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 1-13 and 20-22, in the reply filed on 10/17/2025 is acknowledged.
Claims 14-19, 23 and 24 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to nonelected inventions, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 10/17/2025.
Claim Objections
Claims 5-13 and 20-22 are objected to under 37 CFR 1.75(c) as being in improper form because a multiple dependent claim cannot depend from any other multiple dependent claim. See MPEP § 608.01(n). Accordingly, the claims 5-13 and 20-22 have not been further treated on the merits.
Claims 2 and 3 are objected to because of the following informalities:
In claim 2, the phrase “wherein each structural layer comprises” is objected to grammatically. The objection can be overcome by changing the phrase to “wherein each of the one or more structural layers comprises” which is how the claim will be interpreted.
In claim 3, the phrase “micrometeoroid layer” (two instances) is objected to grammatically as the layer is not made of micrometeoroids. The objection can be overcome by changing the phrase to “micrometeoroid protection layer” which is how the claim will be interpreted.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
Claims 1, 2 and 4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Hoyt et al. (US 2015/0048209).
With regard to claim 1, Hoyt et al. teach the structural multi-layer insulation, which reads on applicants’ composition material, of Figures 1 and 2 that includes a layered structure of low Z layer/a high Z layer/low Z layer [0049] and [0050]. The low Z layers, which read on applicants’ first and second shielding layers, can be PEEK polymer and the high Z layer can be PEEK entrained tungsten, which reads on applicants’ metal containing layer [0121]-[0123].
With regard to claims 2 and 4, there can be a carbon fiber composite placed on the inner 50 and outer surfaces 10 of the multi-layer insulation, which reads on applicants’ one or more structural layers comprising multifunctional composite materials and being a heating resistant material [0039].
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
Claim 3 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hoyt et al. (US 2015/0048209).
Hoyt et al. teach all of the limitations of claim 2 above. The Examiner also notes that the carbon fiber composite on the outer surface 10 taught above would read on applicants’ micrometeoroid protection layer as it would provide some protection against impacts from such objects [0039]. Also, Hoyt et al. teach that it is known to include additional materials such as a satellite external structure that protects against atomic oxygen [0158] and [0165]; however, they do not specifically teach a structure that includes this satellite external structure.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to have incorporated the satellite external structure taught in Hoyt et al. over the carbon fiber composite layer that is on the outer surface 10 of the structural multi-layer insulation in order to have added atomic oxygen protection to the structure. This is a known concern for spacecraft that must be protected against, which provides a rationale to include such a layer/structure.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GERARD T HIGGINS whose telephone number is (571)270-3467. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:30-6pm (variable one work-at-home day).
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, Mark Ruthkosky can be reached at (571) 272-1291. 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.
/Gerard Higgins/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1785