DRIP IRRIGATION APPARATUS

Abstract: Drip irrigation apparatus including a continuous outer tube (10) and a plurality of low rate determining inserts (12) located at desired locations therealong interiorly of the outer tube, the inserts being selected to have one or more of the following features; an outlet chamber (16) which extends over a significant portion of the circumference of the outer tube; a configuration which allows substantial flattening of the outer tube when not in use, a pressure responsive flow controller; a pressure reducing pathway (14) formed solely or partially by the insert and an air pocket spring defined wholly or partially by the insert for cooperation with a pressure responsive flow controller, thereby providing a flow controller which integrally formed as a single unit.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a drip irrigation apparatus comprising a continuous outer tube extending along a longitudinal axis and a plurality of flow rate determining inserts fixedly joined to said outer tube at desired locations therealong interiorly of said outer tube, said flow rate determining inserts each defining a water inlet communicating with the interior of said outer tube, flow rate determining means, flow controlling means, and a water outlet chamber in engagement with said outer tube, a water exit from said outlet chamber being defined by perforation of said outer tube at said water outlet chamber, wherein said flow-controlling means is responsive to pressure within said outer tube. The drip irrigation apparatus of the invention can be formed within a continuous extruded tube. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A number of types of continuous tube type drippers are known. One type comprises a cylindrical body having a pressure reducing pathway formed on the outer surface thereof, which pathway engages the inner surface of a continuous tube extruded thereabout. It has also been proposed to insert an intermediate layer of material interposed between the pressure reducing pathway of the cylindrical body and the continuous tube. Another type of continuous tube dripper employs self-contained flow controlled dripper elements which are attached to the inner wall of a continuous tube and provided with outlet apertures therethrough. Drip irrigation apparatus comprising a continuous outer tube extending along a longitudinal axis and a plurality of flow rate determining inserts fixedly joined to the outer tube at desired locations therealong interiorly of the outer tube, the flow rate determining inserts each defining a water inlet communicating with the interior of the outer tube, flow rate determining means, flow controlling means, a water outlet chamber which extends over a significant portion of the circumference of the outer tube in engagement therewith, and a water exit from the outlet chamber being defined by perforation of the outer tube at the water outlet chamber are known from DE-B-2 902 007 and also from DE-A-2 548 670. The flow rate determining means and the flow controlling means in these apparatus is provided by a restricted pathway which only acts as passive controlling means insofar as its constant flow resistance only causes a generally reduced flow rate, i.e., if the pressure increases this known flow rate determining means and flow controlling means provides a correspondingly increased flow rate. However, it is desired to maintain a substantially constant flow rate when the pressure increases. From "Soviet Inventions Illustrated", Sections P, Q, week C 10, April 16, 1980, Derwent Publications Ltd, London, P 13, SU-670 282 (GEOR WATER ECON CON) there is known an irrigation pipe water outlet which has two membranes forming two chambers connected to water and air supplies. This irrigation pipe water outlet consists of a first membrane displaceable into the pipe for restricting the cross section thereof and a casing with a membrane control element for actuating the first membrane. The membrane control element is equipped with a second membrane dividing the inside of the casing into two chambers. One of these chambers is connected by a pipe to the irrigation pipe, while the other chamber is connected by a tube to an air supply pipe with a non-return valve. This type of water flow control has the disadvantage that it requires a source of pressurized air and a control apparatus for controlling the pressure of the air supplied to the aforesaid air chamber of the irrigation pipe water outlet. All of the above-described drip irrigation apparatus suffer from a further number of disadvantages. Significant among these is the requirement for extremely accurate outlet aperture formation in the continuous tube such that the outlet aperture corresponds to the outlet from the pressure reducing pathway. Both linear and radial positioning of the aperture must be achieved with significant accuracy. This requires relatively sophisticated and expensive machinery. Another difficulty encountered in the manufacture of the conventional continuous tube dripper apparatus arises in the feeding of the interior elements to the extruder which forms the outer tube. Where the interior elements are cylindrical, they cannot be fed on a track located interiorly thereof and thus difficulties of alignment are encountered. Where discrete elements are employed, which do not fill the radius of the cross section of the outer tube, complex apparatus and techniques for positioning the discrete elements on the tube are required. Furthermore, a drip irrigation apparatus of the type mentioned in the beginning is known from US-A-4 210 287. This drip irrigation apparatus has a flow controlling means which is responsive to the pressure within the outer tube. This flow controlling means comprises a resiliently flexible membrane of generally rectangular shape which is arranged on one side of a generally flat and rectangular base structure and which defines one side of the flow rate determining means and a cavity like recess into which the flow rate determining means opens. On that side of the flat base structure which is opposed to the membrane, the flow rate determining means and the cavity like recess there is provided the water outlet chamber which defined on its one side by the inner wall of the outer tube. This water outlet chamber communicates by a bore with the cavity like recess. The shape of the water outlet chamber is that of a shallow elongated well which has an elongated nearly rectangular shape and is coextensive with the membrane. This has the disadvantage that the accuracy of the perforation location, i.e. the location of the water exit from the outlet chamber can affect the operation of the flow controlling means. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to overcome disadvantages of prior art continuous tube type drip irrigation apparatus and to provide a continuous tube type drip irrigation device which is relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture. There is thus provided in accordance with the present invention a drip irrigation apparatus of the type mentioned in the beginning, which is characterized in that the water outlet chamber is axially displaced from said flow controlling means, whereby accuracy of perforation location within said water outlet chamber cannot affect operation of said flow controllin means. A preferred embodiment of this drip irrigation apparatus is characterized in that the flow rate determining means comprises a flow rate determining pathway located on a portion of a surface, which surface does not extend along the entire circumference of the inner surface of said outer tube and the water outlet chamber extends over a signifcant portion of the circumference of the outer tube in engagement therewith. Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the flow rate determining insert comprises bendable fingers associated with the insert for assisting positioning thereof in the outer tube without interfering with substantial flattening thereof for shipping purposes. Further in accordance with this embodiment of the invention the pressure reducing pathway surface is configured as a cylindrical section having a different radius than the corresponding inner surface of the outer tube. Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is also provided an annular rib associated with said insert and disposed in sealing engagement with the inner surface of the outer tube along at least most of its circumference. Another embodiment is characterized in that the water outlet chamber extends over at least half of the circumference of the outer tube or that the water outlet chamber extends over the entire circumference of the outer tube or that the water outlet chamber extends over at least one third of the circumference of the outer tube. Further, according to one embodiment the flow rate determining pathway is defined solely by the insert and according to another embodiment the flow rate determining pathway is defined jointly by the insert and by the inner wall of the outer tube. According to a preferred embodiment the flow rate determining means and the flow controlling means comprise a resilient element mounted onto the insert to define therewith a flow rate determining and flow controlling chamber in communication with the water inlet and the water outlet chamber and including a pressure reducing pathway defined by at least one of the resilient element and the insert. Preferably said chamber also comprises a flow controlling pathway communicating with the pressure reducing pathway. In an embodiment the flow controlling means comprise resilient means which are held in place by cooperation between the insert and the continuous outer tube. In a further embodiment the flow controlling means comprise resilient means and means for prestressing said resilient means. It is also preferred that the flow controlling means comprise resilient means and cover means covering part of said resilient means. Another embodiment is characterized in that the flow determining means or pathway comprises a pressure reducing pathway which is defined on a curved surface which forms part of a cylindrical surface. Said curved surface can have a radius greater than the inner radius of said outer tube intermediate the inserts. Finally, a further preferred embodiment is characterized in that said flow controlling means are formed entirely integrally with said insert as a single unit in a single molding process. In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the flow controlled pressure reducing insert comprises a generally cylindrical element having pressure reducing means formed along a portion of the circumference thereof and a water inlet to the pressure reducing means, securing means associated with the cylindrical element on either side of the water inlet, a pressure responsive element disposed in the securing means and separating the volume adjacent the water inlet from the remainder of the interior of the cylindrical element, thereby defining a pressure controlled water passageway communicating with the water inlet. According to one embodiment of the invention the securing means comprise slits formed in the cylindrical element. Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the pressure reducing pathway defines a portion of a surface of revolution which is arranged for attachment onto the interior wail or an outer tube, the insert spanning less than half of the circumference of the outer tube, thereby permitting substantial flattening of the tube for shipping purposes. The insert may also comprise bendable extension fingers for assisting in proper placement of the insert but without interfering with the flattening of the tube. Further features of the invention are defined in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a partially cut-away side view illustration of a portion of drip irrigation apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with features of an embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 2A and 2B are respective sectional illustrations taken along lines A - A and B - B drawn on Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional side view illustration of a portion of drip irrigation apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with features of an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a sectional illustration taken along lines C - C drawn on Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a sectional side view illustration of a portion of drip irrigation apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with features of an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a sectional illustration taken along lines D - D drawn on Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a side view illustration of a portion of drip irrigation apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a top view of the portion of drip irrigation apparatus of Fig. 7 partially disassembled to have the elastic element removed so as to show the pressure and/or flow reducing pathways; Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the apparatus of Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is a sectional illustration of the apparatus of Fig. 7 taken along the lines F - F drawn in Fig. 8; and Fig 11 is a sectional illustration of the apparatus of Fig. 7 taken along the lines G - G drawn in Fig. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference is now made to Figs. 1, 2A and 2B which illustrate a portion of drip irrigation apparatus having features of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated drip irrigation comprises a continuous outer tube 10, typically formed by extrusion and in which are disposed at predetermined intervals inserts 12 which provide output flow control as desired ,such that the high pressure water supply within the tube 10 results in a relatively low pressure output at a desired flow rate. In accordance with the illustrated apparatus, the insert 12 comprises a pressure reducing pathway 14 comprising a plurality of back and forth bends and sub paths or any other suitable configuration and a water outlet chamber 16 communicating with the outlet of the pressure reducing pathway 14. It is a particular feature of the present invention that the water outlet chamber 16 extends across a significant portion of the circumference of the outer tube 10. This feature enables outlet holes 18 to be formed in the outer tube 10 without precise attention to the rotational orientation of the insert therein. It may be appreciated that if chamber 16 extends over at least one-half of the circumference of the tube, as illustrated, the hole making apparatus need have only 50% radial accuracy in order to provide a properly positioned hole. Thus many of the advantages of a full cylindrical insert are provided without the costs for materials that would be required in such a case. It is appreciated that although the insert illustrated in Figs. 1, 2A and 2B defines the pressure reducing pathway in cooperation with the inner wall of the outer tube, this need not necessarily be the case. Alternatively the pressure reducing pathway may be defined solely by the insert, and thus not in cooperation with the outer tube. Reference is now made to Figs. 3 and 4 which illustrate drip irrigation apparatus having features of another embodiment of the invention in which a pressure reducing path 20 is associated with a plurality of annular ribs 22 which support the path 20 within an outer tube 24. In the illustrated apparatus, an insert 26 comprises the pressure reducing path 20 integrally formed with annular ribs 22 along each side thereof. Transverse slits 28 formed in each of the ribs define an outlet conduit communicating between the outlet of the pressure reducing path to a pair of outlet chambers 30 which extend around the entire circumference of the insert and in engagement with the entire circumference of the inner surface of the outer tube 24. This construction, which uses somewhat more material than that illustrated in Fig. 1, provides a whole circumference water outlet chamber 30 as well as secure positioning of the insert in the tube 24 by means of ribs 22. It is appreciated that according to an alternative embodiment, only a single rib 22 and only a single water outer chamber 30 may be provided. It is noted that inlets to the pressure reducing pathways illustrated in Figs. 1, 2A , 2B, 3 and 4 are not seen in the Figures but may be positioned where desired for supply of water from the interior of the outer tube to the pressure reducing pathway. It is also noted that although the term " pressure reducing pathway" is employed herein, the invention also encompasses the use of a flow reducing pathway or other device which need not necessarily reduce pressure, or not reduce pressure as its major objective. Nevertheless all of these devices shall be collectively referred to herein as "pressure reducing pathways". Reference is now made to Figs. 5 and 6 which illustrate drip irrigation apparatus of the type described hereinabove in connection with Fig. 1 with certain modifications. Firstly, the insert 40 shown in Figs. 5 and 6 extends along less than half of the circumference of the outer tube. Secondly, there are provided bendable extension fingers 42 along both sides of the insert 40 for assisting in positioning of the insert in the outer tube 44. Transverse nicks or cuts 46 may be made in the fingers 42 at their junction with the insert 40 to encourage bending thereof when the outer tube is compressed for flattening thereof. It is appreciated that extension fingers 42 may also be applied to the insert illustrated in Figs. 1, 2A and 2B. Reference is now made to Figs. 7 to 11 which illustrate an insert constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, which insert is designed to be disposed at predetermined intervals in a continuous outer tube, such as tube 10, described hereinabove in connection with Fig. 1. In contrast to the construction of the insert of Fig. 1, wherein the pressure reducing pathway is defined in cooperation with the inner wall of the outer tube 10, in the presently described embodiment, the pressure reducing pathway is defined in cooperation with a pressure responsive element. Figs. 7 to 11 thus illustrate an insert 70 of generally cylindrical configuration and defining first and second outer annular ribs 72 and 74 and first and second inner ribs 76 and 78. Ribs 76 and 78 are joined along all but the top of the insert and define longitudinal edges 80 and 82. Disposed between respective first inner and outer ribs 72 and 76 is an annular recess which defines an outlet chamber 84. A similar outlet chamber 86 is defined between second inner and outer ribs 74 and 78 in a similar annular recess. Outlet chambers 84 and 86 receive a water output via a recessed conduit 88 which is formed on the underside of insert 70 and which communicates with a transverse aperture 90 extending from a pressure controlled pressure and/or flow controlling chamber 92. Pressure controlled pressure and/or flow controlling chamber 92 is separated from the remainder of the interior of the insert 70 by means of an elastic element 94, typically formed of rubber or a similar material, which functions as a pressure responsive element and is retained in slots 96 and 98 formed in the interior of the insert as seen in Fig. 10. A pressure controlled pressure and/or flow reducing pathway 100 is defined as part of chamber 92 in the surface 102 of the insert which faces the elastic element 94. This pathway may be of any desired shape and configuration, as desired and suitable. It is noted that the pathway 100 extends from a water inlet 101 extending from the edge of chamber 92 into a pressure and/or flow controlling volume 104, into communication with an aperture 90. Alternatively, the chamber 92 including pathway 100 may be wholly or partially defined by the elastic element 94. It is noted that elastic element 94 effectively seals chamber 92 from the remainder of the interior of the insert, which is maintained at line pressure, except at inlet 101. Elastic element 94 thus acts as a pressure sensitive controller of the flow through pathway 100. As the line pressure increases, element 94 is displaced increasingly onto pathway 100 and volume 104, thus reducing its cross sectional area and limiting the flow therethrough. As the line pressure decreases, element 94 is increasingly separated from pathway 100 and volume 104, defining a greater effective cross sectional area for water flow through pathway 100. It is also possible, if desired, to rigidify the elastic element 94 where it overlies the pathway 100, or to provide a cover over this portion, in order to reduce or eliminate the influence of the line pressure on the cross sectional area of the pathway 100. As a further alternative, the pathway 100 may be located away from the elastic element. The apparatus of Figs. 7 to 11 may alterantively be connected to the outlet of the pressure reducing pathway. According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the pressure reducing pathway may comprise a small aperture, typically of a radius of between one tenth to one hundredth of a millimeter, formed in the elastic element 94. Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the interaction between the elastic element 94 and the pathway 100 may be reduced or eliminated in one of a number of ways. A cover member (not shown) may be provided overlying the elastic element 94 where it overlies the pathway 100. Alternatively the elastic clement 94 may not extend over the pathway 100. Where a cover member is provided it may serve to provide prestressing of the elastic element 94 in the area of volume 104. As a further alternative, the elastic element 94 may be prestressed over its entire area covering both the pathway 100 and the volume 104. According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the elastic element 94 as well as any securing member or cover member associated therewith may be held in place by means of the outer tube which surrounds the insert. It is particularly noted that the constructions shown are equally applicable to individual inserts, each surrounded by an individual sleeve as they are to the use of a continuous outer tube.

Claims: Drip irrigation apparatus comprising: a continuous outer tube extending along a longitudinal axis and a plurality of flow rate determining inserts (70) fixedly joined to said outer tube at desired locations therealong interiorly of said outer tube, said flow rate determining inserts (70) each defining a water inlet communicating with the interior of said outer tube, flow rate determining means (100), flow controlling means (92, 94), and a water oulet chamber (84, 86) in engagement with said outer tube, a water exit from said outlet chamber (84, 86) being defined by perforation of said outer tube at said water outlet chamber (84, 86), wherein said flow-controlling means (92, 94) is responsive to pressure within said outer tube, characterized in that said water outlet chamber (84, 86) is axially displaced from said flow controlling means (92, 94), whereby accuracy of perforation location within said water outlet chamber (84, 86) cannot affect operation of said flow controlling means (92, 94). Drip irrigation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said flow rate determining means (100) comprises a flow rate determining pathway (100) located on a portion of a surface, which surface does not extend along the entire circumference of the inner surface of said outer tube and said water outlet chamber (84, 86) extends over a significant portion of the circumference of said outer tube in engagement therewith. Drip irrigation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said flow rate determining insert (70) comprises bendable fingers associated with said insert (70) for assisting positioning thereof in said outer tube without interfering with substantial flattening thereof. Drip irrigation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and further characterized in that said flow determining insert (70) also comprises an annular rib (72, 74, 76, 78). Drip irrigation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said water outlet chamber (84, 86) extends over at least half of the circumference of said outer tube. Drip irrigation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said water outlet chamber (84, 86) extends over the entire circumference of said outer tube. Drip irrigation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said water outlet chamber (84, 86) extends over at least one third of the circumference of said outer tube. Drip irrigation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow rate determining pathway (100) is defined solely by said insert (70). Drip irrigation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said flow rate determining means or pathway (100) is defined jointly by said insert (70) and by the inner wall or surface of said outer tube. Drip irrigation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow rate determining means (100) and said flow controlling means (92, 94) comprise a resilient element (94) mounted onto said insert (70) to define therewith a flow rate determining and flow controlling chamber (92) in communication with said water inlet and said water outlet chamber (84, 86) and including a pressure reducing pathway (100) defined by at least one of said resilient element (94) and said insert (70). Drip irrigation apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that said chamber (92) also comprises a flow controlling pathway communicating with said pressure reducing pathway (100). Drip irrigation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow controlling means (92, 94) comprise resilient means (94) which are held in place by cooperation between said insert (70) and said continuous outer tube. Drip irrigation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow controlling means (92, 94) comprise resilient means (94) and means for prestressing said resilient means (94). Drip irrigation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that flow controlling means (92, 94) comprise resilient means (94) and cover means covering part of said resilient means (94). Drip irrigation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow determining means or pathway (20) comprises a pressure reducing pathway (20) which is defined on a curved surface which forms part of a cylindrical surface. Drip irrigation apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that said curved surface has a radius greater than the inner radius of said outer tube intermediate said inserts (70). Drip irrigation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow controlling means (92, 94) are formed entirely integrally with said insert (70) as a single unit in a single molding process.

Inventors: DINUR, ELDAD, GORNEY, MOSHE
Applicants: NAAN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
Application year: 1982
Main classification: A01G25
IPC codes: A01G25