Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/664,958

FLUID CHANNEL ASSEMBLY FOR A CONNECTOR OF A CHARGING GUN, CONNECTOR, CHARGING GUN, CHARGING STATION AND METHOD OF COOLING A CONTACT PIN OF A CONNECTOR OF A CHARGING GUN

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
May 15, 2024
Priority
May 16, 2023 — EU 23173712.3
Examiner
TA, THO DAC
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
ABB E-Mobility B V
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
87%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 87% — above average
87%
Career Allowance Rate
1346 granted / 1555 resolved
+26.6% vs TC avg
Moderate +15% lift
Without
With
+15.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
1y 8m
Avg Prosecution
32 currently pending
Career history
1565
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.9%
-39.1% vs TC avg
§103
51.2%
+11.2% vs TC avg
§102
28.0%
-12.0% vs TC avg
§112
12.3%
-27.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1555 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . Claim Objections Claim 15 is objected to because of the following informalities: claim 15, line 4, change “channer” to –channel--. Appropriate correction is required. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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 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. Claim(s) 13-15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by DE 102016206300 A1. In regard to claim 13, DE 102016206300 A1 discloses a method of cooling a contact pin 10 of a connector 100 of a charging gun for an electric vehicle, the method comprising providing a coolant flow in a fluid channel network 122, 123, 127, 128, 130, 131 of a fluid channel assembly 121 of the connector 100, the fluid channel network being arranged around the contact pin 10 (see fig. 4C) and being in direct or indirect contact with the contact pin 10; and tuning a flow rate of the coolant from a first single fluid transfer channel 122 into the fluid channel network by employing a flow balancing device 125.. In regard to claim 14, DE 102016206300 A1 discloses a fluid inlet 23 is connected to the fluid channel network 121 via a first single fluid transfer channel 122, the fluid inlet configured to receive the coolant through a charging cable 120 and to inject the coolant into the fluid channel network, and wherein a fluid outlet 24 is connected to the fluid channel network via a second single fluid transfer channel 123, the fluid outlet configured to receive the coolant from the fluid channel network and to inject the coolant into the charging cable 120. In regard to claim 15, DE 102016206300 A1 discloses flow balancing device is a bypass integrated in the contact pin, wherein the bypass is configured to directly connect the first single fluid transfer channel 122 and the second single fluid transfer channel 123 for tuning a flow rate of the coolant into the fluid channel network. Allowable Subject Matter Claim1, 4-12 and 16 are allowed. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: In regard to claim 1, the prior art fails to provide, teach or suggest a bypass integrated in the contact pin, wherein the bypass is configured to directly connect the first single fluid transfer channel and the second single fluid transfer channel for tuning a flow rate of the coolant into the fluid channel network, and wherein the contact pin is exchangeable. In regard to claim 10, the prior art fails to provide, teach or suggest a contact terminal comprising the fluid outlet and the fluid inlet, and means for connecting at least one copper conductor on a first side and means for connecting the contact pin on a second side; the contact terminal is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the first single fluid transfer channel and at least a portion of the second single fluid transfer channel. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See PTO-892 form. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THO D. TA whose telephone number is (571)272-2014. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8AM-4:30PM 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, Christopher M Koehler can be reached at (571) 272-3560. 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. Tdt 7/4/2026 /THO D TA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2834
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

May 15, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 07, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12683325
CONNECTOR RETAINER CAP ASSEMBLY
3y 0m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12683303
CONDUCTOR TERMINAL
2y 5m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12683327
CONNECTOR
2y 5m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12683322
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2y 6m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12676433
CONNECTOR
2y 6m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
87%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+15.0%)
1y 8m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1555 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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