In-line retention drip emitter

A pressure-compensating in-line retention drip irrigation emitter comprising:

• a sleeve having an outlet opening;
• a body received in the sleeve and having an outer surface mountable in physical contact with an inner surface of the sleeve;
• means mounted relative to the body for defining a flow-limiting passageway having an inlet end and an outlet end for conducting fluid to the sleeve outlet opening;
• a first valve chamber formed in the body having an open end and first and second inlets and first and second outlets, the first inlet being for receiving pressurized fluid and the first outlet being in fluid communication with the passageway inlet end, a first valve seat surrounding the first inlet;
• a second valve chamber formed in the body and having an open end and a second inlet and a second outlet, the second inlet and second outlet being spaced from the first inlet and the first outlet, the second inlet being in fluid communication with an intermediate portion of the passageway and the second outlet being in fluid communication with the passageway outlet end;
• and
• a flexible membrane mounted relative to the body for covering the open ends of the first and second valve chambers, the membrane being biased toward the valve seat for closing the first inlet when the inlet fluid pressure below a minimum pressure and for opening the first inlet when the inlet fluid pressure is above the minimum pressure, and thereby preventing the draining of water through the emitter when the inlet fluid pressure is below the minimum pressure, the membrane further flexing toward the second outlet for pressures greater than the minimum pressure for varying the flow of fluid passing between the second inlet and the second outlet, and thereby varying the amount of fluid passing through the passageway between the intermediate portion and the outlet end.