A sprinkler accelerator includes at least one accelerator opening, a vent, an actuator, an orifice, and a filter. The at least one accelerator opening couples with at least one pipe. The at least one pipe is coupled with at least one sprinkler. A gas including at least one of air and nitrogen is in the at least one pipe. The actuator moves, responsive to a rate of change of a first pressure applied by gas in the at least one accelerator opening satisfying a pressure rate threshold, to couple the at least one accelerator opening with the vent. The orifice is 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. The filter is coupled with the orifice to filter fluid passing from the at least one pipe through the orifice.

A sprinkler accelerator includes at least one accelerator opening, a vent, an actuator, an orifice, and a filter. The at least one accelerator opening couples with at least one pipe. The at least one pipe is coupled with at least one sprinkler. A gas including at least one of air and nitrogen is in the at least one pipe. The actuator moves, responsive to a rate of change of a first pressure applied by gas in the at least one accelerator opening satisfying a pressure rate threshold, to couple the at least one accelerator opening with the vent. The orifice is 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. The filter is coupled with the orifice to filter fluid passing from the at least one pipe through the orifice.

An electronic accelerator includes a pressure sensor, a first control valve, and a control circuit. The pressure sensor detects a pressure in a fluid supply line between a fluid supply and at least one sprinkler head. The first control valve is coupled to a second control valve that when open permits fluid to flow from the fluid supply to the at least one sprinkler head. The control circuit receives the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, determines the at least one sprinkler head to be open based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, and in response causes the first control valve to open to reduce a chamber pressure in a chamber of the second control valve to cause the second control valve to open to permit fluid to flow from the fluid supply through the fluid supply line to the at least one sprinkler head.

An electronic accelerator includes a pressure sensor, a first control valve, and a control circuit. The pressure sensor detects a pressure in a fluid supply line between a fluid supply and at least one sprinkler head. The first control valve is coupled to a second control valve that when open permits fluid to flow from the fluid supply to the at least one sprinkler head. The control circuit receives the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, determines the at least one sprinkler head to be open based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, and in response causes the first control valve to open to reduce a chamber pressure in a chamber of the second control valve to cause the second control valve to open to permit fluid to flow from the fluid supply through the fluid supply line to the at least one sprinkler head.

A sprinkler accelerator system includes an accelerator and at least one orifice. The accelerator is coupled with at least one pipe coupled with at least one sprinkler, and vents gas from the at least one pipe when the at least one sprinkler opens. The at least one orifice controls a rate of change of pressure in the at least one pipe to control operation of a flow control valve coupled with the accelerator.

A sprinkler accelerator system includes an accelerator and at least one orifice. The accelerator is coupled with at least one pipe coupled with at least one sprinkler, and vents gas from the at least one pipe when the at least one sprinkler opens. The at least one orifice controls a rate of change of pressure in the at least one pipe to control operation of a flow control valve coupled with the accelerator.

An electronic accelerator includes a pressure sensor, a first control valve, and a control circuit. The pressure sensor detects a pressure in a fluid supply line between a fluid supply and at least one sprinkler head. The first control valve is coupled to a second control valve that when open permits fluid to flow from the fluid supply to the at least one sprinkler head. The control circuit receives the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, determines the at least one sprinkler head to be open based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, and in response causes the first control valve to open to reduce a chamber pressure in a chamber of the second control valve to cause the second control valve to open to permit fluid to flow from the fluid supply through the fluid supply line to the at least one sprinkler head.

An electronic accelerator includes a pressure sensor, a first control valve, and a control circuit. The pressure sensor detects a pressure in a fluid supply line between a fluid supply and at least one sprinkler head. The first control valve is coupled to a second control valve that when open permits fluid to flow from the fluid supply to the at least one sprinkler head. The control circuit receives the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, determines the at least one sprinkler head to be open based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, and in response causes the first control valve to open to reduce a chamber pressure in a chamber of the second control valve to cause the second control valve to open to permit fluid to flow from the fluid supply through the fluid supply line to the at least one sprinkler head.

An activator for a pilot type firefighting system for accelerating firefighting system activation is disclosed. The system comprises a control valve which acts to control firefighting fluid flow to a distribution system, and configured such that release of pressure to a control chamber would activate the control valve. The activator comprises a first chamber in fluid coupling to the pilot fluid and a second chamber in fluid coupling to the pilot line via a flow restrictor. A pressure sensing member is disposed such that pressure difference between the chambers would cause an activation of a switch. The release of the switch directly or indirectly causes activation of an electrical valve which vents the pressure in the control chamber. Several aspects of the invention include various firefighting arrangements, various optional features of the activator, firefighting system, and several methods of operation of a system utilizing the activator.

An activator for a pilot type firefighting system for accelerating firefighting system activation is disclosed. The system comprises a control valve which acts to control firefighting fluid flow to a distribution system, and configured such that release of pressure to a control chamber would activate the control valve. The activator comprises a first chamber in fluid coupling to the pilot fluid and a second chamber in fluid coupling to the pilot line via a flow restrictor. A pressure sensing member is disposed such that pressure difference between the chambers would cause an activation of a switch. The release of the switch directly or indirectly causes activation of an electrical valve which vents the pressure in the control chamber. Several aspects of the invention include various firefighting arrangements, various optional features of the activator, firefighting system, and several methods of operation of a system utilizing the activator.