Last updated: April 17, 2026

Application No. 17/432,637

Pumped-storage power plant, method for operating a pumped-storage power plant, and pumped-storage system

Non-Final OA

Filed

Aug 20, 2021

Examiner

PLAKKOOTTAM, DOMINICK L

Art Unit

3746

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

unknown

OA Round

3 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +14.9% interview lift. This examiner has a relatively high allow rate; a written response may suffice.

Based on 665 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

PLAKKOOTTAM, DOMINICK L View full profile →

Grants 74% — above average

Career Allow Rate

491 granted / 665 resolved

+3.8% vs TC avg

Moderate +15% lift

Without

With

+14.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 11m

Avg Prosecution

37 currently pending

Career history

702

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.6%

-39.4% vs TC avg

§103

41.3%

+1.3% vs TC avg

§102

25.5%

-14.5% vs TC avg

§112

29.4%

-10.6% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 665 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 20, 2021

Application Filed

Nov 07, 2024

Non-Final Rejection

May 13, 2025

Response Filed

Aug 18, 2025

Final Rejection

Dec 18, 2025

Response after Non-Final Action

Feb 19, 2026

Request for Continued Examination

Feb 24, 2026

Response after Non-Final Action

Feb 25, 2026

Non-Final Rejection (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/271,310

Patent 12601347

WATER-LUBRICATED HIGH-PRESSURE PUMP USING ROLLING SUPPORT

2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026

18/843,872

Patent 12601351

Valve/Pump Unit

2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026

18/083,189

Patent 12595797

LOCKING ASSEMBLY APPARATUS FOR PUMP SYSTEMS, AND RELATED METHODS

2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026

18/485,450

Patent 12595788

ACTUATOR, PUMP, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ACTUATOR

2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026

18/502,247

Patent 12590656

PIPE CONNECTION DEVICE FOR REPAIRS

2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

AI Strategy Recommendation

Get an AI-powered prosecution strategy using examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Prosecution Projections

3-4

Expected OA Rounds

74%

Grant Probability

89%

With Interview (+14.9%)

2y 11m

Median Time to Grant

High

PTA Risk

Based on 665 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.