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 .
Claims Status
Claims 1-20 are currently pending.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
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 1-3, 5-10, 12-14, 16, 17, 19 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 2008/0023037 to Kool et al. (hereinafter “Kool”) in view of US 2020/0165920 to Sasao et al. (hereinafter “Sasao”).
Regarding claim 1, Kool teaches a process for cleaning the internal channels or passages of metallic articles including turbine components such as buckets, blade or the like (reads on “hollow vane”) (see figure 1, and [0012]). The process comprising the steps of forming an open body, the open body including an interior (see figure 1), forming at least one cleaning port (figure 1, #32) and at least one outlet port (figure 1, #34) in the open body proximate an exterior wall of the open body (see figure 1, and [0019-0021]), flowing a cleaning fluid through at least one flow passage [0019-0021], and removing debris from the at least one flow passage with the cleaning fluid [0021].
Kool does not teach the step of attaching a cover to the open body to form the at least one flow passage.
However, Sasao teaches a steam turbine blade including a blade body (figure 4, #7) (reads on “hollow vane”), an open body (figure 5, #701) including flow passages (see figures 3-4), and a cover (figure 5, #702) [0078].
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 method disclosed by Kool with the step of attaching a cover to the open body to form the at least one flow passage, with a reasonable expectation of success, for the purpose of protecting the internal channels or passages of the blade, and because Sasao teaches that it was known in the art to attach a cover (figure 5, #702 of Sasao) to an open body of a steam turbine blade ([0078] of Sasao).
Regarding claim 2, Kool/Sasao further teaches the step of forming the at least one cleaning port (figure 1, #32 of Kool) in a trunnion of the open body (see figure 1, of Kool).
Regarding claim 3, Kool/Sasao further teaches that the at least one internal flow passage is configured as multiple cooling channels that allow for cooling fluid and cleaning fluid to flow through the interior (see figure 1, and [0019-0021] of Kool).
Regarding claim 5, Kool/Sasao further teaches the step of configuring the at least one cleaning port (figure 1, #32 of Kool) with attachment hardware (see figure 1, and [0021] of Kool), and configuring the attachment hardware to operatively couple with a cleaning fluid supply conduit (see figure 1, and [0021] of Kool).
Regarding claim 6, Kool/Sasao further teaches the step of coupling the at least one cleaning port (figure 1, #32 of Kool) to a cleaning fluid supply conduit (see figure 1, and [0021] of Kool).
Regarding claim 7, Kool/Sasao further teaches the step of configuring the at least one cleaning port (figure 1, #32 of Kool) as a dual-purpose port allowing a flow of cooling/heating air and/or a flow of cleaning fluid (see figure 1, and [0019-0021] of Kool).
Regarding claim 8, Kool teaches a system for cleaning the internal channels or passages of metallic articles including turbine components such as buckets, blade or the like (reads on “hollow vane”) (see figure 1, and [0012]). The system comprising an open body having a single wall design defining an interior (see figure 1), at least one cleaning port (figure 1, #32) formed in the open body proximate to an exterior wall of the open body (see figure 1, and [0019]) and at least on outlet port (figure 1, #34) formed in the open body proximate to the exterior wall of the open body (see figure 1, and [0019]).
Kool does not explicitly teach a cover brazed to the open body to form at least one internal flow.
However, Sasao teaches a steam turbine blade including a blade body (figure 4, #7) (reads on “hollow vane”), an open body (figure 5, #701), and a cover (figure 5, #702) [0078].
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 system disclosed by Kool with a cover brazed to the open body to form at least one internal flow, with a reasonable expectation of success, for the purpose of protecting the internal channels or passages of the blade, and because Sasao teaches that it was known in the art that a steam turbine blade can comprise a cover (figure 5, #702 of Sasao) ([0078] of Sasao).
Regarding claim 9, Kool/Sasao further teaches that the at least one cleaning port (figure 1, #32 of Kool) is configured with attachment hardware (see figure 1, and [0021] of Kool), and the attachment hardware is operatively couple with a cleaning fluid supply conduit (see figure 1, and [0021] of Kool).
Regarding claim 10, Kool/Sasao further teaches that the at least one internal flow passage is configured as multiple cooling channels that allow for cooling fluid and cleaning fluid to flow through the interior (see figure 1, and [0019-0021] of Kool).
Regarding claim 12, Kool/Sasao further teaches that the at least one cleaning port (figure 1, #32 of Kool) is configured as a dual-purpose port allowing a flow of cooling/heating air and/or a flow of cleaning fluid (see figure 1, and [0019-0021] of Kool).
Regarding claim 13, Kool/Sasao further teaches that the at least one cleaning port (figure 1, #32 of Kool) is formed in a trunnion of the open body (see figure 1, of Kool).
Regarding claim 14, Kool teaches a process for cleaning the internal channels or passages of metallic articles including turbine components such as buckets, blade or the like (reads on “hollow vane”) (see figure 1, and [0012]). The process comprising the steps of forming an open body (see figure 1), and an interior (see figure 1), forming at least one cleaning port (figure 1, #32) and at least one outlet port (figure 1, #34) in the open body proximate an exterior wall of the open body (see figure 1, and [0019-0021]), fluidly coupling a cleaning fluid supply to the at least one cleaning port (figure 1, #32) [0019-0021], flowing a cleaning fluid through at least one flow passage [0019-0021], and removing debris from the at least one flow passage with the cleaning fluid [0021].
Kool does not teach the open body including a leading edge opposite a trailing edge, a pressure side and suction side opposite the pressure side, and the steps of forming a cover, the cover being configured to couple with the open body proximate the pressure side to form the at least one flow passage, and attaching the cover to the open body.
However, Sasao teaches that a steam turbine blade including a blade body (figure 4, #7) (reads on “hollow vane”), an open body (figure 5, #701) including a leading edge opposite a trailing edge, a pressure side and suction side opposite the pressure side, and flow passages (see figures 3-4), and a cover (figure 5, #702) coupled with the open body proximate the pressure side to form at least one flow passage (see figure 5) [0078].
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 method disclosed by Kool wherein the open body includes a leading edge opposite a trailing edge, a pressure side and suction side opposite to the pressure side, and the steps of forming a cover, the cover being configured to couple with the open body proximate the pressure side to form the at least one flow passage, and attaching the cover to the open body, with a reasonable expectation of success, for the purpose of protecting the internal channels or passages of the blade, and because Sasao teaches a steam turbine blade comprising a blade body (figure 4, #7), an open body (figure 5, #701) including a leading edge opposite a trailing edge, a pressure side and suction side opposite the pressure side (see figure 4 of Sasao), and a cover (figure 5, #702 of Sasao) attached to the open body of a steam turbine blade (figures 4-5 and [0078] of Sasao).
Regarding claim 16, Kool/Sasao further teaches the step of configuring the at least one cleaning port (figure 1, #32 of Kool) as a dual-purpose port allowing a flow of cooling/heating air and/or a flow of cleaning fluid (see figure 1, and [0019-0021] of Kool).
Regarding claim 17, Kool/Sasao further teaches the step of configuring the at least one cleaning port (figure 1, #32 of Kool) with attachment hardware (see figure 1, and [0021] of Kool), and configuring the attachment hardware to operatively couple with a cleaning fluid supply conduit (see figure 1, and [0021] of Kool).
Regarding claim 19, Kool/Sasao further teaches the step of forming the at least one internal flow passage as multiple cooling channels that allow for cooling fluid and cleaning fluid to flow through the interior (see figure 1, and [0019-0021] of Kool).
Regarding claim 20, Kool/Sasao further teaches the step of forming the at least one cleaning port (figure 1, #32 of Kool) in a trunnion of the open body (see figure 1, of Kool).
Claims 4, 11, 15 and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 2008/0023037 to Kool et al. (hereinafter “Kool”) in view of US 2020/0165920 to Sasao et al. (hereinafter “Sasao”), and in further view of US 9,439,543 to Klingman Jr. (hereinafter “Klingman”).
Regarding claim 4, Kool/Sasao does not teach the step of forming an outlet port plug, and configuring the outlet port plug removably coupled to the outlet port.
Klingman teaches a cleaning method for cleaning a bowl of an aircraft (column 2, lines 9-12). Klingman teaches a removable cap (figure 2, #18) coupled to a drain port (see figures 2-4).
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 method disclosed by Kool/Sasao with the step of forming an outlet port plug, and configuring the outlet port plug removably coupled to the outlet port, with a reasonable expectation of success, since Klingman teaches a drain port including a removable cap for the purpose of covering the drain to keep it sealed, and for opening the drain for removing the rinsing fluid and/or disinfectant fluid from the tank (see figures 2-4, and column 2, lines 60-63 of Klingman).
Regarding claim 11, Kool/Sasao does not teach an outlet port plug removably coupled to the outlet port.
Klingman teaches a cleaning system for cleaning a bowl of an aircraft (column 2, lines 9-12). Klingman teaches a removable cap (figure 2, #18) coupled to a drain port (see figures 2-4).
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 apparatus disclosed by Kool/Sasao with an outlet port plug removably coupled to the outlet port, with a reasonable expectation of success, since Klingman teaches that it was known in the art that a drain port can include a removable cap for the purpose of covering the drain to keep it sealed, and for opening the drain for removing the disinfecting fluid and/or rinsing fluid from the tank (see figures 2-4, and column 2, lines 60-63 of Klingman).
Regarding claim 15, Kool/Sasao does not teach the steps of opening the at least one outlet port, removing an outlet port plug, discharging the cleaning fluid and entrained debris through the at least one outlet port.
Klingman teaches a cleaning method for cleaning a bowl of an aircraft (column 2, lines 9-12). Klingman teaches a removable cap (figure 2, #18) coupled to a drain port for the purpose of covering the drain to keep it sealed, and for opening the drain for removing the rinsing fluid and/or disinfectant fluid from the tank (see figures 2-4, and column 2, lines 60-63).
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 method disclosed by Kool/Sasao with the steps of opening the at least one outlet port, removing an outlet port plug, discharging the cleaning fluid and entrained debris through the at least one outlet port, with a reasonable expectation of success, since Klingman teaches a drain port including a removable cap for the purpose of covering the drain to keep it sealed, and for opening the drain for removing the rinsing fluid and/or disinfectant fluid from the tank (see figures 2-4, and column 2, lines 60-63 of Klingman).
Regarding claim 18, Kool/Sasao does not teach the step of forming an outlet port plug, and configuring the outlet port plug removably coupled to the outlet port.
Klingman teaches a cleaning method for cleaning a bowl of an aircraft (column 2, lines 9-12). Klingman teaches a removable cap (figure 2, #18) coupled to a drain port (see figures 2-4).
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 method disclosed by Kool/Sasao with the step of forming an outlet port plug, and configuring the outlet port plug removably coupled to the outlet port, with a reasonable expectation of success, since Klingman teaches a drain port including a removable cap for the purpose of covering the drain to keep it sealed, and for opening the drain for removing the rinsing fluid and/or disinfectant fluid from the tank (see figures 2-4, and column 2, lines 60-63 of Klingman).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ARLYN I RIVERA-CORDERO whose telephone number is (571)270-7680. The examiner can normally be reached Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
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/A.I.R/Examiner, Art Unit 1714
/KAJ K OLSEN/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1714