US3870773A

US3870773A - Cooling tower

Info

Publication number: US3870773A
Application number: US255602A
Authority: US
Inventors: Samuel Luzaich
Original assignee: Ecodyne Corp
Current assignee: CUSTODIS-ECODYNE Inc
Priority date: 1972-05-22
Filing date: 1972-05-22
Publication date: 1975-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-11

Abstract

A modular method of constructing the fill area of a cooling tower which includes the steps of: fabricating specially designed modules on work platforms located adjacent the tower location; positioning the fill hangers and fill strips within the modules; and lifting the modules from the platform and positioning them one alongside another and one atop of another above the foundation. The modules take the form of three basic designs; lower modules, intermediate modules, and upper modules. The individual modules of each design are substantially the same with the exception of the addition of partition walls and/or cross braces to specific modules. The design of the modules are such that they all may be fabricated on the same work platforms in an efficient and economical manner. Simple interconnection of adjacent moduules is also provided for without requiring additional structural member or joints not normally required in conventional tower construction.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Luzaich [l1] 3,870,773 Mar. 11, 1975 COOLING TOWER [75] Inventor: Samuel Luzaich, Santa Rosa, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Ecodyne Corporation, Chicago, Ill.

Primary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant E.raminer--Z. R. Bilinsky Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Joel E. Siegel; Charles Mu Kaplan [57 1 ABSTRACT A modular method of constructing the fill area of a cooling tower which includes the steps of: fabricating specially designed modules on work platforms located adjacent the tower location; positioning the fill hangers and fill strips within the modules; and lifting the modules from the platform and positioning them one alongside another and one atop of another above the foundation. The modules take the form of three basic designs; lower modules, intermediate modules, and upper modules. The individual modules of each design are substantially the same with the exception of the addition of partition walls and/or cross braces to specific modules. The design of the modules are such that they all may be fabricated on the same work platforms in an efficient and economical manner. Simple interconnection of adjacent moduules is also provided for without requiring additional structural member or joints not normally required in conventional tower construction.

1 Claim, 21 Drawing Figures MAUI/,4! mam". er/1 UUU n m Fur/Mm COOLING TOWER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates primarily to mechanical draft water cooling towers of the crossflow type and more specifically concerns itself with a unique modular method of constructing the fill area of such towers.

Crossflow cooling towers typically are constructed to have a basic shell or enclosure on two vertical end walls, with louvered openings located at the side walls to pass air laterally into the tower interior. At the top of the tower are one or more fans rotating in shrouds or housings for discharging air from the tower, as well as hot water distribution basins. Hot water from the latter is distributed by metering orifices to fall within the fill area of the tower, wherein it is broken up into droplets by splashing on fill strips, the water also filming on such strips. The air cooled water is ultimatelycollected in a cool water basin structure at the bottom of the tower.

The fill areas of such cooling towers generally include a framework comprising a plurality of interconnected wood vertical posts and horizontal tie members. These posts and tie members carry vertical and horizontal loads and support the fill strips. Because of the large size of the fill area interior it is not practical to construct the framework from posts and tie members which are of sufficient length to extend the full height and length of the tower. It is therefore .necessary to connect a plurality of posts and tie members in an end to end relationship to achieve the desired height and length.

It has heretofore been the usual practice to fabricate the fill areas of large cooling towers by individually securing together theposts and tie members in place above the cool water basin. Owing to the great height of the fill area it is necessary for workmen to be performing numerous connecting operations on the tower at substantial distances above the ground. This results in a construction efficiency which decreases as the work location distance above the ground increases. This type of construction also requires that the workmen be relatively familar with cooling tower construction as each individual is called upon to perform numerous different operations at each work location on the tower. It has further been the heretofore practice to install the fill hangers and the fill strips in place within the fill area after construction of the fill area framework. This similarly results in decreased efficiency as the area being provided with the fill strips increases in elevation above the ground.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present inventionto provide a method of constructing the fill area of a cooling tower that utilizes efficient construction techniques.

Another object is to provide a modular method of constructing the fill area of a cooling tower which does not require substantial changes in the framework design.

A further object is to provide a modular method of constructing the fill area of a cooling tower which utilizes a minimum number of different module designs having fill strips positioned therein.

A still further object is to provide fill area modules designed to be efficiently constructed on work platforms located adjacent the tower basin and then lifted into place for quick assembly to form the fill area of the tower..

Another object is to provide a cooling tower of the type indicated above which is economical to construct and is efficient in performing its intended functions.

These and other objects are realized in accordance with the present invention by providing a method of constructing the fill area of the tower which includes the steps of: fabricating specially designed modules on work platforms located adjacent the tower location; positioning the fill hangers and fill strips within the modules; and lifting the modules from the platform and positioning them one alongside another and one atop of another above the-foundation. The modules take the form of three basic designs; lower modules, intermediate modules, and upper modules. The individual modules of each design are substantiallythe same with the exception of the addition of partition walls and/or cross braces to spepicific modules to eliminate the necessity of providing same after the modules have been positioned in place. The design of the modules is such that they all may be fabricated on the same work platforms in an efficient and economical manner. Simple interconnection of adjacent modules is also provided for without requiring additional structural members or joints not normally required in conventional tower construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures'thereof and wherein;

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a work site set up to practice the construction method of the present invention; g

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a work platform for constructing the modules of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic elevational representation of the fill area of a cooling tower constructed in accordance with the present invention showing the positioning of the modules;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan representation of the lower modules taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan representation ofthe intermediate modules taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan representation of the upper modules taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a transverse section of the fill area taken along line 77 in FIG. 3 illustrating the positioning and connection of the lower, intermediate and upper modules.

FIG. 8 is a transverse elevational view of a lower module;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal elevational view of the lower module in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the lower module in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 isa transverse elevational view of an intermediate module;

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal elevational view of the intermediate module in FIG. 11;

'in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal elevational view of an intermediate module similar to FIG. 12 having a partition wall and without a cross brace;'

FIG. 15 is a transverse elevational view of an upper module;

FIG. 16 is longituidnal elevational view of the upper module in F1 l;

FIG. 17 is a\top plan view of the upper module in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustratin drawin device for locating the posts of adjacent modules directly above one another FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating the connection between the respective adjacent posts of two modules positioned one on top of the other;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the connection apparatus for connecting'together cross braces of adjacent modules; and

FIG. 21 is a top plan view illustrating the connection between the respective tie members of adjacent modules.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic representation of an exemplary work site layout for use in practicing the present invention. The tower basin is typically a poured-in-place concrete structure which serves as a support foundation for the tower structure and a basin for collecting cool water. Positioned adjacent tower basin 10 are a plurality of work platforms 12 which serve as work stations for constructing the fill area modules. As seen in FIG. 2, each platform 12 includes a plywood working deck supported above the ground by joists 16. Deck 15 includes a plurality of special fittings 17 extending therethrough spaced for receipt of the vertical posts used in the construction of the modules. Scaffolding 18 is positioned around deck 15 to permit workmen to construct the modules and insert the fill strips therein without having to climb up on the structural members ofthe modules. A material storage area 14 is conveniently provided adjacent the work platforms 12.

Referring to FIG. 7, a transverse cross section of a portion of a crossflow cooling tower constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown as including a fill area structure supported above basin 10. Fill area 20 is formed by the interconnection of lower modules 22, intermediate modules 24, and upper modules 26. Positioned within

modules

22, 24, and 26 are fill hangers 28 which support longitudinally extending fill strips 29. Secured to the outer surface of fill area 20 is louver blade assembly 30. Drift eliminator assembly 32 is secured at the inner surface of fill area 20. Liquid, such as water to be cooled, is pumped to the top of the tower where it is distributed via suitable outlets so as to descend through fill area 20. The descending liquid is broken up into droplets by splashing on the fill strips 29 and also films on such strips, after which it is collected in basin 10 for removal. A rotating fan draws air for cooling laterally through the tower for upward discharge through the fan stack. The air passes successively through the louver blade assembly 30, the fill area 20, and through drift eliminator assembly 32, as indicated by arrows 33; in cooling relation to the falling liquid droplets.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a transverse elevation of the fill area of an exemplary eight cell cooling tower construction in accordance with the present invention. The longitudinal rows of lower, in-

termediate, and upper modules are respectively indicated at 22, 24, and 26. Each module is represented by a pair of vertical posts which are in vertical alignment with the posts of the module connected immediately above and a pair of horizontal ties in horizontal alignment with the ties of the module immediately adjacent. Referring to FIGS. 4-6, a schematic representation of a top plan of the tower of FIG. 3 respectively shows the positioning of the lower, intermediate, and upper modules. As seen in FIG. 4 there are nine different forms of the lower modules 22 indicated by the reference numerals 41-49. FIG. 5 shows that there are eight different forms of the intermediate modules 24 indicated by the reference numerals 50-57. And FIG. 6 shows that there are seven different forms of the upper modules 26 indicated by reference numerals 58-64. The relative positioning and stacking of these modules and the method of constructing the same will hereinafter be disclosed with the requisite particularity.

The structure of the lower modules 22 is illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. Each module 22 includes six vertically extending posts which are positioned in two transverse rows of three each and three longitudinal rows of two each, as best seen in FIG. 10. Connecting each transverse row of posts 70 together are two sets of transverse ties 72, respectively bolted to a lower and intermediate portion of the posts 70. Each set of ties 72 includes a pair of

frame members

73 and 74 which sandwich the posts 70 therebetween. Connecting each longitudinal row of posts 70 together are two sets of longitudinal ties 75, respectively bolted to an upper and intermediate portion of the posts 70. The longitudinal ties 75 which connect the inner two longitudinal rows of posts 70 includes a pair of

frame members

76 and 77 which sandwich the posts 70 therebetween. The longitudinal tie members 75 which connect the outer longitudinal row of posts 70 includes a single frame member 78 secured to the inner surfaces of posts 70. As seen in FIG. 10, all the

frame members

76, 77, and 78 are secured to the inner transverse row of posts at their midpoints and are scarfed at their ends to facilitate connection of adjacent lower modules.

Transverse braces 79 diagonally extend from the lower outside corner of each transverse row of posts 70 to the upper inside corner thereof, in the same transverse plane, as seen in FIG. 8. Each transverse brace 79 includes a frame member 80, bolted at its lower end to an anchor casting 301 at the lower end of the outside post and at its upper end to the middle post adjacent the intersection with the transverse tie members 72, and a frame member 81, secured at its lower end to the middle post in a diagonal extension of member 80. The upper end of member 81 extends above the inner post and is scarfed to facilitate connection to a transverse brace 88, as seen in FIG. 7. Connecting plates 82

secure members

80, 81 and the middle post 70 together, on both sides thereof. Extending transversely across the tops of the longitudinal ties 75 and nailed thereto are a plurality of spaced apart fill hanger support members 83. Fill hangers 28 are secured to and suspended from members 83. Locking tie members 84 extend longitudinally across the tops of transverse ties 72, and are nailed thereto, for locking fill hangers 28 in a fixed position. Fill strips 29 are positioned in place on hangers 28.

The structure of the lower modules 22 as hereinabove disclosed is common to the nine different forms referenced by the numerals 41-49 in FIG. 4. The only significant structural differencesbetween these forms are the inclusion and exclusion of longitudinal braces and partition walls, and the location of the same. FIG. 3 schematically indicates the location of the longitudinal braces by solid diagonal lines referred by the numeral 85. FIG. 4 schematically indicates the location of the partition walls by vertical lines referred by numeral 90.

The exemplary lower module 22 illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 is of the form designated by numeral 47 in FIG. 4. This module form includes longitudinal braces 85 and a partition wall 90, as seen in FIG. 9. Partition wall 90 is formed by nailing a plurality of transversely extending partition panels 92 to each transverse row of posts 70. Lower module forms 44, 46 and 47 have partition walls 90 secured to the outside transverse row of posts 70 as in FIG. 9, whereas lower module form 43 has the partition wall 90 secured to the inside row of posts 70, in a similar manner as in FIG. 14. Longitudinal braces 85 include lower brace members 86 and upper brace members 87. In lower module forms 47 and 48 the lower ends of members 86 are bolted to the anchor castings 301 at the lower ends of the outside posts of each longitudinal row of posts 70 and the upper ends are secured to the inside posts of the same longitudinal row of posts 70 at the points of intersection with the lower longitudinal ties 75. The lower ends of members 87 are secured to the opposite sides of posts 70 in a diagonally extending relationship to members 86 and the upper ends extend upwardly towards the corner of the module and are scarfed for connection to brace members associated with an intermediate module 24. Connecting plates 88 secure members 86' and 87 to posts 70. In module forms 41 and 45 the longitudinal braces 85 extend diagonally downward from the upper ends of the outside post of each longitudinal row of posts 70 with a slope opposite that of the braces 85 in module forms 47 and 48 as seen in phantom lines in FIG. 9. In these modules the lower ends of members 86 extend downward towards the corner of the module for connection to the anchor castings 301 associated with posts 70 of an adjacent lower module 22 and the upper ends of members 87 are secured to the upper ends of the outside posts of the corresponding longitudinal row of posts 70. The remaining module forms 42 and 49 do not include either a partition wall 90 or a longitudinal brace 85. The only difference between module forms 42 and 49 is a slightly different arrangement of the fill strips 29 therein, which does not warrant a detailed disclosure herein.

The structure of the intermediate modules 24 is illustrated in FIGS. lI-13. Since many of the structural members of the intermediate modules 24 and the lower modules 22 are substantially similar, the discussion of these similar members will be brief and will be designated by a corresponding numeral with a hundred added thereto (i. e. poast 170 in module 24 corresponds to post 70 in module 22). Intermediate module 24 includes six vertically extending posts 170, positioned in two transverse rows of three each and three longitudinal rows of two each, spaced apart the same distances as the posts 70 in modules 22. Transverse ties 172, including frame members 173 and .174, connect each transverse row of posts 170 together. Longitudinal ties 175, including

frame members

176 and 177 connect each longitudinal row of posts 170 together. Transverse ties 172 and longitudinal ties 175 are positioned and secured to posts 170 in a similar manner as corresponding

ties

72 and 75 are positioned and secured to posts 70 in lower modules 22. Extending transversely across the tops of the longitudinal ties 175 and nailed thereto are a plurality of spaced apart fill hanger support members 183. Referring to FIG. 11, the major difference between

modules

22 and 24 is the addition of louver posts 191. Each module 24 has a pair of louver posts 191 angling outwardly and upwardly from the bottom of the outside post of each transverse row of posts 170. The lower end of louver post 191 is secured to the outer end of the lower transverse tie 172 by a bolt passing therethrough sandwiching post 191 between

members

173 and 174 and to post 170 by a joint plate 191a. An intermediate portion oflouver post 191 is secured to the outer end of the upper transverse tie 172 in a similar manner-by a bolt passing respectively through member 173, post 191, and member 174. A pair of longitudinal louver ties 193 connect the louver posts 191 together, and are nailed to posts 191 in the same horizontal plane as longitudinal ties 175. Fill hanger support extension members 194 extend supports 183 from the outside longitudinal row of posts 170 to the louver posts 191 and are nailed at their respective ends to the outside longitudinal ties 175 and louver ties 193. Fill hangers 28 are secured to and suspended from

members

183 and 194. Locking tie members 184 extend longitudinally across the tops of transverse ties 172, and are nailed thereto, for locking fill hangers 28 in a fixed position. Fill strips 29 are positioned in place on hangers 28.

The structure of the intermediate modules 24 as hereinabove disclosed is common to the eight different forms referenced by the numerals 50-57 in FIG. 5. The major structural differences between these forms are the inclusion and exclusion of longitudinal braces and partition walls, and the locations of the same. FIG. 3 schematically indicates the location of the longitudinal braces by solid diagonal lines referenced by the numeral 185. FIG. 5 schematically indicates the location of the partition walls by vertical lines referenced by the numeral 190.

The exemplary intermediate module 24 illustrated in FIG. 11-13 is of the form designated by numeral 51 in FIG. 5. This module form includes longitudinal braces 185 and does not include a partition wall 190. The braces 185 include brace members 187 which have lower ends secured to the inside posts of each longitudinal row of posts 170 at the point of intersection with the lower longitudinal ties 175 and upper ends secured to the outside post of the same longitudinal rows of posts 170 at the point of intersection with the upper longitudinal ties 175. In module form 56 brace members 187 extend upward from the inside post of each longitudinal row of posts 170 with a slope opposite that of members 187 in module form 51 as indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 12. Module form 52 includes a partition wall 190 secured to the inside transverse row of posts 170, as seen in FIG. 14. Module form 54 includes a partition wall 190 secured to the outside transverse row of posts 170, in a similar manner as partition wall 90 is secured to lower module 22 in FIG. 9. Partition walls 190 are formed by nailing a plurality of transversely extending partition panels 192 to the respective transverse row of posts 170. The remaining

modules

50, 53, 55, and 57do not include either a partition wall 190 or braces 185 and are essentially identical for purposes of this disclosure.

The structure of the upper modules 26 are illustrated in FIGS. -17. The structural members of the upper modules 26 which are substantially identical to corresponding structural members in intermediate modules 24 will be just briefly discussed and designated by a corresponding numeral with a hundred added thereto (i.e. post 270 in module 26 corresponds to post 170 in module 24). Upper module 26 includes six vertically extending posts 270, positioned in two transverse rows of three each and three longitudinal rows of two each, spaced apart the same distances as posts 170 in module 24. Transverse ties 272, including

frame members

273 and 274, connect each longitudinal row of posts 270 together and extend outward for connection to the louver posts 291. Louver posts 291 are angled upwardly and outwardly to form a continuation of louver posts 191 in module 24 when they are placed one on top of another. Longitudinal ties 275, including

frame members

276, and 277 connect each longitudinal row of posts 270 together. Transverse ties 272 and longitudi nal ties 275 are positioned and secured to posts 270 in a similar manner as corresponding

ties

72 and 75 are positioned and secured to posts 70 in the hereinabove disclosure of lower modules 22. Extending transversely across the tops of the upper longitudinal ties 275 and nailed thereto are plurality of spaced apart fill hanger support members 283. Drift eliminator support members 295 are nailed to the upper and lower transverse ties 272 of each transverse row of posts 270, as seen in FIG. 15, for support of the drift eliminator assembly 32. Longitudinal louver tie 293 connects the louver posts 291 together immediately below their intersection with the upper transverse ties 272. Fill hanger support extension members 294 extend supports 283 from the middle longitudinal row of posts 270 to a longitudinal nailer member 296 nailed to members 295 immediately below the upper transverse ties 272. Fill hangers 28 are secured to and suspended from

members

283 and 294. Locking tie member 284 extends longitudinally across the tops of lower transverse ties 272, and are secured thereto, for locking fill hangers 28 in a fixed position. Fill strips 29 are positioned in place on hangers 28.

The structure of the upper modules 26 as hereinabove disclosed is common to the seven different forms references by the numerals 58-64 in FIG. 6. The major structural differences between these forms are the inclusion and exclusion of longitudinal braces and partition walls, and the locations of the same. FIG. 3 schematically indicates the location of the longitudinal braces by solid diagonal lines referenced by the numeral 285. FIG. 6 schematically indicates the location of the partition walls by vertical lines referenced by the numeral 290.

The exemplary upper module 26 illustrated in FIGS. 15-17 is of the form designated by numeral 60 in FIG. 6. This module form includes longitudinal braces 285 and a partition wall 290. Braces 285 include brace members 288 which have lower ends which are secured to the inner posts 270 of the outer and middle longitudinal rows of posts 270 above the point of intersection with longitudinal ties 275 and upper ends which are secured to the outer posts 270 of the corresponding longitudinal row 270 near the upper ends thereof. Plates 310 are bolted to the ends of braces 288 and corresponding posts 270. Module forms 60 and 63 include partition walls 290 secured to the inside transverse rows of posts 270, as in solid lines in FIG. 16. Module form 61 includes a partition wall 290 secured to the outside transverse row of posts 270, as in FIG. 9. Partition walls 290 are formed by nailing plurality of transversely extending partition panels 292 to the respective transverse row of posts 270 between the transverse ties 272. Module forms 58, 59, 62 and 64 do not include either a partition wall 290 or braces 285 and are essentially identical for purposes of this disclosure.

Lower module 41, intermediate module 50 and upper module 58 are corner modules and include an extra transverse row of

posts

70, 170, and 270 respectively which are secured to the outer ends of the

longitudinal tie members

75, 175 and 275 respectively. in a manner as illustrated with respect to module 50 by phantom lines in FIGS. 12 and 13. Louver posts 191 and 291 are respectively provided and supported from these rows of posts in

modules

50 and 58 in the same manner as in the respective transverse row of posts adjacent thereto. These extra transverse rows of posts are necessary to define the end walls of the tower since there are no modules secured adjacent to what would be their open ends.

In constructing a cooling tower in accordance with the present invention, the lower modules 22 are completely erected on work platforms 15 as hereinabove disclosed and then lifted therefrom and positioned in place above tower basin 10. It should be noted that fit tings 17 are spaced to receive the posts and thereby ensure the consistent spacing thereof. The third transverse row of fittings 17 is only used in the construction of the

corner modules

41, 50, and 58. Referring to FIG. 4, all the lower modules 22 are positioned in place above basin 10 in the sequence depicted, starting with the corner modules 41. The adjacent lower modules 22 are secured together by attaching the horizontally aligned scarfed ends of longitudinal tie members of the adjacent modules 22. This connection is illustrated in FIG. 21 wherein corresponding

tie members

76 and 77 of adjacent modules are secured together by a bolt assembly 300 which passes through members 77, post 70, and members 76. The lower ends of posts 70 are secured to basin 10 by conventional anchor castings 301, as seen in FIG. 7.

With the lower modules 22 secured in place as indicated above, the intermediate modules 24 are completely erected on work platforms 15 as hereinabove disclosed and then lifted therefrom and positioned in place above the lower modules 22. Referring to FIG. 5, the intermediate modules 24 are positioned in place above lower modules 22 in the sequence depicted, starting with the corner modules 50. The adjacent intermediate modules 24 are secured together by attaching the horizontally aligned scarfed ends of longitudinal tie members 175 of adjacent modules 24, in the same manner as illustrated in FIG. 21 with respect to lower modules 22. The lower ends of posts are secured to the upper ends of the corresponding posts 70 of the lower module immediately below, to effectively connect modules 24 to modules 22. This connection, as illustrated in FIG. 19, includes a pair of connecting plates 302 securing the vertically

algined posts

70 and 170 together with bolts 303 passing therethrough. To facilitate the alignment of the

vertical posts

70 and 170 of the respective

adjacent modules

22 and 24 during positioning thereof, a removable guide shoe 305 may be secured to the upper end of post 70 to center post 170 immediately thereabove, as seen in FIG. 18. Guide shoe 305 has three sides, the lower ends of which engage the upper end of post 70 and the upper ends of which flare out to receive post 170 as it is dropped in place so as to slide it down into vertical alignment with post 70.- A suitable clamping arrangement 306 is effective to clamp shoe 305 to post 70 and to permit removal therefrom after vertical alignment is achieved.

The upper modules 26 are then erected on work platforms and lifted therefrom and positioned in place above intermediate modules 24. Referring to FIG. 6, the upper modules 26 are positioned in place above intermediate modules 24 in the sequence depicted, starting with the corner module 58. Guide shoes 305 may be similarly used to ensure vertical alignment between

corresponding posts

170 and 270.

Posts

170 and 270 are similarly secured together by use of connecting plates 302, as in FIG. 19 and the scarfed ends of the longitudinal tie members 275 of adjacent modules 26 are secured together in the same manner, as in FIG. 21.

Posts

191 and 192 are also secured together by use of plates 302, as seen in FIG. 7.

Longitudinal braces 186, 286, and 287 indicated schematically by dotted lines in FIG. 3 and by phantom lines in FIGS. 12 and 16, connect together braces 87 and 187 and extend braces 187 to the top of the tower. Braces I86 extend between

braces

87 and 187 and are connected thereto at their respective ends by connecting plates 320 bolted thereto. Braces 286 are secured at their lower ends to braces 187 via connecting plates 320, as seen in FIG. 20, and at their upper ends to the lower ends of braces 287, whose upper ends are in turn secured to posts 270. In modules 63 a brace 285, indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 16, is connected in place in the same manner as braces 285 of module 60 except with an opposite slope. The specific longitudinal bracking

structure including braces

86, 87, 186, 187, 286, 287 and 288, and the specific locations thereof, vary with the size and structural requirements of the individual tower being constructed and may be notified without departing from the concept of the present invention.

The louver blade assembly 30 and drift eliminator assembly 32 are then secured in place in the heretofore known conventional manner to complete construction of the fill area 20. The construction of the fan stack and fan drive assembly, and the water distribution system are all that remain to be constructed to complete construction of the tower.

It should be appreciated that the exemplary eight cell tower herein above disclosed is for purpose of illustration as the present invention may be utilized to construct cooling towers of various numbers of cells by arranging and stacking the modules of the present invention in different arrangements. To this end in particular, the positioning of the various forms of each module and in some cases the addition of other forms may be necessary to meet the structural requirements of the particular size of the tower.

Construction of the fill area of a cooling tower in ac- 10 cordance with the method and structure alluded to above has proven to be more economical than conventional construction in actual field experience. The work crew is divided into one group which specializes in the erection'of the modules on the work platforms and another group which specializes in installing the modules in place above the basin. This type of specialization is particularly important since cooling towers are built all over the country with the use of local workmen who frequently have no experience in tower construction. Efficiencies are further achieved by reducing to a minimum the number of structural connections which are required to be made. in place on the tower at great heights above the ground. By positioning the fill hangers and the fill strips within the modules while on the platform it is not necessary for workmen to be punching fill in locations which have been heretofore inconvenient to reach. Another important feature of the present invention is that the disclosed concept does not require the redesign of the heretofore built wooden towers and does not require the addition of structural members to permit the modular form of construction. which insures efficient performance of its intended functions,

Although not disclosed specifically herein the present invention contemplates the addition of louver assembly structure and drift eliminator assembly struc ture to the individual modules to eliminate the need of providing same after the modules have been secured in place. The specific designs of such structures are well known to those skilled in the art and it would only require normal enginering procedure to provide same to the modules of the present invention.

It should be understood of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of constructing the fill area of a large wood frame cooling tower wherein air is displaced to flow directionally, generally laterally, within the fill area of the tower in cooling relation with dropping particulate liquid, comprising the steps of:

a. pouring a concrete foundation to serve as the cold water storage basin;

b. constructing special work platforms adjacent the foundation;

c. fabricating the framework of lower, intermediate,

and upper fill area modules on said work platforms;

d. connecting fill hangers within the framework of said modules;

e. positioning fill material within said modules on said fill hangers;

f. attaching cell separating partition walls to specific modules while on said platform;

g. attaching longitudinal cross braces to specific modules while on said platforms; and

h. lifting said lower, intermediate, and upper modules from said platform and respectively securing them directly to each other one alongside another and one atop of another above said foundation to form the entire structure of said fill area.

l =l l

Claims

1. A method of constructing the fill area of a large wood frame cooling tower wherein air is displaced to flow directionally, generally laterally, within the fill area of the tower in cooling relation with dropping particulate liquid, comprising the steps of: a. pouring a concrete foundation to serve as the cold water storage basin; b. constructing special work platforms adjacent the foundation; c. fabricating the framework of lower, intermediate, and upper fill area modules on said work platforms; d. connecting fill hangers within the framework of said modules; e. positioning fill material within said modules on said fill hangers; f. attaching cell separating partition walls to specific modules while on said platform; g. attaching longitudinal cross braces to specific modules while on said platforms; and h. lifting said lower, intermediate, and upper modules from said platform and respectively securing them directly to each other one alongside another and one atop of another above said foundation to form the entire structure of said fill area.