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.
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 1-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over DE 19907852 A1 to Gratza et al. in view of US 20140244082 A1 to Caron and US 20120286572 A1 to Tracy.
Regarding claim 1, Gratza et al. discloses a device comprising:
a first generator (Fig. 1: 22) configured to generate electrical power (output 38);
an electric motor (10) in communication (belt 16) with the first generator (22);
a electric motor pulley (14) coupled with the electric motor;
a first pulley (180 coupled with the first generator, the first pulley and the electric motor pulley in mechanical communication (belt 16) to allow operation of the first generator to produce electrical power in the electric motor separate from the power connectors (32);
a second generator (28) configured to generate electrical power (output 40);
a second pulley (13) communication with the second generator, the second generator in mechanical communication (belt 16) with the electric motor pulley and the first pulley; and
where in electrical output power is generated through the interaction of any combination of the first generator, the electric motor, and the second generator (abstract).
However, it fails to disclose the electric motor electrically coupled to the first generator through power connectors to permit the passage of electrical power bidirectionally between the electric motor and the first generator; and a clutch coupled with the electric motor pulley and configured to selectively engage the second generator to the electric motor and the first generator.
Caron teaches the electric motor (Fig. 1D: 110) electrically coupled to the first generator (102) through power connectors (bidirectionally inverters 103 and 108) to permit the passage of electrical power bidirectionally between the electric motor and the first generator.
Tracy teaches a clutch (Fig. 1: 26) coupled with the electric motor pulley (20) and configured to selectively engage the second generator (bottom 28) to the electric motor (20) and the first generator (top 28).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the teaching of the power connectors as disclosed by Caron and the clutch as disclosed by Tracy to the device disclosed by Gratza et al.
One would have been motivated to do so to supply needed power to the motor or generator and to selectively connect the motor to the generators.
Regarding claim 2, the combination of Gratza et al., Caron, and Tracy discloses a battery (Caron, Fig. 1A: 107) in electrical connection with the first generator and configured to provide electrical power to the first generator to start the first generator (arrows to start 102).
Regarding claim 3, the combination of Gratza et al., Caron, and Tracy discloses a small combustion engine (Caron, Fig. 1A: 101) coupled to the battery (107), the small combustion engine mechanically coupled to the first generator (102) and being configured to start the first generator from electrical power received from the battery (arrows to start 102).
Regarding claim 4, the combination of Gratza et al., Caron, and Tracy discloses the battery (Caron, Fig. 1C: 107) is configured to be recharged by the reception of electrical power from the first generator (arrow flow to charge 107).
Regarding claim 5, the combination of Gratza et al., Caron, and Tracy discloses a battery (Caron, Fig. 1A: 107) and a small combustion engine (101), the battery configured to supply power to the small combustion engine, the small combustion engine configured to selectively start the first generator (arrow to start 102).
Regarding claim 6, the combination of Gratza et al., Caron, and Tracy discloses the first generator and the second generator are mechanically coupled independent from the electric motor (Tracy, Fig. 1: clutch 26 is used to separate motor 20 from generators 28).
Regarding claim 7, the combination of Gratza et al., Caron, and Tracy discloses the first generator (Gratza et al., Fig. 1: 22) is mechanically coupled (14, 16, 18) to the electric motor (10) and the electric motor (Caron, Fig. 1D: 110) electrically transfers electrical power to the first generator (102) through power connectors (inverters 103 and 108).
Regarding claim 8, Gratza et al. discloses the first generator, the second generator, and the electric motor generates or uses at least one of alternating current or direct current (DC outputs 38 and 40).
Regarding claim 9, Gratza et al., discloses the output power from second generator (28) is used to power stationary devices or portable products or machines (at 42).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments do not comply with 37 CFR 1.111(c) because they do not clearly point out the patentable novelty which he or she thinks the claims present in view of the state of the art disclosed by the references cited or the objections made. Further, they do not show how the amendments avoid such references or objections.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 VIET P NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)272-9457. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 12-8.
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/VIET P NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2834