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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the detector that detects a pressure reduction in the transport pipe seen in claim 1 and another transport pipe provided with a compressor seen in claim 5 must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
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.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 1 recites “a detector that detects a pressure reduction in the transport pipe” in line 21. In view of the Specification submitted 8 July 2025, Paragraph [0069] has the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor and the information acquisition part be labeled as a detector. Paragraph [0037] requires that both first and second pressure sensors are needed for a prompt measurement of pressure reduction. Paragraph [0033] states that the first pressure sensor measure the pressure in the first purging pipe that corresponds to the pressure in the transport pipe. Paragraphs [0038-0039] and [0042] recites a controller that contains the acquisition part required to obtain the pressure information from one or both sensors to control the flow of hydrogen through the second purging pipe. It is unclear with the use of “detector” in claim 1 which structure corresponds to being able to detect the pressure reduction within the transport pipe. Later in claim 3 and 4, the detector includes the pressure sensor and the information acquisition unit where it makes it unclear if the detector is the pressure sensor or the information acquisition unit. The Office recommends amending the language in the claims or the specification to make it clearer which component is the detector. For purposes of examination, the limitation will be considered as the controller.
Claim 5 recites the limitation “another transport pipe provided with a compressor” seen in line 2. In view of the Specification submitted 8 July 2025, Paragraphs [0045-0048] has another transport pipe with the element number of 10A. However, the additional transport pipe does not contain a compressor. The second downstream pipe 103b contains a compressor, but is part of the transport pipe 10. It is unclear which is considered to be another transport pipe provided with a compressor. The Office recommends amending the language in the claims or the specification to make it clearer what the limitation entails. For purposes of examination, the limitation will be considered as the controller.
Paragraph [0069], is missing element numbers 103a and 103b from the description.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 1-6 and 8-11 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 1 recites the limitation “a detector that detects a pressure reduction in the transport pipe” in line 21. In the Specification submitted 8 July 2025, Paragraph [0033] states that the first pressure sensor measures the pressure in the first purging pipe that corresponds to the pressure in the transport pipe. Paragraphs [0038-0039] and [0042] recites a controller that contains the acquisition part required to obtain the pressure information from one or both sensors to control the flow of hydrogen through the second purging pipe. It is unclear with the use of “detector” in claim 1 which structure corresponds to being able to detect the pressure reduction within the transport pipe. The Office recommends amending the language in the claim to make it clear which component is the detector. For purposes of examination, the limitation will be considered as the controller.
Claim 5 recites the limitation “another transport pipe provided with a compressor” seen in line 2. In view of the Specification submitted 8 July 2025, Paragraphs [0045-0048] has another transport pipe with the element number of 10A. However, the additional transport pipe does not contain a compressor. The second downstream pipe 103b contains a compressor, but is part of the transport pipe 10. It is unclear which is considered to be another transport pipe provided with a compressor. The Office recommends amending the language in the claims or the specification to make it clearer what the limitation entails. For purposes of examination, the limitation will be considered as the controller.
Claim 7 recites the limitations “no pressure reduction is detected in the transport pipe” seen in line 20 and “a pressure reduction is detected in the transport pipe” seen in lines 22-23. It is unclear in the claims which component is being used to make the detection of the pressure reduction. Paragraph [0033] states that the first pressure sensor measures the pressure in the first purging pipe that corresponds to the pressure in the transport pipe seen in the Specification submitted 8 July 2025. Paragraphs [0038-0039] and [0042] recites a controller that contains the acquisition part required to obtain the pressure information from one or both sensors to control the flow of hydrogen through the second purging pipe. The Office recommends amending the language in the claim to recite the components needed to determine the pressure reduction. For purposes of examination, the limitation will be considered as a controller is making the detecting for the pressure reduction.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-11 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.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: The closest pieces of prior art are Matsubara (US 20220178360 A1) in view of Brun (US 10900476 B2) in further view of Bassani (US 12504009 B2) and Siegel (US 6554578 B1).
Regarding Claim 1:
Matsubara discloses a hydrogen gas transport apparatus (Paragraph [0022], the BOG compression system is the hydrogen gas transport apparatus), comprising:
a transport pipe for hydrogen gas (Paragraph [0050], hydrogen gas is introduced in a gas passage within the hole (34h and 49h));
a compressor (1A, Figure 2) that is located at the transport pipe and sends out the hydrogen gas (Paragraphs [0050] and [0054]), the compressor including:
a drive source (12, Figure 1);
a compression chamber (P1 and P2, Figure 2, the compression spaces are the compression chamber) that includes a compression element (6, Figure 2, the piston is the compression element) for the hydrogen gas and is connected to the transport pipe (Paragraphs [0050-0051]);
a drive shaft (9, Figure 2) that connects the drive source (12, Figure 1) and the compression element (6, Figure 2) to each other; and
a housing (17 and 18, Figure 2, the intermediate tube part and housing are the housing) that accommodates the drive shaft (9, Figure 2),
the housing (17 and 18, Figure 2) having a first purging chamber (52R, Figure 2) that is adjacent to the compression chamber (P1 and P2, Figure 2) and receives supply of the hydrogen gas as purge gas (Paragraph [0060]), a second purging chamber (53F, Figure 2) that is adjacent to the first purging chamber (52R, Figure 2) and receives supply of inert gas as purge gas (Paragraph [0063], the inert gas is nitrogen that is supplied to the second purging chamber), a first partition (See Annotated Figure 2 below) that separates the compression chamber (P1 and P2, Figure 2) and the first purging chamber (52R, Figure 2) from each other, and a second partition (See Annotated Figure 2 below) that separates the first purging chamber (52R, Figure 2) and the second purging chamber (53F, Figure 2) from each other,
the drive shaft (9, Figure 2) penetrating through the first partition and the second partition (See Annotated Figure 2 below) and being provided with a first shaft seal (23C, Figure 2, the packing unit is the first shaft seal) at a penetration portion of the drive shaft through the first partition and a second shaft seal (55C, Figure 2) at a penetration portion of the drive shaft through the second partition; and
a third purging pipe (Paragraph [0062], nitrogen is provided to the second purging chamber through the neighboring chamber) that supplies the inert gas to the second purging chamber (53F, Figure 2).
Brun teaches a reciprocating compressor, comprising:
a third purging pipe (Column 4, Lines 44-47, the third purging pipe is connected to the purge gas buffer inlet) that supplies the inert gas to the second purging chamber (222, Figure 2a).
Bassani teaches a reciprocating compressor, comprising:
a first purging pipe (26, Figure 1) that branches from the transport pipe (20, Figure 1) and supplies the hydrogen gas to the first purging chamber (35, Figure 1).
Siegel teaches a pump, comprising:
a detector (8, Figure 1, the evaluation unit is the detector) that detects a pressure reduction in the transport pipe (Column 5, Lines 18-20 and 30-47, the detector can detect a pressure reduction in the intake line (transport pipe)).
The prior art fails to disclose or make obvious:
a second purging pipe that supplies the hydrogen gas from a predetermined hydrogen gas supply source to the first purging chamber when the detector detects the pressure reduction.
The limitations in view of all other limitations of claim 1 are not obvious or taught by the prior art of record. The second purging pipe supplying the hydrogen gas to the hydrogen gas transport apparatus based on the detector detecting the pressure reduction would require additional references that would lead to hindsight.
Matsubara, Figure 2
(Annotated by Examiner)
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Regarding Claim 7:
Matsubara discloses a reciprocating compressor, comprising:
a transport pipe for hydrogen gas (Paragraph [0050], hydrogen gas is introduced in a gas passage within the hole (34h and 49h));
a compressor (1A, Figure 2) that is located at the transport pipe and sends out the hydrogen gas (Paragraphs [0050] and [0054]);
a drive source (12, Figure 1);
a compression chamber (P1 and P2, Figure 2, the compression spaces are the compression chamber) that includes a compression element (6, Figure 2, the piston is the compression element) for the hydrogen gas and is connected to the transport pipe (Paragraphs [0050-0051]);
a drive shaft (9, Figure 2) that connects the drive source (12, Figure 1) and the compression element (6, Figure 2) to each other; and
a housing (17 and 18, Figure 2, the intermediate tube part and housing are the housing) that accommodates the drive shaft (9, Figure 2),
the housing (17 and 18, Figure 2) having a first purging chamber (52R, Figure 2) that is adjacent to the compression chamber (P1 and P2, Figure 2) and receives supply of the hydrogen gas as purge gas (Paragraph [0060]), a second purging chamber (53F, Figure 2) that is adjacent to the first purging chamber (52R, Figure 2) and receives supply of inert gas as purge gas (Paragraph [0063], the inert gas is nitrogen that is supplied to the second purging chamber), a first partition (See Annotated Figure 2 above) that separates the compression chamber (P1 and P2, Figure 2) and the first purging chamber (52R, Figure 2) from each other, and a second partition (See Annotated Figure 2 above) that separates the first purging chamber (52R, Figure 2) and the second purging chamber (53F, Figure 2) from each other,
the drive shaft (9, Figure 2) penetrating through the first partition and the second partition (See Annotated Figure 2 above) and being provided with a first shaft seal (23C, Figure 2, the packing unit is the first shaft seal) at a penetration portion of the drive shaft through the first partition and a second shaft seal (55C, Figure 2) at a penetration portion of the drive shaft through the second partition, the method comprising:
supplying inert gas to the second purging chamber (53F, Figure 2) through a third purging pipe (Paragraph [0062], nitrogen is provided to the second purging chamber through the neighboring chamber).
Brun teaches a reciprocating compressor, comprising:
A purging method for a compressor (200, Figure 2a) that is provided at a transport pipe (Column 4, Lines 60-62, a transport pipe is used to supply gas to the compressor) for gas and sends out the gas, the method comprising:
supplying inert gas to the second purging chamber (222, Figure 2a) through a third purging pipe (Column 4, Lines 44-47, the third purging pipe is connected to the purge gas buffer inlet).
Bassani teaches a reciprocating compressor, comprising:
supplying the hydrogen gas to the first purging chamber (35, Figure 1) from a first purging pipe (26, Figure 1) branching from the transport pipe (20, Figure 1) when no pressure reduction is detected in the transport pipe.
Siegel teaches a pump, comprising:
a detector (8, Figure 1, the evaluation unit is the detector) that detects a pressure reduction in the transport pipe (Column 5, Lines 18-20 and 30-47, the detector can detect a pressure reduction in the intake line (transport pipe)).
The prior art fails to disclose or make obvious:
supplying the hydrogen gas to the first purging chamber from a first purging pipe branching from the transport pipe when no pressure reduction is detected in the transport pipe; and
supplying the hydrogen gas to the first purging chamber from a second purging pipe communicating with a predetermined hydrogen gas supply source when a pressure reduction is detected in the transport pipe
The limitations in view of all other limitations of claim 7 are not obvious or taught by the prior art of record. The second purging pipe supplying the hydrogen gas to the hydrogen gas transport apparatus based on the detected pressure reduction would require additional references that would lead to hindsight.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Chalk (US 12031684 B2) teaches a hydrogen fueling station comprising a compressor, a drive shaft, a housing, and a drive source.
Mori (US 10428813 B2) teaches a state monitoring system comprising a compressor, a drive shaft, a housing, and a drive source.
Nagura (US 10364810 B2) teaches a reciprocating compressor comprising a compressor, a drive shaft, a housing, purging a chamber, and a drive source.
Ota (US 6637223 B2) teaches a variable displacement compressor comprising a compressor, a drive shaft, a housing, a controller, and a drive source.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STEPHANIE A SHRIEVES whose telephone number is (571)272-5373. The examiner can normally be reached Monday to Friday: 9:30AM to 5:30PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Kenneth Rinehart can be reached at (571) 272-4881. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/STEPHANIE A SHRIEVES/Examiner, Art Unit 3753
/KENNETH RINEHART/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3753
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