each drip irrigation pipe has an inlet valve coupled to the upstream end thereof and a flushing valve coupled to the downstream end thereof,
• a first command network comprising a first command valve in communication with the inlet valves coupled to the first set of drip irrigation pipes, and in communication with the flushing valves coupled to the second set of drip irrigation pipes, and
• a second command network comprising a second command valve in communication with the inlet valves coupled to the second set of drip irrigation pipes, and in communication with the flushing valves coupled to the first set of drip irrigation pipes, wherein:
• the first and second command valves each comprise a control port;
• and
• each of the first and second command valves is configured to open, in response to a control signal received at its respective control port.