DETAILED ACTION
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 20 May 2026 has been entered.
Claims 1 and 2 are pending.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—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.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1 and 2 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites at the end of the claim “the compressed air outlet unit (800) through which the compressed air from which the condensed moisture has been removed is discharged from the multistage turbocompressor system (1).” The limitation is impossible because “the compressed air outlet unit (800)” is structure and is not a liquid which can be “discharged from the multistage turbocompressor system (1).” It is unclear whether the limitation is a misstatement of the function of the “compressed air outlet unit (800)” or whether it is a misstatement of the discharge of “compressed air,” or a misstatement of a different relationship entirely. Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would not be able to determine what applicant regards as the invention and the claim is rejected for indefiniteness. Dependent claim 2 is correspondingly rejected.
For the limited purpose of examination, the limitation will be interpreted as “the compressed air from which the condensed moisture has been removed is discharged from the multistate turbocompressor system (1).”
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.
The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
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Applicant’s fig 6 A-A’
Claims 1 and 2 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Rodgers (US 5853443) in view of Veres (US 3,378,993).
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Rodger’s fig 1
Claim 1, Rodgers discloses a multistage turbocompressor system (fig 1, compressor 10 with modules 12 and 14) with a compressed air-moisture separating unit (moisture separator 40), the system comprising:
an outside air intake unit (fig 1, inlet through filter 28) through which outside air is drawn into the system;
an outside air filtering unit (filter 28) that filters the outside air drawn in through the outside air intake unit;
a turbo air compression unit (12) that generates compressed air from the outside air filtered by the outside air filtering unit (28);
a turbo air compression cooling unit (intercooler 32) that cools the turbo air compression unit;
a turbo air compression power supply unit (prime mover 16) that drives the turbo air compression unit (12 and 14);
a compressed air cooling intercooler unit (inter cooler 32) that cools the compressed air generated by the turbo air compression unit (12); and
… compressed air from which the condensed moisture has been removed is discharged from the multistage turbocompressor system (fig 1 shows two air discharge 44 from two moisture separators 40; the discharge from the second moisture separator in the outlet to the system), wherein the outside air drawn in through the outside air intake unit (fig 1, inlet through filter 28) is filtered by the outside air filtering unit (filter 28), compressed by the turbo air compression unit (12 or 14), cooled by the compressed air cooling intercooler unit (intercooler 32), and passed through the compressed air-moisture separating unit (either moisture separator 40), such that the compressed air from which the condensed moisture has been removed is discharged through the compressed air outlet unit (discharged from port 44 of the second moisture separator 40).
Rodgers is silent on the details of the moisture separator comprising:
the compressed air-moisture separating unit (700) comprising:
a cylindrical compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (710) configured to receive the compressed air from the turbo air compression unit (300) and enable separation of condensed moisture from the compressed air,
the cylindrical compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (710) including: an intra-compressed air condensed moisture-removal whirling space upper-end element (711) formed to have an inclination, the inclination of the intra- compressed air condensed moisture-removal whirling space upper-end element (711) being configured to induce the compressed air to flow downward and to cause friction with the compressed air; an intra-compressed air condensed moisture-removal whirling space body element (712) in which the compressed air flowing downward from the intra-compressed air condensed moisture-removal whirling space upper-end element (711) is whirled; and an intra-compressed air condensed moisture-removal whirling space bottom element (713) having a condensed moisture outlet (713a) through which the condensed moisture removed from the compressed air is discharged out of the cylindrical compressed air- moisture separation chamber housing module (710);
a compressed air inlet module (720) formed in an upper portion of the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (710) and offset from a central axis of the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (710), through which the compressed air enters the compressed air- moisture separation chamber housing module (710) so as to create a swirling airflow inside the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (710);
an intra-compressed air moisture-removal flow guide vane module (730) fixed within the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (710), the intra-compressed air moisture-removal flow guide vane module (730) causing the compressed air entering through the compressed air inlet module (720) to swirl inside the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (710) and thereby inducing friction that removes condensed moisture from the compressed air;
an intra-compressed air moisture-removal filtering housing module (740) disposed coaxially inside the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (710) and configured to remove remaining condensed moisture from the swirling compressed air, the intra-compressed air moisture-removal filtering housing module (740) being formed in a funnel shape and comprising: an intra-compressed air moisture-removal filtering element (741) having a trapezoidal cross section, the intra-compressed air moisture-removal filtering element (741) being configured to remove the remaining condensed moisture from the compressed air; and a moisture-removed compressed air discharge passage element (742) extending from an upper end portion of the intra-compressed air moisture-removal filtering element (741), the moisture-removed compressed air discharge passage element (742) being configured to discharge the compressed air, from which the condensed moisture has been removed by the intra- compressed air moisture-removal filtering element (741) , out of the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (710) to a compressed air outlet unit (800); and
a condensed moisture discharging mesh module (750) positioned between a lower part of the intra-compressed air condensed moisture-removal whirling space body element (712) and the intra-compressed air condensed moisture- removal whirling space bottom element (713) and configured to collect condensed moisture separated from the compressed air and discharge the collected condensed moisture out of the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (710) through the condensed moisture outlet (713a).
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Veres fig 1
Veres teaches: a compressed air-moisture separating unit (fig 1, air line filter which automatically separates collects and drains condensation, c 1 ln 10-15) that separates condensed moisture from the compressed air …(c 1 ln 10-15), the compressed air-moisture separating unit comprising:
a cylindrical compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (76) configured to receive the compressed air… (compressed air is received from 21, c 2 ln 3) and enable separation of condensed moisture from the compressed air (c 1 ln 10-15),
the cylindrical compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (76) including: an intra-compressed air condensed moisture-removal whirling space upper-end element (downward flange 20, c 2 ln 26, 30) formed to have an inclination (downward flange 20, baffles the incoming air downwardly, c 2 ln 30-35; fig 1 shows that flange 20 is inclined downwardly), the inclination of the intra- compressed air condensed moisture-removal whirling space upper-end element being configured to induce the compressed air to flow downward and to cause friction with the compressed air (20 baffles air downwardly, c 2 ln 30-35); an intra-compressed air condensed moisture-removal whirling space body element (cylindrical inner surface of body 76 where swirling action along the wall causes separation, c 4 ln 1-12) in which the compressed air flowing downward from the intra-compressed air condensed moisture-removal whirling space upper-end element is whirled (c 4 ln 1-12); and an intra-compressed air condensed moisture-removal whirling space bottom element (bottom bowl part of 76) having a condensed moisture outlet (fig 2, outlet conduit 114 of drain device 85, c 4 ln 54, 73) through which the condensed moisture removed from the compressed air is discharged out of the cylindrical compressed air- moisture separation chamber housing module (c 4 ln 70-75);
a compressed air inlet module (21) formed in an upper portion of the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module and offset from a central axis of the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (fig 1 shows inlet 21 is on the cylindrical periphery and not on the central axis along stud 30), through which the compressed air enters the compressed air- moisture separation chamber housing module (compressed air enters at inlet 21, c 2 ln 25-30) so as to create a swirling airflow inside the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (air is swirled for separation, c 4 ln 1-10);
an intra-compressed air moisture-removal flow guide vane module (vanes 82, c 4 ln 1) fixed within the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (fig 1 shows vanes 82 are within 76), the intra-compressed air moisture-removal flow guide vane module (vane 82) causing the compressed air entering through the compressed air inlet module (inlet 21) to swirl inside the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (76) and thereby inducing friction that removes condensed moisture from the compressed air (c 4 ln 1-10);
an intra-compressed air moisture-removal filtering housing module (funnel shaped baffle / conical deflector 58, c 3 ln 31, c 4 ln 5, 15-20; examiner notes that applicant discloses filtering element 741 as a funnel shape, See applicant’s specification pg 16, 17; it appears that the descriptive term “filter” applies to 741 either because it is a sub-element of the outside air filter unit assembly or to the funnel shaped separation function; in any case, applicant’s disclosure of the term “filter” does not indicate a filtering material; since the prior art funnel shaped baffle separates gas and liquid in the same way as applicant’s 741 it meets the limitation “filter”) disposed coaxially inside the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (fig 1 shows funnel/cone 58 is within housing 76) and configured to remove remaining condensed moisture from the swirling compressed air (c 4 ln 5-12, 19-25), the intra-compressed air moisture-removal filtering housing module (58) being formed in a funnel shape (58 is a conical deflector, reasonably cones and funnels are equivalent shapes, c 4 ln 15-20) and comprising: an intra-compressed air moisture-removal filtering element (conical deflector 58) having a trapezoidal cross section (fig 1 shows 58 with a trapezoid cross section; examiner notes the cross section of a cone with a central passage is a trapezoid), the intra-compressed air moisture-removal filtering element (58) being configured to remove the remaining condensed moisture from the compressed air (removes moisture by throwing out gas to the circular wall to ensure the air meats the wall and separates droplets from the air, c 4 ln 13-45); and a moisture-removed compressed air discharge passage element (outlet from lower end 24 to opening 18, c 2 ln 30-35) extending from an upper end portion of the intra-compressed air moisture-removal filtering element (passage 24 extends from the top of cone 58), the moisture-removed compressed air discharge passage element (24 and 18) being configured to discharge the compressed air (24 and 18 are the air outlet, c 2 ln 30-35), from which the condensed moisture has been removed by the intra- compressed air moisture-removal filtering element (c 2 ln 30-35) , out of the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (76) to a compressed air outlet unit (outlet 18, c 2 ln 27); and
a condensed moisture discharging mesh module (drain device 85 with screen assembly 75, c 4 ln 49) positioned between a lower part of the intra-compressed air condensed moisture-removal whirling space body element (top part of 76) and the intra-compressed air condensed moisture- removal whirling space bottom element (bottom part of 76) and configured to collect condensed moisture separated from the compressed air and discharge the collected condensed moisture out of the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module through the condensed moisture outlet (drain device 85 discharges liquid / water, c 4 ln 43-53, 73).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to enable the generic moisture separator of Rodgers with the moisture separator of Veres in order to provide an inexpensive and easily cleanable moisture separator device for the compressed air line and improve the automatic discharge of condensate (Veres, c 1 ln 35-55).
Claim 2, Rodgers in view of Veres makes obvious the multistage turbocompressor system of claim 1, wherein as the compressed air flows through the compressed air inlet module (Rodgers, inlet via filter 28) into the compressed air-moisture separation chamber housing module (Veres, housing 10 and 76) and then into the intra-compressed air moisture-removal filtering housing module (Veres, funnel shaped baffle / conical deflector 58, c 3 ln 31, c 4 ln 5, 15-20), condensed moisture is removed from the compressed air by frictional contact at multiple locations along a flow path (flow path downward then upward in the Veres separator), the multiple locations including: a surface of the intra-compressed air condensed - moisture-removal whirling space upper-end element (Veres, moisture removed via centrifugal force causing contact with the inner wall of 76, c 4 ln 5, 15-20);
a surface of the intra-compressed air moisture-removal flow guide vane module (Veres, vanes 82, c 4 ln 1); an inner wall of the intra-compressed air condensed -moisture-removal whirling space body element (Veres, c 4 ln 15-20) and an outer wall of the intra-compressed air moisture-removal filtering housing module (Veres, conical deflector 58, c 4 ln 15-20); and an inner wall of a lower end portion of the intra-compressed air moisture-removal filtering housing module (Veres, fluid flows down inner wall of 76 to the drain device 85, c 4 ln 40-55), such that condensed moisture is progressively separated from the compressed air along the flow path and the compressed air from which the condensed moisture has been removed is then discharged through the compressed air outlet unit (Veres, c 4 ln 40-55; discharge via conduit 114, c 4 ln 70-75).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1 and 2 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
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GEOFFREY S LEE whose telephone number is (571)272-5354. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 0900-1800.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Essama Omgba can be reached at (469) 295-9278. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/GEOFFREY S LEE/Examiner, Art Unit 3746
/DOMINICK L PLAKKOOTTAM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3746
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