US3917169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Emitter for irrigation systems
Assignee: Harmony Emitter Co Inc
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Filing: 1974-12-16
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1994-12-16
Abstract
Abstract An emitter is disclosed for irrigating soil at a constant rate of water flow despite variations in water pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C Harmony
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:51
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/02; A01G25/023; B; B05; B05B; B05B1/00; B05B1/30; B05B1/32; B05B1/323; B05B15/00; B05B15/50; B05B15/52; B05B15/528
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
In aN irrigation system having an apertured water pipe for conveying a flow of water from a source of water under pressure to each aperture, an emitter disposed at each aperture for discharging water from the water pipe to the area to be irrigated, said emitter comprising in combination: a. a water passageway for discharging water from an aperture in the water pipe to the soil to be irrigated; b. a pair of elements for supporting said water passageway within the aperture of the water pipe, one of said pair of elements extending across one part of the aperture and another of said pair of elements extending across another part of the aperture, said one and said other of said pair of elements including an edge, which edges, in combination, define the discharge orifice of said water passageway; c. bias means for constricting said water passageway in response to variations in water pressure within the water pipe; and d. means for establishing a pressure gradient within said water passageway as a function of the water pressure within the water pipe; whereby, the rate of water discharge through said emitter is maintained at a constant rate despite variations in water pressure within the water pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
In aN irrigation system having an apertured water pipe for conveying a flow of water from a source of water under pressure to each aperture, an emitter disposed at each aperture for discharging water from the water pipe to the area to be irrigated, said emitter comprising in combination: a. a water passageway for discharging water from an aperture in the water pipe to the soil to be irrigated; b. a pair of elements for supporting said water passageway within the aperture of the water pipe, one of said pair of elements extending across one part of the aperture and another of said pair of elements extending across another part of the aperture, said one and said other of said pair of elements including an edge, which edges, in combination, define the discharge orifice of said water passageway; c. bias means for constricting said water passageway in response to variations in water pressure within the water pipe; and d. means for establishing a pressure gradient within said water passageway as a function of the water pressure within the water pipe; whereby, the rate of water discharge through said emitter is maintained at a constant rate despite variations in water pressure within the water pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The emitter as set forth in claim 1 wherein said water passageway comprises a pair of skirts coterminous with one another, each one of said pair of skirts depending from one of said edges toward the interior of the water pipe and including a first surface forming a wall of the passageway and a second surface in contacting relationship with the water flowing through the water pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The emitter as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for establishing a pressure gradient comprises striations disposed upon each of said first surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The emitter as set forth in claim 3 wherein said striations comprises a first set of ribs disposed upon one of said first surfaces and a second set of ribs disposed upon the other of said first surfaces, said first and second set of ribs being in non-alignment with one another to establish a plurality of point contacts between said one first surface and said other first surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The emitter as set forth in claim 4 including a laterally directed flange disposed along the inwardmost edge of each of said skirts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The emitter as set forth in claim 5 wherein said skirts and said flanges are formed of flexible material to accommodate passage through said water passageway of particulate matter suspended in the water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The emitter as set forth in claim 6 wherein said elements are formed of flexible material to accommodate passage through the discharge orifice of particulate matter suspended in the water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The emitter as set forth in claim 7 wherein each of said pair of elements include a curvilinear surface extending lateral to the water pipe, said curvilinear surfaces, in combination, defining a bubble extending lateral to the water pipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The emitter as set forth in claim 8 wherein said edges bisect said bubble.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The emitter as set forth in claim 1 wherein said water passageway is formed of flexible material to accommodate passage through said water passageway of particulate matter suspended in the water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The emitter as set forth in claim 10 wherein said elements are formed of flexible material to accommodate passage through the discharge orifice of particulate matter suspended in the water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |