Hydro electric generating system

Claim 1

A hydro electric generating system comprising, in combination, a reservoir, an impulse turbine, said reservoir being located above said turbine, said turbine including an impeller means, a first conduit means extending downwardly from said reservoir to said turbine for conducting by gravitational fall the water from said reservoir to said turbine impeller means to cause rotation of said impeller means, said impeller means being coaxially connected to a first generator which produces electricity upon rotation of said impeller means, a sump for recovery of energy expanded water as it exits said impeller means, a second conduit means connecting said turbine with said sump for conducting water from said turbine impeller means to said sump in preparation for recovery, a third conduit means connecting said sump to said reservoir with an intermediate pump, said pump being powered by an electric motor, a second generator, a prime mover activating said second generator, an electric grid network, a first switch means for selectively applying the electricity produced by said first generator to said grid network whereby said electricity produced by said first generator can be used directly by a user or fed into the electric grid network, and a second switch means for selectively coupling said electric motor to said electric grid network or to said second generator, whereby said electric motor can be operated by said electric grid network or said prime mover.