U.S. patent number RE41,723 [Application Number 11/364,794] was granted by the patent office on 2010-09-21 for cooling tower support grid.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Integrid Inc.. Invention is credited to Lloyd Olson, Nicolaos Papadopoulos.
United States Patent |
RE41,723 |
Olson , et al. |
September 21, 2010 |
Cooling tower support grid
Abstract
A cooling tower support grid includes a lattice frame having a
first series of bars which intersect a second series of bars to
form a plurality of openings. Splash bar retaining clips are
integrally formed as part of the lattice frame extending in opposed
relation into each of the openings. This eliminates the need to
handle separate retaining clips and, thereby, simplifies the
installation process.
Inventors: |
Olson; Lloyd (St. Albert,
CA), Papadopoulos; Nicolaos (Edmonton,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Integrid Inc. (Edmonton,
CA)
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Family
ID: |
25415289 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/364,794 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
09902090 |
Jul 10, 2001 |
06708960 |
Mar 23, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
261/111;
261/DIG.11; 52/664 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F
25/082 (20130101); Y10S 261/11 (20130101); F28F
2275/085 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B01F
3/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;261/111,113,DIG.11
;52/664,665 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Bushey; Scott
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Howrey LLP
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
.[.1. A cooling tower support grid, comprising: a lattice frame
having a first series of bars which intersect a second series of
bars to form a plurality of openings; splash bar retaining clips
integrally formed as part of the lattice frame extending in opposed
relation into each of the openings..].
.[.2. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 1, wherein
the first series of bars are in parallel spaced relation and the
second series of bars are in parallel spaced relation..].
.[.3. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 1, wherein
the clips have a lower retainer..].
.[.4. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 3, wherein
the lower retainer is a lip..].
.[.5. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 1, wherein
each of the clips extends from one of the first series of bars
above and immediately adjacent to one of the second series of
bars..].
.[.6. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 1, wherein
an upper peripheral edge of the lattice frame has an integrally
formed hook whereby the lattice frame is suspended..].
7. A cooling tower support grid, comprising: a lattice frame having
a first series of parallel bars which intersect a second series of
parallel bars to form a plurality of openings; splash bar retaining
clips integrally formed as part of the lattice frame extending in
opposed relation into .[.each of the openings.]. .Iadd.two
laterally adjacent openings of the lattice frame.Iaddend., each of
the clips extending from one of the first series of bars above and
immediately adjacent to one of the second series of bars, each of
the clips having a lower retainer lip and a resilient finger which
is angled upwardly and terminates in a downwardly bent portion.
8. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 7, wherein an
upper peripheral edge of the lattice frame has an integrally formed
hook whereby the lattice frame is suspended.
9. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 7, wherein a
lower peripheral edge of the lattice frame has depending tabs with
openings whereby the lattice frame is secured in position by
extending fasteners through the openings.
10. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 7, wherein
the lattice frame is combined with a plurality of cooling tower
splash bars, each of the splash bars comprising: an elongate
channel-form body having a first end, a second end, and a plurality
of flow-through apertures; the downwardly bent portion of the
resilient finger engaging one of the plurality of flow-through
apertures.
11. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 10, wherein
the body has a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal
edge, both the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal
edge having outwardly protruding engagement lips.
12. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 11, wherein
the engagement lips are positioned between opposed ones of the
lower retainer lips and the one of the second series of bars
immediately adjacent to the clips.
13. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 10, wherein
the body is a "C" channel.
14. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 10, wherein
the first end of each body has male members and the second end of
each body has female members adapted to receive in mating relation
the male members whereby several of the bodies can be joined in end
to end relation.
15. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 14, wherein
each of the male members terminates in an engagement member and
each of the female members terminates in a locking recess adapted
to receive the engagement member, whereby each of the male members
remain engaged with the female members until sufficient force is
applied to cause the engagement member to be released from the
locking recess.
16. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 11, wherein
several male members are positioned along the first longitudinal
edge and several female receptacles are positioned along the second
longitudinal edge, whereby a pair of bodies can be secured in face
to face relation by inserting the male members of each of the pair
of bodies into the female receptacles of the other of the pair of
bodies.
17. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 7, wherein
the lattice frame is combined with a plurality of cooling tower
splash bars, each of the splash bars comprising: an elongate "C"
channel body having a first end, a second end, a first longitudinal
edge, a second longitudinal edge and a plurality of flow-through
apertures, both the first longitudinal edge and the second
longitudinal edge having outwardly protruding engagement lips; the
engagement lips being positioned between opposed ones of the lower
retainer lips and the one of the second series of bars immediately
adjacent to the clips, with the downwardly bent portion of each of
the resilient fingers engaging one of the plurality of flow-through
apertures.
18. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 7, wherein
the lattice frame is combined with a plurality of cooling tower
splash bars, each of the splash bars comprising: an elongate "C"
channel body having a first end, a second end, a first longitudinal
edge, a second longitudinal edge and a plurality of flow-through
apertures, several male members being positioned along the first
longitudinal edge and several female members being positioned along
the second longitudinal edge; a pair of bodies secured in face to
face relation by inserting the male members of each of the pair of
bodies into the female receptacles of the other of the pair of
bodies, the downwardly bent portion of each of the resilient
fingers engaging one of the plurality of flow-through apertures to
hold the pair of bodies in position.
19. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 17, wherein
the first end of each body has male members and the second end of
each body has female members adapted to receive in mating relation
the male members whereby several of the bodies can be joined in end
to end relation.
20. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 19, wherein
each of the male members terminates in an engagement member and
each of the female members terminates in a locking recess adapted
to receive the engagement member, whereby each of the male members
remain engaged with the female members until sufficient force is
applied to cause the engagement member to be released from the
locking recess.
21. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 14, wherein
the body has a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal
edge and there are three male members: a first male member
protruding from the first longitudinal edge, a second male member
protruding from the second longitudinal edge and a third male
member positioned intermediate the first male member and the second
male member.
22. The cooling tower support grid as defined in claim 21, wherein
each of the male members terminates in an engagement member and
each of the female members terminates in a locking recess adapted
to receive the engagement member, whereby each of the male members
remain engaged with the female members until sufficient force is
applied to cause the engagement member to be released from the
locking recess.
.Iadd.23. A cooling tower support grid, comprising: a lattice frame
having a first series of bars which intersect a second series of
bars to form a plurality of openings; splash bar retaining clips
integrally formed as part of the lattice frame, the retaining clips
being placed into at least two laterally spaced openings of the
lattice frame; and each of the retaining clips having an engaging
portion extended from the lattice frame, the engaging portion
adapted to engage the splash bar to selectively secure the splash
bar against the lattice frame, in which the engaging portion is
extended from the lattice frame by an extending member to extend
the engaging portion from one of the second series of bars, in
which the engaging portion comprises a resilient finger angled
upwardly..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The cooling tower support grid of claim 23 or 28, in
which the resilient finger further comprises a downwardly bent
portion..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. A cooling tower support grid, comprising: a lattice frame
having a first series of bars which at least substantially
perpendicularly intersect a second series of bars to form a
plurality of openings; and splash bar retaining clips integrally
formed as part of the lattice frame, the retaining clips being
placed into two laterally adjacent openings of the lattice frame,
each of the retaining clips having a downward portion, the downward
portion adapted to engage the splash bar to selectively secure the
splash bar against the lattice frame, in which each of the splash
bar retaining clips further comprises a resilient finger angled
upwardly and terminating in the downward portion..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The cooling tower support grid of claim 25 in which each
of the splash bar retaining clips is bent to form the downward
portion..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. A cooling tower support grid for supporting at least one
splash bar, comprising: a lattice frame having a plurality of
substantially rectangular openings formed between a first series of
parallel bars and a second series of parallel bars; and a splash
bar retaining clip within one of the openings, the splash bar
retaining clip having a first portion and a second
downwardly-angled portion, the second downwardly-angled portion
being positioned away from the lattice frame by the first portion,
the second downwardly-angled portion adapted to engage the splash
bar to selectively secure the splash bar against one of the second
series of parallel bars within the lattice frame, wherein the
retaining clip is integrally formed with the frame to eliminate a
need to handle the clip during operation, in which the first
portion of the retaining clip is resilient, in which the first
portion comprises a resilient finger angled upwardly, and the
downwardly angled portion is a downwardly bent
portion..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. A cooling tower support grid, comprising: a lattice frame
having a first series of bars which intersect a second series of
bars to form a plurality of openings; splash bar retaining clips
integrally formed as part of the lattice frame the retaining clips
being placed into at least two laterally spaced openings of the
lattice frame, and; each of the retaining clips having an engaging
portion extended from the lattice frame, the engaging portion
adapted to engage the splash bar to selectively secure the splash
bar against the lattice frame, in which the engaging portion
includes a downwardly facing portion, and in which the engaging
portion comprises a resilient finger angled upwardly..Iaddend.
Description
.Iadd.This application is a Reissue of application Ser. No.
09/902,090, filed Jul. 10, 2001, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
6,708,960 on Mar. 23, 2004..Iaddend.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cooling tower support grid for
supporting splash bars.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cooling tower support grids are used to support splash bars which
span across a cooling tower, so that the splash bars do not sag.
The splash bars are offset both vertically and horizontally, so
that water droplets falling vertically from near the top of the
cooling tower will invariably strike one or more of the splash bars
during descent. Large water droplets are broken into smaller water
droplets upon striking one of the splash bars. As many water
droplets strike the splash bars, a thin film of water tends to form
on each splash bar which increases the surface area of water
exposed to air.
There is a tendency for splash bars to become dislodged due to
impingement by water from above, forced air flow from below and
vibration caused by fans used to circulate air within the cooling
tower. To guard against the splash bars becoming dislodged, the
splash bars are commonly secured to the support grid by clips.
An example of a support grid is U.S. Pat. No. 4,178,333 (Shepherd).
Examples of splash bars are U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,092 (Kinney Jr. et
al) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,987 (Cornwell Jr.). Examples of clips
are U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,034 (Fritz) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,956
(Shepherd).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an alternative configuration for a
cooling tower support grid.
According to the present invention there is provided a cooling
tower support grid which includes a lattice frame having a first
series of bars which intersect a second series of bars to form a
plurality of openings. Splash bar retaining clips are integrally
formed as part of the lattice frame extending in opposed relation
into each of the openings.
The cooling tower support grid, as described above, turns what
formerly was a three component system consisting of support grid,
splash bars and clips into a two component system. The need to
handle clips is eliminated as they are integrally formed as part of
the support grid. There are a variety of suitable moldable
materials that can be used. Beneficial results have been obtained
by injection molding polymer plastic.
The lattice frame can be made in a various configurations.
Beneficial results have been obtained when the first series of bars
are in parallel spaced relation and the second series of bars are
in parallel spaced relation.
The type of clips used depends upon which of a variety of
alternative configurations of splash bars are to be used with the
support grid. Beneficial results have been obtained when the clips
have a resilient finger. It is preferred that the resilient finger
be angled upwardly and terminate in a downwardly bent portion.
The clips are more versatile and can be used with a wider variety
of splash bar configurations, as will hereinafter be further
described, when the clips have a lower retainer. Beneficial results
have be obtained through the use of a retainer lip.
The positioning of the clips within the openings can be varied to
suit alternative splash bar configurations. Beneficial results have
been obtained when each of the clips extends from one of the first
series of bars above and immediately adjacent to one of the second
series of bars.
It is desirable that the support grid be rapidly and easily
installed in a cooling tower. Even more beneficial results have
been obtained when an upper peripheral edge of the lattice frame
has an integrally formed hook whereby the lattice frame is
suspended to facilitate rapid installation. It is preferred that a
lower peripheral edge of the lattice frame have depending tabs with
openings, whereby the lattice frame is secured in position by
extending fasteners through the openings.
The clips on the lattice frame of the cooling tower support grid
must engage a plurality of cooling tower splash bars. It is
preferred that each of the splash bars include a elongate
channel-form body having a first end, a second end, and a plurality
of flow-through apertures. The downwardly bent portion of the
resilient finger engaging one of the plurality of flow-through
apertures.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the
splash bars, as described above, even more beneficial results may
be obtained when the body has a first longitudinal edge and a
second longitudinal edge; with both the first longitudinal edge and
the second longitudinal edge having outwardly protruding engagement
lips. This enables the engagement lips to be positioned between
opposed ones of the lower retainer lips and the one of the second
series of bars immediately adjacent to the clips.
Although there are various configurations of channel-form bodies
that could be used, it is preferred that the bodies form a "C"
channel. The reason is that this enables the bodies to be used
individually as an "open" channel or put together in face to face
relation as a "closed" channel.
When the "C" channel splash bars are going to be used in face to
face relation, it is preferred that several male members to be
positioned along the first longitudinal edge and several female
receptacles be positioned along the second longitudinal edge. This
enables a pair of bodies to be secured in face to face relation by
inserting the several male members of each of the pair of bodies
into the several female receptacles of the other of the pair of
bodies.
Cooling towers come in a different width dimensions. Even more
beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when the first end
of each body has male members and the second end of each body has
female members adapted to receive in mating relation the male
members. This enables several of the bodies to be joined in end to
end relation to create a splash bar of a length that is suited to
the width of the cooling tower. There can be any number of male
members. Of course, several spaced male members will provide a more
uniform hold than a single male member can provide. Beneficial
results have been obtained through the use of three male members: a
first male member protruding from the first longitudinal edge, a
second male member protruding from the second longitudinal edge and
a third male member positioned intermediate the first male member
and the second male member.
It would be undesirable for splash bars joined in end to end
relation to separate. It is, therefore, preferred that each of the
male members terminates in an engagement member and each of the
female members terminates in a locking recess adapted to receive
the engagement member. This structure provides a locking engagement
whereby each of the male members remains engaged with the female
members until sufficient force is applied to cause the engagement
member to be released from the locking recess.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent
from the following description in which reference is made to the
appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration
only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the
invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown,
wherein:
FIG. 1 is front elevation view of a cooling tower support grid
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cooling tower splash bar
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the cooling tower splash bar
illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the cooling tower splash bar
illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view a first end of the cooling
tower splash bar illustrated in FIG. 2, depicting male members.
FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the cooling tower splash
bar illustrated in FIG. 2, depicting female members.
FIG. 7 is a detailed front elevation view of the cooling tower
support grid illustrated in FIG. 1, engaged with two alternative
configurations of splash bar.
FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of the cooling tower support
grid illustrated in FIG. 1, engaged with an open channel splash
bar.
FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of the cooling tower support
grid illustrated in FIG. 1, engaged with a closed channel splash
bar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment, a cooling tower support grid generally
identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 through 9.
Structure and Relationship of Parts
Referring to FIG. 1, there is provided a cooling tower support grid
10 which includes a lattice frame 12 that has a first series of
parallel bars 14 which intersect with a second series of parallel
bars 16 to form a plurality of openings 18. Splash bar retaining
clips 20 are integrally formed as part of lattice frame 12.
Retaining clips 20 extend in opposed relation into each of openings
18. Each clip 20 extends from one of first series of bars 14 above
and immediately adjacent to one of second series of bars 16.
Referring to FIG. 7, each clip 20 has a lower retainer lip 22 and a
resilient finger 24 which is angled upwardly and terminates in a
downwardly bent portion 26.
Referring to FIG. 8, an upper peripheral edge 28 of lattice frame
12 has an integrally formed hook 30 whereby lattice frame 12 is
suspended. Referring to FIG. 1, a lower peripheral edge 32 of
lattice frame 12 has depending tabs 34 with openings 36 whereby
lattice frame 12 is secured in position by extending fasteners such
as nails 38 through openings 36.
Referring to FIG. 7, a plurality of cooling tower splash bars 40
are arranged on lattice frame 12. Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4,
each splash bar 40 includes an elongate "C" channel body 42 that
has a first end 44, a second end 46, a first longitudinal edge 48,
a second longitudinal edge 50 and a plurality of flow-through
apertures 52. Both first longitudinal edge 48 and second
longitudinal edge 50 have outwardly protruding engagement lips 54.
Referring to FIG. 3, male members 56 are positioned along first
longitudinal edge 48. Referring to FIG. 4, female receptacles 58
are positioned along second longitudinal edge 50.
Referring to FIG. 7, cooling tower splash bars 40 can be arranged
in either an individually as an "open" channel 60 or alternatively,
cooling tower splash bars 40 can be placed together in face to face
relation as a "closed" channel 62. Referring to FIG. 8, to place
splash bar 40 as an "open" channel 60, engagement lips 54 are
positioned between opposed lower retainer lips 22 and one of second
series of bars 16 immediately adjacent to clips 20 with downwardly
bent portion 26 of each resilient finger 24 engaging one
flow-through apertures 52. Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 9, in
order to assemble a "closed" channel 62, two of bodies 42 are
secured in face to face relation by inserting male members 56 of
each body 42 into female receptacles 58 of other body 42.
Downwardly bent portion 26 of resilient fingers 24 engage
flow-through apertures 52 to hold bodies 42 in position.
Referring to FIG. 5, first end 44 of each body 42 has a first male
member 64 protruding from first longitudinal edge 48, a second male
member 66 protruding from second longitudinal edge 50 and a third
male member 68 positioned intermediate first male member 64 and
second male member 66. It will be appreciated, however, that there
can by any number of male members. Referring to FIG. 6, second end
46 of each body 42 has female members 70 that are adapted to
receive in mating relation first male member 64, second male member
66, and third male member 68 so that several bodies 42 can be
joined in end to end relation. Referring to FIG. 5, each of first
male member 64, second male member 66, and third male member 68
terminate in an engagement member 72. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6,
each of female members 70 terminate in a locking recess 74 adapted
to receive engagement member 72 of each of first male member 64,
second male member 66 and third male member 68 such that they will
remain engaged with female members 70.
Operation
The use and operation of cooling tower support grid 10 will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 9. Referring to FIGS. 1
and 7, cooling tower support grids 10 are used to support splash
bars 40. Support grids 10 are spaced across a cooling tower so that
splash bars 40 do not sag. Splash bars are offset both vertically
and horizontally on support grid 10, so that falling water droplets
will invariably strike one or more of splash bars 40 during
descent. As many water droplets strike splash bars 40, a thin film
of water tends to form on each splash bar 40 which increases the
surface area of water exposed to air.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, hook 30 on upper peripheral edge 28 of
support grid 10 and depending tabs 34 on lower peripheral edge 32
of support grid 10 allow for support grid 10 to be rapidly and
easily installed in a cooling tower. Referring to FIG. 7, clips 20
are used to prevent splash bars 40 from becoming dislodged from
support grid 10 due to impingement by water from above, forced air
flow from below, or vibration cause by fans used to circulate air.
As clips 20 are integrally formed as part of lattice frame 12, the
need to handle loose clips 20 is eliminated.
Clips 20 allow for several alternative configurations of splash
bars 40. For example, bodies 42 can be used individually to form an
"open" channel 60. Alternatively, bodies 42 can be placed together
in face to face relation as a "closed" channel 62. Referring to
FIGS. 4 and 9, when placed in face to face relation, male members
56 of each body 42 are inserted into female receptacles 58 of other
body 42.
To accommodate cooling towers of a variety of widths, bodies 42 of
splash bars 40 are adapted to be joined in end to end relation to
create splash bars 40 of a length that is suited for the width of a
cooling tower. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, female members 70 at
second end 46 of each body 42 are adapted to receive first male
member 64, second male member 66 and third male member 68 on first
end 44 of each body 42 for the purpose of securing bodies 42 in end
to end relation. In the illustrated embodiment, three male members
are provided, however it will be appreciated that any number of
male members will work. It will also be appreciated that several
spaced male members will provide a more uniform hold than a single
male member could provide.
In order to prevent splash bars 40 that are joined in end to end
relation from separating, locking recess 74 is provided in female
members 70 that is adapted to receive engagement members 72 of
first male member 64, second male member 66, and third male member
68 so that they remain engaged with female members 70 until
sufficient force is applied to cause engagement member 72 to be
released from locking recess 74.
Referring to FIG. 7, as a result, support grid 10, as described
above, is quite versatile as it can be quickly and easily
installed, and can support splash bars 40 in a variety of
configurations.
Although in the illustrated embodiment, clips 20 are positioned
immediately adjacent to and above bars 16, the positioning of clips
20 within openings 18 can be varied if alternative configurations
of splash bar are used.
In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its
non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are
included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A
reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not
exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is
present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and
only one of the elements.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications
may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the
claims.
* * * * *