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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMIVIISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`
`
`
`
`14/769,982
`
`08/24/2015
`
`Tomohiro TERADA
`
`WASHB-54961
`
`9671
`
`pEARNE&G0RD0N LLP m
`1801 EAST 9TH STREET
`SANKS’ SCHYLER S
`SUITE 1200
`
`3744
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`01/25/2018
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above—indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e—mail address(es):
`
`patdocket @ pearne.c0m
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Applicant(s)
`Application No.
` 14/769,982 TERADA ET AL.
`
`Examiner
`Art Unit
`AIA (First Inventorto File)
`Office Action Summary
`
`3744SCHYLER s. SANKS $233
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE g MONTHS FROM THE MAILING DATE OF
`THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a).
`after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, even if timely filed, may reduce any
`earned patent term adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed
`
`-
`-
`
`Status
`
`1)IXI Responsive to communication(s) filed on 12/11/2017.
`[I A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2b)|:| This action is non-final.
`2a)IZ| This action is FINAL.
`3)I:I An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
`
`
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`4)|:I Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under EX parte Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`5)|XI Claim(s) 1, 3-5, 9-10 is/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`6 III Claim s) _ is/are allowed.
`
`1 3-5 9 and 10 is/are rejected.
`
`is/are objected to.
`
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
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`htt
`://w1rvw.usoto. ov/ atents/init events) .h/index.‘
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`, or send an inquiry to PF"I-Ifeedback{<‘buspto.qov.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)I:I The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)|:I The drawing(s) filed on _ is/are: a)I:I accepted or b)I:I objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12)I:I Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`b)I:I Some” c)I:I None of the:
`a)I:I All
`1.I:I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.I:I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.I:I Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
`
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`** See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`
`
`3) D Interview Summary (PT0_413)
`1) D Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date.
`.
`.
`—
`4) I:I Other'
`2) D Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date .
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20180111
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
`
`Page 2
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`Notice of Pre-AIA 0r AIA Status
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`1.
`
`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
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`2.
`
`Claim 4 is objected to because of the following informalities: Currently, Claim 4
`
`contains no transitional phrase. Examples of transitional phrases are “comprising”, “consisting
`
`essentially of” and “consisting of ’. Applicant is respectfully requested to ensure that claim 4
`
`contains a proper transtitional phrase. For Example, “A vehicle air conditioning apparatus
`
`comprising”. Appropriate correction is required.
`
`3.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`4.
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 USC.
`
`102 and 103 (or as subject to pre—AIA 35 USC. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the
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`statutory basis 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.
`
`5.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 USC. 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.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
`
`Page 3
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`6.
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`Claims 1, 3, 5, and 9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Meyer (US20050039878A1) in view of Zenbou (JP2000211349), further in view of Cho
`
`(US20130091877A1), further in view of Isaji (JPH8197937).
`
`7.
`
`Regarding claim 1, Meyer teaches a vehieie air centiitieithig apparatus (Figures 2—3.)
`
`comprising: a first refrigerant eyete that eerrespentis it} a hath fer cireutatthg a refrigerant
`
`anti that terms a first heat pump eyeie (Figures 3, cycle formed by 73, 74, 77, 70, 87, '95, 59,
`
`{37, 91, 30, 84, 72, which terms a heat pump eycie with cmttpresser 72, and heat exchangers 70
`
`and 163’); a seeehti refrigerant eyeie that cerrespehtis ta a path fer cireeiatihg the
`
`refrigerant, that terms a seeehrt heat pump eycie which is different from the first heat
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`pump eycie anti that shares part hi the path with the first refrigerant cycle (Figure 2, cycle
`
`formed hy 7'3, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, .93, 83, 4E), 38, vii-2, 80, 84, 72, which shares part of the path at
`
`the first refrigerant cycie. and constitutes a heat pump cycle with compressor 72 and heat
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`exchangers 76 and 38): a first water-refrigerant heat exchanger that exchanges heat between
`
`the refrigerant and a first coolant of a heat-generating member of a vehicle in order to
`
`vaporize the refrigerant, the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger being included in the
`
`first refrigerant cycle (Figures 2—3, 67, exchanges with coolant from engine 64, see paragraph
`
`[0035], lines 20-22); a second water-refrigerant heat exchanger that exchanges heat between
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`the refrigerant and a second coolant in order to condense said refrigerant (Figures 2-3, 70,
`
`coolant which flows in cycle 61); a flow rate adjusting section that adjusts a flow rate of the
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`first coolant flowing through the heat-generating member and the first water-refrigerant
`
`heat exchanger (Figures 2—3, 69, paragraph [0033], lines 17—19, valve 96 modulates flow, ie.
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`can restrict or open flow threugh coolant cycie 62, which runs threugh engine 64 and first water—
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 4
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`refrigerant heat exchanger 67); and a controlling section that controls the flow rate adjusting
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`section (paragraph [0033], lines 17—19, there is a controlling section which can control the flow
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`rate of the cmiant via the flow rate adjusting section because the valve opening can be
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`modulated), a compressor that is shared and used by the first refrigerant cycle and the
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`second refrigerant cycle to compress and discharge the refrigerant (Figures 2-3, 72); an
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`outdoor condenser that radiates heat from the refrigerant to external air to condense the
`
`refrigerant (Figures 2-3. 76); and an evaporator that absorbs heat from intake air in order
`
`to vaporize the refrigerant (Figures 2—3, 38), wherein the first refrigerant cycle comprises
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`the second water-refrigerant heat exchanger, the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger,
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`and the compressor, and the refrigerant flows in this order during operation of the first
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`heat pump cycle (Figure 3, arrows show flow from 72 to 70 to 67 back to 72), the second
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`refrigerant cycle comprises the compressor, the outdoor condenser, and the evaporator, and
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`the refrigerant flows in this order during operation of the second heat pump cycle (Figure 2,
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`arrows show flow, refrigerant flows from 72 to 76 to 38 and back to 72).
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`8.
`
`Meyer does not teach a detecting section that detects a decrease in an amount of the
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`refrigerant in the first refrigerant cycle due to inflow of the refrigerant into the second refrigerant
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`cycle.
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`9.
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`Zenbon teaches at detecting section that detects a decrease in an amount of
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`refrigerant in a refrigerant cycie ( Figure 1, 20, paragraph {00981}.
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`10.
`
`Meyer teaches that during the operati on of the first heat pump cycle (Figure 3:),
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`refrigerant may he pulled from condenser (76) into refrigerant loop (.60) of the heat pump cycle
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`due to a low suction pressure of the cycle (see paragraph [0838]}, In oti‘rer words, Meyer
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 5
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`discloses that additional refrigerant may be introduced into the first heat pump cycle from the
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`second refrigerant cycle.
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`ll.
`
`lt wouid have heen ohviuus to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing to
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`modify the apparatus of Meyer to include a detecting section that detects a decrease in an amount
`
`of refrigerant in the first cycle due to inflow of the refrigerant into the second cycle in order to
`
`provide a quick and simple means of detecting a FLOW—refrigerant condition.
`
`12.
`
`Zenhon teaches a detecting section which easily detects a reduction of refrigerant in a
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`short time ( paragraph [0062383. Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized
`
`that including such a detecting section in the apparatus of Meyer would result in easy and quick
`
`detection of refrigerant deficiencies in the cycies of Meyer: Such a modification would detect a
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`decrease in the arrioiint of refrigerant in. the first cycle due to inflow of the refrigerant. into the
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`second refrigerant cycle. thus the recited function wouid be nertomied by such a modification
`
`to Meyer. Meyer recognizes that refrigerant may lie dormant in condenser (76) of the second
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`cycle (paragraph [0938])? thus recognizes that refrigerant which has flowed into the second cycle
`
`rna y remain there.
`
`13.
`
`Meyer does not teach Where the controlling section controls the flow rate adjusting
`
`section to reduce the flow rate of the first coolant when a decrease in the amount of the
`
`refrigerant in the first refrigerant cycle is detected.
`
`14.
`
`Che teaches reducing the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting section (Figure 1a
`
`10(2)) in a water~refrigerant heat exchanger (figure 1, 20:), when the water-refrigerant heat
`
`exchanger is evaporating refrigerant tparagraph {@024}, lines l-ti, Where ('2th is an evaporator
`
`during a heating operation), in order to decrease the suction pressure (paragraph [00M], lines
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 6
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`iii, Where if evaporation (ie suction) pressure is too high, the vaive opening is decreased” ice.
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`the flow rate is decreased in order to iower the suction pressure).
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`15.
`
`it wouid have heen ohvious to one of ordinary shiii in the art at the time of filin g to
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`modify the eontroi section of Meyer to instruct the fin I‘ rate adjusting section to reduce the flow
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`rate of the cooiant when a decrease in the amount of refrigerant of the first cycie is detected in
`
`order to red uce the suction pressure of the first cycie of Meyen which wonici result in refrigerant
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`hein g puiied frorn ctn'idenser {76) of Meyer, thus crn'rectin g the ion; refrigerant issue.
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`16.
`
`Meyer discloses that if the suction pressure is iow. refrigerant which is contained within
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`the second cycie"s condenser (76) is reclaimed into the first cycie {paragraph {@0381}. 'i‘hereforei
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`one of ordinary skiil in the art woiiid have recognized that inducing a drop in suction pressure in
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`the first cycle of Meyer wonid resuit in refrigerant heing reciairned front the second cycie’s
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`condenser (7:6). Che teaches that by reducing flow rate of cooiant through a water~refrigerant
`
`heat exchangeri the suction pressure of the heat pump cycie may he towered Therefore, one of
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`ordinary shiii in the art would have recognized that by reducing the flow rate of coolant through
`
`the first water~refrigerant heat exchanger would resuit in a reduced suction pressure.
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`Furthermore, one of ordinary shit} in the art wouid have recognized that doing so in the event
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`that a decrease in the amount of refrigerant of the first cycie is detected wouid result in a
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`correction of the issue via refrigerant from condenser (76) being drawn into the first cycle,
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`Therefore, one of ordinary shiii in the art wouid have recognized that prrwiding a detecting
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`section which detects a decrease in the amount of refrigerant in the first cycie and modifying the
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`controliing section to adjust the fiew rate adiusting section to reduce the flow rate of the cooiant
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`upon such a detection would siniuitaneousiy properiy detect a decrease in refrigerant and then
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
`
`Page 7
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`correct the decrease with an influx of refrigerant from condenser {76). fine of ordinary siziii in
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`the art would have recognized that sueh a control scheme would work to prevent issues
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`associated with iow refrigerant levels, such as corn pressor dania ge {see .Zet'ihou, paragraph.
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`retrofit).
`
`17.
`
`Meyer does not teach Where the second refrigerant cycle comprises the second water—
`
`refrigerant heat exchanger, Where refrigerant flows from the compressor to the second—water
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`refrigerant heat exchanger to the condenser and then to the evaporator, in that order.
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`18.
`
`isaji teaches a refrigeration cycie (see Figure 1) which comprises a waterurefrigerant
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`heat exchanger (Figure 1., 21,) in series with an outdoor condenser (Figure i, 23) during a
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`roofing operation (see paragraphs [00751—[0077], where 21 and 23 of Figure 1 perform
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`crmdensing and evaporator 25 of Figure l is perforn‘is cooling}, where the water~rei°rigerant
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`heat exchanger occurs before the outdoor condenser in the heat pump cycie ( see Figure 1,
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`'21 and 23) and further discioses that such a water-refrigerant condensing mechanism improves
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`air conditioning performance. (_paragraph [0077}, lines 8'19")
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`19.
`
`it would have heen ohvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of i’iiing to place
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`the second water-refrigerant heat exchanger (70) of h’ieyer in the second refrigerant eycie such
`
`that it is in series with the outdoor condenser (76?; of Meyer during a cooling operation (which is
`
`shown in Figure '2 of Meyer), such that the seeond water—refrigerant heat exchanger oeeurs
`
`hefore the outdoor condenser in the heat pump cycle, in order to irnprtwe air conditioning
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`performance, as taught by isaji. Such a construction wouid resuit in Where the second refrigerant
`
`cycle comprises the second water—refrigerant heat exchanger, Where refrigerant flows from the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 8
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`compressor to the second—water refrigerant heat exchanger to the condenser and then to the
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`evaporator, in that order.
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`20.
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`Regart‘iing eiaim 3, Meyer as modified teaches ali of the. limitations of the yelricle air
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`conditioning apparatus according to ciairn i; wherein the. first eooiant is caused to eircniate
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`between the heatngenerating member and the first water~retrigerant heat exchanger
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`(Meyer, Figure 3, the first coolant circulates between engine 64 and. first water—refrigerant heat
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`exchanger (5-7),
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`21.
`
`Regarding claim 5, Meyer as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicle air
`
`conditioning apparatus according towciairn i~
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`22.
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`Meyer as modified. does not teach ‘sfix’herein the controliing section controls the flow rate
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`adinsting section to set the flow rate of the eoolant to zero, when the decrease in the amount of
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`refrigerant is detected in the first refrigerant cycle.
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`23.
`
`Meyer teaches that during the operation of the first heat pump cycle (Figure 3),
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`refrigerant may he pniled from condenser (76) into refrigerant loop. (69") of the heat pump cycle
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`tine to a low suction pressure of the cycle ( see paragraph {@0383}. in other words, Meyer
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`discloses that additional refrigerant may be introduced int-o the first heat porno cycle front the
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`second. refrigerant eycie.
`
`24.
`
`Clio teaches reducing the opening degree of the flow rate adjttsting seetion {Figure l,
`
`it’ll?) in a watervrei'frigerant heat. esehanger (Figure l, ’20), when the \t'a'tenret‘ri gerant heat
`
`exchanger is evarn‘irating refrigerant (paragraph {$024}, iines i—o, where (12(2)) is an evaporator
`
`during a heating operation), in order to decrease the suction pressure tparagraph {@041}, lines
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 9
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`1-6, where if evaporation (Le. suction) pressure is toe high, the valve opening is decreased. i.e.
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`the flow rate is decreased. in order to lower the suction pressure).
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`25.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing to
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`modify the controlling section of Meyer as modified to control the flow rate adjusting section to
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`set the flow rate of the coolant to zero in order to reduce the suction pressure as quickly as
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`possible, thus remedying the low refrigerant issue as quickly as possible.
`
`26.
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`Meyer discloses that a low suction pressure causes refrigerant to be taken from the
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`second cycle into the first cycle. Cho discloses that the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting
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`section effects suction pressure, where a decrease in opening degree of the flow rate adjusting
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`section decreases the suction pressure. Therefore, the opening degree, and thus the flow rate of
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`the coolant, is recognized as a result effective variable which effects the suction pressure.
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`Therefore, through routine experimentation in the opening degree of the flow adjusting section,
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`and thus with the decrease in flow rate of the coolant, one of ordinary skill in the art would have
`
`recognized that decreasing the flow rate to zero would offer the quickest lowering of the suction
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`pressure, because flow rate reduction causes suction pressure reduction, and thus a flow rate of
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`zero would be recognized as an event which causes a sharp drop in suction pressure, thus leading
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`to a quick remedy of a low refrigerant issue.
`
`27.
`
`Regarding eiaiin 9., Meyer as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehiele air
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`conditioning apparatus according Le eiairn 3, wherein the first refrigerant cycle and the second
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`refrigerant cycle are jefined and eenneeter} tegether at a refrigerant snetien pert 0f the
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`eompresser (Meyer, Figures 23 84).
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 10
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`28.
`
`Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Meyer
`
`(US20050039878A1) in View of Zenbou (JP2000211349), further in View of Ch0
`
`(US20130091877A1), further in View of Isaji (JPH8197937) as applied to claim 9, further in
`
`View of Kasahara (US20090019879A1).
`
`29.
`
`Regarding claim 1%, Meyer as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicle air
`
`trenditiening apparatus according tn clairn 9, wherein the first refrigerant cycle and the second
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`refrigerant cycle are joined and connected t<_>ge‘t,her without internaeing any valve that
`
`prevente the refrigerant train flowing {rain the first refrigerant cycle into the steward
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`refrigerant cycle (Meyer), Figures 23” there is no valve at connection point 28).
`
`30.
`
`To the extent that Applicant argues that Meyer as modified (lees net disclose where the
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`first and second refrigerant cyclee are joined and connected together withtnit interpesing any
`
`valve that prevents the refrigerant from flowing, {rent the first refrigerant cycle in t0 the second
`
`refrigerant cycle, Kasahara discloses a first cycle and a Second cycle (Figure 3, first cycle
`
`indicated by helded lines, the second cycle being inclusive of 3th, 32h, 33b, and 34b), William
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`in‘terpesing any valve that prevents the refrigerant irern llnwing from the first refrigerant
`
`cycle late the accentl refrigerant cycle (Figure 3, arrows Show flew direction, there is no valve
`
`at the junction where 32a and 3% split).
`
`31.
`
`it would have been ehviens tn one of Ordinary skill in the art at the tirne 0f filing to
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`modify the three way valve (74) of Meyer as rntx‘lified (seen in Figures 243 of Meyer) te be
`
`replaced lay valves; analog-ants tr; valves: (34a) and (34h) seen in Figure 3 of Kasahara because
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`such a construction leads to the prevention of wasteful heat release (see paragraph {@091} of
`
`Kasahara),
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
`
`Page 11
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`32.
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`Meyer discloses a valve {74) which directs refrigerant flow and Kasahara discloses two
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`rah/es (34a) and (34h) which, when replacing valve {74), amulet perferni the same function, ie
`
`direction 1"et‘rigerant flew threugh two different cycles in a system, liarsaltara's {liacleses
`
`arrangement is stated to prevent wastel’ui heat release (see paragraph {(30%} 0t" Kasahara),
`
`therefore one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the arrangement of yaives in
`
`Kaaahara, when accennnetlatetl in the system of Meyer as ntetlified, would similarly previde a
`
`means of preventing wasteful heat release in an unused heat exchanger.
`
`33.
`
`Claim 4 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Meyer
`
`(US20050039878A1) in View of in View of Isaji (JPH8197937).
`
`34.
`
`Regarding claim 4, Meyer teaches a vehicle air eentiltiening apparatus {Figures :37):
`
`a first refrigerant cycle that cerreennnde tn a path fer circulating a refrigerant and that
`
`terms a first heat tannin cycle (Figure 7, arrews shew flew from 72 to 76) tn (i? to 72); a accnncl
`
`refrigerant cycle that cerreannncls te a path fer circulating the refrigerant, that terms a
`
`aecnnt‘t heat tannin cycle which it; different frern the first heat rennin cycle anti that shares;
`
`part {if the hath with the first refrigerant cycle {Figure {3, Arrows. Show flow from 7’2 te 76 to
`
`38 to 72:); a firet waterurefrigerant heat exchanger that exchanges heat hetween the
`
`refrigerant anti a cnniant in nrtier tn rannrize the refrigerant (Figure 7’, 6”,"), the first water--
`
`refrigerant heat exchanger heing lncltnleci in the first refrigerant cycle (Figure 7, 67); a heater
`
`care threngh which the eeeiant flaws anti which gives heat tn air tn he sent into an vehicle
`
`interier (lfligures 5-7, 44, see paragraph {(3054}, lines 1,—4); a secenti water~rcfrigerant heat
`
`exchanger that exchanges heat hetwcen the refrigerant anti the ceelant in nrtier tn
`
`candenee the refrigerant {Figure '7 70), a catnnreasnr that is shared anti need hy the first
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`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 12
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`refrigerant eyeie and the second refrigerant eyeie to compress and discharge the
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`refrigerant (Figures (57., Y2“); an eatdeer enndeneer that radiates heat train the refrigerant
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`tie erternai air tn condense the refrigerant (Ft gate 6, 76); and an eranerator that ahaerha
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`heat frnni ihtahe air in order ta vaporize the refrigerant (Figure 6, 67:), wherein the coolant is
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`caused t0 circniate among the heatngenerating ntentheri the Second water-w refrigerant heat
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`exchanger, the heater enre anti the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger {Figure ti, see
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`paragraph {@351}, which describes that coeiant thaws from 64 to 67 to 75‘ to 43-4 and hack. it) {34),
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`the first refrigerant eycie eniniiriaes the second waternrefrigerant heat exchanger, the first
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`waternrefrigerant heat exchanger, and the centnreeaer, anti the refrigerant finite in this:
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`arder daring neeratinn hi the first heat {innit} eycie (Figure 7, refrigerant fiows from ?2 to '70
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`to {37 to 72), and the seeenri refrigerant eyeie cernnrisee the eonrnreasor, the entrieer
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`condenser, anti the eraneratnr, and the refrigerant fiews in this ereier {hiring eperatien at
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`the sectinti heat rennin cyeie (Figure 6, refrigerant flows frem 72 to 76 to 38 to 72,).
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`35.
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`Meyer does not teach Where the second refrigerant cycle comprises the second water—
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`refrigerant heat exchanger, Where refrigerant flows from the compressor to the second—water
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`refrigerant heat exchanger to the condenser and then to the evaporator, in that order.
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`36.
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`isaji teaches a refrigeratinn eyeie if see Figure i) which comprises a i ater»refrigerant
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`heat exchanger (Figure, i, 21) in series with an nattiner eentteneer (Figure 1, ‘23), where the
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`watermrefrigerant heat exchanger occurs heihre the nattieer eentteneer in the heat pump
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`eyeie (see Figure i, 21 and 23:) and farther t‘iisci-ases that such a water‘refrigerant condensing
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`mechanism improves air conditioning perfemiance (paragraph {@077}, iines 8-10")
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`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 13
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`37.
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`it wooid have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing to place
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`the second water—refrigerant heat exchanger ('70) of Meyer in the second refrigerant cycle such
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`that it is in series with the outdoor condenser {76) of Meyer and occurs before the outdoor
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`condenser in the heat pump cycie, in order to improve air conditioning performance, as taught by
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`lsaji. Such a construction would resuit in Where the second refrigerant cycle comprises the
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`second water—refrigerant heat exchanger, Where refrigerant flows from the compressor to the
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`second—water refrigerant heat exchanger to the condenser and then to the evaporator, in that
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`order.
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`Response to Arguments
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`38.
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`Applicant’s amendments have obviated the objections to the specification and claims
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`raised in the Office action dated 09/20/2017. Accordingly they are Withdrawn.
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`39.
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`Applicants amendments have obviated the rejections under 35 USC 112 raised in the
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`Office action dated 09/20/2017. Accordingly they are Withdrawn.
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`40.
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`Applicant's arguments filed 12/11/2017 have been fully considered but they are not
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`persuasive.
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`41.
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`Applicant has argued, see page 8, first full paragraph, that Meyer does not disclose a
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`second refrigerant cycle as claimed. Specifically, that Meyer does not disclosed a second
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`refrigerant cycle having the second water refrigerant heat exchanger. The Examiner has not
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`relied upon Meyer to teach this feature, thus the argument insofar as it pertains to Meyer is moot.
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`42.
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`Applicant has stated, see page 8, first full paragraph, that the first and second cycles of
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`Meyer cannot be combined to create the claimed second cycle. The Examiner has not relied upon
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`such an interpretation herein, thus the argument is moot.
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`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 14
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`43.
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`Applicant has argued, see page 8, second full paragraph, that all of Meyer, Zenbou and
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`Cho fail to teach, either alone or in combination, the features of amended claim 1. Examiner
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`respectfully disagrees. The additional features which were amended into claim 1 and are taught
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`by Meyer are noted herein (refer to the rejection of claim 1). Additional features not taught by
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`these references are remedied by Isaji (see rejection of claim 1).
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`44.
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`Applicant has argued, see page 8, fifth paragraph, that the first and second cycles in
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`Figures 6—7 of Meyer are identical to those shown in Figures 2—3 of Meyer. Examiner
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`respectfully disagrees. Paragraph [0051] of Meyer explains differences between the two cycles,
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`namely, that a singular coolant is allowed to flow through the cycle of Figures 6—7.
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`45.
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`Applicant has argued, see page 9, paragraph 2, that none of Meyer, Zenbou, or Cho either
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`alone or in combination teach the features of amended claim 4. Examiner respectfully disagrees.
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`Meyer teaches features of amended claim 4 as noted herein. Those which Meyer does not teach
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`are remedied by Isaji.
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`Conclusion
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`1.
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`Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this
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`Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a).
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`Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
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`A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE
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`MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO
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`MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the adVisory action is not mailed until after
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`the end of the THREE—MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period
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`will expire on the date the adVisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37
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`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 15
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event,
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`however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the date of this
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`final action.
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
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`examiner should be directed to SCHYLER S. SANKS whose telephone number is (571)272—
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