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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see page 8, filed 04/29/2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1, 5 under 35 USC 102 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of Reyzin et al. (US 7,475,718), herein after Reyzin.
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).
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.
Claim(s) 1-5, 8-12, 15-19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Mathews et al. (US 2021/0021077), herein after Mathews, and Reyzin (US 7,475,718).
Regarding claim 1, Mathews discloses a charge port (the assembly 10, serves a charging port of an electrically propelled vehicle, paragraph [0054]) comprising: a plug housing (16, fig. 2);
a direct current terminal electrically coupled to the plug housing (hereinafter referred to as the housing 16, that defines a cavity 18 in which the DC terminals 14 are disposed, paragraph [0055]); and
a subassembly coupled to the direct current terminal, the subassembly comprising: a cartridge filled with a phase change material (the cavity 18 (having the terminals 14) may be filled with a dielectric phase changing material (PCM), paragraph [0062]); and
an enhancer comprising a top portion and a bottom portion wherein the bottom portion is embedded within the phase change material ((cover 500 has the base (bottom portion embedded within the PCM),fig. 2 paragraph [0064]Note: The cover 500 is formed of a thermally conductive material such an aluminum or copper based material, paragraph [0061] which enhanced the thermal conductivity as required)) and the top portion extends beyond the cartridge into ambient (heat is gradually released through the cover 500 as the PCM changes from the liquid state back to the solid state, paragraph [0062] where the top portion of cover 500 is extended beyond the cavity 18 in to ambient, fig. 15).
Although, Mathew discloses a charge port with a plug housing and enhancer with the cooling effect to keep the temperature of the charge port stable. However, Mathew is silent about an enhancer in the form of a continuous piece, wherein the top portion of the enhancer comprises a first plurality of fins extending radially from the enhancer, and wherein the bottom portion comprises a second plurality of fins extending radially from the enhancer.
Reyzin discloses an enhancer in the form of chamber to remove the heat from the electronic devices such as charge ports (abstract, Col. 3, line 66). Reyzin further discloses an enhancer in the form of a continuous piece (the bottom part attached to the shroud 52, fig. 1), wherein the top portion of the enhancer comprises a first plurality of fins extending radially from the enhancer (top fins 40 extended radially, fig. 1; Col. 3, lines 1-4), and wherein the bottom portion comprises a second plurality of fins extending radially from the enhancer (the bottom or the side fins 36 extended radially, figs. 1, 4; Col. 2, lines 60-64).
It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art, before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Mathew’s charge port enhancer to include radially extended fins as taught by Reyzin, in order to increase the surface area available for heat transfer and provide multiple conduction paths from the heat generating charge plug to the phase change material. This promotes more uniform heat distribution throughout the phase change material, improves utilization of the phase change material volume, reduces localized hot spots, and enhances the overall cooling efficiency of the charge plug device.
Regarding claim 2, Mathews further discloses a thermoelectric device in contact with the enhancer (202 combined with cover 500, fig. 2, paragraph [0058]).
Regarding claim 3, Mathews further discloses a heat sink on a surface of the thermoelectric device (202 is attached with the cover 200, fig. 9 where 200 cover configuration includes active thermal management mechanisms such as one or more thermoelectric cooling plates (used as the heat sink), paragraph [0056]).
Regarding claim 4, Mathews further discloses a controller configured to adjust a thermoelectric device current of the thermoelectric device responsive to a temperature of the phase change material (cover 200 includes a thermoelectric device 202 which uses the Peltier effect to actively cool the cavity 18 (filled with phase change material). An electrical voltage is applied to the thermoelectric device 202 such that a side 204 of the thermoelectric device 202 facing inwardly toward the cavity 18 is cooled while another side 206 of the thermoelectric device 202 facing outward is heated by the thermal energy removed from the cooled side 204, paragraph [0058]by controlling the voltage/current the cavity is maintained at the optimum temperature. Note: thermoelectric device uses the Peltier effect, thus, by controlling the current the temperature of the cavity can be controlled).
Regarding claim 5, Mathews in view of Reyzin discloses charge port of claim 1. Reyzin further discloses the bottom portion of the enhancer comprises one or more plates (the bottom wall 30, fig. 1).
It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art, before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Mathew’s charge port enhancer to include to include the bottom plate with the fins as taught by Reyzin, in order to properly and strongly support the fins on the housing.
Regarding claim 8, Mathews discloses a vehicle (paragraph [0028]) comprising: an electric motor configured to drive at least one wheel of the vehicle (the assembly 10, serves a charging port of an electrically propelled vehicle. As used herein, the term “electrically propelled vehicle” may refer to an electric vehicle which is propelled solely by an electric motor or a hybrid electric vehicle which is propelled by an electric motor in some combination with a combustion engine, paragraph [0054]);
a battery pack electrically coupled to the electric motor (the battery pack 22 couple to the vehicle (motor) , paragraph [0054]-[0055]); and a charge port configured to deliver power to at least one of the battery pack and the electric motor (connector assembly 10 charge the battery 22 which give power to the vehicle motor, fig. 8, paragraph [0054], [0055]), the charge port comprising:
a plug housing(16, fig. 2);
one or more direct current terminals electrically coupled to the plug housing(hereinafter referred to as the housing 16, that defines a cavity 18 in which the DC terminals 14 are disposed, paragraph [0055]); and a subassembly coupled to the one or more direct current terminals, the subassembly comprising: one or more cartridges filled with a phase change material(the cavity 18 (having the terminals 14) may be filled with a dielectric phase changing material (PCM), paragraph [0062]); and
for each cartridge of the one or more cartridges, an enhancer comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion is embedded within the phase change material (cover 500 has the base (bottom portion embedded within the PCM),fig. 2 paragraph [0064]Note: The cover 500 is formed of a thermally conductive material such an aluminum or copper based material, paragraph [0061] which enhanced the thermal conductivity as required) and the top portion extends beyond the respective cartridge into ambient(heat is gradually released through the cover 500 as the PCM changes from the liquid state back to the solid state, paragraph [0062] where the top portion of cover 500 is extended beyond the cavity 18 in to ambient, fig. 15).
Although, Mathew discloses a charge port with a plug housing and enhancer with the cooling effect to keep the temperature of the charge port stable. However, Mathew is silent about an enhancer in the form of a continuous piece, wherein the top portion of the enhancer comprises a first plurality of fins extending radially from the enhancer, and wherein the bottom portion comprises a second plurality of fins extending radially from the enhancer.
Reyzin discloses an enhancer in the form of chamber to remove the heat from the electronic devices such as charge ports (abstract, Col. 3, line 66). Reyzin further discloses an enhancer in the form of a continuous piece (the bottom part attached to the shroud 52, fig. 1), wherein the top portion of the enhancer comprises a first plurality of fins extending radially from the enhancer (top fins 40 extended radially, fig. 1; Col. 3, lines 1-4), and wherein the bottom portion comprises a second plurality of fins extending radially from the enhancer (the bottom or the side fins 36 extended radially, figs. 1, 4; Col. 2, lines 60-64).
It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art, before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Mathew’s charge port enhancer to include radially extended fins as taught by Reyzin, in order to increase the surface area available for heat transfer and provide multiple conduction paths from the heat generating charge plug to the phase change material. This promotes more uniform heat distribution throughout the phase change material, improves utilization of the phase change material volume, reduces localized hot spots, and enhances the overall cooling efficiency of the charge plug device.
Regarding claim 9, Mathews further discloses a thermoelectric device in contact with the enhancer(202 combined with cover 500, fig. 2, paragraph [0058]).
Regarding claim 10, Mathews further discloses a heat sink on a surface of the thermoelectric device(202 is attached with the cover 200, fig. 9 where 200 cover configuration includes active thermal management mechanisms such as one or more thermoelectric cooling plates (used as the heat sink), paragraph [0056]).
Regarding claim 11, Mathews further discloses a controller configured to adjust a thermoelectric device current of the thermoelectric device responsive to a temperature of the phase change material (cover 200 includes a thermoelectric device 202 which uses the Peltier effect to actively cool the cavity 18 (filled with phase change material). An electrical voltage is applied to the thermoelectric device 202 such that a side 204 of the thermoelectric device 202 facing inwardly toward the cavity 18 is cooled while another side 206 of the thermoelectric device 202 facing outward is heated by the thermal energy removed from the cooled side 204, paragraph [0058]by controlling the voltage/current the cavity is maintained at the optimum temperature. Note: thermoelectric device uses the Peltier effect, thus, by controlling the current the temperature of the cavity can be controlled).
Regarding claim 12, Mathews in view of Reyzin discloses vehicle of claim 8. Reyzin further discloses the bottom portion of the enhancer comprises one or more plates (the bottom wall 30, fig. 1).
It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art, before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Mathew’s charge port enhancer to include to include the bottom plate with the fins as taught by Reyzin, in order to properly and strongly support the fins on the housing.
Regarding claim 15, Mathews discloses a method for phase change material resolidification in a charge port (paragraph [0062]), the method comprising:
providing a plug housing(16, fig. 2);
providing a direct current terminal electrically coupled to the plug housing(hereinafter referred to as the housing 16, that defines a cavity 18 in which the DC terminals 14 are disposed, paragraph [0055]); and
providing a subassembly coupled to the direct current terminal, the subassembly comprising: a cartridge filled with a phase change material(the cavity 18 may be filled with a dielectric phase changing material (PCM), paragraph [0062]); and
an enhancer comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion is embedded within the phase change material (cover 500 has the base (bottom portion embedded within the PCM),fig. 2 paragraph [0064]Note: The cover 500 is formed of a thermally conductive material such an aluminum or copper based material, paragraph [0061] which enhanced the thermal conductivity as required) and the top portion extends beyond the cartridge into ambient(heat is gradually released through the cover 500 as the PCM changes from the liquid state back to the solid state, paragraph [0062] where the top portion of cover 500 is extended beyond the cavity 18 in to ambient, fig. 15).
Although, Mathew discloses a charge port with a plug housing and enhancer with the cooling effect to keep the temperature of the charge port stable. However, Mathew is silent about an enhancer in the form of a continuous piece, wherein the top portion of the enhancer comprises a first plurality of fins extending radially from the enhancer, and wherein the bottom portion comprises a second plurality of fins extending radially from the enhancer.
Reyzin discloses an enhancer in the form of chamber to remove the heat from the electronic devices such as charge ports (abstract, Col. 3, line 66). Reyzin further discloses an enhancer in the form of a continuous piece (the bottom part attached to the shroud 52, fig. 1), wherein the top portion of the enhancer comprises a first plurality of fins extending radially from the enhancer (top fins 40 extended radially, fig. 1; Col. 3, lines 1-4), and wherein the bottom portion comprises a second plurality of fins extending radially from the enhancer (the bottom or the side fins 36 extended radially, figs. 1, 4; Col. 2, lines 60-64).
It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art, before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Mathew’s charge port enhancer to include radially extended fins as taught by Reyzin, in order to increase the surface area available for heat transfer and provide multiple conduction paths from the heat generating charge plug to the phase change material. This promotes more uniform heat distribution throughout the phase change material, improves utilization of the phase change material volume, reduces localized hot spots, and enhances the overall cooling efficiency of the charge plug device.
Regarding claim 16, Mathews further discloses a thermoelectric device in contact with the enhancer(202 combined with cover 500, fig. 2, paragraph [0058]).
Regarding claim 17, Mathews further discloses a heat sink on a surface of the thermoelectric device(202 is attached with the cover 200, fig. 9 where 200 cover configuration includes active thermal management mechanisms such as one or more thermoelectric cooling plates (used as the heat sink), paragraph [0056]).
Regarding claim 18, Mathews further discloses a controller configured to adjust a thermoelectric device current of the thermoelectric device responsive to a temperature of the phase change material (cover 200 includes a thermoelectric device 202 which uses the Peltier effect to actively cool the cavity 18 (filled with phase change material). An electrical voltage is applied to the thermoelectric device 202 such that a side 204 of the thermoelectric device 202 facing inwardly toward the cavity 18 is cooled while another side 206 of the thermoelectric device 202 facing outward is heated by the thermal energy removed from the cooled side 204, paragraph [0058]by controlling the voltage/current the cavity is maintained at the optimum temperature. Note: thermoelectric device uses the Peltier effect, thus, by controlling the current the temperature of the cavity can be controlled).
Regarding claim 19, Mathews in view of Reyzin discloses the method of claim 15. Reyzin further discloses the bottom portion of the enhancer comprises one or more plates (the bottom wall 30, fig. 1).
It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art, before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Mathew’s charge port enhancer to include to include the bottom plate with the fins as taught by Reyzin, in order to properly and strongly support the fins on the housing.
Claim(s) 6-7, 13-14, 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Mathews (US 2021/0021077), and Reyzin (US 7,475,718) as applied to claims 1, 8, 15 above, and further in view of Cole at al. (US 2021/0347270), herein after Cole.
Regarding claim 6, Mathews further discloses wherein an interface between the top portion of the enhancer and the bottom portion of the enhancer comprises a threaded cap (sealing members 638 and 640 to seal the cover to the cavity, fig. 20, paragraph [00467]).
However, Mathews and Reyzin are silent about the sealing is a threaded cap.
Cole discloses the threaded cap to for coupling (220 rear portion include the threaded cap for coupling, paragraph [0024], fig. 3).
It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Mathew’s charging port in view of Reyzin to use threaded caps for sealing as taught by Cole, in order to ensure a tight, often airtight, seal that prevents damage, corrosion, and contamination from moisture or debris during transit and storage.
Regarding claim 7, Mathews in view of Reyzin discloses the charge port of claim 1. However, they are silent about wherein the enhancer comprises a fill nipple having a first opening in ambient and a second opening in the cartridge.
Cole discloses a charge port where a fill nipple having a first opening in ambient and a second opening in the cartridge (with the cover 310 removed and the connector 430 released, the PCM 300 is injected into the connector assembly 100 in a liquid state, so as to substantially fill the flexible tubes 200 and surround at least a portion of the electrical wires 210, paragraph [0032], fig. 5).
It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Mathew’s charging port in view of Reyzin to fill the cavity with the phase change material through nipple as taught by Cole, in order to allow precise injection of molten phase change material, minimize spillage and reduce air entrapment.
Regarding claim 13, Mathews further discloses wherein an interface between the top portion of the enhancer and the bottom portion of the enhancer comprises a threaded cap (sealing members 638 and 640 to seal the cover to the cavity, fig. 20, paragraph [00467]).
However, Mathews and Reyzin are silent about the sealing is a threaded cap.
Cole discloses the threaded cap to for coupling (220 rear portion include the threaded cap for coupling, paragraph [0024], fig. 3).
It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Mathew’s charging port in view of Reyzin to use threaded caps for sealing as taught by Cole, in order to ensure a tight, often airtight, seal that prevents damage, corrosion, and contamination from moisture or debris during transit and storage.
Regarding claim 14, Mathews in view of Reyzin discloses the vehicle of claim 8. However, Mathews and Reyzin are silent about wherein the enhancer comprises a fill nipple having a first opening in ambient and a second opening in the cartridge.
Cole discloses a charge port where a fill nipple having a first opening in ambient and a second opening in the cartridge (with the cover 310 removed and the connector 430 released, the PCM 300 is injected into the connector assembly 100 in a liquid state, so as to substantially fill the flexible tubes 200 and surround at least a portion of the electrical wires 210, paragraph [0032], fig. 5).
It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Mathew’s charging port in view of Reyzin to fill the cavity with the phase change material through nipple as taught by Cole, in order to allow precise injection of molten phase change material, minimize spillage and reduce air entrapment.
Regarding claim 20, Mathews further discloses wherein an interface between the top portion of the enhancer and the bottom portion of the enhancer comprises a threaded cap (sealing members 638 and 640 to seal the cover to the cavity, fig. 20, paragraph [00467]).
However, Mathews and Reyzin are silent about the sealing is a threaded cap.
Cole discloses the threaded cap to for coupling (220 rear portion include the threaded cap for coupling, paragraph [0024], fig. 3).
It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Mathews charging port in view of Reyzin to use threaded caps for sealing as taught by Cole, in order to ensure a tight, often airtight, seal that prevents damage, corrosion, and contamination from moisture or debris during transit and storage.
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 SADIA KOUSAR whose telephone number is (571)272-3386. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 7:30am-5:30pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Julian Huffman can be reached at (571) 272-2147. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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SADIA . KOUSAR
Examiner
Art Unit 2859
/JULIAN D HUFFMAN/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2859
Prosecution Insights