Panel wall structure for use in a tower/frame structure and cooling tower

Abstract

A double wall panel member for use in a panel wall is provided which includes a tongue-configured end and a groove-configured end. The panel member includes a first outer wall spaced laterally from a second outer wall, and the groove-configured end has a first groove wall portion extending from the first outer wall and a second groove wall portion extending from the second outer wall, where the first groove wall portion extends further outward than the second groove wall portion. When connected, the wall panel members are assembled with the groove end pointing or oriented upward (not downward) and the tongue end pointing or oriented downward (not upward).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A panel wall member for use in a wall within a cooling tower, the panel wall member comprising:
 a double wall panel member having a first outer wall spaced laterally from a second outer wall, the first and second outer walls comprising fiber reinforced material;   a first end having a tongue-type portion extending from the first and second outer walls and having a width narrower than a width of the double wall panel member; and   a second end having a groove-type portion and having a first groove wall portion extending from the first outer wall and a second groove wall portion extending from the second outer wall, the first groove wall portion extending further outward than the second groove wall portion.   
     
     
         2 . The panel wall member in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first groove wall portion extends at least about one inch further outward than the second groove wall portion. 
     
     
         3 . The panel wall member in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the first outer wall and the second outer wall are spaced apart between about ½ inch to about 2 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The panel wall member in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the panel wall member is formed of pultruded composite plastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The panel wall member in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an inner wall member disposed proximate the second end, the inner wall member spanning between and connected to the first outer wall and the second outer wall; and   wherein the inner wall member is disposed at a location and configured to abut a surface of a tongue-type portion of a second panel wall member.   
     
     
         6 . The panel wall member in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the second groove wall portion extends about 1 inch or less outward from the inner wall member. 
     
     
         7 . The panel wall member in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the panel wall member has a length greater than 8 feet and a configuration of the first end and a configuration of the second end extend substantially along the length of the panel wall member. 
     
     
         8 . The panel wall member in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least three inner wall members spanning between and connected to the first outer wall and the second outer wall, the at least three inner wall members spaced apart from each other.   
     
     
         9 . The panel wall member in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first end having the tongue-type portion comprises:
 a main tongue portion, and 
 a secondary tongue portion; and 
   the second end having the groove-type portion comprises:
 a main groove portion, and 
 a secondary groove portion. 
   
     
     
         10 . A panel wall for use with a cooling tower, the panel wall:
 a first double wall panel member and a second double wall panel member, wherein each double wall panel member comprises:
 a first outer wall spaced laterally from a second outer wall, the first and second outer walls comprising fiber reinforced material, 
 a first end having a tongue-type portion extending from the first and second outer walls and having a width narrower than a width of the double wall panel member, and 
 a second end having a groove-type portion and having a first groove wall portion extending from the first outer wall and a second groove wall portion extending from the second outer wall, the first groove wall portion extending further outward than the second groove wall portion; and 
   wherein the first end and the second end of the first double wall panel are interconnected to the second end and the first end, respectively, of the second double wall panel.   
     
     
         11 . The panel wall in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the second ends are oriented upward and the first ends are oriented downward when the panel wall is attached to a cooling tower. 
     
     
         12 . The panel wall in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the first groove wall portion of the double wall panel member extends at least about one inch further outward than the second groove wall portion. 
     
     
         13 . The panel wall in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein:
 each double wall panel member further comprises an inner wall member disposed proximate the second end, the inner wall member spanning between and connected to the first outer wall and the second outer wall; and   the inner wall member is disposed at a location of each double wall panel member and configured to abut a surface of the tongue-type portion of another double wall member.   
     
     
         14 . The panel wall in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the second groove wall portion extends about 1 inch or less outward from the inner wall member. 
     
     
         15 . The panel wall in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the panel wall member has a length greater than 8 feet and a configuration of the first end and a configuration of the second end extend substantially along the length of the panel wall member. 
     
     
         16 . The panel wall in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein each double wall panel member further comprises:
 at least three inner wall members spanning between and connected to the first outer wall and the second outer wall, the at least three inner wall members spaced apart from each other.   
     
     
         17 . The panel wall in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first end having the tongue-type portion of each double wall panel member further comprises:
 a main tongue portion, and 
 a secondary tongue portion; and 
   the second end having the groove-type portion of each double wall panel member further comprises:
 a main groove portion, and 
 a secondary groove portion. 
   
     
     
         18 . A cooling tower comprising:
 a support frame structure defining an interior volume and having at least a first column and a second column;   a fluid distribution system to distribute fluid within the interior volume defined by the support frame structure;   a heat transfer material within the interior volume defined by the support frame structure and for receiving fluid from the fluid distribution system and through which the fluid travels;   a fluid collection basin disposed beneath the support frame structure;   air moving equipment operable for causing air movement for heat transfer between the fluid and air; and   an exterior panel wall coupled to and spanning between the first column and the second column, the exterior panel wall comprising,
 a first double wall panel member and a second double wall panel member, wherein each double wall panel member comprises:
 a first outer wall spaced laterally from a second outer wall, the first and second outer walls comprising fiber reinforced material; 
 a first end having a tongue-type portion extending from the first and second outer walls and having a width narrower than a width of the double wall panel member; and 
 a second end having a groove-type portion and having a first groove wall portion extending from the first outer wall and a second groove wall portion extending from the second outer wall, the first groove wall portion extending further outward than the second groove wall portion, 
 
 wherein the first end and the second end of the first double wall panel are interconnected to the second end and the first end, respectively, of the second double wall panel, and 
 wherein the second ends are oriented upward and the first ends are oriented downward. 
   
     
     
         19 . The cooling tower in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the first groove wall portion of each double wall panel member extends at least about one inch further outward than the second groove wall portion. 
     
     
         20 . The cooling tower in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein:
 each double wall panel member further comprises an inner wall member disposed proximate the second end, the inner wall member spanning between and connected to the first outer wall and the second outer wall; and   the inner wall member is disposed at a location of each double wall panel member and configured to abut a surface of the tongue-type portion of another double wall member.