DETAILED ACTION
This is in response to the Patent Application filed 12/26/2024 wherein claims 1-14 are presented for examination.
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 .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they include the following reference character(s) not mentioned in the description: “STRA1” in Figure 5, “STRA2” in Figure 6, “STB1” in Figure 6, “STB2” in Figure 6, “7” in Figure 7, “6” in Figure 7, and “771” in Figure 8.
In accordance with 37CFR 1.83(a) and 1.84(o), the drawings (Figures 1-10) are objected to because:
the numerals associated with the graphical drawing symbols (boxes, rectangles, circles, etc) are not indicative as to what said symbol represents and so the functionality of the element cannot be determined.
The unlabeled rectangular box(es) shown in the drawing should be provided with descriptive text labels. See MPEP 608.02(b) II.
In summary, elements in the drawing must be labeled in words to facilitate the expeditious understanding of the drawing by members of the public (refer to example 1 below). When the boxes are too small to accommodate the labeling, external labeling as indicated by the arrows in the example 2 below is acceptable.
Example 1: elements in the drawings are labeled; fluid lines are solid; control signal lines are dashed lines; arrows show the direction of the fluid and control lines.
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Example 2: when boxes are too small to accommodate the labeling, external labeling as indicated by the arrows in the example 2 below is acceptable.
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Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Objections
Claims 1, 11, and 14 are objected to because of the following informalities:
“a transverse electrical connection” (Claim 1, line 30) is believed to be in error for - - a first transverse electrical connection - -;
“a transverse electrical connection, the transverse electrical connection” (Claim 11, line 9) is believed to be in error for - - a second transverse electrical connection, the second transverse electrical connection - -;
“a start mode” (Claim 14, line 5) is believed to be in error for - - the starting mode - -;
“a standby mode” (Claim 14, line 10) is believed to be in error for - - the standby mode - -;
“a transverse electrical connection” (Claim 14, line 13) is believed to be in error for - - the first transverse electrical connection - -;
“an electrical power production mode” (Claim 14, line 15) is believed to be in error for - - the electrical power production mode - -;
“connecting them to” (Claim 14, line 18) is believed to be in error for - - connecting the first main electrical converter and the second main electrical converter to - -.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: “a main moving assembly” in claim 1, “a manager” in claim 1, “a mechanical system” in claim 12, and “an additional moving assembly” in claim 12.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
Claim 1 recites the limitation “setting in motion a main moving assembly”. The “main moving assembly” is interpreted as being “one or more compression turbines 16 [that] are mechanically connected in rotation to the one or more expansion turbines 18” as described in Paragraph 0069 of Applicant’s specification.
Claim 1 also recites the limitation “a manager configured to . . . electrically power the first winding via the first main electrical converter with at least the first main electrical power source, electrically power the second winding via the second main electrical converter with at least the second main electrical power source . . . power one of the first winding and second winding with the second main electrical power source, maintaining the first main electrical power source under load via a transverse electrical connection connected to the second electrical connection; and . . . electrically connect, in parallel, the second main electrical converter and the first main electrical converter to electrically power the first main electrical power source”. The “manager” is interpreted as being “at least one electrical center, electronic equipment of the starter-generator, a computer, contactors controlled to open or close an electrical connection” as described in Paragraph 0050 of Applicant’s specification.
Claim 1 also recites the limitation “a first main electrical power source connected on command by a first electrical connection to at least one first main electrical converter electrically connected to the first winding”. The “first main electrical power source” is interpreted as being “at least one electric battery or one thermal battery or one supercapacitor” as described in Paragraph 0035 of Applicant’s specification.
Claim 1 also recites that limitation “second main electrical power source connected on command by a second electrical connection to at least one second main electrical converter electrically connected to the second winding”. The “second main electrical power source” is interpreted as being “an electrical generator engaged on the mechanical system 25” in Paragraph 0094 of Applicant’s specification.
Claim 12 recites the limitation “a mechanical system setting in motion at least one rotary wing or one rotor or one propeller”. The “mechanical system” is interpreted as being “a gearbox connected to the main engine and to the additional engine” in Paragraph 0060 of Applicant’s specification.
Claim 12 also recites the limitation “setting in motion an additional moving assembly”. The “additional moving assembly” is interpreted as being “one or more compression turbines 16 [that] are mechanically connected in rotation to the one or more expansion turbines 18” as described in Paragraphs 0069-0070 of Applicant’s specification.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
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 11 and 14 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 11 recites the limitation "a transverse electrical connection" in line 9. It is unclear if the “transverse electrical connection recited in line 9 of claim 11 is referring to the same “transverse electrical connection” in line 30 of claim 1 or a different transverse electrical connection.
Claim 14 recites the limitation "a start mode" in line 5. It is unclear if the “start mode” recited in line 5 of claim 14 is the same mode as the “starting mode” recited in line 12 of claim 1 or a different mode.
Claim 14 recites the limitation "a standby mode" in line 10. It is unclear if the “standby mode” recited in line 10 of claim 14 is referring to the same standby mode recited in line 27 of claim 1 or a different mode.
Claim 14 recites the limitation "a transverse electrical connection" in line 13. It is unclear if the “transverse electrical connection recited in line 13 of claim 14 is referring to the same “transverse electrical connection” in line 30 of claim 1 or a different transverse electrical connection.
Claim 14 recites the limitation "an electrical power production mode" in line 15. It is unclear if the “electrical power production mode” recited in line 15 of claim 14 is referring to the same electrical power production mode recited in line 32 of claim 1 or a different mode.
Claim 14 recites the limitation "them" in line 18. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-10 and 12-13 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
The closest prior art reference, Poumarede et al. (US 2017/0184032), teaches (Figures 1-4) a starting and electrical generation system (100, 101, 102) for a main combustion engine (GT1) of an aircraft (Paragraph 0001), the starting and electrical generation system (100, 101, 102) comprising a starter-generator (GS1 or M1A) provided with a transmission shaft (connecting GS1 to GT1 or connecting M1A to GT1; see Figures 1-4), the starter-generator (GS1 or M1A) being operable in a motor mode (Paragraph 0004) for setting in motion a main moving assembly (the shaft of the high pressure turbine; see Paragraphs 0002-0004) of the main combustion engine (GT1) with the transmission shaft (connecting GS1 to GT1 or connecting M1A to GT1; see Figures 1-4), and a generator mode (Paragraph 0005) for generating electrical power by having the transmission shaft (connecting GS1 to GT1 or connecting M1A to GT1; see Figures 1-4) set in motion by the main moving assembly (the shaft of the high pressure turbine; see Paragraphs 0002-0005), the starter-generator (GS1 or M1A) comprising a first winding (S11) that is polyphase (Paragraphs 0069-0071) and a second winding (S12) that is polyphase (Paragraphs 0069-0071) generating magnetic fields (Paragraphs 0035 and 0040) to create respective motor torques jointly setting in motion the transmission shaft (connecting GS1 to GT1 or connecting M1A to GT1; see Figures 1-4) in a starting mode of the motor mode (Paragraph 0004), the starting and electrical generation system (100, 101, 102) comprising a first main electrical power source (S1) connected on command by a first electrical connection (via DC Bus No. 1; see Figures 2-4) to at least one first main electrical converter (CVS1) electrically connected to the first winding (S11), and a second main electrical power source (S2) connected on command by a second electrical connection (DC Bus No. 2; see Figures 2-4) to at least one second main electrical converter (CVS2) electrically connected to the second winding (S12), wherein the starting and electrical generation system (100, 101, 102) comprises a manager (110, 120 or 111, 121) configured to: in the starting mode (Paragraphs 0004 and 0088), electrically power the first winding (S11) via the first main electrical converter (CVS1) with at least the first main electrical power source (S1), electrically power the second winding (S12) via the second main electrical converter (CVS2) with at least the second main electrical power source (S2).
Poumarede does not teach that the manager is configured to: in a standby mode, power one of the first winding and second winding with the second main electrical power source, maintaining the first main electrical power source under load via a transverse electrical connection to the second electrical connection; and in an electrical power production mode, electrically connect, in parallel, the second main electrical converter and the first main electrical converter to electrically power the first main electrical power source.
See PTO-892 for additional references teaching starting and electrical generation systems for a main combustion engine of an aircraft which include power sources, windings, and electrical converters. However, in a similar manner to Poumarede discussed above, these references fail to teach the claimed details of the standby and electrical power production modes as claimed.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
As allowable subject matter has been indicated, applicant's reply must either comply with all formal requirements or specifically traverse each requirement not complied with. See 37 CFR 1.111(b) and MPEP § 707.07(a).
Claims 11 and 14 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.
Contact Information
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THOMAS P BURKE whose telephone number is (571)270-5407. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30-5:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Phutthiwat Wongwian can be reached at (571) 270-5426. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/THOMAS P BURKE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3741