Abstract: A drip irrigation emitter has first and second inlets through which liquid enters the emitter from an irrigation pipe, an outlet through which liquid exits the emitter, and a first flexible diaphragm portion seated on the second inlet and serving as a valve. Liquid at a pressure in the pipe that is below a predetermined level enters the emitter via the first inlet and travels along a first flow restricting path before exiting via the outlet and liquid at a pressure in the pipe that is above the predetermined level biases the first flexible diaphragm portion so that liquid can enter the emitter via the second inlet and travels along a second flow restricting path before exiting via the outlet.

Abstract: An aeration system for a bed of ore that is laid upon a basal layer has a gas source located upstream for supplying gas and aeration pipes that distribute the gas downstream to the bed. Each aeration pipe has spaced-apart gas emitters that distribute gas to the bed and the aeration pipes extend through the bed towards the basal layer.

Abstract: A method of cutting crops is suitable for the production of biofuel. The crops are of the kind that first grows a stem bearing seeds and subsequently grows branches bearing seeds. The crops are irrigated and grown until a majority of them have grown seeds and then are cut by a motor vehicle before a majority of them have grown branches bearing seeds.

Abstract: An irrigation pipe comprising: at least one first integrated emitter characterized by a first discharge-pressure threshold; at least one second integrated emitter characterized by a second discharge-pressure threshold different from the first discharge-pressure threshold threshold; wherein, the at least one first and at least one second integrated emitters are positioned along the pipe in accordance with a predetermined configuration.

Abstract: A pulsating irrigation device is provided that transforms a fluid flow entering the device to an intermittent pulsating fluid flow that is ejected from the device. The device has a chamber and at least one compressible member in pressure contact with the chamber. The compressible member compresses to assist the formation of the pulses ejected from the device and the fluid within the chamber is substantially sealed from contact with the interior of the compressible member.

Abstract: A drip irrigation emitter receives liquid flowing in an irrigation pipe at an inlet pressure and emits the liquid out of the emitter at an outlet pressure lower than the inlet pressure. The emitter has a flow path through which the liquid flows in the emitter, wherein below a threshold pressure of liquid in the pipe the emitter is adapted to emit a regulated flow of liquid out of the emitter, and above the threshold pressure of liquid in the pipe the emitter is adapted to emit a non-regulated flow of liquid out of the emitter.

Abstract: A liquid atomizer for agricultural use includes at least one canal in fluid communication via a chamber with an outlet. At least a section of the canal extends along a straight line and tangentially opens into the chamber.

Abstract: An irrigation pipe connector has a core that is adapted to connect to an irrigation element and a wing that is attachable to a wall of a pipe. The wing is provided with resiliency to allow the connector to deform in response to changing fluid pressures in the pipe. In addition, the wing may be provided with a thin segment in order to reduce potential damage during welding of the wing to the wall of the pipe.

Abstract: A drip irrigation pipe includes a drip emitter and a flap that is formed in the pipe wall by first and second grooves. The first groove is longer than the second groove and the flap remains connected to the pipe wall at two bridges. A pivot region of the flap extends between the two bridges and the flap is adapted to twist about the pivot region as liquid exits the pipe at the flap.

Abstract: An irrigation pipe connector has a core that is adapted to connect to an irrigation element and a wing that is attachable to a wall of a pipe. The wing is provided with resiliency to allow the connector to deform in response to changing fluid pressures in the pipe. In addition, the wing may be provided with a thin segment in order to reduce potential damage during welding of the wing to the wall of the pipe.

Abstract: A sprinkler irrigation stand for use with an irrigation pipe has a base placed below the pipe for being stabilized by the pipe. The pipe freely rests upon the base so that it may be lifted freely off the base or may inflate freely upwards in the case the pipe is a collapsible pipe. A riser of the stand for supporting a sprinkler may be attached to the pipe and slide up in relation to the stand when attached to a collapsible pipe that is inflated.

Abstract: A labyrinth channel for reducing pressure and/or flow rate in a liquid flowing in the channel, the labyrinth channel having a bottom surface and first and second opposing walls and comprising: a first array of spaced apart first baffle teeth that have non-parallel upstream and downstream faces and extend from the first wall towards the second wall to terminate in an end; and a second array of spaced apart second baffle teeth that have non-parallel upstream and downstream faces and extend from the second wall towards the first wall to terminate in an end; wherein baffle teeth in different arrays have a substantially same shape and upstream faces of closest baffle teeth in different arrays are different and/or downstream faces of closest baffle teeth in different arrays are different.

Abstract: A tensiometer for use in determining matric potential of a soil includes a water inlet; a hydraulic coupler comprising a porous material for providing hydraulic coupling between water that enters the inlet and the soil; and a septum that seals water that enters the inlet against ingress of air via the porous material.

Abstract: A drip irrigation device for distributing a portion of the water flowing in an irrigation pipe to a plant, the device comprising: a housing formed from a relatively soft plastic; and a connector for coupling the housing to the irrigation pipe comprising a bayonet for puncturing the irrigation pipe formed from a relatively hard material over-molded onto a feature of the housing made from the soft plastic.

Abstract: A tensiometer for use in determining matric potential of a soil comprising: a water inlet; a hydraulic coupler comprising a porous material for providing hydraulic coupling between water that enters the inlet and the soil; and a septum that seals water that enters the inlet against ingress of air via the porous material.

Abstract: A stake for holding an irrigation pipe near a plant. The pipe comprising a first end portion and a second portion bendable relative to the first end portion. The stake comprising a distal retaining portion for holding the first portion of the pipe and first and second proximal retaining portions for optionally accommodating the second portion of the pipe. The stake is designed to allow the second portion of the pipe to be optionally moved from the first proximal retaining portion to the second proximal retaining portion without removing the first portion of the pipe from the distal retaining portion.

Abstract: A method of cutting crops is suitable for the production of biofuel. The crops are of the kind that first grows a stem bearing seeds and subsequently grows branches bearing seeds. The crops are irrigated and grown until a majority of them have grown seeds and then are cut by a motor vehicle before a majority of them have grown branches bearing seeds.

Abstract: A pipe having a wall formed from a cross-laminated film, and a method of making such a pipe. The film is formed of first and second layers having respective first and second orientation directions, wherein an angle between each of the first and second orientation directions and a projection of a longitudinal axis of the pipe on the wall is selected to enhance the resistance of the pipe to circumferential and/or longitudinal strain due to internal fluid pressure. The angle between each of the first and second orientation directions and a projection of the axis on the wall may be substantially equal to the neutral bias angle. In some cases, the angle between each of the first and second orientation directions and the projection of the axis on the wall may be substantially equal to 59°±2°.

Abstract: An irrigation system includes an activator that increases or decreases its weight respectively in response to an increase or decrease of pressure in the system. The activator biases a valve that controls the fluid pressure in the system.

Abstract: An irrigation pipe formed from a sheet that is rolled into a tube about a longitudinal axis of the sheet. The pipe has a watertight layer and a fabric layer. The fabric layer comprises a first fiber arrangement including first main fibers having a first orientation and a second fiber arrangement including second main fibers having a second orientation. The first and second orientations are transverse relative to each other and to the longitudinal axis when viewed in the sheet before it is rolled.