US3834681A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fireproof, prefab fill support structure for cooling tower
Assignee: MC ACQUISITION Corp
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Filing: 1972-08-17
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Granted: 1974-09-10
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Expires: 1992-08-17
Abstract
Abstract Prefabricated, open-frame panel members of fireproof material such as concrete are stacked on edge to produce a number of sideby-side, multi-level uprights which, in turn, are laterally braced and interlocked into a rigid construction by prefabricated, open-frame bracing elements interposed between opposed panel members of each level of the uprights. The bracing elements of the structure are arranged in a number of parallel, diagonal series extending across the uprights with adjacent elements in each series being in partial juxtaposition with one another so that external forces applied to the structure are resisted by directing such forces diagonally into the ground along each series of cooperating elements. The sheer mass of the individual panel units and bracing elements contributes substantially to the structural rigidity of the completed structure, yet each unit and element may be readily hoisted into position by conventional industrial lifting equipment. Heat exchange fill suspended within the completed structure is disposed to receive water gravitating therethrough to cool the water as ambient air flows through the open structure to impinge upon the fill.
Inventors
- 👤 H Fordyce
- 👤 G Fritz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:50
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F25/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
In a water cooling tower having hot water distributor and cold water collection means underlying said distributor in spaced relation thereto, structure between the distributor and the collection means for supporting heat exchange fill in disposition to receive water gravitating from the distributor toward the collection means, said structure comprising: a plurality of prefab frame units stacked one on top of the other to present a plurality of horizontally spaced, multilevel uprights defining at least one fill-receiving bay; and a plurality of prefab bracing elements within each bay interposed between horizontally opposed pairs of frame units for rigidifying and stabilizing the uprights, the elements of adjacent bays being disposed in diagonal force-transmitting relationship with one another to resist external forces applied to the structure by directing such forces downwardly to ground level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a water cooling tower having hot water distributor and cold water collection means underlying said distributor in spaced relation thereto, structure between the distributor and the collection means for supporting heat exchange fill in disposition to receive water gravitating from the distributor toward the collection means, said structure comprising: a plurality of prefab frame units stacked one on top of the other to present a plurality of horizontally spaced, multilevel uprights defining at least one fill-receiving bay; and a plurality of prefab bracing elements within each bay interposed between horizontally opposed pairs of frame units for rigidifying and stabilizing the uprights, the elements of adjacent bays being disposed in diagonal force-transmitting relationship with one another to resist external forces applied to the structure by directing such forces downwardly to ground level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elements are disposed in a plurality oF diagonally descending rows crossing the bays of the structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 2, wherein said rows are parallel with one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 2, wherein the elements in each row are disposed in a common vertical plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 2, wherein each element in a row projects beyond its respective level into a next adjacent level in juxaposition to the next element in the row.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said elements is essentially planar having a normally lower edge for standing of the elements on their respective side edges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of said units is provided with means for supporting a corresponding element by its said edge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said elements is essentially planar and of open-frame construction having a pair of spaced-apart, normally upper and lower segments, each said lower segment presenting said edge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said elements is provided with a pair of opposed, normally upright ends extending between its upper and lower segments for blocking movement toward one another of the units supporting the element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 9, wherein said ends of each element also block movement of the units next above the units supporting the element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 1, wherein said units are each essentially planar having a pair of upper and lower edges for edgewise stacking of the units.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of said units is of open-frame construction having a pair of spaced-apart, normally upper and lower members presenting said edges.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 12, wherein each of said units has a number of spaced, normally upright struts extending between said members thereof, there being an element located adjacent alternate struts of each unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said units has a pair of normally inner and outer ends, there being means adjacent said outer end of each unit integral therewith for supporting an air inlet louver.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 1, wherein said units are of progressively increased lengths as the uppermost level is approached.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 15, wherein each of said units has an inner end normally adjacent the plenum chamber of the tower and an outer end spaced from said inner end, said outer ends of the units in each upright converging downwardly toward their respective inner ends and being in substantial inclined alignment with one another to render the corresponding side of the structure inclined.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame units and said bracing elements are constructed of prestressed concrete.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a cooling tower as claimed in claim 1, wherein the respective masses of the frame units and the bracing elements are sufficient to maintain the same in mutually cooperating relationship with one another.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-09 | 1978-03-11 | 1978-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-09 | 1982-03-11 | 1982-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-09 | 1986-03-11 | 1986-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |