Method and Apparatus for Assembling Field Erected Cooling Tower Frame

Abstract

A method and structure for assembling field erected cooling. A first cell or cell portion is assembled at the opposite end of the cooling basin from its final location and used as a scaffold from which the rest of the structure is assembled. This first “assembly” section is fitted with temporary walkways, safety railings and enclosed ladders and workers assemble each new section of the cooling tower frame from the scaffold affixed to the first section. After assembly of each section or bay of the cooling tower frame is completed, the assembly section is advanced away from the newly constructed section to make room for the assembly of a new section. To advance the assembly section, movable lifts are positioned under the bottom transverse beams of the section.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for assembly of field erected cooling tower frames, said field erected cooling tower frames having a plurality of frame sections including internal frame sections and including first and second terminal frame sections located at opposite ends of said cooling tower frame, said apparatus comprising:
 said first terminal section of said cooling tower frame, said first terminal frame section having a terminal face and having an internal face configured to face and permanently connect to one of said internal frame sections once all of said plurality of frame sections have been assembled and connected to one-another;   said apparatus further comprising at least two walkways, each at different elevations, and accompanying railings, mounted to said internal face of said first terminal section;   said apparatus further comprising an advancing element for advancing said first terminal frame section from a location where said second terminal frame section is assembled, through a plurality of assembly locations where said internal frame sections are assembled, to a final location where said first terminal frame section is permanently attached to an adjacent internal frame section.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12 , further comprising an element for lifting said first terminal frame section off the ground for advancing said first terminal frame section. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said advancing element and said lifting element are the same element. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said advancing and lifting element comprises a plurality of pallet jacks. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said pallet jacks are configured for manual operation. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said lifting element comprises a plurality of synchronized lifting elements. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein said lifting element comprises a plurality of automatically synchronized lifting elements. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said element for lifting and advancing is motorized. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled)