Pressure-compensated self-flushing dripper
US5340027A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 21, 1993 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 21, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/7873
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The dripper and mini-spray include an inlet and an outlet coupled to a housing which defines a substantially spherical, ellipsoidal, or cylindrical chamber. The chamber houses a ball which can roll about the chamber freely, but which is too large to exit through either the inlet or outlet. A whirlpool is caused by water or other liquids entering the chamber through the inlet due to the particular orientation and position of the inlet and the shape of the chamber. The whirlpool flushes debris from the chamber and pushes the ball around the chamber for a predetermined period of time. The ball then rests against the outlet to substantially obstruct the passageway out in a pressure-compensated manner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.