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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
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.
Claims 2-3 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.
A broad range or limitation together with a narrow range or limitation that falls within the broad range or limitation (in the same claim) may be considered indefinite if the resulting claim does not clearly set forth the metes and bounds of the patent protection desired. See MPEP § 2173.05(c). In the present instance:
claims 2, 12 recites the broad recitation greater than or equal to 400 V, and the claim also recites greater than or equal to 10,000 V, which is the narrower statement of the range/limitation.
claims 3, 13 recites the broad recitation greater than or equal to 200° C, and the claim also recites greater than or equal to 700° C, which is the narrower statement of the range/limitation.
The claim(s) are considered indefinite because there is a question or doubt as to whether the feature introduced by such narrower language is (a) merely exemplary of the remainder of the claim, and therefore not required, or (b) a required feature of the claims.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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.
Claim(s) 1-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Mortensen et al (US 2021/0113983).
Regarding claims 1-2, Mortensen discloses, Fig 1a shows a plurality of heating tubes 5, as the current flows through the structures 5 (See Paragraph [0126]) with tube being arranged in parallel meaning the fluid flow would be parallel.
a plurality of electrical connections electrically connecting the plurality of heating tubes, wherein the plurality of electrical connections electrically connects the plurality of heating tubes in series; and (Fig 4 shows a plurality of electrical connections connecting the plurality of heating tubes in series. See Paragraph [0116])
an electrical power source electrically connected to the plurality of electrical connections and configured to supply a voltage to the plurality of electrical connections, the voltage being greater than or equal to 100 volts. (The power source is connected to the rails 41 and supplies a power of 792 V. See Paragraphs [0091], [0158]) Regarding claim 3, the tube 5, temperature is increased to greater than or equal to 200° C, or greater than or equal to 700° C. (See Paragraph [0047]) Regarding claim 4, the electrical resistance would vary between the tubes at some degree as no material is constructed perfectly. Applicant fails to set forth the parameters for the resistance varying throughout the tube. The same reasoning applies for claims 5 and 6. Regarding claim 7, the device is a steam furnace for cracking. (See Paragraph [0004]) Regarding claim 8, one embodiment is a steam methane reformer. (See Paragraph [0029]) Regarding claim 9, the device may also be used for hydrocarbon dehydrogenation. (See Paragraph [0029]) Regarding claim 10, pretreated feed gas (claim does not specify how the hydrocarbon is pretreated, but it would be in some manner. See Paragraph [0119], Fig 3A)
Regarding claim 11-12, Mortensen discloses, Fig 1a shows a plurality of heating tubes 5, as the current flows through the structures 5 (See Paragraph [0126]) with tube being arranged in parallel meaning the fluid flow would be parallel. a plurality of electrical connections electrically connecting the plurality of heating tubes, wherein the plurality of electrical connections electrically connects the plurality of heating tubes in series; and (Fig 4 shows a plurality of electrical connections connecting the plurality of heating tubes in series. See Paragraph [0116]) an electrical power source electrically connected to the plurality of electrical connections and configured to supply a voltage to the plurality of electrical connections, the voltage being greater than or equal to 100 volts. (The power source is connected to the rails 41 and supplies a power of 792 V. See Paragraphs [0091], [0158]) Regarding claims 13 and 19, the tube 5, temperature is increased to greater than or equal to 200° C, or greater than or equal to 700° C. (See Paragraph [0047]) Regarding claim 14, the voltage would generate one temperature profile. Regarding claims 16-18, the feed is a hydrocarbon feed. (See Paragraph [0029]). Regarding claim 20, Regarding claim 10, pretreated feed gas (claim does not specify how the hydrocarbon is pretreated, but it would be in some manner. See Paragraph [0119], Fig 3A)
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BRIAN W JENNISON whose telephone number is (571)270-5930. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 9-5.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Ibrahime Abraham can be reached at 571-270-5569. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/BRIAN W JENNISON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3761 7/19/2026
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