Last updated: August 17, 2026

Application No. 18/285,383

BLOCKING DEVICE FOR THE RECIRCULATION LOOP IN A FUEL CELL STACK

Non-Final OA

Filed

Oct 02, 2023

Priority

Apr 07, 2021 — DE 10 2021 108 577.2 +1 more

Examiner

SLIFKA, COLIN W

Art Unit

1732

Tech Center

1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering

Assignee

Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +16.9% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (67%); +16.9% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 888 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

SLIFKA, COLIN W View full profile →

Grants 67% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

593 granted / 888 resolved

+1.8% vs TC avg

Strong +17% interview lift

Without

With

+16.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 3m

Avg Prosecution

24 currently pending

Career history

899

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.8%

-39.2% vs TC avg

§103

54.3%

+14.3% vs TC avg

§102

11.3%

-28.7% vs TC avg

§112

25.1%

-14.9% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 888 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 02, 2023

Application Filed

Jul 08, 2026

Request for Continued Examination

Jul 13, 2026

Response after Non-Final Action

Jul 17, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/041,685

Patent 12706320

CLAMPING AND HOLDING APPARATUS

3y 5m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026

18/085,919

Patent 12692824

CATALYTIC DECOMPOSITION REACTORS

3y 7m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026

18/226,578

Patent 12695165

BATTERY PACK

3y 0m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026

18/266,806

Patent 12695096

CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL DISPERSION, COATING AND SECONDARY BATTERY

3y 1m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026

18/525,418

Patent 12692578

COMPOSITIONAL VARIATIONS OF TUNGSTEN TETRABORIDE WITH TRANSITION METALS AND LIGHT ELEMENTS

2y 8m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

67%

Grant Probability

84%

With Interview (+16.9%)

3y 3m (~5m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 888 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.