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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 08/31/2026 has been entered.
Claim Status
Claims 1-15 are pending. Claims 1 and 15 have been amended.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1-15 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.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: a single sensing unit in claims 1 and 15.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
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 15 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 15 recites the limitation "the one sensor" in line 17. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. (This appears to be the amended “independent sensor” from line 10).
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.
The factual inquiries 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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 1-6, 8-10, and 14-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Al-Eidan (US 2008/0314064 A1) in view of Shin et al. (US 2005/0155359 A1), hereafter referred to as “Shin,” and Durrani et al. (US 2019/0366800 A1), hereafter referred to as “Durrani.”
Regarding Claim 1: Al-Eidan teaches a method for operating a refrigerant circuit system for a vehicle heat pump system (title, abstract, intended use of the system, paragraph [0004]), the method comprising
- circulating a refrigerant through a refrigerant circuit (see piping loop in Figure 4),
- wherein the refrigerant circuit (see piping loop in Figure 4) comprises a high-pressure circuit (after compressor, exit from compressor 4) and a low-pressure circuit (low side of compressor, intake into compressor 4), wherein the refrigerant circuit comprises two sensors (implied by the measuring at the monitored nodes, paragraph [0083]), wherein the two sensors (see implied sensors at measured/monitored nodes of T1-T6, and Pressure PC, PE, paragraph [0083]) are located in the low-pressure circuit, compressing the refrigerant in the high pressure circuit (via compressor 4), sensing a first refrigerant pressure in the low-pressure circuit, sensing a refrigerant temperature in the low-pressure circuit, (see implied sensors at measured/monitored nodes of T1-T6, and Pressure PC, PE, paragraph [0083]), wherein deriving a second refrigerant pressure in the high-pressure circuit is performed based on the first refrigerant pressure in the low-pressure circuit, the refrigerant temperature in the low-pressure circuit (see nodes of T1-T6, and Pressure PC, PE, paragraph [0083]), and a compressor characteristic map of a compressor (see implied sensors at measured/monitored nodes of T1-T6, and Pressure PC, PE, paragraph [0083]).
Al-Eidan fails to teach the refrigerant circuit system for a vehicle a heat pump system, wherein two sensors are located in the low-pressure circuit; a single sensing unit, wherein the single sensing unit is capable of measuring temperature and pressure through two sensors located in the single sensing unit; wherein the single sensing unit further comprises a first refrigerant pressure sensor and a refrigerant temperature sensor located in the low-pressure-circuit; and deriving a second refrigerant pressure in the high-pressure circuit.
Durrani teaches a refrigerant circuit system (paragraph [0130]) for a vehicle heat pump system (paragraphs [0016] and [0021]), wherein two sensors (38, 39) are located in a low-pressure circuit (see Figure 2, after expansion valves 7 and 9), and wherein the two sensors further comprise a first refrigerant pressure sensor (39 is a combined sensor, paragraph [0087]) and a refrigerant temperature sensor (38, 39 placed after expansion valves 7 and 9, paragraph [0087]) located in the low-pressure-circuit (after expansion in valves 7 and 9 respectively) deriving a second refrigerant pressure in a high-pressure circuit (first 39 after condenser 5 prior to expansion valves 7 and 9, paragraph [0087], see Figure 2).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have provided a vehicle a heat pump system, and wherein two sensors are located in the low-pressure circuit, and wherein the two sensors further comprise a first refrigerant pressure sensor and a refrigerant temperature sensor located in the low-pressure-circuit deriving a second refrigerant pressure in the high-pressure circuit of Al-Eidan as taught by Durrani in order to advantageously provide the air condition system to a vehicle and optimizing electrical power consumption (see Durrani, paragraph [0130]).
Shin teaches a single sensing unit (paragraphs [0019] and [0035]), wherein the single sensing unit (paragraphs [0019] and [0035]) is capable of measuring temperature and pressure through two sensors (T, P) located in the single sensing unit (paragraphs [0019] and [0035], T, P); wherein the single sensing unit (paragraphs [0019] and [0035], T, P) further comprises a first refrigerant pressure sensor (P) and a refrigerant temperature sensor (T) located in the low-pressure-circuit (see Figure 1).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have provided a single sensing unit wherein the single sensing unit is capable of measuring temperature and pressure through two sensors located in the single sensing unit and wherein the single sensing unit further comprises a first refrigerant pressure sensor and a refrigerant temperature sensor located in the low-pressure-circuit to the structure of Al-Eidan modified supra as taught by Shin in order to advantageously provide the units in the system to measure variations of temperature and pressure of refrigerant passing throughout the apparatus (see Shin, abstract).
Regarding Claim 2: Al-Eidan teaches wherein, a temperature of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area is determined by means of the measured pressure and temperature value of the refrigerant in the low-pressure area and the compressor characteristic map of the compressor (T4, PE, and T1,PC sent to controller 12).
Shin teaches the single sensing unit wherein the single sensing unit is capable of measuring temperature and pressure through two sensors located in the single sensing unit (paragraphs [0019] and [0035]).
Regarding Claim 3: Al-Eidan teaches wherein a temperature of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area is measured by means of a temperature sensor (T1, see Figure 4, paragraph [0083]) of the refrigerant circuit system (see Figure 4) arranged in the high-pressure area (exit from 4), wherein the pressure of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area is determined by means of the measured pressure (PC, paragraph [0080]) and temperature value of the refrigerant in the low-pressure area (T4), the compressor (4) characteristic map of the compressor (readings and measurements to controller 12, see Figure 13) and by means of measured temperature of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area with the temperature sensor (thermocouple in T1) in the high-pressure area (exit from compressor 4).
Shin teaches the single sensing unit wherein the single sensing unit is capable of measuring temperature and pressure through two sensors located in the single sensing unit (paragraphs [0019] and [0035]).
Regarding Claim 4: Al-Eidan teaches wherein the temperature sensor (t1, paragraph [0083]) arranged in the high-pressure area (exit from compressor 4) is an indirect surface temperature sensor (see Figure 4), which is disposed on a surface of a high-pressure line within the high-pressure area, wherein a temperature of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area is indirectly measured by the sensor (paragraph [0083]), or the temperature sensor arranged in the high-pressure area is a direct temperature sensor, which is disposed within a high-pressure line within in the high-pressure area and which is directly moistened by the refrigerant, wherein a temperature of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area is directly measured by the temperature sensor.
Shin teaches the single sensing unit wherein the single sensing unit is capable of measuring temperature and pressure through two sensors located in the single sensing unit (paragraphs [0019] and [0035]).
Regarding Claim 5: Al-Eidan teaches wherein the compressor characteristic map of the compressor is formed by one or more compressor characteristics (pressure, paragraph [0080]), which describe the operational behavior of the compressor (4) in a predefined operating range of the compressor (paragraph [0080]) and on the basis of which an assignment of a state of the refrigerant to an entry area of the compressor (4) assigned to the low-pressure area to a state of the refrigerant at an exit area of the compressor assigned to the high-pressure area is carried out (paragraph [0080], functional limitations of the configuration of the operation of compressor 4).
Regarding Claim 6: Al-Eidan teaches wherein a pressure of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area (exit from 4) and/or a temperature of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area (via T1, paragraph [0083]) is determined by the measured pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the low-pressure area and/or the measured temperature of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area (paragraphs [0080] and [0083] and the compressor characteristic map of the compressor (paragraph [0080]), in that an assignment of the measured pressure and temperature of the refrigerant is carried out in the low-pressure area (via T4, PE) and/or the measured temperature value of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area (PC) to a non-measured pressure of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area (paragraph [0080]) and/or a non-measured temperature of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area (via the control system, paragraph [0111]) by the measured pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the low-pressure area and/or the measured temperature value of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area as well as by at least one compressor characteristic of the compressor characteristic map (performance and functional limitations of the compressor and the sensors monitoring the parameters of operation).
Shin teaches the single sensing unit wherein the single sensing unit is capable of measuring temperature and pressure through two sensors located in the single sensing unit (paragraphs [0019] and [0035]).
Regarding Claim 8: Al-Eidan teaches wherein the refrigerant circuit system is operable in a first and second operating mode (paragraphs [0039]-[0040]) and to be switchable between these two operating modes (paragraph [0096]), wherein the refrigerant circuit system (see Figure 4) comprises a refrigerant circuit (see refrigerant loop of Figure 4), in which a refrigerant can circulate and which is divided into a high-pressure area (exit from 4) and a low-pressure area (intake into 4), wherein the compressor (4) for compressing the refrigerant arranged in the refrigerant circuit (functional limitation), through which refrigerant can flow, forms a transition from the low-pressure area to the high-pressure area and fluidically connects the high-pressure area to the low-pressure area (via the piping of Figure 4).
Al-Eidan fails to teach the refrigerant circuit system for a vehicle, in particular a heat pump system configured for execution of the method according to claim 1.
Durrani a refrigerant circuit system (paragraph [0130]) for a vehicle (paragraph [0106]), in particular a heat pump system (paragraph [0021]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have provided the refrigerant circuit system for a vehicle, in particular a heat pump system configured for execution of the method according to claim 1 to the structure of Al-Eidan as taught by Durrani in order to advantageously provide the air condition system to a vehicle and optimizing electrical power consumption (see Durrani, paragraph [0130]).
Shin teaches the single sensing unit wherein the single sensing unit is capable of measuring temperature and pressure through two sensors located in the single sensing unit (paragraphs [0019] and [0035]).
Regarding Claim 9: Al-Eidan teaches the refrigerant circuit system (see Figure 4) according to claim 8, wherein a temperature sensor (T1, thermocouple, paragraph [0083]) is provided in the high-pressure area (exit of compressor 4) of the refrigerant circuit system (see Figure 4), and wherein a pressure of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area can be determined on the basis of the measurable pressure (paragraph [0114]) and temperature of the refrigerant in the low-pressure area (via T4 and PE), the measurable temperature of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area (see T1 in Figure 4) and a compressor characteristic map of the compressor (paragraph [0080]), and/or wherein the temperature sensor (T1) is implemented as an indirect surface temperature sensor (on the piping of Figure 4), which is disposed on a surface of a high-pressure line within the high-pressure area (see Figure 4), wherein a temperature of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area can be indirectly measured by the temperature sensor (function of T1, thermocouple), or wherein the temperature sensor is implemented as a direct temperature sensor, which is disposed within a high-pressure line in the high-pressure area and is moistened by the refrigerant, so that the temperature of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area can be directly measured (paragraph [0083]).
Shin teaches the single sensing unit wherein the single sensing unit is capable of measuring temperature and pressure through two sensors located in the single sensing unit (paragraphs [0019] and [0035]).
Regarding Claim 10: Al-Eidan teaches wherein the pressure and temperature sensor (T4, Pe) is disposed in the low-pressure area upstream of the compressor (4, see Figure 4).
Shin teaches the single sensing unit wherein the single sensing unit is capable of measuring temperature and pressure through two sensors located in the single sensing unit (paragraphs [0019] and [0035]).
Regarding Claim 14: Al-Eidan fails to teach a vehicle, in particular an electrically powered vehicle, which is equipped with a refrigerant circuit system according to claim 8.
Durrani teaches a vehicle (paragraph [0106]), in particular an electrically powered vehicle (paragraph [0106]), which is equipped with a refrigerant circuit system (paragraph [0130]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have provided a vehicle, in particular an electrically powered vehicle, which is equipped with a refrigerant circuit system according to claim 8 to the structure of Al-Eidan as taught by Durrani in order to advantageously provide the air condition system to a vehicle and optimizing electrical power consumption (see Durrani, paragraph [0130]).
Regarding Claim 15: Al-Eidan teaches a method for operating a refrigerant circuit system for a vehicle a heat pump system (title, abstract, intended use of the system, paragraph [0004]), the method comprising circulating a refrigerant through a refrigerant circuit (see piping loop in Figure 4), wherein the refrigerant circuit (see piping loop in Figure 4) comprises a high-pressure circuit (after compressor, exit from compressor 4) and a low-pressure circuit (low side of compressor, intake into compressor 4), compressing the refrigerant in the high-pressure circuit (see implied sensors at measured/monitored nodes of T1-T6, and Pressure PC, PE, paragraph [0083]), sensing a first refrigerant pressure in the low-pressure circuit (see implied sensors at measured/monitored nodes of T1-T6, and Pressure PC, PE, paragraph [0083]), sensing a first refrigerant temperature in the low-pressure circuit (see implied sensors at measured/monitored nodes of T1-T6, and Pressure PC, PE, paragraph [0083]), sensing a second refrigerant temperature in the high-pressure circuit (see implied sensors at measured/monitored nodes of T1-T6, and Pressure PC, PE, paragraph [0083]), wherein deriving a second refrigerant pressure in the high-pressure circuit is performed based on the values of the first refrigerant pressure in the low- pressure circuit (see implied sensors at measured/monitored nodes of T1-T6, and Pressure PC, PE, paragraph [0083]), the first refrigerant temperature in the low-pressure circuit (see implied sensors at measured/monitored nodes of T1-T6, and Pressure PC, PE, paragraph [0083]), the second refrigerant temperature in the high-pressure circuit (see implied sensors at measured/monitored nodes of T1-T6, and Pressure PC, PE, paragraph [0083]), and a compressor characteristic map of a compressor (see implied sensors at measured/monitored nodes of T1-T6, and Pressure PC, PE, paragraph [0083]).
Al-Eidan fails to teach the refrigerant circuit system for a vehicle a heat pump system, and wherein the refrigerant circuit comprises, a single sensing unit, wherein the single sensing unit is capable of measuring temperature and pressure through two sensors located in the single sensing unit, wherein the two sensors are located in the low-pressure circuit, wherein an independent sensor is located in the high-pressure circuit, wherein the single sensing unit in the low-pressure circuit further comprises a first refrigerant pressure sensor and a refrigerant temperature sensor, wherein the one sensor in the high-pressure circuit further comprises a second refrigerant temperature sensor, deriving a second refrigerant pressure in the high-pressure circuit.
Durrani teaches a refrigerant circuit system (paragraph [0130]) for a vehicle a heat pump system (paragraphs [0016] and [0021]), and wherein a refrigerant circuit (see Figure 2) comprises two sensors (see Figure 2, two 39s and a 38), wherein two sensors (38 and the second 39) are located in a low-pressure circuit (see Figure 2, after expansion elements 7 and 9, there is 38 and a 39), wherein an independent sensor (first 39) is located in a high-pressure circuit (after condenser 5 prior to entering expansion valves 7 or 9, see Figure 2, paragraph [0080]), wherein the two sensors in the low-pressure circuit further comprise a first refrigerant pressure sensor (39 is a combined pressure/temperature sensor, paragraph [0087]) and a refrigerant temperature sensor (38, paragraph [0087]), wherein the one sensor (first 39 after condenser 5 prior to expansion valves 7 and 9 in Figure 2) in the high-pressure circuit (after condenser 5 prior to entering expansion valves 7 or 9, see Figure 2, paragraph [0080]) further comprises a second refrigerant temperature sensor (first 39 after condenser 5 prior to expansion valves 7 and 9 in Figure 2), deriving a second refrigerant pressure in the high-pressure circuit (39 is a combined pressure/temperature sensor, paragraph [0087]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have provided the refrigerant circuit system for a vehicle a heat pump system, and wherein the refrigerant circuit comprises three sensors, wherein two sensors are located in the low-pressure circuit, wherein an independent sensor is located in the high-pressure circuit, wherein the two sensors in the low-pressure circuit further comprise a first refrigerant pressure sensor and a refrigerant temperature sensor, wherein the one sensor in the high-pressure circulate further comprises a second refrigerant temperature sensor, deriving a second refrigerant pressure in the high-pressure circuit of Al-Eidan as taught by Durrani in order to advantageously provide the air condition system to a vehicle and optimizing electrical power consumption (see Durrani, paragraph [0130]).
Shin teaches a single sensing unit (paragraphs [0019] and [0035], T, P), wherein the single sensing unit (paragraphs [0019] and [0035], T, P) is capable of measuring temperature and pressure through two sensors (T,P) located in the single sensing unit (see Figure 1), wherein the single sensing unit is in a low-pressure circuit (see Figure 1) further comprises a first refrigerant pressure sensor (P) and a refrigerant temperature sensor (T).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have provided a single sensing unit, wherein the single sensing unit is capable of measuring temperature and pressure through two sensors located in the single sensing unit, wherein the single sensing unit in the low-pressure circuit further comprises a first refrigerant pressure sensor and a refrigerant temperature sensor to the structure of Al-Eidan modified supra as taught by Shin in order to advantageously provide the units in the system to measure variations of temperature and pressure of refrigerant passing throughout the apparatus (see Shin, abstract).
Claim 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Al-Eidan (US 2008/0314064 A1) in view of Shin et al. (US 2005/0155359 A1), hereafter referred to as “Shin,” and Durrani et al. (US 2019/0366800 A1), hereafter referred to as “Durrani,” as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Lee et al. (US 2019/0344636 A1), hereafter referred to as “Lee.”
Regarding Claim 7: Al-Eidan teaches a condenser (1) disposed in the high-pressure area (exit from 4) and through which refrigerant can flow for transferring heat from the high-pressure area to an air-conditioned air (via fan 1A), an exit area of the compressor (exit line from 4 to 1) assigned to the high-pressure area is connected to an entry area of the condenser (1) by a high-pressure line of the refrigerant circuit system (see Figure 4) through which refrigerant can flow, so that refrigerant can flow from the compressor to the condenser (functional limitation, see Figure 4), wherein the determined pressure of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area is determined as a pressure of the refrigerant within the high-pressure line or as a pressure of the refrigerant within the exit area of the compressor or as a pressure of the refrigerant within the entry area of the condenser (at PC, paragraph [0080]), and/or wherein the determined temperature of the refrigerant in the high-pressure area is determined as a temperature of the refrigerant within the high-pressure line (via T1, paragraph [0083]) or as a temperature of the refrigerant within the exit area of the compressor (via T1, paragraph [0083]) or as a temperature of the refrigerant within the entry area of the condenser.
Shin teaches the single sensing unit wherein the single sensing unit is capable of measuring temperature and pressure through two sensors located in the single sensing unit (paragraphs [0019] and [0035]).
Al-Eidan modified supra fails to teach wherein the refrigerant circuit system comprises an air-conditioning unit disposed in the refrigerant circuit with the condenser.
Lee teaches a refrigerant circuit system (1, see Figure 2) comprises an air-conditioning unit (see interior cabin in Figure 2) disposed in the refrigerant circuit (1) with a condenser (120).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have provided wherein the refrigerant circuit system comprises an air-conditioning unit disposed in the refrigerant circuit with the condenser to the structure of Al-Eidan modified supra as taught by Lee in order to advantageously provide conditioned air to a vehicle cabin (see Lee, paragraphs [0048]-[0050]).
Claims 11-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Al-Eidan (US 2008/0314064 A1) in view of Shin et al. (US 2005/0155359 A1), hereafter referred to as “Shin,” and Durrani et al. (US 2019/0366800 A1), hereafter referred to as “Durrani,” as applied to claim 8 above, and further in view of Kalya et al. (US 2018/0298817 A1), hereafter referred to as “Kalya.”
Regarding Claim 11: Al-Eidan modified supra fails to teach wherein the pressure and temperature sensor is a component of the compressor and is disposed in the low-pressure area.
Kalya teaches a pressure and temperature sensor (70) is a component of a compressor (24) and is disposed in a low-pressure area (intake area near 23).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have provided wherein the pressure and temperature sensor is a component of the compressor and is disposed in the low-pressure area to the structure of Al-Eidan modified supra as taught by Kalya in order to advantageously provide the sensor incorporated within the compressor for data of the compressor (see Kalya, paragraph [0027]).
Regarding Claim 12: Al-Eidan modified supra fails to teach wherein no pressure sensor is disposed in the high-pressure area, and/or no temperature sensor is disposed in the high-pressure area.
Kalya teaches no pressure sensor is disposed in a high-pressure area, and/or no temperature sensor is disposed in the high-pressure area (no sensor 70 is outside of the discharge of the compressor, paragraph [0027]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have provided wherein no pressure sensor is disposed in the high-pressure area, and/or no temperature sensor is disposed in the high-pressure area to the structure of Al-Eidan modified supra as taught by Kalya in order to advantageously provide the sensor incorporated within the compressor for data of the compressor (see Kalya, paragraph [0027]).
Regarding Claim 13: Al-Eidan teaches wherein an exit area of the compressor (from 4 to 1) assigned to the high-pressure area (exit to condenser) is connected to an entry area of the condenser (1) by a high-pressure line of the refrigerant circuit system (see Figure 4) through which refrigerant can flow, so that refrigerant can flow from the compressor (4) to the condenser (1).
Al-Eidan modified supra fails to teach, wherein no pressure sensor for measuring a pressure is provided at the exit area of the compressor and/or at the high-pressure line and/or at the entry area of the condenser, and/or wherein no temperature sensor for measuring a temperature value is provided at the exit area of the compressor and/or at the high-pressure line and/or at the entry area of the condenser.
Kalya teaches no pressure sensor for measuring a pressure is provided at an exit area of a compressor and/or at a high-pressure line and/or at an entry area of a condenser, and/or wherein no temperature sensor for measuring a temperature value is provided at the exit area of the compressor and/or at the high-pressure line and/or at the entry area of the condenser (no sensor 70 is outside of the discharge of the compressor, paragraph [0027]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have provided wherein no pressure sensor for measuring a pressure is provided at the exit area of the compressor and/or at the high-pressure line and/or at the entry area of the condenser, and/or wherein no temperature sensor for measuring a temperature value is provided at the exit area of the compressor and/or at the high-pressure line and/or at the entry area of the condenser to the structure of Al-Eidan modified supra as taught by Kalya in order to advantageously provide the sensor incorporated within the compressor for data of the compressor (see Kalya, paragraph [0027]).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Allgaeuer et al. (US 2020/0298657 A1).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KIRSTIN U OSWALD whose telephone number is (571)270-3557. The examiner can normally be reached 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. M-F.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Len Tran can be reached at 571-272-1184. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/KIRSTIN U OSWALD/Examiner, Art Unit 3763
/LEN TRAN/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3763
