US3749381A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fill hanger
Assignee: CUSTODIS-ECODYNE Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-12
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1990-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A fill assembly for a cooling tower comprising a plurality of fill strips positioned within the fill area, a plurality of spaced apart vertically suspended fill hangers positioned transversely with respect to said fill strips within said fill area, said fill hangers having a plurality of substantially horizontally and generally vertically extending members which intersect one another to form a plurality of parallelogram grids, each of said fill strips being supported by a horizontal portion of one of said parallelogram grids of at least two of said fill hangers, and each of said parallelogram grids including means associated with said vertically extending members to retain said fill strips in a predetermined position relative to said horizontal portion. Also provided are unique snap-lock joints to attach adjacent fill hanger sections and horizontal and transverse stabilizers to increase the stability of the fill assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 D Furlong
- 👤 S Luzaich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:01
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F25/00; F28F25/02; F28F25/08; F28F25/082; F28C; F28C1/00; F28C1/04; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/70; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
355 words
In cooling tower wherein air is displaced to flow directionally generally laterally within the tower in cooling relation with dropping particulate liquid having a splash fill assembly positioned within the fill area of said tower, an improved fill assembly comprising: a. a plurality of fill strips positioned within said fill area; b. a plurality of spaced apart vertically suspended fill hangers positioned transversely with respect to said fill strips within said fill area, said fill hangers comprising a plurality of substantially horizontally and generally vertically extending members which intersect one another to form a plurality of parallelogram grids; c. each of said fill strips being supported by a horizontal portion of one of said parrallelogram grids of at least two of said fill hangers; d. each of said fill hangers including a plurality of fill hanger sections which are attached one atop of another, each section being attached to the section immediately below by connecting means integral with each pair of vertically aligned adjacent vertical members; and e. said connecting means including a male portion associated with one of said vertical members which is releasably received by a female portion associated with the adjacent end of the other of said vertical members; said male portion having a rectangular member integral therewith positioned a short distance from the end portion thereof, said rectangular member extending a short distance beyond the sides of said male portion, and said female portion having a slot therein having a pair of notches associated therewith so as to permit receipt of said end portion and permit said rectangular member to pass therethrough, said female portion further including a first member positioned rearwardly of said female portion adjacent one end of said notches and a second member positioned rearwardly of said female portion spaced a short distance from the opposite end of said notches, such that as said male portion is received by said female portion and a separating force applied thereto said rectangular member frictionally engages a rear surface of said female portion and the rearward surface of said male portion frictionally engages forward surfaces of said first and second members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
355 words
In cooling tower wherein air is displaced to flow directionally generally laterally within the tower in cooling relation with dropping particulate liquid having a splash fill assembly positioned within the fill area of said tower, an improved fill assembly comprising: a. a plurality of fill strips positioned within said fill area; b. a plurality of spaced apart vertically suspended fill hangers positioned transversely with respect to said fill strips within said fill area, said fill hangers comprising a plurality of substantially horizontally and generally vertically extending members which intersect one another to form a plurality of parallelogram grids; c. each of said fill strips being supported by a horizontal portion of one of said parrallelogram grids of at least two of said fill hangers; d. each of said fill hangers including a plurality of fill hanger sections which are attached one atop of another, each section being attached to the section immediately below by connecting means integral with each pair of vertically aligned adjacent vertical members; and e. said connecting means including a male portion associated with one of said vertical members which is releasably received by a female portion associated with the adjacent end of the other of said vertical members; said male portion having a rectangular member integral therewith positioned a short distance from the end portion thereof, said rectangular member extending a short distance beyond the sides of said male portion, and said female portion having a slot therein having a pair of notches associated therewith so as to permit receipt of said end portion and permit said rectangular member to pass therethrough, said female portion further including a first member positioned rearwardly of said female portion adjacent one end of said notches and a second member positioned rearwardly of said female portion spaced a short distance from the opposite end of said notches, such that as said male portion is received by said female portion and a separating force applied thereto said rectangular member frictionally engages a rear surface of said female portion and the rearward surface of said male portion frictionally engages forward surfaces of said first and second members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
In the combination defined in claim 1 wherein said male portion having a wedge positioned adjacent said rectangular member so as to contact said first member upon application of a force tending to move said male portion towards said female portion, thus preventing said male portion and said female portion from separating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
222 words
In a cooling tower wherein air is displaced to flow directionally laterally within the tower in cooling relationship with dropping particulate liquid having a splash fill assembly positioned within the fill area of said tower, an improved fill assembly comprisIng: a. a plurality of fill strips positioned within said fill area; b. a plurality of spaced apart vertically suspended fill hangers positioned transversely with respect to said fill strips within said fill area, said fill hangers comprising a plurality of substantially horizontally and generally vertically extending members which intersect one another to form a plurality of parallelogram grids; c. each of said fill strips being supported by a horizontal portion of one said parallelogram grids of at least two of said fill hangers; d. each of said fill hangers including a plurality of fill hanger sections integrally molded of a plastic material which are attached one atop of another, each section being attached to the section immediately below by connecting means integral with each pair of vertically aligned adjacent vertical members; and e. said connecting means including a male portion associated with one of said vertical members which is releasably received by a female portion associated with the adjacent end of the other of said vertical members so as to permit said fill hanger sections to be selectively disconnected from one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
222 words
In a cooling tower wherein air is displaced to flow directionally laterally within the tower in cooling relationship with dropping particulate liquid having a splash fill assembly positioned within the fill area of said tower, an improved fill assembly comprisIng: a. a plurality of fill strips positioned within said fill area; b. a plurality of spaced apart vertically suspended fill hangers positioned transversely with respect to said fill strips within said fill area, said fill hangers comprising a plurality of substantially horizontally and generally vertically extending members which intersect one another to form a plurality of parallelogram grids; c. each of said fill strips being supported by a horizontal portion of one said parallelogram grids of at least two of said fill hangers; d. each of said fill hangers including a plurality of fill hanger sections integrally molded of a plastic material which are attached one atop of another, each section being attached to the section immediately below by connecting means integral with each pair of vertically aligned adjacent vertical members; and e. said connecting means including a male portion associated with one of said vertical members which is releasably received by a female portion associated with the adjacent end of the other of said vertical members so as to permit said fill hanger sections to be selectively disconnected from one another.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |