Picture this since I can’t draw; 55 gallon poly drum (reservoir) filled to 4-5 inches from top, 800gph pump at bottom with 3/4 pvc to tee that sits in the air space above water/feed, one leg of tee to air check valve and other leg out to distribution manifold. When pump is activated the valve may spit some water as it actuates, which just drops back into reservoir. The internal ball just needs to drop to break siphon. You can unscrew the top to see how it works. Since it is located at a high point in the system, there is no upstream flow from gravity feed to keep valve (ball up) seated. In this setup the downstream flow assist in breaking siphon.
Gravity opens the valve to air flow, breaking siphon, ball in up position close off air.
I’ve edited this post 4 times trying to explain. I am high, please excuse my broken explanation.