EMITTER WITH WATER INLET FILTER AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY THEREOF

Abstract: Emitter with water inlet hole which bears a circumferential ring and elastic membrane that covers it tightly. the water penetrates to the emitter from the ring only if particular water pressure to the network is reached which slightly raises the membrane forming a gap.

Description: EMITTER WITH WATER INLET FILTER AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY THEREOF The present invention relates to self-compensating, constant dischaige emitters used for irrigation puiposes and in particular to a dynamic arrangement that filters the water under constant conditions, prior to its inlet to an emitter State-of-the-Art All the existing known technologies for self-compensating emitters had to solve the following problems a) to filter the inlet water b) to pre\ent blockages, ensuring the emitter has the widest, shoitest and simplest water paths possible c) to maintain a constant discharge for all the range of pressures in the network, I e For both high and low pressures d) to operate as a non- return valve e) to reduce the emitter volume Patent PCT/GR 96/00004, despite the fact that the bending and relatι\e movement of a membrane removes foreign matter, failed to solve the problems Water passes through particular channels, engraved onto the surface of the common filtering and discharge adjustment chamber , that on one hand determine the quality of filtering, but on the other hand should they get blocked, the membrane that moves onto them will not manage to penetrate their interior part and clean them Furthermore the position of the membrane is not determined but always depends on the pressure of the water in the network The membrane does not tighten the emitter at any phase of its operation and water enters and exits freelv even if no pressure exists in the network, resulting in • The network is emptied from water immediately after the interruption of irrigation and a long time is required for re filling before the operation restarts • All emitters do not start operating simultaneously; instead the start-up of their operation is random and uncontrol led, whereas a long time is required unti l un iform operation of all emitters of the network is achieved. • The emitter is not tight in the case of depression in the network and so foreign matter penetrates into the emitter in the opposite direction, from the water outlet hole Regarding other known patents, they have failed to solve to a sufficient extent any other problem, bar apart from the non- return valve; for example, water inlet holes covered by the membrane in patents for self - adj usting, constant discharge emitters, such as EOP 0482843 A l , EPO 730822 A2, SP 21 37825, FR 2687540 A, Us 6027048 A, in no way can be considered as filter, as wi ll become evident in the sequel, despite the fact that water inlet to the emitter is possible, only once a predetermined pressure is achieved and the inlet hole is revealed. In more detail, in these technologies, the common membrane is located between two facing rims or holes, i.e. the inlet hole or rim — which it covers tightly - and the outlet or discharge adj ustment rim or hole. If the distance between the two facng holes or rims and hence the width of variation of the membrane is H, and the distances from the inlet and outlet holes or rims are H I and H2, respectively, the relationship H = H 1 +H2 ( 1 ) holds. From the moment that the membrane wi l l be raised from the inlet rim that operates as a non-return valve, it must automatically move immediately towards the opposite rim for the final or partial adj ustment of d ischarge and remain there. It makes no d ifference whether the opposite rim concerns a rim for final or partial adj ustment of d ischarge (e.g. Patent SP 2137825, Patent PCT/G R 96/00004). After operati on start-up, and throughout the irrigation, the common membrane of the system operates at the opposite outlet hole from which it is displaced by a smal ler or larger distance, depending on the pressure P I of the network. In general, its position, i .e . the value of H2 always depends on the pressure of the network, as a adj ustment of the d ischarge is proportional, and th is is a characteristic of all known technologies . Hence, due to the relationship ( 1 ), the h i gher the value of the distance form the outlet ri m, H2 i s. the shorter the d istance H I of the common membrane from the water inlet rim is. The void space for water inlet H I is not, hence, steady, despite the constant by definition discharge Q of the emitter. Anyway, as the range of operating pressures of the emitter must be very large, both the range of variation of the displacement of the membrane H, as wel l as the range of variation of H I must also be very wide. Characteristic example of a very wide range of variation of H is given by patent FR. 2687540 A. Hence, a void space H I , with the wide by definition variations of its value cannot constitute a fi lter for the protection of the emitter from blockages. Apart from it, the same known technologies do not propose sufficient solutions for preventing blockages and for the reduction of the volume of the emitter, as they cannot operate and maintain water discharge steady at low pressures range in the water supply network, without the presence of a long meander-like path that is necessary and serves the purpose of additional pressure drop in regions of low pressure range. However, the presence of this add itional meander-like path on one hand increases the blockage problems and on the other hand increases the volume, a very significant disadvantage of an emitter placed inside a small diameter tube. In detail : During the operation of the emitter at low pressure networks, i.e. at pressures equal or sl ightly higher that the pretension pressure of the membrane, the membrane is raised sl ightly, permits water inlet, but also must move directly and steeply towards the opposite rim for discharge adjustment. I.e., it must reduce sharply and not proportionately the distance H2 in order to "strangle" the excess pressure, irrespectively of how low it is, that tends to increase the emitter discharge to sizes double or triple the nominal discharge Q. This phenomenon is always observed at the end of the dripl ine tube, where lower pressures prevail in general, as wel l as temporari ly at the beginning of the dripl ine tube, before the network pressure is re-instated and negative ly affects the operation of the whole system. During the in itial water in let, with the membrane opening, a pressure drop ΔP l develops due to the passage of water through the in itial ly narrow void space H I . However, the pressure drop. ΔP l , although enough for displaci ng the membrane to the opposite rim i mmed iately and sharply, it may not act especia l ly here, as wh i l e the membrane is disp laced, reduc ing the value of H2, the value of H I increases accordi ng to equation ( 1 ) and ΔP l is reduced. The in itial value of the pressure drop ΔP l is created due to the initially narrow size of H I , and weakens as the latter is increased. Hence, an auxiliary pressure drop ΔP2 is required that will replace the reduction of ΔP l and with the residual value of the continuously decreasing ΔP l wi ll displace the membrane, immediately and sharply. The displacement of the membrane and the maintenance of constant discharge may not be effected for the existing technologies, without an auxi l iary side meander-like path that connects the inlet hole or rim to the opposite outlet hole or rim. This path adds the additional and almost equal pressure drop ΔP2 for the sharp displacement of the membrane towards the outlet rim, with all the associated problems of volume increase and blockages that the presence of such a meander-like path implies. Regarding the second variation of EP 730822 A2, the membrane cannot be raised. The water pressure from the side of the convex part of the membrane is higher and the pretension of the membrane cannot be overcome so that it is raised and permits water inlet. It concerns a design error. Another great problem is presented in the method of assembly of the parts of the emitter. The tight em itters are particularly stressed by the reduced pressure usually formed in the network, and tend to reassemble during this phase of depression in the network. The solution offered by patent W099/1 877 1 and US 6027048 is very expensive as it requires on one hand an extremely complicated assembly between two parts and on the other hand simultaneous weld ing of the peripheral rims of both the main body and the cover of the emitter w ith the inner part of the tube. In this manner, due to the very large surface and the weld ing arc and contact finally formed, the part of the emitter that welds to the tube and its radius of curvature are strictly determined and a complete differentiation and attachment of the external body and the em itter radius of curvature are required, for each new tube diameter to which it wi l l be welded. Hence, a different inj ection mould is required for each tube diameter. Brief Description of the invention The present invention relates to an arrangement for water inlet to the self compensating, steady discharge emitter It consists of an opening with a circumferential ring and sharp rims that is completely covered by an elastic membrane This region is the filtering chamber The membrane is continuously pressed at its centre and perhaps at its circumference so that a slight permanent pre-tension and bending occurs, with the convex surface of the membrane located towards the direction of water inlet When water pressure in the tube exceeds some pre-determined value, 1 e the pressure exerted by the pre-tension to the membrane, the membrane is raised sl ightly above the ring and water enters into the emitter and evidently in the space beh ind the membrane where atmospheric pressure prevailed beforehand As the circumference of the inlet opening is larger than the circumference of the outlet opening, the necessary raising of the membrane for the particular nominal w ater discharge to pass and hence the dimension of fore ign matter that may enter into the emitter is particularly small The size of raising and hence the void space H I for water passage remains small and constant for all pressure values along the network and the membrane occupies at all phases of emitter operation and all values of network pressures, only two absolutely discrete positions Position 1 Network pressure smal ler than the predeterm ined value required for overcoming pretension of the membrane The membrane covers the ring completely and tightly No ater enters into the em itter, degree of raising H 1 = 0 Position 2 Network pressure equal or greater than the predetermined val ue The membrane is ra ised and remains at a constant height H I above the i n let πm, irrespectively of the value of pressure of water in the network A void space H I is formed for water passage and ideal conditions are formed of absolutely constant and controlled fi ltering The system operates as an ON-OFF valve with two absolutely discrete positions, whereas the void space H I opens and closes at each start-up and interruption of operation, essentially self cleaning this arrangement for water filtering The self - compensation and the maintenance of steady discharge of the emitter is effected in the adjustment chamber , a space which is completely different in terms of functionality and space than the fi ltering arrangement The adjustment chamber is covered by another part of the membrane, or an altogether different membrane. The emitter has a small volume and is particularly simple and withstands blockages as the presence of the meander-like path for its operation at low pressure regions is not necessary Two further innovations general in nature, are related to the present invention • One relates to the assembly of the parts of the emitter by welding not only the bodv of the emitter with the tube, but also a small part of the emitter cover Essentially, it concerns an add-on welding to the tube of two or three small vertical shafts of the cover that pass through the body of the emitter The advantage, apart from the extreme easiness of assembly is that the surface of contact and welding between emitter and tube does not increase and that the part of the circumference (arc) of contact of the emitter with the tube remains small Thus, the radius of curvature of the emitter in the region of welding is not strictly determined and the same emitter, from the same mould can be we lded to tubes of all different diameters • The other relates to an emitter with two similar holes for the final adjustment of discharge that commun icate independently with two separate outlet chambers at the two ends of the em itter I f two holes are opened to the tube at the two ends of the emitter, both final adj ustment holes are activated simultaneously Their d ischarge is added and becomes dou ble the nom inal value However, if only one outlet hole is opened, at any of the corresponding ends of the emitter it corresponds, only the respective final adjustment hole is activated In th is case, only the nominal t low comes off the emitter One of the sev eral advantages is with the simu ltaneous arrangement of two instead of one hole the ability to multiply selectively the water discharges without increasing the number of emitters per unit length of tube is avai lable Description of the drawings Drawing 1 Cross section of an emitter with one water inlet opening Drawing 2 View of the external part of the cover of the emitter of drawing 1 Draw ing 3 P lan view of the internal part of the cover of the emitter of drawing Dra ing 4 P lan view of the internal part of the main body of the emitter of drawing 1 Draw ing 5 Cross section of the emitter of drawing 1 with the membrane raised Draw ing 6 Cross section of an emitter with the concave surtace of the membrane in the direction of water inlet Draw ing 7 Cross section of an emitter with membrane flat at start, prior to execution of pre-tension or bending Draw ing 8 Plan view of the main body of the emitter of drawing 7 Drawing 9 Plan view of the internal part of the body of the em itter with two sim i lar outlet holes for outflow and final adj ustment of the d ischarge Drawing 1 0 Plan view of the external part of the body of the emitter of Drawing 9 Drawing 1 1 Transverse cross section of the cyl i ndrical em itter of draw ing 9, v. ith two outlet openings Drawing 1 2. Longitudinal cross section of the emitter of drawing 9. Draw ing 13. Cross section of an ON-LINE emitter with two independent membranes Drawing 14. Plan view of the main body of the emitter of drawing 13 with the circumferential chamber Drawing 1 5. Cross section of an ON-LINE emitter with one membrane. Drawing 1 6. Transverse cross section of the emitter of Drawing 1 with small shafts welded to the tube Detailed Description of the invention Draw ings 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 and 16 illustrate cross sections of an em itter welded in the internal part of a tube 4. The elastic membrane 1 exists between the main body 3 and the cover 2. The cover 2 of the emitter bear the opening 5 for water inlet with the ring 6 and the circumferential edge with the sharp rims 7 that are continuously and fully covered by the part l e of the membrane 1. The body 3 of the emitter bear a pin 8 which exerts permanent pressure - pretension onto the part l e of the membrane 1 , the convex part of which extends to the external surface of the cover 2 of the emitter. Since the em itters with membranes examined in this case are self-adjusted and feature an elastic membrane, the part l e of the membrane 1 over the ring 6 operates as an inlet fi lter whereas another independent part l c at the other end of the same membrane 1 above the outlet hole 10, adjusts and mai ntai ns the water discharge steady for al l values of pressure P I in the network. The wide space 14 with the hole 5, the ring and the part l e of the membrane 1 , constitute the inlet or filtering chamber, whereas the space 1 3 with the outlet hole 1 0 and the part l c of the membrane 1 constitute the d ischarge adj ustment chamber. It is evident that for the flow to be maintained steady, the part l c of the mem brane 1 located above the outlet hole 1 0 wi l l assume each time d ifferent positions and hence a different distance from the πm 10 according to the pressure PI exerted to the network each time Opposite to that, the part le of the membrane 1 that corresponds to the inlet hole 5, i e , to the ring 6 and the edge 7 will be raised only when the pressure PI of water in the network becomes equal or greater than the particular value Pa required for overcoming the pretension force Pr exerted to the membrane by the pin 8 Since water enters the emitter due to the pressure drop caused exactly by this water inlet, a smaller pressure P2 develops in the space numbered 14, at the filtering chamber at the rear part of the membrane le, and hence a pressure difference ΔP = P1-P2 develops at the front and behind of the part le of the membrane As seen in the drawings, no outlet holes exist in space 14, that are covered by the membrane le during its movement and cause additional pressure drops, and thus ΔPl alone acts in the region of the membrane le It is evident that in case of equilibrium, of the raised membrane le, the relationship (P1-P2)F = Pr must hold for the forces exerted to the membrane where F is the surface of the inlet opening 5 or the membrane le Since the magnitudes F and Pr are steady, and ΔPl is a constant value, independent of the values of PI and P2, where under the condition that the emitter has by definition a constant discharge value Q, ΔPl only depends on the pretension Pr It is e\ ident that the inlet velocity of water V 1 = (2gΔPl ) is constant, and the measure of the raising HI is constant and uniform above the ring 6 and the edge 7 The last derives from the discharge relationship Q = Fl VI (3) where Fl is the inlet surface of water which in our case is expressed as Fl = U HI where U is the circumference of the ring 6 of the opening 5 Hence, with U being constant. HI is also constant In the phase of raising, water inlet to the emitter and starts for the first time and simultaneously, the operation of the absolutely controlled filtering of inlet water also starts As the circumference of the ring 6 is very large relative to the circumference of the opening 10 for water outflow from the emitter, a minimum raising HI of the part le of the membrane is required (drawing 5) for the passage of the particular steady nominal water flow Q Foreign matter, with dimensions larger than the constant measure of raising H I , cannot descend to the emitter and with the end of operation of the emitter and the drop of pressure at values below Pa, the membrane l e touches and covers the edge 7, and the foreign matter that may exist in the region of the ring 6 and the πm 7, are detached from the emitter A dynamic, self-cleaning filter is formed with moving elements The part l e of the membrane 1 above the inlet opening 5 is aimed to take, according to the pi evious descriptions, at al l phases of emitter operation and all val ues of pressu re P I in the network, only two discrete pos itions Position 1 Water netw ork with pressure smaller than the predetermined value Pa requ ired for overcoming pretension The membrane covers the ring completely and tightly No water enters into the em itter, degree of raising H I = 0 Position 2 Water Netw ork with pressure equal or greater than the predeterm ined value Pa The membrane is raised ant remains at a constant height above the inlet πm, irrespectively of the val ue of pressure of water in the network I e , a stable, very narrow void space H I is formed for water passage and as a result, ideal cond itions for steady fi ltering develop Hence, the system operates as an On-OFF valve with two absolutely d iscrete positions It is evident that the quality of fi ltering achieved due to the \ ery small void space H I that opens and closes, being essential ly self cleaning at each operation start up and interruption of function of the em itter, cannot be compared with any one of the known em itters Apart from al l that foreign matter that could not penetrate due to their larger size cannot remain coagu lated at the inlet 5 of the em itter for another reason They are carried over by the continuous passage of the water through the parallel external channels I 6 of the cover 2 which have the same direction as water in the tube 4 Water, hav ing overflown ovei the edge 7 towards the wide space 14, follows the the path 1 1 of the space 1 1 behind the membrane l c and through the passage 12 enters to the space 1 3 of the chamber for the final adj ustment of the discharge, beh ind the membrane l c that also bears the outlet hole 1 0 The distances H2,of the part l c of the membrane from the πm 10, in order that the d ischarge is maintained steady, are proportional to the pressures prevailing at any moment at the spaces 1 1 , 12 as well as in the network However, the displacements of the two ends l e and l c. of the common membrane 1 at the inlet regions 5 and final adjustment regions 1 0, are totally independent of each other In another variation, the convex part of the membrane extends further down from the external surface of the cover 2 of the emitter (not drawn) In another variation, after the path 1 1 and before the entrance into space 13 , a part of a static meander-like path could exist, covered by part of the membrane, or not, for ach ieving additional water pressure drop This meander-like path could be traced both in the body 3 as w el l as the cover 2 of the emitter (not draw n) In another variation, instead of one in let hole, more holes with edges and pins for exerting a permanent pressure exist, covered by the same or different membranes (not drawn) In another variation, two independent membranes exist, of which the first opei ates as a filter only in the fi ltration chamber, whereas the second operates only as a system for the adj ustment of water d ischarge in the adj ustment chamber (not drawn) In another variation, the convex part does not extend to the lower surface of the cover 2 of the emitter (not drawn ) A lternatively, both the edges 7 as wel l as the rings 6 can bear at parts of thei r ci rcu mference, smal l channe ls so that after the start-up of the operati on of the em itter once the predetermined pressure to the network that will permit raising of the membrane 1 . is achieved, the water passes through only one particular part of the circumference of the ring (not drawn) In another variation, the inlet hole may have a shape other than circular, e g rectangular, ellipsoid, or the pin 8 may not exert the pressure at the center, but off- center, or more than one pins may exist (not drawn) A similar behaviour is observ ed in the cases of drawings 7 and 8 The membrane I k is flat and covers fully and tightly the inlet hole 5c even when no pressure exists in the network and the emitter does not operate Opposite to the case of patent PCT/GR96/0004, in this case the em itter is absolutely tight In this case also, the w ide space 14c with the rings 6c, 6a and the passage 19 and the part of the membrane I K constitute the in let chamber or the fi ltering chamber, whereas the space 1 3 with the outlet hole or rim 10 and the part 1 L of the membrane, constitute the chamber for adjustment of the discharge Water inlet to the emitter occurs only after the pressure to the network reaches a particular predetermined value in w h ich case due to the pressure exerted, the membrane I K is bent further and penetrates and is all displaced w ith its convex part towards the internal part of the inlet hole 5c Then, at some stage of the displacement, it reveals a passage 19 that starts at the πm 6a sign ificantly lower than the rim of the ring 6c Thus the void space Δ l is formed that corresponds to the raising HI of drawing 5 The membrane I K also takes a particular position in order to maintain the particular size Δ l of the void space steady, whereas the water passes in the sequel through the inlet 12 from space 14c to the space 13 of the chamber for the final adjustment, that bears the outlet hole or rim 10 The exertion of the pressure P I of the network to the part 1 L of the membrane that corresponds to the space 1 3 is effected through the holes 20 of the cover 2 and the pin 8P exerts the pretension onto the membrane I K The broken l ines show the positions of the mem brane during operation As seen from the description and the drawings 7 and 8, the inlet 12 does not constitute a path for an additional drop of the water pressure, but only the connection of the filtering and discharge adjustment chambers. In the wide space 14c, the pressure P2 develops as known, and hence, the same pressure P2 also prevails in space 13 behind the part 1L of the membrane. Hence, the known steady pressure drop ΔPl will move the membrane sharply and directly towards the opposite rim 10, ensuring the unhindered adjustment of the discharge, as soon as the operation of the emitter starts, i.e. as soon as the part IK of the membrane is raised and reveals the constant void space Δl. This operation will be repeated unchanged in the same manner, whether it concerns a low pressure or a high pressure region. Here, Δl, as well as HI in drawing 5, only depends on the pretension of the membrane and has been calculated so as to be sufficient for immediate and drastic displacement of the membranelL without requiring additional pressure drop from any additional meander-like path that only brings additional problems. Drawing 6 illustrates another variation with the concave surface of the membrane IX towards the direction of the water inlet. Pretension is caused both by the pin 8a, as well as circumferential ring 9. The broken lines illustrate the positions of the membrane during operation. In this case as well, the membrane IX is raised by HI after it has achieved a particular pressure in the network, the value of this pressure depending again by the pretension and only. Otherwise, the same apply as for the cases of drawings 1 to 5. In another variation of drawing 6, the pin 8a could be absent. However, the circumferential pretension ring 9 is maintained (not drawn). In another variation a problem is examined that relates to tubes used in tree cultures where alternate variable flow water discharge is required, e.g. higher discharge near trees with root systems and lower discharge in the spaces in between. The solution in these cases as all the emitters have the same discharge, is to increase or decrease alternately the distances of the emitters onto the tube, by the application of distance programming in the automatic tube production and emitter installation line. This solution is expensive because apart from the special programming, requires a number of emitters in a particular tube length, far higher than the usual one. Drawings 9 to 1 2 illustrate a solution to this problem that concerns all the types of emitters but is illustrated for the case of a cylindrical emitter. The overall arrangement of filters and water discharge adjustments is identical to that of drawings 1 to 5, i.e. the principal water path is the same and common, but the rim or hole 1 0 for the final adj ustment is double ( 1 0a and 10b). Respectively, independent channels for water outlet exist (20 and 2 1 ) which start from the respective holes 1 0a and 1 0b and are directed towards the two independent chambers for final outlet (23 and 22) of the emitter. The rims 1 0a and 1 0b are identical, featuring the same height, etc. and symmetrical and the membrane 1 covers them in exactly the same manner at al l operation stages. When the outlet hole 24 of the tube is opened above the region of space 22, then on ly the adj ustment hole 1 0b is activated, whereas in the opposite case, only 1 0a is activated . In both cases, the nominal water discharge flows through the hole 24. This arrangement also serves another operation, this time being a practical one, which is the orientation of the emitter during the phase of integration into the tube. With this arrangement of similar holes, no emitter orientation is required, that may enter the tube in any direction. Irrespective of the emitter edge where the perforation will be effected the discharge w ill be the same, i.e., the nominal one. However, if the tube is pierced at two positions and outlet holes are formed above the two spaces 22 and 23 , then water flows simultaneously out of both adj ustment holes 1 0a and 10b. Water is driven simultaneously but independently towards the two spaces 23 and 22 and the capacity of the particular emitter is doubled. Different applications of this variation include: • The first p iercing is made from the automatic production l ine and the second at the field where the system is instal led by the personne l and at the required locations near the trees. • The automatic production and em itter incorporation l ine operates based on special programm ing for alternate single or double pierc ing. • If only one hole is to be opened in general, then the second may be opened by the personnel operating the system m-situ, in case of blockage of the first Thus a second stand-by outlet hole may exist In all three cases all the emitters have the same distances between them The number of emitters onto the tube thus does not change Drawings 13, 14 illustrate another variation of an ON-LINE emitter with two independent circular membranes h and la located at different levels as well The membrane li operates as an inlet filter whereas membrane la aims at maintaining the water discharge steady Full correspondence with the cases of drawings 1 to 5 exists In this case, the space 13 for the adjustment of the discharge extends along the circumference for achieving a smaller emitter height and the membrane la bears a hole for the pin 8b for the pretension to pass In another variation, some support could pass through the hole for supporting the other membrane in general In this case the small channels 16 are arranged radially The arrows show the direction of the water in the emitter Drawing 14 illustrates a plan view of the main body 3 The adjustment chamber 13 may also bear a meander-like path Drawing 15 illustrates another variation of an ON-LINE emitter with only one circular membrane 1 The part of the membrane IP around its centre operates as a filter whereas the part of its circumference 1R adjusts the discharge The broken lines illustrate the position of the membrane during its operation It is self evident that other parts of the same membrane IP and 1R move independently of each other It is evident that he invention is also applicable for cases where the discharge adjustment system is different than that described in this descriptions and drawings Furthermore, all emitters described here can be also used by tubes formed by folding and raising the edges of a longitudinal plastic tape for forming a tube (TAPE) In another variation the pin could have at the point of contact with the membrane the form of the curve of the bent membrane at the final phase of raising it by a distance of H 1 (drawing 5) Drawings 1 to drawing 4 and drawing 16 illustrate a method of assembly of the parts 2 and 3 of the emitter. The tight emitters in general are subject to stress by the depression that usual ly prevails in the network and tend to d isassemble during the low pressure phase. The known methods of assembly of parts 2 and 3 are reinforced i n th is case by three small shafts 25 , 26 and 27 of the cover 2 which penetrate with tighten ing action into respective holes 25a, 26a, 27a of the main body 3. The small shaft 26, though, also passes through a hole 30 of the membrane 1 without tightening activity with the membrane. The ends of the small shafts protrude both above the external surface of the emitter and are welded together with body 3 into the tube 4. In another variation, only one, the middle-26, or the term inal -26 and 27- small shafts may exist (not drawn). This method of additional attachment with small welded shafts is more advantageous than a complete and simultaneous welding of both al l the circumferential rim 30 of the cover 2. as wel l as the rims 28 of the main body 3 with the tube 4, as proposed by patent W099/ 1 8771 . The advantage lies in that the length of the arc 29 of the circumference of the emitter where the welding is performed remains small, resulting in the external radi us of curvature of the emitter to fit al l tube diameters to which it wi l l be welded and in avoiding the need of a different emitter mould with a different radius of curvature for each d ifferent tube diameter. A simple disadvantage is that the method of assembly of the two basic parts of the emitter is very complex.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Self- compensating constant discharge emitter with a water inlet chamber consisting of an inlet ring (6c), a part of a membrane (IK) which is permanently pressed onto the ring (6c) so that a light pretension develops that tightens the wide space (14c) located under the membrane (IK) and a discharge adjustment chamber consisting of the inlet hole or rim (10) with which it co-operates, and the space (13) under the membrane (1L). The part of the membrane (1L) proportionately alters its distance (H2) form the outlet hole (10) depending on the pressure prevailing in the network, in order to maintain the discharge of the emitter steady. Water enters into the emitter from the inlet chamber, should the pressure in the network exceeds a predetermined value, suppresses the part of the membrane onto the ring and forms a void space (Δl) for the water to pass. The emitter is characterised by that: The inlet chamber with the external ring (6c) and the pre-tensioned membrane (IK) that covers it, bears a second internal ring (6a) at a lower level, which bears the opening (19). These parts, together with the wide space (14c) behind the membrane (IK), constitute a functionally integral space, the filtering chamber, having as sole aim the filtering of the water inflow by maintaining the void space (Δl) steady. The filtering chamber is spatially and functionally independent of any chamber for the partial or final discharge adjustment. The wide space (14c) behind the part of the membrane is free of rims or passage holes or other paths for water pressure drop that could be blocked by the membrane (IK) after its immersion. The filtering chamber functions as an ON-OFF valve with two totally discrete positions. First position: Emitter closed, zero void space height (Δl). Second position: Emitter in operation, particular and fixed void space height (Δl), independent of the pressure of water in the network. 2. Self- compensating constant discharge emitter with a water inlet chamber consisting of an inlet ring (6), a part of a membrane (le) which is permanently pressed onto the ring (6) so that a light pretension develops which tightens the wide space (14) located under the membrane (le) and a discharge adjustment chamber consisting of the inlet hole or rim (10), a membrane part (lc) in front of the hole with which it co-operates, and the spaces (11), (13) in front of and behind the membrane (lc), respectively The part of the membrane (lc) modifies proportionately the distance (H2) from the outlet hole (10) depending on the pressure prevailing in the network, in order to maintain the discharge of the emitter constant. Water enters into the emitter from the inlet chamber, should the pressure in the network exceeds a predetermined value, which overcomes the pretension, lifts the part of the membrane (le) over the ring (6) and forms a void space (HI) between the ring (6) and the membrane (le) The emitter is characterised by that The inlet chamber with the inlet ring (6) the pretension part of the membrane (le) that covers it, and the wide space behind the membrane constitute a functionally integral space, the filtering chamber, having as sole aim the filtering of the water inflow through the fixed void space (HI) The filtering chamber is spatially and functionally independent of any chamber for the partial or final discharge adjustment The wide space (14) behind the part of the membrane (le) is free of rims or passage holes or other paths for water pressure drop that could be blocked by the membrane (le) after its initial lift. The filtering chamber functions as an ON-OFF valve with two totally discrete positions First position Emitter closed zero void space height (HI). Second position Emitter in operation, particular and fixed void space height (HI). independent of the pressure of water in the network Emitter according to claims 1 and 2 where the water inlet is effected through the whole surface of the ring Emitter according to claims 1 and 2 where the water inlet is effected through part of the surface of the ring Emitter according to claim 2 where the water inlet is effected through more than one water inlet hole Emitter according to claims 1 and 2 where the membrane of the hole of the filtering chamber is independent of the membrane of the final adj ustment chamber Emitter according to claim 1 and 2 where a meander-like part interferes between the fi ltering chamber and the chamber for discharge adj ustment Emitter according to claim 2 where the membrane is permanently pressed by a pin (8) and the convex part of the membrane extends unti l the external surface of the cover of the em itter Emitter according to claim 8 where the convex part extends further than the external surface of the emitter Emitter according to claim 8 where the pin (8) has the form of the curve of the bend membrane at the final stage of its rising Emitter accord ing to claim 8 where the pin exerts an off-centre pressure to the membrane Emitter according to claim 8 where the convex part of the membrane does not extend unti l the external surface of the emitter cover Emitter accord ing to claims 8 and 1 2 where the membrane, apart from the pin, is pressed by a circumferential ring (9) Em itter according to claims 1 and 2. w here the cover of the emitter bears at the region of the inlet hole external channels ( 1 6) parallel to the direction of the flow of the water Em itter accord ing to claims 1 and 2 where the in let ri ng has a non- c ircu lar shape Emitter according to claims 1 and 2, where the inlet ring bears small channels at parts of its circumference Emitter according to claims 1 and 2 where the membrane is permanently pressed by a circumferential ring and the concave part of the membrane is located in the direction of water inlet Emitter according to claim 17, where the membrane is also pressed by a pin. Emitter according to claims 1 and 2, where its external shape is cylindrical Emitter according to claims 1 and 2, suitable for ON-LINE installation Emitter according to claim 20. with two independent membranes Self compensating emitter where the final adjustment chamber (13) of the discharge bears two symmetrical and similar rims for the adjustment of the discharge (10a, 10b) which communicate via two independent paths (20, 21) with two independent outlet chambers (23.22) at the two ends of the emitter Emitter according to claim 22, where the piercing of the outlet holes to the tube (24) is effected above the region of only one outlet chamber Emitter according to claim 22. where the piercing of the outlet holes to the tube (24) is effected above both outlet chambers Emitter with two membranes at different levels (1. la) one of which (la) is pierced for the passage of a longitudinal support (8) that will be used for the attachment of the other (1). Emitter according to claim 25 where from the hole of one membrane a pin passes for the exertion of pretension onto the other Method for the assembly of an emitter suitable for internal welding to a tube consisting of the main body, the cover and a membrane, characterised by that the parts are connected together with smal l shafts (25 , 26, 27) of the cover (2) that enter with tighten ing pressure into respective holes of the main body (3), protrude until the external surface of the emitter and are welded together with the body into the tube. 28. Method of assembly of an emitter accord ing to claim 27 where more than one membrane exist. 29. Emitter according to claim 1 -28 consisting of only one elastic part.

Inventors: DERMITZAKIS ARISTIDES, DERMITZAKIS EMMANUIL, DERMITZAKIS, ARISTIDES, DERMITZAKIS, EMMANUIL
Applicants: DERMITZAKIS ARISTIDES, DERMITZAKIS EMMANUIL, DERMITZAKIS, ARISTIDES, DERMITZAKIS, EMMANUIL
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A01G25
IPC codes: A01G25