DETAILED ACTION
1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
2. The specification, the abstract and the drawings are all acceptable.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
3. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
4. Claims 1-2 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(f), as being not to recite a definite structure, material or act that entirely performs the recited function.
As to claim 1, the limitation “by means of a power connection” invokes an 35 U.S.C. 112(f) interpretation but there is no detailed specific structure for the power connection in the specification, thus renders the claim indefinite.
As to claim 2, it is rejected as it depends from the indefinite independent claim 1.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
5. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b)::
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.
6. Claims 1-2 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b), as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which applicant regards as the invention.
As to claim 1, the limitation “by means of a power connection” invokes an 35 U.S.C. 112(f) interpretation but there is no detailed specific structure for the power connection in the specification, thus renders the claim indefinite.
As to claim 2, it is rejected as it depends from the indefinite independent claim 1.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
7. 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.
8. Claims 1-2 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by USPN 4,364,111 to Jocz.
As to claim 1, Jocz teaches a precision opening and closing mechanism for valves (col. 2: lines 18-34) which is comprised of the following: A power supply powered from the mains which is responsible for generating a voltage of 24V AC in order to power the other modules(fig. 1: power supply “V” supplies power to all the modules). A rotation direction setter which receives power from the power supply by means of a power connection(col. 3: lines 16-22). The rotation direction setter(fig. 2: “70”) has an opening and closing switch at the inlet which is connected to an input power phase(col. 6: lines 21-25). A control unit (figs. 1&2: “100”) which receives power from the power supply by means of a power connection (fig. 2: power supply “V” supplies power to control unit “100”) and is connected to the rotation direction setter(fig. 2: “70”). The control unit (figs. 1&2: “100” and fig. 1: “76”, “80”) is configurable and responsible for giving and receiving the instructions from the motor, as well as ensuring its proper functioning(col. 3: lines 45-56). A valve actuator motor (fig. 1: “14”) which is connected to the control unit(figs. 1&2: “100” and fig. 1: “76”, “80”), specifically by means of: Two primary power connections, A third connection to send an instruction from the on-off control unit to the motor(col. 3: lines 50-51), A fourth connection to send an opening/closing instruction from the control unit to the motor(col. 2: lines 45-49), A fifth connection to send the rotation revolutions of the motor to the control unit(col. 5: lines 54-62), A sixth connection to send a BREAK instruction from the control unit to the motor(col. 6: lines 3-10), a signal which is sent when a shutdown occurs due to over-torque inferred from the motor rotation speed(col. 4: lines 61 – col. 5: lines 7), A mechanical reducer connected mechanically to the shaft of the motor(col. 1: lines 52-55 where the gear is a mechanical reducer).
As to claim 2, Jocz teaches a precision opening and closing mechanism for valves according to claim 1 which is characterized by the control unit (fig. 1: “70”, “72”) being connected to the rotation direction setter (col. 3: lines 16-22) by means of three connections(fig. 1: “60”, “62”, “52”).
Conclusion
9. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
USPN 6,382,252 to Moore discloses a valve control system.
10. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID S LUO whose telephone number is (571)270-5251. The examiner can normally be reached 8AM-5PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Eduardo Colon-Santana can be reached at 571-272-2060. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DAVID LUO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2846