Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/018,152

WINDING ARRANGEMENT, TRANSFORMER AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A WINDING ARRANGEMENT

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Jan 26, 2023
Examiner
NGUYEN, TUYEN T
Art Unit
2837
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Hitachi Energy Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
82%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 9m
To Grant
82%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 82% — above average
82%
Career Allow Rate
1001 granted / 1226 resolved
+13.6% vs TC avg
Minimal +1% lift
Without
With
+0.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
50 currently pending
Career history
1276
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
54.5%
+14.5% vs TC avg
§102
22.9%
-17.1% vs TC avg
§112
17.7%
-22.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1226 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 Group I, claims 1-3 and 13-20 in the reply filed on 12/19/2025 is acknowledged. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1-3 and 13-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Lutz [US 3,381,252]. Regarding claims 1-2, Lutz discloses winding arrangement for a transformer [figure 6], wherein the winding arrangement comprises: - a winding block [31, 32]; - a top end press element [34] and a bottom end press element [35]; wherein the top end press element is arranged on a top end of the winding block and the bottom end press element is arranged on a bottom end of the winding block, and - at least one stabilizing element, wherein the at least one stabilizing element is arranged to make the winding arrangement self-supporting and isolated from short circuit forces, wherein the at least one stabilizing element comprises at least one insulated band [36] arranged around the winding block, the top end press element and the bottom end press element, wherein at least one stabilizing element is assembled with the winding block to compress the winding block [figure 6]. Regarding claims 3 and 13, Lutz discloses the use of the winding arrangement in a transformer [column 1], wherein at least one stabilizing element is assembled with the winding block to compress the winding block [figure 6]. Regarding claims 14-15, Lutz discloses the winding block comprises one or more windings [31, 32], wherein the winding arrangement further comprises a barrier [33] around each of the one or more windings. Regarding claim 16, Lutz discloses a winding arrangement for a transformer [figure 6], wherein the winding arrangement comprises: - a winding block [figure 6]; - a top end press element [34] arranged on a top end of the winding block; - a bottom end press element [35] arranged on a bottom end of the winding block; and - a stabilizing element connected to the top end press element and the bottom end press element, wherein the stabilizing element is arranged to make the winding arrangement self-supporting and isolated from short circuit forces; wherein the stabilizing element comprises: an insulated band [36] arranged around the winding block, the top end press element and the bottom end press element. Regarding claims 17-18, Lutz discloses the winding block comprises one or more windings [31, 32], wherein the winding arrangement further comprises a barrier around each of the one or more windings. Regarding claims 19-20, Lutz discloses the winding block is locked with the stabilizing element [figure 6], wherein the stabilizing element is assembled with the winding block to compress the winding block. Claim(s) 1-3, 13, 16 and 19-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by DD122737. Regarding claims 1-2, DD122737 discloses winding arrangement for a transformer [figure 1], wherein the winding arrangement comprises: - a winding block [1]; - a top end press element [17] and a bottom end press element [17]; wherein the top end press element is arranged on a top end of the winding block and the bottom end press element is arranged on a bottom end of the winding block, and - at least one stabilizing element, wherein the at least one stabilizing element is arranged to make the winding arrangement self-supporting and isolated from short circuit forces, wherein the at least one stabilizing element comprises at least one insulated band [16] arranged around the winding block, the top end press element and the bottom end press element, wherein at least one stabilizing element is assembled with the winding block to compress the winding block [figure 1]. Regarding claims 3 and 13, Lutz discloses the use of the winding arrangement in a transformer, wherein at least one stabilizing element is assembled with the winding block to compress the winding block [figure 1]. Regarding claims 16 and 19-20, DD122737 discloses a winding arrangement for a transformer [figure 1], wherein the winding arrangement comprises: - a winding block [1]; - a top end press element [17] arranged on a top end of the winding block; - a bottom end press element [17] arranged on a bottom end of the winding block; and - a stabilizing element engaged to the top end press element and the bottom end press element, wherein the stabilizing element is arranged to make the winding arrangement self-supporting and isolated from short circuit forces; wherein arranged between the top end press element and the bottom end press element, wherein the stabilizing element comprises an insulated band [16, figure 1] arranged around the winding block, the top end press element and the bottom end press element, wherein the winding block is locked or fixed with the stabilizing element [figure 1], and wherein the stabilizing element is assembled with the winding block to compress the winding block [figure 1]. Claim(s) 1-3 and 13-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Zhao et al. [CN 109671559 A]. Regarding 1-2, Zhao et al. discloses winding arrangement for a transformer [figures 1-4], wherein the winding arrangement comprises: - a winding block [figure 3]; - a top end press element [9] and a bottom end press element [10]; wherein the top end press element is arranged on a top end of the winding block and the bottom end press element is arranged on a bottom end of the winding block, and - at least one stabilizing element, wherein the at least one stabilizing element is arranged to make the winding arrangement self-supporting and isolated from short circuit forces, wherein the at least one stabilizing element comprises at least one insulated tie-rod [11] made of fiber-glass or plastic wherein at least one stabilizing element is assembled with the winding block to compress the winding block. Regarding claims 3 and 13, Zhao et al. discloses the use of the winding arrangement in a transformer [three-phase reactor/transformer], wherein at least one stabilizing element is assembled with the winding block to compress the winding block [figure 4]. Regarding claims 14-15, Zhao et al. discloses the winding block comprises one or more windings [1, 2, 3, figure 3], wherein the winding arrangement further comprises a barrier [epoxy resin barrier arranged between windings 1, 2, 3, from specification] around each of the one or more windings. Regarding claim 16, Zhao et al. discloses a winding arrangement for a transformer [figures 1-4], wherein the winding arrangement comprises: - a winding block [figures 3-4]; - a top end press element [9] arranged on a top end of the winding block; - a bottom end press element [10] arranged on a bottom end of the winding block; and - a stabilizing element connected to the top end press element and the bottom end press element, wherein the stabilizing element is arranged to make the winding arrangement self-supporting and isolated from short circuit forces; comprises at least one insulated tie-rod [11] made of fiber-glass or plastic wherein at least one stabilizing element is assembled with the winding block to compress the winding block and arranged between top end press element and the bottom end press element. Regarding claims 17-18, Zhao et al. discloses the winding block comprises one or more windings [1, 2, 3, figure 3], wherein the winding arrangement further comprises a barrier [epoxy resin arranged between windings 1, 2, 3, see translation of the specification] around each of the one or more windings. Regarding claims 19-20, Zhao et al. discloses the winding block is locked or fixed with the stabilizing element [figure 4], wherein the stabilizing element is assembled with the winding block to compress the winding block [figure 4]. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TUYEN T NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)272-1996. The examiner can normally be reached Mon - Fri 8:30-5:30. 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. /TUYEN T NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2837
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 26, 2023
Application Filed
Feb 21, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102 (current)

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

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
82%
Grant Probability
82%
With Interview (+0.8%)
2y 9m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1226 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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