Patents by Inventor Jiri ZITA

Jiri ZITA has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11647767
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating an active controlled atmosphere (CA) system to regulate the atmosphere in a cargo storage space. The controlled atmosphere system comprises: a plurality of gas exchange modules, each being operable to vary the level of a respective component gas in the cargo storage space, and/or at least one gas exchange module operable in a plurality of different modes to vary the level of a respective component gas in the cargo storage space; and a control module configured to control operation of each gas exchange module according to a plurality of different predetermined atmospheric control logics. Each atmospheric control logic defines operational gas exchange modules and/or operational modes for use over respective operational ranges of atmospheric conditions, and each atmospheric control logic is configured to cause operation of a different combination of gas exchange modules and/or modes over a comparable operational range, independently of any setpoints for gas component levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: THERMO KING LLC
    Inventors: Petra Stavova, Jiri Zita, Martin Vojik, Michal Kolda
  • Patent number: 11576391
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a controlled atmosphere (CA) system to regulate the atmosphere in a cargo storage space. The CA system comprises a gas exchange module operable to vary the level of a component gas in the cargo storage space, a control module to control operation of the gas exchange module, and at least one of an oxygen sensor and a carbon dioxide sensor, each being operable to measure a parameter indicative of a level of oxygen or carbon dioxide respectively in the cargo storage space. The method comprises: the control module determining a respiration parameter value indicative of the rate of change of oxygen level and/or the rate of change of carbon dioxide level in the cargo storage space due to respiration of goods in the cargo storage space; and the control module controlling operation of the gas exchange module based on the determined respiration parameter value to target an oxygen level setpoint and/or a carbon dioxide level setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: THERMO KING LLC
    Inventors: Petra Stavova, Jiri Zita, Martin Vojik, Michal Kolda
  • Patent number: 10905141
    Abstract: A method for obtaining a desired atmosphere within an interior space during an initial startup phase of a CAS is provided. The method includes a controller starting the CAS while keeping the air compressor OFF. The method also includes the controller calculating an atmosphere change rate while the air compressor OFF, and determining whether the interior space can reach a desired atmosphere set point with the air compressor OFF based on the atmosphere change rate. Further, the method includes the controller maintaining the air compressor OFF until the interior space reaches the desired atmosphere set point when the controller determines that the interior space can reach the desired atmosphere set point with the air compressor OFF, and switching the air compressor ON when the controller determines that the interior space cannot reach the desired atmosphere set point with the air compressor OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Radim Cermak, Jiri Zita, Lubos Forejt
  • Patent number: 10905994
    Abstract: A controlled atmosphere system for a cargo storage space, the system comprising a separation area for receiving atmospheric gas from the cargo storage space, a gas moving device arranged to move atmospheric gas from the cargo storage space into the separation area to thereby increase a pressure within the separation area, and a molecular sieve arranged in communication with the separation area, such that when the separation area is at an overpressure, selected molecules are vented out of the separation area through the molecular sieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Jirí Zita, Petra Stavova, Tomá{hacek over (s)} Kohoutek, Michal Kolda
  • Publication number: 20200205429
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a controlled atmosphere (CA) system to regulate the atmosphere in a cargo storage space. The CA system comprises a gas exchange module operable to vary the level of a component gas in the cargo storage space, a control module to control operation of the gas exchange module, and at least one of an oxygen sensor and a carbon dioxide sensor, each being operable to measure a parameter indicative of a level of oxygen or carbon dioxide respectively in the cargo storage space. The method comprises: the control module determining a respiration parameter value indicative of the rate of change of oxygen level and/or the rate of change of carbon dioxide level in the cargo storage space due to respiration of goods in the cargo storage space; and the control module controlling operation of the gas exchange module based on the determined respiration parameter value to target an oxygen level setpoint and/or a carbon dioxide level setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Petra STAVOVA, Jiri ZITA, Martin VOJIK, Michal KOLDA
  • Publication number: 20200205447
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating an active controlled atmosphere (CA) system to regulate the atmosphere in a cargo storage space. The controlled atmosphere system comprises: a plurality of gas exchange modules, each being operable to vary the level of a respective component gas in the cargo storage space, and/or at least one gas exchange module operable in a plurality of different modes to vary the level of a respective component gas in the cargo storage space; and a control module configured to control operation of each gas exchange module according to a plurality of different predetermined atmospheric control logics. Each atmospheric control logic defines operational gas exchange modules and/or operational modes for use over respective operational ranges of atmospheric conditions, and each atmospheric control logic is configured to cause operation of a different combination of gas exchange modules and/or modes over a comparable operational range, independently of any setpoints for gas component levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Petra STAVOVA, Jiri ZITA, Martin VOJIK, Michal KOLDA
  • Publication number: 20190039011
    Abstract: A controlled atmosphere system for a cargo storage space, the system comprising a separation area for receiving atmospheric gas from the cargo storage space, a gas moving device arranged to move atmospheric gas from the cargo storage space into the separation area to thereby increase a pressure within the separation area, and a molecular sieve arranged in communication with the separation area, such that when the separation area is at an overpressure, selected molecules are vented out of the separation area through the molecular sieve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Jirí Zita, Petra Stavova, Tomás Kohoutek, Michal Kolda
  • Publication number: 20170355518
    Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a desired carbon dioxide concentration within an interior space of a transport unit during transport are disclosed. The method includes determining the carbon dioxide concentration within the interior space; enabling a carbon dioxide injection system when the carbon dioxide concentration is not at a set point value; and disabling the carbon dioxide injection system when the carbon dioxide concentration is at the set point value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Jiri ZITA, Lubo FOREJT, Petra STAVOVA, Martin VOJIK
  • Publication number: 20170127705
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses to help control atmosphere in a storage space, such as for example a storage space of a transport unit are disclosed. Generally, the embodiments herein are directed to provide a desired amount of nitrogen to the storage space to replace oxygen and carbon dioxide while removing the same amount of air from the storage space, which can help maintain a pressure balance between the storage space and the ambient atmosphere. Air directed out of the storage space and ambient air can be directed through an air separation device to separate a nitrogen portion. The nitrogen portion can be directed back to the storage space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Radim CERMAK, Jiri ZITA, Lubos FOREJT
  • Publication number: 20170112171
    Abstract: A method for obtaining a desired atmosphere within an interior space during an initial startup phase of a CAS is provided. The method includes a controller starting the CAS while keeping the air compressor OFF. The method also includes the controller calculating an atmosphere change rate while the air compressor OFF, and determining whether the interior space can reach a desired atmosphere set point with the air compressor OFF based on the atmosphere change rate. Further, the method includes the controller maintaining the air compressor OFF until the interior space reaches the desired atmosphere set point when the controller determines that the interior space can reach the desired atmosphere set point with the air compressor OFF, and switching the air compressor ON when the controller determines that the interior space cannot reach the desired atmosphere set point with the air compressor OFF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Radim CERMAK, Jiri ZITA, Lubos FOREJT
  • Publication number: 20170108263
    Abstract: An air supply system of an atmosphere control system is provided. The air supply system may incorporate features to condition an air stream before the air stream is directed toward an air separation device. A temperature of the air stream to the air separation device may be reduced to help condense moisture in the air stream. The air stream with the lowered temperature may be directed through a moisture removal device to help remove moisture in the air stream. The air stream may also be directed through a particle removal device to help remove particles in the air stream. The air stream may be directed through a heat recovery device to regulate the temperature of the air stream before being directed to the air separation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Radim CERMAK, Jiri ZITA, Lubos FOREJT