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 .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to because:
10 and 11 of Figs. 1 & 2 do not contain clear text or symbols to make it clear what they are from the drawings
20 and 30 of Figs. 3 & 4 contain clear text or symbols to make it clear what they are from the drawings
The elements besides 31 are unclear from Fig. 4 as to what they represent. Include clear symbols, labels, or legends
The text and some of the elements of Figs. 2 and 4 are blurry
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(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.
Claims 1, 2, 4-6, 10, 12, 13, and 15-17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Cao et al (USPGPN 20210036544)
Independent Claim 1, Cao discloses a charging and discharging system (Figs. [1-6, esp. 1 & 2] element 1), comprising:
a plurality of battery packs, connected in parallel (3A-3N); and
one or more voltage equalization modules (4A-4N & 13A-13N), wherein
each of a subset of the battery packs is connected in series with a voltage equalization module of the one or more voltage equalization modules (see at least Figs. [1 & 2]); and
the voltage equalization module is configured to adjust, to a target voltage, an output voltage of a corresponding battery pack and the voltage equalization module that are connected in series (abstract, ¶’s [14-16, 26, 27, 29, 37, esp 26, 37], balancing of the packs serves to adjust their output to a target voltage, as one of ordinary skill in the art understands).
Independent Claim 12, Cao discloses an energy storage system comprising a charging and discharging system, wherein the charging and discharging system (Figs. [1-6, esp. 1 & 2] element 1) comprises:
a plurality of battery packs, connected in parallel (3A-3N); and
one or more voltage equalization modules (4A-4N & 13A-13N), wherein
each of a subset of the battery packs is connected in series with a voltage equalization module of the one or more voltage equalization modules (see at least Figs. [1 & 2]); and
the voltage equalization module is configured to adjust, to a target voltage, an output voltage of a corresponding battery pack connected to the voltage equalization module in series (abstract, ¶’s [14-16, 26, 27, 29, 37, esp 26, 37], balancing of the packs serves to adjust their output to a target voltage, as one of ordinary skill in the art understands).
Dependent Claims 2 and 13, Cao discloses the voltage equalization module is a boost-buck equalization module (¶[22, 37]); and
the boost-buck equalization module is connected in series with the corresponding battery pack, and is configured to increase or decrease, to the target voltage, the output voltage of the corresponding battery pack and the boost-buck equalization module that are connected in series (inherent to buck-boost converters).
Dependent Claims 4 and 15, Cao discloses the voltage equalization module is a boost equalization module (¶[22, 37]); and
the boost equalization module is connected in series with the corresponding battery pack, and is configured to increase, to the target voltage, the output voltage of the corresponding battery pack and the boost equalization module that are connected in series (inherent to buck-boost converters).
Dependent Claims 5 and 16, Cao discloses the voltage equalization module is a buck equalization module (¶’s [22, 37]); and
the buck equalization module is connected in series with the corresponding battery pack, and is configured to decrease, to the target voltage, the output voltage of the corresponding battery pack and the buck equalization module that are connected in series (inherent to buck-boost converters).
Dependent Claims 6 and 17, Cao discloses comprising at least one external power supply module (950 in Fig. 6), wherein the at least one external power supply module is connected with the voltage equalization module, and is configured to provide a DC supply signal for the voltage equalization module (¶’s [38, 40, 41, 45, esp. 38, 45]).
Dependent Claim 10, Cao discloses the voltage equalization module comprises:
a voltage regulation unit (4A-4N), which is a boost-buck regulation unit, a boost regulation unit, or a buck regulation unit (¶[22]);
a communication unit, connected with battery management units of the plurality of battery packs and configured to acquire battery parameters of the battery packs (see communications shown in Figs. 1 & 2);
a current detection unit, configured to detect an output current of the voltage equalization unit (Ipack & Ibus detections shown in Fig. 1);
a voltage detection unit, configured to detect an output voltage of the voltage equalization unit (vbus & vpack detections shown in Fig. 1, where output is based on bidirectional operations of Cao); and
a control unit connected with the communication unit, the current detection unit, and the voltage detection unit and configured to control the voltage regulation unit according to the battery parameters, the output current, and the output voltage, so that the output voltage of the corresponding battery pack and the voltage equalization module that are connected in series is equal to the target voltage (5, it is noted that the applicant has only required one or more equalization modules, and 5 can be considered to be part of any one of them, while Vpack at least seems to come from measuring the voltage of the pack, as one of ordinary skill in the art would understand).
Claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 15, and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Hilligoss et al (USPGPN 20210028503; hereinafter Hilli; provisional application has same subject matter as non-provisional application)
Independent Claim 1, Hilli discloses a charging and discharging system (Figs. [1 & 4, esp. 4] element 10), comprising:
a plurality of battery packs, connected in parallel (12A-12D); and
one or more voltage equalization modules (130A-130D), wherein
each of a subset of the battery packs is connected in series with a voltage equalization module of the one or more voltage equalization modules (see Fig. 4); and
the voltage equalization module is configured to adjust, to a target voltage, an output voltage of a corresponding battery pack and the voltage equalization module that are connected in series (Fig. 6 & ¶’s [40-49, esp. 45 & 49]).
Independent Claim 12, Hilli discloses an energy storage system comprising a charging and discharging system, wherein the charging and discharging system (Figs. [1 & 4, esp. 4] element 10) comprises:
a plurality of battery packs, connected in parallel (12A-12D); and
one or more voltage equalization modules (130A-130D), wherein
each of a subset of the battery packs is connected in series with a voltage equalization module of the one or more voltage equalization modules (see Fig. 4); and
the voltage equalization module is configured to adjust, to a target voltage, an output voltage of a corresponding battery pack connected to the voltage equalization module in series (Fig. 6 & ¶’s [40-49, esp. 45 & 49]).
Dependent Claims 2 and 13, Hilli discloses the voltage equalization module is a boost-buck equalization module (¶’s [06, 08, 28, 42]); and
the boost-buck equalization module is connected in series with the corresponding battery pack, and is configured to increase or decrease, to the target voltage, the output voltage of the corresponding battery pack and the boost-buck equalization module that are connected in series (see Fig. 4, abstract).
Dependent Claims 4 and 15, Hilli discloses the voltage equalization module is a boost equalization module (¶’s [06, 08, 28, 42]); and
the boost equalization module is connected in series with the corresponding battery pack, and is configured to increase, to the target voltage, the output voltage of the corresponding battery pack and the boost equalization module that are connected in series (inherent to buck-boost converters).
Dependent Claims 5 and 16, Hilli discloses the voltage equalization module is a buck equalization module (¶’s [06, 08, 28, 42]); and
the buck equalization module is connected in series with the corresponding battery pack, and is configured to decrease, to the target voltage, the output voltage of the corresponding battery pack and the buck equalization module that are connected in series (inherent to buck-boost converters).
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 3 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cao et al (USPGPN 20210036544) in view of Huang et al (USPGPN 20210044210)
Dependent Claims 3 and 14, Cao teaches the buck-boost converter and the functions of “the boost-buck equalization module comprises a boost-buck regulation unit; and the boost-buck regulation unit comprises:
a first converter, configured to convert a direct current (DC) supply signal to an alternating current (AC) signal;
a transformer, comprising a primary side coil and a secondary side coil, wherein the primary side coil of the transformer is connected with an output terminal of the first converter, and is configured to transmit the AC signal;
a second converter, wherein an input terminal of the second converter is connected with the secondary side coil of the transformer, and the second converter is configured to convert the AC signal to a first DC signal; and a voltage value of the first DC signal is equal to an absolute value of a voltage difference between the target voltage and the output voltage of the corresponding battery pack; and
a third converter, wherein an input terminal of the third converter is connected with an output terminal of the second converter; the third converter is configured to convert the first DC signal to a second DC signal; an output terminal of the third converter outputs the second DC signal; and a voltage value of the second DC signal is equal to a voltage value of the first DC signal or a negative value of the voltage value of the first DC signal”.
Cao is silent to the structure of the boost-buck equalization module comprises a boost-buck regulation unit; and the boost-buck regulation unit comprises:
a first converter, configured to convert a direct current (DC) supply signal to an alternating current (AC) signal;
a transformer, comprising a primary side coil and a secondary side coil, wherein the primary side coil of the transformer is connected with an output terminal of the first converter, and is configured to transmit the AC signal;
a second converter, wherein an input terminal of the second converter is connected with the secondary side coil of the transformer, and the second converter is configured to convert the AC signal to a first DC signal; and a voltage value of the first DC signal is equal to an absolute value of a voltage difference between the target voltage and the output voltage of the corresponding battery pack; and
a third converter, wherein an input terminal of the third converter is connected with an output terminal of the second converter; the third converter is configured to convert the first DC signal to a second DC signal; an output terminal of the third converter outputs the second DC signal; and a voltage value of the second DC signal is equal to a voltage value of the first DC signal or a negative value of the voltage value of the first DC signal
Huang teaches the boost-buck equalization module (Figs. 1A-1C) comprises a boost-buck regulation unit; and the boost-buck regulation unit (¶[41]) comprises:
a first converter, configured to convert a direct current (DC) supply signal to an alternating current (AC) signal (Fig. 1B, element 131);
a transformer, comprising a primary side coil and a secondary side coil, wherein the primary side coil of the transformer is connected with an output terminal of the first converter, and is configured to transmit the AC signal (133);
a second converter, wherein an input terminal of the second converter is connected with the secondary side coil of the transformer, and the second converter is configured to convert the AC signal to a first DC signal; and a voltage value of the first DC signal is equal to an absolute value of a voltage difference between the target voltage and the output voltage of the corresponding battery pack (132; function demonstrated by Cao, but function of transformer converter is known to perform these steps); and
a third converter, wherein an input terminal of the third converter is connected with an output terminal of the second converter; the third converter is configured to convert the first DC signal to a second DC signal; an output terminal of the third converter outputs the second DC signal; and a voltage value of the second DC signal is equal to a voltage value of the first DC signal or a negative value of the voltage value of the first DC signal (15). Huang teaches this conversion topology for battery charging/discharging [title] serves to provide improved stability, efficiency, and costs (¶’s [09, 29, 40, 43-48])
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Cao with Huang to provide improved costs, efficiency, and stability.
Claims 7, 8, 11, 18, and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cao et al (USPGPN 20210036544) in view of Yao (USPGPN 20170244258)
Dependent Claims 7 and 18, Cao is silent to the corresponding battery pack is connected in parallel with a busbar.
Yao teaches the corresponding battery pack is connected in parallel with a busbar (Figs. 1 & 2 shows battery modules/packs where battery-string [B-K to B-1] includes a capacitor-busbar in parallel ¶[14] with each battery-string which are both in series with balancing converter 200, shown to be a converter in Figs. [3, 5, 6]). One of ordinary skill in the art understands that capacitor/busbar would serve to improve the protection of the circuit by preventing the batteries from being subject to transients/spikes due to the operation of the converter.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Cao with Yao to provide improved safety.
Dependent Claims 8 and 19, the combination of Cao and Yao teaches a quantity of the battery packs is N; a quantity of the voltage equalization modules is N (see Fig. 1 of Yao, Figs. 1 & 2 of Yao, respectively);
each battery pack of the N battery packs is connected in series with a voltage equalization module of the N voltage equalization modules in a one-to-one correspondence, an output voltage of each of the N battery packs and each of the voltage equalization modules that are connected in series is equal to the target voltage; and
the target voltage is a busbar voltage (being in parallel with a capacitor means the voltage output from the converter causes the voltage of the capacitor to match that of the battery, as one of ordinary skill in the art understands; ¶’s [37, 29, 26] of Cao; Fig. 4 & ¶[05] of Yao).
Dependent Claim 11, Cao is silent to a plurality of switch modules, connected in series with the voltage equalization modules in a one-to-one correspondence.
Yao teaches a plurality of switch modules, connected in series with the voltage equalization modules in a one-to-one correspondence (201). One of ordinary skill in the art understands that having switches in series with something improves the safety and controllability of the system, which allows for easier ability to switch off circuits without only having to use the converter’s switches [a redundancy of which can help to reduce the wear on the converter, for instance, but also can help to prevent damage to the internal converter’s switches by creating an open circuit/bypass circuit around it].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Cao with Yao to provide improved controllability, longevity, and safety.
Claims 7, 9, 18, and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hilligoss et al (USPGPN 20210028503; hereinafter Hilli; provisional application has same subject matter as non-provisional application) in view of Yao (USPGPN 20170244258)
Dependent Claims 7 and 18, Hilli is silent to the corresponding battery pack is connected in parallel with a busbar.
Yao teaches the corresponding battery pack is connected in parallel with a busbar (Figs. 1 & 2 shows battery modules/packs where battery-string [B-K to B-1] includes a capacitor-busbar in parallel ¶[14] with each battery-string which are both in series with balancing converter 200, shown to be a converter in Figs. [3, 5, 6]). One of ordinary skill in the art understands that capacitor/busbar would serve to improve the protection of the circuit by preventing the batteries from being subject to transients/spikes due to the operation of the converter.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Hilli with Yao to provide improved safety.
Dependent Claims 9 and 20, the combination of Hilli and Yao teaches a quantity of the battery packs is N; a quantity of the voltage equalization modules is N−1;
each battery pack of N−1 battery packs is connected in series with a voltage equalization modules of the N−1 voltage equalization modules in a one-to-one correspondence, an output voltage of each of the battery packs and a corresponding one of the voltage equalization modules that are connected in series is equal to the target voltage; and
the target voltage is equal to an output voltage of the battery pack that is not connected in series with the voltage equalization modules (Yao Fig. 1 has N-1 equalization modules if N includes 110; Hilli teaches this feature in ¶’s [11, 45-50, esp. 11 & 45]).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Tyagi et al (USPGPN 20220021221). Independent Claim 1, Tyagi discloses a charging and discharging system (Figs. [1-7, esp. 2 & 3B])
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOHN T TRISCHLER whose telephone number is (571)270-0651. The examiner can normally be reached 9:30A-3:30P (often working later), M-F, ET, Flexible. 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.
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/JOHN T TRISCHLER/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2859