Electricity generating arrangement

Abstract

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an electricity generating arrangement comprising at least one secondary water conduit fitted to a primary water conduit, the secondary water conduit defining an inlet for allowing water flowing through the primary water conduit to enter the secondary water conduit and an outlet for allowing water flowing through the secondary water conduit to exit the secondary water conduit so as to rejoin the primary water conduit. The arrangement further comprises at least one rotatable turbine located within the secondary water conduit, each turbine being connectable to a generator so that under the influence of the water flowing through the secondary water conduit, the turbine can rotate so as to drive the generator to generate electricity. In an example embodiment, an inlet valve is located within the secondary water conduit, adjacent the inlet, and an outlet valve is located within the secondary water conduit, adjacent the outlet.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An electricity generating arrangement comprising;
 at least one secondary water conduit fitted to a primary water conduit, the primary water conduit being fitted with a pressure reducing valve, the secondary water conduit defining an inlet. before the pressure reducing valve, for allowing water flowing through the primary water conduit to enter the secondary water conduit, and an outlet for allowing water flowing through the secondary water conduit to exit the secondary water conduit so as to rejoin the primary water conduit after the pressure reducing valve, the flow of water through the secondary water conduit thus bypassing the pressure reducing valve of the primary water conduit; and   at least one rotatable turbine located within the secondary water conduit, each turbine being connectable to a generator so that under the influence of the water flowing through the secondary water conduit, the turbine can rotate so as to drive the generator to generate electricity.   
     
     
         12 . The electricity generating arrangement of  claim 11 , wherein an inlet valve is located within the secondary water conduit, adjacent the inlet, and an outlet valve is located within the secondary water conduit, adjacent the outlet. 
     
     
         13 . The electricity generating arrangement of either  claim 11  or  claim 12 , wherein the secondary water conduit comprises a substantially elongate portion that runs substantially parallel to the primary water conduit. 
     
     
         14 . The electricity generating arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the turbine comprises either a fin arrangement or a threaded screw. 
     
     
         15 . The electricity generating arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary water conduit is part of a residential/municipal water distribution system. 
     
     
         16 . The electricity generating arrangement of any one of  claims 11  to  14 , wherein the primary water conduit is defined by a natural conduit carrying water. 
     
     
         17 . A method of fitting an electricity generating arrangement to a primary water conduit, the primary water conduit being fitted with a pressure reducing valve, the method comprising:
 stopping the flow of water through the primary water conduit;   defining an outlet and an inlet in a side wall of the primary water conduit, on opposite sides of the pressure reducing valve; and   fitting a secondary water conduit to the primary water conduit the secondary water conduit defining an inlet that can be in fluid communication with the outlet defined in the primary water conduit, the secondary water conduit defining an outlet that can be in fluid communication with the inlet defined in the primary water conduit, the secondary water conduit housing a rotatable turbine, the turbine being connectable to a generator,   so that water flowing through the primary water conduit can enter the secondary water conduit, flow through the secondary water conduit and exit the secondary water conduit so as to rejoin the primary water conduit, thus bypassing the pressure reducing valve of the primary water conduit, so that under the influence of the water flowing through the secondary water conduit, the turbine can rotate so as to drive the generator to generate electricity.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , which includes fitting an inlet valve within the secondary water conduit, adjacent its inlet, and fitting an outlet valve within the secondary water conduit, adjacent its outlet.