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.
Claims 1-5, and 11-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Anderson (U.S. Pub. No. 2012/0273212).
Regarding Claim 1, Anderson discloses a lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) for lifting, installing and/or retrieving oil and gas production equipment or carbon storage equipment, the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) comprising:
A base (Anderson: 150) configured to be removably connected to the equipment; and
A fixing device (Anderson: 125) mounted to the base (Anderson: 150) and configured to be connected to a lifting line (Anderson: Paragraph [0039]) extending to a lifting device, wherein the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) is configured such that a position of the fixing device (Anderson: 125) is continuously adjustable along a line (axis between opposing wedge members 170) extending across at least part of the base (Anderson: 150) so as to adjust an offset between the fixing device (Anderson: 125) and a center of gravity of the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066])(Anderson: positions of wedge members 170 within 150 are actuated to move the contained equipment horizontally relative to 125).
Regarding Claim 2, Anderson discloses The lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a mechanism (Anderson: 161) for adjusting the position of the fixing device (Anderson: 125).
Regarding Claim 3, Anderson discloses The lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mechanism (Anderson: 161) is configured to be remotely actuated (Anderson: via hydraulic lines 168, 169).
Regarding Claim 4, Anderson discloses the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mechanism (Anderson: 161) is configured to be actuated by an ROV (Anderson: Paragraph [0053]).
Regarding Claim 5, Anderson discloses The lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mechanism (Anderson: 161) comprises a linear actuator (Anderson: Paragraph [0048]).
Regarding Claim 11, Anderson discloses a method of lifting, installing and/or retrieving oil and gas production equipment or carbon storage equipment, the method comprising:
Attaching the a lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) as claimed in claim 1 to the equipment; and
Before or after attaching the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) to the equipment, adjusting the position of the fixing device (Anderson: 125) to adjust an offset between the fixing device (Anderson: 125) and a center of gravity of the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066])(actuating 161 changes the center of gravity).
Regarding Claim 12, Anderson discloses The method as claimed in claim 11 , further comprising connecting the fixing device (Anderson: 125) to a lifting line (Anderson: Paragraph [0039]), wherein when the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) and the equipment are suspended by the lifting line (Anderson: Paragraph [0039]), the lifting line (Anderson: Paragraph [0039]) is aligned with the center of gravity of a combined weight being lifted via the lifting line (Anderson: Paragraph [0039]).
Regarding Claim 13, Anderson discloses a method of installing oil and gas equipment or carbon storage equipment subsea, the method comprising:
Attaching the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) as claimed in claim 1 to the equipment;
Connecting the fixing device (Anderson: 125) to a lifting line (Anderson: Paragraph [0039]);
Lowering the equipment with the fixing device (Anderson: 125) offset from the center of the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) so as to align the lifting line (Anderson: Paragraph [0039]) with the center of gravity of a combined weight being lifted via the lifting line (Anderson: Paragraph [0039])(actuating 161 changes the center of gravity);
Adjusting the position of the fixing device (Anderson: 125) to bring the lifting line (Anderson: Paragraph [0039]) into alignment with the center of gravity of the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]);
Before or after adjusting the position of the fixing device (Anderson: 125), disconnecting the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) from the equipment; and
Retrieving the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]).
Regarding Claim 14, Anderson discloses a method of retrieving subsea oil and gas equipment or carbon storage equipment, the method comprising:
Connecting the fixing device (Anderson: 125) of the a lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) as claimed in claim 1 to a lifting line (Anderson: Paragraph [0039]);
Lowering the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) to the equipment with the fixing device (Anderson: 125) positioned to align the lifting line (Anderson: Paragraph [0039]) with the center of gravity of the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]);
Connecting the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) to the equipment;
Before or after connecting the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) to the equipment, adjusting the position of the fixing device (Anderson: 125) to be offset from the center of gravity of the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066])(actuating 161 to open body) so as to align the lifting line (Anderson: Paragraph [0039]) with the center of gravity of a combined weight to be lifted via the lifting line (Anderson: Paragraph [0039]); and
Raising the lifting tool (Anderson: Paragraph [0066]) and the equipment.
Regarding Claim 15, Anderson discloses The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the adjusting the position of the fixing device (Anderson: 125) is affected by a linear actuator (Anderson: Paragraph [0048]), wherein the linear actuator (Anderson: Paragraph [0048]) is remotely actuated by a hydraulic or electrical signal, or wherein the linear actuator (Anderson: Paragraph [0048]) is actuated by an ROV (Anderson: Paragraph [0053]) or a diver.
Claims 1, 2, and 6-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Jiang (CN 207030725 U).
Regarding Claim 1, Jiang discloses a lifting tool for lifting, installing and/or retrieving oil and gas production equipment or carbon storage equipment, the lifting tool comprising:
A base (Jiang: 8, 9) configured to be removably connected to the equipment; and
A fixing device (Jiang: 1, 2, 3) mounted to the base (Jiang: 8, 9) and configured to be connected to a lifting line (Jiang: Paragraph [0039]) extending to a lifting device, wherein the lifting tool (Jiang: Paragraph [0066]) is configured such that a position of the fixing device (Jiang: 1, 2, 3) is continuously adjustable along a line extending across at least part of the base (Jiang: 8, 9) so as to adjust an offset between the fixing device (Jiang: 1, 2, 3) and a center of gravity of the lifting tool (Jiang: Utility model: object can self-adjust with pully group to reach an equilibrium).
Regarding Claim 2, Jiang discloses The lifting tool (Jiang: Paragraph [0066]) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a mechanism (Jiang:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) for adjusting the position of the fixing device (Jiang: 1, 2, 3).
Regarding Claim 6, Jiang discloses The lifting tool (Jiang: Paragraph [0066]) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mechanism (Jiang:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) comprises a threaded screw (Jiang: 5).
Regarding Claim 7, Jiang discloses The lifting tool as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a drive component (Jiang: 2) having an internal threaded surface for engaging with the threaded screw (Jiang: 5) such that rotation of the threaded screw (Jiang: 5) moves the drive component (Jiang: 2) along the threaded screw (Jiang: 5), wherein the fixing device (Jiang: 1, 2, 3) is configured to move with the drive component (Jiang: 2).
Regarding Claim 8, Jiang discloses The lifting tool (Jiang: Paragraph [0066]) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the drive component (Jiang: 2) comprises a pin (Jiang: pin connecting elements 2 and 3) extending through the fixing device (Jiang: 1, 2, 3) transverse to the threaded screw (Jiang: 5).
Regarding Claim 9, Jiang discloses The lifting tool (Jiang: Paragraph [0066]) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fixing device (Jiang: 1, 2, 3) comprises a body, the pin (Jiang: pin connecting elements 2 and 3) extending from a first side of the body through an aperture therein to a second, opposite side of the body.
Regarding Claim 10, Jiang discloses The lifting tool (Jiang: Paragraph [0066]) as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a housing (Jiang: 4, 10) in which the threaded screw (Jiang: 5) is mounted, the housing having planar side walls which extend parallel to the threaded screw (Jiang: 5), wherein the body is configured to fit over the housing and to engage with the planar side walls such that the housing acts to guide and or stabilize the movement of the fixing device (Jiang: 1, 2, 3).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US 20230071305 (Eccentric Suction Pile Pump with Hinged Lift Appliance), US 20190330816 (Installation Guide with Quick Release and a Method Thereof), US 20160265313 (Connection and Disconnection of Hydraulic Equipment in Hyperbaric Environments), US 20130058732 (DEVICE FOR REMOTE-CONTROLLED, SUBMARINE MACHINING UNIT).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DOUGLAS S WOOD whose telephone number is (571)270-5954. The examiner can normally be reached Monday through Thursday 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM EST.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-base (Jiang: 8, 9)d 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, Nicole A Coy can be reached at (571) - 272 - 5405. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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DOUGLAS S. WOOD
Examiner
Art Unit 3679
/DOUGLAS S WOOD/Examiner, Art Unit 3679
/Nicole Coy/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3672