Patent ID: 7255333

Claim:
A strip diffuser comprising: A. a flexible membrane having (1) a length to width ratio of at least about 4, more preferably at least about 6, still more preferably at least about 8, and most preferably at least about 10, (2) gas influent and gas discharge surfaces, and (3) gas discharge pores extending from said gas influent surface through said membrane and through said gas effluent surface across at least a portion of said gas discharge surface, B. a diffuser body including a longitudinally-extending membrane support member with a length to width ratio of at least about 4, more preferably at least about 6, still more preferably at least about 8, and most preferably at least about 10, C. a longitudinally-extending gas supply channel that, when viewed in transverse cross-section, comprises circumferentially closed gas flow confining wall means (1) at least a portion of which wall means extends beneath and provides structural bracing for the support member along at least a major portion of the length of the support member, and (2) which wall means comprises one or more walls in addition to the support member, D. the respective lengths of the membrane, support member and channel extending in the same general direction, and E. the support member and the membrane, at least when the diffuser is operating, defining a longitudinally-extending gas chamber between them.