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
Claims 2, 9, 14, 17, 18 and 20 are objected to because of the following informalities:
---Claim 2 recites the following:
2. The fuel system of claim 1, wherein the second valve comprises:
a housing comprising a first end and a second end; and
a spool within the housing and between the first and second end, wherein the spool of the second valve comprises:
a reference surface facing the first end of the housing of the second valve; and
a control surface facing a second end of the housing of the second valve.
Notice the double recitation of “a second end” (of the housing of the second valve).
The Office suggests that claim 2 is amended as follows:
2. The fuel system of claim 1, wherein the second valve comprises:
a housing comprising a first end and a second end; and
a spool within the housing and between the first and second end, wherein the spool of the second valve comprises:
a reference surface facing the first end of the housing of the second valve; and
a control surface facing [[a]] the second end of the housing of the second valve.
---Claim 9 recites the following:
9. The fuel system of claim 4, further comprising:
a third valve in the third line, wherein the third valve comprises:
a third housing extending between a first end and a second end of the third valve, the third housing comprising:
a first port; and
a second port;
a third spool in the third housing, wherein the third spool comprises:
a first side opposite a second side; and
a window between the first side and the second side of the third spool, wherein the window of the third spool is fluidically connected to the first port and the second port;
a first control chamber between first side of the third spool and the first end of the third valve, wherein the first control chamber is fluidically connected to the inlet of the first valve to sense a pressure of the inlet of the first valve;
a second control chamber between a second side of the third spool and the second end of the third valve, wherein the second control chamber is fluidically connected to the outlet of the first valve to sense a pressure of the outlet of the first valve; and
a spring in the second control chamber.
Notice the missing article “the” between “between” and “first side”.
The Office suggests that claim 9 is amended as follows:
9. The fuel system of claim 4, further comprising:
a third valve in the third line, wherein the third valve comprises:
a third housing extending between a first end and a second end of the third valve, the third housing comprising:
a first port; and
a second port;
a third spool in the third housing, wherein the third spool comprises:
a first side opposite a second side; and
a window between the first side and the second side of the third spool, wherein the window of the third spool is fluidically connected to the first port and the second port;
a first control chamber between the first side of the third spool and the first end of the third valve, wherein the first control chamber is fluidically connected to the inlet of the first valve to sense a pressure of the inlet of the first valve;
a second control chamber between a second side of the third spool and the second end of the third valve, wherein the second control chamber is fluidically connected to the outlet of the first valve to sense a pressure of the outlet of the first valve; and
a spring in the second control chamber.
---Claim 14 recites the following:
14. The fluid system of claim 13, wherein the second valve comprises:
a housing comprising a first end and a second end; and
a spool within the housing and between the first and second end, wherein the spool of the second valve comprises:
a reference surface facing the first end of the housing of the second valve; and
a control surface facing a second end of the housing of the second valve.
Claim 14 includes similar issues as addressed in claim 2 above.
The Office suggests that claim 14 is amended as follows:
14. The fluid system of claim 13, wherein the second valve comprises:
a housing comprising a first end and a second end; and
a spool within the housing and between the first and second end, wherein the spool of the second valve comprises:
a reference surface facing the first end of the housing of the second valve; and
a control surface facing [[a]] the second end of the housing of the second valve.
---Claim 17 recites the following:
17. The fluid system of claim 16, further comprising:
a third valve in the third line, wherein the third valve comprises:
a third housing extending between a first end and a second end of the third valve, the third housing comprising:
a first port fluidically connected to the reference pressure source and the first damping port; and
a second port fluidically connected to the damping window by the second damping port;
a third spool in the third housing, wherein the third spool comprises:
a first side opposite a second side; and
a window between the first side and the second side of the third spool, wherein the window of the third spool is fluidically connected to the first port and the second port;
a first control chamber between first side of the third spool and the first end of the third valve, wherein the first control chamber is fluidically connected to the inlet of the first valve to sense a pressure of the inlet of the first valve;
a second control chamber between a second side of the third spool and the second end of the third valve, wherein the second control chamber is fluidically connected to the outlet of the first valve to sense a pressure of the outlet of the first valve; and
a spring in the second control chamber.
Claim 17 include similar issues as those addressed in claim 9 above.
The Office suggests that claim 17 is amended as follows:
17. The fluid system of claim 16, further comprising:
a third valve in the third line, wherein the third valve comprises:
a third housing extending between a first end and a second end of the third valve, the third housing comprising:
a first port fluidically connected to the reference pressure source and the first damping port; and
a second port fluidically connected to the damping window by the second damping port;
a third spool in the third housing, wherein the third spool comprises:
a first side opposite a second side; and
a window between the first side and the second side of the third spool, wherein the window of the third spool is fluidically connected to the first port and the second port;
a first control chamber between the first side of the third spool and the first end of the third valve, wherein the first control chamber is fluidically connected to the inlet of the first valve to sense a pressure of the inlet of the first valve;
a second control chamber between a second side of the third spool and the second end of the third valve, wherein the second control chamber is fluidically connected to the outlet of the first valve to sense a pressure of the outlet of the first valve; and
a spring in the second control chamber.
---Claim 18 recites the following:
18. The fuel system of claim 17, further comprising:
a first orifice in the third and fluidically between third valve and the second line; and
a second orifice in the second line and fluidically between the second damping port of the first valve and a connection between the second line and the third line.
Notice that the word “line” is missing from “in the third”.
The Office suggests that claim 18 is amended as follows:
18. The fuel system of claim 17, further comprising:
a first orifice in the third line and fluidically between third valve and the second line; and
a second orifice in the second line and fluidically between the second damping port of the first valve and a connection between the second line and the third line.
---Claim 20 recites the following:
20. The fuel system of claim 19, further comprising:
a first orifice in the third; and
a second orifice in the second line and fluidically between the second damping port of the first valve and a connection between the second line and the third line.
Claim 20 includes similar issues as addressed in claim 18 above.
The Office suggests that claim 20 is amended as follows:
20. The fuel system of claim 19, further comprising:
a first orifice in the third line; and
a second orifice in the second line and fluidically between the second damping port of the first valve and a connection between the second line and the third line.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-3 and 12-15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1/a2 as being anticipated by Gibbons US-6401446.
Regarding claims 1-3 and 12-15, Gibbons US-6401446 teaches in Figs. 1-5 (see at least Figs. 1-2) the limitations of:
---Claim 1. A fuel system (fuel delivery system 10) comprising:
a reference pressure source (16);
a first valve (20) comprising:
a housing (14, in particular the portion that houses valve 20) comprising:
an inlet (136);
an outlet (61) fluidically connected to the inlet;
a first damping port (see the port that fluidly connects to P1) fluidically connected to the reference pressure source; and
a second damping port (see the port that fluidly connects to P2) fluidically connected to the reference pressure source;
a spool (14) moveable within the housing to fluidically open and close the inlet relative to the outlet, wherein the spool comprises:
a damping window (see the space between the upper and lower piston portions of the spool 44 which allow fluid to flow depending on the position of the spool) formed on the spool, wherein the damping window fluidically connects the first damping port to the second damping port (see at least Fig. 1); and
a second valve (22) fluidically connected to at least one of the first damping port and the second damping port (see at least Fig. 1).
---Claim 2. The fuel system of claim 1, wherein the second valve comprises:
a housing (14, in particular the portion that houses valve 22) comprising a first end (the left end) and a second end (the right end); and
a spool (86) within the housing and between the first and second end, wherein the spool of the second valve comprises:
a reference surface (94) facing the first end of the housing of the second valve; and
a control surface (the end opposite of 94) facing a second end of the housing of the second valve.
---Claim 3. The fuel system of claim 2, further comprising:
a first line (P1) fluidically connecting the first damping port to the reference pressure source; and
a second line (P2) fluidically connecting the second damping port to the reference side of the spool of the second valve.
---Claim 12. A fluid system (fuel delivery system 10) comprising:
a reference pressure source (16);
a first valve (20) comprising:
a housing (14, in particular the portion that houses valve 20) comprising:
a first damping port (see the port that fluidly connects to P1) fluidically connected to the reference pressure source; and
a second damping port (see the port that fluidly connects to P2) fluidically connected to the reference pressure source;
a spool (14) moveable within the housing, wherein the spool comprises:
a damping window (see the space between the upper and lower piston portions of the spool 44 which allow fluid to flow depending on the position of the spool) formed on the spool, wherein the damping window fluidically connects the first damping port to the second damping port; and
a second valve (22) fluidically connected to at least one of the first damping port and the second damping port (see at least Fig. 1).
---Claim 13. The fluid system of claim 12, wherein the first valve further comprises:
an inlet (136); and
an outlet (61) fluidically connected to the inlet, wherein the spool is moveable within the housing to fluidically open and close the inlet relative to the outlet (see at least Figs. 1-5).
---Claim 14. The fluid system of claim 13, wherein the second valve comprises:
a housing (14, in particular the portion that houses valve 22) comprising a first end (the left end) and a second end (the right end); and
a spool (86) within the housing and between the first and second end, wherein the spool of the second valve comprises:
a reference surface (94) facing the first end of the housing of the second valve; and
a control surface (the end opposite of 94) facing a second end of the housing of the second valve.
---Claim 15. The fluid system of claim 14, further comprising:
a first line (P1) fluidically connecting the first damping port to the reference pressure source; and
a second line (P2) fluidically connecting the second damping port to the reference side of the spool of the second valve.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 4-11 and 16-20 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
The closest prior art are:
---References A (Dampening/Metered Fluid Systems):
Haugsjaahabink US-10590859, Franzen US-10007276, Lemmers US-9863544, Snodgrass US-9435311, Futa US-8316630, McCarty US-6807801, Gibbons US-6401446, Sledd US-6289919, Spencer US-5078173, Peck US-4578945, Rogers US-3106934, Kuzmitz US-2941358 and
Yu CN-112855633.
References A teaches of various prior art fluidic system wherein flow to a valve is dampened/metered using another valve similar to applicant’s general invention. As it was noted in rejections above, Gibbons US-6401446 teaches of a similar fuel delivery system wherein flow to the second valve 22 is dampened/metered by at least one first spool valve 44 that shifts depending on fluid pressure in a similar manner as applicant’s main invention. However, while having similar features to the claimed invention, the closest prior art fails to disclose or render obvious the specific structure and function of the third line L3 and how it interconnects with the first line L1 and second line L2; the specific structure of the first valve 12 having control chamber 21 and spring 22 and how the rest of the components are arranged in combination with all the limitations as claimed in claims 4-11 and 16-20 and as shown in at least Figs. 2-3 of the application.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID COLON-MORALES, whose telephone number is 571-270-1741 and fax number is 571-270-2741. If the applicant has authorized internet communications via the filling of form PTO/SB/439, the examiner can be reached via email at david.colon-morales@uspto.gov , email communication is not permitted if the applicant has not filed an authorization for internet communication (see MPEP 502.03 for more details on internet communications). The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday (7:30AM-3:30PM EST).
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/DAVID COLON-MORALES/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3753
