Last updated: July 26, 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 775 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

FURDGE, LARRY L View full profile →

Grants 62% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

483 granted / 775 resolved

-7.7% vs TC avg

Strong +17% interview lift

Without

With

+17.4%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 3m

Avg Prosecution

34 currently pending

Career history

810

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.3%

-39.7% vs TC avg

§103

83.3%

+43.3% vs TC avg

§102

1.8%

-38.2% vs TC avg

§112

7.7%

-32.3% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 775 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 29, 2024

Application Filed

Dec 18, 2025

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jul 21, 2026

Response after Non-Final Action

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

14/427,630

Patent 12681512

THERMOSTAT WITH INTEGRATED PARTICLE SENSOR

11y 4m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

17/391,410

Patent 12680713

Humidity Monitoring and Adjustment System

4y 11m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/605,251

Patent 12680738

Refrigeration System

2y 4m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/699,277

Patent 12680741

AIR CONDITIONER

2y 3m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/732,258

Patent 12680737

HEAT PUMP CYCLE DEVICE

2y 1m to grant Granted Jul 14, 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 (~11m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 775 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.