DETAILED ACTION
This is in response to the Amendment filed 2/10/2026 wherein claims 3, 7-8, 15-16, 19, 21-23, and 25 are canceled, claim 14 is withdrawn and claims 1-2, 4-6, 9-13, 17-18, 20, 24, and 26-30 are presented for examination.
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 .
Election/Restrictions
Claims 1-2, 4-6, 9-14, 17-18, and 24 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected species IV (Figure 10), there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 10/31/2024.
Claims 20 and 26-30 are examined.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the “combustion section further comprises one or more centerbodies, with at least one centerbody of the one or more centerbodies including a central fuel channel having a set of fuel jets opening into the open interior (Claims 27 and 28) in combination with either “wherein the curvilinear centerline defines a spiral formation at the outlet such that the outlet defines a spiral-shaped opening that opens to the combustion chamber” (Claim 20) or “wherein the curvilinear centerline defines a tortuous-shaped formation at the outlet” (Claim 26) must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). In addition, the “combustion section further comprises a set of vortex generators provided along the fuel nozzle body and extending into the open interior” (Claims 29 and 30) in combination with either “wherein the curvilinear centerline defines a spiral formation at the outlet such that the outlet defines a spiral-shaped opening that opens to the combustion chamber” (Claim 20) or “wherein the curvilinear centerline defines a tortuous-shaped formation at the outlet” (Claim 26) must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
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 27-28 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. Claims 27-28 require at least one centerbody including a central fuel channel having a set of fuel jets opening into the open interior. Although Applicant’s specification describes some embodiments including a centerbody having a central fuel channel, Applicant’s specification does not describe and the drawings do not show a centerbody having a central fuel channel in the embodiment where the fuel nozzle body has a spiral shaped curvilinear centerline. Therefore, the claims contain subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one having ordinary skill in the art that Applicant had possession of the claimed invention at the time the application was filed.
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.
Claims 20 and 26-28 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Myers et al. (US 2024/0288170).
Regarding Independent Claim 20, Myers teaches (Figures 1-23) a turbine engine (1) comprising:
a compression section (2), a combustion section (4), and a turbine section (6) in serial flow arrangement (see Figures 1-2), the combustion section (4) comprising:
a wall (48) at least partially forming a combustion chamber (within 46; see Figure 2), the wall (48) having a fuel nozzle opening (the opening in 48 for the passage of 370; see Figure 15); and
a fuel nozzle (300) extending through the fuel nozzle opening (80), the fuel nozzle (300) comprising:
a fuel nozzle body (320, 370) having a centerline (a central axis through 320; see Figures 14-18) and a continuous curvilinear structure (320; see Figures 14 and 17) bounding an open interior (at 80), the open interior (80) opening to the combustion chamber (within 48) at an outlet (at the side of 320 facing the combustion chamber; see Figures 14-18), the continuous curvilinear structure (320) terminating at the outlet (at the side of 320 facing the combustion chamber; see Figures 14-18) and having a curvilinear centerline at the outlet (see Figures 14-17); and
a set of fuel injection channels (340) provided within the fuel nozzle body (320) and opening into the open interior (80) at a set of fuel injection orifices (the outlet opening of 340; see Figures 14-17); and
wherein the curvilinear centerline (a central axis through 320; see Figures 14-18) defines a spiral formation (see Figures 14 and 17) at the outlet (at the side of 320 facing the combustion chamber) such that the outlet defines a spiral-shaped opening (see Figure 17), the spiral formation (see Figures 14 and 17) extending between a first circumferential end (at 330) and a second circumferential end (at 310), wherein the first circumferential end (at 330) is greater than 2π radians and less than or equal to 20π radians (see Figure 17) from the second circumferential end (at 310).
Regarding Independent Claim 26, Myers teaches (Figures 1-23) a turbine engine (1) comprising:
a compression section (2), a combustion section (4), and a turbine section (6) in serial flow arrangement (see Figures 1-2), the combustion section (4) comprising:
a wall (48) at least partially forming a combustion chamber (within 46; see Figure 2), the wall (48) having a fuel nozzle opening (the opening in 48 for the passage of 370; see Figure 15); and
a fuel nozzle (300) extending through the fuel nozzle opening (80), the fuel nozzle (300) comprising:
a fuel nozzle body (320, 370) having a centerline (a central axis through 320; see Figures 14-18) and a continuous curvilinear structure (320; see Figures 14 and 17) bounding an open interior (at 80), the open interior (80) opening to the combustion chamber (within 48) at an outlet (at the side of 320 facing the combustion chamber; see Figures 14-18), the continuous curvilinear structure (320) terminating at the outlet (at the side of 320 facing the combustion chamber; see Figures 14-18) and having a curvilinear centerline at the outlet (see Figures 14-17); and
a set of fuel injection channels (340) provided within the fuel nozzle body (320) and opening into the open interior (80) at a set of fuel injection orifices (the outlet opening of 340; see Figures 14-17); and
wherein the curvilinear centerline (a central axis through 320; see Figures 14-18) defines a tortuous-shaped formation (see Figures 14 and 17) at the outlet (at the side of 320 facing the combustion chamber) such that the outlet defines a tortuous-shaped opening (see Figure 17) that opens to the combustion chamber (within 48).
Regarding Claim 27, Myers teaches the invention as claimed and as discussed above. Myers further teaches (Figures 1-23) wherein the combustion section (4) further comprises one or more centerbodies (250; see Figures 4-12 and 18), with at least one centerbody (250) of the one or more centerbodies (see Figures 4-12 and 18) including a central fuel channel (254) having a set of fuel jets (264) opening into the open interior (80).
Regarding Claim 28, Myers teaches the invention as claimed and as discussed above. Myers further teaches (Figures 1-23) wherein the combustion section (4) further comprises one or more centerbodies (250; see Figures 4-12 and 18), with at least one centerbody (250) of the one or more centerbodies (see Figures 4-12 and 18) including a central fuel channel (254) having a set of fuel jets (264) opening into the open interior (80).
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.
Claims 29-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Myers et al. (US 2024/0288170) in view of Boardman et al. (US 11,454,396).
Regarding Claim 29, Myers teaches the invention as claimed and as discussed above. Myers does not teach wherein the combustion section further comprises a set of vortex generators provided along the fuel nozzle body and extending into the open interior.
Boardman teaches (Figures 1-7C) vortex generators (480, 600, 900; see abstract and Figures 5-7C) provided along a fuel nozzle body (410, 615) and extending into an open interior (the opening within 410; see Figure 5).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Myers to have a set of vortex generators provided along the fuel nozzle body and extending into the open interior, as taught by Boardman, in order to generate a vortex pair that accelerates the mixing of air and fuel being injected (see abstract of Boardman).
Regarding Claim 30, Myers teaches the invention as claimed and as discussed above. Myers does not teach wherein the combustion section further comprises a set of vortex generators provided along the fuel nozzle body and extending into the open interior.
Boardman teaches (Figures 1-7C) vortex generators (480, 600, 900; see abstract and Figures 5-7C) provided along a fuel nozzle body (410, 615) and extending into an open interior (the opening within 410; see Figure 5).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Myers to have a set of vortex generators provided along the fuel nozzle body and extending into the open interior, as taught by Boardman, in order to generate a vortex pair that accelerates the mixing of air and fuel being injected (see abstract of Boardman).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 2/10/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues that Myers does not teach a spiral shaped opening that opens to the combustion chamber because the interior of tube 320 is circular in shape. In response, it is noted that the interior of the tube is not interpreted as being the outlet of the fuel nozzle. Instead, the open interior is interpreted as the opening of 80 that is bounded by tube 320. Therefore, the curvilinear centerline (a central axis through 320; see Figures 14-18) defines a spiral formation (see Figures 14 and 17) at the outlet (at the side of 320 facing the combustion chamber) such that the outlet defines a spiral-shaped opening (formed by the walls of 320; see Figure 17 below).
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Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Contact Information
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THOMAS P BURKE whose telephone number is (571)270-5407. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30-5:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Phutthiwat Wongwian can be reached on (571) 270-5426. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/THOMAS P BURKE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3741