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 .
Claims
Claims 1-22, 24-29 and 31-33 are pending.
Claims 1 and 24 are amended.
Claims 23 and 30 are cancelled.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see page 7, filed 05/22/2026, with respect to the claim objections have been fully considered and are persuasive. The claim objections have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s arguments, see page 7-8, filed 05/22/2026, with respect to the 112 rejections have been fully considered and are persuasive. The 112 rejections have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s arguments, see pages 8-12, filed 05/22/2026, with respect to the rejections of claims 1-22, 24-29 and 31-33 under the current respective 102 and 103 rejections have been fully considered and are persuasive regarding applicant’s amendments and arguments/remarks of claim 1. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new grounds of rejection is made in view of Ingrisch et al US6062088.
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.
Claims 1-15, 19, 21-22, 24-29 and 31-33 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wohlgemuth et al US20200340874 (hereinafter “Wohlgemuth”) in view of Ingrisch et al US6062088 (hereinafter “Ingrisch”)
Regarding claim 1, Wohlgemuth discloses a pressure measuring cell (pressure sensor-1 includes pressure sensor element-10) comprising a membrane (membrane-11) comprising a first surface and a second surface (See fig 2), and a support body (element-20), the support body comprising a cavity (space-40) which is transversely delimited by an inner surface (inner wall-21) of the support body and axially delimited at a first side by the first surface of the membrane (See Fig 2) and open at a second side opposite to the first side to form a trough-shaped chamber for accommodating a measurement medium (Flow channel-30 provides the media to be measured), wherein the inner surface of the support body is shaped such that a transverse diameter of the trough-shaped chamber at the second side of the cavity is larger than a transverse diameter at the first side of the cavity (See Fig 2 which shows a wider opening on the bottom of space-40 than the upper section of the space). (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2,. Claims 18 and 20)
However, Wohlgemuth fails to disclose the support body and the membrane are made of metal, and wherein the membrane and the support body are formed as an integral part such that the trough-shaped chamber configured to accommodate the measurement medium is formed by the integral part. Ingrisch discloses the support body (rigid frame-3) and the membrane (membrane-1) are made of metal, and wherein the membrane and the support body are formed as an integral part such that the trough-shaped chamber (pressure feed-7) configured to accommodate the measurement medium is formed by the integral part. (Col 2 line 11-27 and Col 3 line 6-25, Fig 1)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to include the design of Ingrisch into Wohlgemuth for the purpose of increasing detection accuracy. The modification would allow for improving life of the device.
Regarding claim 2, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 1.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface of the support body (element-20) is shaped such that the transverse diameter of the trough-shaped chamber monotonously decreases from the second side of the cavity towards the first side of the cavity (See Fig 2 which shows a wider opening on the bottom of space-40 than the upper section of the space) (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 3, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 1.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface of the support body (element-20) adjoins the first surface of the membrane with a slope (See Fig 2 which shows the support element-20 connected to the membrane-11 at a sloped angle ). (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2,. Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 4, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 1.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface of the support body (support element-20) comprises one or more linearly slanted sections (See Fig 2 which shows the support element-20 with slanted portions-31 and 41). (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2,. Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 5, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 4.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface of the support body (support element-20) comprises at least two linearly slanted sections (See Fig 2 which shows the support element-20 with slanted portions-31 and 41), wherein a linearly slanted section at the second side of the cavity exhibits a smaller slope with respect to the membrane than a linearly slanted section at the first side of the cavity. (See Fig 2 which shows the slanting being different compared to the upper and bottom sections.) (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 6, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 4.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface of the support body (support element-20) comprises at least two linearly slanted sections (portions-31 and 41), wherein a linearly slanted section at the second side of the cavity (space-40) exhibits a larger slope with respect to the membrane than a linearly slanted section at the first side of the cavity. (See Fig 2 which shows the slanting being different compared to the upper and bottom sections.) (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2,. Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 7, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 1.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface of the support body (element-20) comprises one or more conical profile sections. (See Fig 2 which shows a conical profile section on the upper portion of support element-20) (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 8, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 7.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface of the support body (element-20) comprises one or more conical profile sections. (See Fig 2 which shows a conical profile section on the upper portion of support element-20) (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 9, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 7.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface (inner wall-21) of the support body (support element-20) comprises a conical profile section adjacent to the membrane (membrane-11) and a cylindrical profile section adjoining the conical profile section. (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 10, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 9.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface (inner wall-21) of the support body (support element-20) further comprises a further conical profile section arranged between the cylindrical profile section and the second side of the cavity (See Fig 2 which shows a conical shape at the top and bottom of the support elemnt-20). (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 11, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 7.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface (inner wall-21) of the support body (support element-20) comprises at least two conical profile sections (See Fig 2 which shows a conical shape at the top and bottom of the support elemnt-20), wherein a cone corresponding to a conical profile section at a second end of the cavity exhibits a smaller apex angle than a cone corresponding to a conical profile section at a first end of the cavity. (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 12, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 7.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface (inner wall-21) of the support body (support element-20) comprises at least two conical profile sections (See Fig 2 which shows a conical shape at the top and bottom of the support elemnt-20), wherein a cone corresponding to a conical profile section at a second end of the cavity exhibits a larger apex angle than a cone corresponding to a conical profile section at a first end of the cavity. (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 13, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 7.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface (inner wall-21) of the support body (support element-20) comprises a conical profile extending from the second side of the cavity to the first side of the cavity (See Fig 2 which shows a conical shape extending from the top to the bottom of the support elemnt-20). (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 14, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 1.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface (inner wall-21) of the support body (support element-20) comprises one or more concave profile sections. (See Fig 2 which shows conical shapes at the top and bottom of the support elemnt-20). (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 15, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 1.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface (inner wall-21) of the support body (support element-20) comprises one or more convex profile sections. (See Fig 2 which shows multiple convex profile sections at the top and bottom of the support elemnt-20). (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 19, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 1.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface (inner wall-21) of the support body (support element-20) comprises at least two concave or convex profile sections, wherein adjacent concave or convex profile sections adjoin to one another forming a step-like profile (See Fig 2 which shows multiple convex profile sections at the top and bottom of the support elemnt-20). (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 21, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 1.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface (inner wall-21) of the support body (support element-20) comprises a concave or convex profile section adjacent to a conical profile section. (See Fig 2 which shows multiple convex profile sections at the top and bottom of the support elemnt-20). (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 22, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 1.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface (inner wall-21) of the support body (support element-20) adjoins the first surface of the membrane perpendicularly. (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 24, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 1.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the pressure measuring cell comprises a coating on the inner surface of the support body. (Paragraph 0031)
Regarding claim 25, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 1.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the inner surface (inner wall-21) of the support body (support element-20) exhibits a roughness Ra<3.0 μm. (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 26, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 1.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the pressure measuring cell (pressure sensor-1 includes pressure sensor element-10) comprises a liner insert for the trough-shaped chamber, wherein the liner insert is arranged to cover at least part of the inner surface (inner wall-21) of the support body transversely delimiting the cavity. (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 27, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 26.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the liner insert is made of a urea-resistant elastomer. (Paragraph 0032)
Regarding claim 28, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 1.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the trough-shaped chamber is an empty space configured to solely accommodate the measurement medium. (See Fig 2, which discloses the space-40 is empty for measuring media supplied by channel-30) (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 29, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 1.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the pressure measuring cell is a relative pressure measuring cell. (Paragraphs 0033-0034)
Regarding claim 31, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 1.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses a pressure transducer (pressure sensor-1 includes pressure sensor element-10) configured to measure pressure of a measurement medium with a density anomaly, comprising a pressure measuring cell according to claim 1. (Paragraph 0033-0034)
Regarding claim 32, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 31.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses the trough-shaped chamber is an empty space for accommodating solely the measurement medium. (See Fig 2, which discloses the space-40 is empty for measuring media supplied by channel-30) (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 2, Claims 18 and 20)
Regarding claim 33, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the cell according to claim 31.
Furthermore, Wohlgemuth discloses a dosing unit for dosing an exhaust gas reduction medium, comprising a pressure transducer according to claim 31. (Paragraphs 0016-0034, Fig 1-2, Claims 18 and 20)
Claims 16-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wohlgemuth et al US20200340874 (hereinafter “Wohlgemuth”) in view of Ingrisch et al US6062088 (hereinafter “Ingrisch”) in further view of Continental Automotive GmbH DE102008026611 (“Continental”).
Regarding claim 16, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the pressure measuring cell according to claim 1.
However, the combination fails to disclose the inner surface of the support body comprises a parabolic profile extending from the second side of the cavity to the first side of the cavity. Continental discloses the inner surface (wall-206) of the support body (body-202) comprises a parabolic profile extending from the second side of the cavity to the first side of the cavity (recess-203). (See Fig 2, Paragraph 0023-0025)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to include the design of Continental into the combination of Wohlgemuth and Ingrisch for the purpose of increasing detection accuracy. The modification would allow optimizing efficiency by reducing flow resistance, balancing pressure and managing velocity profiles.
Regarding claim 17, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the pressure measuring cell according to claim 16.
However, the combination fails to disclose the parabolic profile exhibits a larger curvature at the second side of the cavity than at the first side of the cavity. Continental discloses the parabolic profile (see fig 2) exhibits a larger curvature at the second side of the cavity than at the first side of the cavity (recess-203). (See Fig 2, Paragraph 0023-0025)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to include the design of Continental into the combination of Wohlgemuth and Ingrisch for the purpose of increasing detection accuracy. The modification would allow optimizing efficiency by reducing flow resistance, balancing pressure and managing velocity profiles.
Regarding claim 18, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the pressure measuring cell according to claim 16.
However, the combination fails to disclose the parabolic profile exhibits a smaller curvature at the second side of the cavity than at the first side of the cavity. Continental discloses the parabolic profile exhibits a smaller curvature at the second side of the cavity than at the first side of the cavity (recess-203). (See Fig 2, Paragraph 0023-0025)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to include the design of Continental into the combination of Wohlgemuth and Ingrisch for the purpose of increasing detection accuracy. The modification would allow optimizing efficiency by reducing flow resistance, balancing pressure and managing velocity profiles.
Claim 20 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wohlgemuth et al US20200340874 (hereinafter “Wohlgemuth”) in view of Ingrisch et al US6062088 (hereinafter “Ingrisch”) in further view of OOYA US20120240683.
Regarding claim 20, Wohlgemuth in view of Ingrisch discloses the pressure measuring cell according to claim 14.
However, the combination fails to disclose the inner surface of the support body comprises at least a concave profile section and at least a convex profile section adjoining to one another forming a step-like profile. OOYA discloses the inner surface (inner edge-34) of the support body comprises at least a concave profile section and at least a convex profile section adjoining to one another forming a step-like profile (Paragraph 0043-0044, Fig 3).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to include the design of OOYA into Continental into the combination of Wohlgemuth and Ingrisch for the purpose of increasing detection accuracy. The modification would allow for increased flow control and cavitation reduction.
Conclusion
The prior art as cited on the PTO-892 is made of record and not relied upon but considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new grounds 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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NIGEL H PLUMB whose telephone number is (571)272-8886. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 7am-5pm.
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/NIGEL H PLUMB/Examiner, Art Unit 2855
/Eric S. McCall/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2855
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