Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/529,480

METHODS OF PROTECTING A SURFACE OF A NI-BASED ALLOY

Non-Final OA

Filed

Dec 05, 2023

Priority

Sep 25, 2023 — IN 202311064236

Examiner

MCGUTHRY BANKS, TIMA MICHELE

Art Unit

1733

Tech Center

1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering

Assignee

General Electric Company

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +2.2% interview lift. Interview lift (+2.2%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 1170 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

MCGUTHRY BANKS, TIMA MICHELE View full profile →

Grants 82% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

955 granted / 1170 resolved

+16.6% vs TC avg

Minimal +2% lift

Without

With

+2.2%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 4m

Avg Prosecution

58 currently pending

Career history

1231

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

52.4%

+12.4% vs TC avg

§102

6.2%

-33.8% vs TC avg

§112

33.5%

-6.5% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1170 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 05, 2023

Application Filed

Apr 01, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jul 01, 2026

Response Filed

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/224,263

Patent 12676351

METHOD FOR RECOVERING VALUABLE MATERIALS FROM BATTERIES

2y 11m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/202,496

Patent 12669286

Tapered Phase Change Crucible System for the Separation of Rare Earth Elements

3y 1m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/210,646

Patent 12662717

METHOD FOR RECYCLING SILVER FROM WASTE IC CHIPS USING SOLUBLE STARCH

3y 0m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/246,042

Patent 12662722

BATTERY TRAY BOTTOM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

3y 3m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/019,780

Patent 12646642

NANOCRYSTALLINE SOFT MAGNETIC ALLOY WITH HIGH MAGNETIC INDUCTION AND HIGH FREQUENCY AND PREPARATION METHOD THEREOF

3y 4m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

82%

Grant Probability

84%

With Interview (+2.2%)

2y 4m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 1170 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.