Supporting framework for heat transfer surfaces for cooling tower

Claim 1

An atmospheric cooling tower assembly comprising: a foundation, an upwardly extending peripheral wall defining a tower structure supported by said foundation, said wall having an air inlet opening adjacent its lower end communicating with an open upper end for the flow of atmospheric air through the tower structure, a sump at the lower end of the tower structure below the air inlet opening, liquid distribution pipes in said tower structure between the upper end of the air inlet and the open upper end of the tower structure, cooling tower fill comprising heat exchange surfaces positioned below the liquid distribution pipes, supporting framework for said heat exchange surfaces, said supporting framework comprising a plurality of primary generally vertically directed support members extending upwardly from said sump, means hingedly interconnecting the said plurality of primary support members, further support members having stationary bearings, means connecting the said further support members to said primary support members via elastic members having a high modulus of compression and a low modulus of elasticity relative to the primary support members and said further support members forming the supporting framework.