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 .
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.
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
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 following must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s).
“a plurality of magnets” and “a cooling system” of claims 1 and 8
“a junction surface” of claims 2 and 10
“a leading edge of the impeller” of claims 3 and 12
“a non-contacting stationary nozzle” of claims 5, 15, 16, and 19
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.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
Paragraph 0003, “the cooling duct if used to deliver” should be changed to “the cooling duct is used to deliver”
Paragraph 0005, “at least alter-native” should be changed to “at least alternative”
Paragraph 0006, “by the object of independent claim” should be changed to “by the object of the independent claim”
Paragraph 0027, “the assembly of 1B” should be changed to “the assembly of the supporting body 1B”
Paragraph 0028, “wherein a details of channels” should be changed to “wherein the details of channels”
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Objections
Claims 5, 6, 11, 15, 16, and 19 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claims 5, 15, 16, 19, “releaseable” should be changed to “releasable”
Claims 6, 11, “in regards to the position the channels” should be changed to “in regards to the position of the channels”
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 2, 6, 10, and 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claims 2 and 10 recitation of “a junction surface” is unclear making the claim vague and indefinite. The claim fails to define the term and the specification is silent when it comes to providing details of the junction surface and its function. The junction surface is also not shown in the figures making it difficult for the Examiner to determine exactly what the junction surface could entail. What is a junction surface?
For examining purposes the Examiner is interpreting the junction surface as the surface where the shaft core and the supporting body make contact.
Claims 6 and 12 recitation of “a datum feature” is unclear making the claim vague and indefinite. The claim fails to clearly define the datum feature and the specification discloses the same language as the claim when reciting the datum feature. The figures appear to show the datum feature as a type of guide or pathway for the release or exit of the coolant. What is a datum feature?
For examining purposes the Examiner is interpreting the datum feature as a guide or pathway for the coolant to be released.
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 2, 6-11, 13, 17, 18, and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1)/(a)(2) as being anticipated by Balzer (US 9,287,747).
Regarding claim 1, Balzer discloses a rotor (5 of Figure 1-2) for an electric motor, comprising:
a hollow shaft (7 of Figure 1; 39 of Figure 2; Col. 3:27-31) and a laminated rotor core (6 of Figure 1-2), the laminated rotor core including a plurality of magnets (18 of Figure 1-2) and an impeller (24, 25 of Figure 1; Col. 3:51-57, vanes of blower) for a coolant flow utilization,
the hollow shaft including an inlet aperture (20, 23 – B-Side of Figure 1) for introducing the coolant directly into a main cavity of the hollow shaft (Col. 4:27-30, main cavity is area between 29 and 33 of Figure 1), and channels (29, 33 of Figure 1-2) through which the coolant is released out of the hollow shaft, wherein outlet apertures (23 – A-Side of Figure 1) of the channels are aligned with an intake area of the impeller for propelling the coolant through a cooling system.
Regarding claim 2, Balzer discloses wherein the hollow shaft comprises a shaft core (7 of Figure 1; 39 of Figure 2; Col. 3:27-31) and a supporting body (28 of Figure 1), wherein at least some of the channels (29, 33 of Figure 1-2) are provided in an area of a junction surface between the shaft core and the supporting body.
Regarding claim 4, Balzer discloses wherein the impeller has blades (38 of Figure 2).
Regarding claim 6, Balzer discloses wherein the supporting body (28 of Figure 1) comprises a datum feature (see 35 USC 112(b) above) for positioning the rotor core (6 of Figure 1-2) and the impeller (24, 25 of Figure 1; Col. 3:51-57, vanes of blower) in regards to the position of the channels (29, 33 of Figure 1-2) for releasing the coolant out of the hollow shaft (7 of Figure 1; 39 of Figure 2; Col. 3:27-31).
Regarding claim 7, Balzer discloses wherein the inlet aperture (20, 23 – B-Side of Figure 1) is arranged radially inwardly of the channels (29, 33 of Figure 1-2), and an inner wall of the main cavity (Col. 4:27-30, main cavity is area between 29 and 33 of Figure 1) extends over a curved or inclined section towards a maximum diameter of the main cavity.
Regarding claim 8, Balzer discloses a synchronous electric motor, comprising a rotor (5 of Figure 1-2), the rotor including:
a hollow shaft (7 of Figure 1; 39 of Figure 2; Col. 3:27-31) and a laminated rotor core (6 of Figure 1-2);
the laminated rotor core including a plurality of magnets (18 of Figure 1-2) and an impeller (24, 25 of Figure 1; Col. 3:51-57, vanes of blower) for a coolant flow utilization,
the hollow shaft including an inlet aperture (20, 23 – B-Side of Figure 1) for introducing the coolant directly into a main cavity of the hollow shaft (Col. 4:27-30, main cavity is area between 29 and 33 of Figure 1), and channels (29, 33 of Figure 1-2) through which the coolant is released out of the hollow shaft, wherein outlet apertures (23 – A-Side of Figure 1) of the channels are aligned with an intake area of the impeller for propelling the coolant through a cooling system.
Regarding claim 9, Balzer discloses wherein the hollow shaft comprises a shaft core (7 of Figure 1; 39 of Figure 2; Col. 3:27-31) and a supporting body (28 of Figure 1).
Regarding claim 10, Balzer discloses wherein at least some of the channels (29, 33 of Figure 1-2) are provided in an area of a junction surface between the shaft core and the supporting body.
Regarding claim 11, Balzer discloses wherein the supporting body (28 of Figure 1) comprises a datum feature (see 35 USC 112(b) above) for positioning the rotor core (6 of Figure 1-2) and the impeller (24, 25 of Figure 1; Col. 3:51-57, vanes of blower) in regards to the position of the channels (29, 33 of Figure 1-2) for releasing the coolant out of the hollow shaft (7 of Figure 1; 39 of Figure 2; Col. 3:27-31).
Regarding claim 13, Balzer discloses wherein the impeller has blades (38 of Figure 2).
Regarding claims 17, 20, Balzer discloses wherein the inlet aperture (20, 23 – B-Side of Figure 1) is arranged radially inwardly of the channels (29, 33 of Figure 1-2).
Regarding claim 18, Balzer discloses wherein an inner wall of the main cavity (Col. 4:27-30, main cavity is area between 29 and 33 of Figure 1) extends over a curved or inclined section towards a maximum diameter of the main cavity.
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.
Claims 3, 12, and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Balzer (US 9,287,747), in view of Wakita (JP 2011-254571 A).
Regarding claims 3, 12, 14, Balzer discloses all of the elements of the current invention as mentioned above, however does not explicitly disclose wherein the outlet apertures (23 – A-Side of Figure 1) of the channels (29, 33 of Figure 1-2) are aligned with a leading edge of the impeller (24, 25 of Figure 1; Col. 3:51-57, vanes of blower) (claims 3, 12);
wherein blades (38 of Figure 2) include curved blades (claim 14).
Wakita discloses wherein the outlet apertures (13b of Figure 1-5) of the channels (13 of Figure 1-5) are aligned with a leading edge of the impeller (19 of Figure 1-5) (claims 3, 12);
wherein blades include curved blades (19 of Figure 1-5) (claim 14).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing of the claimed invention to have the outlet of the channels of Balzer be aligned with the leading edge of the impeller and have the blades curved, as taught by Wakita, to direct the cooling fluid discharged from the outlets [Wakita: Para. 0021].
Claims 5, 15, 16, and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Balzer (US 9,287,747), in view of Piazza Galarza (US 2020/0076257).
Regarding claims 5, 15, Balzer discloses further comprising the coolant is releasable into the shaft (7 of Figure 1; 39 of Figure 2; Col. 3:27-31) (claim 5 and 15);
Regarding claims 16, 19, Balzer discloses further comprising the coolant is releasable into an area of the inlet aperture (20, 23 – B-Side of Figure 1) (claim 16 and 19).
Balzer does not explicitly disclose a non-contacting stationary nozzle.
Piazza Galarza discloses a non-contacting stationary nozzle (132 of Figure 1).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing of the claimed invention to have a non-contacting stationary nozzle in the generator of Balzer, as taught by Piazza Galarza, for the added benefit of increasing heat dissipation efficiency, distributing fluids evenly, and enabling precise temperature and humidity control.
Prior Art
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Rippel (US 2015/0035393) discloses a rotor for an electric machine comprising a hollow shaft with channels for coolant flow.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHARLES H REID whose telephone number is (571)272-9248. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:30-4:45 PM.
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/Charles Reid Jr./ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2834