Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 06, 2026
Application No. 19/022,092

Power Quality Measurement for a Grid-Connected Generator System

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Jan 15, 2025
Priority
Jan 17, 2024 — DE 10 2024 101 253.6
Examiner
CURRAN, GREGORY H
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
90%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
6m
Est. Remaining
95%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 90% — above average
90%
Career Allowance Rate
764 granted / 847 resolved
+30.2% vs TC avg
Moderate +5% lift
Without
With
+5.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
2y 1m
Avg Prosecution
18 currently pending
Career history
863
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
4.1%
-35.9% vs TC avg
§103
41.4%
+1.4% vs TC avg
§102
37.3%
-2.7% vs TC avg
§112
11.8%
-28.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 847 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 . Claim Objections Claim 14 is objected to under 37 CFR 1.75(c) as being in improper form because a multiple dependent claim should refer to other claims in the alternative only. See MPEP § 608.01(n). Accordingly, the claim has not been further treated on the merits. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a): (a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112: The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Claims 1-13 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the enablement requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention. The claims are directed towards a method and device for determining if a generator provides a specified power output based upon a measured impedance from an impedance arranged between the generator and consumer. However, it is unclear how a specified power output can be measured by the impedance value. The specification discloses that the “the method may involve determining a ratio between the negative-sequence current and the positive-sequence current of the generator system, based on the measured impedance value, wherein the ratio indicates the specified power output” However, it is unclear how the negative-sequence current and the positive-sequence current are derived from an impedance measurement. Formulas 1 and 2 require measurement of the Voltage and the impedance for the load. It is not disclosed how one would measure the voltage or impedance for the load. Further Equation 3 shows the ratio equal to relationship between Consumer voltage, a consumer impedance, a system current which are all “constant” or “essentially constant” and the added impedance which would be known. It is unclear how one of ordinary skill in the art would make or use the invention as there is no direction on how the impedance is measured, or how the other required values would be measured. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Francis et al. (US 9,140,731 B2) teach an algorithm and implementation system for measuring impedance in the D-Q domain. Engelhardt et al. (US 8,400,004 B2) teach a method for operating a wind turbine. Hazani et al. (US 8,391,470 B2) teach a device, method and system for estimating the termination to a wired transmission-line based on determination of characteristic impedance. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GREGORY H CURRAN whose telephone number is (571)270-7505. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, EST. 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, Walter Lindsay can be reached at (571) 272-1674. 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. /GREGORY H CURRAN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2852
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Prosecution Timeline

Jan 15, 2025
Application Filed
Jul 21, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (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
90%
Grant Probability
95%
With Interview (+5.2%)
2y 1m (~6m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 847 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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