Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/264,037

THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF A BATTERY MODULE AND OF A BATTERY PACK

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Aug 02, 2023
Examiner
BARCENA, CARLOS
Art Unit
1723
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
Aurora Powertrains OY
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
80%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 10m
To Grant
93%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 80% — above average
80%
Career Allow Rate
883 granted / 1101 resolved
+15.2% vs TC avg
Moderate +12% lift
Without
With
+12.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 10m
Avg Prosecution
38 currently pending
Career history
1139
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.5%
-39.5% vs TC avg
§103
44.4%
+4.4% vs TC avg
§102
27.4%
-12.6% vs TC avg
§112
19.7%
-20.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1101 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
CTNF 18/264,037 CTNF 85942 DETAILED ACTION Claim Objections 07-29-01 AIA Claim 11is objected to because of the following informalities: grammar. In claim 11, Applicant recited “…which is part of other bent…”. It is understood Applicant is trying to avoid lack of antecedent basis by not using “the”. Here, part of the other bent (as original) may be replaced with… which is part of another bent, vertical sections of the thermal fins . Appropriate correction is required. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 07-30-02 AIA 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. 07-34-01 Claims 1-14 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. 07-34-03 AIA The term “ thin ” in claim 1 (line 4) and claim 9 (line 2) is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “ thin ” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. For example, an express value or range may be provided and/or made relative to something else . 07-34-03 AIA The term “ relatively thin ” in claim 7 (line 2) is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “ relatively thin ” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. For example, an express value or range may be provided and/or made relative to something else . 07-34-03 AIA The term “ substantial gap ” in claim 8 (line 4) is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “ substantial gap ” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. In is uncertain how big or small the gaps may be. An express value or range may be provided . Allowable Subject Matter 07-43-01 AIA Claim s 1-14 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action. 13-03-01 AIA The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: no prior art was found teaching or disclosing the combinations of limitations as recited in claim 1. While features of claim 1 are known in the art like thermally conductive plates between cells terminating in a fin portion and controller capable of monitoring temperature ( e.g. , Buck, US 2008/0090137), the prior art does teach each element of the claims in a single reference, or makes obvious with a combination of references . Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CARLOS BARCENA whose telephone number is (571)270-5780. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 8-5 pm. 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, Tong Guo can be reached at (571)272-3066. 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. /CARLOS BARCENA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1723 Application/Control Number: 18/264,037 Page 2 Art Unit: 1723 Application/Control Number: 18/264,037 Page 3 Art Unit: 1723 Application/Control Number: 18/264,037 Page 4 Art Unit: 1723
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 02, 2023
Application Filed
Feb 19, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

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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
80%
Grant Probability
93%
With Interview (+12.5%)
2y 10m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1101 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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