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 (IDS) submitted on January 26, 2026 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed April 10, 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to Applicant's argument on page 6 – 7 pertaining to “In other words, Quist, although it uses a flux sensor, does not discuss deriving harmonic content or any ratio of harmonic amplitudes to fundamental frequency from the sensed field data from this sensor to compute power. In fact, Quist uses flux for statistical fault prediction and this is not the same as the claimed power calculations. As such, neither reference teaches that an external magnetic sensor captures magnetic field data to compute power as claimed. Since at least one claimed feature is not taught by the references, the claims are allowable.”. The Examiner respectfully disagrees.
As mentioned in this Office Action (OA), the Examiner does not rely on Watanabe or Quist to teach “an external magnetic sensor captures magnetic field data to compute power” as claimed. The Examiner relies on Song. Song teaches, “an external magnetic sensor (Fig. 6. hall sensor 17) captures magnetic field data to compute power (Fig. 6. Col. 4. Ln. 32 the magnetic power of the driving magnet 20 is applied to the hall sensor 17)”. The magnetic field form the motor is converted to electronic signals that are then used to compute the power from the driving magnet of the motor.
In response to Applicant's argument on page 7 pertaining to “The Applicant also submits that it would not have been obvious to modify Watanabe with Quist as suggested by the Office Action to obtain the claimed subject matter. The mere fact that both references involve monitoring motors does not mean they can be straightforwardly combined to arrive at the claimed invention. The claimed invention allows power estimation without tapping into the motor's electrical circuits (voltage or current). Watanabe's system, in contrast, uses a current sensor inside the motor to measure electrical current (not external magnetic flux). Although Quist does disclose an external "electromagnetic flux sensor" 36 placed near the machine, the focus of Quist' sis on gathering data for statistical failure prediction, not on real-time power output estimation via harmonic amplitude analysis.”. The Examiner respectfully disagrees.
The current sensors taught by Watanabe measures external magnetic flux around a conductor as known in the art. Quist teaches a sensor that measures external magnetic flux created by the motor. It would be obvious for one of ordinary skill to modify the sensor taught by Watanabe with the sensor taught by Quist for the benefit of measuring the output power of a motor in order to provide information about potential failure of the motor. Song further teaches a sensor that also measures external magnetic flux created by a motor. It would be obvious for one of ordinary skill to modify the sensor taught by Watanabe in view of Quist with the sensor taught by Song for the benefit of estimating the power output of a motor with little error and simple construction.
In response to Applicant's argument on page 7 pertaining to “Nothing in Watanabe or Quist suggests that one could replace Watanabe's internal current sensing with an external sensor to achieve accurate power measurements or why this would even be attempted. In fact, the Applicant's disclosure explicitly teaches that one advantage of the claimed approach is that power can be measured "without torque, voltage, or current sensors" by using an external magnetic field sensor. This non-invasive approach improves ease of installation and avoids integration into existing motor controls, an improvement not contemplated by the prior art.”. The Examiner respectfully disagrees.
As mentioned in this OA, Song teaches measuring power without torque, voltage, or current sensors (Fig. 6. Col. 4. Ln. 32 the magnetic power of the driving magnet 20 is applied to the hall sensor 17). The hall sensor senses the magnetic field of the drive motor and converts this to power measurement.
In response to Applicant's argument on page 7 pertaining to “In any event, it appears that the Office Action is actually proposed combining the teachings of Watanabe and Quist so that the resultant combination would both sense current (from Watanabe) and flux (from Quist). However, there is no reason Watanabe would benefit from such an addition since Quist' s flux is not used for power estimation but for statistical fault prediction. The resulting structure would also make the motor much more expensive and more complex, further dissuading someone from making the proposed changes.”. The Examiner respectfully disagrees.
As mentioned in this OA, Song teaches measuring power without torque, voltage, or current sensors (Fig. 6. Col. 4. Ln. 32 the magnetic power of the driving magnet 20 is applied to the hall sensor 17). The hall sensor senses the magnetic field of the drive motor and converts this to power measurement.
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.
Claim(s) 1, 2, 4 – 11, 13 – 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over WATANABE (US 2022/0286076 A1) (herein after Watanabe) in view of Quist (US 6,199,018 B1) (herein after Quist), and further in view of Song (5,694,341) (herein after Song).
Regarding Claim 1, Watanabe teaches, a computer implemented method for estimating the power output of an electric motor (Fig. 1A, ¶ 22, 26 description, electric motor 3 outputs a rotational driving force) with at least one — sensor (Fig. 1B, ¶ 52 current sensor portion 420; ”Note: ¶ 48 FIG. 1B is a configuration diagram of the reference rotational rate correction unit 62 of the embodiment”), comprising: — providing magnetic field frequency data based on the magnetic field signal data (Fig. 2, ¶ 59 frequency component data table 621t); determining a fundamental harmonic frequency (Fig. 1, ¶ 22 a frequency of fundamental waves, fundamental frequency f) of the supply frequency of the electric motor; determining at least one further harmonic frequency (Fig. 1, ¶ 54 integer-order harmonic components of the fundamental frequency f) of the fundamental harmonic frequency based on the magnetic field frequency data and/or the magnetic field signal data; determining a ratio (Fig. 2, ¶ 62 normalized) between an amplitude of the at least one further harmonic frequency and an amplitude of the fundamental harmonic frequency (Fig. 2, ¶ 62 fundamental frequency f is used as a reference value; magnitude of the odd-order harmonic component is normalized on the basis of the magnitude of the frequency component of the reference); providing reference ratio data (Fig. 2, ¶ 59 frequency component data table 621t) describing a relation of a ratio between an amplitude of the at least one further harmonic frequency and an amplitude of the fundamental harmonic frequency and the power output (Fig. 1, ¶ 26 a rotational driving force) of the electric motor; estimating the power output of the electric motor based on the reference ratio data and the determined ratio (Fig. 1, ¶ 62 rotational rate based on reference rotational rate (w %) is represented by a percentage).
Watanabe fails to teach, — providing magnetic field signal data from the magnetic field sensor arranged outside and at a radial distance from the electric motor, wherein the magnetic field sensor is arranged and configured to non-intrusively measure a magnetic field of the electric motor without measuring a voltage, current, or torque of the motor and uses the measured magnetic field to estimate a power output of the electric motor —
In analogous art, Quist teaches, — providing magnetic field signal data from the magnetic field sensor (Fig. 2B. Col. 8. Ln. 64 – 65 output signals from an electromagnetic flux sensor 36; “Note: Fig 2B is part of Fig 1, Col 8. Ln 14 – 17 As reflected in FIG. 2B, the microprocessor 28, machine 11”) arranged outside and at a radial distance from the electric motor (Fig. 2B. Col. 8. Ln. 67 – Col 9. Ln 1 positioned appropriately with respect to the associated machine 11), wherein the magnetic field sensor is arranged and configured to non-intrusively measure a magnetic field (Fig. 2B. Col. 8. Ln. 67 – Col 9. Ln 1 positioned appropriately with respect to the associated machine 11 to detect the magnitude of the flux) of the electric motor —
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Watanabe by combining the computer implemented method for estimating the power output of an electric motor taught by Watanabe with a method comprising: providing magnetic field signal data from the magnetic field sensor arranged outside and at a radial distance from the electric motor, wherein the magnetic field sensor is arranged and configured to non-intrusively measure a magnetic field of the electric motor; taught by Quist for the benefit of measuring the output power of a motor in order to provide information about potential failure of the motor [Quist: Col. 4, Ln. 45 – 48 information to develop an updatable statistical model that can provide useful information concerning the operating condition and failure potential of the various motors 11].
Watanabe in view of Quist fail to teach, providing magnetic field signal data from the magnetic field sensor — without measuring a voltage, current, or torque of the motor and uses the measured magnetic field to estimate a power output of the electric motor —
In analogous art, Song teaches, providing magnetic field signal data from the magnetic field sensor (Fig. 6. hall sensor 17) — without measuring a voltage, current, or torque of the motor and uses the measured magnetic field to estimate a power output of the electric motor (Fig. 6. Col. 4. Ln. 32 the magnetic power of the driving magnet 20 is applied to the hall sensor 17) —
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Watanabe in view of Quist by combining the computer implemented method for estimating the power output of an electric motor taught by Watanabe in view of Quist with a method for providing magnetic field signal data from the magnetic field sensor without measuring a voltage, current, or torque of the motor and uses the measured magnetic field to estimate a power output of the electric motor; taught by Song for the benefit of estimating the power output of a motor with little error and simple construction [Song: Col. 5, Ln. 29].
Regarding Claim 2, Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song teach the limitations of claim 1, which this claim depends on.
Watanabe further teaches, the method according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field signal data is transformed to magnetic field frequency data by Fast Fourier Transformation (Fig. 1B, ¶ 53 fast Fourier transform unit 623 performs an FFT process (a fast Fourier transform process)).
Regarding Claim 4, Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song teach the limitations of claim 1, which this claim depends on.
Watanabe further teaches, the method according to claim 1, wherein the further harmonic frequency is the third harmonic frequency (Fig. 2, ¶ 62 items of the 3f detection value, correspond to the third-order, harmonic components).
Regarding Claim 5, Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song teach the limitations of claim 1, which this claim depends on.
Watanabe further teaches, the method according to claim 1, wherein two or more harmonic frequencies (Fig. 1, ¶ 54 integer-order harmonic components of the fundamental frequency f) and the respective ratios (Fig. 2, ¶ 62 normalized) between the amplitudes of the two or more harmonic frequencies and an amplitude of the fundamental harmonic frequency are determined (Fig. 2, ¶ 62 fundamental frequency f is used as a reference value; magnitude of the odd-order harmonic component is normalized on the basis of the magnitude of the frequency component of the reference).
Regarding Claim 6, Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song teach the limitations of claim 1, which this claim depends on.
Watanabe and Song fail to teach, the method according to claim 1, wherein the reference ratio data is estimated by providing input on actual power output while first measurements are being taken during a test/calibration cycle of the electric motor
Quist further teaches, the method according to claim 1, wherein the reference ratio data is estimated by providing input on actual power output while first measurements are being taken (Fig. 1. Col. 20. Ln. 31 – 32 initial quality of the machine is assessed) during a test/calibration cycle of the electric motor (Fig. 1. Col. 20. Ln. 45 perform initial quality tests).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song combining the computer implemented method for estimating the power output of an electric motor taught by Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song with, reference ratio date wherein, the reference ratio data is estimated by providing input on actual power output while first measurements are being taken during a test/calibration cycle of the electric motor; taught by Quist for the benefit of measuring the output power of a motor in order to provide information about potential failure of the motor [Quist: Col. 4, Ln. 45 – 48 information to develop an updatable statistical model that can provide useful information concerning the operating condition and failure potential of the various motors 11].
Regarding Claim 7, Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song teach the limitations of claim 1, which this claim depends on.
Watanabe and Song fail to teach, the method according to claim 1, wherein the reference ratio data is estimated by using a slip-based method for estimating the power output at an operating point, in particular where the slip-based method provides a maximum of precision.
Quist further teaches, the method according to claim 1, wherein the reference ratio data is estimated by using a slip-based method (Fig. 2B. Col. 13. Ln. 47 – 51 rotational frequency of the rotor f(r), synchronous speed of the stator field f(s), "slip" S of the machine, S=(f(s)-f(r))/f(s)) for estimating the power output at an operating point (Fig. 2B. Col. 13. Ln. 53 – 54 S will vary from a value of 1 at start-up to a value approaching zero), in particular where the slip-based method provides a maximum of precision (Fig. 2B. Col. 15. Ln. 21 – 22 confirm that the f(r), f(s) and S values are accurate).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song combining the computer implemented method for estimating the power output of an electric motor taught by Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song with a reference ration wherein, the reference ratio data is estimated by using a slip-based method for estimating the power output at an operating point, in particular where the slip-based method provides a maximum of precision; taught by Quist for the benefit of measuring the output power of a motor in order to provide information about potential failure of the motor [Quist: Col. 4, Ln. 45 – 48 information to develop an updatable statistical model that can provide useful information concerning the operating condition and failure potential of the various motors 11].
Regarding Claim 8, Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song teach the limitations of claim 1, which this claim depends on.
Watanabe and Song fail to teach, the method according to claim 1, wherein the reference ratio data is estimated by using an interpolation from a large amount of data with a slip-based power output and the ratios of the amplitudes at the given slip-based power outputs.
Quist further teaches, the method according to claim 1, wherein the reference ratio data is estimated by using an interpolation from a large amount of data (Fig. 1. Col. 4. Ln. 48 – 50 global program is adaptive it can "learn" from the information provided to it) with a slip-based power output (Fig. 1. Col. 24. Ln. 4 determine the inertia of the load) and the ratios of the amplitudes (Fig. 2B. Col. 12. Ln. 64 – 65 normalizes the raw information to provide normalized information) at the given slip-based power outputs.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song combining the computer implemented method for estimating the power output of an electric motor taught by Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song with a reference ratio wherein, the reference ratio data is estimated by using an interpolation from a large amount of data with a slip-based power output and the ratios of the amplitudes at the given slip-based power outputs; taught by Quist for the benefit of measuring the output power of a motor in order to provide information about potential failure of the motor [Quist: Col. 4, Ln. 45 – 48 information to develop an updatable statistical model that can provide useful information concerning the operating condition and failure potential of the various motors 11].
Regarding Claim 9, Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song teach the limitations of claim 1, which this claim depends on.
Watanabe further teaches, the method according to claim 1, further comprising controlling an operation point (Fig. 1B, ¶ 47 rate control unit 64 performs adjustment) of the electric motor based on the estimated power output (Fig. 1, ¶ 47 performs adjustment, so that a difference between the corrected reference rotational rate ω cor_ref and the rotational rate ω_fbk becomes 0).
Regarding Claim 10, Watanabe teaches, a system (Fig. 1A, electric motor drive system 1), comprising: an electric motor (Fig. 1A, electric motor 3); a — sensor (Fig. 1B, ¶ 52 current sensor portion 420; ”Note: ¶ 48 FIG. 1B is a configuration diagram of the reference rotational rate correction unit 62 of the embodiment”); and a computing device (Fig. 1, controller 60); wherein the computing device is configured to determine a power output of the electric motor (Fig. 1A, ¶ 22, 26 description, electric motor 3 outputs a rotational driving force), by: — providing magnetic field frequency data based on the magnetic field signal data (Fig. 2, ¶ 59 frequency component data table 621t); determining a fundamental harmonic frequency (Fig. 1, ¶ 22 a frequency of fundamental waves, fundamental frequency f) of the supply frequency of the electric motor; determining at least one further harmonic frequency (Fig. 1, ¶ 54 integer-order harmonic components of the fundamental frequency f) of the fundamental harmonic frequency based on the magnetic field frequency data and/or the magnetic field signal data; determining a ratio (Fig. 2, ¶ 62 normalized) between an amplitude of the at least one further harmonic frequency and an amplitude of the fundamental harmonic frequency (Fig. 2, ¶ 62 fundamental frequency f is used as a reference value; magnitude of the odd-order harmonic component is normalized on the basis of the magnitude of the frequency component of the reference); providing reference ratio data (Fig. 2, ¶ 59 frequency component data table 621t) describing a relation of a ratio between an amplitude of the at least one further harmonic frequency and an amplitude of the fundamental harmonic frequency and a power output (Fig. 1, ¶ 26 a rotational driving force) of the electric motor; and estimating the power output of the electric motor based on the reference ratio data and the determined ratio (Fig. 1, ¶ 62 rotational rate based on reference rotational rate (w %) is represented by a percentage).
Watanabe fails to teach, a system, comprising: an electric motor; a magnetic field sensor arranged outside and at a radial distance from the electric motor; and a computing device; wherein the computing device is configured to determine a power output of the electric motor, by: receiving magnetic field signal data from the magnetic field sensor, wherein the magnetic field sensor is arranged and configured to non-intrusively measure a magnetic field of the electric motor without measuring a voltage, current, or torque of the motor;
In analogous art, Quist teaches, a system (Fig. 1. diagnostic system 10), comprising: an electric motor (Fig. 1. machine 11); a magnetic field sensor (Fig. 2B. electromagnetic flux sensor 36; “Note: Fig 2B is part of Fig 1, Col 8. Ln 14 – 17 As reflected in FIG. 2B, the microprocessor 28, machine 11”) arranged outside and at a radial distance from the electric motor (Fig. 2B. Col. 8. Ln. 67 – Col 9. Ln 1 positioned appropriately with respect to the associated machine 11); and a computing device (Fig. 2B. main control board 27); wherein the computing device is configured to determine a power output of the electric motor (Fig. 1. Col. 13. Ln. 44 – 45 novel method in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; Col. 5. Ln. 45 load conditions), by: receiving magnetic field signal data from the magnetic field sensor (Fig. 2B. Col. 8. Ln. 64 – 65 output signals from an electromagnetic flux sensor 36), wherein the magnetic field sensor is arranged and configured to non-intrusively measure a magnetic field (Fig. 2B. Col. 8. Ln. 67 – Col 9. Ln 1 positioned appropriately with respect to the associated machine 11 to detect the magnitude of the flux) of the electric motor; —
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Watanabe by combining a system configured to determine a power output of an electric motor taught by Watanabe with a system, comprising: an electric motor; a magnetic field sensor arranged outside and at a radial distance from the electric motor; and a computing device; wherein the computing device is configured to determine a power output of the electric motor, by: receiving magnetic field signal data from the magnetic field sensor, wherein the magnetic field sensor is arranged and configured to non-intrusively measure a magnetic field of the electric motor; taught by Quist for the benefit of measuring the output power of a motor in order to provide information about potential failure of the motor [Quist: Col. 4, Ln. 45 – 48 information to develop an updatable statistical model that can provide useful information concerning the operating condition and failure potential of the various motors 11].
Watanabe in view of Quist fail to teach, — receiving magnetic field signal data from the magnetic field sensor — without measuring a voltage, current, or torque of the motor; —
In analogous art, Song teaches, — receiving magnetic field signal data from the magnetic field sensor (Fig. 6. hall sensor 17) — without measuring a voltage, current, or torque of the motor (Fig. 6. Col. 4. Ln. 32 the magnetic power of the driving magnet 20 is applied to the hall sensor 17); —
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Watanabe in view of Quist by combining a system configured to determine a power output of an electric motor taught by Watanabe in view of Quist with a system, comprising: receiving magnetic field signal data from the magnetic field sensor without measuring a voltage, current, or torque of the motor; taught by Song for the benefit of estimating the power output of a motor with little error and simple construction [Song: Col. 5, Ln. 29].
Regarding Claim 11, Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song teach the limitations of claim 10, which this claim depends on.
Watanabe further teaches, the system according to claim 10, wherein the magnetic field signal data is transformed to magnetic field frequency data by Fast Fourier Transformation (Fig. 1B, ¶ 53 fast Fourier transform unit 623 performs an FFT process (a fast Fourier transform process)) in the computing device.
Regarding Claim 13, Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song teach the limitations of claim 10, which this claim depends on.
Watanabe further teaches, the system according to claim 10, wherein the further harmonic frequency is the third harmonic frequency (Fig. 2, ¶ 62 items of the 3f detection value, correspond to the third-order, harmonic components).
Regarding Claim 14, Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song teach the limitations of claim 10, which this claim depends on.
Watanabe further teaches, the system according to claim 10, wherein two or more harmonic frequencies (Fig. 1, ¶ 54 integer-order harmonic components of the fundamental frequency f) and the respective ratios (Fig. 2, ¶ 62 normalized) between the amplitudes of the two or more harmonic frequencies and an amplitude of the fundamental harmonic frequency are determined (Fig. 2, ¶ 62 fundamental frequency f is used as a reference value; magnitude of the odd-order harmonic component is normalized on the basis of the magnitude of the frequency component of the reference).
Regarding Claim 15, Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song teach the limitations of claim 10, which this claim depends on.
Watanabe and Song fail to teach, the system according to claim 10, wherein the reference ratio data is estimated by providing input on actual power output while first measurements are being taken during a test/calibration cycle of the electric motor.
Quist further teaches,15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the reference ratio data is estimated by providing input on actual power output while first measurements are being taken (Fig. 1. Col. 20. Ln. 31 – 32 initial quality of the machine is assessed) during a test/calibration cycle of the electric motor (Fig. 1. Col. 20. Ln. 45 perform initial quality tests).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song by combining a system configured to determine a power output of an electric motor taught by Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song with a system wherein, the reference ratio data is estimated by providing input on actual power output while first measurements are being taken during a test/calibration cycle of the electric motor; taught by Quist for the benefit of measuring the output power of a motor in order to provide information about potential failure of the motor [Quist: Col. 4, Ln. 45 – 48 information to develop an updatable statistical model that can provide useful information concerning the operating condition and failure potential of the various motors 11].
Regarding Claim 16, Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song teach the limitations of claim 10, which this claim depends on.
Watanabe and Song fail to teach, the system according to claim 10, wherein the reference ratio data is estimated by using a slip-based method for estimating the power output at an operating point, in particular where the slip-based method provides a maximum of precision.
Quist further teaches, the system according to claim 10, wherein the reference ratio data is estimated by using a slip-based method (Fig. 2B. Col. 13. Ln. 47 – 51 rotational frequency of the rotor f(r), synchronous speed of the stator field f(s), "slip" S of the machine, S=(f(s)-f(r))/f(s)) for estimating the power output at an operating point (Fig. 2B. Col. 13. Ln. 53 – 54 S will vary from a value of 1 at start-up to a value approaching zero), in particular where the slip-based method provides a maximum of precision (Fig. 2B. Col. 15. Ln. 21 – 22 confirm that the f(r), f(s) and S values are accurate).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song by combining a system configured to determine a power output of an electric motor taught by Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song with a system wherein, the reference ratio data is estimated by using a slip-based method for estimating the power output at an operating point, in particular where the slip-based method provides a maximum of precision; taught by Quist for the benefit of measuring the output power of a motor in order to provide information about potential failure of the motor [Quist: Col. 4, Ln. 45 – 48 information to develop an updatable statistical model that can provide useful information concerning the operating condition and failure potential of the various motors 11].
Regarding Claim 17, Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song teach the limitations of claim 10, which this claim depends on.
Watanabe and Song fail to teach, the system according to claim 10, wherein the reference ratio data is estimated in the computing device by using an interpolation from a large amount of data with a slip-based power output and the ratios of the amplitudes at the given slip-based power outputs.
Quist further teaches, the system according to claim 10, wherein the reference ratio data is estimated in the computing device by using an interpolation from a large amount of data (Fig. 1. Col. 4. Ln. 48 – 50 global program is adaptive it can "learn" from the information provided to it) with a slip-based power output (Fig. 1. Col. 24. Ln. 4 determine the inertia of the load) and the ratios of the amplitudes (Fig. 2B. Col. 12. Ln. 64 – 65 normalizes the raw information to provide normalized information) at the given slip-based power outputs.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song by combining a system configured to determine a power output of an electric motor taught by Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song with a refence ratio wherein, the reference ratio data is estimated in the computing device by using an interpolation from a large amount of data with a slip-based power output and the ratios of the amplitudes at the given slip-based power outputs; taught by Quist for the benefit of measuring the output power of a motor in order to provide information about potential failure of the motor [Quist: Col. 4, Ln. 45 – 48 information to develop an updatable statistical model that can provide useful information concerning the operating condition and failure potential of the various motors 11].
Regarding Claim 18, Watanabe in view of Quist in view of Song teach the limitations of claim 10, which this claim depends on.
Watanabe further teaches, the system according to claim 10, further comprising using the computing device to control an operation point (Fig. 1B, ¶ 47 rate control unit 64 performs adjustment) of the electric motor based on the estimated power output (Fig. 1, ¶ 47 performs adjustment, so that a difference between the corrected reference rotational rate ω cor_ref and the rotational rate ω_fbk becomes 0).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
SATO (US 2019/0068030 A1) teaches, an electric motor (Fig. 4, a motor 20); a magnetic field sensor (Fig. 4, magnetic sensors 511 and 512); and a computing device (Fig. 4, controller 30); wherein the computing device is configured to determine a power output (Fig. 4, a three-phase drive electric power) of the electric motor.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOSEPH O. NYAMOGO whose telephone number is (469)295-9276. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00 A to 5:00 P CT.
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/JOSEPH O. NYAMOGO/
Examiner
Art Unit 2858
/FARHANA A HOQUE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2858
Prosecution Insights