Relay Pumping is a technique of using multiple pumps in a series in order to move water over longer distances. A hose can tolerate only a certain pressure. Friction loss reduces the water pressure as the hose gets longer, so that a given hose can only move water so far.

If another pump is used to reboost the pressure, then the water can move farther.

This process can be used with an unlimited number of pumps.

The only problem is that if the pumps are not synchronized in operation, "water hammer" can destroy the hoses and pumps.

Today, relay pumping is controlled by radio communication between all of the pump operators.

When there are more than a few operators, the radios don't allow for precise synchronization of the pumps. Because of the "water hammer" problem, Relay Pumping is used only for short relays in practice.

The following sections will show how a digital network supported by a wire pair in the hoses can prevent "water hammer". The digital network allows for perfectly synchronized control of a very large number of pumps.

Digital relay pumping would allow for very long relays which can bring water closer to the fires.

Digital relay pumping can also be used to deliver water to areas whose water mains have been destroyed by EARTHQUAKES.

The water delivered can be used to fight fires caused by the earthquake, and also to supply drinking water to the population.

The figure below shows how a tracked vehicle can deploy a series of pumps with hoses to produce a Digital Relay in rugged terrain.

The articles seen by clicking the buttons below were written by the inventor.

above is army surplus relay pumping sys. Use on big fires?

Additional Information

The hose was used to deliver water and diesel fuel to forward outposts.

A wire was embedded in the hose to prevent static electricity from igniting the diesel fuel.

If another wire is added the wire pair can be used to support an Ethernet network that can control all of the pumps. Normally, pump control is done with radios and requires very exact work by each team along the relay. Otherwise, water hammer can destroy pumps and hoses.

Patent claim 1

Very fundamental claim.

1. A Supply line system for conveying a fluid, the system comprising:

a first and a second conduit segment each having at least

one inner conduit Surface and an outer conduit Surface;

at least one fluid chamber within each of the first and

second conduit segments and formed at least partially by

the at least one inner conduit Surface, thereby transport ing a quantity of fluid along the length of each of said

conduit segments;

at least one electric wire located between the at least one

inner conduit Surface and the outer conduit Surface and

extending approximately the length of each of the first

and second conduit segments, the electric wire sized to

carry at least one electric current;

a conduit connection element connecting the first and sec

ond conduit segments, the conduit connection element

mating the fluid chamber and the at least one electric

wire of the first conduit segment with the fluid chamber

and the at least one electric wire of the second conduit

segment, wherein at least a portion of the quantity of

fluid and the at least one electric current is passed from

the first conduit segment to the second conduit segment,

wherein said conduit connection element is at least one

of a conduit adapter, a conduit coupler assembly and a

conduit multi-port device;

a digital data network connected to the at least one electric

wire, whereby the digital data network includes a

Ethernet-type data network, wherein the digital data net

work routes at least one data communication to and from

at least one electronic device; and

at least one computer connected to the digital data network,

wherein the at least one computer controls a movement

of at least a portion of the quantity of fluid within the first

and a second conduit segment.

Move water. Then ETHERNET SELECTS spray where needed.

Explanation of Above Figure

The black hose has an embedded wire pair which supports an Ethernet Network along the entire length of black hose. It can run for many miles.

The blue boxes represent Ethernet controlled electric valves that can take some of the water in the black hose and send the water to spray hoses that are adjacent to the valve boxes. The spray hoses are described in other sections of this website www.fightwildfires.com

Box 1 can send water into the orange spray hose.

Box 2 is sending water into the green spray hose, which is spraying.

Box 3 can send water into the distant spray hose.