Fire suppression system with reconfigurable manifold

Abstract

A fire suppression system includes a first suppressant container containing a first fire suppressant and a second suppressant container containing a second fire suppressant, a fitting fluidly coupled to the first cylinder and the second cylinder, and a valve positioned downstream of the fitting. The fitting is configured to receive the first fire suppressant and the second fire suppressant and supply a combined flow of the fire suppressant. The valve is configured to selectively supply the combined flow of fire suppressant to a hazard.

Description

Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM WITH RECONFIGURABLE MANIFOLDCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 699,501, filed on September 26, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND

[0002] Fire suppression systems are commonly used to protect an area and objects within the area from fire. Fire suppression systems can be activated manually or automatically in response to an indication that a fire is present nearby (e.g., an increase in ambient temperature beyond a predetermined threshold value, etc.). Once activated, fire suppression systems spread a fire suppressant (e.g., an agent) throughout the area. The fire suppressant then extinguishes or otherwise controls the fire.SUMMARY

[0003] At least one embodiment relates to a fire suppression system including: a first suppressant container containing a first fire suppressant and a second suppressant container containing a second fire suppressant; a fitting fluidly coupled to the first cylinder and the second cylinder; and a valve positioned downstream of the fitting. The fitting is configured to receive the first fire suppressant and the second fire suppressant and supply a combined flow of the fire suppressant. The valve is configured to selectively supply the combined flow of fire suppressant to a hazard.

[0004] Another embodiment relates to a method of suppressing a fire. The method includes: supplying a first volume of a fire suppressant from a first suppressant container to a first inlet of a fitting; supplying a second volume of the fire suppressant from a second suppressant container to a second inlet of the fitting; receiving, from an outlet of the fitting, a combined flow of the fire suppressant including the first volume and the second volume; and directing the combined flow of the fire suppressant toward a hazard.- 1 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555

[0005] Another embodiment relates to a fire suppression system including: a first suppressant container containing a first fire suppressant; a second suppressant container containing a second fire suppressant; a third suppressant container containing a third fire suppressant; a fourth suppressant container containing a fourth fire suppressant; a manifold defining a first manifold inlet and a second manifold inlet; a first fitting removably coupled to the manifold; a second fitting removably coupled to the manifold; and a valve configured to receive the first fire suppressant, the second fire suppressant, the third fire suppressant, and the fourth fire suppressant from the manifold and selectively supply a combined flow of fire suppressant to a hazard. The first fitting includes: a first inlet passage fluidly coupled to the first suppressant container; a second inlet passage fluidly coupled to the second suppressant container; and a first outlet passage fluidly coupled to the first manifold inlet. The second fitting includes: a third inlet passage fluidly coupled to the third suppressant container; a fourth inlet passage fluidly coupled to the fourth suppressant container; and a second outlet passage fluidly coupled to the second manifold inlet.

[0006] This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007] The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:

[0008] FIG. l is a schematic of a fire suppression system, according to an embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system for the fire suppression system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic of a fire suppressant supply of the fire suppression system of FIG. 1.- 2 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555

[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a wye fitting of the fire suppression system of FIG.3.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view the fire suppressant supply of FIG. 3 including the wye fitting of FIG. 4.

[0013] FIG 6. is a cross-sectional perspective view of the fire suppressant supply of FIG. 5.

[0014] FIG. 7 is another cross-sectional perspective view of the fire suppressant supply of FIG. 5.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fitting of the fire suppression system of FIG. 1, according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the fitting of FIG. 8.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a fie suppressant supply of the fire suppression system of FIG. 1 including the fitting of FIG. 8, according to an exemplary embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0019] Water is commonly used in fire suppression systems that suppress fires in different types of areas (e.g., office buildings, homes, schools, etc.). Water is often effective at extinguishing fires fueled by common flammable materials such as wood, paper, and cloth. However, in certain scenarios, water may be undesirable for use as a fire suppressant. When extinguishing fires near certain types of objects, such as books or electronic components, exposure to water can damage the objects that the fire suppression system is designed to protect. Accordingly, in certain environments, such as power plants, telecommunications facilities, aircraft, transport, data centers, medical facilities, and museums, application-- 3 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 specific suppressants (e.g., noble gasses, inergen IG-541, IG-55, inert gas mixture, etc.) are used to suppress fires instead of and / or in addition to water. These chemicals may be configured to suppress or control fires without causing damage to sensitive objects or requiring extensive clean-up.

[0020] Referring generally to the figures, a fire suppression system is shown according to various embodiments. The fire suppression system can include a series of fire suppressant supply branches connected by a manifold. Each branch can include one or more fire suppressant tanks containing a fire suppressant. The manifold can fluidly couple the fire suppressant tanks to a series of downstream valves. One or more of the supply branches can include multiple fire suppressant tanks connected to the manifold through a single manifold aperture. To unite or combine the flows of multiple suppressant tanks, such a branch can utilize one or more wye fittings. Each wye fitting can include a pair of inlet passages connected to a single outlet passage, such that the flows through the inlet passages are united in the outlet passage. By connecting several fire suppressant tanks to a single manifold aperture, the size of the system can be reduced relative to a system that connects a single suppressant tank to each aperture. For example, by utilizing the wye fittings, the number of manifold apertures can be reduced, and the overall size of the manifold can be reduced. Additionally, the wye fittings can be connected directly to one another to accommodate additional fire suppressant tanks in a single supply branch, permitting a single manifold to be reconfigured for use with systems of different sizes.

[0021] Alternatively, one or more of the wye fittings may be replaced with a fitting having a first inlet passage that extends substantially perpendicular to an outlet passage and a second inlet passage. Similar to the wye fittings, each inlet passage may fluidly couple one or more suppressant tanks to the outlet passage, and the outlet passage may be fluidly coupled to a manifold aperture. To accommodate the connections between the fitting and other components, the first inlet passage may be offset away from the manifold to prevent interference between the components and the manifold.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, a fire suppression system is shown as fire suppression system 10, according to one embodiment. The fire suppression system 10 is configured to supply fire suppressant to one or more potentially flammable objects or areas to be protected, shown as- 4 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 hazards 54, 55, and 56. The fire suppression system 10 includes a supply of fire suppressant (e.g., a suppressant supply assembly), shown as fire suppressant supply 100, which provides the fire suppressant for distribution by the fire suppression system 10 to address the hazards 54, 55, and 56. The fire suppression system 10 supplies the fire suppressant onto and / or around the hazards 54, 55, 56, controlling or suppressing fires associated with (e.g., on, affecting, nearby, etc.) the hazards 54, 55, 56.

[0023] The fire suppression system 10 includes a processing circuit, shown as controller 30. The controller 30 can selectively operate one or more control valves (e.g., electrically- actuated valves, pneumatically-actuated valves, etc.), shown as selector valves 51, 52, and 53, based on an activation signal.

[0024] A distribution manifold 40 fluidly couples the selector valves 51, 52, and 53 to the fire suppressant supply 100. The distribution manifold 40 supplies the fire suppressant to a distribution network 50 downstream from selector valves 51, 52, 53 at a decreased pressure, where the fire suppressant is then distributed to address the hazards 54, 55, and 56. The fire suppression system 10 can be used alone or in combination with other types of fire suppression systems (e.g., a building sprinkler system, a portable fire extinguisher, etc.). In some embodiments, multiple fire suppression systems 10 are used in combination with one another to cover a larger area (e.g., each in different rooms of a building, etc.).

[0025] In some embodiments, the fire suppression system 10 is a clean agent system that is configured to suppress fires associated with the hazards 54, 55, 56 while limiting damage to nearby assets. The fire suppressant distributed by the fire suppression system 10 may include a clean agent fire suppressant such as Inergen IG-541. The fire suppressant can include a noble gas, IG-55, IG-01, IG-100, and / or any other inert gas or mixture of gases. Clean agents are useful in certain applications where delicate and / or valuable items or information (e.g., hard drives, power supplies, books, etc.) are stored. By way of example, the fire suppression system 10 may be used to protect telecommunication sites, data centers, archives, museums, oil and gas facilities, power plants, or other areas. The clean agent fire suppressant may leave no or substantially no residue on the assets after distributed by the fire suppression system 10. In other embodiments, the fire suppression system 10 utilizes other types of agents.- 5 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555

[0026] The fire suppressant supply 100 includes a series of containers (e.g., vessels, suppressant containers, vats, drums, tanks, canisters, cartridges, cylinders, suppressant cylinders or cans, etc.), shown as tanks 110, that each contain a volume of fire suppressant. The tanks 110 are arranged in groups or subassemblies, shown as supply branches 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116. The supply branches 112, 114, 114, 115, and 116 each contain one or more tank subassemblies or supply subassemblies, shown as tank assemblies 120. As shown in FIG. 1, each tank assembly 120 includes a tank 110, an actuator 102, a supply conduit 104 (e.g., a hose or pipe), a check valve 105, a pressure regulator 106, and a pressure sensor 107. In other embodiments, one or more of these components are omitted or the tank assembly 120 is reconfigured using alternative components. For ease of illustration in FIG. 1, the contents of one tank assembly 120 are shown in detail, and the other tank assemblies 120 are shown in a simplified format. It should be understood, however, that all of the tank assemblies 120 shown in FIG. 1 may include similar components.

[0027] Each tank 110 is coupled to a valve, puncture device, or activator assembly, shown as actuator 102. The actuators 102 are configured to selectively couple an internal volume of each tank 110 to a conduit (e.g., a hose, a pipe, a tube, etc.), shown as supply conduit 104. In some embodiments, the actuators 102 are manually actuated by a user (e.g., by hand). By way of example, an operator may manually open the actuators 102 when initially setting up the fire suppression system 10. In other embodiments, the actuators 102 are actuated by a signal (e.g., an electrical signal, a flow of pressurized fluid, etc.). In other embodiments, the actuators 102 are omitted, and the tanks 110 are directly coupled to the supply conduit 104.

[0028] A sensor (e.g., pressure sensor, strain-gauge, piezometer, manometer, etc.), shown as pressure sensor 107, is coupled to the tank assembly 120 (e.g., to an individual tank 110) and is configured to detect the pressure of the fire suppressant within the tank assembly 120. The pressure sensor 107 may be used to monitor the performance of the fire suppression system 10 and indicate if maintenance is required. By way of example, the pressure sensor 107 may measure a pressure of the tank assembly 120 and send an indication to the controller 30 that maintenance is required (e.g., to address a leak in the supply conduit, etc.) if the measured pressure is higher or lower than a pressure threshold. Each tank assembly 120 may be coupled to a different pressure sensor 107. The pressure sensor 107 is operatively coupled to- 6 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 the controller 30. In other embodiments, a single pressure sensor 107 may monitor the pressure of multiple tank assemblies 120, a supply branch 112, or the entire fire suppression system 10 and be located in an alternative location in the fire suppression system 10.

[0029] The supply conduit 104 (e.g., a hose, a pipe, a tube, etc.) fluidly couples the tanks 110 and the corresponding attached components (e.g., the actuator 102, the pressure sensor 107) to a main manifold 47 and the corresponding attached components (e.g., check valve 105, pressure regulator 106). The supply conduit 104 may be an assembly including one or more straight or bent sections of conduit and / or one or more fittings. The supply conduit 104 may include rigid sections and / or flexible sections of conduit. In some embodiments, the fire suppressant within the tanks 110 is pressurized to at least 200 bar (e.g., at least 205 bar, at least 210 bar, etc.). In other embodiments, the fire suppressant contained in one or more tanks 110 may be at different pressures (e.g., a pressure less than 200 bar). In other embodiments, the fire suppressant within the tanks 110 is pressurized to at least 300 bar.

[0030] Each tank assembly 120 may include a flow control element, shown as check valve 105, positioned between the tanks 110 and the corresponding pressure regulator 106. By way of example, the check valve 105 may be positioned between the supply conduit 104 and the pressure regulator 106. The check valve 105 fluidly couples the tanks 110 of the tank assembly 120 to the corresponding pressure regulator 106. The check valve 105 permits flow from the tanks 110 to the pressure regulator 106 and limits (e.g., prevents) flow from the pressure regulator 106 back to the tanks 110.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the fire suppression system 10 can include at least one wye fitting 28. The wye fitting 28 can be a wye-shaped pipe fitting or coupler. For example, as depicted in FIG. 3, a wye fitting 28 can couple multiple tanks 110 with the main manifold 47 through a single manifold aperture. As shown, each wye fitting 28 in FIG. 3 includes a first inlet passage, branch, or portion, shown as oblique inlet 205, a second inlet passage, branch, or portion, shown as parallel inlet 206, and an outlet passage or portion, shown as outlet 207. The outlet 207 is fluidly coupled to both the oblique inlet 205 and the parallel inlet 206, such that fire suppressant from the oblique inlet 205 and the parallel inlet 206 merges, joins, or unites and exits through the outlet 207.- 7 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, multiple tank assemblies 120 may be fluidly coupled to the main manifold 47 through a single manifold aperture 21. For example, the tank assemblies 120 can be joined by as the wye fitting 28 (e.g., as shown within the supply branches 113, 114, 115, and 116). Each wye fitting 28 can include a single pipe outlet fluidly coupled to two or more tank assemblies 120. For example, each wye fitting 28 can have two pipe inlets connected to a single pipe outlet. The pipe outlet may be fluidly coupled to the main manifold 47 (e.g., a manifold aperture) or to another fitting (e.g., a wye fitting 28). As shown in various examples in FIG. 1, the wye fittings 28 may fluidly couple (e.g., merge or joins the flows of fire suppressant from) (a) two tank assemblies, (b) two wye fittings 28, and / or (c) a tank and a wye fitting. Alternatively, a single tank assembly 120 may be directly fluidly coupled to the main manifold 47 through a single manifold aperture 21 without the use of a wye fitting 28 (e.g., as shown in the supply branch 112). Beneficially, a wye fitting 28 may permit multiple tanks 110 to be fluidly coupled to a single manifold aperture 21. When compared to a system in which each tank 110 is connected through a corresponding single manifold aperture 21, the necessary quantity of manifold apertures 21 is reduced. The wye fittings 28 permit a given size of manifold to service a variety of different system sizes (e.g., with a different number of tanks 110), thus decreasing the number of unique manifolds that an installer is required to stock. Furthermore, the size of the main manifold 47 can be reduced, reducing the space claim of the system.

[0033] Each tank 110 may be a non-refillable tank designed for one-time use, such that the tanks 110 are not refilled or reused. In other embodiments, each tank 110 is refillable and capable of repeated use. Each tank 110 may be manufactured from a metal material (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.). In other embodiments, the tanks 110 are manufactured from different materials and / or combinations of materials (e.g., a composite, such as fiberglass or carbon fiber).

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, each tank assembly 120 includes a pressure regulator 106. Each pressure regulator 106 receives fire suppressant from one or more of the tanks 110 at a first pressure and delivers the fire suppressant downstream (e.g., to a wye fitting 28, to the main manifold 47, etc.) at a second pressure lower than the first pressure. As shown, the pressure regulators 106 each fluidly couple a tank 110 to a wye fitting 28 and / or the manifold- 8 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 assembly.

[0035] Each pressure regulator 106 may be a pressure reducing regulator that maintains the pressure downstream of the pressure regulator 106 (e.g., the reduced second pressure in the main manifold 47) at a desired pressure. When the downstream pressure falls below the desired pressure, the pressure regulator 106 may permit fire suppressant from the tanks 110 to pass through the pressure regulator 106. When the downstream pressure reaches the desired pressure, the pressure regulator 106 may prevent further fire suppressant from passing through the pressure regulator 106. While the downstream pressure remains at or above the desired pressure, the pressure regulator 106 may prevent additional fire suppressant from flowing through the pressure regulator 106. The desired pressure may be predetermined (e.g., preset by an operator when initially installing the fire suppression system 10).

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, a manifold, shown as distribution manifold 40, fluidly couples the downstream sides of the supply branches 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116 to one another and to one or more valves (e.g., selector valves, ball valves, slide valves, pressure regulating valves, etc.), shown as a first selector valve 51, a second selector valve 52, and a third selector valve 53. As shown, the distribution manifold 40 includes a first section or portion or inlet manifold portion, shown as main manifold 47, fluidly coupled to a second section or portion or outlet manifold portion, shown as valve manifold 48. The main manifold 47 couples to the supply branches and the valve manifold 48 couples to the selector valves. In other embodiments, the distribution manifold 40 is connected to more or fewer supply branches and / or selector valves.

[0037] As shown, each manifold aperture of the main manifold 47 is directly fluidly coupled to either a wye pipe fitting 28, in the case of multiple tank assemblies 120 connected to a single manifold aperture 21, or a pressure regulator 106, in the case of a single tank assembly attached to a single manifold aperture. The main manifold 47 unites the flow of fire suppressant downstream of each of the supply branches 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116. The valve manifold 48 is directly fluidly coupled to the selector valves 51, 52, and 53. The valve manifold 48 distributes the united flow of fire suppressant to each of the selector valves 51, 52 and 53. Accordingly, the main manifold 47 and the valve manifold 48 fluidly couple the supply branches 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116 to the first, second, and third selector valves 51,- 9 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-155552, 53. The distribution manifold 40 may define a single, continuous manifold volume that extends uninterrupted throughout the main manifold 47 and the valve manifold 48 from the pressure the supply branches 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116 to the selector valves 51, 52, and53. In some embodiments, the distribution manifold 40 is a single, continuous piece (e.g., a weldment of several pipes). In other embodiments, the distribution manifold 40 is formed from several pieces coupled to one another (e.g., hoses or pipes coupled by one or more fittings, etc.).

[0038] In some embodiments, two or more of the tank assemblies 120 may be at different pressures before and / or after supplying the fire suppressant to the pressure regulator 106. By way of example, the fire suppressant within the tanks 110 of a first tank assembly 120 may be pressurized to 200 bar, and the fire suppressant within the tanks 110 of a second tank assembly 120 may be pressurized to 300 bar before and / or after supplying the fire suppressant to the pressure regulator 106. Regardless of this discrepancy in the first pressure on the upstream sides of the pressure regulators 106, the pressure regulators 106 may regulate the second pressure downstream of the pressure regulators 106 to be equal, such that the pressure within the main manifold 47 may be substantially consistent throughout the main manifold 47.

[0039] The pressure regulators 106 supply the fire suppressant at the reduced second pressure to the distribution manifold 40 and facilitate a constant discharge. By reducing the pressure of the fire suppressant prior to (e.g., upstream of) the fire suppressant reaching the distribution manifold 40, the pressure regulators 106 may reduce stresses (e.g., hoop stresses, fatigue stresses, etc.) experienced by the distribution manifold 40 and / or other components downstream of the pressure regulators 106. Therefore, the pressure regulator 106 facilitates using lower strength materials to be used for the distribution manifold 40, reducing the overall cost of the fire suppression system 10.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, the fire suppression system 10 includes a control system 300. The control system 300 includes the controller 30. The controller 30 includes a processor 32 in communication with a memory device, shown as memory 34. The memory may contain one or more instructions that, when executed by the processor 32, cause the controller 30 to control various components of the control system 300 to perform one or more operations- 10 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 described herein.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the controller 30 may be operatively coupled to one or more of the actuators 102, the pressure sensor 107, or the selector valves 51, 52, 53. The controller 30 is configured to activate the selector valve 51 to supply the fire suppressant to the hazard 54 in response to an indication that a fire may be present near the hazard 54. The controller 30 may activate the selector valve 52 to supply the fire suppressant to the hazard 55 in response to an indication that a fire may be present near the hazard 55. The controller 30 may activate the selector valve 53 to supply the fire suppressant to the hazard 56 in response to an indication that a fire may be present near the hazard 56.

[0042] Referring further to FIG. 2, the control system 300 includes one or more first activators, sensors, or user interfaces, shown as manual activators 80, operatively coupled to the controller 30. The manual activator 80 may include one or more pull levers, buttons, knobs, switches, touch screens, or any other type of user interface device that facilitates interaction with (e.g., receiving an input from) a user. The manual activators 80 may be marked to indicate that a user should interact with the manual activators 80 (e.g., push a button, pull a pull station, etc.) in the event of a fire. In response to such an interaction, a manual activator 80 sends a fire detection signal to the controller 30 indicating that a fire has been detected or that a user believes that a fire is likely to be present.

[0043] The control system 300 includes one or more second activators, sensors, fire detection sensors, or fire detection devices, shown as automatic activators 90, operatively coupled to the controller 30. The automatic activators 90 may include temperature or heat sensors (e.g., thermocouples, linear detection wires, etc.), smoke detectors, optical sensors (e.g., cameras, infrared sensors, etc.), or other types of sensors configured to detect the presence of a fire or an indication that a fire may be present. In response to such a detection, the automatic activator 90 sends a fire detection signal to the controller 30.

[0044] In response to receiving a detection signal, the controller 30 is configured to send an activation signal to the first, second, and / or third selector valves 51, 52, 53. In some embodiments, the activation signal is an electrical signal. In other embodiments, the activation signal is or causes a flow of pressurized fluid (e.g., gas, liquid) or a movement of a- 11 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 mechanical member (e.g., a cable, a lever, etc.). The controller 30 may send the activation signal to one or more of the first, second, or third selector valves 51, 52, 53. Alternatively, activation of one of the first, second, or third selector valves 51, 52, 53 by the controller 30 may automatically activate the other selector valves. In response to receiving the activation signal, the controller 30 sends a signal to activate the first selector valve 51 based on a determination that the fire is present nearby the first hazard 54. Further, in response to receiving the activation signal, the controller 30 sends a signal to activate the second selector valve 52 based on a determination that the fire is present nearby the second hazard 55. Further, in response to receiving the activation signal, the controller 30 sends a signal to activate the third selector valve 53 based on a determination that the fire is present nearby the third hazard 56. In some embodiments, there may be at least one selector valve configured to supply the fire suppressant to two or more hazards.

[0045] The hazards 54, 55, and 56 (e.g., hazard areas or hazard zones) may be or include any space (e.g., room, building, enclosure, volume, area, etc.) where any asset (e.g., hard drives, power supplies, books, etc.) is stored and there is a risk of fire. Each hazard 54, 55, and 56 may have corresponding manual activators 80 and corresponding automatic activators 90. The manual activators 80 and automatic activators 90 indicate to the controller 30 at which hazard 54, 55, and / or 56 the fire was detected. Each hazard 54, 55, and 56 may have one or more manual activators 80 and automatic activators 90 positioned near the hazard 54, 55, and 56. Accordingly, the selection of which of the selector valves 51, 52, and 53 to activate may be based on which of the manual activator 80 or the automatic activators 90 have supplied the fire detection signal. By way of example, a manual activator 80 and an automatic activator 90 may be positioned near the hazard 54, and this relationship may be predetermined and stored in the memory 34 of the controller 30. In response to receiving a fire detection signal from that manual activator 80 or that automatic activator 90, the controller 30 may activate the selector valve 51 to supply fire suppressant to the hazard 54.

[0046] Activating at least one of the first, second, or third selector valves 51, 52, 53 causes the selector valve to move to an open position and facilitates the flow of the pressurized fire suppressant through the distribution manifold 40 and at least one of the first, second, or third selector valves 51, 52, 53. The fire suppressant may then be supplied to the appropriate- 12 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 hazard 54, 55, or 56 through the distribution network 50. The fire suppressant may be stored in the tanks 110 as a liquid and supplied to the hazard 54, 55, 56 as a gas. The automatic activator 90 may detect that a fire is no longer near the hazard 54, 55, 56 and send a signal to the controller 30 to deactivate at least one of the first, second, or third selector valves 51, 52, 53. By way of example, in response to the deactivation signal, the selector valve moves to a closed position that stops the flow of the pressurized fire suppressant through the distribution manifold 40 and at least one of the first, second, or third selector valves 51, 52, 53.

[0047] The distribution network 50 includes a series of conduit networks, shown as hazard piping networks 58, that supply fire suppressant to nozzles (e.g., open nozzle, sprinkler, etc.), shown as distribution nozzle 57. The fire suppressant is distributed through the distribution nozzles 57 about at least one of the hazards 54, 55, 56 to suppress the detected fires. The hazard piping networks 58 may include one or more straight or bent sections of conduit and / or one or more fittings. The hazard piping networks 58 may be configured to deliver the fire suppressant to the hazards 54, 55, and / or 56 through one or more of the distribution nozzles 57. More distribution nozzles 57 may be needed to control or suppress the hazard 54, 55, and / or 56 if the area of the hazard 54, 55, and / or 56 is large, the intensity of the fire is great, or for other reasons. The fire suppression system 10 may supply fire suppressant through all of the distribution nozzles 57 simultaneously. Alternatively, the fire suppression system 10 may supply fire suppressant through only a certain subset of the distribution nozzles 57. In some embodiments, a fire associated with a hazard is suppressed by the fire suppressant distributed by one or more distribution nozzles 57.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, a first piping network 58 fluidly couples the selector valve 51 to a distribution nozzle 57 associated with the hazard 54. A second piping network 58 fluidly couples the selector valve 52 to a pair of distribution nozzles 57 associated with the hazard 55. A third piping network 58 fluidly couples the selector valve 53 to four distribution nozzles 57 associated with the hazard 56.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the fire suppressant supply 100 fluidly coupled to the main manifold 47. The fire suppressant supply 100 of FIG. 3 includes several different configurations of supply branches, shown as supply branches 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116. In other embodiments, the fire suppressant supply 100 includes supply- 13 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 branches having other arrangements. The fire suppressant supply 100 may include more or fewer supply branches. Each supply branch may be modified to include more or fewer tanks 110 and / or wye fittings 28. Additionally, the wye fittings 28 may be oriented differently within a supply branch of a fixed number of tanks 110. The wye fittings are configurable such that any outlet 207 of a first wye fitting can be coupled directly to any inlet of a second wye fitting or the main manifold 47.

[0050] The supply branch 112 includes a single tank 110 fluidly coupled to the main manifold 47 through a main manifold aperture 21. An actuator 102 and a pressure sensor 107 are coupled to the first tank 110. The suppressant of the first tank 110 passes through a check valve 105 and a pressure regulator 106, such that the first tank 110 is fluidly coupled to the main manifold 47. In other embodiments, one or more of these components may be omitted or located at an alternative position on the supply branch. It should be understood that the arrangements of the other tank assemblies 120 in FIG. 3 may be similar, such that further description of the actuators 102, the pressure sensors 107, the check valves 105, and the pressure regulators 106 in FIG. 3 is omitted for conciseness.

[0051] As shown, the supply branch 113 includes two tanks 110 fluidly coupled to the main manifold 47 through a main manifold aperture 22. A first tank 110 is fluidly coupled to the oblique inlet 205 of a wye fitting 28, and a second tank 110 is fluidly coupled to the parallel inlet 206 of the wye fitting. The outlet 207 of the wye fitting 28 is fluidly coupled to the main manifold aperture 22 of the main manifold 47.

[0052] The supply branch 114 includes three tanks 110 fluidly coupled to the main manifold 47 through a main manifold aperture 23 through two wye fittings 28. A first tank 110 is fluidly coupled to the oblique inlet 205 of a first wye fitting 28, and a second tank 110 is fluidly coupled to the parallel inlet 206 of the first wye fitting 28. The outlet 207 of the first wye fitting 28 is fluidly coupled to the oblique inlet 205 of a second wye fitting 28. A third tank 110 is fluidly coupled to is to the parallel inlet 206 of the second wye fitting 28. The outlet 207 of the second wye fitting 28 is fluidly coupled to the main manifold aperture 23 of the main manifold 47.

[0053] The supply branch 115 fluidly couples four tanks 110 to the main manifold 47- 14 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 through a main manifold aperture 24 with three wye fittings 28. A first tank 110 is fluidly coupled to the oblique inlet 205 of a first wye fitting 28, and a second tank 110 is fluidly coupled to the parallel inlet 206 of the first wye fitting 28. The outlet 207 of the first wye fitting 28 is fluidly coupled to the oblique inlet 205 of a second wye fitting 28. A third tank 110 is fluidly coupled to the parallel inlet 206 of a third wye fitting, and a fourth tank 110 is fluidly coupled to the oblique inlet 205 of the third wye fitting 28. The outlet 207 of the third wye fitting 28 is fluidly coupled to the parallel inlet 206 of the second wye fitting 28. The outlet 207 of the second wye fitting 28 is fluidly coupled to the main manifold aperture 22 of the main manifold 47.

[0054] The supply branch 116 fluidly couples five tanks 110 to the main manifold 47 through a main manifold aperture 25 with four wye fittings 28. A first tank 110 is fluidly coupled to the oblique inlet 205 of a first wye fitting 28, and a second tank 110 is fluidly coupled to the parallel inlet 206 of the first wye fitting 28. The outlet 207 of the first wye fitting 28 is fluidly coupled to the oblique inlet of a second wye fitting 28. A third tank 110 is fluidly coupled to the parallel inlet 206 of the second wye fitting 28. A fourth tank is fluidly coupled to the parallel inlet 206 of a fourth wye fitting 28, and a fifth tank 110 is fluidly coupled to the oblique inlet 205 of the fourth wye fitting 28. The outlet 207 of the fourth wye fitting 28 is fluidly coupled to the parallel inlet 206 of a third wye fitting 28, and the outlet 207 of the second wye fitting 28 is fluidly coupled to the oblique inlet 205 of the third wye fitting 28. The outlet 207 of the third wye fitting 28 is fluidly coupled to the main manifold aperture 25 of the main manifold 47.

[0055] As illustrated with FIG. 3, various quantities of tanks 110 can occupy a single supply branch 112 to supply a single manifold aperture 21. Beneficially, the wye fittings 28 can be easily reconfigured to combine the flows of more or fewer tanks 110 to accommodate systems of different sizes. By way of example, the supply branch 114 may be reconfigured by coupling a third wye fitting 28 to the parallel inlet 206 of the second wye fitting 28. The third tank 110 and an added fourth tank 110 may be coupled to the third wye fitting 28. In this example, the supply branch 114 may now fluidly couple four tanks 110, instead of three, to a single manifold aperture 23. The reconfigurability of the supply branches provides many benefits to the fire suppression system 10. If the fire suppression system 10 were altered so- 15 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 that more or fewer tanks 110 were needed, the main manifold 47 would not need to be altered, thus reducing the complexity of system installation, retrofitting, updating, and / or reconfiguration. Instead of adding another manifold aperture 21, another wye fitting 28 may be coupled to an existing supply branch 112, eliminating the need for a new manifold 47.

[0056] FIGS. 4-7 illustrate the structure of the wye fitting 28, according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the outlet 207 of the wye fitting 28 is fluidly coupled to a main manifold aperture 21 of the main manifold 47. As shown, the oblique inlet 205 and the parallel inlet 206 of the wye fitting 28 are each fluidly coupled to a pressure regulator 106 and a check valve 105. In other arrangements of the wye fitting 28, the outlet 207, the oblique inlet 205, and the parallel inlet 206 are connected to other components of the fire suppression system 10. By way of example, an outlet 207 of a first wye fitting 28 may be coupled to an oblique inlet 205 of a second wye fitting 28.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, the inlet and outlet passages of the wye fitting 28 are surrounded by and defined by a structure, shown as wall 210, having a thickness shown as wall thickness 212. In FIG. 4, the wall thickness 212 of the wye fitting 28 is shown to be uniform throughout the wye fitting 28. In other embodiments, the wall thickness 212 may be non- uniform. As shown, each branch of the wye fitting 28 is generally cylindrical, and each corresponding passage has a corresponding diameter. The outlet 207 is shown as having an outlet diameter 214, the oblique inlet 205 is shown as having an inlet diameter 216, and the parallel inlet 206 is shown as having an inlet diameter 218. The diameters 214, 216, and 218 are shown as being equal in size for each pipe branch. In other embodiments, the outlet diameter 214, the inlet diameter 216, and / or the inlet diameter 218 have different sizes.

[0058] The outlet 207 is shown as a passage extending along an axis, shown as outlet axis 223. The parallel inlet 206 is shown as a passage extending along an axis, shown as parallel inlet axis 222. The oblique inlet 205 shown as a passage extending along an axis, shown as oblique inlet axis 221. Each axis is centered along (e.g., acts as a centerline of) the corresponding passage. Each passage directs suppressant along the corresponding axis, and the flow of the suppressant is constrained by the wall 210. The relative orientations of the axes facilitate the flow from two or more tanks to combine and supply a single manifold aperture 21.- 16 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555

[0059] Each branch of the wye fitting 28 forms a threaded connection 255 coupling the wye fitting 28 with a corresponding component (e.g., the main manifold 47, a pressure regulator 106, another wye fitting 28, etc.) positioned at the end of each corresponding inlet or outlet passage. Each threaded connection 255 includes a component with external or male threads 256 and a component with internal or female threads 257. As shown, the wall 210 along the outlet passage 207 defines a male thread 256 that engages a corresponding female thread 257 of the distribution manifold 40 to couple the wye fitting 28 to the distribution manifold 40. The portions of the wall 210 along the oblique inlet 205 and the parallel inlet 206 each define a female thread 257 that engages a corresponding male thread 256 of the pressure regulators 106 to couple the pressure regulators 106 to the wye fitting 28. By selecting male threads 256 for the outlet passage 207 and female threads 257 for the inlet passages, multiple wye fittings 28 may be directly coupled to one another in series by engaging the female threads 257 of an inlet with the male threads 256 of the outlet 207 of another wye fitting 28. In other embodiments, the outlet passage 207 has female threads 257, and the inlet passages 205 and 206 have male threads 256.

[0060] Each branch of the wye fitting 28 has a first ledge or shoulder, shown as seat 258, that is defined by a portion of the wall 210 extending substantially perpendicular to the corresponding passage, and a second ledge or shoulder, shown as seat 259, that is defined by the wall 210 forming a ledge which defines the end of the corresponding passage and threaded connection 255. The seat 258 and seat 259 engage one another to limit (e.g., prevent) further tightening (e.g., rotation) of the threaded connection 255. The seat 258 engages the external component when the threaded connection 255 is shorter than the threaded portion of the external component. Seat 259 engages the external component when the threaded connection 255 is longer than the threaded portion of the external component. When engaged, the seat 258 prevents further insertion of the corresponding component and prevents further rotation of the component. In some embodiments, the relative sizes, orientations, and positions of the seats and the threads within each threaded connection 255 are controlled during manufacturing of the wye fitting 28. By selecting a precise seat location and threaded connection 255 length, the wye fitting can be rotationally aligned (e.g., clocked) to achieve a desired, predetermined orientation between the wye fitting 28 and the external component (e.g., such that the wye fitting 28 extends perpendicular to a wall).- 17 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555

[0061] In FIG. 4, the outlet axis 223 and the parallel inlet axis 222 are coincident lines (e.g., coaxial, axially aligned), such that the angle between the axes 222 and 223, shown as angle P, is 180 degrees. This parallel arrangement of the arrangement of the inlet axis 222 and the outlet axis 223 facilitates the wye fitting 28 laying flat on a planar surface.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, the oblique inlet axis 221 is oriented at an angle 0 relative to the parallel inlet axis 222. Specifically, as shown the angle 0 is an acute angle, such that the oblique inlet 205 and the parallel inlet 206 each extend away from the outlet 207. In some embodiments, the angle 0 is approximately 45 degrees. By making the angle 0 an acute angle, the wye fitting 28 ensures that both the oblique inlet 205 and the parallel inlet 206 extend downward. In other embodiments, the angle 0 is a different angle (e.g., approximately 90 degrees).

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the wye fitting 28 and the valve manifold 48 are mounted to and extend along a wall 220. The wall 220 is substantially planar and extends vertically.When the parallel inlet axis 222 extends parallel to the wall 220, both of the supply conduits 104 (e.g., the supply conduit 104 coupled to the oblique inlet 205 and the supply conduit 104 coupled to the parallel inlet 206) extend downward from the wye fitting 28 and toward the ground. This orientation may reduce the length of the supply conduits 104 and the strain on the supply conduits 104 required to reach a tank assembly 120 position on the ground below the distribution manifold 40, particularly the supply conduit 104 coupled to the oblique inlet 205. In other embodiments, the angle P may be greater than or less than 180 degrees creating a non-coincident (intersecting) axis. Additionally, in other embodiments the parallel inlet axis 222 is rotated in a second direction which is perpendicular to angle p. If the outlet axis 223 and the parallel inlet axis 222 are not coplanar, the parallel inlet axis 222 may positioned in any such way that the parallel inlet axis 222 intersects with the outlet axis 223 in one point.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the main manifold 47 is depicted mounted to the wall 220 and coupled to one or more wye fittings 28. The main manifold 47 is coupled to the wall 220 with two L-shaped mounting brackets, shown as brackets 230. The bracket 230 mounts the main manifold 47 against the wall so that the manifold apertures 21 and 22 are oriented perpendicular to the plane of the wall 220. In such an embodiment, the tank assembly 120 extends downward from the main manifold 47. When the conduit of the tank assembly 120- 18 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 extends downward, the length of conduit necessary to connect the tank 110 decreases while also reducing conduit strain.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the wye fittings 28 are rotationally aligned (e.g., clocked) so that a plane containing the parallel inlet axis 222 and the oblique inlet axis 221 is perpendicular to the plane of the wall 220. Additionally, these planes for adjacent wye fittings 28 are parallel to one another. Rotationally aligning the wye fitting 28 with a common orientation permits the conduits to extend from the wye fittings 28 parallel to one another, facilitating a more organized fire suppressant supply 100. When the fire suppressant supply 100 is more uniformly organized, less space is wasted, and the space of the overall system is reduced. Each supply conduit 104 extending either from the parallel inlet 206 or the oblique inlet 205 can be spaced and oriented identically, making maintenance and access to components easier. Furthermore, rotationally aligning the wye fittings 28 may become important when connecting multiple wye fittings 28 together. When adjacent wye fittings 28 are not rotationally aligned, there can be interference between the wye fittings 28, supply conduit 104, or other related components. As more wye fittings 28 are added to a single manifold aperture 21, the interference can increase. The wye fittings 28 can be clocked in a uniform direction to prevent lateral interference between supply branches 112.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 8-10, a right angle fitting or T fitting, is shown as fitting 400 according to an exemplary embodiment. The fitting 400 may be used in place of any of the wye fittings 28 described herein. By way of example, the fitting 400 may couple two or more tanks 110 to the distribution manifold 40. By way of another example, the fire suppression system 10 may include multiple fittings 400 coupled to one another in series. Additionally, the fitting 400 may be substantially similar to the wye fitting 28 except as otherwise specified herein.

[0067] The fitting 400 includes a body having a first side or face, shown as front face 402, a second side or face, shown as rear face 404, and a series of sides or faces, shown as sides 406. The front face 402 and the rear face 404 are flat and face in opposing directions. The sides 406 each extend between the front face 402 and the rear face 404. The fitting 400 has six of the sides 406 arranged in a hexagonal pattern. The hexagonal arrangement of the sides 406 may facilitate coupling the fitting 400 to a wrench to applying a torque to the fitting 400- 19 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555(e.g., during assembly or disassembly).

[0068] The fitting 400 defines an outlet 207 extending inward from the rear face 404 along a outlet axis 223. The outlet axis 223 extends substantially perpendicular to the rear face 404. The fitting 400 defines a parallel inlet 206 extending inward from the front face 402 along a parallel inlet axis 222. The parallel inlet axis 222 extends substantially perpendicular to the front face 402. The outlet axis 223 and the parallel inlet axis 222 are coaxial, such that an angle P between the outlet axis 223 and the parallel inlet axis 222 is approximately 180 degrees. The outlet axis 223 and the parallel inlet axis 222 are approximately centered between the sides 406. Accordingly, the fitting 400 may rotate about the outlet axis 223 and the parallel inlet axis 222 when a torque is applied to the fitting 400 through the sides 406.

[0069] The fitting 400 further defines a passage, shown as inlet 410, that extends inward from one of the sides 406 along an inlet axis 412. The inlet axis 412 extends substantially perpendicular to the side 406. The inlet 410 intersects the parallel inlet 206 and the outlet 207, fluidly coupling the parallel inlet 206, the outlet 207, and the inlet 410. As shown, an angle 0 is defined between the parallel inlet axis 222 and the inlet axis 412. As shown, the angle 0 is approximately 90 degrees.

[0070] As shown, the parallel inlet 206, the outlet 207, and the inlet 410 are all female passage configured to receive a fitting or connector to fluidly couple the parallel inlet 206, the outlet 207, or the inlet 410 to a pressure regulator 106, the distribution manifold, or another fitting 400. In some embodiments, the parallel inlet 206, the outlet 207, and the inlet 410 are threaded to engage a male threaded fitting or connector. In some embodiments, the parallel inlet 206, the outlet 207, and / or the inlet 410 utilize a tapered thread (e.g., a National Pipe Tapered Thread) connection to form a tight, self-sealing connection.

[0071] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of the fitting 400 coupling a pair of tank assemblies 120 to a distribution manifold 40. As shown in FIG. 10, when assembling the fitting 400 with the distribution manifold 40, the outlet 207 may be threaded onto a male portion of the distribution manifold that defines a manifold aperture 21. The fitting 400 may be tightened onto the male portion of the distribution manifold by applying a torque about the outlet axis 223 through the sides 406 (e.g., with a wrench). A pressure regulator 106 may be threaded- 20 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 into each of the parallel inlet 206 and the inlet 410, fluidly coupling a pair of tank assemblies 120 to the manifold aperture 21. The sides 406 may be held with a wrench or other tool when tightening the pressure regulator 106 to limit movement of the fitting 400.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the inlet axis 412 is offset from the front face 402 and the rear face 404, such that the inlet axis 412 is not centered between the front face 402 and the rear face 404. Specifically, a distance between the inlet axis 412 and the front face 402 is less than a distance between the inlet axis 412 and the rear face 404. This offset may facilitate assembly of the pressure regulator 106 into the inlet 410 without interference from the distribution manifold 40. By offsetting the inlet axis 412 away from the rear face 404, the pressure regulator 106 is moved away from the distribution manifold, providing clearance for the pressure regulator 106 to rotate and for a tool (e.g., a wrench) to move between the pressure regulator 106 and the distribution manifold 40.

[0073] As utilized herein with respect to numerical ranges, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms generally mean + / - 10% of the disclosed values. When the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are applied to a structural feature (e.g., to describe its shape, size, orientation, direction, etc.), these terms are meant to cover minor variations in structure that may result from, for example, the manufacturing or assembly process and are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that 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.

[0074] 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).

[0075] The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two- 21 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 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 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 may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

[0076] 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.

[0077] The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. The memory (e.g., memory,- 22 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 memory unit, storage device) may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage) for storing data and / or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one or more processes described herein.

[0078] The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine- readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

[0079] Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial- 23 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.

[0080] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the fire suppression system as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein.4913-381 1 -5928

Claims

Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A fire suppression system, comprising: a first suppressant container containing a first fire suppressant and a second suppressant container containing a second fire suppressant; a fitting fluidly coupled to the first cylinder and the second cylinder, wherein the fitting is configured to receive the first fire suppressant and the second fire suppressant and supply a combined flow of the fire suppressant; and a valve positioned downstream of the fitting and configured to selectively supply the combined flow of fire suppressant to a hazard.

2. The fire suppression system of claim 1, wherein the fitting defines: a first inlet passage extending along a first inlet axis and fluidly coupled to the first suppressant container; a second inlet passage extending along a second inlet axis and fluidly coupled to the second suppressant container; and an outlet passage extending along an outlet axis, wherein the first inlet passage and the second inlet passage extend downward from the outlet passage.

3. The fire suppression system of claim 2, the first inlet axis is substantially parallel to the outlet axis.

4. The fire suppression system of claim 2, wherein an angle between the first inlet passage and the second inlet passage is smaller than an angle between the second inlet passage and the outlet passage.

5. The fire suppression system of claim 2, wherein the first inlet axis and the second inlet axis extend within a plane, wherein the fitting is coupled to a wall, and wherein the plane extends substantially perpendicular to the wall.

6. The fire suppression system of claim 2, wherein the fitting is a first fitting and the outlet passage is a first outlet passage, further comprising:- 25 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1555 a third suppressant container; a fourth suppressant container; and a second fitting having a third inlet passage fluidly coupled to the third suppressant container, a fourth inlet passage fluidly coupled to the fourth suppressant container, and a second outlet passage.

7. The fire suppression system of claim 6, wherein the plane is a first plane, wherein the third inlet passage extends along a third inlet axis, wherein the fourth inlet passage extends along a fourth inlet axis, and wherein the third inlet axis and the fourth inlet axis extend within a second plane parallel to the first plane.

8. The fire suppression system of claim 7, wherein the first fitting and the second fitting are coupled to a wall, and wherein the first plane extends substantially perpendicular to the wall.

9. The fire suppression system of claim 1, further comprising a manifold defining a manifold inlet, wherein the fitting is removably coupled to the manifold, and wherein the fitting is positioned to supply the combined flow of fire suppressant to the manifold inlet.

10. The fire suppression system of claim 9, wherein the fitting includes a threaded portion in threaded engagement with the manifold, and wherein the fitting includes a shoulder engaging the manifold to limit movement of the fitting relative to the manifold.

11. The fire suppression system of claim 10, wherein the threaded portion includes external threads, and wherein the shoulder extends radially outward from the threaded portion.- 26 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-155512. The fire suppression system of claim 1, wherein the fitting is a first fitting, further comprising: a third suppressant container; and a second fitting fluidly coupling the second suppressant container and the third suppressant container to the first fitting.

13. The fire suppression system of claim 12, wherein the second fitting is in threaded engagement with the first fitting to removably couple the second fitting to the first fitting.

14. The fire suppression system of claim 1, further comprising a first pressure regulator fluidly coupled to the first suppressant container and a second pressure regulator fluidly coupled to the second suppressant container.

15. The fire suppression system of claim 1, wherein the fitting defines: a first inlet passage extending along a first inlet axis and fluidly coupled to the first suppressant container; a second inlet passage extending along a second inlet axis and fluidly coupled to the second suppressant container; and an outlet passage extending along an outlet axis, wherein the second inlet axis is substantially perpendicular to the first inlet passage and the outlet passage.

16. The fire suppression system of claim 15, wherein the first inlet passage extends inward from a first face of the fitting, wherein the outlet passage extends inward from a second face of the fitting, and wherein a first distance between the second inlet axis and the first face is shorter than a second distance between the second inlet axis and the second face.- 27 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-155517. A method of suppressing a fire, the method comprising: supplying a first volume of a fire suppressant from a first suppressant container to a first inlet of a fitting; supplying a second volume of the fire suppressant from a second suppressant container to a second inlet of the fitting; receiving, from an outlet of the fitting, a combined flow of the fire suppressant including the first volume and the second volume; and directing the combined flow of the fire suppressant toward a hazard.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the fitting is a first fitting, the combined flow is a first combined flow, and the outlet is a first outlet, the method further comprising: supplying a third volume of the fire suppressant from a third suppressant container to a third inlet of a second fitting; supplying a fourth volume of the fire suppressant from a fourth suppressant container to a fourth inlet of the second fitting; receiving, from a second outlet of the second fitting, a second combined flow of the fire suppressant including the third volume and the fourth volume; directing the second combined flow of the fire suppressant toward the hazard.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving, by a manifold fluidly coupled to the first outlet and the second outlet, the first combined flow and the second combined flow.- 28 -4913-381 1 -5928Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-155520. A fire suppression system, comprising: a first suppressant container containing a first fire suppressant; a second suppressant container containing a second fire suppressant; a third suppressant container containing a third fire suppressant; a fourth suppressant container containing a fourth fire suppressant; a manifold defining a first manifold inlet and a second manifold inlet; a first fitting removably coupled to the manifold, the first fitting including: a first inlet passage fluidly coupled to the first suppressant container; a second inlet passage fluidly coupled to the second suppressant container; and a first outlet passage fluidly coupled to the first manifold inlet; a second fitting removably coupled to the manifold, the second fitting including: a third inlet passage fluidly coupled to the third suppressant container; a fourth inlet passage fluidly coupled to the fourth suppressant container; and a second outlet passage fluidly coupled to the second manifold inlet; and a valve configured to receive the first fire suppressant, the second fire suppressant, the third fire suppressant, and the fourth fire suppressant from the manifold and selectively supply a combined flow of fire suppressant to a hazard.- 29 -4913-381 1 -5928

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