Abstract An improved modular cooling tower includes an air fan centrally located at the bottom of the tower, and a baffle vane and pivoted shutter arrangement disposed above the fan. The fan generates an air flow which passes through the baffles and vanes to react with a heated liquid flowing downward through the tower via a plurality of evaporating surfaces. The shutter structure is adapted to pass the fan generated air flow for cooling purposes while preventing the escape of fluid or vapor laden air from the tower fan orifice, thus obviating a potentially hazardous condensation condition. In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, improved sump, fan and drive apparatus is provided to accommodate plural module installations.
A plurality of fluid-gas phase interacting means each including means for developing a downward fluid flow within said interacting means, means for generating an upward gaseous flow within said interacting means, means defining a fluid sump about the bottom of each of said interacting means, said sump in one of said interacting means being relatively deep and said sumps in the other interacting means being relatively shallow, and fluid passing means connecting said relatively deep and relatively shallow sumps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A plurality of fluid-gas phase interacting means each including means for developing a downward fluid flow within said interacting means, means for generating an upward gaseous flow within said interacting means, means defining a fluid sump about the bottom of each of said interacting means, said sump in one of said interacting means being relatively deep and said sumps in the other interacting means being relatively shallow, and fluid passing means connecting said relatively deep and relatively shallow sumps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combination as in claim 1 wherein said fluid passing means include means for permitting only a one-way flow therethrough.