U.S. patent application number 10/244547 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-12 for modular frame method and apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Marley Cooling Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Cushing, Michael P. JR., Hink, Paul W., Mockry, Eldon F., Muder, Mark A..
Application Number | 20040025466 10/244547 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31498091 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040025466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hink, Paul W. ; et
al. |
February 12, 2004 |
Modular frame method and apparatus
Abstract
A cooling tower support frame having a plurality of modules.
Each module includes at least two vertical columns and at least two
horizontal girts that are connected to the vertical columns. The
horizontal girts extend between the vertical columns preferably at
separate vertical levels.
Inventors: |
Hink, Paul W.; (Shawnce,
KS) ; Cushing, Michael P. JR.; (Kansas City, MO)
; Muder, Mark A.; (Overland Park, KS) ; Mockry,
Eldon F.; (Lenexa, KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER & HOSTETLER LLP
Washington Square, Suite 1100
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
Marley Cooling Technologies,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
31498091 |
Appl. No.: |
10/244547 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60401015 |
Aug 6, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/645 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 5/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/645 |
International
Class: |
E04H 012/18 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cooling tower support frame, comprising: a plurality of
modules, each module comprising: at least two vertical columns each
having a first end and a second end; and at least two horizontal
girts connected to said vertical columns, wherein said horizontal
girts extend between said vertical columns at separate vertical
levels between said first and second ends.
2. The support frame according to claim 1, wherein said vertical
columns and horizontal girts are attached to one another by
mechanical attachment.
3. The support frame according to claim 2, wherein said vertical
columns and horizontal girts are attached to one another by a
bolt.
4. The support frame according to claim 2, wherein said attachment
is a hinged attachment allowing said columns to rotate relative to
said girts.
5. The support frame according to claim 1, wherein said vertical
columns and said horizontal girts have an orthogonal
arrangement.
6. The support frame according to claim 1, wherein the distance
between said vertical columns is approximately 3' to approximately
12'.
7. The support frame according to claim 6, wherein said distance is
6'.
8. The support frame according to claim 1, wherein said distance
between horizontal girts is approximately 3' to approximately
12'.
9. The support frame according to claim 8, wherein said distance is
6'.
10. The support frame according to claim 1, wherein said modules
have a length of L that is an integer multiple.
11. The support frame according to claim 1, wherein said modules
have a length of L that is a non-integer multiple.
12. The support frame according to claim 10, wherein L is 9', 15'
and 18'.
13. The support frame according to claim 1, further comprising a
third vertical column having a first and a second end.
14. The support frame according to claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of diagonal support members.
15. The support frame according to claim 1, wherein horizontally
adjacent modules are attached to one another by mechanical
attachment and vertically adjacent modules are attached to one
another by mechanical attachment.
16. The support frame according to claim 1, wherein horizontally
adjacent modules are attached to one another by adhesive attachment
and vertically adjacent modules are attached to one another by
adhesive attachment.
17. The support frame according to claim 15, wherein said
mechanical attachment is bracket attachment, bolt attachment, pin
attachment, and/or screw attachment.
18. A cooling tower support frame, comprising: a plurality of
transverse bents, each bent comprising a plurality of modules
connected to one another; and at least one longitudinal bent
extending between and connecting said transverse bents together,
said at least one longitudinal bent comprising a plurality of
longitudinal modules.
19. The cooling tower support frame according to claim 18, wherein
said longitudinal modules have a length that is 9', 12', 15' or
18'.
20. A method for constructing a cooling tower support frame,
comprising: assembling at least one transverse bent using, at least
one modular frame component having a plurality of vertical columns
and horizontal girts that intersect to form window portions; and
supporting the at least one transverse bent by attaching at least
one modular longitudinal girt to the at least one modular
subassembly.
21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step
of attaching a diagonal portion within at least one window
portion.
22. A method for constructing a cooling tower support frame,
comprising: assembling a plurality of transverse bents by,
attaching a plurality of modular components having a plurality of
vertical columns and horizontal girts that intersect to form window
portions to one another; and supporting the plurality of transverse
bents by attaching a first modular longitudinal girt to the
plurality of transverse bents and attaching a second modular
longitudinal girt to the plurality of transverse bents, wherein the
first and the second modular longitudinal bents include a plurality
of modular longitudinal components connected to one another.
23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising attaching
a diagonal portion within at least one window portion.
24. The method according to claim 22, further comprising attaching
at least one diagonal portion to the first longitudinal girt and
the second longitudinal girt so that it extends between the first
girt and the second girt.
25. A method for constructing a cooling tower support frame,
comprising: assembling at least one three-dimensional framing
portion by assembling adjacent transverse bent modules and
supporting the modules by connecting at least one longitudinal girt
to the adjacent transverse modules; and placing the module into
position on the cooling tower support frame.
26. A cooling tower support frame, comprising: assembling a
plurality transverse bents by, attaching a plurality of modular
components having a plurality of vertical columns and horizontal
girts that intersect form window portions to one another; and
supporting the plurality of transverse bents by attaching a first
modular longitudinal girt to the plurality of transverse bents and
attaching a second modular longitudinal girt to the plurality of
transverse bents, wherein the first and the second modular
longitudinal bents include a plurality of modular longitudinal
components connected to one another.
27. A cooling tower support frame, comprising: modular means for
assembling a plurality transverse bents; and modular means for
supporting the plurality of transverse bents that is connected to
the plurality of transverse bents.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority to the provisional U.S.
patent application entitled, MODULAR FRAME AND APPARATUS, filed
Aug. 6, 2002, having a Ser. No. 60/401,015, the disclosure of which
is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
the erection of cooling towers. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a method and apparatus for designing,
processing manufacturing and constructing cooling towers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Cooling towers are widely used in many applications where it
is necessary to cool or condense fluid and/or gas that must be
maintained out of contact with the heat exchange medium to which
the heat is transferred. For example, air conditioning systems for
large buildings employ cooling towers for carrying out a portion of
the heat exchange that is essential to the cooling process. In
these systems, air inside the building is forced passed coils
containing a cooled refrigerant gas thereby transferring heat from
inside the building into the refrigerant gas. The warmed
refrigerant is then piped outside the building where the excess
heat must be removed from the refrigerant so that the refrigerant
gas can be re-cooled and the cooling process continued.
[0004] In addition, industrial processes such as chemical
production, metals production, plastics production, food
processing, electricity generation, etc., generate heat that must
be dissipated and/or disposed of, often by the use of cooling
towers. In all of the foregoing processes and numerous other
processes that require the step of dissipating or disposing of
heat, cooling towers have been employed.
[0005] Cooling towers are used to cool liquid flowing therethrough
by contact with air. Many cooling towers are of the counter-flow
type, where the warm liquid is allowed to flow downwardly through
the tower and a counter current flow of air is drawn by an air
generator, usually a fan, upward through the falling liquid to cool
the liquid. Alternatively, many cooling towers are of the
cross-flow type where the warm liquid is again allowed to flow
downwardly through the tower, but a cross current flow of air is
drawn by an air generator, usually a fan, across, through the
falling liquid to cool the liquid.
[0006] Most cooling towers include a tower structure. This
structural assembly is provided to support dead and live loads,
including air moving equipment such as a fan, motor, gearbox, drive
shaft, liquid distribution equipment including distribution headers
and spray nozzles along with heat transfer media such as a fill
assembly. To withstand the above described loads, cooling tower
framing parts are generally constructed from wood, concrete, metals
and/or plastics such as fiber reinforced plastic (FRP).
[0007] The current methods for designing, constructing and erecting
cooling tower frames involve contract processing wherein the tower
frame is designed and manufactured specifically for the that
individual cooling tower. Current methods for erecting cooling
tower frames include the "stick built method" and the "bent
method." The stick built method is the erection of the tower
framing in situ one frame member at a time while the bent method of
erection consists of assembling transverse bents on the ground,
placing them in frame position, and securing the bents with
longitudinal frame portions along frame support portions.
[0008] As a result of the wide range applications for which cooling
towers are utilized, the cooling towers vary in size and shape. Due
to this variation, the tower frames are oftentimes individually
designed and manufactured for each individual cooling tower. This
results in the requirement of many hours of design and design
modification along with utilization of the multiple parts in order
for the tower frames to be constructed, increasing tower
construction cost and time. In addition, once the framing
components are manufactured in the factory, they then must be
shipped to the job site where labor costs are often higher than
factory labor costs, also increasing cooling tower cost.
[0009] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and
apparatus for effectuating lower cost cooling towers by providing
modular frame subassemblies which result in the reduction of frame
design time, the amount parts required for frame assembly and the
on site labor costs. It is also desirable to provide pre-assembled
frame subassemblies that can fold into compact configurations for
shipping and unfold into their operational configuration at the job
site, reducing frame construction time and labor costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The foregoing needs are met, at least in part, by the
present invention where, in one embodiment, a cooling tower support
frame is provided having a plurality of modules. Each module
includes at least two vertical columns that have a first end and a
second end and at least two horizontal girts that are connected to
the vertical columns. The horizontal girts extend between the
vertical columns preferably at separate vertical levels between the
first and second ends.
[0011] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a cooling tower support frame is provided having a
plurality of transverse bents and each bent has a plurality of
modules connected to one another. The cooling tower support frame
additionally has at least one longitudinal bent extending between
and connecting the transverse bents together. The longitudinal bent
includes a plurality of longitudinal modules.
[0012] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention,
a method for constructing a cooling tower support frame is
provided, providing the steps of: assembling at least one
transverse bent comprising the steps of: providing at least one
modular frame components having a plurality of vertical columns and
horizontal girts that intersect forming window portions; and
supporting at least one transverse bent by attaching at least one
modular longitudinal girt to the at least one modular
subassembly.
[0013] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method
for constructing a cooling tower support frame is provided,
comprising the steps of: assembling a plurality transverse bents
comprising the steps of: attaching a plurality of modular
components having a plurality of vertical columns and horizontal
girts that intersect forming window portions to one another; and
supporting the plurality of transverse bents by attaching a first
modular longitudinal girt to the plurality of transverse bents and
attaching a second modular longitudinal girt to the plurality of
transverse bents, wherein the first and the second modular
longitudinal bents include a plurality of modular longitudinal
components connected to one another.
[0014] In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the
invention, a method for constructing a cooling tower support frame,
comprising the steps of: assembling at least one three-dimensional
framing portion comprising: assembling adjacent transverse bent
modules supporting the modules by connecting at least one
longitudinal girt to the adjacent transverse modules; and
transporting the module into position.
[0015] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the
abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be
regarded as limiting.
[0016] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view of a modular subassembly in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a front view of a fully assembled transverse bent
having varying sizes and configurations of the modular subassembly
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the modular
subassembly depicted in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a multiple cell cooling tower
depicting the longitudinal modular framing in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a front view of a modular subassembly in the
folded position in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Referring now to the figures wherein like reference numerals
indicate like elements, FIGS. 1-5 illustrate presently preferred
embodiments of a modular cooling tower frame apparatus. While in
the embodiments depicted the modular frame is used in combination
with a cooling tower, it should be understood that the present
invention is not limited in its application to water cooling tower
frame assemblies.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 1, a frame module for a cooling tower
frame, generally designated 10, is illustrated. The module 10
illustrated in FIG. 1 is an incomplete example with components
removed for clarity to illustrate the typical overall structure of
the frame modules 10. The module 10 is a pre-defined component that
preferably may be utilized in a multiplicity of cooling tower
frames. The module 10 combines with other module components to form
transverse bents 20 (see FIG. 2) and longitudinal bents 22 (See
FIG. 4). As depicted in FIG. 1, the modular component 10 includes a
plurality of vertical column portions 12 and horizontal girt
portions 14. The column portions 12 and girt portions 14 intersect
one another to provide the module 10 with a tic-tac-toe
configuration. The column and girt portions 12, 14 are connected at
their intersections preferably by mechanical attachment, such as a
single bolt 16. The columns 12 and girts 14 may alternatively be
connected by non-mechanical attachment however.
[0024] The column and girt portions 12, 14 are preferably
manufactured from wood and wood derivatives and/or material
containing glass fibers or some other reinforcing fiber, for
example, fiber reinforced plastic (FRP). The column and girt
portions 12, 14 are preferably square, rectangular or C shaped,
each portion having substantially uniform cross-sectional shape
along its length. The column and girt portions 12, 14 may
alternatively be manufactured from other materials such as metals
and/or concrete, depending upon the frame application.
[0025] The column portions 12 and girt portions 14 are preferably
formed from pultrusion processes when manufacturing the portions
from FRP. Pultrusion is a continuous molding process which utilizes
glass or fibrous reinforcement in a polyester or other
thermosetting resin. The reinforcing material is drawn through a
resin bath, and the resin impregnated reinforcing material is
pulled through a heated steel die. The reinforcement/resin laminate
solidifies in the shape of the cavity of the die as it is pulled by
the pultrusion machine, forming the desired uniform cross-section
column and girt portions 12, 14.
[0026] In addition, the modular members produced from FRP can be
manufactured to lengths longer than their wood counterparts because
they are not limited to the height of the available trees. In fact,
the FRP components can be virtually any size with their only
limitation being their handling characteristics.
[0027] As depicted in FIG. 1, the vertical column portions 12 are
spaced apart preferably at a distance of approximately six feet
providing bays 18, each bay 18 having a width of about six feet.
This spacing enables the preferred standard framing modules 10 to
be manufactured at preferred standard lengths. Preferably four
standard modules 10 are manufactured having a length equal to 3x,
4x, 5x and/or 6x, wherein x is preferably equal to 3. This enables
transverse lengths of 9', 12', 15' and 18 feet to be easily
manufactured. The aforementioned modular transverse lengths are not
limited to the specified lengths, for example, the bay 18 spacing
within a particular cooling tower may vary and not be a constant
integer multiple. These above-referenced however lengths do
minimize the number of different modules 10 required to define a
cooling tower product line, reducing erection time and cost. The
vertical column 12 spacing alternatively can be more than six feet
or less than six feet depending on frame design and
application.
[0028] The horizontal girt portions 14 are spaced apart or have a
lift of approximately 6', providing the modules 10 with multiple
tiers or levels. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the module 10 includes
two horizontal girts 14, resulting in two levels or tiers.
Depending upon cooling tower dimensions, each individual module
component 10 may include additional or fewer horizontal girts 14.
It is preferable that each module have at least two horizontal
girts 14 for stability however at least two girts 14 are not
required. In addition, the horizontal girts 14 alternatively may
have spacing that varies to accommodate varying cooling tower
dimensions.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 2, a transverse bent 20 in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention is depicted. It should
be understood that the structures shown throughout the remainder of
the figures and described herein are representative examples of
embodiments in accordance with the present invention, and the
invention is not limited to the structures shown and described. By
transverse bent 20 it is understood that the bent 20 is a cooling
tower framing structure that extends a specified distance across
the width of a cooling tower. For example, the bent 20 depicted in
FIG. 2 is utilized in a cooling tower having a width of 42' and
preferably positioned in the interior of the cooling tower and
extends the entire 42' width of the cooling tower.
[0030] The transverse bent 20 as depicted in FIG. 2, has nine
distinct modules 10, three modules 10 high and three modules 10
wide. Each individual module 10 is designated by the horizontal
dashed lines A, B, C and the vertical dashed lines D and E.
[0031] The composition of the transverse bent 20 may vary with
cooling tower width. For example, a cooling tower having a width of
60' may employ transverse bents 20 comprised of 9', 18', 18' and
15'. In the same respect, depending upon the cooling tower height,
the transverse bent may comprise three levels of modules 10 as
depicted in FIG. 2 or may contain more or less levels.
[0032] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, there are three
vertical levels of modules 10 generally indicated by the dashed
lines A, B and C. As previously, described, each bay 18 is
approximately 6' in width by 6' in height with these dimensions
varying with cooling tower design and size. The lower level of the
transverse bent 20, generally designated between lines B and C, is
aligned with the air inlet portions of the cooling tower and is
comprised of a first standard module 28 having a 9' width and an
approximate 15' height. The first standard module 28 is attached to
a second standard module 30 having a 18' width and an approximate
15' height. The second module 30 is attached to a third standard
module 32 having a 15' width and an approximate 15' height. The
modules 10 are preferably connected to one another by mechanical
attachment 34.
[0033] Similarly, the middle level of the bent 20, generally
designated between lines A and B, is aligned with the fill material
portions of the cooling tower and the bays 18 function to support
and carry the fill material and are generally called fill modules.
These modules 10 additionally function to support the cooling tower
spray system above the tower fill and a portion of the air inlet
below the fill. The middle level is comprised of additional
standard modules and like their counterparts on the lower level,
they have widths of 9', 18' and 15' respectfully. However, where
the lower level modules have a height of approximately 15', the
middle level modules in the embodiment depicted, have a height of
approximately 12' or extend vertically 2 bays 18. In a preferred
embodiment, the fill module heights are typically 12' and 13'-1"
for wood and FRP frames respectively and these heights can
accommodate a fill height from approximately 3' to approximately
6'. These modules, for example are positioned to fill with heights
between 3' to 4' feet. Again, these modules are connected to one
another and their upper and lower counterparts by mechanical
attachment 34.
[0034] The upper level of the transverse bent 20, generally
designated above line A, is aligned with the plenum portions of the
cooling tower and the bays 18 function to support the air intake
equipment of the cooling tower. This level is comprised of
additional standard modules 42, 44, 46 and like their counterparts
on the lower two levels, they have widths of 9', 18' and 15'
respectfully. Plenum heights vary from cell to cell of a cooling
tower. Oftentimes each cell size has a distinct plenum height.
Therefore, multiple plenum heights for each cell size is certainly
possible and oftentimes desirable, e.g., to draw air more uniformly
for different size fans or to elevate the discharge. This being
said, a single plenum height is-convenient and generally practical
and therefore generally preferred. Thus, the modular framing
components utilized in the top row of the various bents may vary in
size and dimensions from one cell of the cooling tower to the
other. Again, as discussed with the lower and middle level modules,
these modules are connected to one another and their lower
counterparts preferably by mechanical attachment 34.
[0035] Due to the previously described column 12 and girt 14
spacing of the modules 10, the standard 9' modules transversely
extend approximately 1.5 bays 18, the standard 15' modules
transversely extend approximately 2.5 bays 18 and the standard 18'
modules transversely extend approximately 3 bays 18. In the
embodiments depicted, the maximum height for the wood modules is
approximately 20' and the maximum height for the FRP modules is
approximately 31'. As a result of this orientation, the modules
extend into approximately the middle of the bays where they may be
spliced or attached to the adjacent modules that combine to form a
transverse bent. In many of the embodiments, the aforementioned
splices are not necessarily at exactly the middle of the bay
height, but are located somewhere between the girts 14.
[0036] As depicted in FIG. 2, the individual modules 10 are spliced
together preferably at the centerline of the bays 18 by mechanical
attachment 34. The individual modules 10 are spliced together
utilizing bracket attachment 34 (see FIG. 3), but other attachment
means known in the art, such as bolt attachment and/or screw
attachment, can be used. Alternatively, the individual modules may
be spliced together or connected to one another by adhesive
attachment.
[0037] Girt splices can include a splice block that is placed
between girts 14 and bolted with two bolts through each adjacent
module girt 14. The column splices are similar except the adjacent
module columns 12 are "butted" together and a pair of side plates
bolted to the adjacent columns 12. For symmetry purposes, it is
preferred that the splices occur at the centerline of the bays 18,
however this is not a requirement and splicing may occur at various
locations within the bays 18.
[0038] As depicted in FIG. 1, the modules 10 are originally not
configured with diagonal portions 48 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and
3. The utilization of the diagonal portions 48 is dependent upon
load requirements of the cooling tower due to wind, seismic
conditions and general stability conditions. Each individual module
10 is designed to accept or be fitted with a diagonal in any bay
18. The diagonals 48 can extend from the top left of the bay 18 to
the bottom right or from the bottom left of the bay 18 to the upper
right. In addition, the diagonals 48 are preferably collinear and
intersect the columns 12 at regular intervals. This allows the same
diagonal 48 to be used in a multiplicity of locations. The
aforementioned diagonal design enables the cooling tower designer
to have the freedom to call for any diagonal 48 arrangement that
satisfies the lateral load demand determined from the structural
analysis of the cooling tower design.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 2, typically two diagonal member
lines 50 are placed in each transverse bent 20 forming an "X"
configuration. The diagonal member lines 50 are comprised of
individual diagonal portions 48 placed in individual bays 18. The
diagonals 48 are connected to the bays 18 by mechanical attachment
52, as illustrated in FIG. 3. This attachment is preferably
bracketed attachment 52, however other attachment means known in
the art, such as bolt attachment and/or screw attachment, can be
used.
[0040] The upper level of modules, 42, 44 and 46 may have diagonals
48 located near the mechanical equipment of the cooling tower. This
placement is preferable to suppress vibrations introduced to the
transverse bent 20 by operation of the mechanical equipment. The
top level diagonals 48 are often not aligned with the lower level
diagonals 48 that combine to form the "X" configuration.
[0041] The transverse bent 20 depicted in FIG. 3 illustrates a bent
that employs a double girt 14 arrangement. This arrangement is
preferable for load carrying purposes and is preferably utilized
with the interior transverse bent assemblies. The double girt 14
arrangement is not required however and transverse bents 20 may
function properly using only a single girt 14 arrangement.
[0042] In some instances two diagonals 48 may intersect the same
bay 18. In this case, a special assembly is required where one of
the diagonals 48 is separated into two pieces and connected
together with the diagonal straps 52 while allowing the other
diagonal 48 to pass through between the straps 52.
[0043] As depicted in FIG. 4, the transverse bents 20 are "tied" or
connected together by individual longitudinal modular components 53
that combine to make up the longitudinal bents, generally
designated 22. Since all the columns 12 are defined in the
transverse bents 20, only longitudinal girts are required for the
longitudinal framing 22. Diagonals 48 (not shown) are also employed
to offer lateral support. The diagonals 48 that are employed in the
longitudinal bents 22 are typically the same diagonals 48 that are
employed in the transverse bents 20.
[0044] FIG. 4 is a plan view of cooling tower framing for a cooling
tower employing four cells 54, 55, 56 and 57 respectively. Cells 54
and 57 are end cells while cells 55 and 56 are designated as middle
cells. Each cell 54, 55, 56, 57 is approximately eight bays 18 long
or 48'. In the embodiment depicted, the cells' width comprises of
seven bays 18 or 42' in the transverse direction, generally
designated Y. The dashed lines 59 extending between the
longitudinal bents 22 represent vertical planes intersecting the
longitudinal modules 53 at designated splice locations where the
modular longitudinal components 53 are connected to one another.
These planes 59 (dashed lines), also delineate the boundaries
between the individual longitudinal modules 53.
[0045] The longitudinal modules are similar in concept to the to
transverse framing previously described. The longitudinal bays 18,
like the transverse bays 18, are approximately 6' in length however
the length may vary from approximately 3' to 12' or more. The
longitudinal bents 22 like the transverse bents 20 preferably have
standard longitudinal bent pieces in longitudinal modules 53, each
having a length of 3x, 4x, 5x or 6x. In addition, as previously
mentioned, each module preferably includes 2, 3 or more lifts
depending upon the height of the cooling tower. In the embodiment
depicted, x is preferably equal to 3 and therefore the pieces are
approximately 9' in length, 12' in length, 15' in length and 18' in
length. The aforementioned dimensions are preferred because this
allows for only a minimal number of longitudinal pieces to be
needed to define an entire cooling tower product line. However,
again, the bay 18 spacing within a particular cooling tower may
vary and not be a constant integer multiple. In addition, similar
to the transverse modules 10, the longitudinal modules 53 are
necessarily spliced in the middle of the longitudinal bays 18 to
minimize the number pieces required to define multiple cooling
tower frame assemblies.
[0046] The longitudinal framing 22 may span across cooling towers
comprised of one cell or as many as ten or more cooling tower
cells. When the longitudinal bents 22 are employed in multi-cell
cooling towers, as depicted in FIG. 4, they are typically
categorized into three categories: long end cell modules 58, middle
cell modules 60 and short end cell modules 62.
[0047] Long end cell modules 58, as the name suggests, are the
modules 53 employed at a designated cooling tower end that combine
to extend the longest distance. These modules preferably come in
standard lengths of 9', 12', 15' and 18'. For example, as depicted
in FIG. 4, a 9' module 53, a 12' module 53, an 18' module 53 and a
12' module combine to extend 8.5 bays 18 or 51' and connect the
transverse bents located in the cell 54 to one another. As
illustrated, the modules 53 extend into the middle cell 55 of the
cooling tower, and are spliced with the middle cell modules
preferably at the middle of the first bay 18 of the cell 55.
[0048] The middle cell modules 60, as the name suggests, are the
modules 53 employed in the interior middle cells 55, 56 of the
cooling tower. These modules preferably come in standard lengths of
12' and 18'. For example, as depicted in FIG. 4, a 18' module 53, a
12' module 53 and a 18' module combine to extend 8 bays 18 or 48'
in each middle cell 55, 56. Because the long end cell modules 53
extend a half bay 18 into the second cell, the first interior cell
55 modules 60 extend a half bay or 3' into the second interior cell
56, causing the cell modules 60 to extend a half bay or 3' into the
short end cell 57.
[0049] The short end cell modules 62, as the name suggests, are the
modules 53 employed at a designated cooling tower end that combine
to extend the shortest distance. These modules preferably come in
standard lengths of 9', 12', 15' and 18'. For example, as depicted
in FIG. 4, an 18' module 62, a 12' module 62 and a 15' module 62
combine to extend only 7.5 bays 18 or 45' and connect the
transverse bents located in the cell 57 to one another. As
illustrated, the modules 62 extend one half bay 18 or 3' less than
the middle cell modules 60, a one bay or 6' less than the long end
cell modules. The modules 62 are spliced with the middle cell
modules preferably at the middle of the first bay 18 of the cell
57.
[0050] Simply described, the composition of longitudinal modules
needed for a specified cooling tower may be determined by the
formula: Modules=(Long End Modules)+(N-2)(Middle Modules)+(Short
End Modules), where N is the number cells and N is greater than or
equal to 2. Furthermore, except for a cell having a length equal to
three bays, the sum of the long end cell modules' 58 length is the
cooling tower cell length plus one-half bay length and the sum of
the short end cell modules' 62 is the cooling tower cell length
minus one-half bay length. This orientation is not true for a three
bay cell because interior modules in the embodiment described are
4x and 6x, 12' and 18' for six feet column spacing, and for the
formula to apply, a 2x interior module, 6', would be required. This
is not desired because it would require additional longitudinal
modules to define a product line, increasing cooling tower
manufacturing cost, thus 3x end cell modules, 9', and 6x interior
cell modules, 18', are preferred to minimize the number of
modules.
[0051] The individual longitudinal modules 58, 60 and 62 are
likewise spliced together preferably at the centerline of the bays
18 by mechanical attachment 34. Preferably, the individual modules
are spliced together utilizing bracket attachment 34, but other
attachment means known in the art, such as bolt attachment, pin
attachment, and/or screw attachment, can be used. For the above
referenced formula to apply, it assumes that the splices occur at
the centerline of the bays 18. This is not a requirement however
and splicing may occur at various locations within the bays 18.
[0052] Likewise, the longitudinal modules are initially constructed
without diagonals 50. This allows the cooling tower designer to
have the freedom to require any diagonal 50 arrangement that
satisfies the lateral load demand of the tower. Typically, a
minimum of two diagonal member lines are placed in each
longitudinal frame. If the tower only has a single cell, the
diagonals will usually form a large "X", similar to the transverse
diagonals 50. The top level of the longitudinal bent 22 may also
have diagonals 50 that are located near the mechanical equipment
support assembly. The placement is to assist in suppressing the
vibrations introduced to the cooling tower frame by the mechanical
equipment. Again, the top level diagonals are often not aligned
with the lower level diagonals 50 and in a preferred embodiment,
they are collinear with and intersect the columns 12 at regular
intervals similar to the transverse diagonals 50. This allows for
the same diagonal 50 to be used in a multiplicity of locations. And
again, in some instances, two diagonals 50 may intersect the same
bay 18 and this is preferably addressed similarly to the transverse
frame 20 instances previously described.
[0053] FIG. 5 depicts an alternative embodiment of the present
invention wherein the transverse modules 10 illustrated in FIG. 1
are assembled such that they can fold into relatively compact
arrangements for shipping and handling. In the embodiment depicted,
the column and girt portions 12, 14 along with the diagonal straps
52 (not shown in FIG. 5) are preferably connected with a single
bolt 16 at their respected intersections. The bolts 16 are left
loose to permit rotation of the columns 12 relative to the girts
14. Thus, the column portions 12 and girt portions 14 form a
linkage of orthogonal members which preferably hinge at their
respective intersections.
[0054] The above described embodiment is applicable to modules
constructed from both wood and fiber reinforced products. Wood
modules may be assembled and folded prior to preservative treatment
without compromising the treatment's effectiveness, therefore
allowing the treatment process to occur post-assembly.
[0055] Cooling tower frame construction may be further expedited by
the creation of three-dimensional framing portions or blocks on the
ground prior to tower installation. These portions include
assembling adjacent transverse bent modules, like the ones
described previously, with diagonals (if any) connected with their
respective longitudinal modules and diagonals (if any), which
results in a three-dimensional module that can be hoisted into
place. These framing portions reduce the demand for hoisting
individual frame subassemblies when constructing a tower, which is
time consuming. Alternatively, the three-dimensional portions are
assembled on the ground with some or all of the cooling components
installed in advance of erecting the tower and then the completed
portions are assembled together to form the cooling tower,
significantly reducing time required to erect a cooling tower.
Economic benefit may be gained for cooling tower replacement or
other applications by minimizing the erection time for which a
revenue generating process may be inoperable.
[0056] The many features and advantages of the invention are
apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended
by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of
the invention which fall within the true spirits and scope of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations
will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *