Flexible dry sprinklers

A flexible dry sprinkler system comprising:

• one or more flexible dry sprinklers comprising:
• a flexible tube having a first end and a second end,
• an inlet attached to the first end of the flexible tube, the inlet defining an inlet orifice operatively sealed by an inlet seal assembly,
• an outlet attached to the second end of the flexible tube, the outlet defining an outlet orifice operatively sealed by an outlet seal assembly, and
• a flexible linkage extending between the inlet and the outlet through the flexible tube, the flexible linkage constructed to operatively release the inlet seal assembly responsive to axial translation of the flexible linkage from a first position to a second position,
• wherein the flexible linkage is supported by the outlet seal assembly in the first position and wherein the flexible linkage is constructed to axially translate toward the outlet when the outlet seal assembly is released;
• and
• a fluid supply conduit in fluid communication with a fluid source and in fluid communication with the one or more flexible dry sprinklers,
• wherein the inlet includes a release unit constructed to operatively release the inlet seal assembly, wherein the flexible linkage is constructed to operate the release unit when the flexible linkage translates from the first position to the second position,
• wherein the outlet seal assembly includes a thermally responsive element and an outlet seal supported by the thermally responsive element, and wherein in a case where the thermally responsive element is in a responsive state, the outlet seal is released and fluid from the fluid supply is discharged through the outlet orifice,
• wherein the inlet seal assembly is released in response to the flexible linkage translating in an outlet direction a predetermined distance to operate the inlet release mechanism,
• wherein the inlet includes an inlet biasing member constructed to bias the flexible linkage in an inlet direction, and wherein the outlet includes an outlet biasing member constructed to bias the flexible linkage in the outlet direction, and
• wherein the inlet biasing member is an inlet compression spring and the outlet biasing member is an outlet compression spring, wherein the spring constant of the outlet compression spring is greater than the spring constant of the inlet compression spring.

A flexible dry sprinkler comprising:

• a flexible tube having a first end and a second end;
• an inlet attached to the first end of the flexible tube, the inlet defining an inlet orifice operatively sealed by an inlet seal assembly;
• an outlet attached to the second end of the flexible tube, the outlet defining an outlet orifice operatively sealed by an outlet seal assembly;
• and
• a flexible linkage extending between the inlet and the outlet through the flexible tube, the flexible linkage constructed to operatively release the inlet seal assembly responsive to axial translation of the flexible linkage from a first position to a second position,
• wherein the flexible linkage is supported by the outlet seal assembly in the first position and wherein the flexible linkage is constructed to axially translate toward the outlet when the outlet seal assembly is released,
• wherein the inlet includes an inlet biasing member constructed to bias the flexible linkage in an inlet direction, and wherein the outlet includes an outlet biasing member constructed to bias the flexible linkage in the outlet direction, and
• wherein the inlet biasing member is an inlet compression spring and the outlet biasing member is an outlet compression spring, wherein the spring constant of the outlet compression spring is greater than the spring constant of the inlet compression spring.