Abstract:
An assembly for connecting two adjacent liquid collection basins is provided. The assembly includes a flume for connecting a first liquid collection basin to a second liquid collection basin. The flume comprises a generally rectangular structure having a top section, bottom section and two side sections, with an inward flange along one side of the flume and an outward flange along an opposite side of the flume. The flume is inserted through an opening in a wall of the first collection basin, through an opening in the wall of the second collection basin and affixed to each wall, in some embodiments with the use of a support frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an assembly for connecting two adjacent liquid collection basins and, more particularly, to an assembly comprising a flume that is utilized to connect two adjacent liquid collection basins. 
   The present invention addresses a need in connecting adjacent liquid collection basins in devices such as cooling towers. Known connection assemblies comprise a flume of a generally rectangular configuration, usually comprised of galvanized sheet metal or stainless steel. The known connection assembly is shown in prior art  FIG. 5  wherein front wall  110  of the first liquid collection basin is seen to have opening  112  of a generally rectangular shape. An adjacent liquid collection basin front wall  114  includes a similar generally rectangular opening  116 . Connection flume  120  is seen to comprise a generally rectangular assembly having a top section, a bottom section, and two joining side sections. As mentioned above, connection flume  120  is usually comprised of galvanized sheet metal, stainless steel or similar sheet metal. Connection flume  120  is seen to include an inwardly bent flange  122  on one side of connection flume  120  and an inwardly bent flange  124  on the opposite side of connection flume  120 . A plurality of bolt holes  132  are present in inward flange  122 , and a plurality of bolt holes  136  are present in inward flange  124  of connection flume  120 . A plurality of bolt holes  130  are present around opening  116  in side wall  114  of the second liquid collection basin. Similarly, a plurality of bolt holes  134  are present around opening  112  inside wall  110  of the first liquid collection basin. 
   A sealant  126  is placed around inward flange  122  and inward flange  124 . Connection flume  120  must be affixed to sidewall  110  of the first water collection basin and then sidewall  114  of the second liquid collection basin can be moved into abutman with inward flange  122  of connection flume  120 . Due to the construction of the liquid collection basins and the flume, this usually requires that the entire liquid collection basin structure to be assembled, usually as part of an entire cooling tower, prior to the movement of the adjacent collection basin side wall  114  into contact with connection flume  120 . This is an undesirable requirement. Further, it is difficult to assure that no gaps in sealant  126  are present, and leaks along the interface between inward flange  122  and sidewall  114  and inward flange  124  and sidewall  110  are known to occur. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved assembly for connecting two adjacent liquid collection basins. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved connection flume for connecting two adjacent liquid collection basins. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved method for connecting two adjacent liquid collection basins, including the use of an improved connection flume. 
   The present invention provides an assembly for connecting two adjacent liquid collection basins, the first and second liquid collection basins having facing walls with generally rectangular openings therein. A flume for connecting the adjacent liquid collection basins is provided which itself is a generally rectangular structure having a top section, bottom section and two side sections along with an inward flange along one side of the flume and an outward flange along the opposite side of the flume. The connection flume extends through the opening in one of the liquid collection basins into the opening in the other of the liquid collection basins. The connection flume is affixed to each of the adjacent walls of the liquid collection basins utilizing a combination of support frames and connection devices. Sealants are used between the edges of the flume flanges, support frames, and cover plate to assure liquid tight seals between the connection flume and the walls of the liquid collection basis. 
   This new invention uniquely allows the flume to be installed or replaced after both liquid collection basins are in their respective final positions. Additionally it provides for a robust water tight field seam where the sealing material is positively confined on all edges by a unique flange design. This flume is also designed such that all water will drain freely from the flume. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is an exploded view of two liquid collection basins and connection flume in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a view of an assembled view of two liquid collection basins and connection flume in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a connection flume in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of a top portion of the connection assembly between two liquid collection basins using an embodiment of the liquid of the connection flume in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a prior art liquid collection basin walls, openings and connection flume, and 
       FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of a top portion of the connection assembly between two liquid collection basins using an alternate embodiment of the liquid of the connection flume in accordance with the present inventions. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  of the drawings, a first liquid collection basin is shown at  10 , and a second liquid collection basin is shown at  12 . Liquid collection basin  10  is comprised of side walls  14  and  16 , back wall  18 , and front wall  20 . Liquid collection basin  10  is seen to be a rectangular structure and is usually comprised of galvanized sheet metal, stainless steel, or other similar structural material. 
   A generally rectangular opening  34  is present in front wall  20 . Frame  64  is affixed to the inside of front wall  20  around opening  34 . Frame  64  can be comprised of structural components for its top, bottom and sides. 
   Liquid collection basin  12  is similarly seen to be comprised of sidewalls  24  and  26 , back wall  28  and front wall  32 . Such walls are typically comprised of galvanized sheet metal, stainless steel, or other similar structural material. Front wall  32  is seen to include a generally rectangular opening  36 . A generally rectangular frame  74  is affixed to the inside of front wall  32  around opening  36 . Frame  74  can be comprised of structural components for its top, bottom and sides. 
   Collection flume  30  is seen to be a generally rectangular member, again constructed of galvanized sheet metal, stainless steel, or other similar structural metal. Collection flume  30  is comprised of top section  38 , bottom section  40 , and side walls  42  and  44 . Such walls are all generally rectangular in shape and when assembled, result in the generally rectangular structure of connection flume  30 . 
   Inward flange  46  is seen to be formed along one face of connection flume  30 ; inward flange  46  is seen to be comprised of inward flange  45  of top section  38 , inward flange  54  of bottom section  40 , inward flange  50  of side wall  42  and inward flange  52  of side wall  44 . 
   Outward flange  48  extends at the other side of connection flume  30 . 
   Outward flange  48  is seen to be comprised of outward flange  43  of top section  38 , outward flange  60  of bottom section  40 , outward flange  56  of side wall  42  and outward flange  58  of side wall  44 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4  of the drawings, a detailed cross-section of the top of connection flume  30  is shown. One edge of connection flume  30  is seen to comprise inward flange  45  extending downwardly at a perpendicular angle to top section  38 . Bottom edge  47  is seen to extend perpendicular to inward flange  45 . 
   Frame  64  is seen to be affixed to an inner surface of front wall  20  adjacent opening  34 . Inner frame edge  66  is seen to be tack welded at  92  and continuous welded at  94  to inner surface of front wall  20 . Outer frame edge  68  is seen to extend upwardly perpendicular to frame  64  main section  65  and is spaced from inner frame edge  66 . Top section  70  is seen to extend perpendicular from outer frame  68 . 
   Cover plate  31  is seen to be a generally channel shaped structure, again of galvanized sheet metal, stainless steel, or other similar structural composition. Cover plate  31  is seen to include side section  37 , bottom section  35  extending perpendicular from side section  37  and top section  33  also extending perpendicular from side section  37 . Cover plate  31  is seen to include a plurality of outer bolt holes  39  and inner bolt holes  41 . 
   In the assembly of the connection flume inward flange  45 , sealant  82  is seen to be present between side sections  37  of cover plate  31  and inward flange  45 . Sealant  82  is also seen to extend between bottom section  35  of cover plate  31  and bottom edge  47  of inward flange  45 . Further, sealant  82  is seen to be present between main section  65  of frame  64  and top section  38  of connection flume  30 . Further, sealant  82  is seen to extend between side edge  37  of cover plate  31  and outer frame edge  68  of frame  64 . Sealant  82  also extends between top section  33  of cover plate  31  and top section  70  of frame  64 . 
   A plurality of connection bolts  84  are seen to extend through inner bolt holes  41  of cover plate  31  into a complementary bolt hole opening  45 A in inward flange  45  of connection flume  30 . A plurality of connection bolts  86  extends through outer bolt holes  39  in cover plate  31  and into a complementary bolt hole opening  68 A in outer frame edge  68 . It should be understood that connection bolts  84  and  86  could comprise sheet metal screws, could include connection nuts or even other connection means such as rivets and tapped holes. 
   Referring now to the other side of  FIG. 4 , front wall  32  of liquid collection basin  12  is shown along with the top portion of opening  36 . Frame  74  is tack welded along inner frame edge  76  using tack weld at  98  and continuous weld at  96  to the inner surface of front wall  32 . Outer frame edge  78  is seen to extend perpendicular to base portion  75  of frame  74 , with outer frame edge  78  being generally parallel to inner frame at  76  and spaced therefrom. Further, top section  80  is seen to extend perpendicular to outer frame edge  78 . Outer flange  43  of top section  38  of connection flume  30  is seen to extend perpendicular to top section  38 , and further comprises top edge  49  that extends perpendicular to outer flange  43 . A plurality of bolt hole openings  43 A extends in outer flange  43  with a plurality of complementary bolt hole openings  78 A in outer frame edge  78 . A plurality of connection bolts  88  extends through bolt hole opening  43 A into bolt hole opening  78 A to secure outward flange  43  of top section  38  of connection flume  30  to outer frame edge  78 . Further, it is seen that sealant  90  extends between base section  75  of frame  74  and top section  38  of connection flume  30 . Sealant  90  also extends between outer frame edge  78  and inner surface of outer flange  43 . Sealant  90  is also seen to extend between top edge  49  of outward flange  43  and top section  80  of outer frame edge  78 . 
   The structure of connection flume  30  along top section of  38  is duplicated along side sections  42  and  44  with inward flanges  50  and  52  with complementary sections of frame  64  and cover plate  31 . Further, a similar connection assembly is provided along inward flange  54  of bottom section  40 , complementary with a bottom section of frame  64  and a bottom section of cover plate  31 . 
   Similarly, a connection is also formed along side edge outward flange  56  of side wall  42  and outward flange  58  of side wall  44  of connection flume  30  and complementary side walls of frame  74 . Similar connection is formed along outward flange  60  of bottom section  40  of connection flume  30  and a complementary bottom section of frame  74 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6  of the drawings, another embodiment of the liquid collection basin connection assembly is shown in partial with only the top section of the collection assembly shown. First collection basin  210  is seen to comprise a front wall  220 , which could be a separate structure. Second collection basin  212  is seen to include a front wall  232 , which also could be a separate structural assembly. Connection flume  230  is again a generally rectangular structure including a top section  238  and an inward flange  246  generally perpendicular to top section  238 . An extension  282  protrudes from and is perpendicular to inward flange  246 . Frame  264  is seen to be affixed, usually by tack welding generally to front wall  220 . Frame  264  is a generally structural steel assembly, also including frame edge  266  extending generally perpendicular to main section of frame  264 . Sealant  281  is seen to extend between the lower portion of front wall  220  and inward flange  246 . Connection bolt  286  extends through complementary openings in front wall  220  and inward flange  246 . Connection bolt  286 , is explained above, could also be a sheet metal screw, a bolt nut arrangement, or even a rivet or tapped holes. 
   Referring now to the other side of collection flume  230 , the frame  274  is seen to be affixed along the inner edge  276  to front wall  232 . Such connection is usually by means of continuous welding along the connected edges of inner edge  276  and front wall  232 . Frame  274  is also seen to comprise outer edge  278  which extends perpendicular to the main section of frame  274 , and also includes a top edge  279  extending generally perpendicular to outer edge  278 . Connection flume  230  top section  238  is seen to have outward flange  248  extending generally perpendicular to top section  238 . Further, top section  249  is seen to extend generally perpendicular to outward flange  248 . Sealant  290  is seen to extend between outer edge  278  and of frame  274  and an inner surface of outward flange  248  of connection flume  230 . Plurality of connection bolts  288  is provided in extense through complementary openings in outward flange  248  and outer edge  278  to secure connection flume  230  to outer edge  278  of frame  274 . Should be understood that connection bolts  288 , as stated above, could comprise bolt and nut arrangement, sheet metal screws or even rivets and tapped holes. 
   Should also be understood that a connection arrangement similar to that described herein for the top section  238  of connection flume  230 , would also exist along both sides of connection flume  230  and the sides in the opening front wall  220 , and also along the bottom of connection flume  230  and the bottom of the opening in front wall  220 .