Irrigation apparatus and methods

Claim 2

In apparatus for irrigating land and having a source of water, the combination which comprises a plurality of spaced apart metering chambers with each of said chambers having at least one exit orifice; means providing flow communication between said source and each of said chambers for supplying said chambers with water; means in said flow communication means for supplying a gas under pressure to said chambers for expelling water therefrom; and valve means in each of said chambers for closing said exit orifices upon the emptying of said chambers in response to gas from said pressurized gas supply means.

Claim 3

Apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which each of said valve means includes a pressurized gas responsive elastic gate normally flexed to close said exit orifices and which flex in sphincteral fashion in response to pressurized gas being supplied to said flow communication means for emptying said chambers.

Claim 4

In apparatus for irrigating land and having a source of water, and a source of gas under pressure; the combination which comprises means providing flow communication between said sources of water and pressurized gas and said land; first valve means for alternative connection thereof to said sources of water and pressurized gas; means for isolating metered amounts of water along said flow communication means when water is supplied thereto; and a plurality of second valve means for draining said isolated metered amounts of water in response to said flow communication means being connected to said source of pressurized gas.

Claim 5

In apparatus for irrigating land and having a source of water, and a source of gas under pressure; the combination which comprises means providing flow communication between said sources of water and pressurized gas and said land; first valve means for alternative connection thereof to said sources of water and pressurized gas; means for isolating metered amounts of water along said flow communication means when water is supplied thereto; and a plurality of second valve means for draining said isolated metered amounts of water in response to said flow communication means being connected to said source of pressurized gas.

Claim 6

In apparatus for irrigating land and having a source of water, and a source of pressure fluid; the combination which comprises a first elongated flexible tube providing flow communication between said source of water and said land; a plurality of spaced apart depressions disposed along said first tube defining metering chambers; a separate second elongated flexible expandable tube in said first tube and connected to said source of pressure fluid; first valve means for the alternative connection of said first and second tubes to said sources of water and pressure fluid respectively; a second valve means in each of said metering chambers for draining said chambers; whereby said second tube expands in response to pressure fluid supplied thereto and coacts with said depressions to segregate said chambers and expel water through said second valve means.

Claim 7

In apparatus for irrigating land and having a source of water, and a source of pressure fluid; the combination which comprises a first elongated flexible tube providing flow communication between said source of water and said land; a plurality of spaced apart depressions disposed along said first tube defining metering chambers; a separate second elongated flexible expandable tube in said first tube and connected to said source of pressure fluid; first valve means for the alternative connection of said first and second tubes to said sources of water and pressure fluid respectively; a second valve means in each of said metering chambers for draining said chambers; whereby said second tube expands in response to pressure fluid supplied thereto and coacts with said depressions to segregate said chambers and expel water through said second valve means.

Claim 8

In apparatus for irrigating land and having a source of water, the combination which comprises a plurality of spaced apart metering chambers with each of said chambers having at least one exit orifice; means providing flow communication between said source and each of said chambers for supplying said chambers with water; said chambers being in the form of segregated pods depending from said flow communication means; means in said flow communication means for supplying pressure fluid to said chambers for expelling water therefrom; valve means in each of said chambers for closing said exit orifices upon the emptying of said chambers in response to pressure fluid from said pressure fluid supply means; each of said valve means including a pressure fluid responsive elastic gate normally flexed to close said exit orifices and which flex in sphincteral fashion in response to fluid pressure being supplied to said flow communication means for emptying said chambers of water; and in which said valve means also includes a floating ball valve in each of said chambers which closes said exit orifices in response to emptying said chambers of water.

Claim 9

In apparatus for irrigating land and having a source of water, the combination which comprises a plurality of spaced apart metering chambers with each of said chambers having at least one exit orifice; means providing flow communication between said source and each of said chambers for supplying said chambers with water; said chambers being in the form of segregated pods depending from said flow communication means; means in said flow communication means for supplying pressure fluid to said chambers for expelling water therefrom; valve means in each of said chambers for closing said exit orifices upon the emptying of said chambers in response to pressure fluid from said pressure fluid supply means; each of said valve means including a pressure fluid responsive elastic gate normally flexed to close said exit orifices and which flex in sphincteral fashion in response to fluid pressure being supplied to said flow communication means for emptying said chambers of water; and in which said valve means also includes a floating ball valve in each of said chambers which closes said exit orifices in response to emptying said chambers of water.

Claim 10

In apparatus for irrigating land and having a source of water; the combination which comprises a plurality of spaced apart metering chambers with each of said chambers having at least one exit orifice; a first elongated flexible tube connected to said source and having a plurality of spaced apart depressions disposed therealong, said depressions defining said plurality of chambers; a separate elongated flexible and expandable second tube connected to a source of pressure fluid and disposed in said first tube; said second tube being expandable in response to pressure fluid supplied thereto for coacting with said depressions to segregate said chambers and expel water therefrom; and valve means in each of said chambers for closing said exit orifices upon the emptying of said chambers in response to pressure fluid from said pressure fluid supply means.

Claim 11

In apparatus for irrigating land and having a source of water; the combination which comprises a plurality of spaced apart metering chambers with each of said chambers having at least one exit orifice; a first elongated flexible tube connected to said source and having a plurality of spaced apart depressions disposed therealong, said depressions defining said plurality of chambers; a separate elongated flexible and expandable second tube connected to a source of pressure fluid and disposed in said first tube; said second tube being expandable in response to pressure fluid supplied thereto for coacting with said depressions to segregate said chambers and expel water therefrom; and valve means in each of said chambers for closing said exit orifices upon the emptying of said chambers in response to pressure fluid from said pressure fluid supply means.

Claim 12

Apparatus as recited in claim 3 in which said isolating means is a plurality of segregated pods defining metering chambers depending from said flow communication means and having an exit orifice thereon; and in which each of said second valve means includes a pressurized gas responsive elastic gate normally flexed to close said orifices and which flex in sphincteral fashion in response to pressurized gas being supplied to said flow communication means, and in which each of said valve means also includes a floating ball valve in each of said chambers which closes said exit orifices in response to emptying said chambers of water.

Claim 13

Apparatus as recited in claim 6, in which each of said valve means includes a pressure fluid responsive elastic gate normally flexed to close said exit orifices and which flex in sphincteral fashion in response to expansion of said second tube for emptying said chambers.

Claim 14

In a method for irrigating a plot of land, the steps which comprise placing a supply line over said land, filling said supply line with water; isolating the water in said supply line into substantially equal spaced apart portions therealong; and expelling said isolated portions from said supply line by applying pressure to said supply line and said isolated portions.

Claim 15

In a method for irrigating a plot of land, the steps which comprise placing a supply line over said land, filling said supply line with water; isolating the water in said supply line into substantially equal spaced apart portions therealong; and expelling said isolated portions from said supply line by applying pressure to said supply line and said isolated portions.

Claim 16

A method as recited in claim 9 in which said expelling step is carried by displacement of said isolated portions from said supply line by a segregated body of expanding pressure fluid.

Claim 17

A method as recited in claim 10 in which said isolating step is carried out by isolating each of said portions adjacent at least one exit orifice defined by a flexible gate disposed in a non-flexed closed position; and in which said expelling step is carried out by admitting pressurized gas to said supply line under sufficient pressure to flex said gates.