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 of Group I, claims 1-13 in the reply filed on 3/23/2026 is acknowledged. Because applicant did not distinctly and specifically point out the supposed errors in the restriction requirement, the election has been treated as an election without traverse (MPEP § 818.01(a)).
Claims 14-20 are withdrawn from consideration.
Full consideration was given to claims 1-13.
In light of the election, process claims that include all limitations of an allowable product claims for the process will be rejoined.
Information Disclosure Statement
An Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) has not been filed as of the mailing of this Office Action.
Drawings
The drawings received 6/15/2023 are acceptable for examination purposes.
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)(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.
Claims 1-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a1) as being anticipated by Kwon (US 2011/0052960).
Regarding claim 1, Kwon discloses an expansion panel for installation against a battery cell in a battery assembly, the expansion panel comprising: two plates 12, wherein at least one plate is arranged to face the battery cell; and a spring layer 17 between the two plates. Figure 4.
Regarding claim 2, the spring layer is arranged to store elastic potential energy when it is compressed [0055].
Regarding claim 3, the expansion panel is arranged to apply a predetermined pressure to the battery cell [0067].
Regarding claim 4, the expansion panel is arranged to accommodate expansion and contraction of the battery cell during a charge/discharge cycle [0067].
Regarding claim 5, the spring layer comprises a mechanical spring mechanism [0067].
Regarding claim 6, the spring layer comprises a corrugated layer of elastic material [0067].
Regarding claim 7, the spring layer comprises an array of springs [0067-0070].
Regarding claim 8, the spring layer is arranged to apply different pressures to different areas of the battery cell. It is noted that the protrusions 21 have various shapes, such as a sphere or a hemisphere [0068] such that different pressures may be applied to each protrusion.
Regarding claim 9, each plate comprises a sheet of metal [0056, 0080].
Regarding claim 10, the two plates 12 are at least partially connected to at least partially enclose the spring layer. Fig. 4.
Regarding claim 11, the spring layer comprises channels which allow a flow of coolant through an interior of the expansion panel [0057].
Regarding claim 12, the expansion panel comprises at least one port arranged to supply coolant to an interior of the expansion panel. The side openings of each cooling conduit reads on Applicant’s “port”. Figure 4.
Regarding claim 14, the expansion panel is arranged to provide a flame barrier between battery cells in the battery assembly, it is noted that the cooling conduit 12 is a barrier and hence, its presence naturally forms to provide a flame barrier between battery cells.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CYNTHIA KYUNG SOO WALLS whose telephone number is (571)272-8699. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F until 5pm.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jonathan Leong can be reached at 571-270-1292. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CYNTHIA K WALLS/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1751
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