Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/283,500

ULTRA LOW NOx BURNER

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Sep 22, 2023
Examiner
LAUX, DAVID J
Art Unit
3762
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Mme Engineering E U
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
65%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
3y 1m
To Grant
93%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 65% of resolved cases
65%
Career Allow Rate
543 granted / 838 resolved
-5.2% vs TC avg
Strong +29% interview lift
Without
With
+28.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 1m
Avg Prosecution
19 currently pending
Career history
857
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.7%
-39.3% vs TC avg
§103
49.7%
+9.7% vs TC avg
§102
17.4%
-22.6% vs TC avg
§112
25.8%
-14.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 838 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
CTNF 18/283,500 CTNF 86281 DETAILED ACTION Application Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. This action is in response to Applicant’s submission dated 09/22/2023. Claim(s) 1–18 are pending. 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 1–18 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. 07-34-09 Regarding claim 1, the phrase "dome-like" renders the claim(s) indefinite because the claim(s) include(s) elements not actually disclosed (those encompassed by "-like"), thereby rendering the scope of the claim(s) unascertainable. See MPEP § 2173.05(d). Appropriate action is required. 07-34-08 Regarding claims 1, 14, & 18, the phrase "optionally" renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitation(s) following the phrase are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d). Appropriate action is required. 07-34-08 Regarding claims 1, 3–5, & 15, the phrase "preferably" renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitation(s) following the phrase are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d). Appropriate action is required. Allowable Subject Matter 07-43-01 AIA Claim s 1–18 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: the prior art does not appear to disclose or fairly suggest a burner having a fuel feed line and primary and secondary air feed lines, wherein the secondary air feed line is comprised of three concentric cylindrical tubes and protrudes into a hot gas zone, wherein the middle tube is closed off towards the outer zone and has overflow channels that open toward the outermost tube, wherein the outermost tube has adjustable swirl vanes, and wherein first and second dead volume exists between the secondary air feed line and the fuel feed line, in combination with the remaining claim elements . Conclusion 07-96 AIA The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure : see attached PTO-892. Applicant is encouraged to review the cited references prior to submitting a response to this office action . Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID J LAUX whose telephone number is (571)270-7619. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30-5:30 M-F. 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, Steven B McAllister can be reached at (571) 272-6785. 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. /DAVID J LAUX/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3762 March 4, 2026 Application/Control Number: 18/283,500 Page 2 Art Unit: 3762 Application/Control Number: 18/283,500 Page 3 Art Unit: 3762
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Sep 22, 2023
Application Filed
Mar 04, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 17, 2026
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Patent 12571589
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2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
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
65%
Grant Probability
93%
With Interview (+28.6%)
3y 1m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 838 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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