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 .
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.
Claims 1-4 and 7-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a)(1) as being anticipated by Tian et al, US 11081296 [Tian].
Regarding claim 1, Tian discloses (figs.1-5) an arc extinguishing system for a contactor (100), used for extinguishing an arc generated upon a movable contact (3) and a stationary contact (2) of the contactor (100) being separated, where the arc extinguishing system comprises:
an arc extinguishing chamber (4), accommodating a plurality of arc extinguishing grids (41), and an extension direction of each of the plurality of arc extinguishing grids (41) being perpendicular to an extension direction (31) of the movable contact (3);
an arc striking piece (25), electrically connected to the stationary contact (2) and configured to extend toward the arc extinguishing chamber (4), so that the arc generated upon the movable contact (3) and the stationary contact (2) being separated moves along the arc striking piece (25) toward the arc extinguishing chamber (4).
Regarding claim 2, Tian further discloses where the arc striking piece (25) comprises a connection part (252) configured to be electrically connected to the stationary contact (2) and a guide part (labeled in fig.3, below) spaced apart from the stationary contact (2) and guiding the arc.
Regarding claim 3, Tian further discloses where the connection part (252) comprises a first part(labeled in fig.3, below), a second part (labeled in fig.3, below) and a bending part (2523) connecting the first part (labeled in fig.3, below) and the second part (labeled in fig.3, below) the first part (labeled in fig.3, below), the bending part (2523) and the second part (labeled in fig.3, below) form a substantially U-shape, the first part (labeled in fig.3, below) is electrically connected to the stationary contact (2), and the second part (labeled in fig.3, below) is connected to the guide part (labeled in fig.3, below) and the arc flows from the first part (labeled in fig.3, below) to the second part (labeled in fig.3, below) through the bending part (2523)
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Regarding claim 4, Tian further discloses where the guide part (labeled in fig.3, above) comprises a tail part (labeled in fig.3, above) extending perpendicular to the stationary contact (2) and a transition part (labeled in fig.3, above) connecting the second part (labeled in fig.3, above) and the tail part (labeled in fig.3, above).
Regarding claim 7, Tain further discloses where the guide part (labeled in fig.3, above) extends past the plurality of arc extinguishing grids (41) so that the guide part (labeled in fig.3, above) partially surrounds the plurality of arc extinguishing grids (41).
Regarding claim 8, Tian further discloses a contactor, comprising the arc extinguishing system [col.1, lines 18-32].
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 5-6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Tian in view of Tuerkman et al, DE 102007040170 [Tuerkmen].
Regarding claim 5, Tian fails to disclose wherein the guide part comprises a groove centrally arranged in the guide part.
Tuerkmen discloses (figs.1-8) an arc extinguishing system (10) comprising a guide part (16) comprises a groove centrally arranged in the guide part (16).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the arc guide of Tian, with the inclusion of the arc guide of Tuerkmen, thereby providing a configuration that helps the generated arc to move in the center of the guide part, quickly toward the arc extinguishing chamber.
Regarding claim 6, Tian fails to disclose wherein the tail part comprises a first inclined lateral edge and a second inclined lateral edge, so that the first inclined lateral edge and the second inclined lateral edge converge towards a middle of the tail part to form a tip.
Tuerkmen discloses (figs.1-8) an arc extinguishing system (10) where a tail part comprises a first inclined lateral edge and a second inclined lateral edge, so that the first inclined lateral edge and the second inclined lateral edge converge towards a middle of the tail part to form a tip [see fig.2].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the arc guide of Tian, with the teaching of the arc guide of Tuerkmen, thereby providing a configuration that helps the generated arc to converge to the tip of the guide part, so that the arc can enter the arc extinguishing chamber, easily.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Lauraire et al, Wang et al, Comtois, Puhalla et al, Theisen et al, Birner et al, Yamamoto and Masuda et al are examples of arc extinguishing systems configured similar to the present invention.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to WILLIAM A BOLTON whose telephone number is (571)270-5887. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri: 7:30AM - 5:00PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Renee S Luebke can be reached at 571-272-2009. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/WILLIAM A BOLTON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2831
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