Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Application No. 18/876,284

GENERIC HIGH-VOLTAGE DC ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION PANEL

Non-Final OA §102§112
Filed
Dec 18, 2024
Priority
Jun 21, 2022 — FR FR2206112 +1 more
Examiner
FIN, MICHAEL RUTLAND
Art Unit
2836
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Safran S.A.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
80%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
8m
Est. Remaining
93%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 80% — above average
80%
Career Allowance Rate
516 granted / 644 resolved
+12.1% vs TC avg
Moderate +13% lift
Without
With
+13.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 4m
Avg Prosecution
29 currently pending
Career history
666
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.7%
-39.3% vs TC avg
§103
47.5%
+7.5% vs TC avg
§102
28.7%
-11.3% vs TC avg
§112
20.5%
-19.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 644 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §112
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 § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: 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. Claims 1-6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claim 1 recites “instead and in the place of the movable contact” it is unclear if this limitation is intended to limit the claimed panel structure. Here the claim first recites panel locations for movable contacts then later states the locations are for protection components. It is unclear if one or any movable contacts are required by the claim. The claim sets for two distinct elements which are installed in the panel locations. It is unclear if two movable contacts and a protection component are required, or one movable contact and one protection component or merely two protection components would in fact satisfy the claim makeup. The latter part of the claim appears to require linking the pair of fixed contacts here it is unclear which contacts are being referred to as the later part of the claim assumes the presence of the moveable contact elements. It is therefore unclear what the panel comprises. The claim recites function limitation “intended to activate” it is unclear if applicant intends the motor to activate. It is suggested Applicant redraft the claim, using common claim construction stating the structure comprising the high-voltage DC electrical distribution panel. Claim 3 sets for the inclusion a only a function without any structure to carry out the claimed pre-charging. Applicant should set forth some element or structure performing the pre-charging. 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)(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. Claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Dukaric et al. (US 20220006285). With respect to claim 1 Dukaric teaches a high-voltage DC electrical distribution panel (Fig. 5-6 for example), having two opposing major surfaces (upper/lower surfaces), characterized in that wherein: on a first (lower) of the major surfaces of the panel locations (see Fig. 9 and 11) are provided for installing the chambers of fixed and movable contact terminals of two electromechanical contactors, one pair of fixed contacts (paragraph 0306) being provided at each contact chamber installation location, while on the second (top) major surface of the panel, locations (see Fig. 6-8) are disposed for installing the complementary assemblies of the two contactors, these assemblies each including a respective motor intended to activate the contact terminals of one of the respective contactors, a protection component (222) is installed at least one of the contact chamber installation locations (physical space adjacent 216/218), instead and in place of the movable contact (a moveable contact is not present there), said protection component including: an insulating cover (housing) defining with the surface of the panel an enclosed space (space within housing of 222) including an electrical connection shunt (fuse element) arranged to link the pair of fixed contacts to one another (the connection across the switches and main power with 222). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Michael Fin whose telephone number is (571)272-5921. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9am-5:30. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Rexford Barnie can be reached at 571-272-7429. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. MICHAEL FIN Primary Examiner Art Unit 2836 /MICHAEL R. FIN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2836
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 18, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 17, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §112
Aug 11, 2026
Interview Requested

Precedent Cases

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
80%
Grant Probability
93%
With Interview (+13.1%)
2y 4m (~8m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 644 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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