DETAILED ACTION
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 .
This Office Action is in response to papers filed on 2/24/2026. Amendments made to the claims and the Applicant's remarks have been entered and considered.
Claims 1, 3, 5-8, 10, 12 have been amended. Claims 2, 16-20 are cancelled. Claims 21-24 are newly added.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 2/24/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
The Applicant argued that as shown in Figures 1 and 6 of Naderer, the part (15) is housed within a casing (17) and is axially spaced apart from the stator core. Thus, there is no contact between the connection part (15) and the stator core in D1. Indeed, in Naderer, the hydraulic connection piece (15) has a "suspended" mounting configuration that radically distinguishes it from amended Claim 1 for the following reasons:
- No contact with the core: The piece (15) is located at an axial distance from the stator core (2). There is no direct physical interface between the end face of the stator and this part.
- Exclusive support by the conductors: The part (15) is held in position mainly by the end sections (8) of the rigid hollow conductors (hairpins) that pass through it via passage openings (36). These conductors serve as axial support "pillars" for the part (15).
- Fastening via the housing: The part (15) is housed inside a housing cover (17).
- Added sealing: Naderer requires the use of cover plates (42) and the injection of a sealant into grooves (37) to compensate for the clearance between the conductors and the added part (15). In contrast, amended Claim 1 recites that the compensation body is integrally formed on the stator core. Thus, the compensation body is fixed, for example molded, onto the stator core and directly touches the stator core on the end side. This structural integration allows the compensation body to be mechanically supported by the end side of the stator core against undesired axial movements. Because Naderer lacks a fluid-carrying body formed integrally on and in direct contact with the stator core, Naderer fails to anticipate the subject matter of Claim 1.
This argument is not persuasive because there is no description in Naderer (DE 102018129230 A1) of a space between the stator 2 and the connection part 15 nor is a space shown in the drawings between 15 and 2. Furthermore, Websters dictionary defines integral to mean “formed as a unit with another part”. Naderer shows the connection part 15 is formed as a unit with the stator 2 by welding the ends 8 of the winding 5 to the contact plate 39 of the connection part 15. The windings 5 are on and in the stator 2 and therefore the connection part 15, the windings 5 and the stator 2 are formed as a unit or integral.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1, 3-9, 12, 21-22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Naderer (DE 102018129230 A1, see US 2022/0021260 A1 for translation).
As to claim 1, Naderer shows (FIG. 1) A stator device for an electric machine, comprising
a stator core 2 which has an axial end side;
a plurality of hollow conductors 5 which each
pass through the stator core 2 axially,
have an outer section protruding from the stator core 2 on the end side and
are designed to conduct a temperature control fluid in their interior; and
a compensation body 15, which forms a plurality of separated fluid channels 31,32, each of which connects to the outer section of one of the hollow conductors 5 in order to conduct the temperature control fluid between an opening of the fluid channel 31,32 and the interior of the hollow conductor 5,
wherein the compensation body 15 is integrally formed on the stator core 2 (para[0060],[0064],[0091], the connection part 15 is fixed to the stator through the winding pieces 5 para[0083]).
As to claim 3/1, Naderer further shows (FIG. 1) the compensation body 15 adjoins the stator core 2 flush radially on at least one of an inside and outside of the stator core 2 (FIG. 1).
As to claim 4/1, Naderer further shows (FIG. 6) the compensation body 15 extends in the axial direction pointing away from the stator core 2 beyond a free end of the outer section of a respective hollow conductor 5.
As to claim 5/1, Naderer further shows (FIG. 10a) a fluid chamber 46, into which a respective opening of at least part of the fluid channels 31,32 opens and which connects the openings of the fluid channels 31,32 to one another in a fluid-conducting manner (input 46 and output 35 connect to a coolant circuit para[0085]).
As to claim 6/5/1, Naderer further shows (FIG. 1) a housing part 17 which forms an axial boundary, a radially inner boundary and a radially outer boundary of the fluid chamber 46 and rests on the compensation body 15 (housing all components para[0063]).
As to claim 7/6/5/1, Naderer further shows (FIG. 10a) a second fluid chamber 35, into which a respective opening of a second part of the fluid channels 31,32 opens, which connects the openings of the second part of the fluid channels 31,32 to one another in a fluid-conducting manner and which, on the end side, is separated from the first fluid chamber 46 in at least a liquid-tight manner (input 46 and output 35 connect to a coolant circuit para[0085]).
As to claim 8/7/6/5/1, Naderer further shows (FIG. 1) the housing part 17 forms an axial boundary, a radially inner boundary and a radially outer boundary of the second fluid chamber 35 (housing all components para[0063]).
As to claim 9/6/5/1, Naderer further shows (FIG. 1) a second housing part 13, which radially surrounds the stator core 2 and to which the first housing part 17 is fastened, the compensation body 15 being integrally formed on the second housing part 13 (the compensation body 15, the stator core 2 and the housing 13 are all fixed to each other para[0063]).
As to claim 12, Naderer shows (FIG. 1) A method for producing a stator device, as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
providing a stator core 2, which has an axial end side, and a plurality of hollow conductors 5, each of which axially passes through the stator core 2, has an outer section protruding from the stator core 2 on the end side, and is designed to conduct a temperature control fluid in its interior; and
forming a compensation body 15, which forms a plurality of separated fluid channels 31.32, each of which connects to the outer section of one of the hollow conductors 5 in order to guide the temperature control fluid between an opening of the fluid channel 31,32 and the interior of the hollow conductor 5 (para[0060],[0064],[0091]).
As to claim 21, Naderer shows (FIG. 1) A stator device for an electric machine, comprising
a stator core 2 which has an axial end side;
a plurality of hollow conductors 5 which each
pass through the stator core 2 axially,
have an outer section protruding from the stator core 2 on the end side and
are designed to conduct a temperature control fluid in their interior; and
a compensation body 15, which forms a plurality of separated fluid channels 31,32, each of which connects to the outer section of one of the hollow conductors 5 in order to conduct the temperature control fluid between an opening of the fluid channel 31,32 and the interior of the hollow conductor 5,
wherein each fluid channel 31,32 is arranged to form an axial continuation of the interior of the respective hollow conductor 5 (para[0060],[0064],[0091], channels 31,32 supply coolant to or collect coolant from individual winding pieces 5 through the end sections 8 para[0080]).
As to claim 22, Naderer shows (FIG. 1) A method for producing a stator device, in particular as claimed in claim 21, comprising the following steps:
providing a stator core 2, which has an axial end side, and a plurality of hollow conductors 5, each of which axially passes through the stator core 2, has an outer section protruding from the stator core 2 on the end side, and is designed to conduct a temperature control fluid in its interior; and
forming a compensation body 15, which forms a plurality of separated fluid channels 31.32, each of which connects to the outer section of one of the hollow conductors 5 in order to guide the temperature control fluid between an opening of the fluid channel 31,32 and the interior of the hollow conductor 5 (para[0060],[0064],[0091]).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim(s) 14-15 and 23-24 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Naderer (DE 102018129230 A1, see for US 2022/0021260 A1 translation) in view of Nilsson (US 2021/0036567 A1).
As to claims 14/1 and 23/21, Naderer was discussed above with respect to claims 1 and 21, and Naderer further shows (FIG. 1) a stator device 2 as claimed in claims 1 and 21, and a rotor 3 rotatably mounted in the stator core 2 (para [0060]).
Naderer does not show the electric machine is designed to drive an electrically drivable vehicle.
Nilsson shows the electric machine is designed to drive an electrically drivable vehicle (para[0002]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the electric machine of Naderer to have the electric machine is designed to drive an electrically drivable vehicle as taught by Nilsson, for the advantageous benefit of providing torque to an electrical vehicle as taught by Nilsson (para[0002]).
As to claim 15/14/1 and 24/23/21, Naderer in view of Nilsson was discussed above with respect to claims 14 and 23 except for a vehicle, comprising an electric machine as claimed in claim 14 or 23.
Nilsson shows a vehicle, comprising an electric machine (para[0002]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the electric machine of Naderer in view of Nilsson to have vehicle, comprising an electric machine as claimed in claim 14 or 23 as taught by Nilsson, for the advantageous benefit of providing torque to an electrical vehicle as taught by Nilsson (para[0002]).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 10, 11 are allowed.
Claim 13 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the prior art does not show or suggest the tool for forming a compensation body as recited in claims 10, 13. Dependent claim 11 is allowed for the same reason as claim 10.
Conclusion
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 ROBERT E MATES whose telephone number is (571)270-5293. The examiner can normally be reached M to F 12:00pm to 8pm.
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/ROBERT E MATES/Examiner, Art Unit 2834
/TULSIDAS C PATEL/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2834
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