Abstract: An irrigation apparatus comprises an in-line dripper insert having a support for attaching a micro tube to the dripper outlet. A fluid conduit in which the insert is placed has an aperture in line with the support. The support preferably comprises a projection for securing a micro tube thereto, a sleeve for securing a micro tube or a connector thereto, or a shoulder for supporting the attachment of a connector to the fluid conduit at the aperture. The dripper insert is secured to the inner surface of the fluid conduit and is contained entirely therein. After detachment of the micro tubes, the main fluid line may be easily reeled or otherwise handled. The internal dripper provides structural internal support to the main fluid conduit when external pressure is applied to the line, such as when a micro tube or a connector is forced against the fluid line to be connected thereto.

Abstract: An irrigation apparatus comprises an in-line dripper insert having a support for attaching a micro tube to the dripper outlet. A fluid conduit in which the insert is placed has an aperture in line with the support. The support preferably comprises a projection for securing a micro tube thereto, a sleeve for securing a micro tube or a connector thereto, or a shoulder for supporting the attachment of a connector to the fluid conduit at the aperture. The dripper insert is secured to the inner surface of the fluid conduit and is contained entirely therein. After detachment of the micro tubes, the main fluid line may be easily reeled or otherwise handled. The internal dripper provides structural internal support to the main fluid conduit when external pressure is applied to the line, such as when a micro tube or a connector is forced against the fluid line to be connected thereto.

Abstract: An irrigation apparatus comprises an in-line dripper insert having a support for attaching a micro tube to the dripper outlet. A fluid conduit in which the insert is placed has an aperture in line with the support. The support may comprise a projection for securing a micro tube thereto, a sleeve for securing a micro tube or a connector thereto, or a shoulder for supporting the attachment of a connector to the fluid conduit at the aperture. The dripper insert is secured to the inner surface of the fluid conduit and is contained entirely therein. After detachment of the micro tubes, the main fluid line may be easily reeled or otherwise handled. The internal dripper provides structural internal support to the main fluid conduit when external pressure is applied to the line, such as when a micro tube or a connector is forced against the fluid line to be connected thereto.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical or partially cylindrical body is intimately received in an irrigation pipe and has an outer surface in physical contact with an inner surface of the pipe. A flow-limiting labyrinth is formed by the outer surface of the body in combination with the pipe inner surface. A valve chamber is formed in the body and has four pairs of inlets and outlets forming an inlet retention valve and three labyrinth bypass valves. The first inlet is in fluid communication with the pipe interior and the first outlet is in fluid communication with the labyrinth inlet end. The inlet retention valve includes a first valve seat that surrounds the first inlet. Each bypass valve is connected between a respective section of the labyrinth and an external pipe outlet.

Abstract: The epicyclic gear train for the sprinkler includes a sun gear coupled to an impeller for rotation about a central axis. A planetary gear has a single set of teeth meshing with the teeth of the sun gear for revolving about the central axis while pivoting about a revolving planetary gear axis. A first ring gear is fixed relative to the sprinkler housing and has teeth meshing with the teeth of the planetary gear. Second and third ring gears are adjacent to the first ring gear and rotate about the central axis. The respective teeth of the second and third ring gears mesh with the planetary gear teeth. There is one less tooth on the second ring gear than on the first ring gear, and one more tooth on the third ring gear than on the first ring gear. As a result, the second and third ring gears rotate in opposite directions relative to the first ring gear. The second and third ring gears each have an outer surface with a plurality of protrusions spaced around the circumference.

Abstract: A plurality of emitters are attached serially along a continuous length of thread at spaced-apart locations. A first of the emitters is attached to a conduit, whereby subsequent emitters are drawn into the conduit as the conduit is drawn from the extrusion head. Each subsequent emitter is supported as it is drawn into and attached to the conduit. The emitters may be fixedly or releasably attached to the thread. If releasably attached, the thread may be detached from each emitter after the emitter is attached to the conduit. In this case, the thread may be formed as a loop that travels around a continuous path.

Abstract: An outer wall member, such as the wall of a tube, connectable to or integral with the pipe, has an opening in communication with the exterior of the pipe. An inner member is fixedly positioned against the inside of the outer member for separating the opening from the fluid path through the pipe. The inner member has an inner surface defining at least a portion of an inner chamber in communication with the pipe fluid path. The inner and outer members define a labyrinth having an effective cross-sectional area, an inlet end for receiving pressurized fluid from the pipe, and an outlet end in communication with the pipe opening for emitting fluid. A plurality of channels couple intermediate portions of the labyrinth directly to the opening, thereby bypassing respective parts of the labyrinth.

Abstract: A drip irrigation emitter which provides for varying the length of the water flow path through the emitter in proportion to the pressure applied to it from the irrigation system. A housing defines an internal chamber in which a piston is disposed. The housing has an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end. The inner dimensions of the outlet end of the housing are reduced to generally conform with the periphery of the piston. The inlet end of the chamber is enlarged relative to the piston to allow generally free flow of water therearound. A generally helical groove extending along the periphery of the piston forms a water turbulence-producing passageway which varies in length depending upon the position of the piston within the outlet end of the chamber. A spring biases the piston toward the inlet end of the chamber. Pressurized water in the inlet end of the chamber moves the piston against the spring toward the outlet end.

Abstract: An irrigation pipe constitutes at predetermined spacings the outer sleeve of an irrigation unit, whose inner part comprises a cylinder with a peripheral helical groove. A method for producing such a pipe comprises feeding said cylinder at predetermined intervals into an extruder having an angular extrusion nozzle head and extruding said pipe around it, and after cooling said pipe sufficiently making at least one aperture therein aligned with the forward end of said groove in said cylinder.