US3874591A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Emitter valve for soil irrigation
Assignee: Salco Products Inc
•
Filing: 1973-02-09
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Granted: 1975-04-01
•
Expires: 1993-02-09
Abstract
Abstract The emitter valve, which is useful for irrigation of soil, includes a valve body placed intermediate the ends of a supply conduit and provided with a valve head. The head has an inlet connected to the supply conduit and one or more outlets opening to the valve exterior for supply of controlled amounts of water to the soil. Alternately, the inlet comprises the interior of a threaded extension which may be screwed directly into the supply conduit or pipe. A cylindrical cavity, having a diameter greater than the inlet, is formed in the head and communicates with the inlet through a central opening in a flat-bottomed wall at one end of the cavity. A deformable right cylinder is housed in the valve head and has a channelled end positioned against the flatbottomed end wall. The cylindrical cavity is threaded at its upper end opposite the end wall to receive an adjustable set screw. The set screw has a recessed end which bears against and supports the deformable cylinder to exert a pressure against the cylinder. The cylinder end positioned on the cavity end wall thus presses against the end wall. The cylinder and cylindrical cavity are so dimensioned as to provide a shell-shaped opening therebetween. The end of the cylinder at the cavity end wall is grooved to form channels radiating from the center of the cylinder to its periphery. The cylinder center at its channelled end is, therefore, free of material and is positioned directly above the inlet to form a through and unimpeded flow path for supply water from the inlet to the shell-shaped opening and further to the outlets. Three grooves or channels are preferred to enable maximum support of the cylinder commensurate with an unimpeded flow of water. Thus, the valve outlet and inlet are unobstructed by the deformable cylinder regardless of operational pressures exerted thereon by the set screw except when great set screw pressure is exerted to purposely shut off flow of water. The amount of water released by the valve is determined by the pressure of water in the supply conduit which overcomes the applied pressure of the set screw and cylinder in order to deform the cylinder and to allow water to pass around the cylinder, its grooves, and the shell-shaped opening to the soil.
Inventors
- 👤 David Werner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:33
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/02; A01G25/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
393 words
An emitter valve for the supply of controlled amounts of water under pressure from a source of water to soil in an irrigation system comprising: a substantially open-ended body having through bore means and a fluid emission and control head; said borE means connected to the source of water and comprising tube receiving sections and a tube abutment section intermediate said tube receiving sections; and said fluid emission and control head comprising outlet means opening to the exterior of said body, an inlet opening into said bore means for reception of the water under pressure and having a first dimension, and regulator means connecting said outlet means and said inlet, said regulator means comprising: cylindrical cavity means having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the first dimension of said inlet and communicating with said outlet means, said cavity means including a smooth-walled portion terminating in a flat-bottomed end wall opening into said inlet and a threaded portion extending from said smooth-walled section and opening to the exterior of said body, a deformable right cylindrical element positioned in said cylindrical cavity means and having a cross-sectional dimension slightly less than the cross-sectional dimension of said cylindrical cavity means but greater than the first dimension of said inlet to provide a shell-shaped opening means with said cylindrical cavity means, said outlet means opening into said shell-shaped opening means, and said element having a first flat end and a second end, said second end including at least three arced channel means extending outwardly in a radial manner from the axis of said deformable element to the periphery thereof for providing at least three land supports resting against said flat-bottomed end wall of said cylindrical cavity and for providing an open, self-cleaning unimpeded flow path for the water carrying any solid particulate matter from said inlet into said shell-shaped opening means, said deformable element further exerting a pressure counteracting the pressure of the water, and a screw threadedly engaged within said threaded portion and bearing against said element to adjust the pressure of said element against said cavity end wall, said screw having a countersunk end for reception of said first flat end of said deformable element for support thereof, whereby the pressure exerted by said deformable element and the pressure exerted by the water are so balanced as to permit the supply of controlled amounts of water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
393 words
An emitter valve for the supply of controlled amounts of water under pressure from a source of water to soil in an irrigation system comprising: a substantially open-ended body having through bore means and a fluid emission and control head; said borE means connected to the source of water and comprising tube receiving sections and a tube abutment section intermediate said tube receiving sections; and said fluid emission and control head comprising outlet means opening to the exterior of said body, an inlet opening into said bore means for reception of the water under pressure and having a first dimension, and regulator means connecting said outlet means and said inlet, said regulator means comprising: cylindrical cavity means having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the first dimension of said inlet and communicating with said outlet means, said cavity means including a smooth-walled portion terminating in a flat-bottomed end wall opening into said inlet and a threaded portion extending from said smooth-walled section and opening to the exterior of said body, a deformable right cylindrical element positioned in said cylindrical cavity means and having a cross-sectional dimension slightly less than the cross-sectional dimension of said cylindrical cavity means but greater than the first dimension of said inlet to provide a shell-shaped opening means with said cylindrical cavity means, said outlet means opening into said shell-shaped opening means, and said element having a first flat end and a second end, said second end including at least three arced channel means extending outwardly in a radial manner from the axis of said deformable element to the periphery thereof for providing at least three land supports resting against said flat-bottomed end wall of said cylindrical cavity and for providing an open, self-cleaning unimpeded flow path for the water carrying any solid particulate matter from said inlet into said shell-shaped opening means, said deformable element further exerting a pressure counteracting the pressure of the water, and a screw threadedly engaged within said threaded portion and bearing against said element to adjust the pressure of said element against said cavity end wall, said screw having a countersunk end for reception of said first flat end of said deformable element for support thereof, whereby the pressure exerted by said deformable element and the pressure exerted by the water are so balanced as to permit the supply of controlled amounts of water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
An irrigation system comprising: a source of water for furnishing water under pressure; an emitter valve for supplying controlled amounts of water carrying solid particulate matter under pressure from said source of water to soil in droplet form; said emitter valve including fluid inlet means coupled to said source, fluid outlet means opening to the soil, and fluid regulator means including an end wall and joining said outlet means and said inlet means, and flow controlling means coupled to said fluid regulator means, including a deformable element seated on said end wall and including means for swirling the water, and having means for exerting on said element a counterpressure to the water pressure and for permitting substantially unimpeded flow and the supply of controlled amounts of water carrying the solid particulate matter from said source to the soil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
An irrigation system comprising: a source of water for furnishing water under pressure; an emitter valve for supplying controlled amounts of water carrying solid particulate matter under pressure from said source of water to soil in droplet form; said emitter valve including fluid inlet means coupled to said source, fluid outlet means opening to the soil, and fluid regulator means including an end wall and joining said outlet means and said inlet means, and flow controlling means coupled to said fluid regulator means, including a deformable element seated on said end wall and including means for swirling the water, and having means for exerting on said element a counterpressure to the water pressure and for permitting substantially unimpeded flow and the supply of controlled amounts of water carrying the solid particulate matter from said source to the soil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
An irrigation system as in claim 2 wherein said inlet means includes a bore means, and wherein said deformable element is provided with means for defining openings abutting against and supported by said end wall, said opening means positioned over said inlet portion for permitting the substantially unimpeded flow of the water carrying the solid particulate matter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An irrigation system as in claim 2 wherein said flow controlling means includes a member adjustably connected to said regulator means contacting said deformable element for deforming said deformable element for providing thereby an adjustable pressure on said element for adjusting the supply of the controlled amounts of water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An irrigation system as in claim 2 wherein all components of said regulator means are formed of materials having substantially similar expansion and contraction characteristics.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
An irrigation system as in claim 2 wherein said end wall is flat and is provided with a central opening therein to form a terminus for said inlet means and wherein said deformable element includes an end resting against said end wall, said element end including means defining a conduit extending from the center of said element to the periphery thereof and an open portion overlying said inlet means at the terminus thereof for permitting the substantially unimpeded flow of the water carrying the solid particulate matter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An irrigation system as in claim 6 wherein said conduit means comprises three channels radiating from the center of said element end for providing the unimpeded flow path from said inlet means to the interior of said regulator means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
An irrigation system as in claim 7 wherein said regulator means is provided with means for defining a cylindrically shaped cavity having a diameter of slightly greater dimension than the diametrical dimension of said element for providing therewith a shell-shaped opening means for coupling said inlet means with said outlet means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
An irrigation system as in claim 2 wherein said fluid inlet means comprises a threaded connector having opening means therein extending to said deformable element, said connector having a threaded engagement with and through any desired portion of an otherwise normally continuous wall of a supply conduit and coupled to said source of water for positioning of said emitter valve adjacent any portion of the soil requiring irrigation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
An irrigation system as in claim 2 further including a conduit having an otherwise imperforate wall and connected to said source of water and wherein said fluid inlet means comprises an extension inserted into and secured to any selected portion of said conduit wall for selectively positioning said emitter valve at any selected part on said conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An irrigation system as in claim 10 wherein said extension is provided with external threads for threaded engagement with said conduit wall.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
An irrigation system as in claim 10 wherein said inlet means includes a bore means, and wherein said deformable element is substantially cylindrical and is provided with means for defining arced openings abutting against and supported by said end wall, said opening means positioned over said bore means for permitting the substantially swirling unimpeded flow of the water carrying the solid particulate matter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
An irrigation system as in claim 10 wherein said flow controlling means includes a member adjustably connected to said regulator means contacting said deformable element for deforming said deformable cylindrical element for providing thereby an adjustable pressure on said element for adjusting the supply of the controlled amounts of water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
86 words
An irrigation system as in claim 10 wherein said end wall is flat and is provided with a central opening therein to form a terminus for said inlet means and wherein said deformable element includes an end resting against said end wall, said element end including means defining a conduit extending from the center of said element to the periphery thereof and an open portion overlying the terminus of said inlet means for permitting the substantially unimpeded flow of the water carrying the solid particulate matter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
An irrigation system as in claim 14 wherein said conduit means comprises three channels radiating from the center of said element end for providing the unimpeded flow path from said inlet means to the interior of said regulator means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
59 words
An irrigation system as in claim 15 wherein said element is substantially cylindrical and said regulator means is provided with means for defining a substantially cylindrically shaped cavity having a diameter of slightly greater dimension than the diametrical dimension of said element for providing therewith a substantially shell-shaped opening means for coupling said inlet means with saId outlet means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
166 words
An irrigation system including an emitter valve for the supply of controlled amounts of water under pressure from a source of water to soil, said emitter valve comprising a fluid emission and control head and including: outlet means opening to the exterior of said head, inlet means connected to the source for reception of the water under pressure, and regulator means connecting said outlet means with said inlet means, said regulator means comprising a cylindrical portion connecting said inlet means and said outlet means, a deformable cylindrical element including arced conduit means coupled to said inlet means and positioned in said cylindrical portion and exerting a pressure counteracting the pressure of the water, and means engaged within said head and bearing against said element to adjust the pressure of said element whereby the pressure of said element and the pressure of the water are so balanced as to permit the supply of controlled amounts of water, said arced conduit means causing water flowing therethrough to swirl.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
166 words
An irrigation system including an emitter valve for the supply of controlled amounts of water under pressure from a source of water to soil, said emitter valve comprising a fluid emission and control head and including: outlet means opening to the exterior of said head, inlet means connected to the source for reception of the water under pressure, and regulator means connecting said outlet means with said inlet means, said regulator means comprising a cylindrical portion connecting said inlet means and said outlet means, a deformable cylindrical element including arced conduit means coupled to said inlet means and positioned in said cylindrical portion and exerting a pressure counteracting the pressure of the water, and means engaged within said head and bearing against said element to adjust the pressure of said element whereby the pressure of said element and the pressure of the water are so balanced as to permit the supply of controlled amounts of water, said arced conduit means causing water flowing therethrough to swirl.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
176 words
An irrigation system for supplying controlled amounts of water under pressure from a source of water to soil comprising: a supply conduit having at least one normally continuous wall portion coupled to said source; an emitter valve comprising fluid inlet means having connector means inserted into a puncture in said continuous wall of said conduit, fluid outlet means opening to the soil, and fluid regulator means including means defining the terminus of said fluid inlet means and joining said outlet means and said inlet means, and flow controlling means coupled to said fluid regulator means, including a deformable element having means for seating said element on said terminus means and for imparting a swirling motion to the water, and having means for exerting on said element a counterpressure to the water pressure and for permitting substantially unimpeded flow and the supply of controlled amounts of water carrying any solid particulate matter to the soil wherein the puncture in said continuous wall is positioned adjacent the soil where no outlet from said supply conduit had previously existed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
176 words
An irrigation system for supplying controlled amounts of water under pressure from a source of water to soil comprising: a supply conduit having at least one normally continuous wall portion coupled to said source; an emitter valve comprising fluid inlet means having connector means inserted into a puncture in said continuous wall of said conduit, fluid outlet means opening to the soil, and fluid regulator means including means defining the terminus of said fluid inlet means and joining said outlet means and said inlet means, and flow controlling means coupled to said fluid regulator means, including a deformable element having means for seating said element on said terminus means and for imparting a swirling motion to the water, and having means for exerting on said element a counterpressure to the water pressure and for permitting substantially unimpeded flow and the supply of controlled amounts of water carrying any solid particulate matter to the soil wherein the puncture in said continuous wall is positioned adjacent the soil where no outlet from said supply conduit had previously existed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
An irrigation system as in claim 18 wherein said connector means comprises a body having threads on its exterior and opening means through its interior for enabling the insertion of said emitter valve into said wall of said supply conduit in threaded engagement therewith.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
An irrigation system as in claim 18 wherein said connector means comprises an extension inserted into the said wall of said conduit and secured thereto.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
An irrigation system as in claim 20 wherein said extension is provided with threads on its exterior for enabling the insertion into threaded engagement with said wall of said conduit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
59 words
An irrigation system as in claim 20 wherein said inlet means includes a bore means, and wherein said deformable element comprises a cylindrical element provided with means defining openings abutting against and supported by said termination means, said opening means positioned over said bore means for permitting the substantially unimpeded flow of the water carrying the solid particulate matter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
212 words
An irrigation system including: an emitter valve for the supply of controlled amounts of water carrying solid particulate matter under pressure from a source of water to soil; a conduit having an otherwise uninterrupted wall and secured to said source of water; said emitter valve comprising a fluid emission and control head including outlet means opening to the exterior of said head, inlet means having an extension inserted through said conduit wall and into said conduit for coupling of said inlet means thereto at any desired portion of said conduit wall and for reception of the water under pressure, and regulator means connecting said outlet means with said inlet means, said regulator means comprising a central portion connecting said inlet means and said outlet meAns, fluid controlling means coupled to said central portion, including a deformable element positioned in said central portion and having means for swirling the water upon contact therewith, and having means for exerting on said element a pressure counteracting the pressure of the water, and means engaged within said head and bearing against said element for adjusting and balancing the pressure of said element against the pressure of the water for permitting substantially unimpeded flow and the supply of controlled amounts of water carrying the solid particulate matter.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
212 words
An irrigation system including: an emitter valve for the supply of controlled amounts of water carrying solid particulate matter under pressure from a source of water to soil; a conduit having an otherwise uninterrupted wall and secured to said source of water; said emitter valve comprising a fluid emission and control head including outlet means opening to the exterior of said head, inlet means having an extension inserted through said conduit wall and into said conduit for coupling of said inlet means thereto at any desired portion of said conduit wall and for reception of the water under pressure, and regulator means connecting said outlet means with said inlet means, said regulator means comprising a central portion connecting said inlet means and said outlet meAns, fluid controlling means coupled to said central portion, including a deformable element positioned in said central portion and having means for swirling the water upon contact therewith, and having means for exerting on said element a pressure counteracting the pressure of the water, and means engaged within said head and bearing against said element for adjusting and balancing the pressure of said element against the pressure of the water for permitting substantially unimpeded flow and the supply of controlled amounts of water carrying the solid particulate matter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
An irrigation system as in claim 23 wherein said central portion is configured as a cylindrical portion and said element is configured as a cylindrical element.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
133 words
An emitter valve in an irrigation system for supplying controlled amounts of water under pressure from a source of water to soil comprising: fluid inlet means including bore means coupled to the source; fluid outlet means opening to the soil; and fluid regulator means joining said outlet means and said inlet means, and including an end wall at said fluid inlet means and a deformable cylindrical element having opening means abutting against and supported by said end wall and exerting a counterpressure to the water pressure to permit the supply of controlled amounts of water to the soil, said opening means including arced channel means radiating from the center of said element at said fluid inlet means to impart a swirling motion of the water upon passage thereof through said arced channel means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
133 words
An emitter valve in an irrigation system for supplying controlled amounts of water under pressure from a source of water to soil comprising: fluid inlet means including bore means coupled to the source; fluid outlet means opening to the soil; and fluid regulator means joining said outlet means and said inlet means, and including an end wall at said fluid inlet means and a deformable cylindrical element having opening means abutting against and supported by said end wall and exerting a counterpressure to the water pressure to permit the supply of controlled amounts of water to the soil, said opening means including arced channel means radiating from the center of said element at said fluid inlet means to impart a swirling motion of the water upon passage thereof through said arced channel means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
190 words
An emitter valve in an irrigation system for supplying controlled amounts of water under pressure from a source of water to soil comprising: fluid inlet means coupled to the source; fluid outlet means opening to the soil; and fluid regulator means joining said outlet means and said inlet means, and including a deformable cylindrical element having means bearing against said fluid inlet means for exerting a counterpressure to the water pressure, for permitting substantially unimpeded flow and the supply of controlled amounts of water to the soil regardless of solid particulate matter carried by the water and for swirling the water upon flow thereof through said fluid inlet; said regulator further including a member provided with an end having means defining a recess therein for receiving one end of said element and for centering said element within said regulator for enhancing the substantially unimpeded flow, said member including means coupling said member to said regulator for enabling said member to deform said deformable cylindrical element for providing thereby an adjustable pressure on said element, and for adjusting the supply of the controlled amounts of water with the substantially unimpeded flow.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
190 words
An emitter valve in an irrigation system for supplying controlled amounts of water under pressure from a source of water to soil comprising: fluid inlet means coupled to the source; fluid outlet means opening to the soil; and fluid regulator means joining said outlet means and said inlet means, and including a deformable cylindrical element having means bearing against said fluid inlet means for exerting a counterpressure to the water pressure, for permitting substantially unimpeded flow and the supply of controlled amounts of water to the soil regardless of solid particulate matter carried by the water and for swirling the water upon flow thereof through said fluid inlet; said regulator further including a member provided with an end having means defining a recess therein for receiving one end of said element and for centering said element within said regulator for enhancing the substantially unimpeded flow, said member including means coupling said member to said regulator for enabling said member to deform said deformable cylindrical element for providing thereby an adjustable pressure on said element, and for adjusting the supply of the controlled amounts of water with the substantially unimpeded flow.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
146 words
An emitter valve in an irrigation system for supplying controlled amounts of water under pressure from a source of water to soil comprising: fluid inlet means coupled to the source; fluid outlet means opening to the soil; and fluid regulator means coupled to said outlet means, and including a flat end wall with a central opening therein to form a terminus for said inlet means and a deformable cylindrical element seated on said end wall and exerting a counterpressure to the water pressure to permit the supply of controlled amounts of water to the soil, said element including an end portion resting against said end wall overlying said inlet means at the terminus thereof, said end portion comprising arced channels radiating from the center of said element end to provide a swirling unimpeded flow path from said inlet means to the interior of said regulator means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
146 words
An emitter valve in an irrigation system for supplying controlled amounts of water under pressure from a source of water to soil comprising: fluid inlet means coupled to the source; fluid outlet means opening to the soil; and fluid regulator means coupled to said outlet means, and including a flat end wall with a central opening therein to form a terminus for said inlet means and a deformable cylindrical element seated on said end wall and exerting a counterpressure to the water pressure to permit the supply of controlled amounts of water to the soil, said element including an end portion resting against said end wall overlying said inlet means at the terminus thereof, said end portion comprising arced channels radiating from the center of said element end to provide a swirling unimpeded flow path from said inlet means to the interior of said regulator means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
212 words
An emitter valve in an irrigation system for supplying controlled amounts of water carrying solid particulate matter under pressure from a source of water to soil comprising: a conduit coupled to the source of water and having a wall; fluid inlet means comprising an extension inserted into and secured tO said conduit wall; fluid outlet means opening to the soil; and fluid regulator means joining said outlet means and said inlet means, and including an end wall and flow controlling means coupled to said fluid regulator means, including a deformable cylindrical element having means for defining a seat therefor on said end wall and for enabling the water to swirl upon contact with said seat, and having means exerting on said element a counterpressure to the water pressure and for permitting substantially unimpeded flow and the supply of controlled amounts of water carrying the solid particulate matter to the soil; said regulator including an adjustable member having means therein defining a recess for receiving one end of said element for contacting and supporting said element, for aiding the substantially unimpeded flow and for deforming said deformable cylindrical element for providing thereby an adjustable pressure on said element for adjusting the supply of the controlled amounts of water carrying the solid particulate matter.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
212 words
An emitter valve in an irrigation system for supplying controlled amounts of water carrying solid particulate matter under pressure from a source of water to soil comprising: a conduit coupled to the source of water and having a wall; fluid inlet means comprising an extension inserted into and secured tO said conduit wall; fluid outlet means opening to the soil; and fluid regulator means joining said outlet means and said inlet means, and including an end wall and flow controlling means coupled to said fluid regulator means, including a deformable cylindrical element having means for defining a seat therefor on said end wall and for enabling the water to swirl upon contact with said seat, and having means exerting on said element a counterpressure to the water pressure and for permitting substantially unimpeded flow and the supply of controlled amounts of water carrying the solid particulate matter to the soil; said regulator including an adjustable member having means therein defining a recess for receiving one end of said element for contacting and supporting said element, for aiding the substantially unimpeded flow and for deforming said deformable cylindrical element for providing thereby an adjustable pressure on said element for adjusting the supply of the controlled amounts of water carrying the solid particulate matter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |