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
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 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.
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-6 and 9-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by applicant-cited US 2022/0003820 to Zhang et al. (Zhang).
Regarding claim 1, Zhang discloses a method for detecting a dielectric breakdown in a battery module, the method comprising:
measuring at least one operation state of the battery module (Zhang, e.g., Figs. 1 and 2A-2F and paragraphs 69-87; with reference to Fig. 2A, for example, sensor 221 arranged at the connection point between the battery module 201 and the battery management system BMS 202 measures at least one operation state of the battery module 201; as disclosed in paragraph 70, sensor 221 may include a voltage sensor or a current sensor; in this way, the control apparatus may obtain voltage signals or current signals at a plurality of electrical connection points, and then the control apparatus processes and analyzes the voltage signals or the current signals at the plurality of electrical connection points; also see Fig. 1, step 101);
generating at least one operation signal respectively corresponding to the at least one operation state (see Zhang as applied above; it is implicit that sensor 221 generates at least one operation signal (e.g., a signal representing a current or a signal representing a voltage) respectively corresponding to the at least one operation state, with the operational signal being provided to the control apparatus 24);
checking whether the at least one operation signal comprises a pattern indicating a possible arc-fault within the battery module (Zhang, e.g., Figs. 1 and 2A-2F and paragraphs 69-87; see Figs. 2E-2F paragraphs 76-78 in particular, after the control apparatus obtains the electrical signal, the control apparatus may analyze the frequency domain characteristic of the electrical signal according to a Fourier transform algorithm, to calculate a frequency domain amplitude that is of the electrical signal and that corresponds to each frequency; for example, the control apparatus may perform normalization processing on the electrical signal to obtain a scalar of a relative relationship, and then perform Fourier transform processing to obtain a spectrum graph corresponding to the electrical signal; Fig. 2E is a spectrum graph existing when no arc fault occurs, in which case the frequency domain amplitudes corresponding to all the frequencies are relatively low and relatively balanced; Fig. 2F is a spectrum graph existing when an arc fault occurs at the electrical connection point; it can be learned through comparative analysis between Fig. 2E and Fig. 2F that, when an arc fault occurs at the electrical connection point, frequency domain amplitudes corresponding to some frequencies increase, and changes of amplitudes corresponding to different frequencies may be different; the control apparatus may compare the frequency domain amplitude with a preset amplitude; for example, the control apparatus may compare a frequency domain amplitude corresponding to a frequency with a preset amplitude corresponding to the frequency, and when the frequency domain amplitude is greater than the preset amplitude, determine that an arc fault occurs at the electrical connection point; different preset amplitudes corresponding to different frequencies may be adjusted by operation and maintenance personnel based on an actual case, to improve accuracy of arc detection; also see Fig. 1, step 102); and
generating a warning signal upon detecting the at least one operation signal comprises the pattern (Zhang, e.g., Figs. 1 and 2A-2F and paragraphs 69-87; see paragraphs 79-87 in particular, when the frequency domain amplitude is greater than the preset amplitude, the control apparatus controls the energy storage system to perform an arc extinguishing operation on the electrical connection point; for example, the control apparatus may control the DC-DC converter to generate a reverse electrical signal, or the control apparatus may control the energy storage system to cut off an electrical connection path at the electrical connection point; at least the control signals used for controlling the DC-DC converter to generate a reverse electrical signal or controlling the energy storage system to cut off an electrical connection path at the electrical connection point constitute warning signals for facilitating an appropriate control action in response to detection of arcing; also see Fig. 1, step 103).
Regarding claim 2, Zhang discloses wherein the at least one operation state comprises a current generated by, or occurring in, the battery module,
wherein generating the at least one operation signal comprises generating a current signal based on the at least one operation state comprising the current, and
wherein checking whether the at least one operation signal comprises the pattern comprises checking whether the current signal comprises the pattern (see Zhang as applied to claim 1 recognizing that sensor 221 may include a voltage sensor or a current sensor; in the case of a current sensor, a signal representing a current is provided to the control apparatus 24, which is analyzed in the manner disclosed in Figs. 2E-2F and paragraphs 76-78 to determine the occurrence of arcing).
Regarding claim 3, Zhang discloses:
wherein the at least one operation state comprises a voltage generated by the battery module, or an electrical potential difference inside the battery module, and
wherein checking whether the at least one operation signal comprises the pattern indicating the possible arc-fault comprises checking whether the voltage signal comprises the pattern (see Zhang as applied to claim 1 recognizing that sensor 221 may include a voltage sensor or a current sensor; in the case of a voltage sensor, a signal representing a voltage is provided to the control apparatus 24, which is analyzed in the manner disclosed in Figs. 2E-2F and paragraphs 76-78 to determine the occurrence of arcing).
Regarding claim 4, Zhang discloses wherein checking whether the at least one operation signal comprises the pattern comprises:
generating a frequency spectrum for the at least one operation signal comprising a current signal and/or the voltage signal; and
comparing the frequency spectrum with a reference frequency spectrum (see Zhang as applied to claim 3, e.g., Figs. 2E-2F paragraphs 76-78, after the control apparatus obtains the electrical signal, the control apparatus may analyze the frequency domain characteristic of the electrical signal according to a Fourier transform algorithm, to calculate a frequency domain amplitude that is of the electrical signal and that corresponds to each frequency; for example, the control apparatus may perform normalization processing on the electrical signal to obtain a scalar of a relative relationship, and then perform Fourier transform processing to obtain a spectrum graph corresponding to the electrical signal; Fig. 2E is a spectrum graph existing when no arc fault occurs, in which case the frequency domain amplitudes corresponding to all the frequencies are relatively low and relatively balanced; Fig. 2F is a spectrum graph existing when an arc fault occurs at the electrical connection point; it can be learned through comparative analysis between Fig. 2E and Fig. 2F that, when an arc fault occurs at the electrical connection point, frequency domain amplitudes corresponding to some frequencies increase, and changes of amplitudes corresponding to different frequencies may be different; the control apparatus may compare the frequency domain amplitude with a preset amplitude; for example, the control apparatus may compare a frequency domain amplitude corresponding to a frequency with a preset amplitude corresponding to the frequency, and when the frequency domain amplitude is greater than the preset amplitude, determine that an arc fault occurs at the electrical connection point; different preset amplitudes corresponding to different frequencies may be adjusted by operation and maintenance personnel based on an actual case, to improve accuracy of arc detection; also see Fig. 1, step 102).
Regarding claim 5, Zhang discloses wherein comparing the frequency spectrum with the reference frequency spectrum comprises detecting, for at least one frequency value in the reference frequency spectrum, whether an amplitude of the frequency spectrum exceeds an amplitude of the reference frequency spectrum, and
wherein generating the warning signal is based upon detection that the amplitude of the frequency spectrum exceeds the amplitude of the reference frequency spectrum at the at least one frequency value (see Zhang as applied to claim 3, e.g., Figs. 2E-2F paragraphs 76-78, after the control apparatus obtains the electrical signal, the control apparatus may analyze the frequency domain characteristic of the electrical signal according to a Fourier transform algorithm, to calculate a frequency domain amplitude that is of the electrical signal and that corresponds to each frequency; for example, the control apparatus may perform normalization processing on the electrical signal to obtain a scalar of a relative relationship, and then perform Fourier transform processing to obtain a spectrum graph corresponding to the electrical signal; Fig. 2E is a spectrum graph existing when no arc fault occurs, in which case the frequency domain amplitudes corresponding to all the frequencies are relatively low and relatively balanced; Fig. 2F is a spectrum graph existing when an arc fault occurs at the electrical connection point; it can be learned through comparative analysis between Fig. 2E and Fig. 2F that, when an arc fault occurs at the electrical connection point, frequency domain amplitudes corresponding to some frequencies increase, and changes of amplitudes corresponding to different frequencies may be different; the control apparatus may compare the frequency domain amplitude with a preset amplitude; for example, the control apparatus may compare a frequency domain amplitude corresponding to a frequency with a preset amplitude corresponding to the frequency, and when the frequency domain amplitude is greater than the preset amplitude, determine that an arc fault occurs at the electrical connection point; different preset amplitudes corresponding to different frequencies may be adjusted by operation and maintenance personnel based on an actual case, to improve accuracy of arc detection; also see Fig. 1, step 102).
Regarding claim 6, Zhang discloses wherein generating the frequency spectrum comprises performing a Fourier transform of at least a part of the current signal and/or the voltage signal (see Zhang as applied to claim 5, e.g., paragraph 78, the control apparatus may perform normalization processing on the electrical signal to obtain a scalar of a relative relationship, and then perform Fourier transform processing to obtain a spectrum graph corresponding to the electrical signal).
Regarding claim 9, Zhang discloses disconnecting the battery module from a load in response to the warning signal (see Zhang as applied to claim 1, e.g., paragraphs 79-87, when the frequency domain amplitude is greater than the preset amplitude, the control apparatus controls the energy storage system to perform an arc extinguishing operation on the electrical connection point; for example, the control apparatus may control the DC-DC converter to generate a reverse electrical signal, or the control apparatus may control the energy storage system to cut off an electrical connection path at the electrical connection point; also see Fig. 1, step 103).
Claim 10 recites a battery system comprising:
a battery module comprising at least one battery cell;
a measurement device configured to measure at least one operation state of the battery module, and to generate at least one operation signal corresponding to the at least one operation state; and
a control unit configured to receive the at least one operation signal from the measurement device, check whether the at least one operation signal comprises a pattern indicating an occurrence of an arc-fault within the battery module, and generate a warning signal upon detection that the at least one operation signal comprises the pattern,
and is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 as anticipated by Zhang for reasons analogous to those discussed above in connection with the rejection of claim 1, recognizing that Zhang’s battery module 201 in Fig. 2A necessarily incudes at least one battery cell, Zhang’s sensor 221 constitutes a measurement device as claimed, and Zhang’s control apparatus 24 constitutes as control unit as claimed.
Claim 11 recites wherein the at least one operation state comprises a current generated by, or occurring in, the battery module,
wherein the measurement device comprises a current sensor configured to measure the current, and configured to generate a current signal corresponding to the current and the at least one operation signal, and
wherein the control unit is configured to check whether the current signal comprises the pattern,
and is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 as anticipated by Zhang for reasons analogous to those discussed above in connection with the rejection of claim 2.
Claim 12 recites wherein the at least one operation state comprises a voltage generated by, or an electrical potential difference inside, the battery module,
wherein the measurement device comprises a voltage sensor configured to measure the voltage, and configured to generate a voltage signal corresponding to the voltage corresponding to the at least one operation signal, and
wherein the control unit is configured to check whether the voltage signal comprises the pattern,
and is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 as anticipated by Zhang for reasons analogous to those discussed above in connection with the rejection of claim 3.
Claim 13 recites wherein the control unit is configured to generate a frequency spectrum of the at least one operation signal corresponding to a current signal or the voltage signal, and to compare the frequency spectrum with a reference frequency spectrum,
and is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 as anticipated by Zhang for reasons analogous to those discussed above in connection with the rejection of claim 4.
Regarding claim 14, Zhang discloses:
a first terminal connected via a first electrical line to the at least one battery cell (Zhang, e.g., Figs. 1 and 2A-2F and paragraphs 69-87; with reference to Fig. 2A, for example, input terminal of load circuit 21 that is connected to battery module 201, with first electrical line being output line of DC-DC converter 203);
a second terminal connected via a second electrical line to the at least one battery cell (Zhang, e.g., Figs. 1 and 2A-2F and paragraphs 69-87; with reference to Fig. 2A, for example, input terminal of DC-DC converter 203 that is connected to battery module 201, with second electrical line being output line of BMS 202);
a first switch configured to interrupt the first electrical line upon receiving a first interruption signal (Zhang, e.g., paragraphs 17, 86, control apparatus 24 controls the BMS to cut off an electrical connection path at the electrical connection point; or the control apparatus controls the DC-DC converter to cut off an electrical connection path at the electrical connection point; Zhang’s DC-DC converter 203 necessarily includes a first switch for performing the cut off functionality to interrupt output line of DC-DC converter 203 in response to first interruption signal); and
a second switch configured to interrupt the second electrical line upon receiving a second interruption signal (Zhang, e.g., paragraphs 17, 86, control apparatus 24 controls the BMS to cut off an electrical connection path at the electrical connection point; or the control apparatus controls the DC-DC converter to cut off an electrical connection path at the electrical connection point; Zhang’s BMS 202 necessarily includes a second switch for performing the cut off functionality to interrupt output line of BMS 202 in response to second interruption signal),
wherein the control unit is configured to send the first interruption signal, and/or send the second interruption signal, based upon the warning signal (see Zhang as applied above, Zhang’s control apparatus 24 will at least send second interruption signal to control the BMS to cut off an electrical connection path when arcing is determined based on operation signal output by sensor 221 in Fig. 2A).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 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.
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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 7 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang.
Regarding claim 7, Zhang discloses:
storing amplitudes of the at least one operation signal for sample points in time within a time window; and
performing a Fourier transform based on the sample points and the stored amplitudes (see Zhang as applied to claim 6, Zhang’s control apparatus 24 may be implemented using a processor (see, e.g., paragraphs 21, 65), in which case it is implicit that control apparatus 24 stores amplitudes of the at least one operation signal output by sensor 221 for sample points in time within a time window, and that the Fourier transform (e.g., paragraph 78) is performed based on the sample points and the stored amplitudes). Zhang is not relied upon as explicitly disclosing that the Fourier transform implemented by control apparatus 24 is a fast Fourier transform. The examiner nonetheless takes Official notice of the fact that use of a fast Fourier transform for generating a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) of a signal was well-known and conventional before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains for obtaining a frequency domain representation of the signal. It 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 to modify Zhang such that the Fourier transform is implemented as a fast Fourier transform in view of the well-known and conventional use of the fast Fourier transform for computing frequency domain signal representations.
Regarding claim 15, Zhang is not relied upon as explicitly disclosing a vehicle comprising the battery system as claimed in claim 10. The examiner takes Official notice of the fact that electric vehicles having battery systems of the type disclosed by Zhang, e.g., Fig. 2A with the load being electric motors for providing wheel rotation were well-known and conventional before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. The prior art included each element claimed, although not necessarily in a single prior art reference, with the only difference between the claimed invention and the prior art being the lack of actual combination of the elements in a single prior art reference. One of ordinary skill in the art could have combined the elements as claimed by known methods, and that in combination, each element merely performs the same function as it does separately. Moreover, one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable. For these reasons, the recitation of a vehicle comprising the battery system as claimed in claim 10 does not patentably define over Zhang when considered in light of the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.
Claim 8 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang in view of US 2022/0140593 to Wu et al. (Wu).
Regarding claim 8, Zhang is not relied upon as explicitly disclosing wherein checking whether the at least one operation signal comprises the pattern comprises:
inputting the at least one operation signal to at least one bandpass filter; measuring an amplitude of a signal outputted from the bandpass filter; and comparing the amplitude of the signal outputted from the bandpass filter with a reference value, and wherein the warning signal is based upon detecting the amplitude exceeds the reference value.
In particular, Zhang measures a frequency domain amplitude of the operation signal (e.g., a signal representing a current or a signal representing a voltage) by applying a Fourier transform directly to the operation signal, and then compares the frequency domain amplitude of the operation signal with a reference value in order to determine whether a warning signal (e.g., control signal used for controlling the energy storage system to cut off an electrical connection path at the electrical connection point) is to be provided (see Zhang as applied to claim 1). Zhang is not relied upon as explicitly disclosing filtering the operation signal prior to applying a Fourier transform to measure the frequency domain amplitude of the operation signal. Wu discloses inputting an operation signal to a least one bandpass filter and then applying a fast Fourier transform to the filtered operation signal to perform spectrum analysis, with the purpose of the bandpass filter being frequency band selection so as to avoid undesired frequency components (Wu, e.g., paragraphs 31, 36). It 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 to modify Zhang such that checking whether the at least one operation signal comprises the pattern includes inputting the at least one operation signal to at least one bandpass filter, measuring an amplitude of a signal outputted from the bandpass filter, and comparing the amplitude of the signal outputted from the bandpass filter with a reference value, with the warning signal being based upon detecting the amplitude exceeds the reference value. In this way, in the manner disclosed by Wu, undesired frequency components can be avoided.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 2015/0244165 to Roesner et al. relates to a battery energy storage system comprising an arc flash protection device, an energy conversion system with such a battery energy storage system.
US 2019/0058338 to Narla relates to an arc fault detection system that includes a first sensor for measuring power transmitted between a DC-to-DC converter and a pair of output terminals and a controller coupled to the first sensor and configured to disable a battery pack based on a measurement of the power transmitted between the DC-to-DC converter and the output terminals.
US 10,992,149 to Kahn et al. relates to a system and method for hierarchical arc fault monitoring in an energy storage system, where the energy storage system includes a plurality of stacks that are electrically coupled together.
US 2024/0077544 to Liu et al. relates to an arc discharge detection method and device for a battery system, and a battery energy storage system with arc discharge detection function.
A. Augeard, T. Singo, P. Desprez and M. Abbaoui, "Contribution to the Study of Electric Arcs in Lithium-Ion Batteries," in IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology, vol. 6, no. 7, pp. 1066-1076, July 2016 relates to arc risk mitigation in lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells.
F. Eger, G. B. pp, D. Freiberger, N. Lang, H. Laukamp and G. Rouffaud, "DC arc fault scenarios and detection methods in battery storage systems," 2017 IEEE Second International Conference on DC Microgrids (ICDCM), Nuremburg, Germany, 2017, pp. 8-11 analyzes how different system parameters are linked to the arc fault risk and which of them are useful for detection in the context of DC circuits such as battery storage systems.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DANIEL R MILLER whose telephone number is (571)270-1964. The examiner can normally be reached 9AM-5PM EST M-F.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Lee Rodak can be reached at (571) 270-5628. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DANIEL R MILLER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2863