Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/983,013

DUAL FUEL ENGINE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DUAL FUEL ENGINE SYSTEM

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Dec 16, 2024
Priority
Sep 14, 2022 — continuation of 12/168,962
Examiner
JIN, GEORGE C.
Art Unit
3747
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Cummins Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
4m
Est. Remaining
97%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allowance Rate
409 granted / 486 resolved
+14.2% vs TC avg
Moderate +13% lift
Without
With
+13.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 1m
Avg Prosecution
18 currently pending
Career history
508
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.5%
-36.5% vs TC avg
§103
49.3%
+9.3% vs TC avg
§102
33.1%
-6.9% vs TC avg
§112
13.3%
-26.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 486 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . Election/Restrictions Applicant’s election without traverse of Group II in the reply filed on 6/29/26 is acknowledged. Claims 1-9 and 19-20 are canceled. 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. (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. Claim(s) 10-12, 16-18, 21-23, 27-29 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a1) as being anticipated by Glugla et al (US Patent No. 10,961,933). Regarding claim 10, Glugla teaches A method of controlling a dual fuel engine system, the method comprising: estimating a total engine load; (502 to 503 figure 5) determining a total fueling amount by referencing a first look-up table, the first look-up table being based on an engine speed and the total engine load; (column 18 line 30-50 lookup table) determining at least one updated total fueling amount based on the total fueling amount and an operational state of a dual fuel mode switch within the dual fuel engine system; and (508 figure 5 yes column 24 line 30-40) determining a control input for at least one actuator within the dual fuel engine system; (512 or 514 operate PFI and DI) wherein determining the control input comprises selecting a set of look-up tables associated with the at least one actuator, each look-up table within the set of look-up tables being based on the engine speed and the at least one updated total fueling amount. (514 or 512 operate engine in split lambda column 26 line 10-35 lookup table). Regarding claim 11, Glugla teaches wherein selecting the set of look-up tables comprises selecting at least one of an air handling reference table, an aftertreatment reference table, or a fueling reference table. (column 26 line 10-35). Regarding claim 12, Gluga teaches further comprising: determining the total engine load exceeds a predetermined threshold; and responsive to determining the total engine load exceeds the predetermined threshold, initiating at least one engine protective action. (504 to 510 figure 56 exceed threshold? Yes activate duel fuel mode). Regarding claim 16, Gluga teaches wherein estimating the total engine load comprises: estimating a power loss amount; and determining a sum of a measured engine power and the power loss amount. (502 to 503 figure 5). Regarding claim 17, Gluga teaches wherein estimating the total engine load comprises: receiving at least one input from at least one sensor within the dual fuel engine system; and based on the at least one input, calculating an engine load amount. (502 and 503 figure 5) Regarding claim 18, Gluga teaches wherein receiving the at least one input comprises receiving at least one of a pump discharge pressure, a current, or a voltage. (column 23 line 40-65 boost pressure) Regarding claims, 21-23 and 27-29, see rejection of claims 10-12 and 16-18 as the limitations are substantially similar. Allowable Subject Matter Claim 13-15, 24-26 objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GEORGE C. JIN whose telephone number is (571)272-9898. The examiner can normally be reached 9AM-6PM. 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, Lindsay Low can be reached at (571) 272-1196. 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. /GEORGE C JIN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3747
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Prosecution Timeline

Dec 16, 2024
Application Filed
Aug 18, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

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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
84%
Grant Probability
97%
With Interview (+13.2%)
2y 1m (~4m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 486 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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