Patent ID: 8610295

Claim:
A system for generating electrical power from falling liquids comprising: a first reservoir having a raised position and a lowered position, wherein movement from the raised position to the lowered position imparts mechanical energy to an electrical generator; a first fill valve to control flow of falling liquid into the first reservoir, the open and closed states of the first fill valve being under the control of a controller; a bypass conduit and a bypass valve under the control of the controller, wherein the bypass conduit allows the falling liquid to pass from a height of the raised position down to a height of the lowered position; and a controller which controls states of operation of the reservoir and the valve by: filling the first reservoir in a raised position; responsive to the first reservoir being full, allowing the first reservoir to fall to the lowered position while imparting mechanical energy to an electrical generator; responsive to the first reservoir being emptied, raising the first reservoir to the raised position; and opening the bypass valve when the first reservoir is falling and when the first reservoir is rising, and closing the bypass valve when the first fill valve is open, thereby providing a continuous flow of the falling liquid from the height of the raised position; wherein electrical generation from the falling of the liquid avoids the liquid contacting or passing through a turbine or impeller.