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 ,
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.
Claim 18 is 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 applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 18 recites “an island effect for each battery” in line 3, It is unclear what “an island effect” refer to. For examination propose it is considered battery parameters or status. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-12, 14 and 17-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Fry et al. (US 2015/0171632), hereinafter Fry.
As to claim 1, Fry discloses in figures 1-24B , the mobile electric power storage and generation comprising [see figure 1; element 10]:
a modular battery system [battery system (14)];
a frame [the housing has a frame];
and an enclosure [lid (62); see also¶0033-0034].
As to claim 2, Fry discloses in figure 13 , wherein the modular battery system comprises: a plurality of power units [battery packs (86) and (90); see ¶0035]; and a plurality of control units [see figure 13; also controller (234) and charging controller (244); see ¶0055].
As to claim 3, Fry discloses in figures 1 and 13, wherein the modular battery system is configured as a swappable battery as a service platform [see ¶0047; battery (14) is removable and swap].
As to claim 4, Fry discloses in figures 1 and 13, an alternating current input system [see figure 13, input (222)] ; a direct current input system [see figure 13, DC input (214); ¶0050]; an alternating current output system [see figure 13, element 202] ; and a direct current output system [see figure 13, element 194 [see ¶0050].
As to claim 5, Fry discloses in figures 1 and 13, a power electronic system [figure 13], wherein the power electronic system is configured for electrical power conversion and inversion [see figure 13, element 246]; and a direct current charging system [see figure 13, element 194]; a power distribution system [the electronics including the control circuit, the inverter circuit, the charging circuit can be considered as a power distribution system]; and an electrical control system [the electrical system distributes power; see figure 13.
As to claim 6, Fry discloses in figures 1 and 13, wherein the enclosure is supported by the frame [see figure 1].
As to claim 7, Fry discloses in figures 1-13, wherein the mobile electric power storage and generation system further comprises a plurality of battery bays [battery slots are disclosed].
As to claim 8, Fry discloses in figures 1 and 13, wherein the plurality of battery bays comprise a plurality of battery slots [see figure 13, plurality of battery packs disclosed].
As to claim 9, Fry discloses in figures 1-13, wherein the plurality of battery slots are configured as a power unit slot, wherein at least one of the power unit slot includes an electro mechanical connection to provide charge power to at least one power unit, and wherein at least one of the power unit slot is a secure storage slot [see ¶0047; electrical and mechanical connections are disclosed; removable storage bin is disclosed; see figures 3 and 5 and also ¶0034].
As to claim 10, Fry discloses in figures 1-13, battery slots [battery bin] are configured as a control unit slot, wherein at least one of the control unit slot includes an electro mechanical connection to provide an electrical connection to at least one control unit, and wherein at least one of the control unit slot is a secure storage slot [electrical connections are provided in the bin; see also ¶0047].
As to claim 11, Fry discloses in figures 1-13, wherein the mobile electric power storage and generation system further comprises a solar charging system [see ¶0035; solar cells or panels are disclosed].
As to claim 12, Fry discloses in figures 1-13, wherein the solar charging system is electrically connected to the electric power storage and generation system [the input AC is connected to the AC electrical power].
As to claim 14, Fry discloses in figure 1, wherein the mobile electric power storage and generation system is a towable vehicle [the portable power supply (10) is pullable/towable].
As to claim 16, Fry discloses in figures 1-13, a modular battery system comprising [see figures 1 and 13]; a DC charging system [DC output (194)]; a first battery unit [battery 14]; a first control unit [controller (234)]; and an output power system [AC ooutput (202)].
As to claim 17, Fry discloses in figures 1-13, wherein the modular battery system further comprises a DC to DC conversion stage contained within each individual power unit providing power units with individual intelligence systems enhancing control and safety [noted that conversation system is disclosed in ¶0073] .
As to claim 18, Fry discloses in figures 1-13, wherein the modular battery system further comprises a DC to DC conversion stage contained within individual power units providing an island effect for each battery regardless of state of health or state of charge to accept a 400V charging voltage at the bus bar providing a true hot swappable unit [charging conversation is made regardless of battery SOC].
As to claim 19, Fry discloses in figures 1-13, wherein the modular battery system is configured to operate at a high voltage increasing conversion capability, reducing conduction losses and improving efficiency [see ¶0073].
As to claim 20, Fry discloses in figures 1-13, wherein the modular battery system further comprising an electrical input system [see figure 13 an AC and DC input system].
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 13 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fry in view of Grayson (US 2023/0261545),
As to claim 13, Fry discloses all of the claim limitations except wherein the solar charging system is retractable.
Grayson discloses in figure 2, wherein the solar charging system is retractable.
It would have been obvious to one ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention was made to use retractable solar panel in Fry’s apparatus as taught by Grayson in order to easily transport the charger.
Claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fry in view of Windsor (US 8,013,567)
As to claim 15, Fry discloses all of the claim limitations except wherein the mobile electric power storage and generation system is a vehicle that is configured as a drivable vehicle.
Windsor discloses in figures 1-3, wherein the mobile electric power storage and generation system is a vehicle that is configured as a drivable vehicle [noted that the power storage is part of the vehicle and drivable or towable].
It would have been obvious to one ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention was made to make the portable power supply of Fry towable or drivable on the vehicle as taught by Windsor in order to easily transport the power supply form place to place.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Butler et al. (9,397,513) discloses compact battery power supply.
Swan (US 2017/0104441) discloses portable power supply unit.
Nauertz (US 2019/0373999) discloses portable power distribution system
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SAMUEL BERHANU whose telephone number is (571)272-8430. The examiner can normally be reached M_F.
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/SAMUEL BERHANU/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2859
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