# US 2008/0302003 A1 · Irrigation system and assembly therefor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0302003 A1 - Document ID: US20080302003A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/127,324 - Filed: 2008-05-27 - Published: 2008-12-11 - Earliest claimed: 2007-06-06 - Assignees: Netafim, Ltd. - Inventors: Ron Keren - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080302003A1 ## CPC - A01G 27/003: {Control of self-acting watering devices (Hydroponic system controls A01G31/008)} - A01G 25/16: Control of watering - A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12) ## Abstract An irrigation system includes an activator that increases or decreases its weight respectively in response to an increase or decrease of pressure in the system. The activator biases a valve that controls the fluid pressure in the system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An irrigation system comprising an activator, the activator comprising a vessel and a tube that meet at a join, at least a section of the system holds fluid and the vessel is in fluid communication with the section via the tube, wherein a rise of fluid pressure in the section above a predetermined level urges fluid to flow via the join into the vessel to increase the weight of the vessel and move the vessel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An irrigation system according to claim 1, wherein in a plane transverse to the flow via the join the vessel has a cross section larger than the tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An irrigation system according to claim 1, wherein the tube is a flexible tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An irrigation system according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the vessel biases a valve in the system to decrease a fluid passage therethrough. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An irrigation system according to claim 4, wherein the valve is located upstream of the section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) An irrigation system according to claim 4, wherein the vessel is mechanically connected to the valve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An irrigation system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises at least one additional vessel, and wherein adjacent vessels are connected by a tube segment. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An irrigation system according to claim 7, wherein in a plane transverse to a fluid flow through the tube segment a cross of the tube segment is smaller than a cross section of the additional vessel. ### Claim 9 An irrigation system comprising a valve and an activator, at least a section of the system holds fluid wherein a rise of pressure in the section increases a weight of the activator which biases the valve to decrease a fluid passage therethrough. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An irrigation system according to claim 9, wherein the valve comprises a pilot that is biased by the activator, and wherein a predetermined increase of the weight in the activator moves the pilot to a position which biases the valve to decrease the fluid passage therethrough. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) An irrigation system according to claim 9, wherein the valve is located upstream of the section. ### Claim 12 An irrigation system assembly, comprising: a valve having a movable member configured to control a flow of fluid; a vessel mechanically coupled to the movable member of the valve; and a tube in fluid communication with the vessel, wherein: an increase in fluid pressure in the tube urges a fluid in the tube to flow into the vessel, thereby increasing a weight of the vessel and altering a position of the movable member of the valve. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The irrigation system assembly according to claim 12, wherein: in a first position, the movable member permits passage of fluid through the valve. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The irrigation system assembly according to claim 13, wherein: the movable member comprises a plate having an aperture therethrough; and in said first position, the aperture cooperates with an opening of a valve housing to permit fluid to pass through said valve. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The irrigation system assembly according to claim 13, wherein: the movable member of the valve comprises a piston mechanically connected to the vessel via a cable; and in the first position, a channel of the piston permits fluid to pass through said valve. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The irrigation system assembly according to claim 12, wherein: the tube is a flexible tube. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The irrigation system assembly according to claim 12, wherein: the vessel has a horizontal cross section larger than a horizontal cross section of the tube. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The irrigation system assembly according to claim 12, comprising: at least two vessels connected to one another by a tube segment. ### Claim 19 An irrigation system, comprising: an irrigation pipe configured to deliver fluid to a crop in a field; and an irrigation system assembly comprising: a valve having a movable member; a vessel mechanically coupled to the movable member of the valve; and a first tube in fluid communication with the vessel, wherein: an increase in fluid pressure in the first tube urges a fluid in the tube to flow into the vessel, thereby increasing a weight of the vessel and altering a position of the movable member of the valve to thereby control fluid flow through the irrigation pipe.