Cooling tower water distribution pipe and suspension system therefor

DETAILED DESCRIPTION We claim: 1.
In a counterflow cooling tower including structural supports for a water distribution pipe, the improvement comprising: A.
a plurality of spaced horizontal concrete beam structural supports; B.
a distribution pipe formed of fiberglass reinforced polyester resin having longitudinal reinforcing integral ribs formed of an increased wall thickness extending along an interior surface of the pipe throughout the length thereof, one such rib positioned along the pipe top and at least one such rib positioned along the pipe bottom; C.
external ring stiffeners positioned about the pipe and spaced at the same intervals as the structural supports; and D.
a suspension system extending about the supports and the external ring stiffeners to suspend the pipe transverse of and below the supports, said suspension system including groups of two lengths of stainless steel cable extending about the pipe, each cable connected above the supports and forming loops below the support, each loop extending about a ring stiffener, and bearing pads positioned between the beams and pipes, said pipe having an end cap at one end and secured within a water trough at its opposite end.
2.
The improvement of claim 1, including two ribs extending along the bottom of the pipe, said two ribs positioned in parallel and spaced relationship on opposite sides of the vertical center line.
3.
The improvement of claim 1, each of said ribs having approximately twice the amount of glass fibers in the rib as the wall and a flexure modulus at least two and preferably two and one-half times the remainder of the wall of the pipe.




Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION Our invention relates to a water distribution system for cooling towers and, more particularly, to the distribution pipe and suspension system therefor for a counterflow natural or induced draft mechanical cooling tower.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Natural or induced draft cooling towers of the counterflow type commonly include a hyperbolic outer shell or circular tower, respectively with an air near the bottom, an air-liquid contact fill section positioned in the shell intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof, a pipe distribution system above the fill section for distributing water through appropriate spray nozzles on the fill as the air rises therethrough in counterflow relationship and a mist elimination system above the pipe distribution system