DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claims 1-14 are pending.
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55 for Application No. JP2022-142451 filed on 09/07/2022.
Information Disclosure Statement
The references cited in the information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 08/30/2023 have been 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 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.
Referring to independent claim 13, this claim recites the claim limitations “a cooling apparatus” and “a device”. For purposes of examination, as described in paragraphs [0034] and [0062] of the published specification of the instant application, the cooling apparatus will be construed as a machine tool cooling oil supply/return unit. For purposes of examination, as described in paragraphs [0034], [0062] and [0088] of the published specification of the instant application, the “device” will be construed as a numerical controller device (or an NC device) with a processing unit (CPU) and a memory.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) 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.
Claims 1-14 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 applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Independent claim 1 recites “… a plurality of sensors disposed at freely-selected positions including at least a position where a machine body temperature is measurable and a position where a temperature of the specific portion is measurable”. It is unclear what Applicant means by “freely-selected”. The claim recites that the plurality of sensors is disposed at least at two specific positions, a position the machine body temperature is measurable and a position where a temperature of the specific portion is measurable. Accordingly, it is unclear how freely-selected positions can be also specific positions. Appropriate clarification through claim amendment is respectfully requested. For purposes of examination, the recitation will be interpreted as “… a plurality of sensors disposed at a plurality of positions including at least a position where a machine body temperature is measurable and a position where a temperature of the specific portion is measurable.”
The claim additionally recites “… from a measured value acquired by the plurality of temperature sensors”. It is unclear how the plurality of temperature sensors provides a measured value (or one measured value). Appropriate clarification through claim amendment is respectfully requested. For purposes of examination, the additional recitation will be interpreted as “… from measured values acquired by the plurality of temperature sensors.”
Independent claims 5 and 13 recite similar limitations as discussed above for independent claim 1, and therefore, independent claims 5 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b).
Claims 2-4 are dependent claims of claim 1. The claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b), and therefore, claims 2-4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b).
Claims 6-8 are dependent claims of claim 5. The claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b), and therefore, claims 6-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b).
Claims 14 is a dependent claim of claim 13. The claim 13 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b), and therefore, claim 14 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b).
Independent claim 9 recites “… a plurality of sensors disposed at freely-selected positions including at least a position where a machine body temperature is measurable and a position where a temperature of the specific portion is measurable”. It is unclear what Applicant means by “freely-selected”. The claim recites that the plurality of sensors is disposed at least at two specific positions, a position the machine body temperature is measurable and a position where a temperature of the specific portion is measurable. Accordingly, it is unclear how freely-selected positions can be also specific positions. Appropriate clarification through claim amendment is respectfully requested. For purposes of examination, the recitation will be interpreted as “… a plurality of sensors disposed at a plurality of positions including at least a position where a machine body temperature is measurable and a position where a temperature of the specific portion is measurable.”
The claim additionally recites “… from a measured value acquired by the plurality of temperature sensors” and “… based on the temperature data derived from the measured value acquired by the temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the outer race side of the bearing.”. It is unclear how the plurality of temperature sensors provides a measured value (or one measured value or a temperature of the outer race side of the bearing). Appropriate clarification through claim amendment is respectfully requested. For purposes of examination, the additional recitation will be interpreted as “… from measured values acquired by the plurality of temperature sensors” and “… based on the temperature data derived from the measured values, wherein the position where the temperature of the specific portion is measurable is the outer race side of the bearing.”
Claims 10-12 are dependent claims of claim 9. The claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b), and therefore, claims 10-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 1-8 and 13-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to a judicial exception (i.e., a law of nature, a natural phenomenon, or an abstract idea) without significantly more.
Independent claim 1:
(Step 2A, Prong One) Independent claim 1 recites, “determining a cooling state of the specific portion by determining whether the cooling apparatus is in an operating state or a stopped state and by determining whether a time measured from a base point of an activation or a stoppage of the cooling apparatus has elapsed a predetermined delay time or not; selecting an estimation model corresponding to the determined cooling state of the specific portion from a plurality of estimation models prepared in advance corresponding to different cooling states of the specific portion.” Under its broadest reasonable interpretation, if a claim limitation covers performance that can be executed in the human mind, but for the recitation of generic electronic devices or generic computer components, then it falls within the “Mental Processes” grouping of abstract ideas. Under their broadest reasonable interpretation and based on the description provided in the Specification, such as paragraphs [0016]-[0017] and [0020]-[0021], for instance, the determining and selecting functions are mental processes that can be performed through observation, evaluation and judgement based on when the cooling apparatus is activated or stopped. Therefore, a person may perform, through observation, evaluation and judgement, the features enunciated above.
The claim further recites, “calculating an estimated temperature rise value of the specific portion based on the selected estimation model and temperature data derived from a measured value acquired by the plurality of temperature sensors.” Under their broadest reasonable interpretation and based on the description provided in the published Specification, such as paragraphs [0047]-[0075], for instance, the limitation of the calculating, as claimed, is a process that entails purely mathematical relationships, mathematical formulas or equations, and mathematical calculations.
Accordingly, the claim recites an abstract idea.
(Step 2A, Prong Two) This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application. In particular, the claim recites the additional limitations of, “wherein the machine tool includes a cooling apparatus configured to cool a specific portion that generates heat due to operation of the machine tool and a plurality of sensors disposed at freely-selected positions including at least a position where a machine body temperature is measurable and a position where a temperature of the specific portion is measurable.”
The additional limitation “a cooling apparatus configured to cool a specific portion that generates heat due to operation of the machine tool and a plurality of sensors disposed at freely-selected positions including at least a position where a machine body temperature is measurable and a position where a temperature of the specific portion is measurable” as recited in the claim that are configured to carry out the additional and abstract idea limitations may be tools that are used to determine, select and calculate as recited in the claim, but recited so generically that they represent no more than mere instructions “to apply” the judicial exceptions on or using generic electronic or computer components. Implementing an abstract idea on generic electronic or computer components as tools to perform an abstract idea is not indicative of integration into a practical application. see MPEP 2106.05(f)
In view of the foregoing, the additional limitations are not sufficient to demonstrate integration of a judicial exception into a practical application.
(Step 2B) The claim does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception.
The additional features including “a cooling apparatus configured to cool a specific portion that generates heat due to operation of the machine tool and a plurality of sensors disposed at freely-selected positions including at least a position where a machine body temperature is measurable and a position where a temperature of the specific portion is measurable”, as recited in the claim that are configured to carry out the additional and abstract idea limitation may be tools that are used for the functions recited in the claim, but recited so generically that they represent no more than mere instructions “to apply” the judicial exceptions on or using a generic electronic or computer component. Implementing an abstract idea on generic electronic or computer components as tools to perform an abstract idea does not amount to significantly more.
Therefore, the additional claimed features do not amount to significantly more and the independent claim 1 is not patent eligible.
Independent claim 13 is not patent eligible for similar reasons as for independent claim 1 as discussed above.
Claim 2 recites “wherein the temperature rise value estimating method determines the cooling state of the specific portion as any one of at least four states including a temperature fall transient state from an activation of the cooling apparatus until the delay time elapses, a temperature rise transient state from a stoppage of the cooling apparatus until the delay time elapses, a cooling steady state after the delay time elapsed from the activation of the cooling apparatus, and a heating steady state after the delay time elapsed from the stoppage of the cooling apparatus.” The claim simply adds more detail to or are cumulative to the abstract idea of the determining the cooling state of claim 1. Accordingly, claim 2 is not patent eligible.
Claim 14 is not patent eligible for similar reasons as for claim 2 as discussed above.
Claim 3 recites “wherein the delay time is calculated from a value obtained based on an operation of the specific portion using a predetermined function.” The claim simply adds more detail to or are cumulative to the abstract idea of the determining the cooling state of claim 1. Accordingly, claim 3 is not patent eligible.
Claim 4 recites “wherein the delay time is a time until an amount of change per time becomes larger than a predetermined threshold value, the amount of change per time being calculated for at least one of the temperature data and the estimated temperature rise value of the specific portion.” The claim simply adds more detail to or are cumulative to the abstract idea of the determining the cooling state of claim 1. Accordingly, claim 4 is not patent eligible.
Independent claim 5:
(Step 2A, Prong One) Independent claim 1 recites, “determining a cooling state of the specific portion by determining whether the cooling apparatus is in an operating state or a stopped state and by determining whether a time measured from a base point of an activation or a stoppage of the cooling apparatus has elapsed a predetermined delay time or not; selecting an estimation model corresponding to the determined cooling state of the specific portion from a plurality of estimation models prepared in advance corresponding to different cooling states of the specific portion.” Under its broadest reasonable interpretation, if a claim limitation covers performance that can be executed in the human mind, but for the recitation of generic electronic devices or generic computer components, then it falls within the “Mental Processes” grouping of abstract ideas. Under their broadest reasonable interpretation and based on the description provided in the Specification, such as paragraphs [0016]-[0017] and [0020]-[0021], for instance, the determining and selecting functions are mental processes that can be performed through observation, evaluation and judgement based on when the cooling apparatus is activated or stopped. Therefore, a person may perform, through observation, evaluation and judgement, the features enunciated above.
The claim further recites, “calculating an estimated temperature rise value of the specific portion based on the selected estimation model and temperature data derived from a measured value acquired by the plurality of temperature sensors; and estimating a thermal displacement amount of the specific portion using the calculated estimated temperature rise value of the specific portion and a coefficient for converting a temperature rise value of the specific portion into the thermal displacement amount, based on the selected estimation model.” Under their broadest reasonable interpretation and based on the description provided in the published Specification, such as paragraphs [0047]-[0075], for instance, the limitation of the calculating and estimating, as claimed, is a process that entails purely mathematical relationships, mathematical formulas or equations, and mathematical calculations.
Accordingly, the claim recites an abstract idea.
(Step 2A, Prong Two) This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application. In particular, the claim recites the additional limitations of, “wherein the machine tool includes a cooling apparatus configured to cool a specific portion that generates heat due to operation of the machine tool and a plurality of sensors disposed at freely-selected positions including at least a position where a machine body temperature is measurable and a position where a temperature of the specific portion is measurable.”
The additional limitation “a cooling apparatus configured to cool a specific portion that generates heat due to operation of the machine tool and a plurality of sensors disposed at freely-selected positions including at least a position where a machine body temperature is measurable and a position where a temperature of the specific portion is measurable” as recited in the claim that are configured to carry out the additional and abstract idea limitations may be tools that are used to determine, select and calculate as recited in the claim, but recited so generically that they represent no more than mere instructions “to apply” the judicial exceptions on or using generic electronic or computer components. Implementing an abstract idea on generic electronic or computer components as tools to perform an abstract idea is not indicative of integration into a practical application. see MPEP 2106.05(f)
In view of the foregoing, the additional limitations are not sufficient to demonstrate integration of a judicial exception into a practical application.
(Step 2B) The claim does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception.
The additional features including “a cooling apparatus configured to cool a specific portion that generates heat due to operation of the machine tool and a plurality of sensors disposed at freely-selected positions including at least a position where a machine body temperature is measurable and a position where a temperature of the specific portion is measurable”, as recited in the claim that are configured to carry out the additional and abstract idea limitation may be tools that are used for the functions recited in the claim, but recited so generically that they represent no more than mere instructions “to apply” the judicial exceptions on or using a generic electronic or computer component. Implementing an abstract idea on generic electronic or computer components as tools to perform an abstract idea does not amount to significantly more.
Therefore, the additional claimed features do not amount to significantly more and the claim is not patent eligible.
Claim 6 recites “wherein the thermal displacement amount estimating method determines the cooling state of the specific portion as any one of at least four states including a temperature fall transient state from an activation of the cooling apparatus until the delay time elapses, a temperature rise transient state from a stoppage of the cooling apparatus until the delay time elapses, a cooling steady state after the delay time elapsed from the activation of the cooling apparatus, and a heating steady state after the delay time elapsed from the stoppage of the cooling apparatus.” The claim simply adds more detail to or are cumulative to the abstract idea of the determining the cooling state of claim 5. Accordingly, claim 6 is not patent eligible.
Claim 7 recites “wherein the delay time is calculated from a value obtained based on an operation of the specific portion using a predetermined function.” The claim simply adds more detail to or are cumulative to the abstract idea of the determining the cooling state of claim 5. Accordingly, claim 7 is not patent eligible.
Claim 8 recites “wherein the delay time is a time until an amount of change per time becomes larger than a predetermined threshold value, the amount of change per time being calculated for at least one of the temperature data and the estimated temperature rise value of the specific portion.” The claim simply adds more detail to or are cumulative to the abstract idea of the determining the cooling state of claim 5. Accordingly, claim 8 is not patent eligible.
Prior Art Consideration
Regarding independent claim 1,
MIZOGUCHI (US 2018/0181103 A1) (“Mizoguchi”) teaches:
A temperature rise value estimating method for a machine tool, (Mizoguchi: [0002] “The present invention relates to a method for estimating, in a machine tool, a temperature of a portion of which the temperature cannot be directly detected by temperature detection means such as a temperature sensor, and a method for correcting thermal displacement according to the estimated temperature.”) (Mizoguchi: [0022] “In a fifth aspect of the present invention based on the fourth aspect, in the coefficient determination step, the number of the time constants that are preset may be two, and the coefficient for the temperature information may be determined by performing lag process, for the flag, by using the time constants, and, in the temperature estimation step, by multiplying, by a predetermined coefficient, a difference between the two time constants by which the lag process is performed, a temperature change due to heat of vaporization after stopping of the coolant may be estimated, and a temperature of the portion to which the temperature sensor is not attached may be estimated in consideration of the temperature change.”)
wherein the machine tool includes a cooling apparatus configured to cool a specific portion that generates heat due to operation of the machine tool and a plurality of sensors disposed at freely-selected positions including at least a position where a machine body temperature is measurable and a position where a temperature of the specific portion is measurable, and (Mizoguchi: [0046] “FIG. 1 illustrates an NC lathe that is an example of a machine tool. Needless to say, the present invention is also applicable to other types of machine tools such as a machining center and a combined machining tool.”) (Mizoguchi: [0047] “The NC lathe shown in FIG. 1 includes a cutting tool holder 1, a saddle 2, a bed 3 that is a base, and a headstock 4. Temperature sensors S, S, . . . are attached to each of the cutting tool holder 1, the saddle 2, the bed 3, and the headstock 4 (portions to which the temperature sensors are attached). Further, the cutting tool holder 1 has a turret 5 mounted thereto, and the turret 5 has a plurality of tools previously mounted thereto, and can rotate to change a tool to be used. The temperature sensor is not attached to the turret 5 (portion to which the temperature sensor is not attached). This is because the turret 5 is a rotary portion and wiring is difficult for a standard temperature sensor.”) (Mizoguichi: [0048] “Further, a coolant tank 6 is disposed lateral to the bed 3, and the temperature sensor S for measuring the temperature of a coolant is mounted inside the coolant tank 6. Further, in piping from the coolant tank 6 to the cutting tool holder 1, a flow rate sensor 7 is mounted, and a signal for discharging/stopping of a coolant pump 8 provided in the coolant tank 6 is transmitted to a not-illustrated NC device.”) [The combination of the coolant tank 6, the flow rate sensor 7 and the coolant pump 8 reads on “a cooling apparatus”. The temperature sensors S, S, … read on “a plurality of sensors”. The cutting tool holder 1 reads on “a specific portion”, and the saddle 2 or the bed 3 or combination of both reads on “a machine body”.]
the temperature rise value estimating method comprises: determining a cooling state of the specific portion by determining whether the cooling apparatus is in an operating state or a stopped state and by determining whether a time measured from a base point of an activation or a stoppage of the cooling apparatus has elapsed a predetermined delay time or not; selecting an estimation model corresponding to the determined cooling state of the specific portion from a plurality of estimation models prepared in advance corresponding to different cooling states of the specific portion; and (Mizoguchi: [0015] “In order to attain the aforementioned object, a first aspect of the present invention is a temperature estimation method, for a machine tool, for estimating, in a machine tool having a plurality of portions to which temperature sensors, respectively, are attached, and a portion to which the temperature sensor is not attached, a temperature of the portion to which the temperature sensor is not attached. The temperature estimation method may comprise a temperature information obtaining step, an operation information obtaining step, a coefficient determination step and a temperature estimation step. The temperature information obtaining step is a step of obtaining temperature information from the temperature sensors at two or more difference portions to which the temperature sensors are attached. The operation information obtaining step is a step of obtaining predetermined operation information represented by two kinds of states that are ON and OFF. The coefficient determination step is a step of determining a coefficient for each piece of the temperature information such that, when a time when the operation information is switched from ON to OFF, or from OFF to ON is a reference time, the coefficient for each piece of the temperature information is changed according to a time that elapses from the reference time. The temperature estimation step is a step of estimating a temperature of the portion to which the temperature sensor is not attached, on the basis of the temperature information and the coefficient for the temperature information.”) (Mizoguchi: [0017] “In a second aspect of the present invention based on the first aspect, in the coefficient determination step, the operation information may be represented by a flag, one or more time constants may be preset, and lag process may be performed for the flag by using the time constant, to determine the coefficient for each piece of the temperature information at any point of time.”) (Mizoguchi: [0019] “In a fourth aspect of the present invention based on the first aspect, a coolant is able to be used for the machine tool, and the temperature information includes a temperature of a structure or a machining space of the machine tool, and a temperature of the coolant, and the operation information represents discharging or stopping of the coolant.”) (Mizoguchi: [0033] “According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the aforementioned effects being obtained, the value of the time constant is made different between change from ON to OFF, and change from OFF to ON. Therefore, the temperature can be accurately estimated in each case.”) (Mizoguchi: [0094] “Further, when the temperature to be used is momentarily changed, abrupt change occurs. However, this problem can be prevented by the lag process. Further, it can be understood that an error after stopping of the coolant is also greatly reduced, and the temperature can be accurately estimated.”) [The flag ON or discharging reads on “an operating state”, and the flag OFF or stopping state reads on “a stopped state”. The elapsed time from the reference time reads on “a predetermined delay time”. The preset time constant reads on “a predetermined delay time”. Determining of coefficients based on the determined the preset time constants reads on “selecting an estimation model … from a plurality of estimation models prepared in advance corresponding to different cooling states …”.]
Mizoguchi does not expressly teach: calculating an estimated temperature rise value of the specific portion based on the selected estimation model and temperature data derived from a measured value acquired by the plurality of temperature sensors.
While, KOINUMA (US 2023/0231447 A1) (“Koinuma”) teaches accurately estimating a temperature of a rotating machine when a state of its cooling device changes, and reliably carry out its protective operation, so that its failure because of its high temperature state can be prevented, as described in at least paragraph [0040] (“FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the rotating machine temperature calculation device 31. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the rotating machine temperature calculation device 31 includes: a temperature rise characteristics selector 36 receiving as its input cooling-device state information Csi, for selecting temperature rise characteristics of the rotating machine 1 in accordance with a state of the cooling device 27; and a temperature calculator 37 receiving as its inputs the temperature rise characteristics described above, a rotating machine's losses calculation value Rlc and a temperature detection value Td, for calculating a rotating machine's temperature Rtc.”), and paragraph [0041] (“The temperature rise characteristics selector 36 records in advance a correlation of a temperature difference between a temperature of the temperature detector 25 and that at a predetermined position of the rotating machine 1 having been defined in advance with respect to a rotating machine's loss(es) for every one of states of a cooling device of the rotating machine, so that, in accordance with cooling-device state information Csi outputted from the cooling-device state estimation device 30, the temperature rise characteristics selector selects an appropriate correlation and outputs it. A correlation of the temperature difference between the temperature of the temperature detector 25 and that at a predetermined position of the rotating machine 1 having been defined in advance with respect to the rotating machine's loss(es) is approximated by a lag or delay element of a zeroth order or more because of similar reasons to the correlation between a temperature detection value Td and a rotating machine's loss(es) described above.”), and
CAPONETTI et al. (US 2015/0322926 A1) (“Caponetti”) teaches forecasting the temperature evolution of a component, such as bearings, of the wind turbine based upon the current operating parameters of the wind turbine and upon a required power output, as described in at least paragraph [0060] (“Referring to FIG. 6, this shows two trajectories for the forecasted temperature evolution of the component. The first trajectory is indicated by the dotted line 102 and corresponds to the dotted line in FIG. 5 described above. The second trajectory is indicated by the dashed line 104, and represents the situation where cooling of the component is activated at time t.sub.1 when the power boost is demanded. Referring first to the first trajectory 102 (i.e. without cooling activated) the temperature observer module 72 predicts that the alarm threshold temperature T.sub.A, will be reached at time t.sub.2, and will continue to rise thereafter between time t.sub.2 and time t.sub.3. Referring now to the second trajectory 104, the temperature observer module 72 predicts that if cooling is activated at time t.sub.1, then the temperature of the component will still increase but will remain below the alarm threshold temperature T.sub.A at time t.sub.2 and will stabilise at a level still below the alarm threshold temperature T.sub.A at time t.sub.3.”), and paragraph [0084] “The temperature observer module 72 receives a signal from the production controller 60 that a power boost is required at t=10 seconds. The power boost will require the rotor speed to increase to a second set point level, which is higher than the first set point. The temperature observer module 72 determines from the look-up table the predicted temperature T.sub.B of the high speed bearing corresponding to the second set point rotor speed. The temperature observer module 72 also determines from previously logged data that the second set point rotor speed will be reached at approximately time t=15 seconds, and that the high speed bearing temperature T.sub.B rises linearly during this period. The temperature observer module 72 can then predict the temperature evolution of the gear oil based upon this predicted rise in temperature of the high speed bearing T.sub.B. Accordingly, it is forecast that the gear oil temperature T.sub.o will rise steadily from about 46° C. at t=10 seconds, up to a new steady state temperature of approximately 48.5° C. at t=19 seconds.”),
Mizoguchi, Koinuma and Caponetti, separately or in combination, do not teach or fairly suggest the following limitations as part of the totality of the claim:
calculating an estimated temperature rise value of the specific portion based on the selected estimation model and temperature data derived from a measured value acquired by the plurality of temperature sensors.
Independent claims 5, 9 and 13 include similar limitations as independent claim 1.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MICHAEL W CHOI whose telephone number is (571)270-5069. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.
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/MICHAEL W CHOI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2116