Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/614,026

HVAC Airflow Throttling Mechanism

Non-Final OA

Filed

Mar 22, 2024

Priority

Apr 05, 2023 — provisional 63/494,328

Examiner

WEINERT, WILLIAM C

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

DENSO International America Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 59% of cases after interview

— +33.7% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 139 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

WEINERT, WILLIAM C View full profile →

Grants 59% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

82 granted / 139 resolved

-1.0% vs TC avg

Strong +34% interview lift

Without

With

+33.7%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 2m

Avg Prosecution

23 currently pending

Career history

173

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

96.0%

+56.0% vs TC avg

§102

2.7%

-37.3% vs TC avg

§112

1.3%

-38.7% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 139 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 22, 2024

Application Filed

Jun 01, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/338,687

Patent 12650231

COOKING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME

2y 11m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

17/568,977

Patent 12623509

DEVICE FOR MANIPULATING AN ACTUATOR, IN PARTICULAR IN THE FORM OF A THROTTLE OR CLOSURE FLAP, OF AN AIR VENT, AN AIR VENT COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE AS WELL AS A METHOD FOR MANIPULATING AN ACTUATOR, IN PARTICULAR IN THE FORM OF A THROTTLE OR CLOSURE FLAP, OF AN AIR VENT

4y 4m to grant Granted May 12, 2026

17/915,352

Patent 12613033

METHOD FOR OPERATING A GAS BURNER AND GAS BURNER FOR PERFORMING THE METHOD

3y 7m to grant Granted Apr 28, 2026

18/351,141

Patent 12611910

EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR USE IN KITCHEN APPLICATIONS

2y 9m to grant Granted Apr 28, 2026

18/229,313

Patent 12607361

APPLIANCE

2y 8m to grant Granted Apr 21, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

59%

Grant Probability

93%

With Interview (+33.7%)

3y 2m (~11m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 139 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.