DETAILED ACTION
1Notice 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 § 102
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.
Claims 1-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lowe (US 6270036 B1). Lowe discloses:
[Claim 1] A lifting apparatus for an aircraft, comprising:
an inlet duct (28) installed in the aircraft (10) to guide an inflow and a flow of air from the atmosphere;
a jet stream generating apparatus (30) for generating a high-speed jet stream using the air introduced through the inlet duct (28);
a duct (where 58 points in Fig. 6 and also 82) arranged such that an outlet direction of the jet stream is directed (at both 58 and 80) toward a lower side of the aircraft (10); and
a first vane (22) installed at an outlet of the duct to adjust a jetting direction of the jet stream.
[Claim 2] The lifting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inlet duct (30) allows atmospheric air to be introduced in a vertically downward direction, a vertically upward direction, a laterally horizontal direction, or a laterally vertical direction, regardless of an angle a0 formed by an inlet and an outlet (28 allows air to enter at an angle that is independent from the angle of 22).
[Claim 3] The lifting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gap (52) is formed at a portion where an inlet (at 54) of the duct and the jet stream generating apparatus (30) are connected, and external air not passing through the jet stream generating apparatus (30) is introduced (at least “when the deflectors are open”; Col 7 Line 7) into the duct through the gap (52).
[Claim 4] The lifting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the duct (82) has a horseshoe-shaped (see fig. 4) cross-section, prevents a jet stream discharged from the jet stream generating apparatus from diffusing to an outside, prevents the jet stream from being disturbed by wind and gusts from outside the aircraft, and allows external air to flow in freely according to a Coanda effect (at least at 78 and 80).
[Claim 5] The lifting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the duct or the inlet duct has concave dimple shapes (at 23 and again at 26) formed on an inner surface thereof, wherein the dimple shapes reduce friction loss of air or a jet stream with the duct or the inlet duct.
[Claim 6] The lifting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an attitude of the aircraft is controlled by controlling (via 62+64) an output of the jet stream generating apparatus (30) or an angle of the first vane (22).
[Claim 7] The lifting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second vane (68+70) installed at an outlet side (at 50) of the jet stream generating apparatus (30) to adjust a direction of the jet stream.
[Claim 8] The lifting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the duct comprises a first section and a second section,
wherein the first section (82) has a gently curved shape (see shape of airflow 80 in Fig. 5) with a closed circular cross- section, and
the second section (at 54 where engine exhaust of 30 exits; See Fig. 5) has a gently curved shape with a cross-section that is open in a downward direction and widens toward an outlet.
[Claim 9] The lifting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the duct (82) has a cross-sectional area that gradually increases (opens all the way at 15) from an inlet to an outlet and is bent with a gentle curvature to form a spiral (as the airfoil and fan 36 spin).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
There are a large number of aircraft which route airflow internally to create a lifting force. Sakamoto (US 4941628 A) is another good example that has an inlet duct 17, a motor 10, and downstream duct 11.
The examiner has attempted to cite a wide range of types of references which can read on applicant’s broad claim 1.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BRIAN M O'HARA whose telephone number is (571)270-5224. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 9AM - 5PM eastern.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Joshua Huson can be reached at 571-270-5301. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/BRIAN M O'HARA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3642
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