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 § 103
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.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 1-12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yamamoto (S55-148907) in view of Filippi et al. (US 2012/0151923).
In Reference to Claim 1
(See Yamamoto, Figures 1-2)
Yamamoto (Yama) discloses:
A self-sufficient system for evaporation of liquefied natural gas, comprising:
- an evaporation station comprising a first pump (16) and a first expander (18), wherein the evaporation station is configured to receive liquefied natural gas (15) at first pressure and first temperature and to provide natural gas at second pressure and second temperature (See Yama, Paragraph [0002], Pages 5-7);
- a main heat exchanger (13) fluidly coupled to the evaporation station and the heat pumping station, wherein the main heat exchanger (13) is configured to transfer heat from the heat pumping station to the evaporation station in order to evaporate liquefied natural gas and supply natural gas downstream the main heat exchanger (13), wherein second pressure is higher than first pressure and second temperature is higher than first temperature. (See Yama, Paragraph [0002], Pages 5-8 w/respect to heat exchanger and pressure/temperature throughout system).
Yama discloses the claimed invention except:
The expander and first pump of the evaporation station are mechanically coupled to each other so that the first expander drives the first pump, the first expander having a first direct mechanical connection to the first pump, the first direct mechanical connection configured to transmit mechanical work produced by the first expander to drive the first pump, and wherein the second pump and the second expander are coupled to each other so that the second expander drives the second pump.
Filippi et al. (Filip) discloses a Rankine cycle waste heat power generation system. (See Filip, Abstract). Filip discloses mechanical energy generated by expanders can be used for direct mechanical drive of pumps of the system. (See Filip, Paragraph [0021]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have used the electrical and mechanical energy generated by the expanders to drive the pumps of Yama, as both references are directed towards waste heat power generation systems. One of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that utilizing the produced mechanical energy of the expanders would have enhanced the thermodynamic efficiency of the system and improved the overall output and operation by reducing dependance on external power sources and reduced losses due to energy conversion to power the pumps.
In Reference to Claim 2
(See Yamamoto, Figures 1-2)
The Yama-Filip combination discloses:
wherein the first pump (16) has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein the fluid inlet is configured to receive liquefied natural gas (15) at first pressure and first temperature and the fluid outlet is configured to provide liquefied natural gas at third pressure and third temperature (i.e.-pressure and temperature after pump before heat exchange), wherein third pressure is higher than second pressure and third temperature
In Reference to Claim 3
(See Yamamoto, Figures 1-2)
The Yama-Filip combination discloses:
wherein the fluid outlet is fluidly coupled to the main heat exchanger (13), wherein the main heat exchanger (13) is configured to generate natural gas at fourth pressure and fourth temperature, wherein fourth pressure is lower than third pressure
In Reference to Claim 4
(See Yamamoto, Figures 1-2)
The Yama-Filip combination discloses:
wherein the first expander (18) has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein the fluid inlet is configured to receive the natural gas at fourth pressure and fourth temperature
In Reference to Claim 5
(See Yamamoto, Figures 1-2)
The Yama-Filip combination discloses:
wherein the mixed refrigerant comprises one or more of methane, ethane, ethylene and propane. (See Yama, Paragraph [0002], Page 4 w/respect to working fluids).
In Reference to Claim 6
(See Yamamoto, Figures 1-2)
The Yama-Filip combination discloses:
wherein the heat pumping station further comprises a first power generator (12), wherein the second expander (11) is mechanically coupled to the first power generator (12), wherein the first power generator (12) is configured to generate electrical power. (See Yama, Paragraph [0002], Page 5).
In Reference to Claim 7
(See Yamamoto, Figures 1-2)
The Yama-Filip combination discloses:
wherein the heat pumping station further comprises a first secondary heat exchanger (7) is configured to transfer heat from a first external heat source (ambient air) to the mixed refrigerant in order to supply mixed refrigerant in the form of gas downstream the first secondary heat exchanger (7), wherein the first external heat source is ambient air or sea water or process waste heat. (See Yama, Paragraph [0002], Page 4 w/respect to “air”).
In Reference to Claim 8
(See Yamamoto, Figures 1-2)
The Yama-Filip combination discloses:
wherein the heat pumping station further comprises a second secondary heat exchanger (10) arranged upstream the second expander (11), wherein the second secondary heat exchanger (10) is configured to transfer heat from a second external heat source to the mixed refrigerant to supply mixed refrigerant in the form of superheated gas downstream the second secondary heat exchanger (10), wherein the second external heat source is process waste heat. (See Yama, Paragraph [0002], Page 5 w/respect to heat exchanger and Page 8 w/respect to superheated).
In Reference to Claim 9
(See Yamamoto, Figures 1-2)
The Yama-Filip combination discloses:
wherein the evaporation station further comprises a third secondary heat exchanger (17) arranged upstream the first expander (18), wherein the third secondary heat exchanger (17) is configured to transfer heat from a third external heat source to the natural gas to supply natural gas in the form of superheated gas downstream the third secondary heat exchanger (17), wherein the third external heat source is process waste heat. (See Yama, Paragraph [0002], Pages 5-6 w/respect to heat exchanger).
In Reference to Claim 10
(See Yamamoto, Figures 1-2)
The Yama-Filip combination discloses:
wherein the evaporation station further comprises a second power generator (19), wherein the first expander (18) is mechanically coupled to the second power generator (19), wherein the second power generator (19) is configured to generate electrical power. (See Yama, Paragraph [0002], Pages 5-6 w/respect to generator).
In Reference to Claim 11
(See Yamamoto, Figures 1-2)
The Yama-Filip combination discloses:
Wherein the first direct mechanical connection includes a shaft connecting the first pump to the first expander. (See Filip, Paragraph [0021]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have used the electrical and mechanical energy generated by the expanders to drive the pumps of Yama, as both references are directed towards waste heat power generation systems. One of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that utilizing the produced mechanical energy of the expanders would have enhanced the thermodynamic efficiency of the system and improved the overall output and operation by reducing dependance on external power sources and reduced losses due to energy conversion to power the pumps.
The Examiner notes that turbine devices at least include shafts to transmit mechanical energy and as Filip explicitly discloses “the turbine can be mechanically connected to drive any compressor or pump” in paragraph [0021], it is clear that a shaft will be used to transfer the mechanical energy to drive the pumps.
In Reference to Claim 12
(See Yamamoto, Figures 1-2)
The Yama-Filip combination discloses:
Wherein the second expander has a second direct mechanical connection to the second pump for driving the second pump. (See Filip, Paragraph [0021]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have used the electrical and mechanical energy generated by the expanders to drive the pumps of Yama, as both references are directed towards waste heat power generation systems. One of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that utilizing the produced mechanical energy of the expanders would have enhanced the thermodynamic efficiency of the system and improved the overall output and operation by reducing dependance on external power sources and reduced losses due to energy conversion to power the pumps.
The Examiner notes that turbine devices at least include shafts to transmit mechanical energy and as Filip explicitly discloses “the turbine can be mechanically connected to drive any compressor or pump” in paragraph [0021], it is clear that a shaft will be used to transfer the mechanical energy to drive the pumps.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 16 June 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to Applicant’s arguments that the Yama-Filip combination does not disclose the feature of “an evaporation station comprising a first pump and a first expander mechanically coupled to each other so that the first expander drives the first pump, the first expander having a first direct mechanical connection to the first pump, the direct mechanical connection configured to transmit mechanical work produced by the first expander to drive the first pump, wherein the evaporation station is configured to receive liquefied natural gas at a first pressure and a first temperature and to provide natural gas at a second pressure and a second temperature”, the Office respectfully disagrees.
Applicant argues that the Yama-Filip combination does not disclose the feature of “an evaporation station comprising a first pump and a first expander mechanically coupled to each other so that the first expander drives the first pump, the first expander having a first direct mechanical connection to the first pump, the direct mechanical connection configured to transmit mechanical work produced by the first expander to drive the first pump, wherein the evaporation station is configured to receive liquefied natural gas at a first pressure and a first temperature and to provide natural gas at a second pressure and a second temperature”. Specifically, Applicant argues that the Filip reference merely teaches producing electricity from a generator to power a pump. However, Filip explicitly discloses both options of electrical connection and mechanical connection which includes that the turbine can be mechanically connected to drive any compressor or pump. (See Filip, Paragraph [0021]). Accordingly, the Yama-Filip combination discloses the feature of “an evaporation station comprising a first pump and a first expander mechanically coupled to each other so that the first expander drives the first pump, the first expander having a first direct mechanical connection to the first pump, the direct mechanical connection configured to transmit mechanical work produced by the first expander to drive the first pump, wherein the evaporation station is configured to receive liquefied natural gas at a first pressure and a first temperature and to provide natural gas at a second pressure and a second temperature”.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MATTHEW THOMAS LARGI whose telephone number is (571)270-3512. The examiner can normally be reached 8:00 - 4:00 M-F.
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/MATTHEW T LARGI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3746
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