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 .
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 1-7, 15, and 17 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, line 21, recites “primary (190) planar coil windings” is indefinite and unclear. In lines 7-8, the claim limitation recites “primary (190) and secondary (192) planar coil windings” which can be interpret as one primary planar coil winding and one secondary planar coil winding. Therefore, “primary (190) and secondary (192) planar coil windings” in lines 7-8 will need to be clarified in order for line 21 reciting “primary (190) planar coil windings” to be definite and clear.
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) 1-4, 7, 15, and 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Braz [U.S. Pub. No. 2015/0092457] in view of Xu et al. [CN 113098280] and Huang et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2023/0005659].
Regarding Claim 1, Braz shows a switched-mode power supply (Fig. 4 with teachings from Figs. 1-2) comprising:
a flyback converter (Paragraphs [0007]-[0008]) including:
a first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (11, Paragraph [0026]) and a second GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (7, Paragraph [0026]), wherein the first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (11, Paragraph [0026]) and the second GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (7, Paragraph [0026]) respectively comprises a control electrode (see Figs. 1-2, input or middle portion of elements 11, 7), a first electrode (see Figs. 1-2, upper portion of elements 11, 7) and a second electrode (see Figs. 1-2, lower portion of elements 11, 7);
a transformer (26 or 1) including primary (see Fig. 4, Paragraph [0024] or element 4) and secondary (see Fig. 4, Paragraph [0024] or element 5) coil windings,
a clamp capacitor (12), one end (upper end, see Figs. 1-2) of the clamp capacitor (12) is connected between the transformer and an input voltage source (10), and another end (lower end) of the clamp capacitor (12) is connected with the first electrode of the first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (upper portion of element 11), and the second electrode of the first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (lower portion of element 11) is connected with the primary planar coil windings (see Fig. 4 applying to Figs.1-2); and the primary planar coil windings (see Fig. 4 applying to Figs.1-2) are connected with the first electrode of the second GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (upper portion of element 7).
Braz does not explicitly show a planar transformer including a magnetic core and primary and secondary planar coil windings, the magnetic core including a lower core and an upper core, the lower core having at least three projections including a central projection and two peripheral projections, the central projection having a height extending above heights of the two peripheral projections and being configured to accept the primary and the secondary planar coil windings which surround the central projection, the upper core including a recessed portion receiving the central projection of the lower core such that a gap is positioned between the central projection of the lower core and the recessed portion of the upper core when the two peripheral projections contact the upper core.
In addition, Xu et al. clearly shows a first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (Sclamp, see English translation) and a second GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (Smain, see English translation), wherein the first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (Sclamp) and the second GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (Smain) respectively comprises a control electrode (see Fig. 1, input or middle portion of elements Sclamp, Smain), a first electrode (see Fig. 1, left portion of element Sclamp, upper portion of element Smain) and a second electrode (see Fig. 1, right portion of element Sclamp, lower portion of element Smain); a transformer including primary and secondary coil windings (see Fig. 1), a clamp capacitor (Cclamp), one end (upper end, see Fig. 1) of the clamp capacitor (Cclamp) is connected between the transformer and an input voltage source (Vin), and another end (lower end) of the clamp capacitor (Cclamp) is connected with the first electrode of the first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (left portion of element Sclamp), and the second electrode of the first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (right portion of element Sclamp) is connected with the primary planar coil windings (see Fig. 1); and the primary planar coil windings (see Fig. 1) are connected with the first electrode of the second GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (upper portion of element Smain).
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 first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor and a second GaN-based power semiconductor transistor as taught by Xu et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Braz to a higher quality factor and switch speed is faster (see English translation).
In addition, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to have primary planar coil windings, since it has been held that mere duplication of the essential working parts of a device involves only routine skill in the art to achieve desirable operating characteristics for inductance values and coupling based on design requirements. St. Regis Paper Co. v. Bemis Co., 193 USPQ 8. In re Harza, 274 F.2d 669, 124 USPQ 378 (CCPA 1960) (Claims at issue were directed to a water-tight masonry structure wherein a water seal of flexible material fills the joints which form between adjacent pours of concrete. The claimed water seal has a "web" which lies in the joint, and a plurality of "ribs" projecting outwardly from each side of the web into one of the adjacent concrete slabs. The prior art disclosed a flexible water stop for preventing passage of water between masses of concrete in the shape of a plus sign (+). Although the reference did not disclose a plurality of ribs, the court held that mere duplication of parts has no patentable significance unless a new and unexpected result is produced.).
Braz in view of Xu et al. does not explicitly show a planar transformer including a magnetic core and primary and secondary planar coil windings, the magnetic core including a lower core and an upper core, the lower core having at least three projections including a central projection and two peripheral projections, the central projection having a height extending above heights of the two peripheral projections and being configured to accept the primary and the secondary planar coil windings which surround the central projection, the upper core including a recessed portion receiving the central projection of the lower core such that a gap is positioned between the central projection of the lower core and the recessed portion of the upper core when the two peripheral projections contact the upper core.
Huang et al. shows a planar transformer (Fig. 5 with teachings from Fig. 1) teaching and suggesting a planar transformer (500) including a magnetic core (506, 502) and primary (112) and secondary (108) planar coil windings (see Figs. 1 and 5), the magnetic core including a lower core (506) and an upper core (502), the lower core (506) having at least three projections (Paragraph [0044]) including a central projection (middle leg of element 506) and two peripheral projections (left and right legs of element 506), the central projection having a height (504) extending above heights of the two peripheral projections (see Fig. 5, Paragraphs [0044]-[0045]) and being configured to accept the primary and the secondary planar coil windings which surround the central projection (see Fig. 5, middle leg of element 506 being configured to accept elements 112, 108 which surround middle leg of element 506), the upper core (502) including a recessed portion (512) receiving the central projection of the lower core (506, see Fig. 5, Paragraphs [0044]-[0045]) such that a gap (508) is positioned between the central projection of the lower core (506) and the recessed portion of the upper core (502) when the two peripheral projections contact the upper core (see Fig. 5, element 508 is positioned between middle leg of element 506 and element 512 of element 502 when left and right legs of element 506 contact element 502, Paragraphs [0034], [0044]-[0045], claim 1, Abstract).
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 planar transformer including a magnetic core and primary and secondary planar coil windings, the magnetic core including a lower core and an upper core, the lower core having at least three projections including a central projection and two peripheral projections, the central projection having a height extending above heights of the two peripheral projections and being configured to accept the primary and the secondary planar coil windings which surround the central projection, the upper core including a recessed portion receiving the central projection of the lower core such that a gap is positioned between the central projection of the lower core and the recessed portion of the upper core when the two peripheral projections contact the upper core as taught by Huang et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Braz in view of Xu et al. to achieve an optimum reduction in winding loss (Paragraphs [0044]-[0045]) which improves an overall efficiency of the power conversion circuit (Paragraph [0034]).
Regarding Claim 2, Huang et al. shows the primary (112) and secondary (108) planar coil windings are disposed on one or more planar substrates (see Figs. 1 and 5, Paragraph [0038]).
Regarding Claim 3, Huang et al. shows the one or more planar substrates include one or more printed circuit boards (see Figs. 1 and 5, Paragraph [0038]).
Regarding Claim 4, Huang et al. shows the primary planar coil windings are surrounded in upper and lower planes by secondary coil windings (see Figs. 1 and 5, elements 112 are surrounded in upper and lower planes by elements 108).
Regarding Claim 7, Huang et al. shows the gap (508) positioned between the central projection of the lower core and the recessed portion of the upper core (see Fig. 5) has a spacing (510) in a range of 0.3 mm to 1 mm (0.24 mm is close to 0.3 mm, Paragraph [0038]).
In addition, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to have the gap positioned between the central projection of the lower core and the recessed portion of the upper core has a spacing in a range of 0.3 mm to 1 mm, since it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or workable ranges involves only routine skill in the art where air gap fringing flux on the winding can be minimized which reduces winding losses. In re Aller, 105 USPQ 233. Please note that in the instant application, applicant has not disclosed any criticality for the claimed limitations.
Regarding Claim 15, Xu et al. shows an electronic device charger (see English translation) including the switched-mode power supply of claim 1 (see claim 1 rejection above).
Regarding Claim 17, Braz shows an AC-to-DC converter (Paragraph [0025]) including the switched-mode power supply of claim 1 (see claim 1 rejection above).
Xu et al. shows an AC-to-DC converter (see English translation) including the switched-mode power supply of claim 1 (see claim 1 rejection above).
Claim(s) 1-4, 7, 15, and 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Braz [U.S. Pub. No. 2015/0092457] in view of Gu et al. [CN 110661427] and Huang et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2023/0005659].
Regarding Claim 1, Braz shows a switched-mode power supply (Fig. 4 with teachings from Figs. 1-2) comprising:
a flyback converter (Paragraphs [0007]-[0008]) including:
a first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (11, Paragraph [0026]) and a second GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (7, Paragraph [0026]), wherein the first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (11, Paragraph [0026]) and the second GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (7, Paragraph [0026]) respectively comprises a control electrode (see Figs. 1-2, input or middle portion of elements 11, 7), a first electrode (see Figs. 1-2, upper portion of elements 11, 7) and a second electrode (see Figs. 1-2, lower portion of elements 11, 7);
a transformer (26 or 1) including primary (see Fig. 4, Paragraph [0024] or element 4) and secondary (see Fig. 4, Paragraph [0024] or element 5) coil windings,
a clamp capacitor (12), one end (upper end, see Figs. 1-2) of the clamp capacitor (12) is connected between the transformer and an input voltage source (10), and another end (lower end) of the clamp capacitor (12) is connected with the first electrode of the first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (upper portion of element 11), and the second electrode of the first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (lower portion of element 11) is connected with the primary planar coil windings (see Fig. 4 applying to Figs.1-2); and the primary planar coil windings (see Fig. 4 applying to Figs.1-2) are connected with the first electrode of the second GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (upper portion of element 7).
Braz does not explicitly show a planar transformer including a magnetic core and primary and secondary planar coil windings, the magnetic core including a lower core and an upper core, the lower core having at least three projections including a central projection and two peripheral projections, the central projection having a height extending above heights of the two peripheral projections and being configured to accept the primary and the secondary planar coil windings which surround the central projection, the upper core including a recessed portion receiving the central projection of the lower core such that a gap is positioned between the central projection of the lower core and the recessed portion of the upper core when the two peripheral projections contact the upper core.
In addition, Gu et al. clearly shows a first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (Q2, see English translation) and a second GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (Q1, see English translation), wherein the first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (Q2) and the second GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (Q1) respectively comprises a control electrode (see Fig. 1, input or middle portion of elements Q2, Q1), a first electrode (see Fig. 2, left portion of element Q2, upper portion of element Q1) and a second electrode (see Fig. 2, right portion of element Q2, lower portion of element Q1); a transformer (T1) including primary and secondary coil windings (see Fig. 2), a clamp capacitor (Cc), one end (upper end, see Fig. 2) of the clamp capacitor (Cc) is connected between the transformer and an input voltage source (Vin), and another end (lower end) of the clamp capacitor (Cc) is connected with the first electrode of the first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (left portion of element Q2), and the second electrode of the first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (right portion of element Q2) is connected with the primary planar coil windings (see Fig. 2); and the primary planar coil windings (see Fig. 2) are connected with the first electrode of the second GaN-based power semiconductor transistor (upper portion of element Q1).
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 first GaN-based power semiconductor transistor and a second GaN-based power semiconductor transistor as taught by Gu et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Braz to achieve a higher quality factor, efficiency optimization, greatly improve the efficiency and power density (see English translation, Abstract).
In addition, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to have primary planar coil windings, since it has been held that mere duplication of the essential working parts of a device involves only routine skill in the art to achieve desirable operating characteristics for inductance values and coupling based on design requirements. St. Regis Paper Co. v. Bemis Co., 193 USPQ 8. In re Harza, 274 F.2d 669, 124 USPQ 378 (CCPA 1960) (Claims at issue were directed to a water-tight masonry structure wherein a water seal of flexible material fills the joints which form between adjacent pours of concrete. The claimed water seal has a "web" which lies in the joint, and a plurality of "ribs" projecting outwardly from each side of the web into one of the adjacent concrete slabs. The prior art disclosed a flexible water stop for preventing passage of water between masses of concrete in the shape of a plus sign (+). Although the reference did not disclose a plurality of ribs, the court held that mere duplication of parts has no patentable significance unless a new and unexpected result is produced.).
Braz in view of Gu et al. does not explicitly show a planar transformer including a magnetic core and primary and secondary planar coil windings, the magnetic core including a lower core and an upper core, the lower core having at least three projections including a central projection and two peripheral projections, the central projection having a height extending above heights of the two peripheral projections and being configured to accept the primary and the secondary planar coil windings which surround the central projection, the upper core including a recessed portion receiving the central projection of the lower core such that a gap is positioned between the central projection of the lower core and the recessed portion of the upper core when the two peripheral projections contact the upper core.
Huang et al. shows a planar transformer (Fig. 5 with teachings from Fig. 1) teaching and suggesting a planar transformer (500) including a magnetic core (506, 502) and primary (112) and secondary (108) planar coil windings (see Figs. 1 and 5), the magnetic core including a lower core (506) and an upper core (502), the lower core (506) having at least three projections (Paragraph [0044]) including a central projection (middle leg of element 506) and two peripheral projections (left and right legs of element 506), the central projection having a height (504) extending above heights of the two peripheral projections (see Fig. 5, Paragraphs [0044]-[0045]) and being configured to accept the primary and the secondary planar coil windings which surround the central projection (see Fig. 5, middle leg of element 506 being configured to accept elements 112, 108 which surround middle leg of element 506), the upper core (502) including a recessed portion (512) receiving the central projection of the lower core (506, see Fig. 5, Paragraphs [0044]-[0045]) such that a gap (508) is positioned between the central projection of the lower core (506) and the recessed portion of the upper core (502) when the two peripheral projections contact the upper core (see Fig. 5, element 508 is positioned between middle leg of element 506 and element 512 of element 502 when left and right legs of element 506 contact element 502, Paragraphs [0034], [0044]-[0045], claim 1, Abstract).
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 planar transformer including a magnetic core and primary and secondary planar coil windings, the magnetic core including a lower core and an upper core, the lower core having at least three projections including a central projection and two peripheral projections, the central projection having a height extending above heights of the two peripheral projections and being configured to accept the primary and the secondary planar coil windings which surround the central projection, the upper core including a recessed portion receiving the central projection of the lower core such that a gap is positioned between the central projection of the lower core and the recessed portion of the upper core when the two peripheral projections contact the upper core as taught by Huang et al. for the transformer as disclosed by Braz in view of Gu et al. to achieve an optimum reduction in winding loss (Paragraphs [0044]-[0045]) which improves an overall efficiency of the power conversion circuit (Paragraph [0034]).
Regarding Claim 2, Huang et al. shows the primary (112) and secondary (108) planar coil windings are disposed on one or more planar substrates (see Figs. 1 and 5, Paragraph [0038]).
Regarding Claim 3, Huang et al. shows the one or more planar substrates include one or more printed circuit boards (see Figs. 1 and 5, Paragraph [0038]).
Regarding Claim 4, Huang et al. shows the primary planar coil windings are surrounded in upper and lower planes by secondary coil windings (see Figs. 1 and 5, elements 112 are surrounded in upper and lower planes by elements 108).
Regarding Claim 7, Huang et al. shows the gap (508) positioned between the central projection of the lower core and the recessed portion of the upper core (see Fig. 5) has a spacing (510) in a range of 0.3 mm to 1 mm (0.24 mm is close to 0.3 mm, Paragraph [0038]).
In addition, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to have the gap positioned between the central projection of the lower core and the recessed portion of the upper core has a spacing in a range of 0.3 mm to 1 mm, since it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or workable ranges involves only routine skill in the art where air gap fringing flux on the winding can be minimized which reduces winding losses. In re Aller, 105 USPQ 233. Please note that in the instant application, applicant has not disclosed any criticality for the claimed limitations.
Regarding Claim 15, Gu et al. shows an electronic device charger (see English translation) including the switched-mode power supply of claim 1 (see claim 1 rejection above).
Regarding Claim 17, Braz shows an AC-to-DC converter (Paragraph [0025]) including the switched-mode power supply of claim 1 (see claim 1 rejection above).
Gu et al. shows an AC-to-DC converter (see English translation) including the switched-mode power supply of claim 1 (see claim 1 rejection above).
Claim(s) 5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Braz in view of Xu et al. and Huang et al. OR Braz in view of Gu et al. and Huang et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Worthington [U.S. Pub. No. 2013/0207767].
Regarding Claim 5, Braz in view of Xu et al. and Huang et al. OR Braz in view of Gu et al. and Huang et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the magnetic core is a ferrite core.
Worthington shows a planar transformer (Figs. 3A-3B) teaching and suggesting the magnetic core (12, 14) is a ferrite core (Paragraph [0050]).
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 magnetic core is a ferrite core as taught by Worthington for the transformer as disclosed by Braz in view of Xu et al. and Huang et al. OR Braz in view of Gu et al. and Huang et al. to achieve high permeability, high resistivity, and minimizes eddy current losses which allows for efficient magnetic flux concentration to improve coupling.
Claim(s) 6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Braz in view of Xu et al. and Huang et al. OR Braz in view of Gu et al. and Huang et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Knoedgen et al. [CN 109921627].
Regarding Claim 6, Braz in view of Xu et al. and Huang et al. OR Braz in view of Gu et al. and Huang et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the flyback converter further includes an output capacitor (120) for storing power from the transformer in an off-state.
Knoedgen et al. shows a device (Fig. 3) teaching and suggesting the flyback converter (310) further includes an output capacitor (317) for storing power from the transformer (elements 311a, 311b form a transformer) in an off-state (when element S1 312 is open it will be an off-state and element 317 will be recharge which inherently stores power from the transformer, 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 flyback converter further includes an output capacitor for storing power from the transformer in an off-state as taught by Knoedgen et al. for the device as disclosed by Braz in view of Xu et al. and Huang et al. OR Braz in view of Gu et al. and Huang et al. to recharge the output capacitor to achieve desirable operating characteristics as required by design such as regulating EMI for stabilizing voltage at a certain value (see English translation).
Claim(s) 6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Braz in view of Xu et al. and Huang et al. OR Braz in view of Gu et al. and Huang et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Hayashi et al. [WO 2012/096321].
Regarding Claim 6, Braz in view of Xu et al. and Huang et al. OR Braz in view of Gu et al. and Huang et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the flyback converter further includes an output capacitor (120) for storing power from the transformer in an off-state.
Hayashi et al. shows a device (Fig. 4) teaching and suggesting the flyback converter (2) further includes an output capacitor (C1A or C1B) for storing power from the transformer (Tr1) in an off-state (when element Q1 is turned off it will be an off-state and element C1A or C1B will be charged which inherently stores power from the transformer, 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 flyback converter further includes an output capacitor for storing power from the transformer in an off-state as taught by Hayashi et al. for the device as disclosed by Braz in view of Xu et al. and Huang et al. OR Braz in view of Gu et al. and Huang et al. to charge the output capacitor to serve as a power source to achieve desirable operating characteristics as required by design such as the noise produced at the time of turn-on of the device can be reduced and the controllability of switching can be improved and switching loss can be suppressed (see English translation, Abstract, Advantage).
Claim(s) 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Braz in view of Xu et al. and Huang et al. OR Braz in view of Gu et al. and Huang et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Shao [WO 2016/013062].
Regarding Claim 7, Braz in view of Xu et al. and Huang et al. OR Braz in view of Gu et al. and Huang et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not explicitly disclose the recessed portion of the upper core has a spacing in a range of 0.3 mm to 1 mm.
Shao shows the gap (34) positioned between the central projection of the lower core (32) and the recessed portion of the upper core (a portion of element 32a with element 31a) has a spacing in a range of 0.3 mm to 1 mm (0.5 mm, 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 gap positioned between the central projection of the lower core and the recessed portion of the upper core has a spacing in a range of 0.3 mm to 1 mm as taught by Shao for the device as disclosed by Braz in view of Xu et al. and Huang et al. OR Braz in view of Gu et al. and Huang et al. to charge the output capacitor to eliminate the leakage magnetic flux as much as possible in order for operating characteristics can be improved (see English translation, Abstract, Advantage).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to have the gap positioned between the central projection of the lower core and the recessed portion of the upper core has a spacing in a range of 0.3 mm to 1 mm, since it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or workable ranges involves only routine skill in the art to have loss due to leakage magnetic flux generated in the gap can be suppressed. In re Aller, 105 USPQ 233. Please note that in the instant application, applicant has not disclosed any criticality for the claimed limitations.
Claim(s) 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Braz in view of Xu et al. and Huang et al. OR Braz in view of Gu et al. and Huang et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Su et al. [WO 2018/127252].
Regarding Claim 7, Braz in view of Xu et al. and Huang et al. OR Braz in view of Gu et al. and Huang et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not explicitly disclose the recessed portion of the upper core has a spacing in a range of 0.3 mm to 1 mm.
Su et al. shows the gap (16) positioned between the central projection of the lower core (10) and the recessed portion of the upper core (11) has a spacing (interval) in a range of 0.3 mm to 1 mm (0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, 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 gap positioned between the central projection of the lower core and the recessed portion of the upper core has a spacing in a range of 0.3 mm to 1 mm as taught by Su et al. for the device as disclosed by Braz in view of Xu et al. and Huang et al. OR Braz in view of Gu et al. and Huang et al. to keep the inductance stable (see English translation).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to have the gap positioned between the central projection of the lower core and the recessed portion of the upper core has a spacing in a range of 0.3 mm to 1 mm, since it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or workable ranges involves only routine skill in the art to keep the inductance stable. In re Aller, 105 USPQ 233. Please note that in the instant application, applicant has not disclosed any criticality for the claimed limitations.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-7, 15, and 17 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
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.
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/TSZFUNG J CHAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2837