Patent US6178984B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6178984B1
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Self-priming siphon, in particular for irrigation
Assignee: Aquasolo Systems
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Filing: 1997-12-24
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Granted: 2001-01-30
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Expires: 2017-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A self-priming siphon has an inverted U-shaped tube filled with a hydrophilic material where one end of the tube is connected to a smaller diameter tube such that when the other end of the tube is immersed in a liquid, capillary action causes the fluid to rise in the tube above the level of the water and thereafter fall through said one tube end causing a suction which primes the siphon.
Inventors
- 👤 Maurice Amsellem
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:29
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G27/00; A01G27/005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2713; Y10T137/272; Y10T137/2747; Y10T137/2774; Y10T137/2795; Y10T137/2829; Y10T137/2842; Y10T137/2924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
Self-priming siphon formed by a tube whose shape is similar to that of an inverse U, inside which is found hydrophilic material, comprising a rising branch ( 10 ), a bend and a descending branch ( 8 ), characterised by the fact that the descending branch ( 8 ) of the tube ( 9 ) is extended by a pipe ( 12 ) with a smaller diameter than the diameter of tube ( 9 ) in such a manner that when the other rising branch ( 10 ) of tube ( 9 ) is plunged into a receptacle ( 2 ) containing a liquid ( 3 ), and the latter fills rising branch ( 10 ) of tube ( 9 ) up to a higher level ( 11 ) of said liquid, then continues its ascension by capillary action to cross the high point ( 30 ) of tube ( 9 ) and fall again descending branch ( 8 ) as far as pipe ( 12 ), it forms there columns ( 20 ), which carried along by their weight, cause a suction priming the siphon, if the level of the exit of the pipe ( 12 ) is lower than the level ( 11 ) of the liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
Self-priming siphon formed by a tube whose shape is similar to that of an inverse U, inside which is found hydrophilic material, comprising a rising branch ( 10 ), a bend and a descending branch ( 8 ), characterised by the fact that the descending branch ( 8 ) of the tube ( 9 ) is extended by a pipe ( 12 ) with a smaller diameter than the diameter of tube ( 9 ) in such a manner that when the other rising branch ( 10 ) of tube ( 9 ) is plunged into a receptacle ( 2 ) containing a liquid ( 3 ), and the latter fills rising branch ( 10 ) of tube ( 9 ) up to a higher level ( 11 ) of said liquid, then continues its ascension by capillary action to cross the high point ( 30 ) of tube ( 9 ) and fall again descending branch ( 8 ) as far as pipe ( 12 ), it forms there columns ( 20 ), which carried along by their weight, cause a suction priming the siphon, if the level of the exit of the pipe ( 12 ) is lower than the level ( 11 ) of the liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
Siphon according to claim 1 , characterised by the fact that the tube ( 9 ) is made of a supple material, permitting it to adapt the inverted U shape to the shape of the receptacle ( 2 ).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Siphon according to claim 1 , characterised by the fact that the tube ( 9 ) is made of a semi-rigid material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
Siphon according to claim 1 , characterised by the fact that two separate paths are provided for the circulation of water: a path containing the hydrophilic material in which the water circulates by capillary action: a free path into which flows the greater part of the water which is sucked up when the siphon is primed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
Siphon according to claim 4 , characteised by the fact that the free path is constituted by the space delimited between the internal wall of tube ( 9 ) and the hydrophilic material contained in a leak-proof envelope open at two ends.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
Siphon according to claim 4 , characterised by the fact that the free path is constituted by at least one pipe with a diameter significantly smaller than that of tube ( 9 ), and circulating inside the hydrophilic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
Siphon according to claim 4 , characterised by the fact that the free path is constituted by a pipe ( 31 ) placed outside tube ( 9 ), and then connected to tube ( 12 ) or to chamber ( 34 ).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
Siphon according to claim 7 , characterised by the fact that pipe ( 31 ) is extended outside tube ( 9 ) on the side of branch ( 10 ) so as to be able to reach a deeper point of the receptacle ( 2 ).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
Siphon according to claim 8 , characterised by the fact that means are provided for blocking tube ( 9 ) whilst leaving pipe ( 31 ) open, when the liquid drops and approaches the level of the entrance of tube ( 9 ).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
Siphon according to claim 9 , characterised by the fact that pipe ( 31 ) being placed outside tube ( 9 ), a float valve ( 42 ) closes the entrance of the branch of tube ( 9 ) when the liquid reaches a pre-determined level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
Siphon according to claim 4 , characterized by the fact that the free path is constituted by at least one pipe with a diameter significantly smaller than that of tube ( 9 ) and circulating beside the hydrophilic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
Siphon according to claim 1 , characterised by the fact that the branch ( 8 ) of tube ( 9 ) comprises at its end a bend ( 32 ) and a small horizontal portion ( 33 ) which forms a chamber ( 34 ) intended to hold a reserve of water during the draining of the siphon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
Siphon according to claim 12 , characterised by the fact that inside chamber ( 34 ), an extension ( 35 ) of pipe ( 12 ) makes it possible to save a portion of the water in the chamber ( 34 ).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
Siphon according to claim 12 , characterised by the fact the pipes ( 31 ) and ( 12 ) are formed by a single continuous tube, comprising at the level of chamber ( 34 ) at least one hole ( 36 ) permitting liquid arriving by capillary action in chamber ( 34 ) to enter pipe ( 12 ).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
Siphon according to claim 1 characterised by the fact that the descending branch ( 8 ) presents a greater volume than the rising branch ( 10 ), in such a way as to contain more hydrophilic material, in order to constitute a reservoir for the liquid intended for re-priming the siphon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
Siphon according to claim 1 characterised by the fact that the hydrophilic material is granular material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
Siphon according to claim 1 characterised by the fact that the hydrophilic material is a granular material stabilised inside tube ( 9 ) by a structure formed of netting.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
Siphon according to claim 1 , characterised by the fact that the diameter of pipe ( 12 ) is between 1 and 6 mm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
Siphon according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact that the diameter of pipe ( 12 ) is between 2 and 5 mm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
Siphon according to claim 1 , characterised by the fact that the diameter of pipe ( 12 ) is close to 4 mm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
Siphon according to claim 1 , characterised by the fact that there is disposed on pipe ( 12 ) a tap making it possible to adjust the rate of flow.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
Siphon according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact that the tube ( 9 ) is made of rigid material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
Siphon according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the hydrophilic material is a granular material stabilized inside tube ( 9 ) by a structure formed of a twisted part.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
Siphon according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the hydrophilic material is a granular material stabilized inside tube ( 9 ) by a structure formed of spikes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
Siphon according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the hydrophilic material is a granular material stabilized inside tube ( 9 ) by a structure formed of projections.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
Siphon according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the hydrophilic material is a granular material stabilized inside tube ( 9 ) by a structure formed of grooves.
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) | 2004-01-30 | 2004-07-31 | 2005-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-30 | 2008-07-31 | 2009-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-30 | 2012-07-31 | 2013-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |