US4037791A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow-control device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-10-17
•
Granted: 1977-07-26
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Expires: 1995-10-17
Abstract
Abstract A pressure compensated emitter device for controlling rate of water discharge in a drip irrigation emitter tube, wherein the tube is of resilient material and is partly contained within a plenum, wherein an increase pressure results in a reduction of tube diameter. The tube may contain a core of copper or other metal which will inhibit root growth in the vicinity of the discharge orifice.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie Fred Mullett
- 👤 Alan James Brock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:53
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/02; A01G25/023; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/10; Y02A40/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A pressure compensated emitter device for controlling rate of liquid discharging from a plenum which contains liquid at superatomspheric pressure, comprising a discharge tube of comparatively smaller diameter and large length contained within said plenum, the discharge tube having an inlet end within the plenum and a discharge end downstream of the inlet end whereby a pressure gradient occurs between said ends of the discharge tube and a pressure differential exists between the plenum and the space within the discharge tube which increases towards said discharge end, the walls of said discharge tube being sufficiently resilient that the pressure differential reduces the cross-sectional area of at least a portion of said tube and; a core extending through the tube from one said end to the other, the core having substantially a smooth surface and substantially a constant diameter throughout its length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A pressure compensated emitter device for controlling rate of liquid discharging from a plenum which contains liquid at superatomspheric pressure, comprising a discharge tube of comparatively smaller diameter and large length contained within said plenum, the discharge tube having an inlet end within the plenum and a discharge end downstream of the inlet end whereby a pressure gradient occurs between said ends of the discharge tube and a pressure differential exists between the plenum and the space within the discharge tube which increases towards said discharge end, the walls of said discharge tube being sufficiently resilient that the pressure differential reduces the cross-sectional area of at least a portion of said tube and; a core extending through the tube from one said end to the other, the core having substantially a smooth surface and substantially a constant diameter throughout its length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A pressure compensated emitter device according to claim 1 wherein the walls of the tube are resilient and have a hardness of between 20 and 50 Shore A.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A pressure compensated emitter device according to claim 1 wherein the core is copper-rich wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A pressure compensated emitter device according to claim 1 wherein said plenum which contains said tube is formed by a sheath which defines the plenum space and in which there is no flow of liquid other than said discharging liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A pressure compensated emitter device according to claim 4 further comprising a distribution pipe, an aperture in the pipe wall, an inlet nipple extending into and sealably engaged by the walls defining the aperture, one end of said sheath sealably engaging the inlet nipple, and a discharge nipple, the other end of said sheath and said discharge end of said discharge tube both sealably engaging said discharge nipple.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A pressure compensated emitter device according to claim 4 further comprising a discharge nipple, and a keeper band retaining said sheath to said discharge nipple.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
A pressure compensated emitter device according to claim 4 further comprising a distribution pipe, an aperture in the pipe wall, one end of said sheath extending into and being sealably engaged by the walls defining the aperture the inner surface of the other end of said sheath and the outer surface of said discharge end of said discharge tube having cement joining them.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A pressure compensated emitter device according to claim 1 wherein a water distribution pipe comprises said plenum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
A pressure compensated emitter device according to claim 8 wherein said distribution pipe has an aperture in its wall, and further comprising a tube fitting extending through and sealably engaged by the walls defining said aperture, said tube being contained within the pipe and retained on the fitting tail by resilient deformation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pressure compensated emitter device according to claim 1 wherein said core is non-metallic and terminates at each end in a growth inhibiting member which is adjacent to and exterior of a respective end of said discharge tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A pressure compensated emitter device according to claim 10 wherein the member is a copper-rich metal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A pressure compensated emitter device according to claim 1 wherein the core is of a metal which is growth inhibiting.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
169 words
A device for discharging liquid, comprising a distribution head, an inlet conduit extending into the head, a plurality of outlet conduits extending outwardly from the head and each being of smaller cross-sectional area than said inlet conduit, said inlet conduit being a discharge tube contained within a plenum of a pressure compensated emitter device for controlling the rate of liquid discharging therefrom, the discharge tube having an inlet end within the plenum and a discharge end downstream of the inlet end whereby a pressure gradient occurs between said ends of the discharge tube and a pressure differential exists between the plenum and the space within the discharge tube which increases towards the discharge end, the walls of the discharge tube being sufficiently resilient that the pressure differential reduces the cross-sectional area of at least a portion of said tube and a core extending through the discharge tube from one said end to the other, the core having substantially a smooth surface and substantially a constant diameter throughout its length.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
169 words
A device for discharging liquid, comprising a distribution head, an inlet conduit extending into the head, a plurality of outlet conduits extending outwardly from the head and each being of smaller cross-sectional area than said inlet conduit, said inlet conduit being a discharge tube contained within a plenum of a pressure compensated emitter device for controlling the rate of liquid discharging therefrom, the discharge tube having an inlet end within the plenum and a discharge end downstream of the inlet end whereby a pressure gradient occurs between said ends of the discharge tube and a pressure differential exists between the plenum and the space within the discharge tube which increases towards the discharge end, the walls of the discharge tube being sufficiently resilient that the pressure differential reduces the cross-sectional area of at least a portion of said tube and a core extending through the discharge tube from one said end to the other, the core having substantially a smooth surface and substantially a constant diameter throughout its length.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-07-25 | 1981-01-24 | 1981-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-25 | 1985-01-24 | 1985-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-25 | 1989-01-24 | 1989-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |