Liquid collector

Abstract

In one aspect, the liquid collector has a front lower edge, a connecting wall portion extending downwardly from the front edge, a first retroverted wall portion connected to and extending upwardly and rearward from the connecting wall portion, and a middle upper edge of the retroverted wall portion located rearward and above the front lower edge. The liquid collector further includes an air diverter wall portion extending rearward from the first rearward inclined wall portion below the intermediate upper rim; a second retroverted wall portion extending upward and rearward from the air diverter wall portion; and the rear upper edge of the second rear inclined wall part is positioned behind the middle upper edge and above the front lower edge.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 414,236, filed on October 7, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to heat exchangers utilizing liquids, and more particularly, to heat exchangers that distribute liquids onto a heat exchange medium and have a liquid collector to collect the liquid after it contacts the heat exchange medium. Background Art

[0003] Some heat exchange systems have a heat exchanger, such as an indirect heat exchanger or a direct heat exchanger, with a heat exchange medium, such as a pack, coil, or plate heat exchanger; a fan for generating air flow over the heat exchange medium, and a system for distributing a liquid (e.g., water) over the heat exchange medium. The interior of the indirect heat exchanger (e.g., coil, plate, or pillow heat exchanger) contains a first fluid (e.g., a working fluid), and a second fluid (e.g., air) flowing over the outer surface of the indirect heat exchanger indirectly absorbs heat through the walls of the indirect heat exchanger.

[0004] Cooling towers are examples of heat exchange systems, including co-current, cross-current, and counter-current configurations. A counter-current cooling tower with an indirect heat exchanger directs airflow through the indirect heat exchanger in a first direction (e.g., generally upward) by a fan of the cooling tower, and has a liquid distribution system that distributes liquid (e.g., water) in an opposite second direction (e.g., generally downward) to the indirect heat exchanger. The water may contain, for example, one or more chemicals that inhibit biological growth and / or one or more chemicals that inhibit freezing (e.g., ethylene glycol).

[0005] Some counterflow cooling towers have water collectors that collect water as it falls from the indirect heat exchanger and direct the collected water to a sump of the cooling tower. The water collectors are spaced apart from one another to form openings therebetween that allow air to travel around the water collectors and contact the indirect heat exchanger. Summary of the invention

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid collector is provided, which is used to collect falling liquid while allowing air to flow around the liquid collector. The liquid collector includes a front lower edge, a connecting wall portion extending downward from the front edge, and a first rearward inclined wall portion connected to the connecting wall portion and extending upward and backward away from the connecting wall portion. The first rearward inclined wall portion has a first inclined surface for receiving liquid thereon and directing the liquid to the connecting wall portion. The liquid collector also includes a middle upper edge of the rearward inclined wall portion located behind and above the front lower edge, an air diverter wall portion extending backward from the first rearward inclined wall portion below the middle upper edge, and a second rearward inclined wall portion extending upward and backward from the air diverter wall portion. The second rearward inclined wall portion has a second inclined surface for receiving liquid thereon and directing the liquid to the air diverter wall portion. The liquid collector also has a rear upper edge of the second rearward inclined wall portion, which is located behind the middle upper edge and above the front lower edge. The first and second rearwardly inclined wall portions guide the airflow along the front and rear sides of the water collector while providing limited redirection of the airflow, which reduces the air pressure drop of the liquid collector and improves the efficiency of the heat exchange device utilizing the liquid collector.

[0007] The present disclosure also provides a heat exchange device, which includes a heat exchanger, a liquid distribution system configured to distribute liquid to the heat exchanger, and a pair of spaced rails. The heat exchange device also includes a plurality of liquid collectors for collecting at least a portion of the liquid distributed to the heat exchanger, and mounting members for the liquid collectors, which are configured to facilitate positioning the liquid collectors side by side along the rails. The mounting members for the liquid collectors have interlocking portions that are configured to engage and prevent movement of the liquid collectors when the liquid collectors are positioned along the rails. In this way, the liquid collectors can be easily installed in the heat exchange device by positioning the liquid collectors side by side along the rails to engage the interlocking portions of the mounting members. Similarly, the liquid collectors can be easily removed for cleaning or replacement by disengaging the interlocking portions of the mounting members and moving the liquid collectors away from each other along the rails.

[0008] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for assembling a liquid collector array (e.g., a liquid collector array in a cooling tower) is provided. The method includes positioning a mounting member of a first liquid collector on a track of the liquid collector array and moving the first liquid collector along the track to a first mounting position. When the first liquid collector is in the first mounting position, the first liquid collector is tilted so that liquid in at least one drain groove of the first liquid collector is drained from the first liquid collector. The method also includes positioning a mounting member of a second liquid collector on the track of the liquid collector array and moving the second liquid collector along the track to a second mounting position proximate to the first liquid collector. When the second liquid collector is in the second mounting position, the second liquid collector is tilted so that liquid in at least one drain groove of the second liquid collector is drained from the second liquid collector. Therefore, the method allows the liquid collector array to be assembled in an intuitive and simple manner and can be performed without removing the track from a supporting structure (e.g., an internal frame of a cooling tower).

[0009] The present disclosure also provides a heat exchange device, which includes a shell having a first outer wall and a second outer wall opposite to the first outer wall, a heat exchanger in the shell, a fan operable to generate an airflow relative to the heat exchanger, and a liquid distribution system for distributing liquid to the heat exchanger. The heat exchange device also includes a first liquid collector array, which includes a plurality of first liquid collectors, the plurality of first liquid collectors having a drainage groove for collecting liquid falling from the heat exchanger and a first interval between the first liquid collectors, the first interval allowing air to travel between the first liquid collectors. The first liquid collectors of the first liquid collector array are configured to guide air from the first interval in a first direction, the first direction away from the first wall and toward the heat exchanger. The heat exchange device also includes a second liquid collector array, which includes a plurality of second liquid collectors, the plurality of second liquid collectors having a drainage groove for collecting liquid falling from the heat exchanger and a second interval between the second liquid collectors, the second interval allowing air to travel between the second liquid collectors. The second liquid collectors of the second liquid collector array are configured to direct air from the second interval in a second direction transverse to the first direction, the second direction away from the second outer wall and toward the heat exchanger. The first liquid collector array and the second liquid collector array improve the heat transfer efficiency of the heat exchanger by directing air away from the first outer wall and the second outer wall of the housing and toward the heat exchanger.

[0010] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchange device is provided, comprising a housing, a heat exchanger in the housing, a fan operable to allow air to contact the heat exchanger, and a sump for liquid in the housing. The heat exchange device also includes a liquid distribution system operable to direct liquid from the sump to the heat exchanger and a pump for the liquid distribution system in the housing. Since the pump is located inside the housing, the pump is not affected by weather, thereby improving the durability of the pump, and a technician can repair the pump even if it is raining outside the housing. In addition, since the pump is located inside the housing, the pump is within the footprint of the heat exchange device, which provides a more compact appearance for the heat exchange device during transportation and / or installation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchange device including an upper heat exchange subassembly and a lower liquid collector and fan subassembly;

[0012] Figure 2 is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. Figure 1 The invention relates to a liquid distribution system, an indirect heat exchanger, a liquid collector assembly and a liquid collection tank of a heat exchange device.

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 a perspective view of a liquid collector and fan subassembly of FIG. 1 , showing a first liquid collector array and a second liquid collector array directing collected liquid into a drain trough of a lower liquid collector and fan subassembly;

[0014] Figure 4 is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 4 shows liquid flowing along one of the plurality of liquid collectors, into the gutter, down through the gap between the inner wall and the outer wall, and into the sump;

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A front view of nested liquid collectors of a liquid collection assembly showing an upper primary drain trough and a lower secondary drain trough of each liquid collector;

[0016] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 a front view of one of the plurality of liquid collectors of the invention, showing a drip edge at the lower end of the upper main drain channel and a recess upstream of the drip edge, the recess forming an air buffer to direct airflow around the drip edge;

[0017] Figure 7 Yes Figure 5 An image of a finite element analysis of a liquid collector showing the path of airflow through the liquid collector;

[0018] FIG. 8 is an image of a finite element analysis of a prior art liquid collector, showing that the angle of air flowing out of the prior art liquid receiver relative to the vertical direction is greater than that of the air flowing out of the prior art liquid receiver relative to the vertical direction. Figure 7 The airflow out of the liquid collector is significantly greater.

[0019] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 It is a comparison Figure 7 and a table of airflow and geometry characteristics of the liquid collector of FIG8 ;

[0020] Fig.11 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a cooling tower showing a first liquid collector array and a second liquid collector array directing airflow away from a side wall of a heat exchange subassembly;

[0021] Fig.12 yes Figure 3 a perspective view of a portion of a liquid collector and fan subassembly of wherein one of a plurality of liquid collector arrays is removed to illustrate a removable panel of an interior wall that directs liquid into a sump;

[0022] Fig.13 is with Fig.12 a similar view with the fan and both liquid collector arrays removed to show the sump, the internal pump chamber and the pump for pumping the collected liquid from the sump to the liquid distribution system;

[0023] Fig.14 yes Figure 3 a top plan view of a lower portion of a liquid collector and fan subassembly of the embodiment of the present invention, wherein the liquid collector array is removed to illustrate the fan area, the walkway, and the sump area located on the opposite side of the walkway from the fan area;

[0024] Fig.15 is a perspective view of a liquid collector assembly including a liquid collector, a closed end cap, and an open end cap;

[0025] Fig.16 yes Fig.15 A cross-sectional view of the liquid collector assembly taken along line 16-16 with the closed end cap removed to illustrate the cross-sectional profile of the liquid collector;

[0026] Figures 17 to 23 Yes Fig.15 A perspective view of the process of installing a liquid collector assembly into a liquid collector array.

[0027] Fig.24 is another perspective view of the lower liquid collector and fan subassembly;

[0028] Fig.25 is along Fig.24 A cross-sectional view taken along line 25-25 in FIG. Fig.25 showing the lower liquid collector and the liquid collector array above the sump of the fan subassembly;

[0029] Fig.26 is along Fig.24 A cross-sectional view taken along line 26-26 in Figure 2 shows the sidewalls of the drain duct that direct the collected liquid from the drain trough of the lower liquid collector and fan subassembly to the sump;

[0030] Fig. 27 is along Fig.24 A cross-sectional view of a portion of the lower liquid collector and fan subassembly taken along line 27-27 in FIG. Fig. 27 An end trough is shown for collecting liquid not collected by an adjacent one of the liquid collector assemblies;

[0031] Fig.28 is along Fig.24 A cross-sectional view of a portion of the lower liquid collector and fan subassembly taken along line 28-28 in FIG. Fig.28 An intermediate flow director is shown that directs liquid to any one of the liquid collector arrays;

[0032] Fig.29A yes Fig.24 a perspective view of one of a plurality of liquid collector arrays of the type shown in Figure 1, showing longitudinally spaced rails supporting opposite ends of a liquid collector assembly of the liquid collector array;

[0033] Fig.29B is along Fig.29A The cross-sectional view taken along line 29B-29B in FIG. 1 shows the end caps of adjacent liquid collector assemblies stacked on top of each other and supported by rails, for clarity. Fig.29B The central portion of the liquid collector assembly is omitted;

[0034] Fig.30 is with Fig.29A a similar perspective view with all but one of the liquid collector assemblies removed to illustrate an opening in one of the tracks that facilitates sequential advancement of the liquid collector assemblies into position between the tracks;

[0035] Fig.31 yes Fig.29A a perspective view of a liquid collector assembly showing an open end cap of the liquid collector assembly that allows liquid collected in the primary and secondary drain gutters of the liquid collector assembly to exit the liquid collector assembly to be collected in the drain gutters of the lower liquid collector and fan assembly; and

[0036] Fig.32 yes Fig.31 A side view of an open end cap showing a central opening of the open end cap for receiving a body of a liquid collector assembly, and a notch of the open end cap engaging an edge of the body of the liquid collector assembly to secure the body in the central opening. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] refer to Figure 1 , a heat exchange device, such as a cooling tower 10, is provided that receives a heated working fluid at an inlet 11 and provides a cooled working fluid at an outlet 14. The cooling tower 10 includes an upper heat exchange subassembly 16 and a lower liquid collector and fan subassembly 18. The heat exchange subassembly 16 has an air outlet 20 that allows air to exit the cooling tower 10 after contacting an indirect heat exchanger 22, such as Figure 2 The liquid collector and fan subassembly 18 has an air inlet 24, such as one or more air inlets, and an air flow generator, such as one or more fans 26, for drawing air into the cooling tower 10. The fan 26 includes a motor that rotates a fan member having blades to move air from the air inlet 24 to the air outlet 20.

[0038] refer to Figure 2 , the cooling tower 10 includes a liquid distribution system 30 having a pump 32 for pumping collected liquid from a sump 34 of the cooling tower 10 into a tube 35 and then to a distribution header 36 of the liquid distribution system 30. The distribution header 36 has one or more outlets, such as nozzles 38 or openings, for distributing liquid droplets onto the indirect heat exchanger 22. In one embodiment, the indirect heat exchanger 22 includes a coil 40 having an inlet header 42 that receives the working fluid from the inlet 12, an outlet header 44 that directs the collected working fluid to the outlet 14, and a serpentine 46 connecting the inlet header 42 and the outlet header 44. The serpentine 46 includes a flow channel 48 and a return end 50 connecting the flow channels. The liquid from the nozzle 38 generally travels downward in a direction 52 through the serpentine 46 into a liquid collector device 54. The liquid collector device 54 collects the liquid and directs the liquid away from the fan 26 for recirculation back to the distribution header 36. The liquid collector arrangement 54 includes a first liquid collector array 56 and a second liquid collector array 58 that capture falling liquid.

[0039] The liquid distributed to the indirect heat exchanger 22 absorbs heat in the indirect heat exchanger 22, wherein a portion of the liquid evaporates as the liquid travels over the coil 40. The flow of air over the coil 40 and the liquid moving through the coil 40 removes heat from the working fluid traveling through the interior of the indirect heat exchanger 22. The cooling tower 10 can be operated in a dry mode or a wet mode. In the dry mode, the pump 32 does not pump liquid to the distribution header 36, and heat from the working fluid is removed by the movement of air over the coil 40. In the wet mode, the pump 32 pumps liquid to the distribution header 36, and heat from the working fluid is removed as described above. In some embodiments, the cooling tower 10 can be operated in a wet-only mode, wherein the fan 26 is not operated, but the pump 32 is operated, so that heat from the working fluid in the coil 40 is removed primarily by the liquid traveling over the coil 40.

[0040] refer to Figure 3 , the liquid collector and fan subassembly 18 is shown with the heat exchange subassembly 16 removed to show the first liquid collector array 56 and the second liquid collector array 58. A portion of the outer wall 62 of the shell 64 of the cooling tower 10 is also removed to show the drain grooves 60 of the liquid collector and fan subassembly 18. The first liquid collector array 56 and the second liquid collector array 58 are angled to direct the collected liquid into the drain grooves 60 near the outer wall 62 of the shell 64. The first liquid collector array 56 and the second liquid collector array 58 are generally mirror images of each other about the center of the cooling tower 10, wherein each of the first liquid collector array 56 and the second liquid collector array 58 directs the airflow toward the airflow out of the other of the first liquid collector array 56 and the second liquid collector array 58.

[0041] refer to Figure 4 , the first liquid collector array 56 and the second liquid collector array 58 each include two or more liquid collectors, such as liquid collector assemblies 70. The liquid collectors discussed herein may be, for example, assemblies of a single member or component. Each liquid collector assembly 70 has a liquid collector body 72, and mounting members located at opposite ends of the liquid collector body 72, such as a closed end cap 74 and an open end cap 76. Reference Figure 5 Each liquid collector body 72 has a first collection channel (e.g., a primary drain groove 150) and an auxiliary collection channel (e.g., an auxiliary drain groove 152) for receiving liquid 154 falling downward from the coil 40. In addition, the liquid collectors 72 are laterally spaced apart from each other to form openings 153 that allow air 210 to travel upward through the first and second liquid collector arrays 58.

[0042] Back to Figure 4, each liquid collector body 72 has a raised portion 80 and a lowered portion 82, so that liquid falling from the coil 40 is collected in the liquid collector body 72 and travels in the direction 86 to the drain trough 60. The drain trough 60 has an outlet 90 that directs the liquid into the gap 92 between the outer wall 62 and the inner wall 96. The inner wall 96 has an upper end portion 100 located at the drain trough 60 and a lower end portion 102 located below the upper portion 104 of the sump 34. The sump 34 has an inner wall 106 and a bottom wall 108. The lower end portion 102 of the inner wall 96 has a lowermost end 110 that is spaced 112 from the bottom wall 108 of the sump 34. The liquid travels from the liquid collector body 72 in the direction 114, through the drain trough 60, and into the gap 92. The liquid travels downwardly along gap 92 in direction 120 under the action of gravity, then travels through gap 112 in direction 122 and into sump 34. As the collected liquid enters sump 34 at lower end portion 130 of sump 34, the collected liquid creates turbulence within sump 34 and limits settling of particles in sump 34.

[0043] refer to Figure 1 , 3 4, the liquid collector and fan subassembly 18 has doors 140, 142 and a walkway 144 extending therebetween. The walkway 144 allows maintenance workers to access a maintenance area 146 between the fan 26 and the sump 34 (see Fig.14 ) and maintain and / or clean the fan 26 and the sump 34. When the pump 32 is turned off, the maintenance worker can open the discharge pipe 151 (see Fig.14 ), draining the sump 34 and scrubbing or otherwise cleaning the interior surface of the sump 34. In addition, because the entire sump 34 is located on the side of the walkway 14 opposite the fan 26, the sump 34 is located in an easily accessible area inside the cooling tower 10, rather than extending under the fan as in some existing cooling towers, where the sump extends through the entire footprint of the cooling tower.

[0044] refer to Figure 5 , the liquid collector 72 of the first liquid collector array 58 includes liquid collectors 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D. The liquid collector 72 is elongated and has a consistent cross-section perpendicular to its length throughout the liquid collector body 72. The liquid collector 72 can be manufactured, for example, by extruding metal, plastic, and / or composite materials into a desired cross-section. The liquid collector 72 can have a length selected for a particular embodiment, for example, three feet to twenty-four feet long.

[0045] Figure 5The liquid collector bodies 72 of the present invention have a similar configuration, and the liquid collector bodies 72A, 72B will be described. The liquid collector body 72B includes a main drain groove 150 and an auxiliary drain groove 152. The liquid collector bodies 72 are nested so that the main drain groove 150 of the liquid collector body 72A overlaps with the auxiliary drain groove 152 of the adjacent liquid collector body 72B in a first direction 115 (e.g., a vertical direction). The liquid collector body 72A is spaced apart from the liquid collector body 72B in a second direction 117 (e.g., a horizontal direction) to form an opening 153 between the liquid collectors 72, which allows air 210 to travel therebetween.

[0046] The main drain groove 150 of each liquid collector body 72 captures most of the liquid 154 collected by each liquid collector body 72, for example, about 60% of the liquid 154. The remaining liquid 154 falls into the gap 157 between the liquid collectors 72A, 72B and falls on the liquid impact surface 160. The liquid impact surface 160 has an upper surface portion 161 that is angled at a range of about 19 degrees to about 22 degrees (e.g., about 21 degrees) from the vertical direction 163 (see Figure 6 ). The inclination of the upper portion 161 of the liquid impact surface at an angle 163 reduces splashing of the liquid impact surface 160. In addition, the inclination of the liquid impact surface portion 161 and the vertical redirection portion 240 of the liquid collector body 72B (see Figure 6 ) and the inclination of the vertical redirection portion 242 of the adjacent liquid collector body 72A direct the airflow from the gap 157 approximately vertically upward.

[0047] about Figure 5 , almost all of the liquid that enters the auxiliary drain trough 152 enters the auxiliary drain trough 152 by flowing smoothly downward along the liquid impact surface. During the operation of the cooling tower 10, it is inevitable that some liquid accumulates on the surface 167. The liquid travels downward along the surface 167 until it reaches the dripping place (e.g., dripping edge 200) of the liquid collector body 72B. The liquid then falls from the dripping edge 200 into the auxiliary drain trough 152.

[0048] The liquid collector body 72B has a lip 164 for retaining liquid in the secondary drain 152. Any liquid that travels over the lip 164 may be captured in the tertiary drain 166, and any liquid that travels down the opposite side of the liquid collector body 72B may be collected at the tertiary drain 170. Although the volume of liquid that reaches the tertiary drains 166, 170 may be very small, such as a few drops during a day's operation, in some embodiments, it may be beneficial to utilize the tertiary drains 166, 170 to further prevent liquid from falling through the liquid collector assembly 54.

[0049] about Figure 5 , the liquid collector body 72B includes an air diverter 168, a main drain groove wall portion 180, which is upright from the air diverter 168 and has a surface portion 180A for receiving the falling liquid. The liquid collector body 72B has an auxiliary drain groove wall portion 182 upright on the side of the main drain groove 150 opposite to the air diverter 168 and a lower auxiliary drain groove wall portion 184 extending downward from the air diverter 168. The lower auxiliary drain groove wall portion 184 includes a lower surface portion 184A of the impact surface 160. The liquid impact surface lower portion 184A and the liquid impact surface upper portion 161 have an angle less than 180 degrees.

[0050] about Figure 6 The liquid collector body 72A has a front lower edge 169, a connecting wall portion 171, and a first rearward inclined wall portion 173 extending upward and rearward from the connecting wall portion 171. The liquid collector body 72A also includes a middle edge 175 of the first rearward inclined wall portion 173, an air diverter wall portion 177, a second rearward inclined wall portion 181 extending upward and rearward from the air diverter wall portion 177, and a rear upper edge 179 of the second rearward inclined wall portion 181.

[0051] Continue to refer Figure 6 The air splitter 168 includes a lower straight wall portion 190, an upper straight wall portion 192 and a connection 195 therebetween. Figure 6 The angles and dimensions shown in Figure 6 An example of an embodiment, and the angle may be + / - approximately five degrees, and the dimension may be + / - approximately 0.1 inches. For example, the lower straight wall portion 190 may be at an angle 193A with the vertical direction, the angle 193A being in the range of approximately 100 degrees to approximately 110 degrees, such as approximately 105 degrees.

[0052] The lower straight wall portion 190 of the air splitter 168 redirects the airflow along the lower auxiliary drain groove wall portion 184 of the liquid collector body 72B to the upper auxiliary drain groove wall portion 182 of the adjacent liquid collector body 72C. The air splitter 168 also includes a cavitation former immediately upstream of the drip edge 200, such as a curved portion 194, which has a recess 196 leading to the airflow path 210 between the liquid collectors 72.

[0053] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7, the recess 196 on the underside of the air splitter 168 forms a low velocity portion 202 of the air flow between the liquid collectors 72, which operates as an air buffer upstream of the drip edge 200. The air flow path 210 travels through the lower opening 212 between the liquid collectors 72B, 72C and exits the upper outlet opening 214 between the liquid collectors 72B, 72C. The air flow path 210 has a high velocity region 216 formed by the air entering the lower opening 212 and the air being redirected by the air splitter 168. The air buffer 202 keeps the high velocity region 216 away from the drip edge 200. Any liquid that drips from the drip edge 200 can then be generally pushed toward the liquid impact surface 160 of the liquid collector body 72B by the high velocity region 216. This prevents the liquid from overflowing the upper edge 220 of the lip 164, thereby retaining any liquid that travels along the surface 167 of the primary drain channel wall 180 in the secondary drain channel 152.

[0054] The straight wall portion 190 and the recess 196 of the air splitter 168 provide additional advantages. For example, the straight wall portion 190 and the recess 196 redirect the airflow path 210 before the air reaches the drip edge 200, thereby reducing the air side pressure drop, improving air flow, and limiting the liquid pulsation on the liquid impact surface 160 caused by the movement of air on the liquid impact surface 160.

[0055] about Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the upper auxiliary drain wall portion 182 and the primary drain wall portion 180 include redirecting portions 240, 242 that are substantially vertical to encourage airflow upward toward the indirect heat exchanger 22. Figure 7 , the liquid collector 72 discharges air in a direction 251 that is angled 253 relative to the vertical direction. Angle 253 is in the range of about five degrees to about fifteen degrees, for example, about eight degrees (see Fig. 9 Directing the airflow out of the liquid collector 72 so that it is close to vertical reduces the air pressure drop across the liquid collector 72, thereby increasing the air flow rate. In addition, directing the airflow out of the liquid collector 72 so that it is close to vertical also provides a more uniform airflow through the indirect heat exchanger 22, thereby improving the thermal performance of the indirect heat exchanger 22.

[0056] Referring to FIG8 , a finite element analysis of a prior art liquid collector is provided. The prior art liquid collector has a liquid collector 250 having a primary collection channel 252 and a secondary collection channel 254. The primary collection channel 252 includes a redirecting wall 256 that significantly changes the direction of air 258 entering an opening 260 between the liquid collector 250. The liquid collector 250 has a liquid impact wall portion 262 that directs liquid into the primary collection channel 252, but also redirects the airflow 258 outward from the outlet 264 between the liquid collector 250 at an angle 266 that may be approximately 56 degrees (see FIG8 ). Fig. 9 274 in ). Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , tables 270, 272 are provided, comparing the values ​​of the baseline air collector corresponding to the air collector 250 shown in FIG. 8 in row 274 with the values ​​of the baseline air collector corresponding to the air collector 250 shown in FIG. 8 in row 276. Figure 5 The liquid collector body 72 shown is compared to a corresponding prototype.

[0057] refer to Figure 2 and Fig.11 , the first liquid collector array 56 and the second liquid collector array 58 direct the airflow out of the openings between the liquid collectors 72 in directions 300, 302, which are transverse to each other and toward the coil 40. In addition, by orienting the outlets 214 to direct the airflow toward each other, the airflow is directed away from the walls 304, 306 of the heat exchange subassembly 16. In this manner, the first liquid collector array 56 and the second liquid collector array 58 direct the airflow from the first liquid collector array 56 and the second liquid collector array 58 toward the coil 40, thereby improving the heat transfer efficiency of the coil 40.

[0058] about Fig.12 , the liquid collector fan subassembly 18 is shown with the liquid collector array 58 removed to show that the inner wall 96 is composed of panels 350, 352, 354, 356, 358, 360 that are removable for cleaning.

[0059] about Fig.13 , the liquid collector fan subassembly 18 is shown with portions removed to provide an unobstructed view of the pump 34 and the internal pump chamber 360 of the subassembly 18. Because the pump 34 is located within the housing 64 of the cooling tower 10, the pump 34 is protected from environmental influences such as rain, snow, etc., which can increase the durability of the pump 34. The internal pump chamber 360 is partially defined by the walls 362, 364 of the sump 34 and the wall 366 of the housing 64. The pump 370 has an inlet 380 for drawing liquid into the pump 370 and a vent for directing the evaporative fluid to the tube 35 (see Figure 2 ) to travel to outlet 382 of distribution header 36.

[0060] refer to Fig.15 and Fig.16 , a liquid collector assembly 400 is provided, which includes a liquid collector body 402, a mounting portion (e.g., a closed end cap 404) and a relative mounting portion (e.g., an open end cap 406). The open end cap 406 has openings 408, 410, which are aligned with the main drain groove 412 and the auxiliary drain groove 414 of the liquid collector 408 and allow liquid to flow from the main drain groove 412 and the auxiliary drain groove 414 into the drain groove 60 (see, for example, Figure 4 ).like Fig.16 As shown, the liquid collector 408 is identical to the liquid collector body 72 discussed above, except that the liquid collector 408 does not include the tertiary drains 166, 170. The liquid collector assembly 400 may be used in place of the liquid collector body 72.

[0061] refer to Figures 17 to 22 , provides a process for assembling a liquid collector array 450 (see Fig.23 ). The liquid collector array 450 is similar to the first liquid collector array 56 and the second liquid collector array 58, such that the first liquid collector array 56 and the second liquid collector array 58 can be assembled using the following process. The liquid collector array 450 includes rails 452, 454 for supporting opposite ends of the liquid collector assembly 400. For a moment, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the assembly or disassembly process of the liquid collector array of the cooling tower 10 can be performed by a maintenance worker standing in the walkway 144 below the liquid collector 72.

[0062] refer to Fig.17 and Fig.18 , the first liquid collector assembly 400A is advanced to move the closed end cap 404 upward through the opening 456 in the track 452 and to move the open end cap 406 upward through the opening 470 in the track 454. Then, the first liquid collector assembly 400A is moved in direction 458 to slide the closed end cap 404 into the channel 460 defined between the upper flange 462 and the lower flange 464 of the track 452 and to slide the end cap 406 along the upper flange 472 of the track 454 until the open end cap 406 engages the stop 474 of the liquid collector array 450. The stop 474 can have a profile that interlocks or mates with the side of the end cap 406.

[0063] refer to Fig.19 and Fig. 20 , a similar process is repeated for the liquid collector assembly 400B to advance the liquid collector assembly 400B along the rails 452, 454 until the liquid collector assembly 400B abuts against the liquid collector assembly 400A. Fig.15, the open end cap 406 has a lower recess 480 that receives a protrusion 482 of an adjacent liquid collector assembly 400. Similarly, the open end cap 406 has an upper protrusion 481 that extends into a recess 483 of an adjacent liquid collector assembly 400. The closed end cap 404 may have a similar peripheral shape as the open end cap 406.

[0064] refer to Fig. 20 , sliding the liquid collector assembly 400B in direction 458 until the closed end cap 404 of assembly 400B abuts the corresponding closed end cap 404 of assembly 400A, and the open end cap 406 of liquid collector assembly 400B abuts the open end cap 406 of liquid collector assembly 400A. In this way, the open end caps 404 and closed end caps 406 of adjacent liquid collector assemblies 400 have an interlocking engagement that securely maintains the orientation of the liquid collector bodies 402 once the liquid collector array 450 is assembled.

[0065] about Fig.21 and Fig. 22 , a plurality of liquid collection assemblies 400 are stacked on rails 452, 454 until the stacked liquid collection assemblies 400 reach openings 456, 470 of rails 452, 454. Next, the maintenance worker pushes the liquid collector assembly 400D upward through openings 456, 470 and moves the liquid collector assembly 400D in a direction 486 opposite to direction 458 to position the assembly 400D at end portions 488, 490 of rails 452, 454. The process of loading the liquid collection assembly 400 in direction 486 is repeated to fill the vacant portions 491 of rails 452, 454.

[0066] about Fig.23 and Fig.24 , the maintenance worker pushes the liquid collector 400E, 400F upward into the opening 470, 456 of the rails 452, 454 to lock the end caps 404, 406 of the liquid collector assembly 400E, 400F with the adjacent assembly 400G, 400H and vent the liquid collector array 450. In one embodiment, the maintenance worker connects a plate to the rails 452, 454 to cover the opening 470, 456 and secures the liquid collector assembly 400 to the rails 452, 454. To remove the liquid collector 400 (e.g., for replacement or cleaning), invert the Figures 17 to 23 process.

[0067] about Fig.24, a lower liquid collector and fan subassembly 500 is provided that is similar in many respects to the lower liquid collector and fan subassembly 18 discussed above, so the differences will be highlighted. The lower liquid collector and fan subassembly 500 can be used with the upper heat exchange subassembly 16 discussed above, or with another upper heat exchange subassembly positioned on top of the lower liquid collector and fan subassembly 500. The lower liquid collector and fan subassembly 500 includes an air inlet 502 with a fan 504 that draws air into an external structure (e.g., a housing 506) and directs the air generally upward in a direction 510 through an opening 508 toward an upper heat exchange subassembly positioned above the lower liquid collector and fan subassembly 500.

[0068] Liquid (e.g., water) generally falls downwardly into the opening 508 in the direction 512 and falls onto the liquid collector arrays 520, 522. The lower liquid collector and fan subassembly 500 has a central deflector 526 for directing liquid falling thereon into either of the liquid collector arrays 520, 522. In addition, the lower liquid collector and fan subassembly 500 has end slots 530, 532 (see Fig. 27 ) and drain grooves 540, the end grooves 530, 532 and drain grooves 540 cooperate with the liquid collector arrays 520, 522 to capture liquid from the lower liquid collector and the heat exchanger (e.g., coil 40; see Figure 2 ) any liquid that falls.

[0069] about Fig.24 and Fig.31 , the liquid collector array 520, 522 includes a liquid collector 549, a liquid collector assembly 550, and the liquid collector assembly 550 is inclined to direct the collected liquid to the drain trough 540. Each liquid collector assembly 550 includes a body 552 having a main drain trough 554 and an auxiliary drain trough 556. As some examples, the body 552 can be made of a metal material (such as stainless steel), a plastic material, or a composite material. The liquid collector assembly 550 includes a mounting member located at either end portion 550B of the body 552, such as a closed end cap 560 and an open end cap 562. The open end cap 562 has an opening 564, which allows liquid to drain from the main drain trough 554 and the auxiliary drain trough 556 into the drain trough 540 along a lateral direction 558. The closed end cap 560 covers the main drain trough 554 and the auxiliary drain trough 556 and prevents liquid from leaving the main drain trough 554 and the auxiliary drain trough 556 in a direction opposite to the lateral direction 558. The closed end cap 560 and the open end cap 562 can be made of metal, plastic, or a composite material that provides sufficient rigidity to hold the body 552 in place in the liquid collector arrays 520 , 522 .

[0070] about Fig.25 , the lower liquid collector and fan subassembly 500 has a pump 570 and a sump 572 within a housing 506. The housing 506 includes an outer wall 574 that defines a portion of the drain trough 540. Fig.25 and Fig.26 , the lower liquid collector and fan subassembly 500 has a drain duct 580 with an opening 582 that opens into the drain trough 540 and allows liquid in the drain trough 540 to drain into the sump 572 generally in a direction 584. The drain duct 580 has side walls 590, 592 and an inner wall 594 spaced inwardly from the outer wall 574. In this manner, the inner wall 594, the side walls 590, 592, and a portion of the outer wall 574 form a rectangular channel that allows liquid collected in the drain trough 540 to drain into the sump 572 under the action of gravity. The lower liquid collector and fan subassembly 500 also includes a door 596 that allows access to a walkway 598 between the fan 504 and the sump 572. Because the liquid collector arrays 520, 522 collect falling liquid from the heat exchanger, the walkway 598 remains dry during wet operation of the heat exchanger above the lower liquid collector and fan subassembly 500.

[0071] about Fig.24 and Fig. 27 , the housing 506 includes an outer wall 600 and a trough 532 mounted thereon. The trough 532 has an upper wall portion 602 that extends laterally to a lower wall portion 604 of the trough 532. The upper wall portion 602 and the outer wall 600 define an upper opening 606 therebetween that receives liquid that falls from the upper heat exchange subassembly above the lower liquid collector and fan subassembly 500 in a direction 608. The liquid collector array 522 includes an outer end liquid collector body 552A having a primary drain groove 554A and a secondary drain groove 556A. The trough 532 is located above the secondary drain groove 556A and overlaps the secondary drain groove 556A in a vertical direction to capture liquid that falls to the outer wall 600. The trough 532 has a drip edge 610 so that liquid traveling along a surface 612 of the trough 532 is directed into the secondary drain groove 556 of the liquid collector 552A. Trough 530 has a similar construction and operation as trough 532 and cooperates with liquid collector array 520 to collect falling liquid in a manner similar to the manner in which trough 532 cooperates with liquid collector array 522.

[0072] about Fig.28, the liquid collector array 522 includes an inner end liquid collector body 552B having a main drainage groove 554B and an auxiliary drainage groove 556B. Similarly, the liquid collector assembly 526 includes an inner end liquid collector body 552C having a main drainage groove 554C and an auxiliary drainage groove 556C. The central guide 526 has an upper surface 630 and a first portion and a second portion, such as liquid guide wall portions 632, 634, which guide the liquid falling on the upper surface 630 into the inner end liquid collector body 552C or the inner end liquid collector body 552B.

[0073] about Fig.29A , a liquid collector array 552 is shown, which is similar to the liquid collector array 520. The liquid collector array 522 includes rails 640, 642 that laterally space and support end portions 644, 646 of the liquid collector assembly 550 of the liquid collector array 522. The liquid collector assembly 550 includes an outer end liquid collector assembly 550A, which includes the outer end liquid collector body 552A discussed above.

[0074] about Fig.30 , all liquid collector assemblies 550 are removed except for the outer end liquid collector assembly 550A. Track 640 includes a channel 650 for receiving the closed end cap 560, and track 642 includes an upper track 652 and a lower track 654 with an opening 656 therebetween for receiving the open end cap 562. Tracks 640, 642 include lower wall portions 660, 662 that support the underside of the closed end cap 560 and the open end cap 562. Lower track 654 has an opening 670 that allows a user to install or remove the liquid collector assembly 550 from below the track 640, 642 without removing the track 640, 642. This allows a user to clean or replace the liquid collector assembly 550 as needed on the walkway 598.

[0075] To position each liquid collector assembly 550 along the tracks 640, 642, each liquid collector assembly 550 is positioned below the tracks 640, 642 such that the open end cap 560 of the liquid collector assembly 550 is located below the opening 670 of the track 642. The user then lifts the liquid collector assembly 570 upward in direction 672 until the closed end cap 560 and the open end cap 562 are vertically above the lower wall portions 660, 662. The user then moves the liquid collector assembly 550 laterally in direction 676 to position the closed end cap 560 of the liquid collector assembly 550 on the lower wall portion 660 of the track 640. The liquid collector assembly 550 is then moved longitudinally in direction 678 until it contacts a stop 680 of the track 640 or another liquid collector assembly 550. To position the liquid collector assembly 550 at the opposite end portion 682 of the rails 640, 642, a similar process is performed, except that the liquid collector assembly 550 is moved in the direction 684 after being pushed upward through the opening 670. Fig.29A As shown, the liquid collector assembly 522 includes a plate or other support member that is connected to the lower track 654 once all liquid collector assemblies 550 are positioned on the tracks 640, 642. The plate or support member prevents the liquid collector assembly 550 aligned with the opening 670 from being disengaged from the lower track 654.

[0076] about Fig.32 The open end cap 562 includes a body 700, which, as an example, can be made of a plastic material. The body 700 includes one or more openings 702, and the opening 702 has a main drain slot opening portion 704 for receiving the main drain slot 554 of the liquid collector body 552, and an auxiliary drain slot opening portion 706 for receiving the auxiliary drain slot 556 of the liquid collector body 552. The body 700 includes recesses 710, 712, 714, 716, and the recesses 710, 712, 714, 716 receive the edges 720, 722, 726 of the liquid collector body 552 (see Fig. 27 ) and edge 728. Edges 722, 726 can be the leading ends of the upwardly directed hook-shaped protrusions of the liquid collector body 552.

[0077] The engagement between the notch and the edge engages the open end cap 562 with the liquid collector 552. The open end cap 562 includes one or more detents that releasably interlock with an adjacent open end cap once the liquid collector assembly 550 is mounted to the rails 640, 642. In one embodiment, the open end cap 562 includes an upper detent 740 and a lower detent 742 (see FIG. Fig.31) and upper and lower recesses 744, 746 that engage with corresponding recesses and detents of an adjacent open end cap 562.

[0078] about Fig.32 The main body 700 of the open end cover 562 has a front upper recess 760, a front lower protrusion 762, a rear upper protrusion 764, and a rear lower recess 766. When the liquid collector assemblies 550 are installed side by side along the rails 640, 642, the front upper recess 760 of the first liquid collector assembly 550 receives the rear upper protrusion 764 of the second liquid collector assembly 550 located in front of the first liquid collector assembly 550, and the front lower protrusion 762 of the first liquid collector assembly 550 extends into the rear lower recess 766 of the second liquid collector assembly 550.

[0079] about Fig.29A and Fig.29B When the liquid collector assemblies 550 are loaded onto the rails 640, 642, the upper rear protrusion 764 of the open cover 562 of the front liquid collector assembly 550A is stacked in the rail 642 and is located on the lower front protrusion 762 of the rear liquid collector assembly 550B. Similarly, the closed covers 560A, 560D of the liquid collector assemblies 550A, 550B are stacked in the rail 640.

[0080] about Fig.29B , the track 640 has a C-shaped cross-section, including a lower wall portion 660, a vertical wall portion 770, and a horizontal wall portion 772 for supporting the liquid collector assembly 550. The track 640 also includes retainer portions 774, 776 that limit the lateral movement of the closed cover 560 in the track 640. The upper track 652 and the lower track 654 also include retainer portions 780, 782 that prevent the open cover 562 from lateral movement in the track 642.

[0081] Unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context, the use of singular terms such as "a", "an" is intended to cover both the singular and the plural. The terms "comprising", "having", "including" and "containing" are to be understood as open-ended terms. The phrase "at least one" as used herein is to be interpreted as having a selective meaning. For example, the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to cover A, B, or both A and B.

[0082] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it should be understood that many changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is intended to cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the liquid collector discussed above can be used with different types of heat exchangers, such as collecting working liquid falling from the packing sheets of a direct heat exchanger of a cooling tower. As another example, the liquid collector described herein can be used in a direct air carbon capture system to collect carbon capture solvent sprayed onto a carbon capture medium (e.g., packing).

Claims

1. A liquid collector for collecting falling liquid and allowing air to flow around the liquid collector, the liquid collector comprising: anterior lower edge; a connecting wall portion extending downwardly from the front edge; a first rearwardly inclined wall portion connected to the connecting wall portion and extending upwardly and rearwardly away from the connecting wall portion, the first rearwardly inclined wall portion having a first inclined surface to receive liquid on the first inclined surface and direct the liquid to the connecting wall portion; a middle upper edge of the rearwardly inclined wall portion, the middle upper edge being located rearwardly and above the front lower edge; an air splitter wall portion extending rearwardly from the first rearwardly inclined wall portion below the intermediate upper edge; a second rearwardly inclined wall portion extending upwardly and rearwardly from the air diverter wall portion, the second rearwardly inclined wall portion having a second inclined surface for receiving liquid on the second inclined surface and directing the liquid toward the air diverter wall portion; and The rear upper edge of the second rearward inclined wall portion is located behind the middle upper edge and above the front lower edge.

2. The liquid collector of claim 1 further comprising a connection between the air splitter wall portion and the second rearwardly inclined wall portion; and in, The connection includes a lower drip edge.

3. The liquid collector according to claim 2, wherein: The air diverter wall portion includes a recess forward of the lower drip edge.

4. The liquid collector of claim 1 further comprising a lower drip edge located between the air splitter wall portion and the second rearwardly inclined wall portion; and in, The air diverter wall portion includes a curved portion forward of the lower drip edge.

5. The liquid collector according to claim 1, wherein: The second rearwardly inclined wall portion, the air diverter wall portion and the first rearwardly inclined wall portion define at least a portion of a main drain channel of the liquid collector; and Wherein, the connecting wall portion and the first rearward inclined wall portion define at least a portion of the auxiliary drainage trough of the liquid collector.

6. The liquid collector according to claim 1, wherein: The first rearwardly inclined wall portion includes an upper straight wall portion located below the intermediate upper edge and a lower straight wall portion extending laterally to the upper straight wall portion; A connection portion connecting the upper straight wall portion and the lower straight wall portion; and Wherein, the air splitter wall portion extends rearward from the connection.

7. The liquid collector according to claim 1, wherein: The first rearwardly inclined wall portion includes an upper wall portion connecting the intermediate upper edge and the air splitter wall portion; and Wherein, the upper wall portion of the first rearward inclined wall portion and the second rearward inclined wall portion extend parallel to each other.

8. The liquid collector according to claim 1, wherein: One or more of the front lower edge, the middle upper edge and the rear upper edge is part of a hook-shaped protrusion.

9. The liquid collector according to claim 1, wherein: The liquid collector has a length and a cross-section perpendicular to the length, and the cross-section is uniform over at least a majority of the length of the liquid collector.

10. The liquid collector according to claim 1, wherein: The liquid collector comprises: a main body including the front lower edge, the connecting wall portion, the first rearward inclined wall portion, the intermediate upper edge, the air splitter wall portion, the second rearward inclined wall portion and the rear upper edge; wherein the body has opposing end portions; an open end cap connected to one end portion of the liquid collector; and A closed end cap is connected to the other end portion of the liquid collector.

11. The liquid collector according to claim 1, further comprising a lower front wall portion and a lower rear wall portion, the lower front wall portion and the lower rear wall portion protruding below the connecting wall portion and forming a tertiary drainage groove of the liquid collector.

12. A heat exchange device, comprising: Heat exchangers; a liquid distribution system configured to distribute liquid to the heat exchanger; a pair of spaced apart tracks; a plurality of liquid collectors for collecting at least a portion of the liquid distributed to the heat exchanger; a mounting for the liquid collector, the mounting being configured to facilitate side-by-side positioning of the liquid collector along the track; and An interlocking portion of the liquid collector mount is configured to engage a liquid collector positioned along the track and prevent movement of the liquid collector.

13. The heat exchange device according to claim 12, wherein: The interlocking portions of the mounts include front and rear engagement surfaces of each mount that engage corresponding rear and front engagement surfaces of an adjacent mount when the liquid collectors are positioned side-by-side along the track.

14. The heat exchange device according to claim 12, wherein: The interlocking portion of the mounting piece includes a front lower protrusion, a front upper recess, a rear lower recess and a rear upper protrusion of each mounting piece.

15. The heat exchange device according to claim 12, wherein: The mounting member includes a plate-shaped portion that slides along the track.

16. The heat exchange device according to claim 12, wherein: The interlocking portion of the mounting elements includes a recess and a detent for engaging the recess to releasably engage the mounting elements together.

17. The heat exchange device according to claim 12, wherein: The rails each include a lower support member for supporting a mounting member of the liquid collector; and Wherein at least one of the tracks has a through opening in its lower support, the through opening being sized to facilitate advancement of one of the plurality of mountings for each liquid collector through the through opening in the lower support.

18. The heat exchange device according to claim 12, wherein: The rails each include a first end and a second end and a length extending therebetween; wherein one of the plurality of tracks has a through opening between a first end and a second end thereof, and the through opening is dimensioned to allow a mounting member of the liquid collector to advance therethrough; wherein the through opening is a first distance from a first end of the one track to allow a first plurality of liquid collectors to be positioned on the one track between the first end and the through opening; and wherein the through opening is a second distance from the second end of the one track to allow a second plurality of liquid collectors to be positioned on the one track between the second end and the through opening.

19. The heat exchange device according to claim 18, wherein: The first distance is greater than the second distance to allow a majority of the plurality of liquid collectors to be positioned between the through-opening and the first end of the one track.

20. The heat exchange device according to claim 12, wherein: The liquid collectors each include a liquid collector body, wherein the liquid collector body has a main drainage groove and an auxiliary drainage groove for collecting the fluid; and Wherein, each of the liquid collectors comprises an open end cover connected to the liquid collector array, and the open end cover allows the fluid in the main drainage groove and the auxiliary drainage groove to be discharged from the liquid collector.

21. The heat exchange device according to claim 12, wherein: At least one track among the plurality of tracks has a stopper to limit movement of the liquid collector along the track.

22. The heat exchange device according to claim 12, wherein: The liquid collectors all include: anterior lower edge; a connecting wall portion extending downwardly from the front edge; a first rearwardly inclined wall portion connected to the connecting wall portion and extending upwardly and rearwardly from the connecting wall portion, the first rearwardly inclined wall portion having a first inclined surface to receive liquid on the first inclined surface and guide the liquid to the connecting wall portion; a middle upper edge of the rearwardly inclined wall portion, the middle upper edge being located rearwardly and above the front lower edge; an air splitter wall portion extending rearwardly from the rearwardly inclined wall portion below the intermediate upper edge; and A second rearwardly inclined wall portion extends upwardly and rearwardly from the air diverter wall portion, the second rearwardly inclined wall portion having a second inclined surface for receiving liquid on the second inclined surface and directing the liquid toward the air diverter wall portion.

23. The heat exchange device according to claim 12, wherein: The heat exchange device includes a closed space; Wherein, the heat exchanger is located in the closed space; wherein the liquid distribution system comprises a liquid outlet in the enclosed space above the heat exchanger; and Wherein, the liquid distribution system includes a pump in a closed space below the liquid collector.

24. A method of assembling a liquid collector array, the method comprising: Positioning a mounting for a first liquid collector on a track of the liquid collector array, the first liquid collector having at least one drainage trough for collecting falling liquid; moving the first liquid collector along the track to a first installation position, and when the first liquid collector is in the first installation position, tilting the first liquid collector so that liquid in at least one drainage groove of the first liquid collector is drained from the first liquid collector; Positioning a mounting for a second liquid collector on the track of the liquid collector array, the second liquid collector having at least one drainage trough for collecting falling liquid; and Move the second liquid collector along the track to a second installation position close to the first installation position, and when the second liquid collector is in the second installation position, tilt the second liquid collector so that liquid in at least one drainage groove of the second liquid collector is drained from the second liquid collector.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein: Positioning the first liquid collector's mount on the track includes advancing one of the plurality of mounts of the first liquid collector through an opening in one of the plurality of tracks.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein: A track among the plurality of tracks has a length; and Wherein, pushing one of the plurality of mounting members of the first liquid collector through the opening in the one track comprises: pushing the one mounting member through the opening in a direction transverse to a length of the one track.

27. The method according to claim 25, wherein: Positioning the mount of the second liquid collector on the track includes advancing one of the plurality of mounts of the second liquid collector through an opening in the one track.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein: Moving the first liquid collector and the second liquid collector along the track includes: moving the first liquid collector and the second liquid collector in a first direction along the track, and the method further includes: A third liquid collector is moved along the track in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein: Positioning the mount of the first liquid collector on the track includes: advancing one of the plurality of mounts of the first liquid collector through an opening in one of the plurality of tracks, the method further comprising: positioning a first mounting member of a third liquid collector on the other track and positioning a second mounting member of the third liquid collector over the opening in the one track; and A support member is connected to one of the tracks below the second mounting member of the third liquid collector to close the opening in the one track.

30. The method of claim 24, wherein: Moving the first liquid collector along the track to the first mounting position includes moving the first liquid collector along a first direction and bringing the first liquid collector into contact with a stopper of the track, the stopper limiting further movement of the first liquid collector along the first direction.

31. The method of claim 24, wherein: Moving the second liquid collector along the track includes pushing a front protrusion of the mounting member of the second liquid collector into a rear opening of the mounting member of the first liquid collector.

32. The method of claim 24, wherein: Also included is positioning a plurality of liquid collector mounts on the track to fill the track with liquid collectors, and securing the first liquid collector, the second liquid collector, and a plurality of liquid collectors to the track.

33. The method of claim 24, wherein: Moving the second liquid collector along the track includes partially stacking mountings of the first liquid collector and the second liquid collector.

34. A heat exchange device, comprising: a housing having a first outer wall and a second outer wall opposite to the first outer wall; a heat exchanger located in the housing; a fan operable to generate an airflow relative to the heat exchanger; a liquid distribution system for distributing liquid to the heat exchanger; a first liquid collector array comprising a plurality of first liquid collectors having drainage grooves for collecting liquid falling from the heat exchanger, and first spaces between the first liquid collectors for allowing air to travel between the first liquid collectors; a first liquid collector in the first array of liquid collectors configured to direct air from the first compartment in a first direction away from the first wall and toward the heat exchanger; a second liquid collector array comprising a plurality of second liquid collectors having drainage grooves for collecting liquid falling from the heat exchanger, and spaces between the second liquid collectors for allowing air to travel between the second liquid collectors; and The second liquid collectors of the second liquid collector array are configured to direct air from the second compartment in a second direction transverse to the first direction, the second direction away from the second outer wall and toward the heat exchanger.

35. The heat exchange device according to claim 34, wherein: the first liquid collector being configured to direct air from the first spacing in a first direction angled relative to vertical; and Wherein the second liquid collector is configured to direct air from the second spacing in a second direction that is angled relative to a vertical direction.

36. The heat exchange device according to claim 34, wherein: The first liquid collector and the second liquid collector each include: an auxiliary drainage trough having a first rearwardly inclined wall portion; a main drain channel having a second rearwardly inclined wall portion; and wherein the first rearwardly inclined wall portion and the second rearwardly inclined wall portion of the first liquid collector are oriented to extend along the first direction; Wherein the first and second rearwardly inclined wall portions of the second liquid collector are oriented to extend along the second direction.

37. The heat exchange device according to claim 34, wherein: The first liquid collector and the second liquid collector each include an upper main drainage trough and a lower auxiliary drainage trough, the upper main drainage trough having a pair of spaced-apart parallel wall portions oriented in the first direction or the second direction.

38. The heat exchange device according to claim 34, wherein: Each liquid collector includes: anterior lower edge; a connecting wall portion extending downwardly from the front edge; a first rearwardly inclined wall portion connected to the connecting wall portion and extending upwardly and rearwardly away from the connecting wall portion, the first rearwardly inclined wall portion having a first inclined surface to receive liquid on the first inclined surface and direct the liquid to the connecting wall portion; a middle upper edge of the rearwardly inclined wall portion, the middle upper edge being located rearwardly and above the front lower edge; an air splitter wall portion extending rearwardly from the rearwardly inclined wall portion below the intermediate upper edge; A second rearwardly inclined wall portion extends upwardly and rearwardly from the air diverter wall portion, the second rearwardly inclined wall portion having a second inclined surface for receiving liquid on the second inclined surface and directing the liquid toward the air diverter wall portion.

39. The heat exchange device according to claim 34, further comprising a first end drainage groove, the first end drainage groove being located between the first liquid collector array and the first outer wall, for collecting liquid falling near the first outer wall; and The second end drainage groove is located between the second liquid collector array and the second outer wall, and is used for collecting liquid falling near the second outer wall.

40. The heat exchange device according to claim 34 further includes an intermediate guide for receiving fluid falling from the heat exchanger located between the first liquid collector array and the second liquid collector array, the intermediate guide having a first part and a second part, the first part being configured to guide the liquid falling on the first part to the first liquid collector array, and the second part being configured to guide the liquid falling on the second part to the second liquid collector array.

41. The heat exchange device according to claim 34, wherein: The first liquid collector array includes a first pair of rails supporting the first liquid collectors, the first pair of rails having at least one opening to facilitate loading the first liquid collectors onto the first pair of rails; The second liquid collector array includes a second pair of rails for supporting the second liquid collectors, and the second pair of rails has at least one opening to facilitate loading the second liquid collectors onto the first pair of rails.

42. A heat exchange device, comprising: case; a heat exchanger located in the housing; a fan operable to cause air to contact the heat exchanger; a sump for liquid in the housing; a liquid distribution system operable to direct the liquid from the sump to the heat exchanger; and A pump of a liquid dispensing system is within the housing.

43. The heat exchange device according to claim 42, wherein: The housing comprises a bottom plate and an outer wall standing upright from the bottom plate; and Wherein, the pump is located in a recess at least partially formed by the bottom plate, the outer wall and the sump.

44. The heat exchange device according to claim 42, wherein: The housing comprises a bottom plate and an outer wall standing upright from the bottom plate; wherein the liquid collecting tank comprises a wall spaced apart from the outer wall and extending parallel to the outer wall; and Wherein, the pump is located between the wall of the liquid collecting tank and the outer wall of the shell.

45. The heat exchange device according to claim 42, wherein: The liquid dispensing system includes a tube for receiving liquid from the pump; and Part of the tube is located inside the shell, and part of the tube is located outside the shell.

46. ​​The heat exchange device of claim 42, further comprising a plurality of liquid collectors for collecting at least a portion of the liquid from the heat exchanger; and in, The liquid collector is located above the pump to limit liquid from contacting the pump.

47. The heat exchange device according to claim 46, further comprising a drainage trough located above the liquid collection tank; in, The liquid collector guides the collected liquid to the drain groove; and A drain pipe is configured to direct liquid from the drain trough to the sump.

48. The heat exchange device according to claim 42, wherein: The housing includes a door; a walkway in the housing; The sump and pump are located on one side of the walkway; and A fan is on the side of the walkway opposite the sump and pump.

Images