Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/422,304

MAGNETIC LEVITATION SYSTEM FOR SUBSTRATE SUPPORT DEVICE

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 25, 2024

Examiner

MATES, ROBERT E

Art Unit

1742

Tech Center

1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering

Assignee

Applied Materials Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +35.8% interview lift. Interview already conducted in this application's prosecution history. This examiner has a 56% grant rate with +35.8% interview lift. Since an interview has already been tried, recommend written response with narrowed claims based on precedent claim evolution patterns.

Based on 459 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

MATES, ROBERT E View full profile →

Grants 56% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

259 granted / 459 resolved

-8.6% vs TC avg

Strong +36% interview lift

Without

With

+35.8%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 1m

Avg Prosecution

30 currently pending

Career history

492

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

92.6%

+52.6% vs TC avg

§102

5.2%

-34.8% vs TC avg

§112

2.1%

-37.9% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 459 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 25, 2024

Application Filed

Jan 23, 2025

Response after Non-Final Action

May 19, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jul 15, 2026

Examiner Interview Summary

Jul 15, 2026

Applicant Interview (Telephonic)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/085,962

Patent 12683441

AIRGAP COOLING SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRIC MACHINE

3y 6m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/408,915

Patent 12665471

ELECTRIC DRIVE ASSEMBLY WITH COOLING

2y 5m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/494,691

Patent 12665472

MOTOR UNIT HAVING FLOW GENERATING UNIT TO DELIVER AIR INTO A ROTOR GAP TO REDUCE FRICTION

2y 8m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

17/705,394

Patent 12658754

STATOR AND MOTOR

4y 2m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/372,886

Patent 12658745

STATOR ASSEMBLY, MOTOR AND VEHICLE

2y 8m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

56%

Grant Probability

92%

With Interview (+35.8%)

3y 1m (~7m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 459 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.