Patent Publication Number: US-2023134915-A1

Title: Systems and methods of flow control valves with manifolds

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/994,439, filed Mar. 25, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/994,440, filed Mar. 25, 2020, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Sprinkler systems can be used to respond to fires by providing fluids, such as water, to address the fire. For example, sprinkler systems can deliver fluid from a fluid supply to a sprinkler when the sprinkler opens. 
     SUMMARY 
     At least one aspect relates to a manifold. The manifold includes a housing, a valve actuator defined by the housing, an inlet channel that extends through the housing to an inlet port on a first side of the housing, the inlet port connects with an inlet chamber of a flow control valve, an outlet channel that extends through the housing to an outlet port that connects with an outlet chamber of the flow control valve, an alarm channel that extends through the housing to an alarm port, the alarm port connects with an alarm chamber of the flow control valve, and a control channel that extends through the housing to a control port that connects with a control chamber of the flow control valve. 
     At least one aspect relates to a method. The method includes attaching a housing of a manifold to a flow control valve, connecting an inlet port of the manifold with an inlet chamber of the flow control valve, connecting an outlet port of the manifold with an outlet chamber of the flow control valve, connecting an alarm port of the manifold with an alarm chamber of the flow control valve, and connecting a control port of the manifold with a chamber of the flow control valve, the control port connected with a valve actuator of the manifold. 
     At least one aspect relates to a system. The system includes a manifold and a flow control valve. The flow control valve includes an inlet defining an inlet chamber, an outlet defining an outlet chamber, and a movable member positioned in a control chamber coupled with the inlet and the outlet. The manifold includes a valve actuator, an inlet port that connects with the inlet chamber, an outlet port that connects with the outlet chamber, and a control port that connects the valve actuator with the control chamber to cause the movable member to change from a sealed state that prevents fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet to an unsealed state that allows fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet responsive to operation of the valve actuator. 
     At least one aspect relates to a method. The method includes connecting an inlet port of a manifold with an inlet chamber of a flow control valve, connecting an outlet port of the manifold with an outlet chamber of the flow control valve, and connecting a control port of the manifold with a control chamber of the flow control valve such that operation of a valve actuator of the manifold coupled with the control port causes a movable member of the flow control valve to change from a sealed state to an unsealed state to cause fluid to flow through the flow control valve from an inlet to an outlet responsive to operation of the valve actuator. 
     These and other aspects and implementations are discussed in detail below. The foregoing information and the following detailed description include illustrative examples of various aspects and implementations, and provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed aspects and implementations. The drawings provide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and implementations, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. For purposes of clarity, not every component can be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram of a sprinkler system. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a manifold. 
         FIG.  3    is a rear view of a flow control valve. 
         FIG.  4    is a rear view of a flow control valve mounted to a manifold. 
         FIG.  5    is a front view of a flow control valve mounted to a manifold. 
         FIG.  6    is a cross sectional view of a flow control valve. 
         FIG.  7    is a cross sectional view of a flow control valve. 
         FIG.  8    is a cross sectional view of a valve actuator. 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic diagram of a wet pipe sprinkler system. 
         FIG.  10    is a schematic diagram of a wet pipe sprinkler system. 
         FIG.  11    is a schematic diagram of a dry pipe sprinkler system. 
         FIG.  12    is a schematic diagram of a dry pipe sprinkler system. 
         FIG.  13    is a schematic diagram of an electrically controlled sprinkler system. 
         FIG.  14    is a schematic diagram of an electrically controlled sprinkler system. 
         FIG.  15    is a schematic diagram of a manifold coupled with a flow control valve. 
         FIG.  16    is a schematic diagram of a manifold coupled with a flow control valve. 
         FIG.  17    is a flow diagram of a method of operating a manifold with a flow control valve. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain examples, it is noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     The present disclosure relates generally to fire sprinkler systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods of manifolds for flow control valves for sprinkler systems. A sprinkler system can include sprinklers that are activated responsive to temperature in an environment, such as a room or a building, exceeding a predetermined value. Once activated, the sprinklers distribute fire-extinguishing fluid, such as water, in the room or building. 
     The sprinkler system can be connected with a water supply (e.g., a reservoir or a municipal water supply). The sprinkler system can be provided with a main that enters the building to supply a riser. Connected at the riser can be valves, meters, and an alarm to sound when the system activates. Downstream of the riser, an array of pipes can extend throughout the building. 
     The sprinkler system can be provided in various configurations and to operate in various modes. In a wet-pipe system, used for example, in buildings having heated spaces for piping branch lines, the system pipes can have a fire-fighting liquid, such as water, for release through an activated sprinkler. In a dry-pipe system, used, for example, in unheated areas, areas exposed to freezing, or areas where water leakage or unintended water discharge is normally undesirable or unacceptable such as, for example, a residential occupancy, the pipes, risers, and feed mains, branch lines and other distribution pipes of the fire protection system can have a gas (air or nitrogen or mixtures thereof) under pressure when the system is in a stand-by or unactuated condition. A valve can separate the pipes that have water from the portions of the system that have gas. When heat from a fire activates a sprinkler, the gas escapes from the branch lines and the dry-pipe valve trips or actuates; water enters branch lines; and firefighting begins as the sprinkler distributes the water. 
     Sprinkler systems can address a fire condition by outputting fluid from one or more sprinklers in response to the fire condition. For example, the sprinklers can be connected with a fluid supply from which fluid can be received and outputted to address the fire condition. A flow control valve can be provided between the sprinklers and the fluid supply to control fluid flow to the sprinklers. For example, the flow control valve can selectively control the flow of fluid from the fluid supply to the sprinklers, such as to open a flow path from the fluid supply to the sprinklers responsive to one or more of the sprinklers opening. The flow control valve can include a movable member that moves responsive to pressure changes to cause the valve to open (or close). For example, the flow control valve can be a diaphragm valve that is in a first state, in which a diaphragm prevents flow from an inlet to an outlet of the flow control valve, and can be triggered to a second state, in which the diaphragm moves to allow flow from the inlet to the allow to connect the fluid supply to the sprinklers. The diaphragm can change from the first state to the second state responsive to a change in pressure on the diaphragm, such as a change in pressure resulting from fluid such as water, air, or nitrogen in piping between the flow control valve and an open sprinkler flowing out from the open sprinkler. The flow control valve can include a movable member such as a clapper that moves (e.g., pivots or rotates) responsive to a change in pressure (e.g., air on a first side of the movable member connected with piping to sprinkler can decrease in pressure to a threshold value at which water on a second side of the movable member causes the movable member or a latch or other component coupled with the movable member to move, allowing the water to flow through the flow control valve). The flow control valve can be a differential dry pipe valve. For example, when a sprinkler is exposed to heat from a fire, the sprinkler will open, decreasing pressure in the pipe(s) connected to the sprinkler. This decrease in pressure (e.g., pressure decay, pressure drop) can be used to trigger operation of the flow control valve. 
     Installing and operating the flow control valve can include connecting various pipes, gauges, actuators, and other trim components with various parts of the flow control valve. These trim components can be relatively massive, particularly as pipe sizes of the sprinkler system increase. In addition, even if the flow control valve itself can be used in various types of installations (e.g., trims), the trim components can need to be specialized to the particular installation. 
     Systems and methods in accordance with the present solution can connect a manifold with the flow control valve so that the manifold can reduce the complexity (including size and weight) of trim components used, while enabling flexibility to operate with multiple types of trims. For example, the manifold can include an inlet port that connects with an inlet chamber of the flow control valve, an outlet port that connects with an outlet chamber of the flow control valve, an alarm port that connects with an alarm chamber of the flow control valve, and a control chamber port that connects the valve actuator with a control chamber of the flow control valve to cause the movable member of the flow control valve to change from the sealed state to the unsealed state to cause fluid to flow through the flow control valve from the inlet to the outlet responsive to operation of the valve actuator. The manifold can enable the flow control valve to be used with various trims in various modes of operation, including but not limited to wet pipe, dry pipe, electric, single interlock, and double interlock modes of operation. The manifold can operate with any of a variety of flow control valves that can be selectively caused to allow fluid to flow to sprinklers responsive to a trigger condition for addressing a fire condition. 
       FIG.  1    depicts a sprinkler system  100 . The sprinkler system  100  can include at least one sprinkler  104  coupled with at least one pipe  108 . The sprinkler  104  can operate in an open state and a closed state, and can normally operate in the closed state, such as by being biased to the closed state. The sprinkler  104  can switch to the open state in response to a fire condition, such as by being actuated to open when heated by a fire. The at least one pipe  108  can include a network of pipes, such as a network of channels within a manifold  130  or a piping grid. Each sprinkler  104  can receive fluid from the at least one pipe  108 . 
     The sprinkler system  100  can include a flow control valve  112  connected with the at least one pipe  108  and a fluid supply  116 . The flow control valve  112  can be between the fluid supply  116  and the sprinkler  104  to control the flow of fluid from the fluid supply  116  to the sprinkler  104 . The flow control valve  112  can be in a closed state in which the fluid supply  116  is not in fluid communication with the at least one pipe  108 , and an open state in which the fluid supply  116  is in fluid communication with the at least one pipe  108 . As described further with reference to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the flow control valve  112  can include a movable member such as a diaphragm that moves responsive to pressure applied to the diaphragm to change the flow control valve  112  from the closed state to the open state (e.g., responsive to pressure on the diaphragm decreasing below a threshold pressure). As described further with reference to  FIG.  15   , the flow control valve  112  can include a movable member such as a clapper that moves responsive to a change in differential pressure across the movable member (e.g., pressure on a dry/air side of the movable member decreasing below a threshold pressure at which pressure on a fluid side of the movable member causes the movable member to move) to change the flow control valve  112  from the closed state to the open state. 
     The sprinkler system  100  can include a valve actuator  120 . The valve actuator  120  can be coupled with a diaphragm chamber of the flow control valve  112 , a fluid supply (which can be the fluid supply  116 ), and the at least one pipe  108 . Responsive to a decrease in pressure in the at least one pipe  108 , the valve actuator  120  can cause pressure in the diaphragm chamber to decrease, so that the diaphragm of the flow control valve  112  can be tripped to open the flow control valve  112  responsive to the pressure in the diaphragm chamber being less than the threshold pressure. The valve actuator  120  can be the MRA-1 manufactured by Tyco Fire Products. The valve actuator  120  can also provide an external reset feature to close the flow control valve  112 , for example after a fire condition. For example, a reset knob can be pushed, or otherwise actuated, allowing a fluid to flow into the diaphragm chamber of the flow control valve  112 , thereby increasing the pressure within the diaphragm chamber of the flow control valve  112 , which can then close the flow control valve  112  in response to the pressure in the diaphragm chamber being greater than the threshold pressure. 
     The sprinkler system  100  can include a pilot actuator  124 , such as a dry pilot actuator, which can be used for deluge and preaction systems. The pilot actuator  124  can be coupled with the valve actuator  120  and the at least one pipe  108 , such as if the sprinkler system  100  is a dry pipe system in which the at least one pipe  108  is filled with air or nitrogen. The pilot actuator  124  can be the DP-1 manufactured by Tyco Fire Products. The pilot actuator  124  can change from a closed state to an open state responsive to a pressure drop in the at least one pipe  108 , which can facilitate opening the valve actuator  120  to open the flow control valve  112 . 
     The sprinkler system  100  can include at least one fluid gauge  126 , which can be coupled with or installed into the manifold  130 . The gauges  126  can present information, such as the fluid pressure of fluid in a fluid channel connected with the fluid gauge  126 . The number of fluid gauges  126  installed into the manifold  130  can depend on the type of sprinkler configuration (e.g., deluge wet pipe, dry pilot, etc.). The fluid gauges  126  can include or be coupled with respective pressure transducers that provide pressure information that the gauges  126  present. 
       FIG.  2    depicts a manifold  230 . The manifold  230  can include a manifold housing  200 , which can include a plurality of channels used to connect various components of the manifold  230  with one another and with various ports used to connect various components with the manifold housing  200 . The manifold housing  200  can be made from a variety of corrosion resistant materials, such as a corrosion resistant metal. For example, manifold housing  200  can be made from 84400 bronze austempered ductile iron (ADI). 
     The manifold housing  200  includes a plurality of mounting holes  280  that can be used to attach the manifold  230  to a flow control valve (e.g., flow control valve  112  described with reference to  FIG.  1   ; flow control valve  300  described with reference to  FIGS.  3 - 7   ). The mounting holes  280  can receive mounting members to attach the manifold  230  and the flow control valve. The mounting hole  280  can be threaded so that bolts or screws can be used to attach the manifold  230  to the control valve. When the manifold  230  is attached to the flow control valve, a plurality of ports (e.g., inlet port, outlet port, control port, alarm port) on a second lateral side  252  of the manifold  230  can be in fluid communication with a plurality of ports (e.g., inlet port, outlet port, a control port, alarm port) on the flow control valve. A plurality of pipes (e.g., fluid supply pipe, drain pipe, alarm pipe, test pipe, etc.) can be attached to a first lateral side  251  of the manifold  230 . The plurality of pipes on the first lateral side  251  can be in fluid communication with the plurality of ports on the flow control valve via a series of channels that run through the manifold. 
     The manifold housing  200  includes an inlet port  220  that can fluidly communicate with an inlet port on the flow control valve when the manifold  230  is attached to the flow control valve. The manifold housing  200  includes an outlet port  222  that can fluidly communicate with an outlet port on the flow control valve when the manifold  230  is attached to the flow control valve. The manifold housing  200  includes a control port  224  that can fluidly communicate with a control chamber port on the flow control valve when the manifold  230  is attached to the flow control valve. The manifold housing  200  includes an alarm port  226  that can fluidly communicate with an alarm port on the flow control valve when the manifold  230  is attached to the flow control valve. As depicted, the inlet port  220 , the outlet port  222 , the control port  224 , the alarm port  226 , and the plurality of mounting holes  280  can each be located proximate a second lateral side  252  of a first face  250  of the manifold  230 . 
     The manifold  230  can include a first fluid gauge  225  used to display an internal pressure within the manifold  230 , such as the air pressure of the air inside a dry pipe in a dry pipe sprinkler system. The first fluid gauge  225  (e.g., gauge  225  of the dry pilot system of  FIG.  10   ) can be installed into a first gauge port in the manifold housing  200 . The first gauge port can be in fluid communication with a dry pilot actuator, an air input line, and an outlet port  222 . The manifold can include a second fluid gauge  227  used to display an internal pressure within the manifold, such as the fluid pressure within the control port  224 , which can correspond with the fluid pressure within a diaphragm chamber of the flow control valve. The second fluid gauge  227  can be installed into a second gauge port in the manifold housing  200 , which can be in fluid communication with the control port  224 . The manifold  230  can include a third fluid gauge  228  used to display an internal pressure within the manifold, such as the fluid pressure within the inlet port  220 , which can correspond to the fluid pressure within an inlet chamber of the flow control valve. The third fluid gauge  228  can be installed into a third gauge port in the manifold housing  200 , which can be in fluid communication with the inlet port  220 . As depicted, the first fluid gauge  225 , the second fluid gauge  227 , and the third fluid gauge  228  can each be located proximate the lateral center of the first face  250  of the manifold  230 . 
     The manifold  230  can include a valve actuator  240  in fluid communication with the control port  224 . The valve actuator  240  can be used to control the flow control valve. For example, the valve actuator can be used to actuate the flow control valve between a first, unsealed state and a second, sealed state. When the manifold  230  is attached to the flow control valve, the valve actuator  240  can also be in fluid communication with the diaphragm chamber (e.g., control chamber) within the flow control valve. The valve actuator  240  can be in fluid communication with the diaphragm chamber via a first diaphragm channel port and/or a second diaphragm channel port (e.g., control chamber ports). The valve actuator  240  can include a button  244  that can be manually pressed or otherwise actuated. The valve actuator  240  can be coupled to a plunger and a seal, such that when the button  244  is pressed, or otherwise actuated, the plunger and the seal are actuated. The plunger and the seal can be located within the manifold  230  or within the flow control valve. As depicted, the valve actuator  240  is proximate a first lateral side  251 , opposite the second lateral side  252 , on the first face  250  of the manifold housing  200 . 
     The manifold  230  can further include a plurality of pipes  208 , which can be collectively referred to as trim  208 . As depicted, the plurality of pipes  208  can be connected to various ports located on the first lateral side  251  of the manifold housing  200 . The pipes  208  can have a diameter less than that of inlet  302  and outlet  304  of flow control valve  300 . For example, the first lateral side  251  of the housing can have an inlet port that is in fluid communication with the inlet port  220  on the second lateral side  252  via a channel that runs through the manifold housing  200 . The first lateral side  251  of the housing can have an outlet port that is in fluid communication with the outlet port  222  on the second lateral side  252  via a channel that runs through the manifold housing  200 . The first lateral side  251  of the housing can have an alarm port that is in fluid communication with the alarm port  226  on the second lateral side  252  via a channel that runs through the manifold housing  200 . The first lateral side  251  of the housing can have a control chamber port that is in fluid communication with the control port  224  on the second lateral side  252  via a channel that runs through the manifold housing  200 . By implementing the manifold  230  to connect components with the flow control valve  300  described herein, the size and weight of the trim  208  can be reduced. 
       FIG.  3    depicts a flow control valve  300 . The flow control valve  300  can include features of the Tyco DV- 5 A Automatic Water Control Valve. The flow control valve  300  can be controlled between a first, unsealed state and a second, sealed state. When the flow control valve  300  is in the first, unsealed state, the flow control valve  300  can allow fluid to flow from a fluid source to a sprinkler head. When the flow control valve  300  is in the second, sealed state, the flow control valve  300  can prevent fluid from flowing from a fluid source to a sprinkler head. 
     The flow control valve  300  can include an inlet  302  proximate a bottom portion  353  of the flow control valve  300  and an outlet  304  proximate a top portion  352 , opposite the bottom portion  353  of the flow control valve  300 . The flow control valve  300  can include a diaphragm that is movable between at least a first position and a second position. Further, the flow control valve  300  can be actuated between at least a first, unsealed state and a second, sealed state. When the flow control valve  300  is in the first, unsealed state, the diaphragm can be in the first position, allowing the inlet  302  to be in fluid communication with the outlet  304 . When the flow control valve  300  is in the second, sealed state, the diaphragm can be in the second position, such that the diaphragm prevents the inlet  302  from being in fluid communication with the outlet  304 . 
     The flow control valve  300  can have a plurality of mounting holes  380  used to attach the flow control valve  300  to the manifold  230 . The mounting holes  380  can align with a plurality of mounting holes of the manifold  230 . The mounting holes  380  can be threaded so that bolts or screws can be used to attach the flow control valve  300  to the manifold  230 . 
     The flow control valve  300  can have an inlet port  320  that can be in fluid communication with an inlet port on the manifold when the flow control valve  300  is mounted to the manifold. The flow control valve  300  can have an outlet port  322  that can be in fluid communication with an outlet port on the manifold when the flow control valve  300  is mounted to the manifold. The flow control valve  300  can have a control chamber port  324  that can be in fluid communication with a control port on the manifold when the flow control valve  300  is mounted to the manifold. The flow control valve  300  can have an alarm port  326  that can be in fluid communication with an alarm port on the manifold when the flow control valve  300  is mounted to the manifold. As depicted, the inlet port  320 , the outlet port  322 , the control chamber port  324 , and the alarm port  326  are all located on a second face  354  of the flow control valve  300  proximate a first lateral side  350 , opposite a second lateral side  351 , which can enable coupling with the manifold  230 . 
       FIG.  4    depicts the flow control valve  300  mounted to a manifold  230 . The manifold  230  can be mounted to the flow control valve using a plurality of mounting holes  280  on the manifold  230  that correspond with a plurality of mounting holds on the flow control valve  300 . A first face of the manifold  230  can be mounted to the second face  354  of the flow control valve  300 . When mounted, an inlet port located proximate a second lateral side  252  of the manifold  230  can be in fluid communication with an inlet port located proximate a first lateral side  350  of the flow control valve  300 , which can also by in fluid communication with the inlet  302 . Further, when mounted, an outlet port on the manifold  230  can be in fluid communication with an outlet port on the flow control valve  300 , which can also be in fluid communication with the outlet  304 . 
       FIG.  5    depicts the manifold  230  attached to the flow control valve  300 . A second face of the flow control valve  300  is attached to a first face  250  of the manifold  230 . Further, a plurality of mounting holes proximate a first lateral side  350  of the flow control valve  300  are attached to a plurality of mounting holes proximate a second lateral side  252  of the manifold  230 . The flow control valve  300  is controllable between at least a first, unsealed state and a second, sealed state. In the first, unsealed state, an inlet  302  is in fluid communication with the outlet  304 . In the second, sealed state, the inlet  302  is not in fluid connection with the outlet  304 . 
     The flow control valve  300  can be in fluid connection with the manifold  230 . The flow control valve  300  can have an inlet port that can be in fluid communication with the inlet  302  and an inlet port on the manifold  230  when the flow control valve  300  is mounted to the manifold  230 . The flow control valve  300  can have an outlet port that can be in fluid communication with the outlet  304  and an outlet port on the manifold  230  when the manifold  230  is mounted to the flow control valve  300 . The flow control valve  300  can have a control chamber port that can be in fluid communication with a diaphragm chamber inside the flow control valve  300  and a control port on the manifold  230  when the flow control valve  300  is mounted to the manifold  230 . The flow control valve  300  can have an alarm port that can be in fluid communication with an alarm port on the manifold  230  when the flow control valve  300  is mounted to the manifold  230 . 
     The manifold  230  can include a first fluid gauge  225  used to display an internal pressure within the manifold  230 , such as the air pressure of the air inside the outlet port, which can correspond with the air pressure inside a pipe used in a dry pipe sprinkler system. The manifold  230  can include a second fluid gauge  227  used to display an internal pressure within the manifold, such as the fluid pressure within the control chamber port, which can correspond with the fluid pressure within the control chamber of the flow control valve. The manifold  230  can include a third fluid gauge  228  used to display an internal pressure within the manifold, such as the fluid pressure within the inlet port, which can correspond to the fluid pressure at the inlet  302  of the flow control valve  300 . 
       FIG.  6    depicts a cross section view of a flow control valve  600 , features of which can incorporated into the flow control valve  300 . The flow control valve  600  can be a diaphragm valve, such as the DV- 5 A Automatic Water Control Valve manufactured by Tyco Fire Products. The flow control valve  600  can include an inlet chamber  621 , an outlet chamber  623 , a diaphragm chamber  625  (e.g., control chamber), a diaphragm  610  positioned within the diaphragm chamber  625 , and an alarm chamber  627 . The diaphragm  610  can be controllably movable within the diaphragm chamber  625  between a first position and a second position. As depicted, the flow control valve  600  is in a first, unsealed state. When the flow control valve  600  is in the first, unsealed state, the diaphragm  610  can be in the first position, allowing the inlet chamber  621  to be in fluid communication with the outlet chamber  623 . When the flow control valve  600  is in the first, unsealed state, the fluid pressure within the inlet chamber  621  and the outlet chamber  623  can be greater than the fluid pressure within the diaphragm chamber  625 . This pressure difference can force the diaphragm  610  away from the inlet chamber  621  and the outlet chamber  623 , and towards a control chamber port  630 . 
       FIG.  7    depicts a cross section view of the flow control valve  600 . As depicted, the flow control valve  600  is in a second, sealed state. When the flow control valve  600  is in the second, sealed state, the diaphragm  610  can be in the second position, preventing the inlet chamber  621  from being in fluid communication with the outlet chamber  623 . 
     The diaphragm  610  can be actuated from the second position to the first position using a valve actuator (e.g., valve actuator  240 ). The valve actuator can be in fluid communication with the diaphragm chamber  625 , for example, via a control chamber port  630 . When the flow control valve  600  is a first, unsealed state, the valve actuator can be in an open position. When the valve actuator is in the open position, a plunger and a seal are not in contact with a seat located within the valve actuator. When the button is pressed, or otherwise actuated, the plunger and seal will be pressed down against the seat, directing fluid into the diaphragm chamber  625 . When the plunger and seal are pressed against the seat, the valve actuator is in a closed position. When the valve actuator is in the closed position, fluid will be directed into the diaphragm chamber causing pressure to build within the diaphragm chamber  625 . The pressure within the diaphragm chamber  625  will cause the diaphragm  610  to move to the second position, wherein the flow control valve  600  is in the second, sealed state. 
     A valve actuator can actuate the diaphragm  610  from the first position to the second position. The valve actuator can be a reset actuator, such as a manual reset actuator. The valve actuator can be located on or within the manifold. The valve actuator can be in fluid communication with a control chamber port of the manifold, such that the valve actuator can cause a pressure drop in control chamber port in the manifold, causing a pressure drop in the control chamber port  630  of the flow control valve, causing a pressure drop in the diaphragm chamber  625  of the flow control valve. This pressure drop within the diaphragm chamber  625  can actuate the diaphragm  610  to the first position, causing the flow control valve  600  to transition from the second, sealed state to the first, unsealed stated, thereby putting the inlet chamber  621  in fluid communication with the outlet chamber  623 . The valve actuator can be in direct fluid communication with the diaphragm chamber  625 . The valve actuator can actuate the diaphragm  610  in response, for example, to a temperature being detected that is over a temperature threshold. 
       FIG.  8    depicts a valve actuator  800 . The valve actuator  800  can be the MRA-1 Actuator manufactured by Tyco Fire Products. Features of the valve actuator  800  can be incorporated in the valve actuator  240 . The valve actuator  800  can include a button  850  that is mechanically coupled to a plunger  852 . The plunger  852  can be mechanically coupled to a seal  854 . The valve actuator can have an inlet  802 , which can be in fluid communication with an inlet of a flow control valve, and an outlet  804 , which can be in fluid communication with an outlet port of a manifold. The valve actuator  800  can also include a diaphragm outlet  806  that is in fluid communication with a diaphragm chamber of a flow control valve, for example via a diaphragm channel port. 
     The valve actuator  800  can be movable between a first, open position and a second, closed position. When the flow control valve is the first, unsealed state, the valve actuator  800  can be in an open position. When the valve actuator  800  is in the open position, the plunger  852  and the seal  854  are not in contact with a seat  856  located within the valve actuator  800 . Further, a spring  858  can be used to bias the plunger  852  and seal  854  away from the seat  856 . When the button  850  is pressed, or otherwise actuated, the plunger  852  and seal  854  are pressed down against the seat  856 . When the plunger  852  and seal  854  are pressed against the seat  856 , the valve actuator  800  is in a closed position, such as the position shown in  FIG.  8   . When the valve actuator  800  is in the closed position, fluid will be directed from the inlet  802 , through the diaphragm outlet  806  and into the diaphragm chamber (e.g., control chamber) of the flow control valve. The fluid directed into the diaphragm chamber of the flow control valve will cause pressure to build within the diaphragm chamber. The pressure within the diaphragm chamber will cause a diaphragm to move to a second, closed position, wherein the flow control valve is in a second, sealed state. When the flow control valve is in the second, sealed state, the diaphragm will prevent an inlet in the flow control valve from being in fluid communication with an outlet in the fluid control valve. Further, when the valve actuator  800  is in closed position, sufficient pressure will build up within the valve actuator  800 , creating a downward force on the plunger  852  and seal  854  that is sufficient to overcome the upward force of the spring  358 . 
     The valve actuator  800  can be installed into a first face of the manifold, which is mounted to the flow control valve, such that the valve actuator  800  is in fluid communication with both the manifold and the flow control valve. The valve actuator  800  can be in fluid communication with the diaphragm chamber via a first diaphragm channel port or a second diaphragm channel port. Further, the first diaphragm channel port can be in fluid communication with the second diaphragm channel port via the diaphragm chamber. 
     The button  850  can be coupled to the first face of the manifold  130 , while the plunger  852  and seal  854  are coupled to the flow control valve. In this example, the button  850  is mechanically coupled to the plunger  852  and seal  854 , such that pressing, or otherwise actuating the button  850  will cause the plunger  852  and the seal  854  to press against the seat  856 , thereby causing the flow control valve to actuate from the first, unsealed state to the second, sealed state. 
     Referring briefly to  FIGS.  9 - 14   , various systems (e.g., trims) are depicted that can use the manifold  230  to implement a more compact and easy to install sprinkler system. For example, a same example of the manifold  230  can be implemented in wet pipe, dry pipe, and electric systems, among others described herein, while providing integrated and compact connections with pressure gauges, actuators, control elements, and alarms, reducing the number, size, and weight of trim components and piping for implementing various such systems.  FIGS.  9 - 14    describe use of the manifold  230  with the flow control valve  300 ; the manifold  230  can also be used with the flow control valve  1500  described with reference to  FIG.  15    as described below. 
       FIGS.  9  and  10    depict features of a sprinkler system  900 , which can be implemented as a wet pipe sprinkler system. The wet pipe sprinkler system  900  includes the manifold  230 , which can share similar characteristics of other manifolds disclosed herein. The manifold  230  can be connected to the flow control valve  300 . For example, the manifold  230  can have an inlet port  220  that can be in fluid communication with an inlet port  320  on the flow control valve  300  when the manifold  230  is connected to the flow control valve  300 . The manifold  230  can have an alarm port  226  that can be in fluid communication with an alarm port  326  on the flow control valve  300  when the manifold  230  is connected to the flow control valve  300 . The manifold  230  can have a control port  224  that can be in fluid communication with a control chamber port  324  on the flow control valve  300  when the manifold  230  is connected to the flow control valve  300 . The manifold  230  can have an outlet port  222  that is in fluid communication with an outlet port  322  on the flow control valve  300  when the manifold  230  is connected to the flow control valve  300 . Further, the inlet port  220  can be in fluid communication with a water supply  950  and the outlet port  222  can be in fluid communication with a drain  952 . 
     The manifold  230  can also include a valve actuator  240 . For example, the valve actuator  240  can incorporate features of the MRA-1 manufactured by Tyco Fire Products. The valve actuator  240  can be in fluid communication with the water supply  950 . Further, valve actuator  240  can be in fluid communication with the control port  224 . The valve actuator  240  can be movable between a first, open position and a second, closed position. When the flow control valve  300  is in a first, unsealed state, the valve actuator  240  can be in an open position. The valve actuator  240  can then be pressed, or otherwise actuated into the second, closed position. When the valve actuator  240  is in the second, closed position, the valve actuator  240  will direct fluid from the water supply  950 , through the control port  224 , and into a diaphragm chamber in the flow control valve  300 . The fluid directed into the diaphragm chamber of the flow control valve  300  will cause pressure to build within the diaphragm chamber. The pressure within the diaphragm chamber will cause a diaphragm to move to a second, closed position, wherein the flow control valve  300  is in a second, sealed state. When the flow control valve  300  is in the second, sealed state, the diaphragm will prevent an inlet in the flow control valve  300  from being in fluid communication with an outlet in the fluid control valve. 
     The manifold  230  can also include a fluid gauge  227  in fluid communication with the valve actuator  240  and the control port  224 , which can correspond to the fluid pressure within the diaphragm chamber of the flow control valve  300 . The fluid gauge  227  can be utilized by a person using the valve actuator  240 . For example, a person that presses the valve actuator  240  can need to hold a button on the valve actuator  240  down until a certain threshold pressure is achieved within the valve actuator  240 , which can be displayed on the fluid gauge  227 . 
     The manifold  230  can also include another fluid gauge  228  in fluid communication with the inlet port  220 . The fluid gauge  228  can display the pressure inside the manifold at the inlet port, which can correspond to the fluid pressure at the inlet of the flow control valve  300 . The fluid gauge  228  can be used to determine whether the flow control valve  300  is in a first, unsealed state, or a second, sealed state. For example, the pressure displayed by the fluid gauge  228  can be higher when the flow control valve  300  is in the second, sealed state than when the flow control valve  300  is in the first, unsealed state. 
     The manifold  230  can have additional ports, such as port  1002  and internal channels that are not utilized in the wet pipe configuration. The unused ports and internal channel can be plugged as to prevent fluid from escaping from the unused ports. 
       FIGS.  11  and  12    depict features of a sprinkler system  1000 , which can be implemented as a dry pipe sprinkler system. The dry pipe sprinkler system  1000  includes the manifold  230  and the flow control valve  300 . For example, the manifold  230  can have an inlet port  220  that can be in fluid communication with an inlet port  320  on the flow control valve  300  when the manifold  230  is connected to the flow control valve  300 . The manifold  230  can have an alarm port  226  that can be in fluid communication with an alarm port  326  on the flow control valve  300  when the manifold  230  is connected to the flow control valve  300 . The manifold  230  can have a control port  224  that can be in fluid communication with a control chamber port  324  on the flow control valve  300  when the manifold  230  is connected to the flow control valve  300 . The manifold  230  can have an outlet port  222  that is in fluid communication with an outlet port  322  on the flow control valve  300  when the manifold  230  is connected to the flow control valve  300 . Further, the inlet port  220  can be in fluid communication with a water supply  950  and the outlet port  222  can be in fluid communication with a drain  952 . 
     The manifold  230  can also include a valve actuator  240 . For example, the valve actuator  240  can be the MRA-1 manufactured by Tyco Fire Products. The valve actuator  240  can be in fluid communication with the water supply  950 . Further, valve actuator  240  can be in fluid communication with the control port  224 . The valve actuator  240  can be movable between a first, open position and a second, closed position. When the flow control valve  300  is in a first, unsealed state, the valve actuator  240  can be in an open position. The valve actuator  240  can then be pressed, or otherwise actuated into the second, closed position. When the valve actuator  240  is in the second, closed position, the valve actuator  240  will direct fluid from the water supply  950 , through the control port  224 , and into a diaphragm chamber in the flow control valve  300 . The fluid directed into the diaphragm chamber of the flow control valve  300  will cause pressure to build within the diaphragm chamber. The pressure within the diaphragm chamber will cause a diaphragm to move to a second, closed position, wherein the flow control valve  300  is in a second, sealed state. When the flow control valve  300  is in the second, sealed state, the diaphragm will prevent an inlet in the flow control valve  300  from being in fluid communication with an outlet in the fluid control valve. 
     The manifold  230  can also include a dry pilot actuator  124 . The dry pilot actuator can be the DP-1 Dry Pilot Actuator manufactured by Tyco. The dry pilot actuator  124  can be in fluid communication with an air input  1054  and the outlet port  222 . The dry pilot actuator  124  can also be in fluid communication with the valve actuator  240 , which is in fluid communication with the diaphragm chamber of the flow control valve  300 . The dry pilot actuator  124  can be used to release water from the valve actuator  240 , thereby tripping the valve actuator  240 , thereby venting water from the diaphragm chamber of the flow control valve  300 . The dry pilot actuator  124  can be used to detect a gas release from the sprinkler piping network, thereby tripping the valve actuator  240 . When the valve actuator  240  is tripped, a pressure drop is created in the diaphragm chamber of the flow control valve  300 , allowing the diaphragm to move from a second, closed position to a first, open position. 
     The manifold  230  can also include a first fluid gauge  225  in fluid communication with the valve actuator  240  and the control port  224 , which can correspond to the fluid pressure within the diaphragm chamber of the flow control valve  300 . The fluid gauge  225  can be utilized by a person using the valve actuator  240 . For example, a person that presses the valve actuator  240  can need to hold a button on the valve actuator  240  down until a certain threshold pressure is achieved within the valve actuator  240 , which can be displayed on the fluid gauge  225 . 
     The manifold  230  can also include a second fluid gauge  227  in fluid communication with the inlet port  220 . The fluid gauge  227  can display the pressure inside the manifold at the inlet port, which can correspond to the fluid pressure at the inlet of the flow control valve  300 . The fluid gauge  227  can be used to determine whether the flow control valve  300  is in a first, unsealed sate of a second, sealed state. For example, the pressure displayed by the fluid gauge  227  can be higher when the flow control valve  300  is in the second, sealed state than when the flow control valve  300  is in the first, unsealed state. 
     A pressure valve, a pressure transducer, and/or a pressure sensor can be in fluid communication with the alarm port  326 . The pressure valve or pressure transducer can be indicative of the position that the flow control valve  300  is in. For example, when the flow control valve  300  is in the second, sealed state, the pressure at the alarm port  326  can be at or near atmospheric pressure, and when the flow control valve  300  is in the first, unsealed state (i.e., after the valve actuator  240  has been tripped), the pressure at the alarm port  326  can be higher than atmospheric pressure. The pressure transducer and/or pressure sensor in fluid communication with the alarm port  326  can further be in wireless communication (e.g., WiFi, radio, RFID, Bluetooth, infrared, etc.) with an alarm, which can indicate if the flow control valve  300  is in first, unsealed position or the second, sealed position. The pressure transducer and/or pressure sensor can be connected to an alarm via wires. 
     The manifold  230  can also include a third fluid gauge  228  in fluid communication with the air input  1054  and the dry pilot actuator  124 . The third fluid gauge  228  can be used to display the air pressure inside the pipes that are filled with air when the flow control valve  300  is in the second, sealed state. 
     The manifold  230  can have additional ports and internal piping that are not utilized in the wet pipe configuration. The unused ports and internal piping can be plugged as to prevent fluid from leaking from the unused ports. 
       FIGS.  13  and  14    depict features of a sprinkler system  1300  that includes the manifold  230  and the flow control valve  300 . The sprinkler system  1300  can be implemented as an electrically controlled sprinkler system, such as for operating the flow control valve  300  responsive to an electronic control signal received from a fire detector or fire control panel that generates the electronic control signal responsive a fire condition. 
     The manifold  230  includes a valve  1304 . The valve  1304  can be a solenoid valve that can switch from a closed state to an open state responsive to receiving the electronic control signal. The valve  1304  can be biased to the closed state. The valve  1304  can provide a flow path for fluid in the valve actuator  240  to at least partially flow out of the valve actuator  240 , rather than towards or into the diaphragm chamber of the flow control valve  300 , enabling pressure in the diaphragm chamber  625  to decrease to trigger operation of the flow control valve  300 . 
     The sprinkler system  1300  can also include a valve  1306 . For example, the valve  1306  can be a supervised butterfly valve that is in fluid communication with the inlet port  220  and the fluid supply  116 . If service on the sprinkler system  1300  is needed, the valve  1306  can be turned, or otherwise actuated, into a closed position, thereby preventing the fluid supply  116  from being in direct fluid communication with the inlet port  220 , without cutting off water pressure to the valve actuator  240 . 
     The valve  1304  can be connected with the valve actuator  240 . Responsive to switching to the open state, the valve  1304  can open to connect the valve actuator  240  with a drain, allowing fluid to flow out of the valve actuator  240  to the drain and, in turn, allowing fluid in the diaphragm chamber  625  to flow to drain. As such, the valve  1304  can be electronically controlled to control operation of the flow control valve  300 , including to open the flow control valve  300  responsive to an electronic fire detection signal. As depicted in  FIGS.  13  and  14   , the valve  1304  can be integrated into the manifold  230  (e.g., the housing  200  of the manifold  230  can at least partially surround components of the valve  1304  and define ports of valve  1304 ), enabling more compact connections of fire detectors or control panels with the flow control valve  300 . 
     The manifold  230  can include an outlet portion  1404  on which the first fluid gauge  225  is provided. The manifold  230  can define an outlet channel  1440  that extends from a port portion  1408  that defines the ports  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226  through the outlet portion  1404 . The manifold  230  can include an inlet portion  1412  on which the third fluid gauge  228  is provided. The manifold  230  can define an inlet channel  1444  that extends from the port portion  1408  through the inlet portion  1412 . The manifold  230  can include an actuator portion  1416  on which the valve actuator  240  is located, and an actuator channel  1448  (e.g., control channel) that extends from the control port  224  through the manifold  230  and the actuator portion  1416  to the valve actuator  240 . The manifold  230  can include alarm and test ports  1420 ,  1424 ,  1428  for alarm or test port connections. 
     As described with respect to the wet pipe sprinkler system  900 , the dry pilot pipe sprinkler system  1000 , and the electrically controlled sprinkler system  1300 , the manifold  230  can be used in several different types of sprinkler systems. The manifold  230  can operate with flow control valves  300  of various pipe diameters. By using the same manifold  230  with various different system types, the manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of sprinkler systems can become more uniform. For example, if the flow control valve  300  needs to be replaced in a sprinkler system, new trim can not need to be manufactured. Instead, a new flow control valve  300  can attached to the already installed manifold  230 . Similarly, if any of the fluid gauges need to be replaced, new piping need not be manufactured. Instead, a new fluid gauge can be installed into the existing port. 
     Further, the use of the manifold  230  can lead to reduced manufacturing costs and improved quality control of sprinkler systems. For example, a particular manifold  230  can be mass produced for every type of sprinkler system. This reduces the need to manufacture custom trim for each different type of sprinkler system, which can be costly and time consuming. Custom manufactured trim can be difficult to properly test until installed into the sprinkler system. The manifold  230  can be fully tested before being sent to the location of the sprinkler system that will utilize the manifold  230 . The flow control valve  300  can be attached to the manifold  230  before being shipped, reducing the time and cost of installation. 
     Further, the manifold  230  can be prewired with electrical components used to connect various alarms, pressure transducers, communication devices, etc. that can be used in sprinkler systems. The manifold  230  can have standardized electrical ports that can be used for electrical components, such that the electrical component can be plugged into the electrical ports, thereby reducing the need for on-site wiring. 
       FIG.  15    depicts the manifold  230  connected with a flow control valve  1500 . The flow control valve  1500  includes a movable member, such as a clapper  1508 . The flow control valve  1500  can be the DPV-1 manufactured by Tyco Fire Products. The flow control valve  1500  can include an inlet port  1512  coupled with a fluid chamber  1516  (e.g., valve chamber, control chamber). The inlet port  1512  can receive fluid from the fluid supply  128 . The flow control valve  1500  can include an outlet port  1520  coupled with a gas chamber  1524  (e.g., air chamber) and the at least one pipe  108 . 
     The fluid in the fluid chamber  1516  can apply a force on the clapper  1508  in a direction towards the gas chamber  1524 , and the gas chamber  1524  can apply a force on the clapper  1508  in a direction towards the fluid chamber  1516 . As depicted in  FIG.  15   , the clapper  1508  can be held in a first position that prevents fluid from flowing from the fluid chamber  1516  through the gas chamber  1524  based on these forces. The clapper  1508  can be biased to the first position (e.g., using a spring). When pressure in the gas chamber  1524  decreases (e.g., due to the at least one sprinkler  104  opening) below a threshold (e.g., a threshold corresponding to the force applied by the fluid acting on the clapper  1508 ), the clapper  1508  can be moved away from the fluid chamber  1516 , such as to rotate in the direction  1510 , allowing fluid to flow from the fluid supply  128  through the flow control valve  1504  and into the at least one pipe  108 . The flow control valve  1504  can include an alarm port  1528  that can be used to indicate an alarm condition. As depicted in  FIG.  15   , the alarm port  226  of the manifold  230  can connect with the alarm port  1528 . The control port  224  can connect with the fluid chamber  1516 . The outlet port  222  can connect with the gas chamber  1524 . A connection can also be provided between the inlet port  220  and the inlet port  1512 . 
       FIG.  16    depicts the manifold  230  connecting with a flow control valve  1600 . The flow control valve  1600  can incorporate features of the flow control valve  1500  described with reference to  FIG.  15   . The flow control valve  1600  can include a movable member  1608 , such as a clapper, that is coupled with a latch  1604 . The flow control valve  1600  can include an inlet port  1612  coupled with an inlet chamber  1616 . The inlet port  1612  can receive fluid from the fluid supply  128 . The flow control valve  1600  can include an outlet port  1620  coupled with an outlet chamber  1624  and the at least one pipe  108  to enable fluid communication between the at least one pipe  108  (and the sprinklers  104 ) and the outlet chamber  1624 . 
     The fluid in the inlet chamber  1616  can apply a force on the clapper  1608  in a direction towards the outlet chamber  1624 , and fluid (e.g., air, water) in the outlet chamber  1624  can apply a force on the clapper  1608  in a direction towards the inlet chamber  1616 . The latch  1604  can apply a force on the clapper  1608  in a direction towards the inlet chamber  1616 . As depicted in  FIG.  16   , the clapper  1608  can be held in a first position that prevents fluid from flowing from the inlet chamber  1616  through the gas chamber  1624  based on these forces. The latch  1604  can be biased to latch the clapper  1608  in the first position (e.g., using a spring). 
     The inlet port  220  can connect with the inlet port  1612 , the outlet port  222  can connect with the outlet port  1620 , and the control port  224  can connect with a control chamber  1628  (e.g., diaphragm chamber). The flow control valve  1600  can include an alarm port (not shown) to connect with the alarm port  226 . Responsive to a decrease in pressure in the connection between the control port  224  and the control chamber  1628  (e.g., based on various operations of the manifold  230  described herein, such as operation of the valve actuator  240 ), fluid can drain out of the control chamber  1628 , causing pressure to decrease in the control chamber  1628 . Responsive to pressure in the control chamber  1628  decreasing below a threshold pressure (which can relate to various forces, such as pressure in the chambers  1616 ,  1624  and from a biasing member coupled with the latch  1604 ), the latch  1604  can move in the direction  1614 , releasing the clapper  1608  to allow the clapper  1608  to move in the direction  1610  to couple the inlet chamber  1616  with the outlet chamber  1624  to allow fluid to flow from the fluid supply  128  through the flow control valve  1600  to the sprinklers  104 . 
       FIG.  17    depicts a method  1700  for operating a sprinkler system that includes a manifold and a flow control valve. The method  1700  can be performed using various devices and components described herein, including but not limited to the manifold  230 , the flow control valve  300 , the flow control valve  1500 , and the flow control valve  1600 . 
     At  1705 , a manifold is attached to a flow control valve. The manifold can be attached by coupling attachment members such as bolts or screws with the manifold and with the flow control valve, which can include coupling the attachment members with respective mounting holes of the manifold and the flow control valve. 
     At  1710 , an inlet port of the manifold is coupled with an inlet chamber of the flow control valve. The inlet port can be adjacent to the mounting holes, and coupled with an inlet channel that extends through the manifold to be connected with a trim pipe on an opposite side of the manifold from the inlet port. The inlet chamber can be coupled with or defined by an inlet of the flow control valve that connects with a fluid supply. The inlet port can be coupled with a pressure gauge that can provide a pressure of fluid in the inlet chamber of the flow control valve due to the connection of the inlet port and the inlet chamber. 
     At  1715 , an outlet port of the manifold is coupled with an outlet chamber of the flow control valve. The outlet port can be adjacent to the mounting holes or in proximity to the inlet port, and coupled with an outlet channel that extends through the manifold to be connected with a trim pipe on an opposite side of the manifold from the outlet port. The outlet chamber can be coupled with or defined by an outlet of the flow control valve that connects with a pipe of a sprinkler system to provide fluid to one or more sprinklers of the sprinkler system. The inlet port can be coupled with a pressure gauge that can provide a pressure of fluid in the inlet chamber of the flow control valve due to the connection of the inlet port and the inlet chamber. 
     At  1720 , an alarm port of the manifold is coupled with an alarm chamber of the flow control valve. The alarm port can be adjacent to the mounting holes or in proximity to the inlet port and the outlet port, and coupled with an alarm channel that extends through the manifold to be connected with a trim pipe on an opposite side of the manifold from the alarm port. The alarm port can be used to communicate a pressure of fluid in the alarm chamber, such as to indicate operation of the flow control valve. 
     At  1725 , a control chamber port of the manifold is coupled with a diaphragm chamber of the flow control valve. The diaphragm chamber can include a diaphragm that moves from a first position to seal the inlet from the outlet to a second position to allow from the inlet to the outlet, depending on pressure applied to the diaphragm. The manifold can include a valve actuator coupled with the control chamber port. Responsive to operation of the valve actuator (e.g., by allowing fluid to drain from the valve actuator), pressure applied on the diaphragm can decrease, allowing the diaphragm to move to the second position. The valve actuator can be controlled using various components, such as pilot actuators or solenoid valves, depending on the mode of operation in which the flow control valve is to operate. 
     At  1730 , the inlet port of the manifold is connected to a supervised butterfly valve. The supervised butterfly valve can also be in fluid communication with the fluid supply. The supervised butterfly valve can not be used in every sprinkler system, such as the sprinkler systems depicted in  FIGS.  9 - 12   . Some sprinkler systems, such as the systems depicted in  FIGS.  13  and  14   , can include a supervised butterfly valve that can be closed if service work is being performed on the flow control valve. 
     As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to include any given ranges or numbers +/−10%. These terms include insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims. 
     It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples). 
     The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining can be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining can be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling can be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic. 
     The term “or,” as used herein, is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is understood to convey that an element can be either X, Y, Z; X and Y; X and Z; Y and Z; or X, Y, and Z (i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present, unless otherwise indicated. 
     References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements can differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. 
     The construction and arrangement of the fitting assembly as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment can be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of an element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments can be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.