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 .
This Office Action is in response to papers filed on 1/15/2026. Amendments made to the claims and the Applicant's remarks have been entered and considered.
Claims 1-7, 15 have been amended.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 1/15/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
The Applicant argued that Sever does not disclose the specific arrangement of the cooling channels set forth in the claimed embodiment, including, in particular, tooth-based cooling channels provided between adjacent stator slots wherein a radially outer end of each of the tooth-based cooling channels is located radially outward of the adjacent slot bases of the adjacent stator slots, and wherein a radially inward end of each of the tooth- based cooling channels is located radially inward of the adjacent slot bases of the stator slots. Accordingly, Sever fails to teach or suggest all of the claimed features recited in independent claim 1.
This argument is not persuasive because the newly recited feature is shown by newly applied Dlala et al. (US 2018/0054097 A1).
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) 1-4, 8, 9, 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sever (EP 4145677 A1) in view of Dlala et al. (US 2018/0054097 A1, hereinafter Dlala).
As to claim 1, Sever shows (FIG. 1, 2, 6, 8) An electric machine 1, designed as an internal rotor 4, the electric machine 1 comprising:
a rotor 4; and
a stator 8, the stator 8 having a plurality of teeth 26 each extended along a radial direction and along a longitudinal direction of the electric machine 1, each of the teeth 26 configured to carry a winding wound around the teeth 26,
wherein stator slots extend between two adjacent teeth 26 and along the longitudinal direction through which the windings extend, and
wherein the windings are configured to be coolable by a cooling fluid guided in a plurality of cooling channels 14 formed in the stator 8 and extending along the stator slots,
at least one section of at least one of the plurality of windings between the cooling channels 14 and can be cooled on both sides thereof (para[0042],[0043],[0052], slots and cooling channels para[0013]; wires of windings and cooling channels 14 shown in FIG. 6 and para[0044]; cooling channels 14 are shown in FIG. 2, 6 to be spaced in the radial direction and are in the slots and the teeth 26 and the yoke proximate the wires para[0013,[0014]) .
Sever does not show wherein the plurality of cooling channels includes a respective tooth-based cooling channel arranged in each tooth laterally adjacent to and between each pair of adjacent slot bases of adjacent stator slots such that at least one section of at least one of the plurality of windings at a radially outer end of the stator slot is positioned between a respective pair of the radially outer tooth-based cooling channels and wherein a radially outer end of each of the tooth-based cooling channels is located radially outward of the adjacent slot bases of the adjacent stator slots, and wherein a radially inward end of each of the tooth-based cooling channels is located radially inward of the adjacent slot bases of the stator slots.
Dlala shows (FIG. 25) wherein the plurality of cooling channels includes a respective tooth-based cooling channel 2505 arranged in each tooth 2501 laterally adjacent to and between each pair of adjacent slot bases of adjacent stator slots 2507 such that at least one section of at least one of the plurality of windings at a radially outer end of the stator slot is positioned between a respective pair of the radially outer tooth-based cooling channels 2505 and wherein a radially outer end of each of the tooth-based cooling channels 2505 is located radially outward of the adjacent slot bases of the adjacent stator slots 2507, and wherein a radially inward end of each of the tooth-based cooling channels 2505 is located radially inward of the adjacent slot bases of the stator slots 2507 (channels 2505 are partially in stator yoke para [0075],[0076] and therefore partially in the tooth).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the electric machine 1 of Sever to have wherein the plurality of cooling channels includes a respective tooth-based cooling channel 2505 arranged in each tooth 2501 laterally adjacent to and between each pair of adjacent slot bases of adjacent stator slots 2507 such that at least one section of at least one of the plurality of windings at a radially outer end of the stator slot is positioned between a respective pair of the radially outer tooth-based cooling channels 2505 and wherein a radially outer end of each of the tooth-based cooling channels 2505 is located radially outward of the adjacent slot bases of the adjacent stator slots 2507, and wherein a radially inward end of each of the tooth-based cooling channels 2505 is located radially inward of the adjacent slot bases of the stator slots 2507 as taught by Dlala, for the advantageous benefit of improving the cooling capabilities of the electric machine 1 as taught by Dlala (para [0076]).
As to claim 2/1, Sever further shows (as modified FIG. 2, 6, 8) at least one respective radially outer slot-based cooling channel 2505 and at least one respective radially inner slot-based cooling channel 2505 which are each aligned with a respective one of the stator slots, the at least one radially outer slot-based cooling channel 2505 running adjacent to a radially outer section of the respective winding, and the at least one radially inner slot-based cooling channel 2505 running adjacent to a radially inner section of the respective winding.
As to claim 3/2/1, Sever further shows (as modified FIG. 2, 6, 8) the at least one radially outer slot-based cooling channel 2505 is arranged radially adjacent to and radially further out than a slot base of the respective stator slot.
As to claim 4/2/1, Sever further shows (as modified FIG. 2, 6, 8) a central portion of each tooth-based cooling channel 2505 is arranged laterally adjacent to the adjacent slot bases of the adjacent stator slots.
As to claim 8/1, Sever further shows (as modified FIG. 2) a cooling system 12, by which the cooling fluid can be supplied to the cooling channels 2505 and discharged from the cooling channels 2505, the supply and discharge of the cooling channels 2505 taking place at a supply section 16 arranged at a front side on one of two axial end sections of the stator 8 (para[0045]).
As to claim 9/1, Sever further shows (as modified FIG. 2) at least one of the cooling channels 2505 is a supply cooling channel and at least one of the cooling channels 2505 is a discharge channel, the cooling fluid in the supply channel 2505 configured to flow in an opposite direction with regard to the discharge channel 2505 (FIG. 2 shows coolant flowing in different cooling channels in opposite directions).
As to claim 15, Sever shows (FIG. 2, 6, 8) A stator 8 for an electric machine 1 designed as an internal rotor 4, the stator 8 comprising:
a plurality of teeth 26 each extending along a radial direction and along a longitudinal direction of the stator 8, each of the teeth 26 carrying a winding wound around the teeth 26; and
stator slots extending between two adjacent teeth 26 and along the longitudinal direction through which the windings extend, the windings being coolable by a cooling fluid which can be guided in a plurality of cooling channels 14 formed in the stator 8 and extending along the stator slots 26,
at least one section of at least one of the plurality of windings between the cooling channels 14 and can be cooled on both sides (para[0042],[0043],[0052], slots and cooling channels para[0013]; wires of windings and cooling channels 14 shown in FIG. 6 and para[0044]; cooling channels 14 are shown in FIG. 2 to be spaced in the radial direction and are in the slots and the teeth and the yoke proximate the wires para[0013,[0014]).
Sever does not show wherein the plurality of cooling channels includes a respective tooth-based cooling channel arranged in each tooth laterally adjacent to and between each pair of adjacent slot bases of adjacent stator slots such that at least one section of at least one of the plurality of windings at a radially outer end of the stator slot is positioned between a respective pair of the radially outer tooth-based cooling channels and wherein a radially outer end of each of the tooth-based cooling channels is located radially outward of the adjacent slot bases of the adjacent stator slots, and wherein a radially inward end of each of the tooth-based cooling channels is located radially inward of the adjacent slot bases of the stator slots.
Dlala shows (FIG. 25) wherein the plurality of cooling channels includes a respective tooth-based cooling channel 2505 arranged in each tooth 2501 laterally adjacent to and between each pair of adjacent slot bases of adjacent stator slots 2507 such that at least one section of at least one of the plurality of windings at a radially outer end of the stator slot is positioned between a respective pair of the radially outer tooth-based cooling channels 2505 and wherein a radially outer end of each of the tooth-based cooling channels 2505 is located radially outward of the adjacent slot bases of the adjacent stator slots 2507, and wherein a radially inward end of each of the tooth-based cooling channels 2505 is located radially inward of the adjacent slot bases of the stator slots 2507 (channels 2505 are partially in stator yoke para [0075],[0076] and therefore partially in the tooth).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the electric machine 1 of Sever to have wherein the plurality of cooling channels includes a respective tooth-based cooling channel 2505 arranged in each tooth 2501 laterally adjacent to and between each pair of adjacent slot bases of adjacent stator slots 2507 such that at least one section of at least one of the plurality of windings at a radially outer end of the stator slot is positioned between a respective pair of the radially outer tooth-based cooling channels 2505 and wherein a radially outer end of each of the tooth-based cooling channels 2505 is located radially outward of the adjacent slot bases of the adjacent stator slots 2507, and wherein a radially inward end of each of the tooth-based cooling channels 2505 is located radially inward of the adjacent slot bases of the stator slots 2507 as taught by Dlala, for the advantageous benefit of improving the cooling capabilities of the electric machine 1 as taught by Dlala (para [0076]).
Claim(s) 6-7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sever (EP 4145677 A1) in view of Dlala et al. (US 2018/0054097 A1, hereinafter Dlala) and Bansal et al. (US 4,994,700 A, hereinafter Bansal).
As to claim 6/2/1, Sever in view of Dlala was discussed above with respect to claim 2 except for the radially inner slot-based cooling channel runs through a radially inner section of the stator slot which forms a leakage slot.
Bansal shows (FIG. 1, 2) the radially inner cooling channel 24 runs through a radially inner section of the stator slot 20 which forms a leakage slot 24 (col.3:38-44, col.4:42-54).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the electric machine 1 of Sever in view of Dlala to have the radially inner slot-based cooling channel 2505 runs through a radially inner section of the stator slot which forms a leakage slot 2505 as taught by Bansal, for the advantageous benefit of direct cooling of the windings to increase the current density and efficiency of the electric machine 1 as taught by Bansal (col.4:55-61).
As to claim 7/6/2/1, Sever in view of Bansal was discussed above with respect to claim 6 except for a sleeve arranged on a radial inner circumference of the stator is configured to seal the radially inner slot-based cooling channel in a fluid-tight manner towards an air gap arranged between the stator and the rotor.
Bansal shows (FIG. 1, 2) a sleeve 18 arranged on a radial inner circumference of the stator 12 is configured to seal the radially inner cooling channel 24 in a fluid-tight manner towards an air gap arranged between the stator 12 and the rotor 19 (stator can closes the mouth 24 of each slot 20 variously identified as 26 and 18 col.3:43-44, col.4:53-54).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the electric machine 1 of Sever in view of Bansal to have a sleeve 18 arranged on a radial inner circumference of the stator 8 is configured to seal the radially inner slot-based cooling channel 2505 in a fluid-tight manner towards an air gap arranged between the stator 8 and the rotor 4 as taught by Bansal, for the advantageous benefit of having no leakage of cooling fluid such as oil to the rotor 4 as taught by Bansal (col.4:53-54).
Claim(s) 10-12, 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sever (EP 4145677 A1) in view of Dlala et al. (US 2018/0054097 A1, hereinafter Dlala) and Rippel et al. (US 2004/0012294 A1, hereinafter Rippel).
As to claim 10/8/1, Sever in view of Dlala was discussed above with respect to claim 8 and Sever further shows (FIG. 2) a supply chamber 13b and a discharge chamber 21 are arranged in the area of the supply section 8b, a transfer chamber 13a being arranged at the front of the stator 8 in the area of a transfer section 8a which is an axial end section of the stator 8 opposite the supply section 8b,
wherein a supply line arranged downstream of a conveying device opens into the supply chamber 13b,
wherein the supply chamber 13b opens into the supply channel 14,
wherein the supply channel 14 opens into the transfer chamber 13a,
wherein the transfer chamber 13a opens into the discharge channel 14,
wherein the discharge channel 14 opens into the discharge chamber 21,
wherein the discharge chamber 21 opens into a discharge line 17; and
a conveying device 20b (para[0047]; impeller 20b para[0046]).
Sever does not show the discharge line arranged upstream of the conveying device ( need to Add Rippel et al. (US 2004/0012294 A1) FIG. 4 with piping that recirculates fluid back to the input and through a heat exchanger to release heat from the coolant)
Rippel shows (FIG. 4):
PNG
media_image1.png
236
384
media_image1.png
Greyscale
A discharge line 143A arranged upstream of the conveying device 151 (cooling fluid ports 143 connected to heat sink 151 to recirculate cooling fluid to inlet 143B after radiating heat in 151 para[0051]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the electric machine 1 of Sever in view of Dlala to have the discharge line 17 arranged upstream of the conveying device 20b as taught by Rippel, for the advantageous benefit of transferring heat from the stator to a heat sink as taught by Rippel (para[0051]) and to recirculate the cooling fluid back into the electric machine 1.
As to claim 11/10/8/1, Sever in view of Dlala and Rippel was discussed above with respect to claim 10 and Sever further shows (FIG. 2) the supply chamber 13b and the discharge chamber 21 are fluidly separated from one another via a sealing ring 22 arranged in the supply section 8b (para[0047]).
As to claim 12/10/8/1, Sever in view of Dlala and Rippel was discussed above with respect to claim 10 and Sever further shows (FIG. 2) the windings each have winding heads 34, with one of the winding heads 34 of at least one of the windings in each case being arranged in the transfer chamber 13a, and the other respective winding head 34 of this winding in each case being arranged in the supply chamber 13b and/or in the discharge chamber (para[0063]).
As to claim 14/1, Sever in view of Dlala was discussed above with respect to claim 1 except for A motor vehicle, comprising an electric machine according to claim 1.
Rippel shows a motor vehicle, comprising an electric machine (para[0002]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the electric machine 1 of Sever in view of Dlala to have A motor vehicle, comprising an electric machine according to claim 1 as taught by Rippel, for the advantageous benefit of transporting luggage in the vehicle.
Claim(s) 13 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sever (EP 4145677 A1) in view of Dlala et al. (US 2018/0054097 A1, hereinafter Dlala) and Rippel et al. (US 2004/0012294 A1, hereinafter Rippel) and Bansal et al. (US 4,994,700 A, hereinafter Bansal).
As to claim 13/10/8/1, Sever in view of Dlala and Rippel was discussed above with respect to claim 10 except for at least one winding carrier is arranged around or on one of the teeth and guides the winding, wherein the cooling fluid can be conducted from the supply chamber into the supply channel and/or from the supply channel into the transfer chamber and/or from the transfer chamber into the discharge channel and/or from the discharge channel into the discharge chamber through at least one fluid guide channel of the winding carrier.
Bansal shows (FIG. 1, 3, 4) at least one winding carrier 34 is arranged around or on one of the teeth 16 and guides the winding 30, wherein the cooling fluid can be conducted from the supply chamber 44 into the discharge chamber 46 through at least one fluid guide channel of the winding carrier 34 (col.4:7-12 and 42-54).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the electric machine 1 of Sever in view of Dlala to have at least one winding carrier 34 is arranged around or on one of the teeth and guides the winding, wherein the cooling fluid can be conducted from the supply chamber into the supply channel and/or from the supply channel into the transfer chamber and/or from the transfer chamber into the discharge channel and/or from the discharge channel into the discharge chamber through at least one fluid guide channel of the winding carrier 34 as taught by Bansal, for the advantageous benefit of direct cooling of the windings to increase the current density and efficiency of the electric machine 1 and to protect the windings from damage caused by sharp edges as taught by Bansal (col.4:7-12 and 55-61).
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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 nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) 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 ROBERT E MATES whose telephone number is (571)270-5293. The examiner can normally be reached M to F 12:00pm to 8pm.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, TULSIDAS PATEL can be reached at (571)272-2098. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/ROBERT E MATES/ Examiner, Art Unit 2834
/TULSIDAS C PATEL/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2834
Prosecution Insights