Last updated: May 29, 2026

Application No. 18/697,230

REFRIGERATION CYCLE APPARATUS

Non-Final OA

Filed

Mar 29, 2024

Priority

Oct 28, 2021 — nonprovisional of PCTJP2021039845

Examiner

FURDGE, LARRY L

Art Unit

3763

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 62% of cases after interview

— +17.4% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 768 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

FURDGE, LARRY L View full profile →

Grants 62% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

478 granted / 768 resolved

-7.8% vs TC avg

Strong +17% interview lift

Without

With

+17.4%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 3m

Avg Prosecution

30 currently pending

Career history

801

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

84.1%

+44.1% vs TC avg

§102

1.7%

-38.3% vs TC avg

§112

7.5%

-32.5% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 768 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 29, 2024

Application Filed

Dec 18, 2025

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/516,307

Patent 12638210

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUPPLYING STORED HEAT TO A VAPOR COMPRESSION SYSTEM

2y 6m to grant Granted May 26, 2026

18/262,745

Patent 12631376

REFRIGERATION APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD OF REFRIGERATION APPARATUS, AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM

2y 9m to grant Granted May 19, 2026

18/575,105

Patent 12624873

REFRIGERATION SYSTEM AND REFRIGERATING APPLIANCE

2y 4m to grant Granted May 12, 2026

17/745,500

Patent 12605649

ABSORBENT PAD FOR LEAK MITIGATION

3y 11m to grant Granted Apr 21, 2026

18/612,478

Patent 12605986

HEAT PUMP SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

2y 1m to grant Granted Apr 21, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

62%

Grant Probability

80%

With Interview (+17.4%)

3y 3m (~1y 1m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 768 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.