Patents by Inventor Frank Pao

Frank Pao 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: 20240063755
    Abstract: A photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system for coupling to a solar panel, includes: thermal parts, including: a copper sheet comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, where the first side is for coupling to a back of the solar panel; at least a first plurality of heat pipes coupled to the second side of the copper sheet; and at least a first manifold coupled to ends of the first plurality of heat pipes; and an insulation layer coupled to the thermal parts, where if the thermal parts are coupled to the back of the solar panel, the copper sheet receives heat transferred from the solar panel and transfers the heat to the first plurality of heat pipes, and the first plurality of heat pipes transfers the heat to the first manifold. The PVT system manages the temperature of the solar cells in the solar panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Mehdi Zadshir, Huiming Yin, Frank Pao, Brendan De Leon
  • Publication number: 20230125346
    Abstract: Thermoelastic constants of cellular and lattice materials are tailored with pre-stress using four configurations. First, a tube-core composite uses lightweight materials as a core. A screw cap is used to adjust the pressure on the lightweight material core, tailoring the thermoelastic constants of the overall composite. Second, pre-tensioned fibers or metal wires are embedded in the lightweight material during the fabrication and curing process to form a composite. After the lightweight material is solidified, the pre-tension is released from the frame and transferred to the composite. Third, the lightweight material is fabricated in a mold with fiber or wire reinforcements, where the ends extend beyond the lightweight material and are coupled to bolts. Post-tension is applied by adjusting the bolts. Fourth, the ends of the fiber are coupled to a spool. Post-tension is applied to the fibers or wires by turning the spool using a single screw bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Huiming YIN, Frank PAO, Mehdi ZADSHIR, Junhui LOU, Chao LIU
  • Publication number: 20230095321
    Abstract: The solar personal rapid transit (PRT) system is configured to provide a transportation system with higher material, energy, environmental, and economic sustainability. The solar PRT system includes autonomous vehicles or “pods” that travel on a rail guideway above the pods. The pods are configured for moving people and objects from one location to another along the rail guideway. Each pod is coupled to a drive unit via a hanger for moving the pods through the guideway. The drive unit includes wheels with flanges proximate to the outside edges of the guideway rails. A combination of tongue tracks and a switch blade is used to route the pods onto different tracks. A pre-tension frame supports each section of the guideway and includes a smart cushion that changes the length of the section based on environmental temperature. The smart cushion is further used with a BIPV module for a roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Huiming YIN, Frank PAO, Junhui LOU, Mehdi ZADSHIR
  • Publication number: 20210367556
    Abstract: An improved modular, removable system of building-integrated solar panel photovoltaics for easy residential and commercial roof installation for generating electrical and thermal energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventor: Frank PAO
  • Patent number: 11114976
    Abstract: An improved modular, removable system of building-integrated solar panel photovoltaics for easy residential and commercial roof installation for generating electrical and thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventor: Frank Pao
  • Publication number: 20190222172
    Abstract: An improved modular, removable system of building-integrated solar panel photovoltaics for easy residential and commercial roof installation for generating electrical and thermal energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Frank Pao, Ashley Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130269756
    Abstract: A roofing installation system for optimally capturing solar thermal energy comprises a plurality of metal battens mounted horizontally onto a plurality of horizontal wooden battens, a plurality of slate modules mounted on the plurality of metal battens and connected in series to form a string, an inverter connected to each string, a thermal tubing containing liquid mounted on the plurality of metal battens, a heat exchanger connected to the thermal tubing, a heat pump connected to the thermal tubing and a circulation pump connected between the thermal tubing and the heat exchanger. The plurality of slate modules generates DC electricity from solar energy and the inverter converts the DC electricity to AC electricity to feed to a utility grid. The plurality of metal battens transfers thermal energy by running liquid in the thermal tubing which is extracted by the heat exchanger thereby producing domestic hot water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Frank Pao
  • Publication number: 20130239495
    Abstract: The roofing installation system comprises a plurality of metal battens mounted horizontally onto a plurality of parallel wooden battens, which are mounted vertically over a slope roof. A plurality of link channel brackets having a hook is fastened vertically between a pair of the plurality of metal battens using a latch. A plurality of slate modules is mounted on the plurality of metal battens. Each slate module slides through the plurality of link channel brackets till a bottom portion of the slate module fits into the plurality of hooks. A central grooved portion on the link channel bracket, may act as a drainage channel for the water falling on the slate modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Frank Pao, Teodor Galitev
  • Patent number: 8365500
    Abstract: An optimized building integrated hybrid roofing system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of metal battens having a longitudinal channel mounted horizontally onto a plurality of wooden battens, a plurality of solar electric roof tiles mounted on the metal battens and connected in series to form a string, a thermal tubing/heat pipe mounted along the longitudinal channel, at least one manifold containing liquid connected with the thermal tubing/heat pipe, an inverter connected to each string, heat exchangers connected to the thermal tubing/heat pipe, and a pump connected between the thermal tubing/heat pipe and the heat exchangers. The solar electric roof tiles generate DC from solar energy and the inverter converts the DC to AC to feed to a utility grid. The metal battens collect solar energy and converts into thermal energy resulting in producing hot water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Frank Pao
  • Publication number: 20120159878
    Abstract: An optimized building integrated hybrid roofing system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of metal battens having a longitudinal channel mounted horizontally onto a plurality of wooden battens, a plurality of solar electric roof tiles mounted on the metal battens and connected in series to form a string, a thermal tubing/heat pipe mounted along the longitudinal channel, at least one manifold containing liquid connected with the thermal tubing/heat pipe, an inverter connected to each string, heat exchangers connected to the thermal tubing/heat pipe, and a pump connected between the thermal tubing/heat pipe and the heat exchangers. The solar electric roof tiles generate DC from solar energy and the inverter converts the DC to AC to feed to a utility grid. The metal battens collect solar energy and converts into thermal energy resulting in producing hot water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Frank Pao
  • Publication number: 20120160303
    Abstract: A building integrated thermal electric hybrid roofing system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of metal battens having a longitudinal channel mounted horizontally onto a plurality of wooden battens, a thermal tubing containing liquid mounted on the longitudinal channels, a plurality of solar electric roof tiles mounted on the plurality of metal battens and connected in series to form a string, an inverter connected to each of the strings, a heat exchanger connected to the thermal tubing, and a pump connected between the thermal tubing and the heat exchanger. The plurality of solar electric roof tiles generates DC electricity from solar energy and the inverter converts the DC electricity to AC electricity to feed to a utility grid. The plurality of metal battens collects the solar energy and converts into thermal energy through running the liquid which is extracted to the heat exchanger resulting in producing domestic hot water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Frank Pao
  • Patent number: 8201382
    Abstract: A building integrated thermal electric hybrid roofing system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of metal battens having a longitudinal channel mounted horizontally onto a plurality of wooden battens, a thermal tubing containing liquid mounted on the longitudinal channels, a plurality of solar electric roof tiles mounted on the plurality of metal battens and connected in series to form a string, an inverter connected to each of the strings, a heat exchanger connected to the thermal tubing, and a pump connected between the thermal tubing and the heat exchanger. The plurality of solar electric roof tiles generates DC electricity from solar energy and the inverter converts the DC electricity to AC electricity to feed to a utility grid. The plurality of metal battens collects the solar energy and converts into thermal energy through running the liquid which is extracted to the heat exchanger resulting in producing domestic hot water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Frank Pao
  • Patent number: 8196369
    Abstract: A building integrated thermal electric hybrid roofing system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of metal battens having a longitudinal channel mounted horizontally onto a plurality of wooden battens, a thermal tubing containing liquid mounted on the longitudinal channels, a plurality of solar electric roof tiles mounted on the plurality of metal battens and connected in series to form a string, an inverter connected to each of the strings, a heat exchanger connected to the thermal tubing, and a pump connected between the thermal tubing and the heat exchanger. The plurality of solar electric roof tiles generates DC electricity from solar energy and the inverter converts the DC electricity to AC electricity to feed to a utility grid. The plurality of metal battens collects the solar energy and converts into thermal energy through running the liquid which is extracted to the heat exchanger resulting in producing domestic hot water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventors: Frank Pao, Richard Gottlieb
  • Publication number: 20110179726
    Abstract: A building integrated thermal electric hybrid roofing system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of metal battens having a longitudinal channel mounted horizontally onto a plurality of wooden battens, a thermal tubing containing liquid mounted on the longitudinal channels, a plurality of solar electric roof tiles mounted on the plurality of metal battens and connected in series to form a string, an inverter connected to each of the strings, a heat exchanger connected to the thermal tubing, and a pump connected between the thermal tubing and the heat exchanger. The plurality of solar electric roof tiles generates DC electricity from solar energy and the inverter converts the DC electricity to AC electricity to feed to a utility grid. The plurality of metal battens collects the solar energy and converts into thermal energy through running the liquid which is extracted to the heat exchanger resulting in producing domestic hot water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: FRANK PAO, RICHARD GOTTLIEB