Abstract: A water cooling tower having an improved water collection system. The cooling tower has an outer shell, legs, and one or more layers of fill material, through which the water to be cooled moves vertically downward. The water is distributed across the upper surface of the fill material by piping and nozzles. A fan underlying the fill material moves air vertically upward through the fill material. The water collection system, which is positioned below the fill material, has upper and lower troughs which receive water flowing vertically downward through the fill material. Preferably, the lower troughs are positioned beneath the spaces between upper troughs, to catch water falling between the upper troughs. A number of hinged baffles close off the spaces between lower troughs, but rotate upward in response to upward air flow and open the spaces between the lower troughs.

Abstract: A water cooling tower having an improved water collection system. The cooling tower has an outer shell, legs, and one or more layers of fill material, through which the water to be cooled moves vertically downward. The water is distributed across the upper surface of the fill material by piping and nozzles. A fan underlying the fill material moves air vertically upward through the fill material. The water collection system, which is positioned below the fill material, has upper and lower troughs which receive water flowing vertically downward through the fill material. Preferably, the lower troughs are positioned beneath the spaces between upper troughs, to catch water falling between the upper troughs. A number of hinged baffles close off the spaces between lower troughs, but rotate upward in response to upward air flow and open the spaces between the lower troughs.