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 .
Double Patenting
A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957).
A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101.
Claims 1-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claims 1-16 of prior U.S. Patent No. 11,031,835 B2. This is a statutory double patenting rejection.
Instant Application
Conflicting Patent (US 11,031,835 B2)
1. A flux induction machine comprising:
an axis of rotation;
a rotor centered around and configured to rotate around the axis of rotation;
a shaft passing through the axis of rotation and coupled to the rotor thereby rotating when the rotor rotates;
a first and second stator each centered around the axis of rotation, each of the first and second stators comprising:
an inner ring of high-permeability structures extending axially towards the rotor; and
an outer ring of high-permeability structures arranged further from the axis of rotation than the inner ring and extending axially towards the rotor, wherein an inner radius of the outer ring as measured from the axis of rotation is greater than an outer radius of the rotor as measured from the axis of rotation;
a plurality of inner conductive coils wrapped around one or more of the high-permeability structures in the inner ring; and
a plurality of outer conductive coils wrapped around one or more of the high-permeability structures in the outer ring, wherein a first inner conductive coil of the plurality of inner conductive coils is connected to a first outer conductive coil of the plurality of outer conductive coils to form a single conductive path having two leads accessible from an exterior of the flux induction machine and configured for coupling to an electrical system,
wherein corresponding ones of the outer ring of high-permeability structures between the two stators are closer to each other measured axially than corresponding ones of the inner ring of high-permeability structures between the two stators measured axially.
2. The flux induction machine of Claim 1, wherein the inner and outer rings of high-permeability structures, and their corresponding coils are arranged to form a semi-toroidal magnetic field when current is passing through the coils.
3. The flux induction machine of Claim 1, wherein the outer ring of high-permeability structures on the first stator is in contact with the outer ring of high-permeability structures on the second stator.
4. The flux induction machine of Claim 1, further comprising a third stator and a second rotor, wherein one of the stators is arranged between the two rotors and has inner and outer rings of high-permeability structures and corresponding conductive coils extending in both axial directions.
5. The flux induction machine of Claim 4, wherein at least two of the stators couple to the shaft via bearings, and wherein another of the three stators is not in contact with the shaft.
6. The flux induction machine of Claim 1, wherein the flux induction machine is an axial flux induction machine.
7. The flux induction machine of Claim 1, wherein the flux induction machine is configured to receive power from the electrical system that is then converted to rotation of the rotor.
8. The flux induction machine of Claim 1, wherein the flux induction machine is configured to convert rotation of the rotor into electricity that is provided to the electrical system.
9. The flux induction machine of Claim 1, wherein each inner conductive coil is wrapped around two or more of the high-permeability structures in the inner ring and each outer conductive coil is wrapped around two or more of the high-permeability structures in the outer ring.
10. A flux induction machine comprising:
an axis of rotation;
a rotor centered around and configured to rotate around the axis of rotation;
a shaft passing through the axis of rotation and coupled to the rotor thereby rotating when the rotor rotates;
a first and second stator each centered around the axis of rotation, each of the first and second stators comprising:
an inner means for retaining one or more inner conductive coils; and
an outer means for retaining one or more outer conductive coils, the outer means arranged further from the axis of rotation than the inner means; and
a first inner conductive coil of the one or more of inner conductive coils connected to a first outer conductive coil of the one or more outer conductive coils to form a single conductive path having two leads accessible from an exterior of the flux induction machine and configured for coupling to an electrical system.
11. The flux induction machine of Claim 10, wherein the outer means of the two stators are closer to each other than inner means of the two stators.
12. The flux induction machine of Claim 10, wherein the flux induction machine is an axial flux induction machine.
13. The flux induction machine of Claim 10, wherein the outer ring of high-permeability structures on the first stator is in contact with the outer ring of high-permeability structures on the second stator.
14. The flux induction machine of Claim 10, wherein the flux induction machine is configured to receive power from the electrical system that is then converted to rotation of the rotor.
15. The flux induction machine of Claim 10, wherein the flux induction machine is configured to convert rotation of the rotor into electricity that is provided to the electrical system.
16. The flux induction machine of Claim 10, wherein an inner radius of the outer means as measured from the axis of rotation is greater than an outer radius of the rotor as measured from the axis.
1. A flux induction machine comprising:
an axis of rotation;
a rotor centered around and configured to rotate around the axis of rotation;
a shaft passing through the axis of rotation and coupled to the rotor thereby rotating when the rotor rotates;
a first and second stator each centered around the axis of rotation, each of the first and second stators comprising:
an inner ring of high-permeability structures extending axially towards the rotor; and
an outer ring of high-permeability structures arranged further from the axis of rotation than the inner ring and extending axially towards the rotor, wherein an inner radius of the outer ring as measured from the axis of rotation is greater than an outer radius of the rotor as measured from the axis of rotation;
a plurality of inner conductive coils wrapped around one or more of the high-permeability structures in the inner ring; and
a plurality of outer conductive coils wrapped around one or more of the high-permeability structures in the outer ring, wherein a first inner conductive coil of the plurality of inner conductive coils is connected to a first outer conductive coil of the plurality of outer conductive coils to form a single conductive path having two leads accessible from an exterior of the flux induction machine and configured for coupling to an electrical system,
wherein corresponding ones of the outer ring of high-permeability structures between the two stators are closer to each other measured axially than corresponding ones of the inner ring of high-permeability structures between the two stators measured axially.
2. The flux induction machine of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer rings of high-permeability structures, and their corresponding coils are arranged to form a semi-toroidal magnetic field when current is passing through the coils.
3. The flux induction machine of claim 1, wherein the outer ring of high-permeability structures on the first stator is in contact with the outer ring of high-permeability structures on the second stator.
4. The flux induction machine of claim 1, further comprising a third stator and a second rotor, wherein one of the stators is arranged between the two rotors and has inner and outer rings of high-permeability structures and corresponding conductive coils extending in both axial directions.
5. The flux induction machine of claim 4, wherein at least two of the stators couple to the shaft via bearings, and wherein another of the three stators is not in contact with the shaft.
6. The flux induction machine of claim 1, wherein the flux induction machine is an axial flux induction machine.
7. The flux induction machine of claim 1, wherein the flux induction machine is configured to receive power from the electrical system that is then converted to rotation of the rotor.
8. The flux induction machine of claim 1, wherein the flux induction machine is configured to convert rotation of the rotor into electricity that is provided to the electrical system.
9. The flux induction machine of claim 1, wherein each inner conductive coil is wrapped around two or more of the high-permeability structures in the inner ring and each outer conductive coil is wrapped around two or more of the high-permeability structures in the outer ring.
10. A flux induction machine comprising:
an axis of rotation;
a rotor centered around and configured to rotate around the axis of rotation;
a shaft passing through the axis of rotation and coupled to the rotor thereby rotating when the rotor rotates;
a first and second stator each centered around the axis of rotation, each of the first and second stators comprising:
an inner means for retaining one or more inner conductive coils; and
an outer means for retaining one or more outer conductive coils, the outer means arranged further from the axis of rotation than the inner means; and
a first inner conductive coil of the one or more of inner conductive coils connected to a first outer conductive coil of the one or more outer conductive coils to form a single conductive path having two leads accessible from an exterior of the flux induction machine and configured for coupling to an electrical system.
11. The flux induction machine of claim 10, wherein the outer means of the two stators are closer to each other than inner means of the two stators.
12. The flux induction machine of claim 10, wherein the flux induction machine is an axial flux induction machine.
13. The flux induction machine of claim 10, wherein the outer ring of high-permeability structures on the first stator is in contact with the outer ring of high-permeability structures on the second stator.
14. The flux induction machine of claim 10, wherein the flux induction machine is configured to receive power from the electrical system that is then converted to rotation of the rotor.
15. The flux induction machine of claim 10, wherein the flux induction machine is configured to convert rotation of the rotor into electricity that is provided to the electrical system.
16. The flux induction machine of claim 10, wherein an inner radius of the outer means as measured from the axis of rotation is greater than an outer radius of the rotor as measured from the axis.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THOMAS TRUONG whose telephone number is (571)270-5532. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9AM-6PM EST.
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, Seye Iwarere can be reached at (571) 270-5112. 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.
/THOMAS TRUONG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2834