Drip emitter

Abstract

A drip emitter is provided for delivering irrigation water from a supply tube to an emitter outlet at a reduced and relatively constant flow rate. Water enters the emitter through a first inlet and proceeds into a first chamber. When the water pressure is above a predetermined level, a one-directional valve opens to allow fluid flow past the first chamber, through a tortuous path flow channel, and through an emitter outlet. A second inlet is used to compensate for water pressure fluctuations in the supply tube to maintain output flow at a relatively constant rate. Water enters the second inlet and presses a flexible diaphragm toward a water metering surface to provide pressure-dependent control of the output flow. A copper member is mounted to the emitter over the emitter outlet to prevent plant root intrusion into the emitter outlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drip emitter comprising:
 a body defining an inlet to receive pressurized fluid;   a pressure reducing flow path at the body; and   a protrusion extending from the body, the protrusion having an insertion length for insertion into a supply tube and having an operational length for irrigation, the insertion length being greater than the operational length;   wherein the protrusion extends at least partially through a wall of the supply tube and defines a supply tube outlet at the supply tube wall.   
     
     
         2 . The drip emitter of  claim 1  wherein the body includes a mounting portion for engagement with the supply tube wall to form an outlet path defined by a space between the body and the wall of the supply tube and wherein the body defines an emitter outlet downstream of the inlet from the flow path into the outlet path. 
     
     
         3 . The drip emitter of  claim 2  further comprising a metal structure located in the outlet path and including at least copper metal. 
     
     
         4 . The drip emitter of  claim 3  wherein the metal structure is in the form of a plate with at least copper metal at an outer surface. 
     
     
         5 . The drip emitter of  claim 1  wherein the body comprises a first portion and a second portion, the two portions retaining a diaphragm between them. 
     
     
         6 . The drip emitter of  claim 1  wherein the protrusion defines a plurality of flow channels in the supply tube outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The drip emitter of  claim 6  wherein the cross-section of the protrusion is selected from the group consisting of I-shaped, T-shaped, or S-shaped. 
     
     
         8 . An irrigation system comprising:
 a supply tube having a wall with a plurality of supply tube outlets extending therethrough;   a plurality of drip emitters mounted to the wall within the supply tube;   at least one of the drip emitters comprising:
 a body defining an inlet receiving fluid from the supply tube; 
 a pressure reducing flow path at the body; and 
 a protrusion extending from the body, the protrusion having an insertion length for insertion into the supply tube and having an operational length for irrigation, the insertion length being greater than the operational length; 
 wherein the protrusion extends at least partially through the supply tube wall and defines one of the supply tube outlets at the supply tube wall. 
   
     
     
         9 . The irrigation system of  claim 8   wherein the body includes a mounting portion for engagement with the wall of the supply tube to form an outlet path to one of the supply tube outlets defined by a space between the body and the wall of the supply tube; and   wherein the system further comprises a metal structure located in the outlet path, the metal structure including at least copper metal.   
     
     
         10 . The irrigation system of  claim 9  wherein the metal structure is in the form of a plate with at least copper metal at an outer surface. 
     
     
         11 . A method of mounting an irrigation drip emitter to the inner surface of a fluid supply tube, the method comprising:
 providing a tube;   providing a drip emitter having a body and a protrusion extending from the body;   placing the drip emitter into engagement with the inner surface of the tube such that the protrusion creates an outwardly projecting bulge in the tube;   attaching the body of the drip emitter to the inner surface of the tube; and   cutting the protrusion to form one or more outlet openings in the tube.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the emitter comprises a metal structure including at least copper metal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the metal structure is in the form of a plate with at least copper metal at an outer surface.