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 .
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 1 – 20 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.
As to claim 1, the recited limitation that the sensing module is configured to detect a leakage between the plurality of electrochemical cells and the housing frame is unclear. It appears that applicant attempts to claim the subject matter in terms of the result to be achieved, without providing the technical features necessary for achieving this result. It is also unclear which type of leakage is being detected by the sensing module.
As to claim 9, It is unclear which type of leakage is being determined from the electrochemical cells to the housing frame?
As to claim 15, the recited limitation a sensing circuit coupled to, and configured to detect a leakage between the plurality of electrochemical cells and the housing frame of the electrical vehicle battery is unclear. It appears that applicant attempts to claim the subject matter in terms of the result to be achieved, without providing the technical features necessary for achieving this result. It is also unclear which type of leakage is being detected by the sensing module.
Claims 2 - 8 are rejected by virtue of their dependency from claim 1.
Claims 10 - 14 are rejected by virtue of their dependency from claim 9.
Claims 16 - 20 are rejected by virtue of their dependency from claim 15.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1 - 20 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.
Prior Art of Record
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant s disclosure.
Shaffer, II et al. (2024/0170753) is cited for its disclosure of a method of forming a reusable battery assembly.
Schreiber II et al. (11,340,308) is cited for its disclosure of a system and method for state determination of a battery module configured for used in an electric vehicle.
Ding (9,874,610) is cited for its disclosure of a detecting apparatus, located inside the battery and on an anode or cathode end of the battery, and configured to detect an electric potential inside the battery; and a conducting wire, electrically connected to the detecting apparatus and insulated from the anode and cathode of the battery, and configured to export a value of the electric potential measured by the detecting apparatus.
Brockman et al. (9,437,850) is cited for its disclosure that the battery management system is electrically coupled to a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the battery module. The battery module also includes a connector disposed in an outer surface of the housing. The connector includes a plurality of electrical contacts and is electrically coupled to the battery management system.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to REENA AURORA whose telephone number is (571)272-2263. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 8:00AM-5:00PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Lee Rodak can be reached at 5712705628. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/REENA AURORA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2858
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