Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
The claims received 9/22/2026 are entered.
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 23-39 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 23 recites “the second heat exchanger” at line 5 and “the second liquid coolant” at line 6. Both lack antecedent basis, i.e. they should be introduced with the indefinite article –a--.
Similarly “the liquid coolant” (line 7) lacks clear antecedent basis, i.e. the recitation should include which of the first or second liquid coolants is intended to be referenced.
Claim 25 recites “a second liquid coolant” which lacks antecedent basis, i.e. the second liquid coolant was previously introduced thus the definite article –the—should be used.
Claim 28 recites “the heat exchanger” which lacks clear antecedent basis, i.e. the recitation should include which of the first or second heat exchangers is intended to be referenced.
Claim 34 recites “a second heat exchanger” which has improper antecedent basis, i.e. the second heat exchanger was previously introduced thus the definite article –the—should be used.
Claims depending from a rejected claim are rejected due to their dependency.
Double Patenting
Terminal disclaimers have been received and approved in view of:
US 10,123,463
US 12,150,282
US 12,513,853
US Application 19/429,030
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 23-39 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The reasons for allowance are similar to the reasons found in US 10,123,463; 12150,282; 12,513,853; and 12,526,954.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 9/22/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant asserts that adding “first” at line 5 corrects the antecedent basis problem. This change alone does not correct the antecedent basis issues previously raised. A more thorough explanation has been provided above. The examiner invites applicant to request a telephone interview if further explanation is required.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHRISTOPHER R ZERPHEY whose telephone number is (571)272-5965. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:00-4:00 PM.
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, Jianying Atkisson can be reached at 5712707740. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CHRISTOPHER R ZERPHEY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3799
