Patent Publication Number: US-2022233900-A1

Title: Dry pipe accelerator systems and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/850,022, titled “DRY PIPE ACCELERATOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” filed May 20, 2019, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/850,024, titled “DRY PIPE ACCELERATOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” filed May 20, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/970,242, titled “DRY PIPE ACCELERATOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” filed Feb. 5, 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 sprinkler accelerator system. The sprinkler accelerator system includes an accelerator and at least one orifice. The accelerator can include at least one accelerator opening coupled at least one pipe, the at least one pipe coupled with at least one sprinkler, a gas including at least one of air and nitrogen in the at least one pipe. The accelerator can include a vent. The accelerator can include an actuator that moves, responsive to a rate of change of a first pressure applied by gas in at least one of the first accelerator opening and the second accelerator opening satisfying a first pressure rate threshold, to couple the at least one accelerator opening with the vent. The at least one orifice can be coupled with the at least one pipe to adjust the rate of change of the first pressure responsive to the at least one sprinkler changing to an open state. 
     At least one aspect relates to a method of configuring a sprinkler system. The method can include coupling at least one accelerator opening of an accelerator with at least one pipe, the at least one pipe coupled with at least one sprinkler, a gas including at least one of air and nitrogen in the at least one pipe. The method can include coupling a flow control valve with a fluid supply and the at least one pipe. The method can include estimating at least one of a fluid delivery time of fluid flow from the fluid supply to the at least one sprinkler through the flow control valve after the at least one sprinkler opens and a valve trip time of operation of the flow control valve after the at least sprinkler opens. The method can include selecting at least one orifice based on the at least one of the fluid delivery time and the valve trip time. The method can include coupling the at least one orifice with the at least one pipe. 
     At least one aspect relates to a sprinkler accelerator system. The sprinkler accelerator system includes an accelerator, a pilot actuator, a reset actuator, and a flow control valve. The accelerator includes a first accelerator opening, a second accelerator opening, a vent, and an actuator. The first accelerator opening is coupled with a first connection point of at least one pipe, the at least one pipe coupled with at least one sprinkler. A gas including at least one of air and nitrogen is in the at least one pipe. The second accelerator opening is coupled with a second connection point of the at least one pipe. The actuator moves from a first state in which the actuator prevents gas from flowing from the first accelerator opening and the second accelerator opening out of the vent to a second state in which the first accelerator opening and the second accelerator opening are in fluid communication with the vent. The actuator moves responsive to a first pressure applied by gas in at least one of the first accelerator opening and the second accelerator opening decreasing below a first pressure threshold. The pilot actuator includes a first actuator port, a second actuator port, a drain, and a diaphragm. The first actuator port is coupled with a third connection point of the at least one pipe, the first connection point between the second connection point and the third connection point. The second actuator port is coupled with an actuator line. The diaphragm moves from a third state in which the diaphragm prevents fluid from flowing from the actuator line through the second actuator port and out of the drain to a fourth state in which the second actuator port and the drain are in fluid communication. The diaphragm moves responsive to a second pressure applied by gas in the first actuator port on the diaphragm decreasing below a second pressure threshold. The reset actuator includes a third actuator port coupled with a first fluid supply, a fourth actuator port coupled with a control line, the fourth actuator port in fluid communication with the third actuator port, a fifth actuator port coupled with the actuator line, and a seal that moves from a fifth state in which the seal prevents fluid from flowing from the third actuator port into the actuator line to a sixth state in which at least one of the third actuator port and the fourth actuator port are in fluid communication with the actuator line, the seal moves responsive to a third pressure in the fifth actuator port decreasing below a third threshold. The flow control valve includes a valve inlet coupled with a second fluid supply, a valve outlet coupled with a fourth connection point of the at least one pipe, the fourth connection point between the at least one sprinkler and the third connection point, a diaphragm supply port coupled with the control line and with a diaphragm chamber, and a diaphragm that moves in the diaphragm chamber from a seventh state in which the diaphragm prevents fluid from flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet to an eighth state in which the valve inlet and the valve outlet are in fluid communication. The diaphragm moves responsive to a fourth pressure in the diaphragm chamber decreasing below a fourth threshold. The first orifice is between the third connection point and the fourth connection point. The second orifice is between the first connection point and the second connection point and is smaller than the first orifice. 
     At least one aspect relates to a sprinkler accelerator system. The sprinkler accelerator system includes an accelerator, a pilot actuator, a reset actuator, a flow control valve, a first orifice, and a second orifice. The accelerator includes a first accelerator opening coupled with a first connection point of at least one pipe, the at least one pipe coupled with at least one sprinkler. A gas including at least one of air and nitrogen is in the at least one pipe. The accelerator includes a second accelerator opening coupled with a second connection point of the at least one pipe, a vent, and an actuator between the second accelerator opening and the vent. The pilot actuator includes a first actuator port coupled with a third connection point of the at least one pipe, the first connection point between the second connection point and the third connection point, a second actuator port coupled with an actuator line, a drain, and a diaphragm between the first actuator port and the drain. The reset actuator includes a third actuator port coupled with a first fluid supply, a fourth actuator port coupled with a control line, the fourth actuator port in fluid communication with the third actuator port, a fifth actuator port coupled with the actuator line, and a seal between third actuator port and the fifth actuator port. The flow control valve includes a valve inlet coupled with a fluid supply, a valve outlet coupled with a third connection point of the at least one pipe, the third connection point between the at least one sprinkler and the first connection point, and a valve port coupled with the vent of the accelerator. The first orifice is between the first connection point and the third connection point. The second orifice is between the first connection point and the second connection point and is smaller than the first orifice. 
     At least one aspect relates to a method of configuring a sprinkler system. The method includes coupling a first orifice with at least one pipe, the at least one pipe coupled with at least one sprinkler, the at least one pipe having a gas including at least one of air and nitrogen, coupling a first accelerator opening of an accelerator with a first connection point of the at least one pipe and a second accelerator opening with a second connection point of the at least one pipe, coupling a first actuator port of a pilot actuator with a third connection point of the at least one pipe and a second actuator port of the pilot actuator with an actuator line, the first connection point between the second connection point and the third connection point, coupling a third actuator port of a reset actuator with a first fluid supply, a fourth actuator port of the reset actuator with a control line, and a fifth actuator port of the reset actuator with the actuator line, coupling a valve inlet of a flow control valve with a second fluid supply, a valve outlet of the flow control valve with a fourth connection point of the at least one pipe, and a diaphragm supply port of the flow control valve with the control line, estimating at least one of a fluid delivery time of fluid flow from the second fluid supply to the at least one sprinkler after the at least one sprinkler opens and a valve trip time of operation of the flow control valve after the at least sprinkler opens, selecting a second orifice having a size that maintains the at least one of the fluid delivery time and the valve trip time below a corresponding threshold, and coupling the second orifice between the first connection point and the second connection point. 
     At least one aspect relates to a sprinkler accelerator system. The sprinkler accelerator system includes an accelerator and a flow control valve. The accelerator includes a first accelerator opening, a second accelerator opening, a vent, and an actuator. The first accelerator opening is coupled with a first connection point of at least one pipe, the at least one pipe coupled with at least one sprinkler. A gas including at least one of air and nitrogen is in the at least one pipe. The second accelerator opening is coupled with a second connection point of the at least one pipe. The actuator moves from a first state in which the actuator prevents gas from flowing from the first accelerator opening and the second accelerator opening out of the vent to a second state in which the first accelerator opening and the second accelerator opening are in fluid communication with the vent. The actuator moves responsive to a first pressure applied by gas in at least one of the first accelerator opening and the second accelerator opening decreasing below a first pressure threshold. The flow control valve includes a valve inlet coupled with a fluid supply, a valve outlet coupled with a third connection point of the at least one pipe, the third connection point between the at least one sprinkler and the first connection point, and a clapper that moves from a third state in which the clapper prevents fluid from flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet to a fourth state in which the valve inlet and the valve outlet are in fluid communication. The clapper moves responsive to a second pressure in the valve outlet decreasing below a second pressure threshold. The first orifice is between the first connection point and the third connection point. The second orifice is between the first connection point and the second connection point and is smaller than the first orifice. 
     At least one aspect relates to a sprinkler accelerator system. The sprinkler accelerator system includes an accelerator, a flow control valve, a first orifice, and a second orifice. The accelerator includes a first accelerator opening, a second accelerator opening, a vent, and an actuator. The first accelerator opening is coupled with a first connection point of at least one pipe, the at least one pipe coupled with at least one sprinkler. A gas including at least one of air and nitrogen is in the at least one pipe. The second accelerator opening is coupled with a second connection point of the at least one pipe. The actuator is between the second accelerator opening and the vent. The flow control valve includes a valve inlet coupled with a fluid supply, a valve outlet coupled with a third connection point of the at least one pipe, the third connection point between the at least one sprinkler and the first connection point, and a clapper between the valve inlet and the valve outlet. The first orifice is between the first connection point and the third connection point. The second orifice is between the first connection point and the second connection point and is smaller than the first orifice. 
     At least one aspect relates to a method of configuring a sprinkler system. The method includes coupling a first orifice with at least one pipe, the at least one pipe coupled with at least one sprinkler, a gas including at least one of air and nitrogen in the at least one pipe, coupling a first accelerator opening of an accelerator with a first connection point of the at least one pipe and a second accelerator opening with a second connection point of the at least one pipe, coupling a valve inlet of a flow control valve with a fluid supply, a valve outlet of the flow control valve with a third connection point of the at least one pipe, the third connection point between the at least one sprinkler and the first connection point, and an alarm port of the flow control valve with a vent of the accelerator, estimating at least one of a fluid delivery time of fluid flow from the second fluid supply to the at least one sprinkler after the at least one sprinkler opens and a valve trip time of operation of the flow control valve after the at least sprinkler opens, selecting a second orifice having a size that maintains the at least one of the fluid delivery time and the valve trip time below a corresponding threshold, and coupling the second orifice between the first connection point and the second connection point. 
     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 dry pipe accelerator system. 
         FIG. 2  is a section view of an accelerator of a dry pipe accelerator system. 
         FIG. 3  is a detail view of a seal of an accelerator of a dry pipe accelerator system. 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of a pilot actuator of a dry pipe accelerator system. 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of a manual reset actuator of a dry pipe accelerator system. 
         FIG. 6  is a section view of a diaphragm flow control valve of a dry pipe accelerator system. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a dry pipe accelerator system. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow diagram of a method of configuring a piping system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Following below are more detailed descriptions of various concepts related to, and implementations of dry pipe accelerator systems and methods. Dry pipe accelerator systems can decrease the response time of fluid delivery to sprinklers in a dry pipe sprinkler system. The various concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail below can be implemented in any of numerous ways, including in dry systems and in wet systems. 
     Sprinkler systems, including dry pipe sprinkler systems, can be used to protect spaces such as unheated warehouses, parking garages, store windows, attic spaces, and loading docks, which may be exposed to freezing temperatures, such that water filled pipes might freeze if used. When set for service, the dry pipe sprinkler system can be pressurized with a gas, such as air (e.g., atmospheric air) or nitrogen. When a sprinkler of the dry pipe sprinkler system 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 a flow control valve that connects a fluid supply, such as a water supply, to the pipes connected to the sprinkler to deliver the fluid through the sprinkler to address the fire. 
     Sprinkler systems can be characterized by factors such as a valve trip time between sprinkler operation and when the flow control valve trips, and a fluid delivery time between sprinkler operation and when fluid is outputted from the sprinkler. Determining these factors, which may be necessary to properly install and operate the sprinkler system, can require a physical trip test in which fluid must be outputted from the sprinkler system. Systems and methods in accordance with the present solution can enable non-physical determination of the valve trip time and fluid delivery time by accelerating the valve trip by detecting a small pressure drop over a greater pressure range (the pressure range corresponding to a range of supervisory air or nitrogen pressure that can be used to pressurize the piping in the sprinkler system), as the greater pressure range can enable more effective optimization (e.g., reduction) of the fluid delivery time. For example, the TYCO SPRINKCAD software and/or TYCO SPRINKFDT software, which is a UL listed software for calculating fluid delivery time, can be more effectively implemented where greater pressure range is available for the sprinkler system. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of a dry pipe accelerator system  100 . The dry pipe accelerator system  100  includes 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 may 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 manifold or piping grid. Each sprinkler  104  can receive fluid from the at least one pipe  108 . 
     In a dry pipe sprinkler system, the at least one pipe  108  can have a gas, such as air or nitrogen in the at least one pipe  108 . The gas can be at a greater pressure than atmospheric pressure. For example, the gas can have a pressure greater than or equal to 15 pounds per square inch (psi) and less than or equal to 60 psi. The pressure of the gas can be adjusted when the dry pipe accelerator system  100  is installed or configured in order to control factors such as valve trip time and fluid delivery time. When the sprinkler  104  switches to the open state, the gas in the at least one pipe  108  can flow out of the at least one pipe  108  due to the difference in pressure between the relatively high pressure in the at least one pipe  108  and the relatively low (e.g., atmospheric pressure) pressure outside of the at least one pipe  108 . The decrease in pressure resulting from the gas flowing out of the at least one pipe  108  can be used to signal the fire condition. The fluid delivery time can be measured from an instant at which the sprinkler  104  switches to the open state to when fluid is outputted from the sprinkler  104 . 
     The at least one pipe  108  can be coupled with an outlet  120  of a flow control valve  116  via at least one first connection point  112 . The at least one pipe  108  can receive fluid from the outlet  120  and output the fluid via the sprinkler  104 . An inlet  124  of the flow control valve  116  can be coupled with a fluid supply  128 . The fluid supply  128  can have a fluid such as water or other firefighting fluids. The fluid can flow from the fluid supply  128  to the inlet  124  of the flow control valve  116 . The flow control valve  116  can be a diaphragm valve, such as the DV-5A manufactured by Tyco Fire Products. 
     The flow control valve  116  can have an open state in which the inlet  124  is in fluid communication with the outlet  120 , and a closed state in which the inlet  124  is not in fluid communication with the outlet  120 . When the inlet  124  is in fluid communication with the outlet  120 , the fluid can flow from the fluid supply  128  through the flow control valve  116  into the pipe  108 . For example, when the sprinkler  104  has opened and the flow control valve  116  is in the open state, fluid can flow from the fluid supply  128  and out of the pipe  108 , such as to address a fire responsive to which the sprinkler  104  opened. The flow control valve  116  can be biased to the closed state. For example, the flow control valve  116  can include an adjustable member, such as a diaphragm or clapper, that can prevent fluid from flowing from the inlet  124  to the outlet  120 . The valve trip time can be measured from an instant at which the at least one sprinkler  104  opens to when the flow control valve  116  changes states to allow fluid to flow from the inlet  124  to the outlet  120 . The valve trip time can be affected by factors such as system gas pressure and sizes of orifices  136 ,  156 . For example, a relatively higher gas pressure in the at least one pipe  108  can result in a faster discharge of air (e.g., via orifices  136 ,  156 ), but can require a larger volume of air to be discharged for the valve to reach its trip point (e.g., flow control valve  116 , other valves that may have gas on one side of the valve). A relatively lower gas pressure in the at least one pipe can result in a slower discharge of air, but can require a lesser volume of air to be discharged for the valve to reach its trip point. 
     The at least one pipe  108  can define a second connection point  132 . The second connection point  132  can be on an opposite side of the first connection point  112  from the at least one sprinkler  104 . A first orifice  136  can be between the first connection point  112  and the second connection point  132 . The first orifice  136  can prevent air from backfeeding (e.g., backfeeding that would reduce a rate of pressure decay responsive to opening of the one or more sprinklers  104  in the at least one pipe  108  between the first orifice  136  and the first connection point  112  and the one or more sprinklers  104 ). 
     An accelerator  140  can be coupled with the at least one pipe  108  via the second connection point  132 . The accelerator  140  can have a vent  144  (e.g., opening), which can allow gas in the at least one pipe  108  to flow out of the accelerator  140 , such as to be vented to atmosphere. As such, the accelerator  140  can facilitate operation of a pilot actuator  160  as described further herein, such as to decrease a response time of the pilot actuator  160  relative to when the sprinkler  104  opens. An actuator  250  of the accelerator  140  can be coupled with the at least one pipe  108  by opening  146  (e.g., via a third connection point  148  and a fourth connection point  152 , which may be formed as part of the accelerator  140  or external to the accelerator  140 ). 
       FIG. 2  depicts an example of the accelerator  140 . The accelerator  140  can include a base  204  defining a base opening  208  coupled with an accelerator chamber  212  defined by a base wall  216  of the base  204 . The base  204  can be coupled with the at least one pipe  108  so that fluid can flow between the accelerator chamber  212  and the at least one pipe via the fourth connection point  152 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the fourth connection point  152  can be formed as part of the actuator body  220  or internal to the actuator body  220 , or can be external to the actuator body  220  (e.g., coupled with the base opening  208  via one or more pipes external to the actuator body  220  as depicted in  FIG. 2 ). The base opening  208  can have a lesser diameter than the accelerator chamber  212 . The accelerator chamber  212  can have a greater volume than the base opening  208  (as well as second orifice  156  as described below), which can enable the accelerator  140  to avoid activating in response to small, slow, or transient pressure changes in the at least one pipe  108 , while still activating in response to pressure changes corresponding to the sprinkler  104  opening. 
     The base wall  216  can extend from the base  204  to an actuator body  220 . The actuator body  220  can define a first actuator opening  224  coupled with the accelerator chamber  212 . For example, the first actuator opening  224  can be adjacent to the accelerator chamber  212 . The first actuator opening  224  can have a lesser diameter than the accelerator chamber  212 , and can have a lesser diameter than the base opening  208 . 
     The actuator body  220  can define a second actuator opening  228 , which is coupled with the third connection point  148 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the third connection point  148  can be formed as part of the actuator body  220  or internal to the actuator body  220 , or can be external to the actuator body  220  (e.g., coupled with the second actuator opening  228  via one or more pipes external to the actuator body  220  as depicted in  FIG. 2 ). The second actuator opening  228  can include a plurality of opening portions  232 ,  236 ,  240 , which may decrease in diameter in a direction away from the third connection point  148 . 
     The accelerator  140  includes a disk  244  adjacent to the first actuator opening  224 , such that gas in the first actuator opening  224  can cause a force to be applied against the disk  244  in a direction away from the accelerator chamber  212 . The disk  244  is disposed in a disk chamber  246 , which has a diameter greater than or equal to a diameter of the disk  244 , and greater than a diameter of the first actuator opening  224 . The accelerator  140  can include a diaphragm  242  between the disk  244  and the first actuator opening  224  to facilitate the force that is applied by the gas in the first actuator opening  224  against the disk  244 . The diaphragm  242  can be made of a resilient material. Gas in the second actuator opening  228  can flow between the first actuator opening  224  and the third actuator opening  248 , and can apply a force on an opposite side of the disk  244  as gas in the first actuator opening  224 . 
     The disk chamber  246  is in fluid communication with the second actuator opening  228  and a third actuator opening  248  defined by the actuator body  220 . An actuator  250  can be disposed in an actuator chamber  262 , and can move along an actuator axis  202  depending on pressure and changes in pressure in the at least one pipe  108 . The actuator  250  can include a first actuator portion  252  that has a diameter less than the diameter of the third actuator opening  248 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the first actuator portion  252  can be disposed to contact the disk  244  and extend through the third actuator opening  248 . The actuator  250  can include a second actuator portion  256  between the first actuator portion  252  and a third actuator portion  260 . The second actuator portion  256  can have a greater diameter than the first actuator portion  252  and the third actuator opening  248 , such that the second actuator portion  256  may not move into the third actuator opening  248 . The third actuator portion  260  can extend within a fourth actuator opening  264 . 
     A seal  276  can be disposed between the second actuator portion  256  and the second actuator opening  228 . The seal  276  can prevent gas from flowing between the second actuator opening  228  and third actuator opening  248 , on one side of the seal  276 , and the actuator chamber  262  on the other side of the seal from the third actuator opening  248 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the accelerator  140  and actuator  250  can be sized such that when the first actuator portion  252  contacts the disk  244 , the second actuator portion  256  contacts the seal  276 , and the third actuator portion  260  is spaced from an end of the fourth actuator opening  264 . 
     A biasing member  272  can be disposed in the actuator chamber  262  to apply a biasing force against the actuator  250  towards the accelerator chamber  212 . The biasing member  272  can be a spring. As such, gas in the first actuator opening  224  can apply a force against the actuator  250  (e.g., via disk  244 ) to push the actuator  250  away from the accelerator chamber  212 , while gas in the second actuator opening  228 , gas in the fourth actuator opening  264 , and the biasing member  272  can apply a force against the actuator  250  (e.g., via the disk  244 ) towards the accelerator chamber  212 . The balance of these forces can change as the pressure in the at least one pipe  108  changes, which can result in a greater force pushing the actuator  250  away from the accelerator chamber  212  than towards the accelerator chamber  212 . As a result, the disk  244  can move in the disk chamber  246  away from the accelerator chamber  212 , pushing the actuator  250  and the seal  276  away from the accelerator chamber  212  and seal receiver  278 , allowing gas in the third actuator opening  248  to move the seal  276  away from the accelerator chamber  212 , fluidly coupling the third actuator opening  248  with the fifth actuator opening  268 . As such, gas in the at least one pipe  108  can flow through the accelerator  140  and out the vent  144 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a second orifice  156  can be provided between the actuator  250  and the third connection point  148  (as well as the second connection point  132 ), such that the second orifice  156  is upstream of the first orifice  136  as gas flows out of the at least one pipe  108  through the sprinkler  104  when the sprinkler  104  is open. The second orifice  156  can be provided as part of the accelerator  140 . The second orifice  156  can be between the at least one pipe  108  and the base opening  208 . The second orifice  156  can enable the accelerator  140  to be automatically reset, rather than being dried and manually reset. The second orifice  156  can be smaller than the first orifice  136 . For example, the second orifice  156  can have a lesser internal diameter than the first orifice  136 . The second orifice  156  can have a lesser K-factor than the first orifice  136 , where the K-factor is defined as Q*P 1/2 , where Q is flow rate and P is pressure drop. 
     Because the second orifice  156  can be between the third connection point  148  coupled with the second actuator opening  228  and the fourth connection point  152  coupled with the accelerator chamber  212  via the base opening  208 , when the sprinkler  104  opens, a rate of pressure change (e.g., rate of pressure decay) in the second actuator opening  228  can be greater than a rate of pressure change (e.g., rate of pressure decay) in the first actuator opening  224 , such that the pressure in the first actuator opening  224  will be greater than the pressure in the second actuator opening  228 , changing the balance of forces on the actuator  250  (e.g., via the force balance on the disk  244 ) such that the actuator  250  can be driven away from the accelerator chamber  212 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts an example of contact between the seal  276  and a seal receiver  278  of the actuator body  220 . The seal receiver  278  can include one or more extensions  304 , such as radiused bumps. The extensions can compress the seal  276  between the seal receiver  278  and the second actuator portion  256  to improve the sealing provided by the seal  276 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , a pilot actuator  160  includes a first actuator port  164  fluidly coupled with the at least one pipe  108  via the second connection point  132 . Gas in the at least one pipe  108  can flow between the at least one pipe  108  and the first actuator port  164  via the second connection point  132 . When gas in the at least one pipe  108  vents from the accelerator  140  via the vent  144 , the pressure in the pilot actuator  160  can decrease as gas in the at least one pipe  108  between the first actuator port  164  and the second connection point  132  can flow through the at least one pipe  108  and out of the accelerator  140 . The pilot actuator  160  can be a dry pilot actuator for deluge and preaction systems. 
     The pilot actuator  160  includes a second actuator port  168  coupled with a reset actuator  180 . Water can flow in an actuator line  172  (e.g., pipe) between the second actuator port  168  and the reset actuator  180  into the pilot actuator  160 . The pilot actuator  160  can maintain a force balance between the air on the first actuator port  164  side of the pilot actuator  160  and the water on the second actuator port  168  side of the pilot actuator  160  (e.g., using a clapper). When the pressure in the at least one pipe  108  decreases due to venting via the accelerator  140 , the force balance in the pilot actuator  160  can change, allowing water in the pilot actuator  160 , and thus in the actuator line  172 , to flow out of a drain  176 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts an example of the pilot actuator  160 . The pilot actuator  160  includes a pilot diaphragm  404  adjacent to the first actuator port  164 . The pilot diaphragm  404  can be made of a resilient material. Gas in the first actuator port  164  can cause a force to be applied on the pilot diaphragm  404  in a direction away from the first actuator port  164  along pilot actuator axis  402 . The pilot actuator  160  includes a pilot seal  408  between the pilot diaphragm  404  and the second actuator port  168 . The pilot seal  408  seals fluid flow from the second actuator port  168  into a pilot chamber  412 , so that in a sealed state, the pilot actuator  160  prevents fluid from flowing from the second actuator port  168  through the pilot chamber  412  and out of the drain  176 . 
     The pilot actuator  160  includes a pilot biasing member  416 , such as a spring. The pilot biasing member  416  and fluid in the second actuator port  168  can apply a force on the pilot seal  408 , and in turn the pilot diaphragm  404 , along the pilot actuator axis  402  in a direction towards the first actuator port  164 . As such, when a force corresponding to the pressure of the gas in the first actuator port  164  is greater than a force corresponding to the pressure of the fluid in the second actuator port  168  and the force applied by the pilot biasing member  416  on the pilot seal  408 , the pilot diaphragm  404  can hold the pilot seal  408  against the second actuator port  168  to prevent fluid flow from the second actuator port  168  into the pilot chamber  412  and out of the drain  176 . When the pressure of the gas in the first actuator port  164  decreases below a pressure threshold corresponding to the force applied by the fluid in the second actuator port  168  and the pilot biasing member  416  (e.g., due to the accelerator  140  venting gas in the at least one pipe  108 ), the pilot diaphragm  404  and pilot seal  408  can move away from the second actuator port  168  and towards the first actuator port  164 , allowing fluid to drain from the second actuator port  168  (and the actuator line  172 ) out of the drain  176 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the reset actuator  180  is coupled with the pilot actuator  160  via actuator line  172 , and with the flow control valve  116  via control line  184  (e.g., pipe). Fluid can flow between the reset actuator  180  and the flow control valve  116  via the control line  184 . For example, when the reset actuator  180  is triggered by fluid draining out of the pilot actuator  160  via the drain  176 , fluid can flow from the reset actuator  180  through the actuator line  172  and out of the drain  176 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts an example of the reset actuator  180 . The reset actuator  180  can be a manual reset actuator. The reset actuator  180  can include a first reset actuator port  504  coupled with the actuator line  172 , allowing fluid to flow between the reset actuator  180  and the pilot actuator  160 . The reset actuator  180  can include a second reset actuator port  508  coupled with the flow control valve  116 , allowing fluid to flow between the reset actuator  180  and the flow control valve  116 . The reset actuator  180  can include a third reset actuator port  512 , which can be coupled with a fluid supply via a supply line  514  (e.g., pipe). As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the second reset actuator port  508  and third reset actuator port  512  can be in fluid communication, allowing fluid to flow from the supply line  514  through the control line  184  (e.g., to the flow control valve  116 ). In some embodiments, when the reset actuator  180  is in a first state (e.g., a closed state when the reset device  528  is closer to the first chamber portion  522  or biasing member  532  than in a second, open state), fluid may flow from the supply line  514  through the third reset actuator port  512  into the second reset actuator port  508 . 
     The reset actuator  180  includes a seal  516 , such as a plunger. In the first state of the reset actuator  180 , the seal  516  can prevent fluid flow from the third reset actuator port  512  to the first reset actuator port  504  (though at least some fluid may flow from the third reset actuator port  512  to the first reset actuator port  504  via orifice  524 ). The seal  516  can be disposed in a seal chamber  520  that includes a first chamber portion  522  in communication with the third reset actuator port  512  via an orifice  524 , and a second chamber portion  526  in communication with the first reset actuator port  504 . The orifice  524  can have a lesser diameter than the third reset actuator port  512  and the seal chamber  520 . 
     The seal  516  can include a first seal portion  540  having a greater diameter than a second seal portion  542 . The first seal portion  540  can be closer to the second reset actuator port  508  than the second seal portion  542 , and can be adjacent to, such as in contact with, a biasing member  532 . The second seal portion  542  can be disposed in a seal receiver  544  adjacent to the seal chamber  520 . 
     The biasing member  532  can be a spring. The biasing member  532  can cooperate with fluid in the second reset actuator port  508  to apply a force against the seal  516  in a direction away from the second reset actuator port  508 . For example, the biasing member  532  can cooperate with the fluid in the second reset actuator port  508  to bias the seal  516  to a position in which fluid is allowed to flow from the second reset actuator port  508  or the third reset actuator port  512  out of the first reset actuator port  504 . 
     As discussed above, the first reset actuator port  504  is coupled with the pilot actuator  160  via the actuator line  172 . When fluid from the actuator line  172  flows out of the drain  176  of the pilot actuator  160 , the fluid pressure in the first reset actuator port  504  will decrease. When the fluid pressure in the first reset actuator port  504  decreases below a threshold corresponding to at least the force applied by the biasing member  532  and fluid in the second reset actuator port  508  on the seal  516 , the seal  516  can move away from the second reset actuator port  508  along an actuator axis  502 , allowing fluid in the seal chamber  520  to flow out of the first reset actuator port  504  through the actuator line  172 . As fluid in the seal chamber  520  flows out of the first reset actuator port  504 , pressure in the second reset actuator port  508  and the control line  184  can decrease, such as due to at least one of fluid flowing from the control line  184  through the pilot actuator  160  and out of the actuator line  172  and fluid from the supply line  514  being at least partially diverted to the actuator line  172  rather than the control line  184 . 
     The reset actuator  180  can include a reset device  528  (e.g., trigger, knob, button) coupled with the seal  516 . The reset device  528  can extend into the seal receiver  544 . The reset device  528  can be secured by a receiving end  546  of the second seal portion  542 . The reset device  528  can be pushed towards the second reset actuator port  508  to compress the biasing member  532  and move the seal  516  into position to seal the first chamber portion  522  (e.g., seal chamber  520 , first chamber portion  522 , second chamber portion  526 ) from the second reset actuator port  508 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the flow control valve  116  controls fluid flow from the fluid supply  128  to the at least one sprinkler  104 . The flow control valve  116  can selectively allow fluid to flow to the at least one sprinkler  104  based on fluid pressure in the control line  184 . For example, the flow control valve  116  can use fluid in the control line  184  to hold a control member, such as a diaphragm or clapper, in a first state in which the control member prevents fluid from flowing from the inlet  124  to the outlet  120 . When fluid pressure in the control line  184  decreases, the control member can adjust to a second state in which the inlet  124  is in fluid communication with the outlet  120 , enabling fluid to flow from the fluid supply  128  to the at least one sprinkler  104 . For example, when the at least one sprinkler  104  opens due to a fire condition, pressure in the at least one pipe  108  can decrease, which can trigger operation of the accelerator  140  to vent gas in the at least one pipe  108  from the accelerator  140 , which can trigger operation of the pilot actuator  160  to drain fluid from the actuator line  172  through the pilot actuator  160 , which can trigger operation of the reset actuator  180  to decrease the fluid pressure in the control line  184 , which can cause the flow control valve  116  to couple the inlet  124  with the outlet  120  to allow fluid to flow out of the at least one sprinkler  104  and address the fire condition. 
     The second orifice  156  can have a size (e.g., diameter) selected to improve or optimize the characteristics of the flow control valve  116  to a fire condition that opens the at least one sprinkler  104 . As such, the configurability of the dry pipe accelerator system  100  to various sizes and other characteristics of the at least one pipe  108  can be increased. For example, varying the size of the second orifice  156  can allow for a greater range of system pressures to be used for the gas in the at least one pipe  108 , while still achieving target characteristics such as valve trip time and fluid delivery time (e.g., to maintain the fluid delivery time below a target threshold time). The second orifice  156  can be replaceable. For example, various second orifices  156  having various sizes can be manufactured, and selected when configuring the dry pipe accelerator system  100  based on desired operational characteristics. The valve trip time can be affected by factors such as system gas pressure and sizes of orifices  136 ,  156 . For example, a relatively higher gas pressure in the at least one pipe  108  can result in a faster discharge of air (e.g., via orifices  136 ,  156 ), but can require a larger volume of air to be discharged for the valve to reach its trip point (e.g., flow control valve  116 , other valves that may have gas on one side of the valve). A relatively lower gas pressure in the at least one pipe can result in a slower discharge of air, but can require a lesser volume of air to be discharged for the valve to reach its trip point. Varying the size of the second orifice  156  can able a greater range of system pressure to be used to configure the dry pipe accelerator system  100  and take advantage of the effects of system on characteristics such as valve trip time. 
       FIG. 6  depicts an example of a flow control valve  600  that includes a diaphragm  604 . The flow control valve  600  can be used to implement the flow control valve  116  described with reference to  FIG. 1 . The diaphragm  604  can be made of a resilient material. The flow control valve  116  can include a fluid inlet  608  separated from a fluid outlet  612  by the diaphragm  604  when the diaphragm  604  is in a first position as depicted in  FIG. 6 . The fluid inlet  608  can be coupled with the fluid supply  128  depicted in  FIG. 1 , and the fluid outlet can be coupled with the at least one pipe  108  depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     The diaphragm  604  can be disposed in a diaphragm chamber  616  in communication with a chamber supply port  620 . The chamber supply port  620  can be coupled with the reset actuator  180  via the control line  184 , so that fluid in the control line  184  can flow through the chamber supply port  620  into the diaphragm chamber  616  to apply pressure on the diaphragm  604 . The pressure applied on the diaphragm  604  by fluid in the diaphragm chamber  616  can maintain the diaphragm  604  in the first position to prevent fluid flow from the fluid inlet  608  to the fluid outlet  612 . 
     As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1 , pressure in the control line  184  can decrease when the reset actuator  180  is triggered to output fluid through the actuator line  172  and out of the drain  176 . When pressure in the control line  184  decreases, pressure in the diaphragm chamber  616  can decrease. When pressure in the diaphragm chamber  616  decreases to be less than a threshold corresponding to operation of the diaphragm  604  (e.g., based on factors such as flexibility of the diaphragm  604 , a bias of the diaphragm  604 , and fluid pressure applied by fluid in the fluid inlet  608  on the diaphragm  604 ), the diaphragm  604  can move away from the first position and away from the fluid inlet  608  and the fluid outlet  612 , allowing fluid in the fluid inlet  608  to flow through a space occupied by the diaphragm  604  when the diaphragm  604  was in the first position to the fluid outlet  612 . 
     The flow control valve  600  can include a port  624 . The port  624  can be coupled with at least one of atmosphere or an alarm. For example, when the diaphragm  604  moves away from the first position, fluid can flow through the port  624  to an alarm to cause the alarm to output an indication of a fire condition. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a dry pipe accelerator system  700  that uses a flow control valve  704  including a clapper  708 . The flow control valve  704  can be the DPV-1 manufactured by Tyco Fire Products. The flow control valve  704  can include a fluid inlet port  712  coupled with a fluid chamber  716 . The fluid inlet port  712  can receive fluid from the fluid supply  128 . The flow control valve  704  can include a fluid outlet port  720  coupled with a gas chamber  724 . The fluid inlet port  712  can be coupled with the at least one pipe  108  to receive gas from the at least one pipe  108 . 
     The fluid in the fluid chamber  716  can apply a force on the clapper  708  in a direction towards the gas chamber  724 , and the gas chamber  724  can apply a force on the clapper  708  in a direction towards the fluid chamber  716 . As depicted in  FIG. 7 , the clapper  708  can be held in a first position that prevents fluid from flowing from the fluid chamber  716  through the gas chamber  724  based on these forces. The clapper  708  may be biased to the first position (e.g., using a spring). When pressure in the gas chamber  724  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  708 ), the clapper  708  can be moved away from the fluid chamber  716 , such as to rotate in the direction  710 , allowing fluid to flow from the fluid supply  128  through the flow control valve  704  and into the at least one pipe  108 . 
     The flow control valve  704  can include an alarm port  728  coupled with the vent  144  of the accelerator  140  and with the gas chamber  724 . When the accelerator  140  is triggered by decrease of pressure in the at least one pipe  108 , gas can flow from the gas chamber  724  through the vent  144  and out of the accelerator  140 , accelerating opening of the flow control valve  704 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts a method  800  of operating a dry pipe accelerator system. The method  800  can be implemented using various devices and systems described herein, such as the dry pipe accelerator system  100  and the dry pipe accelerator system  700 . 
     At  805 , an accelerator can be coupled with a piping system. The piping system can include at least one pipe coupled with at least one sprinkler. The at least one sprinkler can change from a closed state to an open state in response to a fire condition, such as when a thermal element (e.g., glass bulb) of the at least one sprinkler breaks due to heat from the fire condition. The accelerator can include a plurality of openings that couple with the piping system. For example, the accelerator can include a first accelerator opening coupled with a first connection point of the piping system and a second accelerator opening coupled with a second connection point of the piping system. The accelerator can include a vent. 
     A pilot actuator may be coupled with the piping system. For example, the pilot actuator can include a first actuator port coupled with the piping system by a segment of the piping system that begins upstream of the accelerator, and a second actuator port coupled with an actuator line. A reset actuator may be coupled with the pilot actuator. For example, the reset actuator can include a third actuator port coupled with the actuator line. The reset actuator can include a fourth actuator port coupled with a first fluid supply, and a fifth actuator port coupled with a control line. 
     At  810 , a flow control valve is coupled with the piping system. The flow control valve may include a valve inlet coupled with a second fluid supply, and a valve outlet coupled with the at least one pipe. The flow control valve may include a diaphragm supply port coupled with the control line coupled with the reset actuator, and a diaphragm in a diaphragm chamber coupled with the diaphragm supply port that moves from a first state prevent flow from the valve inlet to the valve outlet when pressure in the diaphragm chamber decreases below a first pressure threshold. The flow control valve may include an alarm port coupled with the vent of the accelerator and a gas chamber coupled with the valve outlet, and a clapper that can move from a first clapper position that prevents fluid from flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet to a second clapper position in which the valve inlet and valve outlet are in fluid communication when pressure in the gas chamber decreases below a second pressure threshold. 
     At  815 , a fluid delivery time is estimated. The fluid delivery time may correspond to a time from when the at least one sprinkler opens to when fluid is outputted from the at least one sprinkler. The fluid delivery time may be estimated using a software model of the piping system, such as the TYCO SPRINKCAD software. For example, the fluid delivery time can be estimated by modeling the sprinkler system as pipes connected by nodes (e.g., transitions from one pipe size to another, elbows, bends, tees and laterals for dividing or mixing streams, valves, and discharge points such as an inspector&#39;s test connection, open sprinkler), and based on conditions such as types of water supply (e.g., constant pressure, variable pressure, pump ramp-up), as well as flow properties of the gas or fluid. 
     A valve trip time may be estimated. The valve trip time can be a time from when the at least one sprinkler opens to when the flow control valve is operated to connect the valve inlet to the valve outlet. 
     At  820 , at least one orifice is selected. The at least one orifice can be selected based on at least one of the fluid delivery time and the valve trip time. For example, the at least one orifice can be selected to have a size that maintains the fluid delivery time below a maximum threshold fluid delivery time, such as 60 seconds. 
     The at least one orifice may include a first orifice, which can be selected to be coupled with the piping system between the at least one sprinkler and the accelerator. The first orifice may be used with various flow control valves, including the flow control valve that includes the diaphragm or the flow control valve that includes the clapper. 
     The at least one orifice may include a second orifice, such as for use with the flow control valve that includes the diaphragm. The second orifice can have a size greater than that of the first orifice, such as an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the first orifice. The second orifice can be selected to for coupling with the piping system upstream of the first orifice, such as to cooperate with the first orifice to enable effective operation of the accelerator within the target performance conditions. 
     At  820 , the at least one orifice is coupled with the piping system. The first orifice can be coupled with the piping system between the at least one sprinkler and the accelerator. The second orifice can be coupled with the piping system upstream of the first orifice where the piping system uses a flow control valve that includes a diaphragm. 
     Having now described some illustrative implementations, it is apparent that the foregoing is illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of example. In particular, although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, those acts and those elements can be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed in connection with one implementation are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other implementations or implementations. 
     The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” “comprising” “having” “containing” “involving” “characterized by” “characterized in that” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, equivalents thereof, and additional items, as well as alternate implementations consisting of the items listed thereafter exclusively. In one implementation, the systems and methods described herein consist of one, each combination of more than one, or all of the described elements, acts, or components. 
     Any references to implementations or elements or acts of the systems and methods herein referred to in the singular can also embrace implementations including a plurality of these elements, and any references in plural to any implementation or element or act herein can also embrace implementations including only a single element. References in the singular or plural form are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components, acts, or elements to single or plural configurations. References to any act or element being based on any information, act or element can include implementations where the act or element is based at least in part on any information, act, or element. 
     Any implementation disclosed herein can be combined with any other implementation or embodiment, and references to “an implementation,” “some implementations,” “one implementation” or the like are not necessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation can be included in at least one implementation or embodiment. Such terms as used herein are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation. Any implementation can be combined with any other implementation, inclusively or exclusively, in any manner consistent with the aspects and implementations disclosed herein. 
     Where technical features in the drawings, detailed description or any claim are followed by reference signs, the reference signs have been included to increase the intelligibility of the drawings, detailed description, and claims. Accordingly, neither the reference signs nor their absence have any limiting effect on the scope of any claim elements. 
     Systems and methods described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the characteristics thereof. Further relative parallel, perpendicular, vertical or other positioning or orientation descriptions include variations within +/−10% or +/−10 degrees of pure vertical, parallel or perpendicular positioning. References to “approximately,” “about” “substantially” or other terms of degree include variations of +/−10% from the given measurement, unit, or range unless explicitly indicated otherwise. Coupled elements can be electrically, mechanically, or physically coupled with one another directly or with intervening elements. Scope of the systems and methods described herein is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are embraced therein. 
     The term “coupled” and variations thereof includes the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly with or to each other, with the two members coupled with each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled with 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 may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic. 
     References to “or” can be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” can indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. A reference to “at least one of ‘A’ and ‘B’” can include only ‘A’, only ‘B’, as well as both ‘A’ and ‘B’. Such references used in conjunction with “comprising” or other open terminology can include additional items. 
     Modifications of described elements and acts such as variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations can occur without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed can be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be altered or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions can also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the disclosed elements and operations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     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 may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.