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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 9/26/2023 and 6/11/2024 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to because Figs. 1 and 10 each illustrate three dashed boxes, where one box is labeled as element 2 (described as battery 2 in the specification). However the other two dashed boxes are unlabeled, i.e. does not have an element number for each of the other two dashed boxes.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claims 1 contains an acronym, however does not provide the full name. If the applicant is to claim the acronym, the full name should be referenced at least once within the claims in parentheses (e.g. direct current (DC)).
Appropriate correction is required.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 1-5 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 4 and 6-9 copending Application No. 18373627(reference application). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the respective claims are not patently distinguishable, and encompass, with varying scope, the same subject matter.
This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented.
INSTANT CLAIM(S)
COPENDING CLAIM(S)
1. A power storage system comprising: in which the first power storage unit and the second power storage unit are connected in series and chargeable at a first voltage, and a second voltage state in which the first power storage unit and the second power storage unit are connected in parallel and chargeable at a second voltage; a three-phase motor in which coils of three phases are connected at a neutral point, the three-phase motor being driven by electric power supplied from the battery; an inverter connected on an electric power transmission path between the battery and the three-phase motor; and a DC power supply circuit connected to a connection portion located on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the battery, wherein the DC power supply circuit includes a branch circuit connected to the neutral point on a positive electrode side.
1. A power storage system comprising: a first battery including a first power storage unit, a second power storage unit, and a first switch unit, the first switch unit being configured to switch between a first voltage state in which the first power storage unit and the second power storage unit are connected in series and chargeable at a first voltage, and a second voltage state in which the first power storage unit and the second power storage unit are connected in parallel and chargeable at a second voltage; a three-phase motor including coils of three phases connected at a neutral point, the three-phase motor being configured to be driven by electric power supplied from the first battery; an inverter connected on an electric power transmission path between the first battery and the three-phase motor; a DC power supply circuit connected to a connection portion located on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the first battery; a branch circuit branched from the DC power supply circuit on a positive electrode side and connected to the neutral point; a capacitor including one end and an other end, the one end being connected to a negative-electrode-side electric power supply circuit which connects the inverter and the first battery, and the other end being connected to the branch circuit or a positive-electrode-side electric power supply circuit which connects the inverter and the first battery; a pre-charge circuit located on the electric power transmission path between the inverter and the first battery and connected between the inverter and the connection portion of the DC power supply circuit; a converter connected to the pre-charge circuit; and a second battery connected to the converter and having a voltage lower than the first voltage and the second voltage.
Regarding the dependent claims, the copending claims recite similar limitations.
Claims 1, 3 and 5 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 and 7-9, copending Application No. 18523325 (reference application). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the respective claims are not patently distinguishable, and encompass, with varying scope, the same subject matter.
This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented.
INSTANT CLAIM(S)
COPENDING CLAIM(S)
1. A power storage system comprising: in which the first power storage unit and the second power storage unit are connected in series and chargeable at a first voltage, and a second voltage state in which the first power storage unit and the second power storage unit are connected in parallel and chargeable at a second voltage; a three-phase motor in which coils of three phases are connected at a neutral point, the three-phase motor being driven by electric power supplied from the battery; an inverter connected on an electric power transmission path between the battery and the three-phase motor; and a DC power supply circuit connected to a connection portion located on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the battery, wherein the DC power supply circuit includes a branch circuit connected to the neutral point on a positive electrode side.
1. A battery, comprising: a first power storage; a second power storage; a positive node configured to connect in parallel a positive terminal of the first power storage and a positive terminal of the second power storage; a negative node configured to connect in parallel a negative terminal of the first power storage and a negative terminal of the second power storage; one of a main contactor and a control cutoff fuse configured to cut off according to a control signal, the one being provided at a side opposite to the first power storage and the second power storage with respect to the positive node; an other one of the main contactor and the control cutoff fuse, the other one being provided at a side opposite to the first power storage and the second power storage with respect to the negative node; a connection circuit configured to connect the negative terminal of the first power storage and the positive terminal of the second power storage; a first switching contactor provided in the connection circuit; a second switching contactor provided between the positive node and a first connection portion configured to connect the positive terminal of the second power storage and the connection circuit; a third switching contactor provided between the negative node and a second connection portion configured to connect the negative terminal of the first power storage and the connection circuit; and a controller configured to control on and off of the main contactor and the first to third switching contactors, wherein the controller is configured to switch between a first voltage state in which the first switching contactor is in an on state, the second switching contactor and the third switching contactor are in an off state, and the first power storage and the second power storage are connected in series and chargeable at a first voltage, and a second voltage state in which the first switching contactor is in an off state, the second switching contactor and the third switching contactor are in an on state, and the first power storage and the second power storage are connected in parallel and chargeable at a second voltage.
7. A power storage system, comprising: the battery according to claim 1; a three-phase motor in which coils of three phases are connected at a neutral point, the three-phase motor being driven by electric power supplied from the battery; an inverter connected on an electric power transmission path between the battery and the three-phase motor; and a DC power supply circuit connected to a connection portion positioned on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the battery, wherein the DC power supply circuit has a branch circuit connected to the neutral point at a positive electrode side of the DC power supply circuit.
Regarding the dependent claims, the copending claims recite similar limitations.
Claims 1, 3 and 5 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 2, 9, 10, 17, 18 of copending Application No. 18523388 (reference application). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the respective claims are not patently distinguishable, and encompass, with varying scope, the same subject matter.
This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented.
INSTANT CLAIM(S)
COPENDING CLAIM(S)
1. A power storage system comprising: in which the first power storage unit and the second power storage unit are connected in series and chargeable at a first voltage, and a second voltage state in which the first power storage unit and the second power storage unit are connected in parallel and chargeable at a second voltage; a three-phase motor in which coils of three phases are connected at a neutral point, the three-phase motor being driven by electric power supplied from the battery; an inverter connected on an electric power transmission path between the battery and the three-phase motor; and a DC power supply circuit connected to a connection portion located on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the battery, wherein the DC power supply circuit includes a branch circuit connected to the neutral point on a positive electrode side.
1. A vehicle including a drive source, a battery that supplies electric power to the drive source, and a controller configured to control the drive source and the battery, wherein the battery comprises: a first power storage; a second power storage; a positive node configured to connect in parallel a positive terminal of the first power storage and a positive terminal of the second power storage; a negative node configured to connect in parallel a negative terminal of the first power storage and a negative terminal of the second power storage; a connection circuit configured to connect the negative terminal of the first power storage and the positive terminal of the second power storage; a first contactor provided in the connection circuit; a second contactor and a first fuse provided between the positive node and a first connection portion configured to connect the positive terminal of the second power storage and the connection circuit; and a third contactor and a second fuse provided between the negative node and a second connection portion configured to connect the negative terminal of the first power storage and the connection circuit, and wherein the controller is configured to switch between a first voltage state in which the first contactor is in an on state, the second contactor and the third contactor are in an off state, and the first power storage and the second power storage are connected in series and chargeable at a first voltage, and a second voltage state in which the first contactor is in an off state, the second contactor and the third contactor are in an on state, and the first power storage and the second power storage are connected in parallel and chargeable at a second voltage.
2. A vehicle including a drive source, a battery that supplies electric power to the drive source, and a controller that controls the drive source and the battery, wherein the battery comprises: a first power storage; a second power storage; a positive node configured to connect in parallel a positive terminal of the first power storage and a positive terminal of the second power storage; a negative node configured to connect in parallel a negative terminal of the first power storage and a negative terminal of the second power storage; a connection circuit configured to connect the negative terminal of the first power storage and the positive terminal of the second power storage; a first contactor and a fuse provided in the connection circuit; a second contactor provided between the positive node and a first connection portion configured to connect the positive terminal of the second power storage and the connection circuit; and a third contactor provided between the negative node and a second connection portion configured to connect the negative terminal of the first power storage and the connection circuit, and wherein the controller is configured to switch between a first voltage state in which the first contactor is an on state, the second contactor and the third contactor are in an off state, and the first power storage and the second power storage are connected in series and chargeable at a first voltage, and a second voltage state in which the first contactor is in an off state, the second contactor and the third contactor are in an on state, the first power storage and the second power storage are connected in parallel and chargeable at a second voltage.
9. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the drive source is a three-phase motor in which coils of three phases are connected at a neutral point, the three-phase motor being driven by electric power supplied from the battery, an inverter is provided on an electric power transmission path between the battery and the three-phase motor, a DC power supply circuit is connected to a connection portion positioned on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the battery, and the DC power supply circuit has a branch circuit connected to the neutral point at a positive electrode side of the DC power supply circuit.
17. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the drive source is a three-phase motor in which coils of three phases are connected at a neutral point, the three-phase motor being driven by electric power supplied from the battery, an inverter is provided on an electric power transmission path between the battery and the three-phase motor, a DC power supply circuit is connected to a connection portion positioned on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the battery, and the DC power supply circuit has a branch circuit connected to the neutral point at a positive electrode side of the DC power supply circuit.
Regarding the dependent claims, the copending claims recite similar limitations.
Examiner’s Remarks
With respect to claim(s) 1-5, the examiner makes no prior art rejection. However, these claims are not allowable pursuant to the pending Double Patenting rejection.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 20240113531 is pre-grant publication of copending application 18373627
US 20240178697 is pre-grant publication of copending application 18523325
US 20240174132 is pre-grant publication of copending application 18523388
US 12466278 claims a branch circuit connected to a coil of one phase among the coils of three phases
US 12649374 claims a branch circuit connected to a coil of one phase among the coils of three phases at a positive electrode side of the DC power supply circuit
US 20250135950 claims a branch circuit connected to a coil of one phase among the coils of three phases
US 20250222782 claims a branch circuit connected to a coil of one phase among the coils of three phases
US 20250346133 claims a branch circuit connected to a coil of one phase among the coils of three phases
Telephone/Fax Information
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Thomas Pham can be reached at (571) 272-3689. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/SUEZU ELLIS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2876
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