OFFICE ACTION in DIV
This application has been assigned or remains assigned to Technology Center 1700, Art Unit 1774 and the following will apply for this application:
Please direct all written correspondence with the correct application serial number for this application to Art Unit 1774.
Telephone inquiries regarding this application should be directed to the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at http://www.uspto.gov/ebc/index.html or 1-866-217-9197 or to the Examiner at (571) 272-1139. All official facsimiles should be transmitted to the centralized fax receiving number (571)-273-8300.
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
Priority
Acknowledgment is made of applicant's claim for domestic priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e).
Information Disclosure Statement
Note the attached PTO-1449 forms submitted with the multiple Information Disclosure Statements.
Specification
The specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant's cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification.
The abstract is acceptable.
The title of the invention is not descriptive and should mention the waveform patterns on the disks.
Claim Rejections - 35 U.S.C. § 112(b)
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.
The inquiry during examination is patentability of the invention as the inventor or a joint inventor regards such invention. If the claims do not particularly point out and distinctly claim that which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as his or her invention, the appropriate action by the examiner is to reject the claims under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph. In re Zletz, 893 F.2d 319, 13 USPQ2d 1320 (Fed. Cir. 1989).
Claims 1-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or joint inventor regards as the invention.
Claim 1, line 8: “said disk” lacks antecedent basis.
Claim 3, line 2 should be amended as follows for clarity and definiteness:
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of waveform disks includes waveforms formed on at least one surface of the disks.
Regarding claim 7, the word "means" is preceded by the word(s) "energy collection” in an attempt to use a "means" clause to recite a claim element as a means for performing a specified function. However, since no distinct function is specified by the word(s) preceding "means," it is impossible to determine the equivalents of the element, as required by 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), sixth paragraph. See Ex parte Klumb, 159 USPQ 694 (Bd. App. 1967).
Claim 8, line 3: the structural equivalent of the “central chamber” in this claim is unclear since this claim term only appears once in the instant specification in ¶ [0011] which is merely duplicates the wording of claim 8 with no particular description of this central chamber. It appears to actually be the expansion chamber 252 which is adequately described in the specification; also note claim 1, line 5.
NOTE: Per 37 CFR 1.75(c), dependent claims shall be construed to include all the limitations of the claim incorporated by reference into the dependent claim. Accordingly, by definition, any claims that depend from a claim that is deemed indefinite under 35 USC 112(b) will also be considered indefinite and identified in the list of rejected claims above, even if such claims are themselves free of indefiniteness under § 112(b).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-8 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejections under 35 U.S.C. § 112(b).
The following is an Examiner's statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: The prior art of record does not teach or fairly suggest a system comprising a feed inlet, waveform disks forming an axially centered expansion chamber; at least one coil array in magnetic communication with said plurality of waveform disks; at least one magnet plate rotatable about said feed inlet, wherein said disk includes an array of magnets where one of said at least one coil array is between one of said at least one magnet plate and said plurality of waveform disks; and a drive system engaging said plurality of waveform disks.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The cited prior art discloses rotor/stator systems.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHARLES COOLEY whose telephone number is (571)272-1139. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, CLAIRE X. WANG can be reached at 571-272-1700. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CHARLES COOLEY/
Examiner, Art Unit 1774
DATED: 4 JUNE 2026
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