DETAILED ACTION
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on October 13, 2025 has been entered.
In view of the Amendments to the Claims filed October 13, 2025, the rejections of claims 5-17 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) previously presented in the Office Action sent July 11, 2025 have been withdrawn.
In view of the Amendments to the Claims filed October 13, 2025, the rejections of claims 1-20 under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and 35 U.S.C. 103 previously presented in the Office Action sent July 11, 2025 have been substantially maintained and modified only in response to the Amendments to the Claims.
Claims 1-4 and 6-20 are currently pending.
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 1 recites, “the integrated plate” on line 24-25, and again on line 25, 26, and 26-27.
It is unclear if “the integrated plate” recited on line 24-25 of claim 1 is referring to the “single integrated plate” recited on line 12 of claim 1, or if “the integrated plate” recited on line 24-25 of claim 1 is referring to an entirely different integrated plate altogether. Appropriate correction is required.
Amending “the integrated plate” to “the single integrated plate” would overcome the objection.
Claim 18 is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 18 recites, “the evaporation of liquid transfer heat between the surfaces of the wet channels and surfaces of the dry channels” on line 11-12. Appropriate correction is required.
Amending “the evaporation of liquid transfer heat between the surfaces of the wet channels and surfaces of the dry channels” to “the evaporation of liquid transfers heat between the surfaces of the wet channels and surfaces of the dry channels” would overcome the objection.
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 1-4 and 6-20 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 walls of the second channel" on line 19-20. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Dependent claims are rejected for dependency.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the temperature of the second surface" on line 22-23. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Dependent claims are rejected for dependency.
Amending "the temperature of the second surface" to "a temperature of the second surface" would overcome the rejections.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the temperature of the first surface" on line 26. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Dependent claims are rejected for dependency.
Amending "the temperature of the first surface" to "a temperature of the first surface" would overcome the rejections.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the resulting transfer of heat" on line 29-30. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Dependent claims are rejected for dependency.
Amending "the resulting transfer of heat " to "a resulting transfer of heat " would overcome the rejections.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the passage of fluid" on line 8-9. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Dependent claims are rejected for dependency.
Amending "the passage of fluid" to "passage of fluid" would overcome the rejections.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the temperature of the second exposed surface" on line 10-11. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Dependent claims are rejected for dependency.
Amending "the temperature of the second exposed surface " to "a temperature of the second exposed surface " would overcome the rejections.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the temperature of the first exposed surface" on line 14-15. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Dependent claims are rejected for dependency.
Amending "the temperature of the first exposed surface " to "a temperature of the first exposed surface " would overcome the rejections.
Claim 18 recites the limitation "the surfaces of the wet channels" on line 11. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Dependent claims are rejected for dependency.
Claim 18 recites the limitation "the temperature of the surfaces" on line 14. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Dependent claims are rejected for dependency.
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.
Claim(s) 1-4, 6-10, and 12-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Maisotsenko et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2002/0038552 A1) in view of Gaiser et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2017/0358727 A1).
With regard to claim 1, Maisotsenko et al. discloses a heat exchanger comprising:
a first channel (3, Fig. 9), the first channel comprising:
a first inlet proximate a first end of the first channel, the first inlet configured to intake a first heat transferring fluid (such as a first inlet proximate a first top end of the cited first channel 3, Fig. 9; see for example [0109] teaching a first heat transferring fluid such as working air 4 within first channel 3); and
a first outlet proximate a second end of the first channel, the first outlet configured to expel the first heat transferring fluid (such a first outlet proximate a second bottom end of the cited first channel 3, Fig. 9);
a second channel (5, Fig. 9), the second channel comprising:
a second inlet proximate a first end of the second channel, the second inlet configured to intake a second heat transferring fluid (such as a first inlet proximate a first bottom end of the cited second channel 5, Fig. 9; see for example [0109] teaching a second heat transferring fluid such as working air 4 within the cited second channel 5); and
a second outlet proximate a second end of the second channel, the second outlet configured to expel the second heat transferring fluid (such as a second outlet proximate a second top end of the cited second channel 5, Fig. 9), wherein
the first channel and second channel are separated by a single integrated plate (as depicted in Fig. 9, the cited first channel 3 and cited second channel 5 are separated by a single integrated plate 7/46) having
a first surface forming a wall of the first channel (as depicted in Fig. 9, the cited single integrated plate 7/46 has a first left surface at 46 forming a wall of the cited first channel 3) and
a second surface forming a wall of the second channel (as depicted in Fig. 9, the cited single integrated plate 7/46 has a second right surface at 7 forming a wall of the cited second channel 5); wherein
the first surface and second surface of the single integrated plate are thermally coupled (see Fig. 9); and wherein
the single integrated plate is the only solid material separating the first channel and second channel (as depicted in Fig. 9, the cited single integrated plate 7/46 is the only solid material horizontally separating the cited first channel 3 and cited second channel 5), wherein
the first channel comprises a dry channel (3, Fig. 9 and see [0036] teaching “Dry Channel-3”) and
a liquid is disposed along the walls of the second channel to form a wet channel (see 10 depicted in Fig. 9 as disposed along walls of the second channel 5 to form a wet channel; see [0063] “Wet Channel-5”); wherein
the second heat transferring fluid evaporates at least a portion of the liquid disposed along the walls of the second channel thereby reducing the temperature of the second surface of the integrated plate (as depicted in Fig. 9 and described in [0109], the cited second heat transferring fluid, recall working air 4 within the cited second channel 5, evaporates at least a portion of the liquid 10 disposed along the walls of the second channel 5 thereby reducing the temperature of the cited second right surface of the integrated plate 7/46); wherein
evaporation of the liquid transfers heat between the second surface of the integrated plate and first surface of the integrated plate such that reducing the temperature of the second surface of the integrated plate reduces the temperature of the first surface of the integrated plate and cools the first heat transferring fluid traversing the first channel to create a pre-cooled first heat transferring fluid (as depicted in Fig. 9 and described in [0109], evaporation of the liquid 10 transfers heat between the cited second right surface of the integrated plate 7/46 and the cited first left surface of the integrated plate 7/46 such that the cited reducing the temperature of the second right surface of the integrated plate 7/46 reduces the temperature of the cited first left surface of the integrated plate 7/46 and cools the cited first heat transferring fluid, recall working air 4 within first channel 3, traversing the first channel 3 to create a pre-cooled first heat transferring fluid as the cited first heat transferring fluid is cooled).
Maisotsenko et al. does not disclose wherein a thermoelectric generator is disposed between a wall of the first channel and adjacent wall of the second channel to form the shared, thermally coupled wall, the single integrated plate comprises a thermoelectric generator (TEG).
However, Gaiser et al. discloses a heat exchanger (see Abstract) and teaches between a first channel (such as a first channel formed within the interior space of 1 with flowing fluid in direction 10 depicted in Fig. 1B and annotated Fig. 1B below) and a second channel (such as a second channel formed within the interior space of 2 with flowing fluid in direction 20 depicted in Fig. 1B and annotated Fig. 1B below) incorporating a thermoelectric generator (TEG) (see Fig. 1B, annotated Fig. 1B below, and see [0080]).
PNG
media_image1.png
443
724
media_image1.png
Greyscale
Annotated Fig. 1B
Gaiser et al. discloses the addition of the TEG provides for improved efficiency by using thermal energy in flowing fluid for electric energy generation (see [0002-0003]).
Thus, at the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have modified the single integrated plate of Maisotsenko et al. to include incorporating a TEG as suggested by Gaiser et al. because it would have provided for improved efficiency by using thermal energy in flowing fluid for electric energy generation.
Maisotsenko et al., as modified above, discloses wherein a heat flux generated by evaporative cooling within the second channel and the resulting transfer of heat between the second channel and the first channel is converted to energy (see Fig. 9 and see, for example [0083] of Maisotsenko et al., as modified above to include the TEGs suggested by Gaiser et al.).
With regard to claim 2, Maisotsenko et al. discloses a heat exchanger comprising:
a first channel (3, Fig. 9), the first channel comprising:
a first inlet proximate a first end of the first channel, the first inlet configured to intake a first heat transferring fluid (such as a first inlet proximate a first top end of the cited first channel 3, Fig. 9; see for example [0109] teaching a first heat transferring fluid such as working air 4 within first channel 3); and
a first outlet proximate a second end of the first channel, the first outlet configured to expel the first heat transferring fluid (such a first outlet proximate a second bottom end of the cited first channel 3, Fig. 9);
a second channel (5, Fig. 9), the second channel comprising:
a second inlet proximate a first end of the second channel, the second inlet configured to intake a second heat transferring fluid (such as a first inlet proximate a first bottom end of the cited second channel 5, Fig. 9; see for example [0109] teaching a second heat transferring fluid such as working air 4 within the cited second channel 5); and
a second outlet proximate a second end of the second channel, the second outlet configured to expel the second heat transferring fluid (such as a second outlet proximate a second top end of the cited second channel 5, Fig. 9), wherein
the first channel and second channel are separated by a single integrated plate (as depicted in Fig. 9, the cited first channel 3 and cited second channel 5 are separated by a single integrated plate 7/46) having
a first surface forming a wall of the first channel (as depicted in Fig. 9, the cited single integrated plate 7/46 has a first left surface at 46 forming a wall of the cited first channel 3) and
a second surface forming a wall of the second channel (as depicted in Fig. 9, the cited single integrated plate 7/46 has a second right surface at 7 forming a wall of the cited second channel 5); wherein
the first surface and second surface of the single integrated plate are thermally coupled (see Fig. 9); and wherein
the single integrated plate is the only solid material separating the first channel and second channel (as depicted in Fig. 9, the cited single integrated plate 7/46 is the only solid material horizontally separating the cited first channel 3 and cited second channel 5), wherein
the first channel comprises a dry channel (3, Fig. 9 and see [0036] teaching “Dry Channel-3”) and
a liquid is disposed along the walls of the second channel to form a wet channel (see 10 depicted in Fig. 9 as disposed along walls of the second channel 5 to form a wet channel; see [0063] “Wet Channel-5”); wherein
the second heat transferring fluid evaporates at least a portion of the liquid disposed along the walls of the second channel thereby reducing the temperature of the second surface of the integrated plate (as depicted in Fig. 9 and described in [0109], the cited second heat transferring fluid, recall working air 4 within the cited second channel 5, evaporates at least a portion of the liquid 10 disposed along the walls of the second channel 5 thereby reducing the temperature of the cited second right surface of the integrated plate 7/46); wherein
evaporation of the liquid transfers heat between the second surface of the integrated plate and first surface of the integrated plate such that reducing the temperature of the second surface of the integrated plate reduces the temperature of the first surface of the integrated plate and cools the first heat transferring fluid traversing the first channel to create a pre-cooled first heat transferring fluid (as depicted in Fig. 9 and described in [0109], evaporation of the liquid 10 transfers heat between the cited second right surface of the integrated plate 7/46 and the cited first left surface of the integrated plate 7/46 such that the cited reducing the temperature of the second right surface of the integrated plate 7/46 reduces the temperature of the cited first left surface of the integrated plate 7/46 and cools the cited first heat transferring fluid, recall working air 4 within first channel 3, traversing the first channel 3 to create a pre-cooled first heat transferring fluid as the cited first heat transferring fluid is cooled).
Maisotsenko et al. does not disclose wherein a thermoelectric generator is disposed between a wall of the first channel and adjacent wall of the second channel to form the shared, thermally coupled wall, the single integrated plate comprises a thermoelectric generator (TEG).
However, Gaiser et al. discloses a heat exchanger (see Abstract) and teaches between a first channel (such as a first channel formed within the interior space of 1 with flowing fluid in direction 10 depicted in Fig. 1B and annotated Fig. 1B below) and a second channel (such as a second channel formed within the interior space of 2 with flowing fluid in direction 20 depicted in Fig. 1B and annotated Fig. 1B below) a single integrated plate (as depicted in Fig. 1B and annotated Fig. 1B below, the cited first channel and cited second channel are separated by a single integrated plate), wherein a TEG is embedded within the single integrated plate (as depicted in Fig. 1 and annotated Fig. 1B below, a TEG at components 31/32/33, 41/42/43, and 51/52/53 is embedded within the first top surface of 1 and the second bottom surface of 2 of the cited single integrated plate).
PNG
media_image1.png
443
724
media_image1.png
Greyscale
Annotated Fig. 1B
Gaiser et al. discloses the addition of the TEG provides for improved efficiency by using thermal energy in flowing fluid for electric energy generation (see [0002-0003]).
Thus, at the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have modified the single integrated plate of Maisotsenko et al. to include incorporating a TEG as suggested by Gaiser et al. because it would have provided for improved efficiency by using thermal energy in flowing fluid for electric energy generation.
Maisotsenko et al., as modified above, discloses wherein a heat flux generated by evaporative cooling within the second channel and the resulting transfer of heat between the second channel and the first channel is converted to energy (see Fig. 9 and see, for example [0083] of Maisotsenko et al., as modified above to include the TEGs suggested by Gaiser et al.).
With regard to claims 3 and 4, Maisotsenko et al. discloses a heat exchanger comprising:
a first channel (3, Fig. 9), the first channel comprising:
a first inlet proximate a first end of the first channel, the first inlet configured to intake a first heat transferring fluid (such as a first inlet proximate a first top end of the cited first channel 3, Fig. 9; see for example [0109] teaching a first heat transferring fluid such as working air 4 within first channel 3); and
a first outlet proximate a second end of the first channel, the first outlet configured to expel the first heat transferring fluid (such a first outlet proximate a second bottom end of the cited first channel 3, Fig. 9);
a second channel (5, Fig. 9), the second channel comprising:
a second inlet proximate a first end of the second channel, the second inlet configured to intake a second heat transferring fluid (such as a first inlet proximate a first bottom end of the cited second channel 5, Fig. 9; see for example [0109] teaching a second heat transferring fluid such as working air 4 within the cited second channel 5); and
a second outlet proximate a second end of the second channel, the second outlet configured to expel the second heat transferring fluid (such as a second outlet proximate a second top end of the cited second channel 5, Fig. 9), wherein
the first channel and second channel are separated by a single integrated plate (as depicted in Fig. 9, the cited first channel 3 and cited second channel 5 are separated by a single integrated plate 7/46) having
a first surface forming a wall of the first channel (as depicted in Fig. 9, the cited single integrated plate 7/46 has a first left surface at 46 forming a wall of the cited first channel 3) and
a second surface forming a wall of the second channel (as depicted in Fig. 9, the cited single integrated plate 7/46 has a second right surface at 7 forming a wall of the cited second channel 5); wherein
the first surface and second surface of the single integrated plate are thermally coupled (see Fig. 9); and wherein
the single integrated plate is the only solid material separating the first channel and second channel (as depicted in Fig. 9, the cited single integrated plate 7/46 is the only solid material horizontally separating the cited first channel 3 and cited second channel 5), wherein
the first channel comprises a dry channel (3, Fig. 9 and see [0036] teaching “Dry Channel-3”) and
a liquid is disposed along the walls of the second channel to form a wet channel (see 10 depicted in Fig. 9 as disposed along walls of the second channel 5 to form a wet channel; see [0063] “Wet Channel-5”); wherein
the second heat transferring fluid evaporates at least a portion of the liquid disposed along the walls of the second channel thereby reducing the temperature of the second surface of the integrated plate (as depicted in Fig. 9 and described in [0109], the cited second heat transferring fluid, recall working air 4 within the cited second channel 5, evaporates at least a portion of the liquid 10 disposed along the walls of the second channel 5 thereby reducing the temperature of the cited second right surface of the integrated plate 7/46); wherein
evaporation of the liquid transfers heat between the second surface of the integrated plate and first surface of the integrated plate such that reducing the temperature of the second surface of the integrated plate reduces the temperature of the first surface of the integrated plate and cools the first heat transferring fluid traversing the first channel to create a pre-cooled first heat transferring fluid (as depicted in Fig. 9 and described in [0109], evaporation of the liquid 10 transfers heat between the cited second right surface of the integrated plate 7/46 and the cited first left surface of the integrated plate 7/46 such that the cited reducing the temperature of the second right surface of the integrated plate 7/46 reduces the temperature of the cited first left surface of the integrated plate 7/46 and cools the cited first heat transferring fluid, recall working air 4 within first channel 3, traversing the first channel 3 to create a pre-cooled first heat transferring fluid as the cited first heat transferring fluid is cooled).
Maisotsenko et al. does not disclose wherein a thermoelectric generator is disposed between a wall of the first channel and adjacent wall of the second channel to form the shared, thermally coupled wall, the single integrated plate comprises a thermoelectric generator (TEG).
However, Gaiser et al. discloses a heat exchanger (see Abstract) and teaches between a first channel (such as a first channel formed within the interior space of 1 with flowing fluid in direction 10 depicted in Fig. 1B and annotated Fig. 1B below) and a second channel (such as a second channel formed within the interior space of 2 with flowing fluid in direction 20 depicted in Fig. 1B and annotated Fig. 1B below) a single integrated plate (as depicted in Fig. 1B and annotated Fig. 1B below, the cited first channel and cited second channel are separated by a single integrated plate), wherein a TEG is disposed along the second surface of the single integrated plate to contact the second heat transferring fluid (as depicted in Fig. 1 and annotated Fig. 1B below, a TEG at components 31/32/33, 41/42/43, 51/52/53, bottom horizontal portion of 1, and top horizontal potion of 2 is disposed along a second bottom surface 2 of the cited single integrated plate to contact a second heat transferring fluid flowing in direction 20), wherein the TEG forms the entirety of the single integrated plate (as depicted in Fig. 1 and annotated Fig. 1B below, the cited TEG, recall 31/32/33, 41/42/43, 51/52/53, bottom horizontal portion of 1, and top horizontal potion of 2, forms the entirety of the cited single integrated plate).
PNG
media_image1.png
443
724
media_image1.png
Greyscale
Annotated Fig. 1B
Gaiser et al. discloses the addition of the TEG provides for improved efficiency by using thermal energy in flowing fluid for electric energy generation (see [0002-0003]).
Thus, at the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have modified the single integrated plate of Maisotsenko et al. to include incorporating a TEG as suggested by Gaiser et al. because it would have provided for improved efficiency by using thermal energy in flowing fluid for electric energy generation.
Maisotsenko et al., as modified above, discloses wherein a heat flux generated by evaporative cooling within the second channel and the resulting transfer of heat between the second channel and the first channel is converted to energy (see Fig. 9 and see, for example [0083] of Maisotsenko et al., as modified above to include the TEGs suggested by Gaiser et al.).
With regard to claim 6, independent claim 1 is obvious over Maisotsenko et al. in view of Gaiser et al. under 35 U.S.C. 103 as discussed above. Maisotsenko et al. discloses wherein the heat exchanger further comprises
additional dry and wet channels arranged in an alternating pattern wherein a TEG is incorporated between walls of the wet and dry channels which form shared, thermally coupled walls (see Fig. 9a depicting additional dry and wet channels arranged in an alternating pattern, as modified above to include the TEGs suggested by Gaiser et al.).
With regard to claim 7, dependent claim 6 is obvious over Maisotsenko et al. in view of Gaiser et al. under 35 U.S.C. 103 as discussed above. Maisotsenko et al. discloses wherein
channels of the heat exchanger are comprised on rectangular prisms (see Fig. 9).
With regard to claim 8, Maisotsenko et al. discloses a heat exchanger comprising
an alternating series of wet and dry channels (see Fig. 9a depicting an alternating series of wet 5 and dry 3/1 channels), wherein
shared walls disposed between each of the alternating series of wet and dry channels (see Fig. 9a depicting shared walls 7/46 disposed between each of the alternating series of wet and dry channels),
each shared wall being thermally coupled (see Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a) and comprising
a first exposed surface forming a wall of a dry channel (such as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a, a first left exposed surface forming a wall of the cited dry channel 3) and
a second exposed surface forming a wall of an adjacent wet channel (such as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a, a second right exposed surface forming a wall of an adjacent wet channel 5), and
an integral sheet of material extending therebetween (such as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a, an integral sheet of material 7/46 extending therebetween), wherein
the second exposed surface of each wet channel is coated in a liquid such that the passage of fluid through each wet channel evaporates a portion of the liquid coated on the second exposed surface of each wet channel thereby reducing the temperature of the second exposed surface of each of the shared walls (as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a and described in [0109], the cited second right exposed surface of each wet channel 5 is coated in a liquid 10 such that the passage of fluid 4 through each wet channel evaporates a portion of the liquid 10 coated on the second right exposed surface of each wet channel 5 thereby reducing the temperature of the second right exposed surface of each of the shared walls 7/46); and wherein
the evaporation of the liquid transfers heat between the second exposed surface of each wet channel and the first exposed surface of each adjacent dry channel such that reducing the temperature of the second exposed surface of each wet channel reduces the temperature of the first exposed surface of each adjacent dry channel, thereby resulting in a transfer of heat from each dry channel through the shared wall to the wet channel (as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a and described in [0109], the evaporation of the liquid 10 transfers heat between the cited second right exposed surface of each wet channel 5 and the cited first left exposed surface of each adjacent dry channel 3 such that reducing the temperature of the second right exposed surface of each wet channel 5 reduces the temperature of the first left exposed surface of each adjacent dry channel 3, thereby resulting in a transfer of heat from each dry channel 3 through the shared wall 7/46 to the wet channel 5).
Maisotsenko et al. does not disclose a plurality of thermoelectric generators (TEGs).
However, Gaiser et al. discloses a heat exchanger (see Abstract) and teaches between a first channel (such as a first channel formed within the interior space of 1 with flowing fluid in direction 10 depicted in Fig. 1B) and a second channel (such as a second channel formed within the interior space of 2 with flowing fluid in direction 20 depicted in Fig. 1B) incorporating a thermoelectric generator (TEG) (see Fig. 1B and see [0080]).
Gaiser et al. discloses the addition of the TEG provides for improved efficiency by using thermal energy in flowing fluid for electric energy generation (see [0002-0003]).
Thus, at the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have modified each integral sheet of material of Maisotsenko et al. to include incorporating a TEG as suggested by Gaiser et al. because it would have provided for improved efficiency by using thermal energy in flowing fluid for electric energy generation.
Maisotsenko et al., as modified above, discloses the resulting transfer of heat from each dry channel 3 through the shared wall 7/46 and TEG to the wet channel 5, as modified above to include the TEG’s suggested by Gaiser et al., and a resulting heat flux is converted to energy (see Fig. 9 and see, for example [0083] of Maisotsenko et al., as modified above to include the TEGs suggested by Gaiser et al.).
With regard to claim 9, independent claim 8 is obvious over Maisotsenko et al. in view of Gaiser et al. under 35 U.S.C. 103 as discussed above. Maisotsenko et al. discloses wherein each dry channel comprises:
a first inlet proximate a first end of the first channel, the first inlet configured to intake a first heat transferring fluid (such as a first inlet proximate a first top end of the cited first channel 3 detailed in Fig. 9, as embodied in the embodiment of Fig. 9a; see for example [0109] teaching a first heat transferring fluid such as working air 4); and
a first outlet proximate a second end of the first channel, the first outlet configured to expel the first heat transferring fluid (such a first outlet proximate a second bottom end of the cited first channel 3 detailed in Fig. 9, as embodied in the embodiment of Fig. 9a); each of the wet channels comprising:
a second inlet proximate a first end of the second channel, the second inlet configured to intake a second heat transferring fluid (such as a first inlet proximate a first bottom end of the cited second channel 5 detailed in Fig. 9, as embodied in the embodiment of Fig. 9a; see for example [0109] teaching a second heat transferring fluid such as working air 4 within the cited second channel 5); and
a second outlet proximate a second end of the second channel, the second outlet configured to expel the second heat transferring fluid (such as a second outlet proximate a second top end of the cited second channel 5 detailed in Fig. 9, as embodied in the embodiment of Fig. 9a), wherein
the second heat transferring fluid interacts with the liquid to reduce a temperature on a wet channel side of the shared wall (see Fig. 9-9a and see for example [0083]).
With regard to claim 10, dependent claim 9 is obvious over Maisotsenko et al. in view of Gaiser et al. under 35 U.S.C. 103 as discussed above. Maisotsenko et al. discloses wherein
the channels of the heat exchanger are comprised on rectangular prisms (see Fig. 9).
With regard to claim 12, dependent claim 9 is obvious over Maisotsenko et al. in view of Gaiser et al. under 35 U.S.C. 103 as discussed above. Maisotsenko et al. discloses wherein
channels of the heat exchanger are comprised on metal (see [0052]).
With regard to claim 13, Maisotsenko et al. discloses a heat exchanger comprising
an alternating series of wet and dry channels (see Fig. 9a depicting an alternating series of wet 5 and dry 3/1 channels), wherein
shared walls disposed between each of the alternating series of wet and dry channels (see Fig. 9a depicting shared walls 7/46 disposed between each of the alternating series of wet and dry channels),
each shared wall being thermally coupled (see Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a) and comprising
a first exposed surface forming a wall of a dry channel (such as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a, a first left exposed surface forming a wall of the cited dry channel 3) and
a second exposed surface forming a wall of an adjacent wet channel (such as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a, a second right exposed surface forming a wall of an adjacent wet channel 5), and
an integral sheet of material extending therebetween (such as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a, an integral sheet of material 7/46 extending therebetween), wherein
the second exposed surface of each wet channel is coated in a liquid such that the passage of fluid through each wet channel evaporates a portion of the liquid coated on the second exposed surface of each wet channel thereby reducing the temperature of the second exposed surface of each of the shared walls (as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a and described in [0109], the cited second right exposed surface of each wet channel 5 is coated in a liquid 10 such that the passage of fluid 4 through each wet channel evaporates a portion of the liquid 10 coated on the second right exposed surface of each wet channel 5 thereby reducing the temperature of the second right exposed surface of each of the shared walls 7/46); and wherein
the evaporation of the liquid transfers heat between the second exposed surface of each wet channel and the first exposed surface of each adjacent dry channel such that reducing the temperature of the second exposed surface of each wet channel reduces the temperature of the first exposed surface of each adjacent dry channel, thereby resulting in a transfer of heat from each dry channel through the shared wall to the wet channel (as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a and described in [0109], the evaporation of the liquid 10 transfers heat between the cited second right exposed surface of each wet channel 5 and the cited first left exposed surface of each adjacent dry channel 3 such that reducing the temperature of the second right exposed surface of each wet channel 5 reduces the temperature of the first left exposed surface of each adjacent dry channel 3, thereby resulting in a transfer of heat from each dry channel 3 through the shared wall 7/46 to the wet channel 5).
Maisotsenko et al. does not disclose a plurality of thermoelectric generators (TEGs).
However, Gaiser et al. discloses a heat exchanger (see Abstract) and teaches between a first channel (such as a first channel formed within the interior space of 1 with flowing fluid in direction 10 depicted in Fig. 1B and annotated Fig. 1B below) and a second channel (such as a second channel formed within the interior space of 2 with flowing fluid in direction 20 depicted in Fig. 1B and annotated Fig. 1B below) a shared wall (as depicted in Fig. 1B and annotated Fig. 1B below, the cited first channel and cited second channel are separated by a single integrated plate/shared wall), wherein a TEG is embedded within the shared wall (as depicted in Fig. 1 and annotated Fig. 1B below, a TEG at components 31/32/33, 41/42/43, and 51/52/53 is embedded within the first top surface of 1 and the second bottom surface of 2 of the cited single integrated plate/shared wall).
PNG
media_image1.png
443
724
media_image1.png
Greyscale
Annotated Fig. 1B
Gaiser et al. discloses the addition of the TEG provides for improved efficiency by using thermal energy in flowing fluid for electric energy generation (see [0002-0003]).
Thus, at the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have modified each integral sheet of material of Maisotsenko et al. to include incorporating a TEG as suggested by Gaiser et al. because it would have provided for improved efficiency by using thermal energy in flowing fluid for electric energy generation.
Maisotsenko et al., as modified above, discloses the resulting transfer of heat from each dry channel 3 through the shared wall 7/46 and TEG to the wet channel 5, as modified above to include the TEG’s suggested by Gaiser et al., and a resulting heat flux is converted to energy (see Fig. 9 and see, for example [0083] of Maisotsenko et al., as modified above to include the TEGs suggested by Gaiser et al.).
With regard to claims 14 and 15, Maisotsenko et al. discloses a heat exchanger comprising
an alternating series of wet and dry channels (see Fig. 9a depicting an alternating series of wet 5 and dry 3/1 channels), wherein
shared walls disposed between each of the alternating series of wet and dry channels (see Fig. 9a depicting shared walls 7/46 disposed between each of the alternating series of wet and dry channels),
each shared wall being thermally coupled (see Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a) and comprising
a first exposed surface forming a wall of a dry channel (such as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a, a first left exposed surface forming a wall of the cited dry channel 3) and
a second exposed surface forming a wall of an adjacent wet channel (such as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a, a second right exposed surface forming a wall of an adjacent wet channel 5), and
an integral sheet of material extending therebetween (such as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a, an integral sheet of material 7/46 extending therebetween), wherein
the second exposed surface of each wet channel is coated in a liquid such that the passage of fluid through each wet channel evaporates a portion of the liquid coated on the second exposed surface of each wet channel thereby reducing the temperature of the second exposed surface of each of the shared walls (as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a and described in [0109], the cited second right exposed surface of each wet channel 5 is coated in a liquid 10 such that the passage of fluid 4 through each wet channel evaporates a portion of the liquid 10 coated on the second right exposed surface of each wet channel 5 thereby reducing the temperature of the second right exposed surface of each of the shared walls 7/46); and wherein
the evaporation of the liquid transfers heat between the second exposed surface of each wet channel and the first exposed surface of each adjacent dry channel such that reducing the temperature of the second exposed surface of each wet channel reduces the temperature of the first exposed surface of each adjacent dry channel, thereby resulting in a transfer of heat from each dry channel through the shared wall to the wet channel (as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a and described in [0109], the evaporation of the liquid 10 transfers heat between the cited second right exposed surface of each wet channel 5 and the cited first left exposed surface of each adjacent dry channel 3 such that reducing the temperature of the second right exposed surface of each wet channel 5 reduces the temperature of the first left exposed surface of each adjacent dry channel 3, thereby resulting in a transfer of heat from each dry channel 3 through the shared wall 7/46 to the wet channel 5).
Maisotsenko et al. does not disclose a plurality of thermoelectric generators (TEGs).
However, Gaiser et al. discloses a heat exchanger (see Abstract) and teaches between a first channel (such as a first channel formed within the interior space of 1 with flowing fluid in direction 10 depicted in Fig. 1B and annotated Fig. 1B below) and a second channel (such as a second channel formed within the interior space of 2 with flowing fluid in direction 20 depicted in Fig. 1B and annotated Fig. 1B below) a shared wall with a first surface (as depicted in Fig. 1B and annotated Fig. 1B below, the cited first channel and cited second channel are separated by a single integrated plate/shared wall with a first top surface of the cited single integrated plate/shared wall), wherein the TEG forms the entirety of the shared walls (as depicted in Fig. 1 and annotated Fig. 1B below, a TEG, at components 31/32/33, 41/42/43, 51/52/53, bottom horizontal portion of 1, and top horizontal potion of 2, forms the entirety of the cited single integrated plate/shared wall), wherein the TEGs are disposed along the first surface of each shared wall (as depicted in Fig. 1 and annotated Fig. 1B below, the TEG, recall components 31/32/33, 41/42/43, 51/52/53, bottom horizontal portion of 1, and top horizontal potion of 2, are disposed along the cited first top surface of each shared wall).
PNG
media_image1.png
443
724
media_image1.png
Greyscale
Annotated Fig. 1B
Gaiser et al. discloses the addition of the TEG provides for improved efficiency by using thermal energy in flowing fluid for electric energy generation (see [0002-0003]).
Thus, at the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have modified each integral sheet of material of Maisotsenko et al. to include incorporating a TEG as suggested by Gaiser et al. because it would have provided for improved efficiency by using thermal energy in flowing fluid for electric energy generation.
Maisotsenko et al., as modified above, discloses the resulting transfer of heat from each dry channel 3 through the shared wall 7/46 and TEG to the wet channel 5, as modified above to include the TEG’s suggested by Gaiser et al., and a resulting heat flux is converted to energy (see Fig. 9 and see, for example [0083] of Maisotsenko et al., as modified above to include the TEGs suggested by Gaiser et al.).
With regard to claims 16 and 17, dependent claim 9 is obvious over Maisotsenko et al. in view of Gaiser et al. under 35 U.S.C. 103 as discussed above. Maisotsenko et al. discloses wherein
the TEGs connect to an electrical wire which transfers energy from the TEGs to fans to improve movement of the first and second heat transferring fluids through the wet and dry channels (see 74/11, Fig. 9; while Maisotsenko et al. teaches fans and TEGs, as modified by Gaiser et al. above, modified Maisotsenko et al. doesn’t teach connecting the TEGs to a wire to power the cited fans; however, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have powered the cited fans in the heat exchanger of Maisotsenko et al., as modified by Gaiser et al. above, with the cited TEGs because it would have provided for an on device power source).
With regard to claim 18, Maisotsenko et al. discloses a method of generating electricity to improve heat exchanger efficiency, the method comprising the steps of:
drawing a first heat transfer fluid through inlets of a plurality of dry channels and discharging the first heat transfer fluid through outlets of the dry channels; drawing a second heat transfer fluid through inlets of a plurality of wet channels and discharging the second heat transfer fluid through outlets of the wet channels (see Fig. 9a depicting an alternating series of wet 5 and dry 3/1 channels with corresponding inlets for drawing, outlets for discharging, and first/second heat transfer fluid 4 within each channel), wherein
a surface of a wall of each wet channel and a surface of a wall of each dry channel are joined together to form a shared thermally coupled wall (see Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a a right surface of a wall 7/46 of each wet channel 5 and a left surface of a wall 7/46 of each dry channel 3 are joined together to form a shared thermally coupled wall 7/46);
a passage of the second heat transfer fluid through the wet channels evaporates liquid within the wet channels to cool the surfaces of the wet channels (as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a and described in [0109], a passage of the cited second heat transfer fluid through the wet channels 5 evaporates liquid 10 within the wet channels 5 to cool the surfaces of the wet channels 5) and
the evaporation of liquid transfer heat between the surfaces of the wet channels and surfaces of the dry channels forming the shared thermally coupled wall such that reducing temperature of the surfaces of the wet channels of the shared thermally coupled walls reduces the temperature of the surfaces of the dry channels of the shared thermally coupled walls (as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a and described in [0109], the evaporation of liquid 10 transfers heat between the surfaces of the wet channels 5 and surfaces of the dry channels 3 forming the shared thermally coupled wall 7/46 such that reducing temperature of the surfaces of the wet channels 5 of the shared thermally coupled walls 7/46 reduces the temperature of the surfaces of the dry channels 3 of the shared thermally coupled walls 7/46); and
the dry channels transfer heat to the wet channels (as depicted in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9a and described in [0109], the dry channels 3 transfer heat to the wet channels 5). and generate energy as a heat flux passes through the TEG.
Maisotsenko et al. does not disclose wherein the shared thermally coupled wall comprises a thermoelectric generator (TEG).
However, Gaiser et al. discloses a heat exchanger (see Abstract) and teaches between a first channel (such as a first channel formed within the interior space of 1 with flowing fluid in direction 10 depicted in Fig. 1B) and a second channel (such as a second channel formed within the interior space of 2 with flowing fluid in direction 20 depicted in Fig. 1B) incorporating a thermoelectric generator (TEG) (see Fig. 1B and see [0080]).
Gaiser et al. discloses the addition of the TEG provides for improved efficiency by using thermal energy in flowing fluid for electric energy generation (see [0002-0003]).
Thus, at the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have modified the shared thermally coupled wall of Maisotsenko et al. to include incorporating a TEG as suggested by Gaiser et al. because it would have provided for improved efficiency by using thermal energy in flowing fluid for electric energy generation.
Maisotsenko et al., as modified above, discloses the dry channels 3 transfer heat to the wet channels 5 and generate energy as a heat flux passes through the TEG (see Fig. 9-9a and see for example [0083]; as modified above to include the TEGs suggested by Gaiser et al.).
With regard to claims 19 and 20, independent claim 18 is obvious over Maisotsenko et al. in view of Gaiser et al. under 35 U.S.C. 103 as discussed above. Maisotsenko et al. discloses wherein
the TEGs connect to an electrical wire which transfers energy from the TEGs to fans to improve a movement of the first and second heat transferring fluids through the wet and dry channels (see 74/11, Fig. 9; while Maisotsenko et al. teaches fans and TEGs, as modified by Gaiser et al. above, modified Maisotsenko et al. doesn’t teach connecting the TEGs to a wire to power the cited fans; however, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have powered the cited fans in the heat exchanger of Maisotsenko et al., as modified by Gaiser et al. above, with the cited TEGs because it would have provided for an on device power source).
Claim(s) 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Maisotsenko et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2002/0038552 A1) in view of Gaiser et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2017/0358727 A1), and in further view of Koizumi et al. (U.S. Pub. No. 2020/0179867 A1).
With regard to claim 11, dependent claim 9 is obvious over Maisotsenko et al. in view of Gaiser et al. under 35 U.S.C. 103 as discussed above.
Maisotsenko et al. does not disclose wherein channels of the heat exchanger are comprised of cylinders.
However, the change in shape