Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 28, 2026
Application No. 18/277,004

ENERGY-SAVING ARRANGEMENT FOR TWIN-SCREW SHIPS

Final Rejection §112
Filed
Aug 11, 2023
Priority
Feb 24, 2021 — DE 20 2021 100 922.5 +1 more
Examiner
AVILA, STEPHEN P
Art Unit
3615
Tech Center
3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce
Assignee
Becker Marine Systems GmbH
OA Round
2 (Final)
80%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
90%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 80% — above average
80%
Career Allowance Rate
1549 granted / 1929 resolved
+28.3% vs TC avg
Moderate +10% lift
Without
With
+10.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
1y 11m
Avg Prosecution
42 currently pending
Career history
1963
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.2%
-38.8% vs TC avg
§103
65.1%
+25.1% vs TC avg
§102
10.0%
-30.0% vs TC avg
§112
9.2%
-30.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1929 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 . Claims 1, 3-5, 8 and 10-13 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. In claim 1, there is no antecedent basis in the claim for “the watercraft” (line 4). The use of “preferably” (line 16) and “particularly preferred” (line 16) in claim 1 is indefinite. Further in claim 1, “45% and 55%” (line 15) and “50%” (line 16) are indefinite range within ranges. In claim 13, line 5, there is no antecedent basis for “the watercraft”. With respect to claim 3, line 4, claim 13, line 1, the use of “in particular” defines an indefinite range within a range. Further the language of claim 3, last 2 lines, claim 8, lines 2-3, lines, claim 12, lines 2-3, define indefinite alternate structure. In claims 5, 13, the use of “preferably” and “particularly preferred” and the range within a range language is indefinite. Claim 8 is further rejected for being dependent on canceled claim 6. Applicant's arguments filed 1/29/26 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. It is noted that Applicant has not provided any arguments against the 112 rejections so the 112 rejections are deemed to be proper. Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STEPHEN AVILA whose telephone number is (571)272-6678. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Thu 6-4. 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, Samuel J. Morano can be reached at 571-272-6684. 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. STEPHEN AVILA Primary Examiner Art Unit 3617 /STEPHEN P AVILA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3615
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 11, 2023
Application Filed
Nov 14, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
Jan 29, 2026
Response Filed
Feb 26, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §112
Apr 23, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12640615
OUTBOARD ENGINE
3y 3m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12623764
OUTBOARD MOTOR AND MARINE VESSEL
2y 9m to grant Granted May 12, 2026
Patent 12617513
OUTBOARD MARINE ENGINE WITH INTEGRATED PERCEPTION SENSOR
3y 0m to grant Granted May 05, 2026
Patent 12606285
UNMANNED UNDERWATER VEHICLE AND SYSTEM FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF UNDERWATER FACILITIES AND METHOD OF MANAGING A TETHER TO SUPPLY POWER AND TO CONTROL SAID UNDERWATER VEHICLE
2y 11m to grant Granted Apr 21, 2026
Patent 12606287
OUTBOARD MOTOR AND MARINE VESSEL
3y 3m to grant Granted Apr 21, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
80%
Grant Probability
90%
With Interview (+10.1%)
1y 11m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 1929 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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