Last updated: August 17, 2026

Application No. 18/952,449

HEAT PUMP SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Non-Final OA

Filed

Nov 19, 2024

Priority

Sep 24, 2024 — RE 10-2024-0128971

Examiner

FURDGE, LARRY L

Art Unit

3763

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Kia Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 62% of cases after interview

— +17.2% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 779 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

FURDGE, LARRY L View full profile →

Grants 62% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

486 granted / 779 resolved

-7.6% vs TC avg

Strong +17% interview lift

Without

With

+17.2%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 3m

Avg Prosecution

41 currently pending

Career history

812

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.9%

-39.1% vs TC avg

§103

54.0%

+14.0% vs TC avg

§102

8.8%

-31.2% vs TC avg

§112

31.7%

-8.3% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 779 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 19, 2024

Application Filed

Jun 24, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/697,889

Patent 12704271

HEAT EXCHANGER AND AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS

2y 4m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026

18/740,019

Patent 12691731

VARIABLE SPEED COMPRESSOR CONTROL SCHEME FOR LUBRICANT CONTROL

2y 1m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026

19/098,105

Patent 12693054

REFRIGERANT FLOW PATH MODULE AND HEAT SOURCE UNIT

1y 3m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026

18/795,526

Patent 12687333

REFRIGERATOR

1y 11m to grant Granted Jul 21, 2026

14/427,630

Patent 12681512

THERMOSTAT WITH INTEGRATED PARTICLE SENSOR

11y 4m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

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

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

62%

Grant Probability

80%

With Interview (+17.2%)

3y 3m (~1y 6m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 779 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.