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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 5/4/26 and 6/3/26 have been entered.
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: In the seventh line of claim 1, the recitation of “the venting grove” should be corrected to “the venting groove” for comprehension of the claim. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Krais et al. (US Patent No.: 11152827) in view of Knappenberger et al. (Foreign Patent Document No.: DE 102018204512 A1).
For claim 1, Krais et al. disclose the claimed invention comprising: at least one venting groove (reference numeral 80, see figures 7, 8), and a front surface (i.e. surface of plate 41 facing towards rotor 2, see figure 7) and a rear surface (i.e. surface of plate 41 facing away from rotor 2, see figure 7) each having an outer circumference corresponding to an outer circumference of a rotor body (reference numeral 2) of the rotor assembly (see figures 7, 8), the venting groove (reference numeral 80) extending from an interior to the outer circumference of the front surface (i.e. groove 80 extending from an inner radial position to the outer circumference of plate 41, see figure 7), and the venting groove (reference numeral 80) being in fluid communication with ambient air (see figures 7, 8). Krais et al. however do not specifically disclose the venting grove being formed in the front surface.
Knappenberger et al. disclose the venting groove (reference numeral 24.1) being formed in the front surface (figure 1 shows the venting groove 24.1 being formed in the surface of the end member 3.2 facing towards the rotor core 3, see figure 1).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the venting groove formed in the front surface as disclosed by Knappenberger et al. for the venting groove of Krais et al. for predictably providing desirable configuration for facilitating the ventilation of the device.
Claim(s) 2 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Krais et al. in view of Knappenberger et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Japanese Patent Document No.: JP 56020349 U, hereinafter "JP 349U".
For claim 2, Krais et al. disclose an inner end of the venting groove (reference numeral 80, figures 7, 8), being arranged at the interior of the ring-shaped end member (i.e. a radially inner end portion of groove 80, see figures 7, 8), comprising a venting aperture (i.e. hole 79 can be considered a venting aperture, see figures 7, 8). Krais et al. in view of Knappenberger et al. however do not specifically disclose the venting aperture extending from the front surface toward the rear surface. JP 349U discloses the venting aperture (i.e. hole 8 can be considered the venting aperture) extending from the front surface toward the rear surface (i.e. aperture 8 extending axially through the end member 2, see figure 4), and it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the venting aperture extend from the front surface toward the rear surface as disclosed by JP 349U for the venting aperture of Krais et al. in view of Knappenberger et al. for predictably providing desirable configuration for facilitating the ventilation of the device.
Claim(s) 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 14, and 15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Krais et al. (US Patent No.: 11152827) in view of Japanese Patent Document No.: JP 56020349 U, hereinafter "JP 349U" and Knappenberger et al. (Foreign Patent Document No.: DE 102018204512 A1).
For claim 4, Krais et al. disclose the claimed invention comprising: a rotor body (reference numeral 2, see figures 7, 8), a first ring-shaped end member (reference numeral 25, see figure 7), and a second ring-shaped end member (reference numeral 41, see figure 7), the rotor body being formed in a cylinder shape having an outer circumference and comprising a through-hole (i.e. hole through which shaft 4 is disposed, see figures 7, 8) extending in an axial direction of the rotor body (see figures 7, 8), a solid material portion and at least one venting channel (i.e. rotor body 2 comprised of a solid material, with venting channel 23a, 23b extending through rotor body 2, see figures 7, 8), the first ring-shaped end member (reference numeral 25) being arranged at a first end portion of the rotor body (reference numeral 2, see figure 7) and having an outer circumference corresponding to the outer circumference of the rotor body (see figures 7, 8), the second ring-shaped end member (reference numeral 41) being arranged at a second end portion of the rotor body (reference numeral 2, figure 7) and having an outer circumference corresponding to the outer circumference of the rotor body (see figures 7, 8), the venting channel (reference numerals 23a, 23b) extending from the first end portion to the second end portion through the solid material portion of the rotor body (see figures 7, 8), the second ring-shaped end member comprising at least one venting groove (reference numeral 80, figure 7) at a front surface of the second ring-shaped end member (see figure 7), the front surface facing the rotor body (see figure 7), the venting groove (reference numeral 80) extending from an interior of the second ring-shaped end member to the outer circumference of the second ring-shaped end member (i.e. groove 80 extending from an inner radial position to the outer circumference of end member 41, see figure 7), and the venting channel (i.e. channel 23a, 23b extending through rotor body 2, figures 7, 8) and the venting groove (reference numeral 80, figure 7) being connected to each other to form a venting duct for guiding an airflow through the rotor body (see figures 7, 8). Krais et al. however do not specifically disclose the first ring-shaped end member comprising at least one venting hole arranged substantially parallel to the axial direction of the rotor body, with the venting hole being connected to the venting channel and venting groove to form the venting duct; and the venting groove being formed in a front surface of the second ring-shaped end member.
JP 349U discloses the ring-shaped end member (reference numeral 2) comprising at least one venting hole (i.e. hole 8 in end member 2, see figures 3, 4) arranged substantially parallel to the axial direction of the rotor body (see figures 1, 5), which when applied to the first ring-shaped end member of Krais et al. would disclose the venting hole being connected to the venting channel and venting groove to form the venting duct. Knappenberger et al. disclose the venting groove (reference numeral 24.1, figure 1) being formed in a front surface of the second ring-shaped end member (venting groove 24.1 formed in a surface of end member 3.2 that faces the rotor core 3, see figure 1).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the venting hole arranged parallel to the axial direction as disclosed by JP 349U for the first ring-shaped end member of Krais et al. and also to have the venting groove formed in a front surface of the end member as disclosed by Knappenberger et al. for the second ring-shaped end member of Krais et al. for predictably providing desirable configuration for facilitating the ventilation of the device.
For claim 5, Krais et al. disclose an inner end of the venting groove (reference numeral 80, figure 7), being arranged at the interior of the second ring-shaped end member (reference numeral 41, see figure 7), comprising a venting aperture (reference numeral 79, figure 7), the venting aperture extending substantially parallel to the axial direction of the rotor body to abut on the venting channel (i.e. aperture 79 extending axially adjacent the venting channel 23a, see figure 7).
For claim 8, Krais et al. disclose the venting hole of the first ring-shaped end member and/or the venting groove (reference numeral 80) of the second ring-shaped end member (reference numeral 41) being in fluid communication with ambient air (see figure 7).
For claim 9, Krais et al. in view of JP 349U and Knappenberger et al. disclose the claimed invention except for the venting hole of the first ring-shaped end member being arranged as an air inlet or air outlet. JP 349U further discloses the venting hole (reference numeral 8) of the first ring-shaped end member being arranged as an air inlet or air outlet (i.e. arrows in figure 5 indicating air flow through the hole 8 which represents an air inlet or air outlet). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the venting hole arranged as an air inlet or air outlet as disclosed by JP 349U for the first ring-shaped end member of Krais et al. in view of JP 349U and Knappenberger et al. for predictably providing desirable configuration for facilitating the ventilation of the device.
For claim 11, Krais et al. disclose the rotor body comprising a plurality of venting channels (reference numeral 23a) extending from the first end portion to the second end portion through the solid material portion of the rotor body (see figure 7), the second ring-shaped end member (reference numeral 41) comprising a plurality of venting grooves (reference numeral 80) arranged in a circumferential direction of the second ring-shaped end member at the front surface of the second ring-shaped end member (see figures 7-9). Krais et al. in view of JP 349U and Knappenberger et al. however do not specifically disclose the first ring-shaped end member comprising a plurality of venting holes arranged substantially parallel to the axial direction of the rotor body, and the plurality of venting channels, the plurality of venting holes, and the plurality of venting grooves being connected to each other to form a plurality of venting ducts. JP 349U further discloses the first ring-shaped end member (reference numeral 2) comprising a plurality of venting holes (reference numeral 8) arranged substantially parallel to the axial direction of the rotor body (see figures 1, 3, 5), which when applied to the first ring-shaped end member of Krais et al. in view of JP 349U and Knappenberger et al. would disclose the plurality of venting channels, the plurality of venting holes, and the plurality of venting grooves being connected to each other to form a plurality of venting ducts. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have a plurality of venting holes as disclosed by JP 349U for the first ring-shaped end member of Krais et al. in view of JP 349U and Knappenberger et al. for predictably providing desirable configuration for facilitating the ventilation of the device.
For claim 14, Krais et al. disclose the rotor body comprising a stack of rotor elements (Krais et al. disclose a lamination stack of individual sheets, see column 8, lines 13-14).
For claim 15, Krais et al. disclose the claimed invention comprising: a rotor assembly comprising: a rotor body (reference numeral 2, see figures 7, 8), a first ring-shaped end member (reference numeral 25, see figure 7), and a second ring-shaped end member (reference numeral 41, see figure 7), the rotor body being formed in a cylinder shape having an outer circumference and comprising a through-hole (i.e. hole through which shaft 4 is disposed, see figures 7, 8) extending in an axial direction of the rotor body (see figures 7, 8), a solid material portion and at least one venting channel (reference numerals 23a, 23b, see figures 7, 8), the first ring-shaped end member (reference numeral 25) being arranged at a first end portion of the rotor body (reference numeral 2, figure 7) and having an outer circumference corresponding to the outer circumference of the rotor body (see figure 7), the second ring-shaped end member (reference numeral 41) being arranged at a second end portion of the rotor body (reference numeral 2, figure 7) and having an outer circumference corresponding to the outer circumference of the rotor body (see figure 7), the venting channel (reference numerals 23a, 23b) extending from the first end portion to the second end portion through the solid material portion of the rotor body (see figures 7, 8), the second ring-shaped end member comprising at least one venting groove (reference numeral 80, figure 7) at a front surface of the second ring-shaped end member (see figure 7), the front surface facing the rotor body (reference numeral 2, see figure 7), the venting groove (reference numeral 80) extending from an interior of the second ring-shaped end member to the outer circumference of the second ring-shaped end member (i.e. groove 80 extending from an inner radial position to the outer circumference of end member 41, see figure 7), and the venting channel (reference numerals 23a, 23b) and the venting groove (reference numeral 80, figure 7) being connected to each other to form a venting duct for guiding an airflow through the rotor body (see figure 7), and the rotor assembly (reference numeral 2, see figure 7) adapted to be arranged within a stator assembly (see figure 7). Krais et al. however do not specifically disclose the first ring-shaped end member comprising at least one venting hole arranged substantially parallel to the axial direction of the rotor body, with the venting hole being connected to the venting channel and venting groove to form the venting duct; and the at least one venting groove being formed in a front surface of the second ring-shaped end member.
JP 349U discloses a ring-shaped end member comprising at least one venting hole (i.e. hole 8 in end member 2, see figures 3, 4) arranged substantially parallel to the axial direction of the rotor body (see figures 1, 5), and when applied to the first ring-shaped end member of Krais et al. this would disclose the venting hole being connected to the venting channel and venting groove to form the venting duct. Knappenberger et al. disclose the venting groove (reference numeral 24.1, figure 1) being formed in a front surface of the second ring-shaped end member (venting groove 24.1 formed in a surface of end member 3.2 that faces the rotor core 3, see figure 1).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the at least one venting hole as disclosed by JP 349U for the first ring-shaped end member of Krais et al. and also have the venting groove formed in a front surface of the end member as disclosed by Knappenberger et al. for the venting groove of Krais et al. for predictably providing desirable configuration for facilitating the ventilation of the device.
Claim(s) 6 and 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Krais et al. in view of JP 349U and Knappenberger et al. as applied to claim 4 above, and further in view of DeBlock et al. (US Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2012/0086291 A1).
For claim 6, Krais et al. in view of JP 349U and Knappenberger et al. disclose the claimed invention except for a rear surface of the first ring-shaped end member and/or a rear surface of the second ring-shaped end member facing away from the rotor body being adapted to be arranged adjacent to at least one fan unit. DeBlock et al. disclose a fan unit (reference numeral 750, figure 7) arranged at a rear surface of an end member (reference numeral 702, see figure 7), and it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the rear surface adapted to be arranged adjacent a fan unit as disclosed by DeBlock et al. for the rear surface of the first or second ring-shaped end member of Krais et al. in view of JP 349U and Knappenberger et al. for predictably providing desirable configuration for facilitating the ventilation of the device.
For claim 7, Krais et al. in view of JP 349U, Knappenberger et al., and DeBlock et al. disclose the claimed invention except for the first ring-shaped end member and/or the second ring-shaped end member being adapted to integrate the at least one fan unit or the first ring-shaped end member and/or the second ring-shaped end member being adapted to be arranged separately from the at least one fan unit. DeBlock et al. further disclose the fan unit (reference numeral 750, figure 7) being arranged separately from the end member (reference numeral 702, see figure 7), and it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the end member adapted to be arranged separately from the fan unit as disclosed by DeBlock et al. for the first or second ring-shaped end member of Krais et al. in view of JP 349U, Knappenberger et al., and DeBlock et al. for predictably providing desirable configuration for facilitating the ventilation of the device.
Claim(s) 12 and 13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Krais et al. in view of JP 349U and Knappenberger et al. as applied to claim 11 above, and further in view of Tokunaga et al. (US Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2013/0334912 A1).
For claim 12, Krais et al. in view of JP 349U and Knappenberger et al. disclose the claimed invention except for a number of the venting ducts being even. Tokunaga et al. disclose the number of venting ducts (reference numerals 44A, 44B) being even (see figure 12), and it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the even number of ducts as disclosed by Tokunaga et al. for the venting ducts of Krais et al. in view of JP 349U and Knappenberger et al. for predictably providing desirable configuration for facilitating the ventilation of the device.
For claim 13, Krais et al. in view of JP 349U, Knappenberger et al., and Tokunaga et al. disclose the claimed invention except for a half of the venting ducts being adapted to guide the airflow from the first ring-shaped end member throughout the second ring-shaped end member and another half of the venting ducts being adapted to guide the airflow from the second ring-shaped end member throughout the first ring-shaped end member. Guiding the flow in opposite directions through the rotor is a known skill as exhibited by Tokunaga et al. which disclose venting ducts (reference numerals 44A, 44B, figures 12, 14, 15, 20) having the flow in opposite directions (see the arrows within ducts 44A and 44B indicating the opposite directions, see figure 20). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the flow in opposite directions as disclosed by Tokunaga et al. for the venting ducts of Krais et al. in view of JP 349U, Knappenberger et al., and Tokunaga et al. for predictably providing desirable configuration for facilitating the ventilation of the device.
Claim(s) 16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Krais et al. in view of Knappenberger et al. as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Enjoji (US Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2016/0344265 A1).
For claim 16, Krais et al. in view of Knappenberger et al. disclose the claimed invention except for the venting groove having an arc shape from the interior to the outer circumference of the front surface. Having an arc shape for the groove is a known skill as exhibited by Enjoji (reference numeral 58, see figure 10), and it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the arc shape as disclosed by Enjoji for the venting groove of Krais et al. in view of Knappenberger et al. for predictably providing desirable configuration for facilitating the ventilation of the device.
Claim(s) 17 and 18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Krais et al. in view of "JP 349U" and Knappenberger et al. as applied to claims 4 and 15 above, and further in view of Enjoji (US Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2016/0344265 A1).
For claims 17 and 18, Krais et al. in view of "JP 349U" and Knappenberger et al. disclose the claimed invention except for the venting groove having an arc shape from the interior to the outer circumference of the front surface. Having an arc shape for the groove is a known skill as exhibited by Enjoji (reference numeral 58, see figure 10), and it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the arc shape as disclosed by Enjoji for the venting groove of Krais et al. in view of "JP 349U" and Knappenberger et al. for predictably providing desirable configuration for facilitating the ventilation of the device.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 3 and 10 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: While the prior art discloses some of the claimed invention as explained above in the present action, the prior art of record do not sufficiently disclose the combination of features including the venting opening being spaced apart from the venting groove in a circumferential direction as disclosed in claims 3 and 10.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1, 2, 4-9, and 11-18 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
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/ALEX W MOK/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2834
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