Last updated: October 02, 2026

Application No. 18/431,787

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING A FUEL ASSEMBLY

Non-Final OA

Filed

Feb 02, 2024

Priority

Dec 26, 2017 — divisional of 11/031,144 +1 more

Examiner

DAVIS-HOLLINGTON, OCTAVIA L

Art Unit

2855

Tech Center

2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems

Assignee

Westinghouse Electric Company LLC

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +5.4% interview lift. Interview lift (+5.4%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 1155 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

DAVIS-HOLLINGTON, OCTAVIA L View full profile →

Grants 86% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

988 granted / 1155 resolved

+17.5% vs TC avg

Moderate +5% lift

Without

With

+5.4%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 5m

Avg Prosecution

18 currently pending

Career history

1177

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.6%

-39.4% vs TC avg

§103

49.7%

+9.7% vs TC avg

§102

38.8%

-1.2% vs TC avg

§112

8.1%

-31.9% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1155 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 02, 2024

Application Filed

Aug 11, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

19/058,276

Patent 12748014

Intelligent concrete, self-sensing method for intelligent concrete, equipment and storage media

1y 7m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026

18/328,093

Patent 12730021

SOFT FORCE SENSOR

3y 3m to grant Granted Sep 08, 2026

18/341,208

Patent 12730020

TACTILE SENSOR AND APPARATUS INCLUDING TACTILE SENSOR

3y 2m to grant Granted Sep 08, 2026

18/514,137

Patent 12730036

CORDLESS SPRING-SYSTEM CURTAIN INSPECTION DEVICE

2y 9m to grant Granted Sep 08, 2026

17/724,580

Patent 12723935

SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR SHEAR FORCE ESTIMATION WITH OFF-AXIS MEMBRANE PRESSURE MEASUREMENT

4y 4m to grant Granted Sep 01, 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.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

86%

Grant Probability

91%

With Interview (+5.4%)

2y 5m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 1155 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.