Emitter valve for subterranean irrigation systems

Claim 2

An improved emitter valve for subterranean irrigation systems and the like comprising: a valve casing having an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a valve chamber between said inlet and outlet openings; means defining a valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; a valve member disposed in said valve chamber; said valve member having an outer surface facing said outlet opening of said valve casing; said outer surface being formed of a resilient material; said outer surface having a center portion in substantial alignment with said outlet opening of said valve casing and an upstanding outer peripheral portion in substantial alignment with said valve seat around said outlet opening; said upstanding outer peripheral portion of said resilient outer surface being adapted to engage said valve seat around said outlet opening when fluid under pressure is introduced through said inlet opening and into said valve chamber at a pressure greater than a predetermined pressure; means defining a radial fluid passage in said outer surface of said valve member; said radial passage extending from a point within said central portion of said outer surface and through said upstanding outer peripheral portion of said outer surface.

Claim 3

An improved emitter valve for subterranean irrigation systems and the like comprising: a generally cylindrical valve casing having an outlet end wall, an inlet end wall and a generally cylindrical wall defining a generally cylindrical valve chamber; an outlet opening in said outlet end wall; a generally annular portion of said outlet end wall around said outlet opening defining a peripheral valve seat; an inlet opening in said inlet end wall of said valve casing; a generally cylindrical valve member disposed within said valve chamber; said valve member having an outer end portion made of a resilient material; said outer end portion of said valve member having a central portion facing said outlet opening of said valve casing and being substantially aligned therewith; said outer end portion of said valve member further including an upstanding outer peripheral portion facing said peripheral seat on said outlet end wall of said valve casing and being substantially aligned therewith; means defining a radial groove in said outlet end portion of said valve member; said radial groove extending from a point within said central portion to a point in said upstanding outer peripheral portion; said radial groove being defined by a pair of spaced, substantially parallel wall portions of resilient material which are deformable to reduce the cross-sectional area of said groove when the pressure of the fluid introduced through said inlet opening of said valve casing exceeds a predetermined pressure to force said valve member towards said outlet opening and to force said upstanding outer peripheral portion of said outer end portion of said valve member against said peripheral valve seat; whereby said resilient wall portions defining said groove in said outer end of said valve member will progressively deform and control the rate of flow of fluid through said outlet opening as the pressure of the fluid introduced through said inlet opening and into said valve chamber increases above a predetermined pressure.

Claim 4

An improved emitter valve for subterranean irrigation systems and the like comprising: a generally cylindrical valve casing having an outlet end wall, an inlet end wall and a generally cylindrical wall defining a generally cylindrical valve chamber; an outlet opening in said outlet end wall; a generally annular portion of said outlet end wall around said outlet opening defining a peripheral valve seat; an inlet opening in said inlet end wall of said valve casing; a generally cylindrical valve member disposed within said valve chamber; said valve member having an outer end portion made of a resilient material; said outer end portion of said valve member having a central portion facing said outlet opening of said valve casing and being substantially aligned therewith; said outer end portion of said valve member further including an upstanding outer peripheral portion facing said peripheral seat on said outlet end wall of said valve casing and being substantially aligned therewith; means defining a radial groove in said outlet end portion of said valve member; said radial groove extending from a point within said central portion to a point in said upstanding outer peripheral portion; said radial groove being defined by a pair of spaced, substantially parallel wall portions of resilient material which are deformable to reduce the cross-sectional area of said groove when the pressure of the fluid introduced through said inlet opening of said valve casing exceeds a predetermined pressure to force said valve member towards said outlet opening and to force said upstanding outer peripheral portion of said outer end portion of said valve member against said peripheral valve seat; whereby said resilient wall portions defining said groove in said outer end of said valve member will progressively deform and control the rate of flow of fluid through said outlet opening as the pressure of the fluid introduced through said inlet opening and into said valve chamber increases above a predetermined pressure.

Claim 5

An improved emitter valve according to claim 2, and further comprising a resilient member connected to said outlet end portion of said valve member and extending outwardly toward said peripheral seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; said resilient member functioning to maintain said peripheral portion of said outer end of said valve member spaced from said peripheral seat when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening of said valve casing is below a predetermined minimum pressure to permit the fluid initially introduced through said inlet opening and said valve chamber to flush foreign matter throUgh said valve chamber and out of said outlet opening when fluid under pressure is initially introduced through said inlet opening; said resilient member being deformable when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening of said valve casing exceeds said predetermined minimum pressure to permit such fluid pressure to force said outer peripheral portion, including said substantially parallel wall portions which define said groove, against said peripheral valve seat.

Claim 6

An improved emitter valve for subterranean irrigation systems and the like comprising: a valve casing having an outlet wall and an inlet wall; and a valve chamber extending between said outlet and inlet walls; an outlet opening in said outlet wall; a generally annular portion of said outlet wall around said outlet opening defining a peripheral valve seat; an inlet opening in said inlet wall of said valve casing; a valve member disposed within said valve chamber; said valve member having an outer surface portion facing said outlet opening of said valve casing; a resilient member connected to said outer surface portion of said valve member and extending outwardly toward said peripheral valve seat; said resilient member functioning to maintain said outer surface portion of said valve member spaced from said peripheral valve seat when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening of said valve casing is below a predetermined minimun pressure to permit the fluid initially introduced through said inlet opening and said valve chamber to flush foreign matter through said valve chamber and out of said outlet opening when fluid under pressure is initially introduced through said inlet opening; said resilient member being deformable when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening exceeds said predetermined minimum pressure to permit such fluid pressure to force a generally annular portion of said outer surface portion of said valve member into engagement with said peripheral valve seat.

Claim 7

An improved emitter valve for subterranean irrigation systems and the like comprising: a valve casing having an outlet wall and an inlet wall; and a valve chamber extending between said outlet and inlet walls; an outlet opening in said outlet wall; a generally annular portion of said outlet wall around said outlet opening defining a peripheral valve seat; an inlet opening in said inlet wall of said valve casing; a valve member disposed within said valve chamber; said valve member having an outer surface portion facing said outlet opening of said valve casing; a resilient member connected to said outer surface portion of said valve member and extending outwardly toward said peripheral valve seat; said resilient member functioning to maintain said outer surface portion of said valve member spaced from said peripheral valve seat when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening of said valve casing is below a predetermined minimun pressure to permit the fluid initially introduced through said inlet opening and said valve chamber to flush foreign matter through said valve chamber and out of said outlet opening when fluid under pressure is initially introduced through said inlet opening; said resilient member being deformable when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening exceeds said predetermined minimum pressure to permit such fluid pressure to force a generally annular portion of said outer surface portion of said valve member into engagement with said peripheral valve seat.

Claim 8

In a valve structure comprising a valve chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening with a peripheral valve seat around said outlet opening, and further comprising a valve member in said valve chamber, said valve member having an outlet end portion facing said outlet opening and said peripheral valve seat, the improvement comprising an elongated resilient member connected to said outlet end portion of said valve member and extending outwardly toward said peripheral seat around said outlet opening; said resilient member functioning to maintain said outer end of said valve member spaced from said peripheral seat when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening of said valve chamber is below a predetermined minimum pressure to permit the fluid initially introduced through said inlet opening and said valve chamber to flush foreign matter through said valve chamber and out of said outlet opening when fluid under pressure is initially introduced through said inlet opening; said resilient member being deformable when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening exceeds said predetermined minimum pressure to force a generally annular peripheral portion of said outer end of said valve member into engagement with said peripheral valve seat.

Claim 9

In a valve structure comprising a valve chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening with a peripheral valve seat around said outlet opening, and further comprising a valve member in said valve chamber, said valve member having an outlet end portion facing said outlet opening and said peripheral valve seat, the improvement comprising an elongated resilient member connected to said outlet end portion of said valve member and extending outwardly toward said peripheral seat around said outlet opening; said resilient member functioning to maintain said outer end of said valve member spaced from said peripheral seat when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening of said valve chamber is below a predetermined minimum pressure to permit the fluid initially introduced through said inlet opening and said valve chamber to flush foreign matter through said valve chamber and out of said outlet opening when fluid under pressure is initially introduced through said inlet opening; said resilient member being deformable when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening exceeds said predetermined minimum pressure to force a generally annular peripheral portion of said outer end of said valve member into engagement with said peripheral valve seat.

Claim 10

An improved emitter valve for controlling the rate of flow of water in subterranean irrigation systems and the like comprising: a generally cylindrical valve casing having an outlet end wall and an inlet end wall; an outlet opening in said outlet end wall of said valve casing; a generally annular portion of said end wall around said outlet opening defining a peripheral valve seat; an inlet opening in said inlet end wall of said valve casing; a valve chamber in said valve casing between said inlet end wall and said outlet end wall; said valve chamber including a generally cylindrical inlet end portion in communication with said inlet opening in said inlet end wall, and a generally cylindrical outlet portion in communication with said ouTlet opening in said outlet end wall of said valve casing; said outlet portion of said valve chamber being of a greater diameter than said inlet portion of said chamber to define an annular seating surface between said inlet and outlet portions of said valve chamber; a generally cylindrical valve member disposed within said valve chamber for movement toward and away from said outlet opening; said valve member being made of a deformable material; said valve member including a generally cylindrical, larger-diameter portion disposed within said outlet portion of said valve chamber and a generally cylindrical, smaller-diameter portion extending into said inlet portion of said valve chamber; a generally annular seating surface on said valve member between said larger and smaller diameter portions thereof facing said annular seating surface in said valve chamber; said annular valve seat between said larger diameter and smaller diameter portions of said valve member cooperating with said annular valve seat in said valve chamber to prevent the flow of fluid through said valve chamber from said outlet opening to said inlet opening when the pressure at said outlet opening exceeds the pressure at said inlet opening; said larger diameter portion of said valve member having an outer end surface facing said outlet opening of said valve casing; said outer end surface including a center portion which faces said outlet opening in said outlet end wall of said valve casing and being in substantial alignment therewith; an upstanding, annular wall on said outer end surface of said larger diameter portion of said valve member; said upstanding annular wall facing said peripheral valve seat around said outlet opening on said outlet end wall of said valve casing; means defining a groove in said upstanding annular wall; a pair of upstanding, radially extending wall members on said outer end surface of said larger diameter portion of said valve member extending radially inwardly from said upstanding annular wall, on either side of said groove, to a point adjacent to said center portion of said outer end surface; said upstanding wall members defining a fluid flow channel therebetween in communication with said groove in said upstanding annular wall; said upstanding wall members and the portions of said upstanding annular wall adjacent said groove being deformable against said peripheral seat on said outer end wall of said casing to progressively decrease the cross-sectional area of said channel and said groove as the pressure of fluid introduced at said inlet opening of said valve casing increases above a predetermined pressure to thereby control the flow of water through said groove and channel in accordance with the pressure variations of the fluid introduced through said inlet opening of said casing.

Claim 11

An improved emitter valve for controlling the rate of flow of water in subterranean irrigation systems and the like comprising: a generally cylindrical valve casing having an outlet end wall and an inlet end wall; an outlet opening in said outlet end wall of said valve casing; a generally annular portion of said end wall around said outlet opening defining a peripheral valve seat; an inlet opening in said inlet end wall of said valve casing; a valve chamber in said valve casing between said inlet end wall and said outlet end wall; said valve chamber including a generally cylindrical inlet end portion in communication with said inlet opening in said inlet end wall, and a generally cylindrical outlet portion in communication with said ouTlet opening in said outlet end wall of said valve casing; said outlet portion of said valve chamber being of a greater diameter than said inlet portion of said chamber to define an annular seating surface between said inlet and outlet portions of said valve chamber; a generally cylindrical valve member disposed within said valve chamber for movement toward and away from said outlet opening; said valve member being made of a deformable material; said valve member including a generally cylindrical, larger-diameter portion disposed within said outlet portion of said valve chamber and a generally cylindrical, smaller-diameter portion extending into said inlet portion of said valve chamber; a generally annular seating surface on said valve member between said larger and smaller diameter portions thereof facing said annular seating surface in said valve chamber; said annular valve seat between said larger diameter and smaller diameter portions of said valve member cooperating with said annular valve seat in said valve chamber to prevent the flow of fluid through said valve chamber from said outlet opening to said inlet opening when the pressure at said outlet opening exceeds the pressure at said inlet opening; said larger diameter portion of said valve member having an outer end surface facing said outlet opening of said valve casing; said outer end surface including a center portion which faces said outlet opening in said outlet end wall of said valve casing and being in substantial alignment therewith; an upstanding, annular wall on said outer end surface of said larger diameter portion of said valve member; said upstanding annular wall facing said peripheral valve seat around said outlet opening on said outlet end wall of said valve casing; means defining a groove in said upstanding annular wall; a pair of upstanding, radially extending wall members on said outer end surface of said larger diameter portion of said valve member extending radially inwardly from said upstanding annular wall, on either side of said groove, to a point adjacent to said center portion of said outer end surface; said upstanding wall members defining a fluid flow channel therebetween in communication with said groove in said upstanding annular wall; said upstanding wall members and the portions of said upstanding annular wall adjacent said groove being deformable against said peripheral seat on said outer end wall of said casing to progressively decrease the cross-sectional area of said channel and said groove as the pressure of fluid introduced at said inlet opening of said valve casing increases above a predetermined pressure to thereby control the flow of water through said groove and channel in accordance with the pressure variations of the fluid introduced through said inlet opening of said casing.

Claim 12

An improved emitter valve for controlling the rate of flow of water in subterranean irrigation systems and the like comprising: a generally cylindrical valve casing having an outlet end wall and an inlet end wall; an outlet opening in said outlet end wall of said valve casings; a generally annular portion of said end wall around said outlet opening defining a peripheral valve seat; an inlet opening in said inlet end wall of said valve casing; a valve chamber in said valve casing between said inlet end wall and said outlet end wall; said valve chamber including a generally cylindrical inlet end portion in communication with said inlet opening in said inlet end wall, and a generally cylindrical outlet portion in communication with said outlet opening in said outlet end wall of said valve casing; said outlet portion of said valve chamber being of a greater diameter than said inlet portion of said chamber to define an annular seating surface between said inlet and outlet portions of said valve chamber; a generally cylindrical valve member disposed within said valve chamber for movement toward and away fRom said outlet opening; said valve member including a generally cylindrical, larger-diameter portion disposed within said outlet portion of said valve chamber and a generally cylindrical, smaller-diameter portion extending into said inlet portion of said valve chamber; a generally annular seating surface on said valve member between said larger and smaller diameter portions thereof facing said annular seating surface in said valve chamber; and a resilient finger connected to said outer end surface of said valve member and extending outwardly toward said peripheral seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; said resilient finger functioning to maintain said valve member spaced from said outlet end wall of said valve casing when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening of said valve casing is below a predetermined minimum pressure; said resilient finger being deformable when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening exceeds a predetermined minimum pressure to force a generally annular peripheral head portion of said outer end of said valve member into engagement with said peripheral valve seat, thereby permitting the fluid initially introduced through said inlet opening and said valve chamber to flush foreign matter through said outlet opening when fluid under pressure is initially introduced through said inlet opening.

Claim 13

An improved emitter valve for controlling the rate of flow of water in subterranean irrigation systems and the like comprising: a generally cylindrical valve casing having an outlet end wall and an inlet end wall; an outlet opening in said outlet end wall of said valve casings; a generally annular portion of said end wall around said outlet opening defining a peripheral valve seat; an inlet opening in said inlet end wall of said valve casing; a valve chamber in said valve casing between said inlet end wall and said outlet end wall; said valve chamber including a generally cylindrical inlet end portion in communication with said inlet opening in said inlet end wall, and a generally cylindrical outlet portion in communication with said outlet opening in said outlet end wall of said valve casing; said outlet portion of said valve chamber being of a greater diameter than said inlet portion of said chamber to define an annular seating surface between said inlet and outlet portions of said valve chamber; a generally cylindrical valve member disposed within said valve chamber for movement toward and away fRom said outlet opening; said valve member including a generally cylindrical, larger-diameter portion disposed within said outlet portion of said valve chamber and a generally cylindrical, smaller-diameter portion extending into said inlet portion of said valve chamber; a generally annular seating surface on said valve member between said larger and smaller diameter portions thereof facing said annular seating surface in said valve chamber; and a resilient finger connected to said outer end surface of said valve member and extending outwardly toward said peripheral seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; said resilient finger functioning to maintain said valve member spaced from said outlet end wall of said valve casing when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening of said valve casing is below a predetermined minimum pressure; said resilient finger being deformable when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening exceeds a predetermined minimum pressure to force a generally annular peripheral head portion of said outer end of said valve member into engagement with said peripheral valve seat, thereby permitting the fluid initially introduced through said inlet opening and said valve chamber to flush foreign matter through said outlet opening when fluid under pressure is initially introduced through said inlet opening.

Claim 14

An improved emitter valve, comprising: A valve casing having an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a valve chamber between said inlet and outlet openings; means defining a valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; a valve member disposed in said valve chamber; said valve member having an outer surface facing said outlet opening of said valve casing; said outer surface being formed of a resilient material; said outer surface having an outer peripheral portion in substantial alignment with said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; said outer peripheral portion of said resilient outer surface being adapted to engage said valve seat around said outlet opening when fluid under pressure is introduced through said inlet opening and into said valve chamber at a pressure greater than a predetermined pressure; and a resilient member connected to said outer end surface of said valve member and extending outwardly toward said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; said resilient member maintaining said valve member spaced from said outlet end wall of said valve casing when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening of said valve casing is below a predetermined minimum pressure to permit fluid initially introduced through said inlet opening and said valve chamber to flush foreign matter through said outlet opening when fluid is initially introduced through said inlet opening; said resilient member being deformable when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening exceeds a predetermined minimum pressure to permit such fluid pressure to force said outer peripheral portion of said outer surface of said valve member into engagement with said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing.

Claim 15

An improved emitter valve, comprising: A valve casing having an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a valve chamber between said inlet and outlet openings; means defining a valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; a valve member disposed in said valve chamber; said valve member having an outer surface facing said outlet opening of said valve casing; said outer surface being formed of a resilient material; said outer surface having an outer peripheral portion in substantial alignment with said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; said outer peripheral portion of said resilient outer surface being adapted to engage said valve seat around said outlet opening when fluid under pressure is introduced through said inlet opening and into said valve chamber at a pressure greater than a predetermined pressure; and a resilient member connected to said outer end surface of said valve member and extending outwardly toward said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; said resilient member maintaining said valve member spaced from said outlet end wall of said valve casing when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening of said valve casing is below a predetermined minimum pressure to permit fluid initially introduced through said inlet opening and said valve chamber to flush foreign matter through said outlet opening when fluid is initially introduced through said inlet opening; said resilient member being deformable when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening exceeds a predetermined minimum pressure to permit such fluid pressure to force said outer peripheral portion of said outer surface of said valve member into engagement with said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing.

Claim 16

An improved emitter valve, comprising: a valve casing having an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a valve chamber between said inlet and outlet openings; means defining a valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; a valve mamber disposed in said valve chamber; said valve member having an outer surface facing said outlet opening of said valve casing; said outer surface having an outer peripheral portion in substantial alignment with said valve seat around said outlet opening; a resilient, upstanding, substantially peripheral wall on said outer peripheral portion of said outer surface of said valve member; said upstanding resilient wall facing said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; means defining a groove in said resilient, upstanding, substantially peripheral wall for permitting thE passage of fluid therethrough; said upstanding resilient wall being adapted to be forced into engagement with said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing when fluid is introduced through said inlet opening of said valve casing; said upstanding resilient wall, including the portions of said wall on either side of said groove, being deformable when the pressure of fluid introduced through said inlet opening of said valve casing exceeds a predetermined pressure, thereby decreasing the area of said groove through which fluid may pass.

Claim 17

An improved emitter valve, comprising: a valve casing having an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a valve chamber between said inlet and outlet openings; means defining a valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; a valve mamber disposed in said valve chamber; said valve member having an outer surface facing said outlet opening of said valve casing; said outer surface having an outer peripheral portion in substantial alignment with said valve seat around said outlet opening; a resilient, upstanding, substantially peripheral wall on said outer peripheral portion of said outer surface of said valve member; said upstanding resilient wall facing said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; means defining a groove in said resilient, upstanding, substantially peripheral wall for permitting thE passage of fluid therethrough; said upstanding resilient wall being adapted to be forced into engagement with said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing when fluid is introduced through said inlet opening of said valve casing; said upstanding resilient wall, including the portions of said wall on either side of said groove, being deformable when the pressure of fluid introduced through said inlet opening of said valve casing exceeds a predetermined pressure, thereby decreasing the area of said groove through which fluid may pass.

Claim 18

An improved emitter valve, comprising: a valve casing having an inlet opening, and outlet opening and a valve chamber between said inlet and outlet openings; means defining a valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; a valve member disposed in said valve chamber; said valve member having an outer surface facing said outlet opening of said valve casing; said outer surface having an outer peripheral portion in substantial alignment with said valve seat around said outlet opening; a resilient, upstanding, substantially peripheral wall on said outer peripheral portion of said outer surface of said valve member; said upstanding, resilient wall facing said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; means defining a groove in said resilient, upstanding, substantially peripheral wall for permitting the passage of fluid therethrough; a resilient member connected to said outer end surface of said valve member and extending outwardly toward said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; said resilient member maintaining said upstanding resilient wall on said outer peripheral portion of said outer surface of said valve member spaced from said valve seat when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening of said valve casing is below a predetermined minimum pressure to permit the fluid initially introduced through said inlet opening and said valve chamber to flush foreign matter through said outlet opening when fluid is initially introduced through said inlet opening; said resilient member being deformable when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening exceeds a predetermined minimum pressure to permit such fluid pressure to force said upstanding resilient wall into engagement with said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; said upstanding, resilient wall, including the portions of said wall on either side of said groove, being deformable when the pressure of fluid introduced through said inlet opening of said valve casing exceeds a predetermined pressure, thereby decreasing the area of said groove through which fluid may pass.

Claim 19

An improved emitter valve, comprising: a valve casing having an inlet opening, and outlet opening and a valve chamber between said inlet and outlet openings; means defining a valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; a valve member disposed in said valve chamber; said valve member having an outer surface facing said outlet opening of said valve casing; said outer surface having an outer peripheral portion in substantial alignment with said valve seat around said outlet opening; a resilient, upstanding, substantially peripheral wall on said outer peripheral portion of said outer surface of said valve member; said upstanding, resilient wall facing said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; means defining a groove in said resilient, upstanding, substantially peripheral wall for permitting the passage of fluid therethrough; a resilient member connected to said outer end surface of said valve member and extending outwardly toward said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; said resilient member maintaining said upstanding resilient wall on said outer peripheral portion of said outer surface of said valve member spaced from said valve seat when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening of said valve casing is below a predetermined minimum pressure to permit the fluid initially introduced through said inlet opening and said valve chamber to flush foreign matter through said outlet opening when fluid is initially introduced through said inlet opening; said resilient member being deformable when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening exceeds a predetermined minimum pressure to permit such fluid pressure to force said upstanding resilient wall into engagement with said valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; said upstanding, resilient wall, including the portions of said wall on either side of said groove, being deformable when the pressure of fluid introduced through said inlet opening of said valve casing exceeds a predetermined pressure, thereby decreasing the area of said groove through which fluid may pass.

Claim 20

An improved emitter valve for subterranean irrigation systems and the like, comprising: a valve casing having an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a valve chamber between said inlet and outlet openings; means defining a generally annular valve seat around said valve opening of said valve casing; a valve member disposed in said valve chamber; said valve chamber having an outer surface facing said outlet opening of said valve casing; said valve member being formed of a resilient material; said outer surface of said valve member having a central portion in substantial alignment with said outlet opening of said valve casing; said outer surface of said valve member having an annular outer portion in substantial alignment with said annular valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; a generally annular, upstanding, outer peripheral wall on said annular outer portion of said outer surface of said valve member; a generally annular, upstanding, inner peripheral wall on said annular outer portion of said outer surface of said valve member; said inner and outer upstanding, generally annular wall portions being radially spaced from one another; means defining a groove in said outer upstanding, generally annular wall; and meaNs defining a groove in said inner, upstanding, generally annular wall; said grooves in said inner and outer, upstanding generally annular walls being in substantial alignment with one another; a pair of upstanding, substantially parallel wall members connecting said inner and outer upstanding walls on either side of said grooves to define a generally radial channel through which fluid may pass; said inner and outer, upstanding, generally annular walls being adapted to be forced into engagement with said peripheral valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing when fluid is introduced through said inlet opening of said valve casing; said substantially parallel upstanding walls defining said channel being deformable when the pressure of fluid introduced through said inlet opening of said valve casing exceeds a predetermined pressure, thereby decreasing the cross-sectional area of said channel through which fluid may pass.

Claim 21

An improved emitter valve for subterranean irrigation systems and the like, comprising: a valve casing having an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a valve chamber between said inlet and outlet openings; means defining a generally annular valve seat around said valve opening of said valve casing; a valve member disposed in said valve chamber; said valve chamber having an outer surface facing said outlet opening of said valve casing; said valve member being formed of a resilient material; said outer surface of said valve member having a central portion in substantial alignment with said outlet opening of said valve casing; said outer surface of said valve member having an annular outer portion in substantial alignment with said annular valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; a generally annular, upstanding, outer peripheral wall on said annular outer portion of said outer surface of said valve member; a generally annular, upstanding, inner peripheral wall on said annular outer portion of said outer surface of said valve member; said inner and outer upstanding, generally annular wall portions being radially spaced from one another; means defining a groove in said outer upstanding, generally annular wall; and meaNs defining a groove in said inner, upstanding, generally annular wall; said grooves in said inner and outer, upstanding generally annular walls being in substantial alignment with one another; a pair of upstanding, substantially parallel wall members connecting said inner and outer upstanding walls on either side of said grooves to define a generally radial channel through which fluid may pass; said inner and outer, upstanding, generally annular walls being adapted to be forced into engagement with said peripheral valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing when fluid is introduced through said inlet opening of said valve casing; said substantially parallel upstanding walls defining said channel being deformable when the pressure of fluid introduced through said inlet opening of said valve casing exceeds a predetermined pressure, thereby decreasing the cross-sectional area of said channel through which fluid may pass.

Claim 22

An improved emitter valve according to claim 11, and further including a resilient finger connected to said annular outer portion of said outer surface of said valve member between said inner and outer upstanding walls; said resilient finger extending outwardly toward said peripheral seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing; said resilient finger maintaining said inner and outer upstanding walls spaced from said peripheral valve seat when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening of said valve casing is below a predetermined minimum pressure to permit fluid initially introduced through said inlet opening of said valve chamber to flush foreign matter through said outlet opening when fluid under pressure is initially introduced through said inlet opening; said resilient finger being deformable when the fluid pressure at said inlet opening exceeds a predetermined minimum pressure to permit such fluid pressure to force said inner and outer upstanding walls into engagement with said peripheral valve seat around said outlet opening of said valve casing.