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 Objections
Claims 10-12 are objected to because of the following informalities.
Claim 10 recites “the axial inner cage ring” and depends from claim 1 which recites “at least one axial inner cage ring”; for claim terminology consistency purposes, the examiner recommends reciting “the at least one axial inner cage ring” in claim 10.
Claim 11 recites “the axial inner cage ring” and depends from claim 1 which recites “at least one axial inner cage ring”; for claim terminology consistency purposes, the examiner recommends reciting “the at least one axial inner cage ring” in claim 11.
Claim 12 recites “the axial inner cage ring” and depends from claim 1 which recites “at least one axial inner cage ring”; for claim terminology consistency purposes, the examiner recommends reciting “the at least one axial inner cage ring” in claim 12.
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 1-13 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 “a plurality of cage bars”, “a plurality of cage bars” and “the plurality of cage bars”; it is not clear if the plurality of cage bars recitation refers to the first or second recitation of a plurality of cage bars. The examiner recommends amending the first and/or second recitations of a plurality of cage bars to add a differentiator among them and maintain consistency of any reference to said first and/or second recitations in further limitations. For example, reciting “a plurality of cage bars”, “a second plurality of cage bars” and “the second plurality of cage bars”. Optionally, the first recitation of a plurality of cage bars could be amended to recite “a first plurality of cage bars” as well.
Claim 1 further recites “closed pockets”, “a plurality of closed pockets” and “each pocket”; it is not clear if the each pocket recitation refers to the closed pockets or a plurality of closed pockets recitation. The examiner recommends amending the closed pockets or a plurality of closed pockets recitation to add a differentiator among them and maintain consistency of any reference to said closed pockets or a plurality of closed pockets recitation in further limitations. For example, reciting “closed pockets”, “a plurality of second closed pockets” and “each of the plurality of second cage bars”. Optionally, the closed pockets recitation could be amended to recite “a plurality of first closed pockets” as well.
Claim 1 further recites “each cage bar”; it is not clear if the each cage bar recitation include both recitations of a plurality of cage bars or only one of said plurality of cage bars.
Claims 2-13 depends and/or include all the limitations of claim 1 and fail to remedy its deficiencies.
Claim 3 recites “a crowning radius” and depends from claim 2 which recites “a crowning radius”; it is not clear if a crowning radius in claim 3 refers to a crowning radius in claim 2 or to a different crowning radius, rendering the claim indefinite.
Claim 4 depends from claim 3 and fails to remedy its deficiencies.
Claim 6 recites “at least one pocket … a first cage bar … a second cage bar … one spherical roller” and depends from claim 1 which recites “a plurality of closed pockets (twice) … a plurality of cage bars (twice) … first and second sets of spherical rollers”; it is not clear if at least one pocket … a first cage bar … a second cage bar … one spherical roller in claim 6 refer to respective limitations recited in claim 1 or are different and additional respective limitations.
Claim 8 recites “a pitch diameter” and depends from claim 1 which recites “a pitch diameter”; it is not clear if a pitch diameter in claim 8 refers to a pitch diameter in claim 1 or to a different one.
Claim 9 depends from claim 8 and fails to remedy its deficiencies.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1 and 13 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.
Claims 2-12 would be allowable if rewritten 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 and to include 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 following claim limitations were not found in the prior art.
A spherical roller bearing for supporting a wind turbine main shaft, the spherical bearing comprising: an outer ring having two raceways; an inner ring having two raceways and a diameter of at least 499mm; first and second sets of spherical rollers which roll along the raceways formed on the outer ring and on the inner ring; and at least one cage configured to retain the spherical rollers, the at least one cage including at least one axial inner cage ring extending in a circumferential direction of the spherical roller bearing, a first axial outer cage ring spaced from the at least one axial inner cage ring on a first axial side and connected to the at least one axial inner cage ring by a plurality of cage bars, the plurality of cage bars forming closed pockets, each pocket being configured to receive one spherical roller of the first set of spherical rollers, and a second axial outer cage ring spaced from the at least one axial inner cage ring on a second axial side opposite to the first axial side and connected to the at least one axial inner cage ring by a plurality of cage bars, the plurality of cage bars forming a plurality of closed pockets, each pocket being configured to receive one spherical roller of the second set of spherical rollers; wherein each cage bar has a radial curvature in the radial direction, the radial curvature extending along the axial direction of the cage bar and being concave with respect to a pitch diameter; and wherein the at least one cage and/or the spherical rollers are free of any structure for holding the spherical rollers in the at least one cage (emphasis added).
A relevant prior art reference (Umemoto et al – US 20110116734 A1) discloses a spherical roller bearing (Fig.1-5) comprising: an outer ring having two raceways (12); an inner ring having two raceways (11); first and second sets of spherical rollers (5) which roll along the raceways; and at least one cage (10), the at least one cage including at least one axial inner cage ring (6) extending in a circumferential direction of the spherical roller bearing, a first axial outer cage ring (2) spaced from the at least one axial inner cage ring on a first axial side and connected to the at least one axial inner cage ring by a plurality of cage bars (3), the plurality of cage bars forming closed pockets (4), each pocket being configured to receive one spherical roller of the first set of spherical rollers, and a second axial outer cage ring (2) spaced from the at least one axial inner cage ring on a second axial side opposite to the first axial side and connected to the at least one axial inner cage ring by a plurality of cage bars (3), the plurality of cage bars forming a plurality of closed pockets (4), each pocket being configured to receive one spherical roller of the second set of spherical rollers; wherein each cage bar has a radial curvature in the radial direction (Fig.2(a)), the radial curvature extending along the axial direction of the cage bar and being concave with respect to a pitch diameter (Fig.2(a)); however, does not teach the at least one cage and/or the spherical rollers are free of any structure for holding the spherical rollers in the at least one cage. Note structures (6c) on the at least one cage hold the spherical rollers in the at least one cage. Additional embodiments disclosed in Fig.6-32 include structures for holding the spherical rollers in the at least one cage, see 6c, 31b, 105b, 205, 315, 426, 445, 463, 473/474, and 426.
Another relevant prior art reference (Umemoto et al – JP 2010025230 A) discloses a spherical roller bearing (Fig.1-8) comprising: an outer ring having two raceways (12); an inner ring having two raceways (11); first and second sets of spherical rollers (5) which roll along the raceways; and at least one cage (10), the at least one cage including at least one axial inner cage ring (6) extending in a circumferential direction of the spherical roller bearing, a first axial outer cage ring (2) spaced from the at least one axial inner cage ring on a first axial side and connected to the at least one axial inner cage ring by a plurality of cage bars (3), the plurality of cage bars forming closed pockets (4), each pocket being configured to receive one spherical roller of the first set of spherical rollers, and a second axial outer cage ring (2) spaced from the at least one axial inner cage ring on a second axial side opposite to the first axial side and connected to the at least one axial inner cage ring by a plurality of cage bars (3), the plurality of cage bars forming a plurality of closed pockets (4), each pocket being configured to receive one spherical roller of the second set of spherical rollers; wherein each cage bar has a radial curvature in the radial direction (Fig.2(a)), the radial curvature extending along the axial direction of the cage bar and being concave with respect to a pitch diameter (Fig.2(a)); however, does not teach the at least one cage and/or the spherical rollers are free of any structure for holding the spherical rollers in the at least one cage. Note structures (6c) on the at least one cage hold the spherical rollers in the at least one cage. Additional embodiments disclosed in Fig.9-12 include structures for holding the spherical rollers in the at least one cage, see 31b, and 105b.
Another relevant prior art reference (Maeda – JP 2010112534 A) discloses a spherical roller bearing (Fig.1-15) comprising: an outer ring having two raceways (1); an inner ring having two raceways (2); first and second sets of spherical rollers (3) which roll along the raceways; and at least one cage (4), the at least one cage including at least one axial inner cage ring (45) extending in a circumferential direction of the spherical roller bearing, a first axial outer cage ring (47) spaced from the at least one axial inner cage ring on a first axial side and connected to the at least one axial inner cage ring by a plurality of cage bars (43), the plurality of cage bars forming closed pockets (44), each pocket being configured to receive one spherical roller of the first set of spherical rollers, and a second axial outer cage ring (47) spaced from the at least one axial inner cage ring on a second axial side opposite to the first axial side and connected to the at least one axial inner cage ring by a plurality of cage bars (43), the plurality of cage bars forming a plurality of closed pockets (44), each pocket being configured to receive one spherical roller of the second set of spherical rollers; wherein each cage bar has a radial curvature in the radial direction (Fig.2), the radial curvature extending along the axial direction of the cage bar and being concave with respect to a pitch diameter (Fig.2); however, does not teach the at least one cage and/or the spherical rollers are free of any structure for holding the spherical rollers in the at least one cage. Note structures (46) on the at least one cage hold the spherical rollers in the at least one cage. Additional embodiments disclosed in Fig.16-19 include structures for holding the spherical rollers in the at least one cage, see 106, and 115.
Another relevant prior art reference (Betsumiya – JP 2006144903 A) discloses a spherical roller bearing (Fig.1-8) comprising: an outer ring having two raceways (2); an inner ring having two raceways (3); first and second sets of spherical rollers (4) which roll along the raceways; and at least one cage (5a), the at least one cage including at least one axial inner cage ring (11) extending in a circumferential direction of the spherical roller bearing, a first axial outer cage ring (12) spaced from the at least one axial inner cage ring on a first axial side and connected to the at least one axial inner cage ring by a plurality of cage bars (43), the plurality of cage bars forming closed pockets (unlabeled), each pocket being configured to receive one spherical roller of the first set of spherical rollers, and a second axial outer cage ring (47) spaced from the at least one axial inner cage ring on a second axial side opposite to the first axial side and connected to the at least one axial inner cage ring by a plurality of cage bars (43), the plurality of cage bars forming a plurality of closed pockets (unlabeled), each pocket being configured to receive one spherical roller of the second set of spherical rollers; wherein each cage bar has a radial curvature in the radial direction (Fig.1/2), the radial curvature extending along the axial direction of the cage bar and being concave with respect to a pitch diameter (Fig.1/2); however, does not teach the at least one cage and/or the spherical rollers are free of any structure for holding the spherical rollers in the at least one cage. Note structures (13) on the at least one cage hold the spherical rollers in the at least one cage.
No other prior art reference was found that would anticipate or allow establishing a prima facie case of obviousness in view of the cited prior art above.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JUAN G FLORES whose telephone number is (571)272-3486. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:30pm Pacific Time.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Nathan E Wiehe can be reached at (571) 272-8648. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JUAN G FLORES/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3745
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