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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-19 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Claim Objections
Claim 10 is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 10, third to last line recites “flow path,” which was already recited in the fourth line of the same claim.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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)(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.
Claims 1-6 and 10-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Landemoo et al. (WO 2026/005693 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Landemoo discloses a stator (20) comprising:
a stator core (26); and
a coil (56),
wherein the stator core (26) includes:
teeth (27), wherein the coil (56) is wound around the teeth (27);
a plurality of slots (28) partitioned by the teeth (27); and
a flow path (37) configured to communicate with the plurality of slots (28) an outer circumference of the stator core (26) through the stator core (26) and the teeth (27) and allow oil to be supplied through the flow path (37).
Regarding claim 2/1, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 1. Landemo further discloses wherein the flow path (37) comprises:
a supply flow path (38, 41) formed, along a circumferential direction, on the outer circumference of the stator core (126).
Regarding claim 3/2, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 2. Landemoo further discloses wherein the flow path (37) further comprises:
an extension flow path (40) extending from the supply flow path (38, 41) in a radially inward direction of the stator core (26).
Regarding claim 4/3, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 2. Landemoo further discloses wherein the flow path (37) further comprises:
an axial flow path (42) configured to communicate with the extension flow path (40) and arranged inside the plurality of slots (28).
Regarding claim 5/4, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 4. Landemoo further discloses a connection flow path (54) extending through the teeth (27) and configured to connect the extension flow path (40) and the axial flow path (42).
Regarding claim 6/1, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 1. Landemoo further discloses a gutter (32) disposed inside at least one slot of the plurality of slots (28) and configured to retain the oil inside the at least one slot (28).
Regarding claim 10, Landemoo discloses a cooling system (44) for a motor (4), the cooling system (44) comprising:
a stator (20);
an oil chamber (50) disposed at a lower portion of the stator (20);
a pump (48) configured to direct oil in the oil chamber (50) toward a flow path (37) of the stator (20); and
a heat exchanger (52) configured to exchange heat with the oil,
wherein the stator (20) includes:
a stator core (26); and
a coil (56), and
wherein the stator core (26) includes:
teeth (27), wherein the coil (56) is wound around the teeth (27);
a plurality of slots (28) partitioned by the teeth (27); and
a flow path (37) configured to communicate with the plurality of slots (28) from an outer circumference of the stator core (26) through the stator core (26) and the teeth (27) and allow oil to be supplied through the flow path (37).
Regarding claim 11, Landemoo discloses a motor (4) comprising:
a stator (20) including a stator core (26) and a coil (56); and
a rotor (22) configured to be rotatable relative to the stator (20),
wherein the stator core (26) includes:
teeth (27), wherein the coil (56) is wound around the teeth (27);
a plurality of slots (28) partitioned by the teeth (27); and
a flow path (37) configured to communicate with the plurality of slots (28) from an outer circumference of the stator core (26) through the stator core (26) and the teeth (27) and allow oil to be supplied through the flow path (37).
Regarding claim 12/11, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 11. Landemoo further discloses wherein the flow path (37) comprises:
a supply flow path (38, 41) formed, along a circumferential direction, on the outer circumference of the stator core (126).
Regarding claim 13/12, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 12. Landemoo further discloses wherein the flow path (37) further comprises:
an extension flow path (40) extending from the supply flow path (38, 41) in a radially inward direction of the stator core (26).
Regarding claim 14/13, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 12. Landemoo further discloses wherein the flow path (37) further comprises:
an axial flow path (42) configured to communicate with the extension flow path (40) and arranged inside the plurality of slots (28).
Regarding claim 15/14, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 14. Landemoo further discloses an air gap (34) provided between the stator (20) and the rotor (22),
wherein the axial flow path (42) is formed near the air gap (34).
Regarding claim 16/11, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 11. Landemoo further discloses a gutter (32) arranged inside at least one slot of the plurality of slots (28) and configured to retain the oil inside the at least one slot (28).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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 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.
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 7-9 and 17-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Landemoo et al. (WO 2026/005693 A1) in view of Bradfield (US 2013/0264897 A1).
Regarding claim 7/6, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 6. Landemoo does not disclose the gutter is an insulating paper configured to wrap the coil.
Bradfield discloses the gutter (58) is an insulating paper (slot liner) configured to wrap the coil (28).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to have modified Landemoo in view of Bradfield to disclose the gutter is an insulating paper configured to wrap the coil, as it is well known that slot liners allows the coil to be electrically insulated from the stator core to prevent short circuiting.
Regarding claim 8/6, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 6. Landemoo does not disclose the gutter comprises:
a plurality of holes formed in an upper portion of the gutter.
Landemoo does disclose that upper portion of the gutter can be open (FIG. 5c).
Bradfield discloses the gutter (58) comprises:
a plurality of holes (60; ¶ [0025] slot hole can be located at other areas along the axial length of the slot liner) formed in an upper portion of the gutter (58).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to have modified Landemoo in view of Bradfield to disclose a plurality of holes formed in an upper portion of the gutter, as Landemoo already discloses the gutter open on the upper portion, modifying the gutter to have holes as disclosed in Bradfield would have the advantages of stronger structural support of the gutter.
Regarding claim 9/1, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 1. Landemoo does not disclose the stator core is a laminated core in which a plurality of electrical steel plates is laminated, and
the flow path is formed by at least two electrical steel plates having different sectional shapes among the plurality of the electrical steel plates.
Bradfield discloses the stator core (26) is a laminated core (26; FIG. 3D) in which a plurality of electrical steel plates is laminated, and
the flow path (42, 46, 54) is formed by at least two electrical steel plates (3A, 3D) having different sectional shapes (FIG. 3A discloses notches 50 and FIG. 3B discloses notches 52) among the plurality of the electrical steel plates.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to have modified Landemoo in view of Bradfield to disclose the stator core is a laminated core in which a plurality of electrical steel plates is laminated, and the flow path is formed by at least two electrical steel plates having different sectional shapes among the plurality of the electrical steel plates, as laminated core allows reduction in eddy current, heat and hysteresis loss, improving efficiency and motor life by running cooler than a solid core.
Regarding claim 17/16, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 16. Landemoo does not disclose the gutter is an insulating paper configured to wrap the coil.
Bradfield discloses the gutter (58) is an insulating paper (slot liner) configured to wrap the coil (28).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to have modified Landemoo in view of Bradfield to disclose the gutter is an insulating paper configured to wrap the coil, as it is well known that slot liners allows the coil to be electrically insulated from the stator core to prevent short circuiting.
Regarding claim 18/16, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 16. Landemoo does not disclose the gutter comprises:
a plurality of holes formed in an upper portion of the gutter.
Landemoo does disclose that upper portion of the gutter can be open (FIG. 5c).
Bradfield discloses the gutter (58) comprises:
a plurality of holes (60; ¶ [0025] slot hole can be located at other areas along the axial length of the slot liner) formed in an upper portion of the gutter (58).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to have modified Landemoo in view of Bradfield to disclose a plurality of holes formed in an upper portion of the gutter, as Landemoo already discloses the gutter open on the upper portion, modifying the gutter to have holes as disclosed in Bradfield would have the advantages of stronger structural support of the gutter.
Regarding claim 19/11, Landemoo was discussed above in claim 11. Landemoo does not disclose the stator core is a laminated core in which a plurality of electrical steel plates is laminated, and
the flow path is formed by at least two electrical steel plates having different sectional shapes among the plurality of the electrical steel plates.
Bradfield discloses the stator core (26) is a laminated core (26; FIG. 3D) in which a plurality of electrical steel plates is laminated, and
the flow path (42, 46, 54) is formed by at least two electrical steel plates (3A, 3D) having different sectional shapes (FIG. 3A discloses notches 50 and FIG. 3B discloses notches 52) among the plurality of the electrical steel plates.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to have modified Landemoo in view of Bradfield to disclose the stator core is a laminated core in which a plurality of electrical steel plates is laminated, and the flow path is formed by at least two electrical steel plates having different sectional shapes among the plurality of the electrical steel plates, as laminated core allows reduction in eddy current, heat and hysteresis loss, improving efficiency and motor life by running cooler than a solid core.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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 MINKI CHANG whose telephone number is (571)270-0521. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Seye Iwarere can be reached at (571) 270-5112. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MINKI CHANG/ Examiner, Art Unit 2834
/OLUSEYE IWARERE/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2834
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