Patent ID: 7648085

Claim:
A drip emitter comprising: a housing defining a first inlet and a first outlet downstream of the first inlet, the inlet receiving fluid at a first pressure and the outlet emitting fluid at a second pressure, the second pressure being less than the first pressure; a flow path extending through the housing from the first inlet to the first outlet; a tortuous path flow channel forming at least a portion of the flow path between the first inlet and the first outlet, the flow channel having multiple directional changes; a valve spaced from the first inlet and having a first diaphragm with a tubular portion defining an opening through the diaphragm, the tubular portion in sealing engagement with the housing to block fluid flow through the opening when the valve is closed and disengaged from the housing to allow fluid flow through the opening and to the tortuous path flow channel when the valve is open; and a pressure compensation mechanism for maintaining fluid flow through the first outlet at a substantially constant fluid flow rate over a range of supply fluid pressure rates; wherein the housing defines a second inlet, the second inlet allowing fluid flow into a pressure compensation chamber defined at least in part by the housing and a second diaphragm; wherein the pressure compensation mechanism comprises a water metering surface formed in the housing, the second diaphragm deflecting toward the water metering surface in response to pressure m the pressure compensation chamber.