US 2014/0110506 A1 · DRIP EMITTER

Abstract

A drip emitter is provided for delivering irrigation water from a supply tube to an emitter outlet at a reduced and relatively constant flow rate. Water enters the emitter through a first inlet and proceeds into a first chamber. When the water pressure is above a predetermined level, a one-directional valve opens to allow fluid flow past the first chamber, through a tortuous path flow channel, and through an emitter outlet. A second inlet is used to compensate for water pressure fluctuations in the supply tube to maintain output flow at a relatively constant rate. Water enters the second inlet and presses a flexible diaphragm toward a water metering surface to provide pressure-dependent control of the output flow. A copper member is mounted to the emitter over the emitter outlet to prevent plant root intrusion into the emitter outlet.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A drip emitter comprising:

a housing defining an inlet and an outlet downstream of the inlet, the inlet receiving fluid at a first pressure and the outlet emitting fluid at a second pressure, the second pressure being less than the first pressure;
a flow path extending through the housing from the inlet to the outlet;
a tortuous path flow channel forming at least a portion of the flow path between the inlet and the outlet;
wherein the housing of the emitter includes a base and a raised rim extending from the base, the raised rim configured to be placed in sealing engagement with a wall of a supply tube to form an outlet path defined by a gap between the base of the emitter and the wall of the supply tube;
and
a plate with a copper outer surface portion and being at the housing within the outlet path;
wherein the housing includes a peg being fixed relative to the base and extending outwardly therefrom and the plate defines a first hole for receiving the peg in mounting the plate to the housing.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Drip emitter

Life of this patent

Drip emitter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16