DETAILED ACTION
Status of Claims
This action is in reply to the application filed on 27 December 2023.
Claims 1-20 are currently pending.
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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement(s) (IDS) submitted was/were considered by the Examiner.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
Examiner note: no 112(f) invocations have been identified by the Office.
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 17-19 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Regarding Claim 17:
The claim language “wherein an operating parameter for the robotic polishing device is maintained during the first polishing process and the second polishing process, but different between the first polishing process and the second polishing process;” renders the claim indefinite because the language appears to be contradictory. As best understood, after careful review of the specification, paragraph [0070], which appears to be the only paragraph which speaks to the details of the parameter being “maintained,” the claim language is interpreted to instead be, “wherein an operating parameter for the robotic polishing device is at least one of maintained or different during the first polishing process and the second polishing process
Regarding claims 17-19:
Claims 17-19 are rejected by virtue of dependence on rejected 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.
(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, 7, 10-11, 13-15, and 17-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1)/(a)(s) as being anticipated by Cholet et al (US 20120124834), hereafter referred to as Cholet.
Regarding Claim 1, Cholet discloses the following:
A manufacturing method, comprising:
at a controller (control unit see [0048]), controlling a robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) to polish a plurality of first zones (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) of a bladed rotor (see [0031]) for an aircraft engine based on a first operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) associated with the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2);
wherein an exterior of the bladed rotor (see [0031]) includes the plurality of first zones (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) and a plurality of second zones (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]), the plurality of first zones (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) distributed circumferentially about an axis of the bladed rotor (see [0031]) in a first array, and the plurality of second zones (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) distributed circumferentially about the axis of the bladed rotor (see [0031]) in a second array; and
at the controller (control unit see [0048]), controlling the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) to polish the plurality of second zones (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) using the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) based on a second operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]);
wherein the second operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) for the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) is different (for example the difference may be in the type of parameter selected, or by varying the feed rate, see [0059]) than the first operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]).
Regarding Claim 7, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 1,
wherein the first operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) comprises a first tool path speed of the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) along the exterior of the bladed rotor (see [0031]); and the second operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) comprises a second tool path speed of the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) along the exterior of the bladed rotor (see [0031]).
Regarding Claim 10, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 1,
wherein the controlling of the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) to polish the plurality of first zones (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) is further based on a third operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) for the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2); the controlling of the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) to polish the plurality of second zones (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) is further based on a fourth operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) for the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2); and
the third operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) for the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) is different (for example the difference may be in the type of parameter selected, or by varying the feed rate, see [0059]) than the first operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) than the fourth operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]).
Regarding Claim 11, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 1,
wherein the controlling of the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) to polish the plurality of first zones (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) is further based on a third operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) for the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2); the controlling of the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) to polish the plurality of second zones (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) is further based on a fourth operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) for the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2); and
the third operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) for the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) is the same (for example see [0055]) as the fourth operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]).
Regarding Claim 13, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 1,
wherein a first of the plurality of first zones (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) axially neighbors a first of the plurality of second zones (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]).
Regarding Claim 14, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 1,
wherein a first of the plurality of first zones (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) radially neighbors a first of the plurality of second zones (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]).
Regarding Claim 15, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 1,
wherein a first of the plurality of first zones (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) circumferentially neighbors a first of the plurality of second zones (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]).
Regarding Claim 17, Cholet discloses the following:
A manufacturing method, comprising:
polishing a first zone (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) on an exterior of a component for an aircraft engine using a robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) according to a first polishing process (using parameters disclosed in [0051-54], also see [0058-59]); and
polishing a second zone (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1) on the exterior of the component using the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) according to a second polishing process polishing process (using parameters disclosed in [0051-54], also see [0058-59]);
wherein an operating parameter for the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) is maintained during the first polishing process (using parameters disclosed in [0051-54], also see [0058-59]) and the second polishing process polishing process (using parameters disclosed in [0051-54], also see [0058-59]) (Cholet discloses keeping some of the parameters the same and varying others such as the feed rate), but different between the first polishing process (using parameters disclosed in [0051-54], also see [0058-59]) and the second polishing process polishing process (using parameters disclosed in [0051-54], also see [0058-59]); and
wherein the operating parameter comprises one of:
an abrasive polishing belt speed ([0052]);
a pressure exerted by the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) against the component ([0053]);
a tool path speed of the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) along the exterior of the component ([0054]).
Regarding Claim 18, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 17,
wherein the first zone (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) is contiguous with the second zone (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1).
Regarding Claim 19, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 17,
wherein the first zone (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) is one of a plurality of first zones (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) on the exterior of the component, and
each of the plurality of first zones (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) is polished using the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) according to the first polishing process (using parameters disclosed in [0051-54], also see [0058-59]); the second zone (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1) is one of a plurality of second zones (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) on the exterior of the component,
and each of the plurality of second zones (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) is polished using the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) according to the second polishing process polishing process (using parameters disclosed in [0051-54], also see [0058-59]); and the plurality of second zones (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) are interspersed with the plurality of first zones (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) circumferentially about an axis of the component (see [0031]).
Regarding Claim 20, Cholet discloses the following:
A manufacturing method, comprising:
polishing a first zone (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) on an exterior of a bladed rotor (see [0031]) for an aircraft engine (intended use; however [0001] discloses a fan blade and fan attached to the compressor, thus one of ordinary skill in the art would understand the intended use of the fan blade is for an aircraft) using a robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) according to a first polishing process (using parameters disclosed in [0051-54], also see [0058-59]), the bladed rotor (see [0031]) including a rotor (see [0031]) disk and a plurality of rotor blades (10), the plurality of rotor blades (10) arranged circumferentially about and projecting out from the rotor (see [0031]) disk, and the first zone (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) on a first of the plurality of rotor blades (10); and
polishing a second zone (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1) on the exterior of the bladed rotor (see [0031]) using the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) according to a second polishing process polishing process (using parameters disclosed in [0051-54], also see [0058-59]), the second zone (S49 or alternatively S7, FIG. 1) on a portion of the rotor (see [0031]) disk circumferentially adjacent the first of the plurality of rotor blades (10);
wherein an operating parameter for the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) is maintained during the first polishing process (using parameters disclosed in [0051-54], also see [0058-59]) and the second polishing process polishing process (using parameters disclosed in [0051-54], also see [0058-59]), but different (for example the difference may be in the type of parameter selected, or by varying the feed rate, see [0059]) between the first polishing process (using parameters disclosed in [0051-54], also see [0058-59]) and the second polishing process polishing process (using parameters disclosed in [0051-54], also see [0058-59]).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
Claims 2-5 and 12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cholet et al (US 20120124834), hereafter referred to as Cholet.
Regarding Claim 2, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 1,
Cholet does not explicitly disclose the following:
wherein the robotic polishing device includes an abrasive polishing belt; the first operating parameter comprises a first grit of the abrasive polishing belt; and
the second operating parameter comprises a second grit of the abrasive polishing belt.
However Cholet teaches the following:
the grit of the abrasive belt is a results effective variable affecting the amount of material removed and the surface finish (see [0050-54]).
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 first and second operating parameters as disclosed by Cholet, wherein the first and second operating parameters are a first and second grit, with the expected result of affecting the amount of material removed and the surface finish, as taught by Cholet (see [0050-55). Therein the selection of the first and second grit could be undertaken following the extension of the same logic as taught by Cholet, under the same known conditions, and using the same result effective variables (see MPEP 2144.05, II).
Regarding Claim 3, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 1,
Cholet does not explicitly disclose the following:
wherein the robotic polishing device includes an abrasive polishing belt; the first operating parameter comprises a first speed of the abrasive polishing belt; and
the second operating parameter comprises a second speed of the abrasive polishing belt.
However Cholet teaches the following:
the speed of the abrasive belt is a results effective variable affecting the amount of material removed and the surface finish (see [0050-54]).
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 first and second operating parameters as disclosed by Cholet, wherein the first and second operating parameters are a first and second speed of the abrasive polishing belt, with the expected result of affecting the amount of material removed and the surface finish, as taught by Cholet (see [0050-55). Therein the selection of the first and second speed of the abrasive polishing belt could be undertaken following the extension of the same logic as taught by Cholet, under the same known conditions, and using the same result effective variables (see MPEP 2144.05, II).
Regarding Claim 4, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 1,
Cholet does not explicitly disclose the following:
wherein the first operating parameter comprises a first pressure exerted by the robotic polishing device against the bladed rotor; and the second operating parameter comprises a second pressure exerted by the robotic polishing device against the bladed rotor.
However Cholet teaches the following:
the pressure of the abrasive belt is a results effective variable affecting the amount of material removed and the surface finish (see [0050-54]).
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 first and second operating parameters as disclosed by Cholet, wherein the first and second operating parameters are a first and second pressure exerted, with the expected result of affecting the amount of material removed and the surface finish, as taught by Cholet (see [0050-55). Therein the selection of the first and second pressure exerted could be undertaken following the extension of the same logic as taught by Cholet, under the same known conditions, and using the same result effective variables (see MPEP 2144.05, II).
Regarding Claim 5, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 1,
Cholet does not explicitly disclose the following:
wherein the first operating parameter comprises a first force exerted by the robotic polishing device against the bladed rotor; and the second operating parameter comprises a second force exerted by the robotic polishing device against the bladed rotor.
However Cholet teaches the following:
the force (it is noted, since pressure is disclosed, force is inherently disclosed because it is not possible to exert a pressure without exerting a force) of the abrasive belt is a results effective variable affecting the amount of material removed and the surface finish (see [0050-54]).
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 first and second operating parameters as disclosed by Cholet, wherein the first and second operating parameters are a first and second force exerted by the robotic polishing device, with the expected result of affecting the amount of material removed and the surface finish, as taught by Cholet (see [0050-55). Therein the selection of the first and second force exerted by the robotic polishing device could be undertaken following the extension of the same logic as taught by Cholet, under the same known conditions, and using the same result effective variables (see MPEP 2144.05, II).
Regarding Claim 12, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 1,
Cholet does not explicitly disclose the following:
wherein each of the plurality of first zones are polished before polishing any of the plurality of second zones.
However the Examiner notes the following:
MPEP 2143(E) states it is obvious to try a modification to a system or method if: (1) the prior art identifies a problem or need known at the time of the invention, (2) the prior art teaches a finite number of predictable potential solutions, and (3) one of ordinary skill could have pursued the known solutions with a reasonable expectation of success. See MPEP 2143(E). In this case, the prior art teaches a map of removals to be made on the blade which is converted into a map of control parameters for controlling the polishing machine, but does not disclose the sequence in which the polishing of the map is performed. However there are only a finite number of sequences the polishing may take place, since the machine may either polish the first zone followed by the second zone, may polish the second zone prior to polishing the first zone (of an individual blade), or the machine may polish all of the first zones prior to polishing of the second zones, or finally the machine may polish all of the second zones prior to polishing the first zones, . Thus it would have been obvious to try polishing the plurality of first zones before polishing the plurality of second zones.
Claim 6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cholet et al (US 20120124834), hereafter referred to as Cholet, as applied to claim 1 above, in further view of non-patent literature Wang et al, “Reducing roughness of freeform surface through tool orientation optimization in multi-axis polishing of blisk,” hereafter referred to as Wang.
Regarding Claim 6, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 1,
Cholet does not explicitly disclose the following:
wherein the first operating parameter comprises a first angle of inclination between a head of the robotic polishing device and the exterior of the bladed rotor being polished; and the second operating parameter comprises a second angle of inclination between the head of the robotic polishing device and the exterior of the bladed rotor being polished.
However Wang teaches the following:
it is well known in the art the angle of inclination between the head of the robotic polishing device and the exterior of a bladed rotor affects the roughness of the polished area (see for example Abstract); and/or the angle of inclination between the head of the robotic polishing device (synonymous with tool orientation) affects the amount of grains cut by the abrasive material (see for example Page 923, second paragraph).
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 first and second operating parameters as disclosed by Cholet, wherein the first and second operating parameters are a first and second angle of inclination between the head of the robotic polishing device and the exterior of the bladed rotor being polished, with the expected result of affecting the amount of material removed and the roughness surface finish, as taught by Wang (Page 923 second paragraph, Abstract). Therein the selection of the first and second force exerted by the robotic polishing device could be undertaken following the extension of the same logic as taught by Wang, under the same known conditions, and using the same result effective variables (see MPEP 2144.05, II).
Cholet as modified by Wang results in the following limitation(s):
wherein the first operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) comprises a first angle of inclination between a head of the robotic polishing device (as taught by Wang) and the exterior of the bladed rotor being polished; and the second operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) comprises a second angle of inclination between the head of the robotic polishing device and the exterior of the bladed rotor being polished (as taught by Wang).
Claim 8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cholet et al (US 20120124834), hereafter referred to as Cholet, as applied to claim 1 above, in further view of non-patent literature Xiao et al, “Path planning method for longitudinal micro marks on blisk root-fillet with belt grinding” hereafter referred to as Xiao.
Regarding Claim 8, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 1,
Cholet does not explicitly disclose the following:
wherein the first operating parameter comprises a first offset between adjacent passes of the robotic polishing device along the exterior of the bladed rotor; and the second operating parameter comprises a second offset between adjacent passes of the robotic polishing device along the exterior of the bladed rotor.
However Xiao teaches the following:
it is well known in the art to optimize the offset between adjacent passes of the robotic polishing device (synonymous with step size; see section 3.1) based on the complexity of the surface and the number of desired iterations (see section 3.1, number 3; FIG. 11), thereby resulting in a reasonable row spacing of the tool path.
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 first and second operating parameters as disclosed by Cholet, wherein the first and second operating parameters are a first and second offset between adjacent passes of the robotic polishing device along the exterior of the bladed rotor and the exterior of the bladed rotor being polished, with the expected result of selecting a reasonable row spacing, as taught by Xiao (section 3.1). Therein the selection of the first and second offset between adjacent passes of the robotic polishing device along the exterior of the bladed rotor could be undertaken following the extension of the same logic as taught by Xiao, under the same known conditions, and using the same result effective variables (see MPEP 2144.05, II).
Cholet as modified by Xiao results in the following limitation(s):
wherein the first operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) comprises a first offset (as taught by Xiao) between adjacent passes of the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) along the exterior of the bladed rotor (see [0031]); and the second operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) comprises a second offset (as taught by Xiao) between adjacent passes of the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2) along the exterior of the bladed rotor (see [0031]).
Claim 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cholet et al (US 20120124834), hereafter referred to as Cholet, as applied to claim 1 above, in further view of Ohara et al (JP 2006123059), hereafter referred to as Ohara.
Regarding Claim 9, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 1,
Cholet does not explicitly disclose the following:
wherein the first operating parameter comprises a first tool head configuration for the robotic polishing device; and the second operating parameter comprises a second tool head configuration for the robotic polishing device.
However Ohara teaches the following:
it is well known in the art to appropriately set the rotation conditions of the polishing member, the width of the polishing member (synonymous with tool head configuration), etc., so it is possible to set the appropriate polishing state according to the target location of the workpiece and perform the polishing operation (see [0072]).
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 first and second operating parameters as disclosed by Cholet, wherein the first and second operating parameters are a first and second tool head configuration, with the expected result of setting the appropriate polishing state according to the target location of the workpiece and perform the polishing operation, as taught by Ohara ([0072]). Therein the selection of the first and second tool head configuration could be undertaken following the extension of the same logic as taught by Ohara, under the same known conditions, and using the same result effective variables (see MPEP 2144.05, II).
Cholet as modified by Ohara results in the following limitation(s):
wherein the first operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) comprises a first tool head configuration (as taught by Ohara) for the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2); and the second operating parameter (any one of [0051-54]) comprises a second tool head configuration (as taught by Ohara) for the robotic polishing device (1, FIG. 2).
Claim 16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cholet et al (US 20120124834), hereafter referred to as Cholet, as applied to claim 1 above, in further view of Zhao et al, “Surface roughness prediction and parameters optimization in grinding and polishing process for IBR of aero-engine,” hereafter referred to as Zhao.
Regarding Claim 16, Cholet discloses the following:
The manufacturing method of claim 1,
wherein the bladed rotor (see [0031]) includes a rotor (see [0031]) disk and a plurality of rotor blades (10); the plurality of rotor blades (10) are arranged circumferentially about and project out from the rotor (see [0031]) disk;
each of the plurality of first zones (S41 or alternatively S1, FIG. 1; see [0032-33]) is associated with a respective one of the plurality of rotor blades (10); and
Cholet does not explicitly disclose the following:
each of the plurality of second zones is associated with a portion of the rotor disk between a respective circumferentially neighboring pair of the plurality of rotor blades.
However Zhao teaches the following:
it is well known in the art to polish each of the plurality of second zones (hub of rotor, see section 2.1), which is associated with a portion of the rotor disk between a respective circumferentially neighboring pair of the plurality of rotor blades.
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 bladed rotor disk and the method as disclosed by Cholet, by making the bladed rotor disc an integrally bladed rotor (IBR) and changing the second selected zone to a zone within the hub, with the reasonable expectation of successfully polishing the entire IBR, as disclosed by Zhao (section 2.1).
Conclusion
See form No. 892 for other references pertinent to the application that may not have been cited within the Office Action.
For references which show similar polishing methods see Page 1.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BRIAN C DELRUE whose telephone number is (313)446-6567. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday; 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Eastern).
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Nathaniel E. Wiehe can be reached at (571) 272-8648. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/BRIAN CHRISTOPHER DELRUE/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3745