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 .
Specification
The following is a quotation of 37 CFR 1.71 (a)-(c):
a) The specification must include a written description of the invention or discovery and of the manner and process of making and using the same, and is required to be in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art or science to which the invention or discovery appertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same.
(b) The specification must set forth the precise invention for which a patent is solicited, in such manner as to distinguish it from other inventions and from what is old. It must describe completely a specific embodiment of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter or improvement invented, and must explain the mode of operation or principle whenever applicable. The best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention must be set forth.
(c) In the case of an improvement, the specification must particularly point out the part or parts of the process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter to which the improvement relates, and the description should be confined to the specific improvement and to such parts as necessarily cooperate with it or as may be necessary to a complete understanding or description of it.
The specification is objected to under 37 CFR 1.71 (a)-(c) as failing to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention because the specification violates the law of conservation of energy as set forth below in 35 USC § 101 and 35 USC § 112.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claims 1-3 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is not supported by either a specific and substantial asserted utility or a well-established utility.
According to the instant application specification and drawing, the disclosure disclosed a decentralized power-generation system that use Mobius-configured magnetic array, combining with external magnetic element, energy storage to provide magnetic field provided electrical power generation.
Specifically, Figures 1, 2 provided a system where energy source 110 provided to a prime mover 120 and the energy is converted into mechanical rotational movement and which in turn causes a shaft 126 of the prime mover to rotate. As seen in FIG. 1, the shaft 126 of the prime mover 120 is connected to an alternator 130 or generator. The alternator 130 is configured to convert the mechanical energy provided by the rotational movement of the shaft 126 into electrical power. The alternator 130 is then configured to transmit electrical power to a desired location (see ¶ 29 of the instant application).
In Figure 5, the instant disclosure disclosed the structure of mobius magnet array and disclosed that the magnet array maybe permanent magnet or electromagnet.
In Figure 6A, 6B, the instant disclosure further disclosed a device 600 for generating power using a loop configuration wherein a battery 660 provided electrical to the magnet array (see ¶ 43) and initiate power generation by the device 600. The disclosure further disclosed that the battery 660 also received the power from device 600 and only a portion of the power generated by the device 600 goes directly to storage system 660.
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[0042] In some embodiments, the system 600 may further include coils such that the rotational movement of the mobius magnet array generates an electrical current in the coils. This configuration may beneficially combine the features of a prime mover with an alternator.
[0043] Figure 6B shows a schematic view of a device 600 for generating power connected to a battery storage system 660. As seen in Figure 6B, the device 600 may be electrically connected to a battery storage system 660. In some embodiments, the battery storage system 660 is electrically connected to at least one of the external magnet arrays 620a and 620b. In some embodiments, the battery storage system 660 is electrically connected to the mobius magnet array 630. In some embodiments, the battery storage system 660 is electrically connected to an internal magnet array 650 as described below in connection with Figure 7. In some embodiments, the battery storage system 660 provides electrical power to the external magnet arrays 620a and 620b, the mobius magnet array 630, and/or the internal magnet array 650. In some embodiments, the power provided by the battery storage system 660 to the external magnet arrays 620a and 620b, the mobius magnet array 630 and/or an internal magnet array 650 augments or initiates the magnetic fields generated by the external magnet arrays 620a and 620b, the mobius magnet array 630, and/or the internal magnet array 650 respectively. This, in turn, causes the mobius magnet array 630 to begin to rotate or to rotate at an increased rate, thereby causing the shaft 640 to begin to rotate or to rotate at an increased rate. This, in turn, leads to initiation of power generation by the device 600 or to an increase in power generation by the device 600.
[0044] In some embodiments, the battery storage system 660 is further configured to receive electrical power from the device 600. In some embodiments, a generator or alternator converts the rotational energy of the shaft 640 into electrical power which is then directed to the battery storage system 660. In some embodiments, only a portion of the power generated by the device 600 and/or the generator is directed to the battery storage system 660. The power received from the device 600 or from the generator may serve to charge the batteries of the battery storage system 660.
In Figure 8, the instant disclosure further disclosed an alternative embodiment similar to Figure 6. In this embodiment, the device 800 included a first device 810 and second device 850 which connected with battery 805 in a closed loop configuration where the battery 805 can connect to both first device 810 and second device 850. The shaft 840 of first device connected to an alternator which is electrically connected to the second device 850. In other words, the power generated by first device 810 is used to power second device 850 (see specification ¶ 50). Then the shaft of second device 850 is connected to an alternator and the alternator is configured to convert energy of shaft 890 into electrical power (¶ 52) and the electrical power generated by the second device 850 is greater than electrical power generated by first device 810 (see ¶ 53). The disclosure further disclosed that the power generated by the second device 850 can be used to charge the battery 805.
[0050] In some embodiments, the first device 810 is electrically connected to the second device 850. In some embodiments, the shaft 840 of the first device 810 is connected to an alternator which is electrically connected to the second device 850. The alternator converts the rotational energy of the shaft 840 into electrical power. In some embodiments, the electrical power generated by the first device 810 is directed to the second device 850.
[0052] In some embodiments, the shaft 890 of the second device 810 is connected to an alternator. The alternator is configured to convert the rotational energy of the shaft 890 into electrical power.
[0052] In some embodiments, the shaft 890 of the second device 810 is connected to an alternator. The alternator is configured to convert the rotational energy of the shaft 890 into electrical power.
[0053] In some embodiments, the power generated by the second device 850 may be greater than the electrical power generated by the first device 810.
[0057] In some embodiments, the battery storage system 805 is further configured to received electrical power from the second device 850. In some embodiments, a generator or alternator converts the rotational energy of the shaft 890 into electrical power which is then directed to the battery storage system 805. In some embodiments, only a portion of the power generated by the second device 850 and/or the generator is directed to the battery storage system 805. The power received from the second device 850 or from the generator may serve to charge the batteries of the battery storage system 805.
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As shown in Figures 6A, 6B above, the device will not operate because it violates the law of conservation of energy. Although energy assumes various forms, the total quantity of energy is constant, with the consequence that when energy disappears in one form, it appears in others as evidenced in Annamalai et al., Advanced Thermodynamics Engineering, CRC Press 2001, Chapter II, Pages 1-4.
As disclosed, the device in Figure 6 cannot create net-positive energy because it relies on an internal battery fed feedback loop with no additional energy input. The claimed invention also violates the first law of thermodynamics, which states that the internal energy of an isolated system remains constant. See Sears et al. University Physics, Sixth Edition, pg. 349-350.
As disclosed, the device in Figure 8 will also not operate because it violates the law of conservation of energy (i.e.: the power generated by the second device 850 cannot be greater than the electrical power generated by the first device 810 if device 810 is used to power the second device 850). The claimed invention in Figure 8 also violates the first law of thermodynamics, which states that the internal energy of an isolated system remains constant.
In addition, claim 1 also recited: “…an external magnet array configured to generate a magnetic field within the device, wherein the magnetic field exerts a rotational force on the mobius magnet array; a shaft connected to the mobius magnet array, the shaft configured to rotate when the magnetic field exerts a force on the mobius magnet array; and an alternator connected to the shaft, the alternator configured to convert the rotational motion of the shaft into electrical power”
The use of external magnet array (permanent magnet) and Mobius magnetic array will not allow the device will to operate as disclosed/claimed because the magnetic forces do no work as show in Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics, 1999, pg.204-207.
Claims 2-3 also rejected for similar reason as claim 1.
Claims 1-3 are also rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph. Specifically, because the claimed invention is not supported by either a specific and substantial asserted utility or a well-established utility for the reasons set forth above, one skilled in the art clearly would not know how to use the claimed invention.
6. When a patent applicant presents an application describing an invention that contradicts known scientific principles, or relies on previously undiscovered scientific phenomenon, the burden is on the examiner simply to point out this fact to the appellant. The burden shifts to appellant to demonstrate either that his invention, as claimed, is operable or does not violate basic scientific principles, or that those basic scientific principles are incorrect. As stated by the Patent Office Board of Appeals, Newman v. Quigg 681 F.Supp 16, at18, 5 U.S.P.Q. 2d 1880(1988).
7. Applicants are required to furnish a working model of their invention in order to demonstrate its operability. See MPEP § 608.03; 37 CFR 1.91.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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.
Claims 1 and 2 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Virtzer et al. (US 2022/0045562 A1).
RE claim 1, Virtzer teaches a device for generating power (Fig.8 and ¶ 89), the device comprising: a mobius magnet array 401 comprising: a surface in the form of a mobius strip (Fig.8B); and a plurality of magnets 210 disposed on the surface; an external magnet array 210 (of plate 612) configured to generate a magnetic field within the device, wherein the magnetic field exerts a rotational force on the mobius magnet array 201; a shaft 816 connected to the mobius magnet array 401 (Fig.8A and ¶ 91), the shaft 816 configured to rotate when the magnetic field exerts a force on the mobius magnet array 401; and an alternator (generator) connected to the shaft 816 (see ¶ 91), the alternator configured to convert the rotational motion of the shaft into electrical power (¶ 91).
RE claim 2/1, Virtzer teaches a method for generating power (Figs.8, ¶ 89-91), the method comprising: providing a mobius magnet array 401 comprising: a surface in the form of a mobius strip; and a plurality of magnets 201 disposed on the surface; exposing the mobius magnet array to an external magnetic field (via magnet 201 of plate 612); rotating the mobius magnet array 401 in response to the external magnetic field; rotating a shaft connected to the mobius magnet array; and converting the rotational motion of the shaft into electrical power (¶ 91).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 3 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Virtzer in view of Barbour (US 2021/0298195 A1).
RE claim 3/2, Virtzer has been discussed above. Virtzer does not teach directing at least a portion of the electrical power to hardware; providing computational power, via the hardware, to a blockchain network; and validating a blockchain within the blockchain network.
However, Virtzer suggests that such generator can be utilized in any applicable application (¶ 113) that require high demand energy application (¶ 24, 55).
Barbour teaches directing at least a portion of the electrical power (via power generator 64, see Fig.19 and ¶ 91) to hardware; providing computational power, via the hardware, to a blockchain network (¶ 91 and claim 1); and validating a blockchain within the blockchain network (¶ 44).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize Virtzer’s generator in any applicable application such as providing computational power, via the hardware, to a blockchain network; and validating a blockchain within the blockchain network, as evidenced by Barbour, for the same reasons as discussed above.
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.
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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.
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/THOMAS TRUONG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2834