Patents by Inventor Sean X. Zhou

Sean X. Zhou 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: 11433366
    Abstract: Processes for making algaecidal roofing granules are disclosed. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method includes providing composite nanoparticles comprising algaecidal nanoparticles and a carrier material; coating granule cores with the coating material to form a coating layer having an exterior surface; and applying the composite nanoparticles to the exterior surface of the coating layer to provide the algaecidal nanoparticles at exterior surfaces of the algaecidal roofing granules. In another aspect of the disclosure, a method includes dispersing composite nanoparticles in a coating material, the composite nanoparticles including a carrier material and algaecidal nanoparticles, then coating the granule cores with the coating material to form a coating layer; and curing the coating layer, the cured coating layer providing algaecidal nanoparticles at exterior surfaces of the algaecidal roofing granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: CertainTeed LLC
    Inventors: Ming Liang Shiao, Gregory F. Jacobs, Sean X. Zhou
  • Publication number: 20170051508
    Abstract: A solar heat-reflective roofing product includes a base sheet, and solar heat-reflective roofing granules on top of the base sheet. The granules have a base particle with a flake-like geometry covered by a uniform coating layer. The coating layer has a thickness of at least one mil and includes a coating binder and at least one solar heat-reflective pigment. The solar heat-reflective pigment provides a solar heat reflectance of greater than 70 percent to the granules and the roofing product. Roofing products including roofing shingles and roofing membranes are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Ming Liang Shiao, Gregory F. Jacobs, Sean X. Zhou
  • Publication number: 20170043308
    Abstract: Roofing granules are prepared by coating granule cores with a coating material including composite nanoparticles and curing the coating layer to dissolve the aggregate binder and disperse the nanoparticles in the coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Ming Liang Shiao, Gregory F. Jacobs, Sean X. Zhou
  • Patent number: 9540822
    Abstract: Roofing granules are prepared by coating granule cores with a coating material including composite nanoparticles and curing the coating layer to dissolve the aggregate binder and disperse the nanoparticles in the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Ming Liang Shiao, Gregory F. Jacobs, Sean X. Zhou
  • Publication number: 20160347659
    Abstract: A coating composition including an inorganic sol material and an organic colorant is applied to mineral particles and cured at a temperature less than 200 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Ming Liang Shiao, Van Nhan Nguyen, Emmanuel Garre, Sean X. Zhou
  • Patent number: 9170034
    Abstract: The present invention relates particularly to photovoltaic roofing systems in which photovoltaic elements are integrated on a roof deck with conventional roofing materials. In one aspect, a photovoltaic roofing system includes a two-part tee element disposed on a roof deck, the two-part tee element comprising a base piece including a central portion; two opposed horizontally-extending first and second flanges extending from the central portion, and a top piece attachment feature formed in the central portion, and a top piece including a base piece attachment feature mated with the top piece attachment feature of the base piece; and a vertically extending portion extending from the base piece attachment feature. A first photovoltaic element can be disposed on the roof adjacent the base piece with its edge disposed on the horizontally-extending first flange of the base piece of the two-part tee element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Bosler, Husnu M. Kalkanoglu, Gregory F. Jacobs, Peter Chihlas, Robert L. Jenkins, Sean X. Zhou
  • Publication number: 20150027069
    Abstract: The present invention relates particularly to photovoltaic roofing systems in which photovoltaic elements are integrated on a roof deck with conventional roofing materials. In one aspect, a photovoltaic roofing system includes a two-part tee element disposed on a roof deck, the two-part tee element comprising a base piece including a central portion; two opposed horizontally-extending first and second flanges extending from the central portion, and a top piece attachment feature formed in the central portion, and a top piece including a base piece attachment feature mated with the top piece attachment feature of the base piece; and a vertically extending portion extending from the base piece attachment feature. A first photovoltaic element can be disposed on the roof adjacent the base piece with its edge disposed on the horizontally-extending first flange of the base piece of the two-part tee element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Bosler, Husnu M. Kalkanoglu, Gregory F. Jacobs, Peter Chihlas, Robert L. Jenkins, Sean X. Zhou
  • Patent number: 8793941
    Abstract: The present invention relates particularly to photovoltaic roofing systems in which photovoltaic elements are integrated on a roof deck with conventional roofing materials. In one aspect, a photovoltaic roofing system includes a two-part tee element disposed on a roof deck, the two-part tee element comprising a base piece including a central portion; two opposed horizontally-extending first and second flanges extending from the central portion, and a top piece attachment feature formed in the central portion, and a top piece including a base piece attachment feature mated with the top piece attachment feature of the base piece; and a vertically extending portion extending from the base piece attachment feature. A first photovoltaic element can be disposed on the roof adjacent the base piece with its edge disposed on the horizontally-extending first flange of the base piece of the two-part tee element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Bosler, Husnu M. Kalkanoglu, Gregory F. Jacobs, Peter Chihlas, Robert L. Jenkins, Sean X. Zhou
  • Publication number: 20130118545
    Abstract: The present invention relates particularly to photovoltaic roofing systems in which photovoltaic elements are integrated on a roof deck with conventional roofing materials. In one aspect, a photovoltaic roofing system includes a two-part tee element disposed on a roof deck, the two-part tee element comprising a base piece including a central portion; two opposed horizontally-extending first and second flanges extending from the central portion, and a top piece attachment feature formed in the central portion, and a top piece including a base piece attachment feature mated with the top piece attachment feature of the base piece; and a vertically extending portion extending from the base piece attachment feature. A first photovoltaic element can be disposed on the roof adjacent the base piece with its edge disposed on the horizontally-extending first flange of the base piece of the two-part tee element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Bosler, Husnu M. Kalkanoglu, Gregory F. Jacobs, Peter Chihlas, Robert L. Jenkins, Sean X. Zhou
  • Publication number: 20110159240
    Abstract: Roofing granules are prepared by coating granule cores with a coating material including composite nanoparticles and curing the coating layer to dissolve the aggregate binder and disperse the nanoparticles in the coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Ming Liang Shiao, Gregory F. Jacobs, Sean X. Zhou