DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Species I in the reply filed on 09/26/2025 is acknowledged.
Claim Objections
Claims 1-10 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 1, lines 17-18, “the outside primary coil” should be --the outer primary coil--.
Claim 9, line 2, “a column” should be --the column--.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the first coil" in line 27. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 2 also recites “the first coil” that require an amendment based on claim 1.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 1 and 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kreuzer [U.S. Patent No. 2,929,016] in view of Charpentier [U.S. Patent No. 4,159,457] and Murakami et al. [JP 2014-127471].
Regarding Claim 1, Kreuzer shows an electric transformer (Figs. 1-2) comprising:
a winding assembly, the winding assembly comprising a primary coil (N1, N3’, Col. 1, Lines 40-50, claim 1) and a secondary coil (H, Col. 1, Lines 40-50, claim 1); and
a first magnetic circuit (core, see Figs. 1-2), the first magnetic circuit magnetically coupling the primary and secondary coils (see Figs. 1-2),
wherein the first magnetic circuit (core, see Figs. 1-2) comprises a first limb (left leg, see Fig. 2) and a second limb (right leg) connected together by an upper (top yoke) and a lower yoke (bottom yoke) to form a magnetic loop (see Figs. 1-2) around a central passage (see Figs. 1-2), the first limb extending along a vertical axis (see Figs. 1-2, the left leg extending along a vertical axis),
wherein the primary coil comprises an inner primary coil (N1) and an outer primary coil (N3’), and wound around the first limb of the first magnetic circuit (see Figs. 1-2),
wherein the secondary coil (H) is wound around the first limb of the first magnetic circuit (see Figs. 1-2),
wherein the inner primary coil (N1), the secondary coil (H), and the outer primary coil (N3’) are cylindrical (see Figs. 1-2) and arranged concentrically around the vertical axis (see Figs. 1-2) so that the inner primary coil (N1) is received inside the outside primary coil (N3’, see Figs. 1-2) and the second coil (H) is accommodated between the inner (N1) and outer (N3’) primary coils (see Figs. 1-2),
wherein the winding assembly forms a column around the first limb (see Figs. 1-2), and
wherein the inner primary coil (N1), the secondary coil (H), and the outer primary coil (N3’) are mounted in a manner to maintain a predefined inner gap (b1) between the inner primary coil (N1) and the secondary coil (H) and a predefined outer gap (b3’) between the secondary coil (H) and the outer primary coil (N3’), the inner (b1) and outer (b3’) gaps being evaluated along a radial direction relative to the vertical axis (see Figs. 1-2), the inner and outer gaps increasing a leakage of a magnetic flux between the first coil and the secondary coil (see Figs. 1-2, Col. 2, Lines 31-72 to Col. 3, Lines 1-55, as of limitation "the inner and outer gaps increasing a leakage of a magnetic flux between the first coil and the secondary coil", it is seen that the Kreuzer reference has the same structural limitations as of the invention, therefore, it is inherent to be labeled as the inner and outer gaps increasing a leakage of a magnetic flux between the first coil and the secondary coil).
Kreuzer does not explicitly disclose having the inner and outer primary coils being connected in series.
However, it would have been obvious to have the inner and outer primary coils being connected in series in order to achieve desirable inductance values based on design requirements.
Furthermore, Charpentier shows a transformer (Figs. 1-3) clearly teaching the inner (5) and outer (6) primary coils being connected in series (Col. 4, Lines 63-68 to Col. 5, Lines 1-3).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the inner and outer primary coils being connected in series as taught by Charpentier for the transformer as disclosed by Kreuzer to achieve desirable inductance values with high current capability and reduce losses (Col. 2, Lines 19-26).
Moreover, Murakami et al. shows a gap (δ) increasing a leakage of a magnetic flux (see English translation) between the first coil (41) and the secondary coil (42).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a gap increasing a leakage of a magnetic flux between the first coil and the secondary coil as taught by Murakami et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Kreuzer in view of Charpentier to achieve desirable leakage capable of suppressing a temperature rise by increasing heat dissipation (Abstract, see English translation).
Regarding Claim 10, Kreuzer shows the electric transformer is a two-phase transformer or a three-phase transformer (claim 1).
Claim(s) 7 and 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kreuzer in view of Charpentier and Murakami et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Yun et al. [KR 102313650].
Regarding Claim 7, Kreuzer in view of Charpentier and Murakami et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the electric transformer further comprises a frame made up of the assembly of an inner wall to support the inner primary coil and an outer wall to support the outer primary coil, and a plurality of spacers to assemble the internal and external walls together while holding the secondary coil, the inner and outer primary coils in predefined positions.
Yun et al. shows a transformer (Figs. 4-5) teaching and suggesting the electric transformer further comprises a frame (elements 110, 130, 150 combined) made up of the assembly of an inner wall (wall of element 110) to support the inner primary coil (120) and an outer wall (wall of element 150) to support the outer primary coil (160), and a plurality of spacers (133a, 133b, 134a) to assemble the internal and external walls together (see Figs. 4-5) while holding the secondary coil (140), the inner (120) and outer (160) primary coils in predefined positions (see Figs. 4-5).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a frame made up of the assembly of an inner wall to support the inner primary coil and an outer wall to support the outer primary coil, and a plurality of spacers to assemble the internal and external walls together while holding the secondary coil, the inner and outer primary coils in predefined positions as taught by Yun et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Kreuzer in view of Charpentier to improve insulation effect and facilitate mechanical stability and reliability (Abstract, see English translation).
Regarding Claim 9, Kreuzer shows the winding assembly that forms a column around the first limb (left leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Figs. 1-2) being a first winding assembly (see Figs. 1-2), the electric transformer comprises a second assembly (elements N2, N3”, H form a second assembly) forming a column around the second limb (right leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Figs. 1-2), the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly (see Figs. 1-2).
In addition, having the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly would have been an obvious design choice based on intended and/or environmental use for balanced and evenly distributed operating characteristics.
Claim(s) 7 and 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kreuzer in view of Charpentier and Murakami et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Joseph [U.S. Patent No. 5,404,123].
Regarding Claim 7, Kreuzer in view of Charpentier and Murakami et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the electric transformer further comprises a frame made up of the assembly of an inner wall to support the inner primary coil and an outer wall to support the outer primary coil, and a plurality of spacers to assemble the internal and external walls together while holding the secondary coil, the inner and outer primary coils in predefined positions.
Joseph shows a transformer (Figs. 1-4) teaching and suggesting the electric transformer further comprises a frame (elements 16, 40, 41, 42, 43, 61, 62, 65 combined or elements 16, 70, 71, 72, 61, 62, 65 combined) made up of the assembly of an inner wall (wall of element 16) to support the inner primary coil (60) and an outer wall (wall of element 62) to support the outer primary coil (64), and a plurality of spacers (40, 41, 42, 43 or 70, 71, 72) to assemble the internal and external walls together (see Figs. 1-4) while holding the secondary coil (63), the inner (60) and outer (64) primary coils in predefined positions (see Figs. 1-4).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a frame made up of the assembly of an inner wall to support the inner primary coil and an outer wall to support the outer primary coil, and a plurality of spacers to assemble the internal and external walls together while holding the secondary coil, the inner and outer primary coils in predefined positions as taught by Joseph for the transformer as disclosed by Kreuzer in view of Charpentier to improve insulation effect and enhance inter-winding isolation (Col. 1, Lines 7-12).
Regarding Claim 9, Kreuzer shows the winding assembly that forms a column around the first limb (left leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Figs. 1-2) being a first winding assembly (see Figs. 1-2), the electric transformer comprises a second assembly (elements N2, N3”, H form a second assembly) forming a column around the second limb (right leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Figs. 1-2), the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly (see Figs. 1-2).
In addition, having the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly would have been an obvious design choice based on intended and/or environmental use for balanced and evenly distributed operating characteristics.
Claim(s) 7 and 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kreuzer in view of Charpentier and Murakami et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Gu et al. [CN 102436914].
Regarding Claim 7, Kreuzer in view of Charpentier and Murakami et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the electric transformer further comprises a frame made up of the assembly of an inner wall to support the inner primary coil and an outer wall to support the outer primary coil, and a plurality of spacers to assemble the internal and external walls together while holding the secondary coil, the inner and outer primary coils in predefined positions.
Gu et al. shows a transformer (Fig. 6) teaching and suggesting the electric transformer further comprises a frame (elements 7, 8, 9 combined) made up of the assembly of an inner wall (wall of element 7) to support the inner primary coil (10) and an outer wall (wall of element 9) to support the outer primary coil (11), and a plurality of spacers (12, 13) to assemble the internal and external walls together (see Fig. 6) while holding the secondary coil (3), the inner (10) and outer (11) primary coils in predefined positions (see Fig. 6).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a frame made up of the assembly of an inner wall to support the inner primary coil and an outer wall to support the outer primary coil, and a plurality of spacers to assemble the internal and external walls together while holding the secondary coil, the inner and outer primary coils in predefined positions as taught by Gu et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Kreuzer in view of Charpentier to improve insulation effect and improve the reliability of the safety and security (see English translation).
Regarding Claim 9, Kreuzer shows the winding assembly that forms a column around the first limb (left leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Figs. 1-2) being a first winding assembly (see Figs. 1-2), the electric transformer comprises a second assembly (elements N2, N3”, H form a second assembly) forming a column around the second limb (right leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Figs. 1-2), the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly (see Figs. 1-2).
In addition, having the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly would have been an obvious design choice based on intended and/or environmental use for balanced and evenly distributed operating characteristics.
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Gu et al. as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Sugimura et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2010/0194306].
Regarding Claim 9, Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Gu et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above.
In addition, Sugimura et al. shows the winding assembly that forms a column around the first limb (left leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 1) being a first winding assembly (see Fig. 1), the electric transformer comprises a second assembly (right portion is a second assembly) forming a column around the second limb (right leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 1), the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly (see Fig. 1, Paragraph [0064]).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly as taught by Sugimura et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Gu et al. to improve balance and evenly distributed operating characteristics, reluctance made equal, and suppress interference (Paragraph [0064]).
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Gu et al. as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Beland [U.S. Patent No. 6,967,559].
Regarding Claim 9, Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Gu et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above.
In addition, Beland shows the winding assembly (Fig. 13) that forms a column around the first limb (left leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 13) being a first winding assembly (see Fig. 13), the electric transformer comprises a second assembly (right portion is a second assembly) forming a column around the second limb (right leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 13), the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly (see Fig. 13, Col. 9, Lines 61-67).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly as taught by Beland for the transformer as disclosed by Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Gu et al. to improve balance and evenly distributed operating characteristics.
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Gu et al. as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Lord [U.S. Patent No. 2,553,324].
Regarding Claim 9, Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Gu et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above.
In addition, Lord shows the winding assembly (Fig. 5 or 6) that forms a column around the first limb (left leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 5 or 6) being a first winding assembly (see Fig. 5 or 6), the electric transformer comprises a second assembly (right portion is a second assembly) forming a column around the second limb (right leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 5 or 6), the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly (see Fig. 5 or 6, Col. 4, Lines 48-71).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly as taught by Lord for the transformer as disclosed by Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Murakami et al., and Gu et al. to improve balance and evenly distributed operating characteristics.
Claim(s) 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kreuzer in view of Charpentier and Murakami et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Shirahata et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2002/0057180].
Regarding Claim 10, Kreuzer in view of Charpentier and Murakami et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above.
In addition, Shirahata et al. shows the electric transformer is a two-phase transformer or a three-phase transformer (Paragraph [0038]).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a two-phase transformer or a three-phase transformer as taught by Shirahata et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Kreuzer in view of Charpentier and Murakami et al. to achieve desirable operating characteristics for superior efficiency, power capacity, and consistent power delivery to reduce core losses and watt losses (Paragraph [0001]).
Claim(s) 1 and 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yun et al. [KR 102313650] in view of Mizutani et al. [WO 2021/074996] and Murakami et al. [JP 2014-127471].
Regarding Claim 1, Yun et al. shows an electric transformer (Figs. 1-5) comprising:
a winding assembly, the winding assembly comprising a primary coil (120, 160) and a secondary coil (140); and
a first magnetic circuit (200, see Figs. 1-3), the first magnetic circuit magnetically coupling the primary and secondary coils (see Figs. 1-3),
wherein the first magnetic circuit (core, see Figs. 1-3) comprises a first limb (c) and a second limb (b) connected together by an upper (upper yoke of element 210) and a lower yoke (bottom yoke of element 220 or element a) to form a magnetic loop (see Figs. 1-3) around a central passage (see Figs. 1-3), the first limb extending along a vertical axis (see Figs. 1-3, the element c extending along a vertical axis),
wherein the primary coil comprises an inner primary coil (120) and an outer primary coil (160), and wound around the first limb of the first magnetic circuit (see Figs. 1-5),
wherein the secondary coil (140) is wound around the first limb of the first magnetic circuit (see Figs. 1-5),
wherein the inner primary coil (120), the secondary coil (140), and the outer primary coil (160) are cylindrical (see Figs. 1-5) and arranged concentrically around the vertical axis (see Figs. 1-5) so that the inner primary coil (120) is received inside the outside primary coil (160, see Figs. 1-5) and the second coil (140) is accommodated between the inner (120) and outer (160) primary coils (see Figs. 1-5),
wherein the winding assembly forms a column around the first limb (see Figs. 1-5), and
wherein the inner primary coil (120), the secondary coil (140), and the outer primary coil (160) are mounted in a manner to maintain a predefined inner gap (gap between elements 120, 140) between the inner primary coil (120) and the secondary coil (140) and a predefined outer gap (gap between elements 140, 160) between the secondary coil (140) and the outer primary coil (160), the inner (gap between elements 120, 140) and outer (gap between elements 140, 160) gaps being evaluated along a radial direction relative to the vertical axis (see Figs. 1-5), the inner and outer gaps increasing a leakage of a magnetic flux between the first coil and the secondary coil (as of limitation "the inner and outer gaps increasing a leakage of a magnetic flux between the first coil and the secondary coil", it is seen that the Yun et al. reference has the same structural limitations as of the invention, therefore, it is inherent to be labeled as the inner and outer gaps increasing a leakage of a magnetic flux between the first coil and the secondary coil).
Yun et al. does not explicitly disclose having the inner and outer primary coils being connected in series.
However, it would have been obvious to have the inner and outer primary coils being connected in series in order to achieve desirable inductance values based on design requirements.
Furthermore, Mizutani et al. shows a transformer (Fig. 11) clearly teaching the inner (211) and outer (212) primary coils being connected in series (see Fig. 11, see English translation).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the inner and outer primary coils being connected in series as taught by Mizutani et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Yun et al. to achieve desirable inductance values based on design requirements.
Moreover, Murakami et al. shows a gap (δ) increasing a leakage of a magnetic flux (see English translation) between the first coil (41) and the secondary coil (42).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a gap increasing a leakage of a magnetic flux between the first coil and the secondary coil as taught by Murakami et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Yun et al. in view of Mizutani et al. to achieve desirable leakage capable of suppressing a temperature rise by increasing heat dissipation (Abstract, see English translation).
Regarding Claim 7, Yun et al. shows the electric transformer further comprises a frame (elements 110, 130, 150 combined) made up of the assembly of an inner wall (wall of element 110) to support the inner primary coil (120) and an outer wall (wall of element 150) to support the outer primary coil (160), and a plurality of spacers (133a, 133b, 134a) to assemble the internal and external walls together (see Figs. 4-5) while holding the secondary coil (140), the inner (120) and outer (160) primary coils in predefined positions (see Figs. 4-5).
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yun et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Kim et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2013/0033351].
Regarding Claim 9, Yun et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the winding assembly that forms a column around the first limb of the first magnetic circuit being a first winding assembly, the electric transformer comprises a second assembly forming a column around the second limb of the first magnetic circuit, the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly.
Kim et al. shows the winding assembly (Fig. 20a) that forms a column around the first limb (left leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 20a) being a first winding assembly (see Fig. 20a), the electric transformer comprises a second assembly (right portion is a second assembly) forming a column around the second limb (right leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 20a), the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly (see Fig. 20a).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the winding assembly that forms a column around the first limb of the first magnetic circuit being a first winding assembly, the electric transformer comprises a second assembly forming a column around the second limb of the first magnetic circuit, the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly as taught by Kim et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Yun et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. to improve balance and evenly distributed operating characteristics.
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yun et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Sugimura et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2010/0194306].
Regarding Claim 9, Yun et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the winding assembly that forms a column around the first limb of the first magnetic circuit being a first winding assembly, the electric transformer comprises a second assembly forming a column around the second limb of the first magnetic circuit, the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly.
Sugimura et al. shows the winding assembly that forms a column around the first limb (left leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 1) being a first winding assembly (see Fig. 1), the electric transformer comprises a second assembly (right portion is a second assembly) forming a column around the second limb (right leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 1), the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly (see Fig. 1, Paragraph [0064]).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the winding assembly that forms a column around the first limb of the first magnetic circuit being a first winding assembly, the electric transformer comprises a second assembly forming a column around the second limb of the first magnetic circuit, the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly as taught by Sugimura et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Yun et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. to improve balance and evenly distributed operating characteristics, reluctance made equal, and suppress interference (Paragraph [0064]).
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yun et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Beland [U.S. Patent No. 6,967,559].
Regarding Claim 9, Yun et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the winding assembly that forms a column around the first limb of the first magnetic circuit being a first winding assembly, the electric transformer comprises a second assembly forming a column around the second limb of the first magnetic circuit, the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly.
Beland shows the winding assembly (Fig. 13) that forms a column around the first limb (left leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 13) being a first winding assembly (see Fig. 13), the electric transformer comprises a second assembly (right portion is a second assembly) forming a column around the second limb (right leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 13), the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly (see Fig. 13, Col. 9, Lines 61-67).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the winding assembly that forms a column around the first limb of the first magnetic circuit being a first winding assembly, the electric transformer comprises a second assembly forming a column around the second limb of the first magnetic circuit, the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly as taught by Beland for the transformer as disclosed by Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Yun et al., and Murakami et al. OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Joseph, and Murakami et al. OR Kreuzer in view of Charpentier, Gu et al., and Murakami et al. to improve balance and evenly distributed operating characteristics.
Claim(s) 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yun et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Shirahata et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2002/0057180].
Regarding Claim 10, Yun et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the electric transformer is a two-phase transformer or a three-phase transformer.
Shirahata et al. shows the electric transformer is a two-phase transformer or a three-phase transformer (Paragraph [0038]).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a two-phase transformer or a three-phase transformer as taught by Shirahata et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Yun et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. to achieve desirable operating characteristics for superior efficiency, power capacity, and consistent power delivery to reduce core losses and watt losses (Paragraph [0001]).
Claim(s) 1 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. [U.S. Patent No. 2,929,016] in view of Mizutani et al. [WO 2021/074996] and Murakami et al. [JP 2014-127471].
Regarding Claim 1, Kim et al. shows an electric transformer (Fig. 20a or 22a) comprising:
a winding assembly, the winding assembly comprising a primary coil (2041 or 2241) and a secondary coil (2042 or 2242); and
a first magnetic circuit (2010, 2020, 2030 or 2210, 2220, 2230, see Fig. 20a or 22a), the first magnetic circuit magnetically coupling the primary and secondary coils (see Fig. 20a or 22a),
wherein the first magnetic circuit (2010, 2020, 2030 or 2210, 2220, 2230, see Fig. 20a or 22a) comprises a first limb (left leg, see Fig. 20a or 22a) and a second limb (right leg) connected together by an upper (top yoke) and a lower yoke (bottom yoke) to form a magnetic loop (see Fig. 20a or 22a) around a central passage (see Fig. 20a or 22a), the first limb extending along a vertical axis (see Fig. 20a or 22a, the left leg extending along a vertical axis),
wherein the primary coil comprises an inner primary coil (inner element 2041 or 2241) and an outer primary coil (outer element 2041 or 2241), and wound around the first limb of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 20a or 22a),
wherein the secondary coil (2042 or 2242) is wound around the first limb of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 20a or 22a),
wherein the inner primary coil (inner element 2041 or 2241), the secondary coil (2042 or 2242), and the outer primary coil (outer element 2041 or 2241) are cylindrical (see Fig. 20a or 22a) and arranged concentrically around the vertical axis (see Fig. 20a or 22a) so that the inner primary coil (inner element 2041 or 2241) is received inside the outside primary coil (outer element 2041 or 2241, see Fig. 20a or 22a) and the second coil (2042 or 2242) is accommodated between the inner (inner element 2041 or 2241) and outer (outer element 2041 or 2241) primary coils (see Fig. 20a or 22a),
wherein the winding assembly forms a column around the first limb (see Fig. 20a or 22a), and
wherein the inner primary coil (inner element 2041 or 2241), the secondary coil (2042 or 2242), and the outer primary coil (outer element 2041 or 2241) are mounted in a manner to maintain a predefined inner gap (gap between inner element 2041 or 2241 and element 2042 or 2242) between the inner primary coil (inner element 2041 or 2241) and the secondary coil (element 2042 or 2242) and a predefined outer gap (gap between element 2042 or 2242 and outer element 2041 or 2241) between the secondary coil (element 2042 or 2242) and the outer primary coil (outer element 2041 or 2241), the inner (gap between inner element 2041 or 2241 and element 2042 or 2242) and outer (gap between element 2042 or 2242 and outer element 2041 or 2241) gaps being evaluated along a radial direction relative to the vertical axis (see Fig. 20a or 22a), the inner and outer gaps increasing a leakage of a magnetic flux between the first coil and the secondary coil (see Fig. 20a or 22a, as of limitation "the inner and outer gaps increasing a leakage of a magnetic flux between the first coil and the secondary coil", it is seen that the Kim et al. reference has the same structural limitations as of the invention, therefore, it is inherent to be labeled as the inner and outer gaps increasing a leakage of a magnetic flux between the first coil and the secondary coil).
Kim et al. does not explicitly disclose having the inner and outer primary coils being connected in series.
However, it would have been obvious to have the inner and outer primary coils being connected in series in order to achieve desirable inductance values based on design requirements.
Furthermore, Mizutani et al. shows a transformer (Fig. 11) clearly teaching the inner (211) and outer (212) primary coils being connected in series (see Fig. 11, see English translation).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the inner and outer primary coils being connected in series as taught by Mizutani et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Kim et al. to achieve desirable inductance values based on design requirements.
Moreover, Murakami et al. shows a gap (δ) increasing a leakage of a magnetic flux (see English translation) between the first coil (41) and the secondary coil (42).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a gap increasing a leakage of a magnetic flux between the first coil and the secondary coil as taught by Murakami et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al. to achieve desirable leakage capable of suppressing a temperature rise by increasing heat dissipation (Abstract, see English translation).
Claim(s) 7 and 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Yun et al. [KR 102313650].
Regarding Claim 7, Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the electric transformer further comprises a frame made up of the assembly of an inner wall to support the inner primary coil and an outer wall to support the outer primary coil, and a plurality of spacers to assemble the internal and external walls together while holding the secondary coil, the inner and outer primary coils in predefined positions.
Yun et al. shows a transformer (Figs. 4-5) teaching and suggesting the electric transformer further comprises a frame (elements 110, 130, 150 combined) made up of the assembly of an inner wall (wall of element 110) to support the inner primary coil (120) and an outer wall (wall of element 150) to support the outer primary coil (160), and a plurality of spacers (133a, 133b, 134a) to assemble the internal and external walls together (see Figs. 4-5) while holding the secondary coil (140), the inner (120) and outer (160) primary coils in predefined positions (see Figs. 4-5).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a frame made up of the assembly of an inner wall to support the inner primary coil and an outer wall to support the outer primary coil, and a plurality of spacers to assemble the internal and external walls together while holding the secondary coil, the inner and outer primary coils in predefined positions as taught by Yun et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. to improve insulation effect and facilitate mechanical stability and reliability (Abstract, see English translation).
Regarding Claim 9, Kim et al. shows the winding assembly (Fig. 20a or 22a) that forms a column around the first limb (left leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 20a or 22a) being a first winding assembly (see Fig. 20a or 22a), the electric transformer comprises a second assembly (right portion is a second assembly) forming a column around the second limb (right leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 20a or 22a), the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly (see Fig. 20a or 22a).
In addition, having the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly would have been an obvious design choice based on intended and/or environmental use for balanced and evenly distributed operating characteristics.
Claim(s) 7 and 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Joseph [U.S. Patent No. 5,404,123].
Regarding Claim 7, Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the electric transformer further comprises a frame made up of the assembly of an inner wall to support the inner primary coil and an outer wall to support the outer primary coil, and a plurality of spacers to assemble the internal and external walls together while holding the secondary coil, the inner and outer primary coils in predefined positions.
Joseph shows a transformer (Figs. 1-4) teaching and suggesting the electric transformer further comprises a frame (elements 16, 40, 41, 42, 43, 61, 62, 65 combined or elements 16, 70, 71, 72, 61, 62, 65 combined) made up of the assembly of an inner wall (wall of element 16) to support the inner primary coil (60) and an outer wall (wall of element 62) to support the outer primary coil (64), and a plurality of spacers (40, 41, 42, 43 or 70, 71, 72) to assemble the internal and external walls together (see Figs. 1-4) while holding the secondary coil (63), the inner (60) and outer (64) primary coils in predefined positions (see Figs. 1-4).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a frame made up of the assembly of an inner wall to support the inner primary coil and an outer wall to support the outer primary coil, and a plurality of spacers to assemble the internal and external walls together while holding the secondary coil, the inner and outer primary coils in predefined positions as taught by Joseph for the transformer as disclosed by Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. to improve insulation effect and enhance inter-winding isolation (Col. 1, Lines 7-12).
Regarding Claim 9, Kim et al. shows the winding assembly (Fig. 20a or 22a) that forms a column around the first limb (left leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 20a or 22a) being a first winding assembly (see Fig. 20a or 22a), the electric transformer comprises a second assembly (right portion is a second assembly) forming a column around the second limb (right leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 20a or 22a), the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly (see Fig. 20a or 22a).
In addition, having the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly would have been an obvious design choice based on intended and/or environmental use for balanced and evenly distributed operating characteristics.
Claim(s) 7 and 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Gu et al. [CN 102436914].
Regarding Claim 7, Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the electric transformer further comprises a frame made up of the assembly of an inner wall to support the inner primary coil and an outer wall to support the outer primary coil, and a plurality of spacers to assemble the internal and external walls together while holding the secondary coil, the inner and outer primary coils in predefined positions.
Gu et al. shows a transformer (Fig. 6) teaching and suggesting the electric transformer further comprises a frame (elements 7, 8, 9 combined) made up of the assembly of an inner wall (wall of element 7) to support the inner primary coil (10) and an outer wall (wall of element 9) to support the outer primary coil (11), and a plurality of spacers (12, 13) to assemble the internal and external walls together (see Fig. 6) while holding the secondary coil (3), the inner (10) and outer (11) primary coils in predefined positions (see Fig. 6).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a frame made up of the assembly of an inner wall to support the inner primary coil and an outer wall to support the outer primary coil, and a plurality of spacers to assemble the internal and external walls together while holding the secondary coil, the inner and outer primary coils in predefined positions as taught by Gu et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. to improve insulation effect and improve the reliability of the safety and security (see English translation).
Regarding Claim 9, Kim et al. shows the winding assembly (Fig. 20a or 22a) that forms a column around the first limb (left leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 20a or 22a) being a first winding assembly (see Fig. 20a or 22a), the electric transformer comprises a second assembly (right portion is a second assembly) forming a column around the second limb (right leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 20a or 22a), the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly (see Fig. 20a or 22a).
In addition, having the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly would have been an obvious design choice based on intended and/or environmental use for balanced and evenly distributed operating characteristics.
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Gu et al. as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Sugimura et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2010/0194306].
Regarding Claim 9, Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Gu et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above.
In addition, Sugimura et al. shows the winding assembly that forms a column around the first limb (left leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 1) being a first winding assembly (see Fig. 1), the electric transformer comprises a second assembly (right portion is a second assembly) forming a column around the second limb (right leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 1), the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly (see Fig. 1, Paragraph [0064]).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly as taught by Sugimura et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Gu et al. to improve balance and evenly distributed operating characteristics, reluctance made equal, and suppress interference (Paragraph [0064]).
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Gu et al. as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Beland [U.S. Patent No. 6,967,559].
Regarding Claim 9, Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Gu et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above.
In addition, Beland shows the winding assembly (Fig. 13) that forms a column around the first limb (left leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 13) being a first winding assembly (see Fig. 13), the electric transformer comprises a second assembly (right portion is a second assembly) forming a column around the second limb (right leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 13), the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly (see Fig. 13, Col. 9, Lines 61-67).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly as taught by Beland for the transformer as disclosed by Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Gu et al. to improve balance and evenly distributed operating characteristics.
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Gu et al. as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Lord [U.S. Patent No. 2,553,324].
Regarding Claim 9, Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Gu et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above.
In addition, Lord shows the winding assembly (Fig. 5 or 6) that forms a column around the first limb (left leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 5 or 6) being a first winding assembly (see Fig. 5 or 6), the electric transformer comprises a second assembly (right portion is a second assembly) forming a column around the second limb (right leg) of the first magnetic circuit (see Fig. 5 or 6), the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly (see Fig. 5 or 6, Col. 4, Lines 48-71).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the second assembly being symmetrical to the first assembly as taught by Lord for the transformer as disclosed by Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Yun et al. OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Joseph OR Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al., Murakami et al., and Gu et al. to improve balance and evenly distributed operating characteristics.
Claim(s) 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Shirahata et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2002/0057180].
Regarding Claim 10, Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the electric transformer is a two-phase transformer or a three-phase transformer.
Shirahata et al. shows the electric transformer is a two-phase transformer or a three-phase transformer (Paragraph [0038]).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a two-phase transformer or a three-phase transformer as taught by Shirahata et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Kim et al. in view of Mizutani et al. and Murakami et al. to achieve desirable operating characteristics for superior efficiency, power capacity, and consistent power delivery to reduce core losses and watt losses (Paragraph [0001]).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 2-6 and 8 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TSZFUNG J CHAN whose telephone number is (571)270-7981. The examiner can normally be reached M-TH 8:00AM-6:00PM.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Shawki Ismail can be reached at (571)272-3985. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/TSZFUNG J CHAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2837