DETAILED ACTION
Claims 1, and 3-21 are pending.
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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, filed 08/12/2026, have been fully considered but are not persuasive. It can be noted that Kempen discloses controlling the aerial ladder and the water pump utilizing sensors and controllers. When controlling the aerial ladder and the water pump, commands are sent in order to actuate the actuators and implement adjustments for the aerial ladder and the water pump functions. These implemented adjustments require at least one predetermined criterion. To automatically control the aerial ladder, collision prevention systems are electronically controlled based on sensor responses, in other words, in response to at least one predefined criterion. To automatically control the pump system, valves are electronically controlled based on sensor responses, in other words, in response to at least one predefined criterion. Furthermore, it can be noted that the concept/features of determining an adjustment for the water pump based on the water flow is not recited in the independent claims.
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 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.
Claim(s) 1 and 3-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Kempen et al., US Patent No. 6,421,593 (hereinafter Kempen).
Regarding claims 1 and 3-20, Kempen discloses all the claimed limitations, as outlined below.
Claim 1. A fire apparatus comprising: a pump driver; a water pump driven by the pump driver; an aerial ladder assembly including a plurality of extendable ladder sections and ladder actuators configured to reposition the aerial ladder assembly and extend the plurality of extendable ladder sections; a plurality of sensors; and a control system configured to: operate the aerial ladder assembly according to first predefined criteria (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19 - - a fire apparatus comprising a pump subsystem and an aerial ladder subsystem controlled in a centralized fashion. The overall system is based on feedback form sensors in order to allow for collaborative control of the diverse subsystems. Adjustments are automatically and seamlessly perform in order to maintain the firefighters safe. When controlling the aerial ladder and the water pump, commands are sent in order to actuate the actuators and implement adjustments for the aerial ladder and the water pump functions. These implemented adjustments require at least one predetermined criterion. To automatically control the aerial ladder, collision prevention systems are electronically controlled based on sensor responses, in other words, in response to at least one predefined criterion. To automatically control the pump system, valves are electronically controlled based on sensor responses, in other words, in response to at least one predefined criterion); acquire first operation data from one or more of the plurality of sensors during operation of the aerial ladder assembly according to the first predefined criteria (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19); operate the water pump according to second predefined criteria (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19); acquire second operation data from one or more of the plurality of sensors during operation of the water pump according to the second predefined criteria; determine an adjustment for the fire apparatus based on the first operation data or the second operation data; and at least one of (a) implement the adjustment or (b) provide a notification regarding the adjustment (See Figure 12 below, elements 1227,1219,1282, and 1233 are located in the aerial basket and allow duplicate control. The overall truck control system provides high level cooperation of the multiple subsystems, including the pump subsystem).
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Claim 3. The fire apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to provide the notification regarding the adjustment to a display of the fire apparatus (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
Claim 4. The fire apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to provide the notification regarding the adjustment to a remote system (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
Claim 5. The fire apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to implement the adjustment (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
Claim 6. The fire apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the first predefined criteria include at least one of (a) a reach command to extend the plurality of extendable ladder sections to a certain reach of the aerial ladder assembly, (b) an incline command to pivot the aerial ladder assembly to a certain incline angle thereof, (c) a decline command to pivot the aerial ladder assembly to a certain decline angle thereof, or (d) a rotation command to rotate the aerial ladder assembly through a certain range of motion, and wherein the first operation data includes at least one of (a) an actual reach achieved by the aerial ladder assembly in response to the reach command, (b) an actual incline angle achieved by the aerial ladder assembly in response to the incline command, (c) an actual decline angle achieved by the aerial ladder assembly in response to the decline command, (d) an actual amount of rotation achieved by the aerial ladder assembly in response to the rotation command (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
Claim 7. The fire apparatus of Claim 6, further comprising a stability system, wherein the first predefined criteria include at least one of (a) the reach command, (b) the incline command, or (c) the decline command, and wherein the control system is configured to operate the stability system to lean the fire apparatus to increase a capability of the aerial ladder assembly in response to the aerial ladder assembly not being capable of reaching at least one of (a) the certain reach, (b) the certain incline angle, or (c) the certain decline angle, respectively (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
Claim 8. The fire apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the second predefined criteria include at least one of (a) a certain speed of the pump driver, (b) a certain pressure of water at an outlet of the water pump, or (c) a certain flow rate of water at the outlet of the water pump, and wherein the second operation data includes at least one of (a) an actual speed of the pump driver, (b) an actual pressure of water at the outlet of the water pump, or (c) an actual flow rate of water at the outlet of the water pump (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
Claim 9. The fire apparatus of Claim 8, wherein, in response to the water pump not being able to provide at least one of the certain water pressure or the certain flow rate when driven at the certain speed, the control system is configured to operate the pump driver at a higher speed to increase a capability of the water pump to achieve the at least one of the certain water pressure or the certain flow rate (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
Claim 10. The fire apparatus of Claim 8, wherein, in response to the actual speed of the pump driver fluctuating and causing the actual flow rate and the actual pressure to fluctuate, the control system is configured to provide the notification and operate the pump driver at an elevated speed to prevent dips in the actual pressure and the actual flow rate (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
Claim 11. A fire apparatus comprising: an aerial ladder assembly including a plurality of extendable ladder sections and ladder actuators configured to reposition the aerial ladder assembly and extend the plurality of extendable ladder sections; one or more aerial sensors (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19 - - a fire apparatus comprising a pump subsystem and an aerial ladder subsystem controlled in a centralized fashion. The overall system is based on feedback form sensors in order to allow for collaborative control of the diverse subsystems. When controlling the aerial ladder and the water pump, commands are sent in order to actuate the actuators and implement adjustments for the aerial ladder and the water pump functions. These implemented adjustments require at least one predetermined criterion. To automatically control the aerial ladder, collision prevention systems are electronically controlled based on sensor responses, in other words, in response to at least one predefined criterion. To automatically control the pump system, valves are electronically controlled based on sensor responses, in other words, in response to at least one predefined criterion. Adjustments are automatically and seamlessly perform in order to maintain the firefighters safe); and a control system configured to: operate the aerial ladder assembly according to first predefined criteria (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19); acquire first operation data from the one or more aerial sensors during operation of the aerial ladder assembly according to the first predefined criteria (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19);
determine a first adjustment for the fire apparatus based on the first operation data the first adjustment comprising a command associated with at least one of the first predefined criteria; and at least one of (a) implement the first adjustment or (b) provide a first notification regarding the first adjustment (See Figure 12 below, elements 1227,1219,1282, and 1233 are located in the aerial basket and allow duplicate control. The overall truck control system provides high level cooperation of the multiple subsystems, including the pump subsystem).
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Claim 12. The fire apparatus of Claim 11, wherein the control system is configured to provide the first notification regarding the first adjustment (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
Claim 13. The fire apparatus of Claim 11, wherein the control system is configured to implement the first adjustment (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
14. The fire apparatus of Claim 11, wherein the first predefined criteria include at least one of (a) a reach Claim command to extend the plurality of extendable ladder sections to a certain reach of the aerial ladder assembly, (b) an incline command to pivot the aerial ladder assembly to a certain incline angle thereof, (c) a decline command to pivot the aerial ladder assembly to a certain decline angle thereof, or (d) a rotation command to rotate the aerial ladder assembly through a certain range of motion, and wherein the first operation data includes at least one of (a) an actual reach achieved by the aerial ladder assembly in response to the reach command, (b) an actual incline angle achieved by the aerial ladder assembly in response to the incline command, (c) an actual decline angle achieved by the aerial ladder assembly in response to the decline command, (d) an actual amount of rotation achieved by the aerial ladder assembly in response to the rotation command (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
Claim 15. The fire apparatus of Claim 14, further comprising a stability system, wherein the first predefined criteria include at least one of (a) the reach command, (b) the incline command, or (c) the decline command, and wherein the control system is configured to operate the stability system to lean the fire apparatus to increase a capability of the aerial ladder assembly in response to the aerial ladder assembly not being capable of reaching at least one of (a) the certain reach, (b) the certain incline angle, or (c) the certain decline angle, respectively (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
Claim 16. The fire apparatus of Claim 11, further comprising: a pump driver; a water pump driven by the pump driver; and one or more pump sensors; wherein the control system is configured to: operate the water pump according to second predefined criteria; acquire second operation data from the one or more pump sensors during operation of the water pump according to the second predefined criteria; determine a second adjustment for the fire apparatus based on the second operation data; and at least one of (a) implement the second adjustment or (b) provide a second notification regarding the second adjustment (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
Claim 17. A fire apparatus comprising: a pump driver; a water pump driven by the pump driver; one or more pump sensors; and a control system configured to: operate the water pump according to first predefined criteria (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19 - - a fire apparatus comprising a pump subsystem and an aerial ladder subsystem controlled in a centralized fashion. The overall system is based on feedback form sensors in order to allow for collaborative control of the diverse subsystems. When controlling the aerial ladder and the water pump, commands are sent in order to actuate the actuators and implement adjustments for the aerial ladder and the water pump functions. These implemented adjustments require at least one predetermined criterion. To automatically control the aerial ladder, collision prevention systems are electronically controlled based on sensor responses, in other words, in response to at least one predefined criterion. To automatically control the pump system, valves are electronically controlled based on sensor responses, in other words, in response to at least one predefined criterion. Adjustments are automatically and seamlessly perform in order to maintain the firefighters safe); acquire first operation data from the one or more pump sensors during operation of the water pump according to the first predefined criteria (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19);
determine a first adjustment for the fire apparatus based on the first operation data, the first adjustment comprising a command associated with at least one of the first predefined criteria; and at least one of (a) implement the first adjustment or (b) provide a first notification regarding the first adjustment (See Figure 12 below, elements 1227,1219,1282, and 1233 are located in the aerial basket and allow duplicate control. The overall truck control system provides high level cooperation of the multiple subsystems, including the pump subsystem).
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Claim 18. The fire apparatus of Claim 17, wherein the first predefined criteria include at least one of (a) a certain speed of the pump driver, (b) a certain pressure of water at an outlet of the water pump, or (c) a certain flow rate of water at the outlet of the water pump, and wherein the first operation data includes at least one of (a) an actual speed of the pump driver, (b) an actual pressure of water at the outlet of the water pump, or (c) an actual flow rate of water at the outlet of the water pump (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
Claim 19. The fire apparatus of Claim 18, wherein at least one of: (a) in response to the water pump not being able to provide at least one of the certain water pressure or the certain flow rate when driven at the certain speed, the control system is configured to operate the pump driver at a higher speed to increase a capability of the water pump to achieve the at least one of the certain water pressure or the certain flow rate; or (b) in response to the actual speed of the pump driver fluctuating and causing the actual flow rate and the actual pressure to fluctuate, the control system is configured operate the pump driver at an elevated speed to prevent dips in the actual pressure and the actual flow rate (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
Claim 20. The fire apparatus of Claim 17, further comprising: an aerial ladder assembly including a plurality of extendable ladder sections and ladder actuators configured to reposition the aerial ladder assembly and extend the plurality of extendable ladder sections; and one or more aerial sensors; wherein the control system is configured to: operate the aerial ladder assembly according to second predefined criteria; acquire second operation data from the one or more aerial sensors during operation of the aerial ladder assembly according to the second predefined criteria; determine a second adjustment for the fire apparatus based on the second operation data; and at least one of (a) implement the second adjustment or (b) provide a second notification regarding the second adjustment (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19).
Claim 21. The fire apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustment for the fire apparatus comprises a command associated with at least one of the first predefined criteria or the second predefined criteria (C10 L4-12, C10 L58-67, C11 L1-28, C19 L43-49, C21 L50-67, C22 L 19-31, C23 L37-67, C24 L1-17, C33 L14-19 - - When controlling the aerial ladder and the water pump, commands are sent in order to actuate the actuators and implement adjustments for the aerial ladder and the water pump functions. These implemented adjustments require at least one predetermined criterion. To automatically control the aerial ladder, collision prevention systems are electronically controlled based on sensor responses, in other words, in response to at least one predefined criterion. To automatically control the pump system, valves are electronically controlled based on sensor responses, in other words, in response to at least one predefined criterion).
Citation of Pertinent Prior Art
The following prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
1. Hux, et. al., US Patent No. 4,007,793 – relates to a fire fighting apparatus including an aerial ladder, water pump, and controls.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CARLOS R ORTIZ RODRIGUEZ whose telephone number is (571)272-3766. The examiner can normally be reached on Mon-Fri 10:00 am- 6:30 pm.
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/CARLOS R ORTIZ RODRIGUEZ/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2119
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