DETAILED ACTION
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 .
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
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Claims 1 – 18 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims of copending Application No. 20250079875 (reference application). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because claims of the instant application are covered by the reference claims.
This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented.
Current Application 18/497,702
USPGPUB 20250079875
Claim 1:
A battery charging apparatus comprising:
a charging and discharging port comprising first to third charging and discharging alternating-current terminals and a neutral terminal, the battery charging apparatus being configured to transfer an external electric power to a battery through the charging and discharging port or transfer a battery electric power of the battery to an external source through the charging and discharging port;
a power factor correction circuit comprising first to third inductors that correspond to the first to third charging and discharging alternating-current terminals, respectively;
a first relay electrically coupled between the first charging and discharging alternating-current terminal and the first inductor;
an interleave relay, one terminal of the interleave relay being electrically coupled between the first charging and discharging alternating-current terminal and the first relay, and another terminal of the interleave relay being electrically coupled between the second charging and discharging alternating-current terminal and the second inductor; and
a controller configured to control a connected or disconnected state of the first relay and a connected or disconnected state of the interleave relay.
Claim 1:
A charging and discharging apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a charging/discharging port comprising a first AC terminal, a second AC terminal, a third AC terminal, and a neutral terminal, the charging/discharging port being configured to transmit external power to a battery or to transmit power of the battery to an exterior of the charging/discharging port;
a power factor correction circuit comprising a plurality of inductors respectively corresponding to the first AC terminal, the second AC terminal, and the third AC terminal;
an input filter unit comprising a first switch configured to selectively interconnect the first AC terminal and a first corresponding one of the inductors, a second switch configured to selectively interconnect the second AC terminal and a second corresponding one of the inductors, and a third switch configured to selectively interconnect the third AC terminal and a third corresponding one of the inductors;
a surge protection circuit unit connected between the first to third AC terminals and a ground, and connected to form a current path to the ground in response to a surge being generated at one or more of the first AC terminal, the second AC terminal, or the third AC terminal; and
a controller configured to sequentially turn off the second switch and the third switch in response to charging through the first to third AC terminals being ended.
Claim 1:
A battery charging apparatus comprising: a charging and discharging port comprising first to third charging and discharging alternating-current terminals and a neutral terminal, the battery charging apparatus being configured to transfer an external electric power to a battery through the charging and discharging port or transfer a battery electric power of the battery to an external source through the charging and discharging port; a power factor correction circuit comprising first to third inductors that correspond to the first to third charging and discharging alternating-current terminals, respectively; a first relay electrically coupled between the first charging and discharging alternating-current terminal and the first inductor;
an interleave relay, one terminal of the interleave relay being electrically coupled between the first charging and discharging alternating-current terminal and the first relay, and another terminal of the interleave relay being electrically coupled between the second charging and discharging alternating-current terminal and the second inductor; and
a controller configured to control a connected or disconnected state of the first relay and a connected or disconnected state of the interleave relay.
Claim 2:
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input filter unit further comprises an interleaving switch configured to selectively interconnect the first AC terminal and the second AC terminal.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 19 – 20 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: Regarding claim 19, the prior art does not teach or suggest the combination of inter alia, a bidirectional battery charging apparatus, such as one used in an electrified vehicle. The system can charge a battery from outside power, or send power from the battery back out to an external device or grid. It uses a charging/discharging port with multiple AC terminals and a power factor correction circuit with inductors to manage incoming and outgoing power. A first relay and an interleave relay are used together so the electrical isolation job can be shared rather than handled by one large relay. The controller opens and closes those relays depending on whether the device is charging or discharging. In some modes, the apparatus can accept single-phase AC power; in others, it can accept three-phase AC power. The apparatus may also include a pre-charging relay and resistor to soften startup conditions. A separate discharging port can be used to output battery power independently or together with the charging/discharging port. The controller coordinates several relays so the battery can power different external outputs safely. The main idea is to reduce relay size and cost while still providing reliable isolation and flexible power flow.
Specifically, the claims state:
Charging/discharging port with first to third AC terminals and neutral terminal for bidirectional power flow.
Power factor correction circuit with three inductors matched to the three AC terminals.
First relay and interleave relay arranged so input/output current is shared between two paths.
Pre-charging relay and pre-charging resistor used during startup to stabilize voltage before full connection.
Optional discharging port with discharging relay for battery-to-load output through a separate path.
Regarding claim 20, the claim recites similar limitations as claim 19 and is therefore allowable. As disclosed above,
the prior art does not teach or suggest the combination of inter alia, a bidirectional battery charging apparatus, such as one used in an electrified vehicle. The system can charge a battery from outside power, or send power from the battery back out to an external device or grid. It uses a charging/discharging port with multiple AC terminals and a power factor correction circuit with inductors to manage incoming and outgoing power. A first relay and an interleave relay are used together so the electrical isolation job can be shared rather than handled by one large relay. The controller opens and closes those relays depending on whether the device is charging or discharging. In some modes, the apparatus can accept single-phase AC power; in others, it can accept three-phase AC power. The apparatus may also include a pre-charging relay and resistor to soften startup conditions. A separate discharging port can be used to output battery power independently or together with the charging/discharging port. The controller coordinates several relays so the battery can power different external outputs safely. The main idea is to reduce relay size and cost while still providing reliable isolation and flexible power flow.
Specifically, the claims state:
Charging/discharging port with first to third AC terminals and neutral terminal for bidirectional power flow.
Power factor correction circuit with three inductors matched to the three AC terminals.
First relay and interleave relay arranged so input/output current is shared between two paths.
Pre-charging relay and pre-charging resistor used during startup to stabilize voltage before full connection.
Optional discharging port with discharging relay for battery-to-load output through a separate path.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
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Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ALEXIS B PACHECO whose telephone number is (571)272-5979. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00 - 5:30.
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ALEXIS BOATENG PACHECO
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2859
/ALEXIS B PACHECO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2859
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