Patents by Inventor Pavel Houdek

Pavel Houdek 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).

  • Publication number: 20230347789
    Abstract: There is disclosed a heat exchange system for providing cooling by circulating a coolant, the heat exchange system comprising: a supply circuit for circulating the coolant comprising: a coolant supply heat exchanger for rejecting heat from the coolant to provide a supply of chilled coolant and a supply pump for circulating the coolant in the coolant supply circuit; a load circuit for circulating the coolant, comprising: a cooling load heat exchanger configured to transfer heat to the coolant and a load pump for circulating the coolant in the load circuit; a mixing device which is configured to form part of each of the supply circuit and the load circuit; and a valve arrangement configured to control a mix of (i) coolant from the supply circuit and (ii) recirculated coolant from the load circuit, in a coolant flow provided to the cooling load heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Pavel HOUDEK, Jiri DOUDA
  • Patent number: 11780298
    Abstract: There is disclosed an environmental control system for heating at least one enclosed space. The system comprises a heat-pump circuit that includes a compressor, a heat-output stage, an expansion device and an evaporator arranged in series along a flow path for a refrigerant. The heat-output stage comprises a primary heat exchanger and a secondary heat exchanger that are both configured to transfer heat from the refrigerant to one or more external mediums in thermal communication with the at least one enclosed space. The primary heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger are connected in series along the flow path, such that the secondary heat exchanger will transfer excess heat energy remaining within the refrigerant after passing through the primary heat exchanger to the one or more external mediums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: THERMO KING LLC
    Inventors: Martin Galansky, Diego Cearra, Michal Kolda, Pavel Houdek
  • Publication number: 20230122660
    Abstract: There is disclosed heat pump, comprising: an internal heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from refrigerant in a liquid line pathway to refrigerant in a suction line pathway, to superheat the refrigerant upstream of a compressor; and a controller configured to: control an expansion valve to maintain a target superheat of refrigerant at a control location. The target superheat is variable and is determined based on one or more operating conditions of the heat pump. There is also disclosed a method of operating a heat pump and a simulation method to determine a variable superheat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Pavel HOUDEK, Martin GALANSKY, Martin SOUKUP
  • Publication number: 20230084147
    Abstract: There is disclosed an environmental control system for thermally conditioning air within an enclosed space, the system comprising: a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an outdoor heat exchanger. The system comprises an exhaust flowpath having a first inlet for receiving an exhaust flow of thermally conditioned air from the enclosed space and an outlet for discharging the exhaust flow to an external environment. A heat transfer section of the outdoor heat exchanger is located in the exhaust flowpath, wherein the exhaust flowpath is for directing the exhaust flow of thermally conditioned air through the heat transfer section of the outdoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Diego CEARRA, Pavel HOUDEK, Petra STAVOVA, Martin GALANSKY, Michal KOLDA
  • Publication number: 20230077670
    Abstract: There is disclosed an environmental control system for thermally conditioning air within an enclosed space comprising: a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an outdoor heat exchanger. The system further comprises an intake flowpath for directing an intake flow of fresh air to the enclosed space, wherein a heat-transfer section of the indoor heat exchanger is located within the intake flowpath to thermally condition the intake flow of fresh air before entering the enclosed space. The system further comprises an exhaust flowpath for directing an exhaust flow of thermally conditioned air to an external environment. A recovery heat exchanger is provided to transfer thermal energy between the exhaust flow and the intake flow at a location within the intake flowpath that is upstream of the heat-transfer section of the indoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Diego CEARRA, Pavel HOUDEK, Petra STAVOVA, Martin GALANSKY, Petr TRUTNOVSKY, Michal KOLDA, Frank RUEMENAP
  • Publication number: 20220412623
    Abstract: An evaporator apparatus for a refrigeration cycle of an HVAC system or a refrigeration system is disclosed that includes: a primary evaporator pathway for a working fluid of the refrigeration cycle extending through a primary expansion device and a primary evaporator; a secondary evaporator pathway for the working fluid in parallel with the primary evaporator pathway and extending through a secondary expansion device and a secondary evaporator; a coolant circuit for cooling a device, the secondary evaporator configured for heat exchange between the working fluid and process fluid of the coolant circuit; and a controller configured to control: the primary expansion device to maintain a target superheat of working fluid at a primary control location downstream of the primary evaporator; and the secondary expansion device based on monitoring a temperature of process fluid to maintain a target temperature of process fluid at a coolant control location in the coolant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Pavel HOUDEK, Martin GALANSKY, Martin MASKA
  • Patent number: 11448438
    Abstract: A transport climate control system for a climate controlled transport unit includes a main heat transfer circuit and a chiller heat transfer circuit. The main heat transfer circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, a main expansion valve, a main evaporator, a chiller expansion valve, and a chiller evaporator. The main evaporator and a chiller evaporator positioned are in parallel to each other downstream of the condenser. Working fluid and a second process fluid flowing through the main evaporator. Working fluid and a third process fluid flowing through the chiller evaporator. The chiller heat transfer circuit includes the chiller evaporator and the third process fluid is configured to provide auxiliary cooling. A method of operating a transport climate control system for a climate controlled transport unit includes operating in a HVACR and chiller mode, operating in a HVACR mode, and operating a chiller mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Waters, Martin Galansky, Michal Kolda, Pavel Houdek, Brad A. Wilke
  • Publication number: 20220161633
    Abstract: There is disclosed an environmental control system for heating at least one enclosed space. The system comprises a heat-pump circuit that includes a compressor, a heat-output stage, an expansion device and an evaporator arranged in series along a flow path for a refrigerant. The heat-output stage comprises a primary heat exchanger and a secondary heat exchanger that are both configured to transfer heat from the refrigerant to one or more external mediums in thermal communication with the at least one enclosed space. The primary heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger are connected in series along the flow path, such that the secondary heat exchanger will transfer excess heat energy remaining within the refrigerant after passing through the primary heat exchanger to the one or more external mediums.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Martin GALANSKY, Diego CEARRA, Michal KOLDA, Pavel HOUDEK
  • Publication number: 20210116156
    Abstract: A transport climate control system for a climate controlled transport unit includes a main heat transfer circuit and a chiller heat transfer circuit. The main heat transfer circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, a main expansion valve, a main evaporator, a chiller expansion valve, and a chiller evaporator. The main evaporator and a chiller evaporator positioned are in parallel to each other downstream of the condenser. Working fluid and a second process fluid flowing through the main evaporator. Working fluid and a third process fluid flowing through the chiller evaporator. The chiller heat transfer circuit includes the chiller evaporator and the third process fluid is configured to provide auxiliary cooling. A method of operating a transport climate control system for a climate controlled transport unit includes operating in a HVACR and chiller mode, operating in a HVACR mode, and operating a chiller mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Scott A. Waters, Martin Galansky, Michal Kolda, Pavel Houdek, Brad A. Wilke
  • Patent number: 10906418
    Abstract: An apparatus for charging a plurality of electric vehicles, wherein the apparatus has a charging module, wherein the charging module is operatively connected to a cooling component, wherein the cooling component is designed in such a way that, for the purpose of carrying away the waste heat from the charging module, a medium which carries along the waste heat is transported through a line which is routed in the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventors: Pavel Houdek, Stefan Götz, Manuel Groß
  • Patent number: 10442272
    Abstract: A method for defrosting a heat exchanger of a refrigeration circuit is provided. The method includes monitoring a compressor suction parameter at a suction line to a compressor of the refrigeration circuit. The method also includes determining a compressor suction parameter threshold. Also, the method includes initiating a defrost mode of the refrigeration circuit when the compressor suction parameter is less than or equal to the compressor suction parameter threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Galansky, Michal Kolda, Michal Hegar, Pavel Houdek, Petra Stavova
  • Publication number: 20180370375
    Abstract: An apparatus for charging a plurality of electric vehicles, wherein the apparatus has a charging module, wherein the charging module is operatively connected to a cooling component, wherein the cooling component is designed in such a way that, for the purpose of carrying away the waste heat from the charging module, a medium which carries along the waste heat is transported through a line which is routed in the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: Dr. Ing, h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Pavel Houdek, Stefan Götz, Manuel Groß
  • Patent number: 9821700
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS), a refrigerated transport unit, and a method of charging a thermal accumulator in a TRS are disclosed. The TRS includes a thermal accumulator including a phase change material (PCM) configured in a first state, to absorb thermal energy from the interior space of the transport unit during transformation to a second state. A heat exchanger, a portion of which is disposed within the thermal accumulator, is in thermal communication with the PCM. The TRS also includes an expansion device and a transport refrigeration unit (TRU). A heat transfer fluid circuit connects the TRU and the heat exchanger, and is configured to direct a heat transfer fluid from the TRU to the heat exchanger via the expansion device for charging the PCM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Václav Rajtmajer, Michal Kolda, Markéta Kopecka, Michal Hegar, Pavel Houdek
  • Publication number: 20170274732
    Abstract: A method for defrosting a heat exchanger of a refrigeration circuit is provided. The method includes monitoring a compressor suction parameter at a suction line to a compressor of the refrigeration circuit. The method also includes determining a compressor suction parameter threshold. Also, the method includes initiating a defrost mode of the refrigeration circuit when the compressor suction parameter is less than or equal to the compressor suction parameter threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Martin GALANSKY, Michal KOLDA, Michal HEGAR, Pavel HOUDEK, Petra STAVOVA
  • Publication number: 20160109186
    Abstract: An apparatus for the storage, transport and distribution of refrigerated or frozen goods, in particular for thermally insulated containers of refrigerated vehicles, cold rooms and the like, including one or more thermal storage devices, each including a housing defining a cavity for holding a phase change material. The cavity contains a heat exchanger that may be supplied with a heat exchange fluid. The housing includes a substantially flat wall portion and a heat transfer enhanced wall portion. The apparatus includes ventilator in communication with the thermal storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Michal KOLDA, Markéta KOPECKA, Michal HEGAR, Václav RAJTMAJER, Pavel HOUDEK, Lubos FOREJT, Alberto GHIRALDI
  • Publication number: 20160109187
    Abstract: An apparatus for a thermally insulated container is disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more heat accumulators. Each of the thermal accumulators includes a plurality of longitudinal heat accumulation modules. Each of the longitudinal modules includes a casing forming a cavity therein. The cavity is configured to receive a phase change material. A first wall of the casing includes a substantially flat surface and a second wall includes a heat transfer enhanced surface portion. The longitudinal modules include a heat exchanger having at least a portion disposed within the cavity that is configured to supply a heat transfer fluid. The plurality of longitudinal heat accumulation modules are securely connected to each other and are in thermal communication with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Pavel HOUDEK, Václav RAJTMAJER, Michal KOLDA, Markéta KOPECKA, Michal HEGAR, Lubos FOREJT, Alberto GHIRALDI
  • Publication number: 20150314671
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS), a refrigerated transport unit, and a method of charging a thermal accumulator in a TRS are disclosed. The TRS includes a thermal accumulator including a phase change material (PCM) configured in a first state, to absorb thermal energy from the interior space of the transport unit during transformation to a second state. A heat exchanger, a portion of which is disposed within the thermal accumulator, is in thermal communication with the PCM. The TRS also includes an expansion device and a transport refrigeration unit (TRU). A heat transfer fluid circuit connects the TRU and the heat exchanger, and is configured to direct a heat transfer fluid from the TRU to the heat exchanger via the expansion device for charging the PCM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Václav RAJTMAJER, Michal KOLDA, Markéta KOPECKA, Michal HEGAR, Pavel HOUDEK
  • Publication number: 20150316310
    Abstract: A thermal accumulator, a thermal accumulator module, and a method for controlling refrigeration in a transport refrigeration system (TRS) are described. The thermal accumulator module includes a plurality of thermal accumulators. Each of the plurality of thermal accumulators includes a fluid tight housing configured for attachment in an internal space of a refrigerated transport unit. The housing is configured to withstand a load applied when installing the thermal accumulator module in the internal space. An aluminum compatible phase change material is contained within the housing in a first state and configured to absorb thermal energy from the internal space of the refrigerated transport unit during transformation to a second state. One or more faces of the housing include a heat transfer enhancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pavel HOUDEK, Václav RAJTMAJER, Michal KOLDA, Markéta KOPECKA, Michal HEGAR
  • Publication number: 20150316301
    Abstract: A method for charging a phase change material (PCM) of a thermal accumulator provided in a refrigerated transport unit is provided. The refrigerated transport unit includes a prime mover to move the refrigerated transport unit, a transport refrigeration system (TRS) that includes a heat transfer fluid circuit. The heat transfer fluid circuit has a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion device and a PCM heat exchanger. The method requires monitoring for, via a controller, a braking signal from a braking sensor of the refrigerated transport unit. Also, the method includes directing energy generated by the prime mover for moving the refrigerated transport unit to the TRS when the controller receives a braking signal from the braking sensor. Further, the method includes the TRS charging the PCM of the thermal accumulator via the heat transfer fluid circuit when the energy generated by the prime mover is directed to the TRS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michal KOLDA, Thomas REITZ, Markéta KOPECKA, Michal HEGAR, Václav RAJTMAJER, Pavel HOUDEK
  • Publication number: 20150316309
    Abstract: A method for air temperature control within a cargo compartment of a transport unit using a transport refrigeration system (TRS) that includes a thermal accumulator having a phase change material (PCM) provided therein is provided. The thermal accumulator is disposed in a thermal accumulator compartment and the cargo compartment is separated from the thermal accumulator compartment via a climate controlled barrier. The method includes a controller receiving, via one or more temperature sensors, temperature data within a cargo compartment of the transport unit from. The method also includes determining a temperature within the cargo compartment based on the temperature data. Also, the method includes determining a temperature stratification within the cargo compartment based on the temperature data. Further, the method includes operating the TRS in an active operation mode when the temperature within the cargo compartment is greater than a temperature set point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas REITZ, Michal KOLDA, Pavel HOUDEK, Lubos FOREJT