`“x
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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
`
`09/20/2017
`
`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.
`
`
`AIA (First Inventor to File)
`Art Unit
`Examiner
`Office Action Summary
`
`
`SCHYLER S. SANKS $2215 3744
`-- 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 CFR1. 136( a).
`after SIX () 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)IZI Responsive to communication(s) filed on 08/24/2015.
`El A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2b)|ZI This action is non-final.
`2a)|:l 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)|:| Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
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`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`
`5)IZI Claim(s) 1-17is/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`is/are allowed.
`6)I:I Claim(s)
`7)|Z| Claim(s)_1-17is/are rejected.
`8)|:I Claim(s)_ is/are objected to.
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`9)I:I Claim((s)
`* 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
`hit
`:/'I’vaIW.usnI‘.0. ovI’ atentS/init events/
`
`
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`iindex.‘s or send an inquiry to PPI-iieedback{®usgtc.00v.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)IZI The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)|Xl The drawing(s) filed on 08/24/2015 is/are: a)IXI accepted or b)|:l 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)IXI Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a)IZl All
`
`b)|:l Some” c)I:l None of the:
`
`1.IXI Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.|:l Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.|:| 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 (PTO-413)
`1) E Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date.
`.
`.
`4) I:I Other'
`2) E InformatIon DIsclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL—326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20170913
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 2
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
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`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the
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`first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
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`Priority
`
`2.
`
`Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`3.
`
`The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 08/24/2015 and 03/06/2017
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`are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure
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`statements are being considered by the examiner.
`
`Specification
`
`4.
`
`The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities: Paragraph [0191]
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`should be placed in the beginning of the specification so that a reader is readily aware of the
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`priority documents included by reference in the instant application.
`
`Appropriate correction is required.
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`Claim Objections
`
`5.
`
`Claims 1—10 and 11—17 are objected to because of the following informalities:
`
`a.
`
`Regarding claim 1, line 15, “coolant,” should read —coolant——. The comma after
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`"coolant" should be deleted.
`
`b.
`
`Regarding claim 5, “a decrease in the amount of refrigerant” should read —the
`
`decrease in the amount of refrigerant——.
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 3
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`c.
`
`Regarding claim 11, line 10, "restarted,” should read ——restarted——. The comma
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`after "restarted" should be deleted.
`
`(1.
`
`Claims 2—10 and 12—17 are objected to by virtue of dependency claims 1 and 11
`
`respectively.
`
`Appropriate correction is required.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`6.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 USC. 112(b):
`(b) CONCLUSION.7The 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 USC. 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.
`
`7.
`
`Claims 1—17 are rejected under 35 USC. 112(b) or 35 USC. 112 (pre—AIA), second
`
`paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject
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`matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre—AIA the applicant regards as the
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`invention.
`
`8.
`
`Regarding claim 1, the limitation "a low—temperature and low—pressure" refrigerant
`
`renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear if the low temperature and low pressure
`
`refrigerant is being recited as a refrigerant which is separate from the refrigerant of the first
`
`cycle. As best understood by the Examiner, the refrigerant of the first cycle is circulated through
`
`the first—water refrigerant heat exchanger.
`
`9.
`
`Regarding claim 1, the limitation “to vaporize the refrigeran " is unclear. “The
`
`refrigerant” does not have proper antecedent basis in the claims because multiple instances of
`
`refrigerant are previously recited in the claim, thus it is unclear as to which refrigerant is being
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 4
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`claimed. As best understood by the Examiner, refrigerant flowing through the first water—
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`refrigerant heat exchanger is vaporized.
`
`10.
`
`Regarding claim 2, the limitation “the refrigerant” is unclear. “The refrigerant” does not
`
`have proper antecedent basis in the claims because multiple instances of refrigerant are
`
`previously recited in the claims, thus it is unclear as to which refrigerant is being claimed.
`
`ll.
`
`Regarding claims 4 and 6—7, the limitation "a high—temperature and high—pressure
`
`refrigerant" renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear if the high temperature and high
`
`pressure refrigerant is being recited as a refrigerant which is separate from the refrigerant of the
`
`second cycle recited in claim 1. As best understood by the Examiner, the refrigerant of the
`
`second cycle is circulated through the second—water refrigerant heat exchanger.
`
`12.
`
`Regarding claim 4, “to condense the refrigerant” renders the claim indefinite because it is
`
`not clear which refrigerant is being condensed. “The refrigerant” does not have proper
`
`antecedent basis in the claims because multiple instances of refrigerant are preViously recited in
`
`the claims, thus it is unclear as to which refrigerant is being claimed. As best understood by the
`
`Examiner, the refrigerant in the second water—refrigerant heat exchanger is condensed.
`
`13.
`
`Regarding claim 4, the recitation of “the coolant” being caused to circulate among the
`
`heat—generating member, the second water—refrigerant heat exchanger, the heater core and the
`
`first water—refrigerant heat exchanger is unclear. The recitation is unclear because it is not clear
`
`how both a heat transfer coolant and “the coolant” are to circulate through the second water—
`
`refrigerant heat exchanger because the second water—refrigerant heat exchanger, as best
`
`understood by the Examiner, is only capable of circulating two fluids: a refrigerant and a coolant
`
`(e.g. water). In light of the specification and drawings, Claim 4 is interpreted to imply that the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 5
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`coolant is shared amongst the two water—refrigerant heat exchangers, the heat generating
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`member, and the heater core, as seen in Figure 10 of the instant application.
`
`14.
`
`Regarding claim 6, “to condense the refrigerant” renders the claim indefinite because it is
`
`not clear which refrigerant is being condensed. “The refrigerant” does not have proper
`
`antecedent basis in the claims because multiple instances of refrigerant are previously recited in
`
`the claims, thus it is unclear as to which refrigerant is being claimed. As best understood by the
`
`Examiner, the refrigerant in the second water—refrigerant heat exchanger is condensed.
`
`15.
`
`Regarding claim 7, “to condense the refrigerant” renders the claim indefinite because it is
`
`not clear which refrigerant is being condensed. “The refrigerant” does not have proper
`
`antecedent basis in the claims because multiple instances of refrigerant are previously recited in
`
`the claims, thus it is unclear as to which refrigerant is being claimed. As best understood by the
`
`Examiner, the refrigerant in the second water—refrigerant heat exchanger is condensed.
`
`16.
`
`Regarding claims 7 and 14, the limitation “a second water—refrigerant heat exchanger" is
`
`unclear because the second refrigerant cycle is not recited as including a first water—refrigerant
`
`heat exchanger. Thus, it is unclear as to what is implied by "second" water—refrigerant heat
`
`exchanger, i.e. it is unclear if such a recitation is meant to imply that the second cycle includes a
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`"first" water—refrigerant heat exchanger. As best understood by the Examiner, the second cycle
`
`includes a water—refrigerant heat exchanger, but not both a first and second water refrigerant heat
`
`exchanger.
`
`17.
`
`Regarding claims 7—8 and 14—15, the limitations “an outdoor condenser that. . .to condense
`
`the refrigerant” and “an evaporator. . .to vaporize the refrigerant” render the claim indefinite
`
`because it is unclear which instance of "refrigerant" is referred to. “The refrigerant” does not
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 6
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`have proper antecedent basis in the claims because multiple instances of refrigerant are
`
`previously recited in the claims, thus it is unclear as to which refrigerant is being claimed.
`
`18.
`
`Regarding claim 11, the limitation “and discharge the refrigerant” renders the claim
`
`indefinite because it is unclear which instance of "refrigerant" is being referred to. “The
`
`refrigerant” does not have proper antecedent basis in the claims because multiple instances of
`
`refrigerant are previously recited in the claims, thus it is unclear as to which refrigerant is being
`
`claimed.
`
`19.
`
`Regarding claim 12, the limitation “and discharge the refrigerant” renders the claim
`
`indefinite because it is unclear which instance of "refrigerant" is being referred to. “The
`
`refrigerant” does not have proper antecedent basis in the claims because multiple instances of
`
`refrigerant are previously recited in the claims, thus it is unclear as to which refrigerant is being
`
`claimed.
`
`20.
`
`Regarding claim 13, the limitation "a low—temperature and low—pressure" refrigerant
`
`renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear if the low temperature and low pressure
`
`refrigerant is being recited as a refrigerant which is separate from the refrigerant of the first cycle
`
`recited in claim ll. As best understood by the Examiner, the refrigerant of the first cycle is
`
`circulated through the first—water refrigerant heat exchanger.
`
`21.
`
`Regarding claims 13—14, the limitation "a high—temperature and high—pressure refrigerant"
`
`renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear if the high temperature and high pressure
`
`refrigerant is being recited as a refrigerant which is separate from the refrigerant of the second
`
`cycle recited in claim ll. As best understood by the Examiner, the refrigerant of the second cycle
`
`is circulated through the second—water refrigerant heat exchanger.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 7
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`22.
`
`Regarding claim 13, “to condense the refrigerant” renders the claim indefinite because it
`
`is not clear which refrigerant is being condensed. “The refrigerant” does not have proper
`
`antecedent basis in the claims because multiple instances of refrigerant are previously recited in
`
`the claims, thus it is unclear as to which refrigerant is being claimed. As best understood by the
`
`Examiner, the refrigerant in the second water—refrigerant heat exchanger is condensed.
`
`23.
`
`Regarding claims 2—10, they are indefinite by virtue of dependency on claim 1.
`
`24.
`
`Regarding claims 12—17, they are indefinite by virtue of dependency on claim 11.
`
`25.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(d):
`
`(d) REFERENCE IN DEPENDENT FORMS.7Subject to subsection (e), a claim in dependent form
`shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the
`subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the
`limitations of the claim to which it refers.
`
`The following is a quotation of pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, fourth paragraph:
`
`Subject to the following paragraph [i.e., the fifth paragraph of pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112], a claim in
`dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further
`limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by
`reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
`
`26.
`
`Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(d) or pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 4th paragraph, as
`
`being of improper dependent form for failing to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon
`
`which it depends, or for failing to include all the limitations of the claim upon which it depends.
`
`27.
`
`Regarding claim 12, the claim recites that which has already been recited in claim 11.
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`Claim 11 recites “the compressor being shared and used by the first refrigerant cycle and the
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`second refrigerant cycle to compress and discharge the refrigerant” and this limitation is
`
`provided in claim 12, with the alteration being that claim 12 recites “used and shared between”
`
`where claim 11 recites “shared and used by”. These differences do not result in a fiarther
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`limitation of the claim language, as “shared and used by” implies use and sharing between.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 8
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`28.
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`Applicant may cancel the claim(s), amend the claim(s) to place the claim(s) in proper
`
`dependent form, rewrite the claim(s) in independent form, or present a sufficient showing that
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`the dependent claim(s) complies with the statutory requirements.
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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`29.
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C.
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`102 and 103 (or as subject to pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 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.
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`30.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 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.
`
`31.
`
`Claims 1-3, 5-6, and 8-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
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`Meyer (US20050039878A1) in View of Zenbou (JP200021 1349), further in View of Cho
`
`(U820130091877A1).
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`32.
`
`Regarding claim 1, Meyer teaches a vehicle air conditioning apparatus {figures 2—3:)
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`comprising: a first refrigerant cycfe that cerrespands ta a path far cireafating a refrigerant
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`anti that terms a first heat pump eyeie (Figures 3. cycle formed by 73, 74, 7'7, 70, 87. 95. 59,
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`{37, 91. 3t), 84, 72, which forms a heat pump cycie with cmrqh'essor 72, and heat exchangers 70
`
`and 163’); a seehnri refrigerant cyeie that cerrespeatis t0 a path far circaiatiag a refrigerant,
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`that farm; a seceati heat pump eyeie which is; different frnrn the firet heat pump cache and
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`that shares part (if the path with the first refrigerant cycle (Figure 2, cycle formed by 73, 74,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 9
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`m :
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`5, 76, 78, 79, 93, 83, 4t), 38. 4‘2, 80, 84, 72,, which Shares part of the path of the first rei'i‘igerant
`p,I1
`
`cycle, and constitutes a heat pump cycie with cenipresser ”1’2 and. heat exchangers
`
`a and 38); a
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`first waterurei‘rigeraht heat exchanger that is inehttieti in the first refrigerant cyeie and that
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`exchanges heat hetween a iewntetnperatere and iewnpressere refrigerant anti a eeeiant at a
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`heatugenerating tnetnher at a vehieie to vaporize the refrigerant (iiigtirea 2—3, 57, exchanges
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`heat with coolant freer engine {54, see paragraph [0035}, lines 26-22): a flow rate adjusting
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`seetien that adjusts a flew rate of the ceeiaht flowing threngh the heatugeherating hiernher
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`anti the first ttiateruret‘rigeratit heat. exchanger {Figures 2~3, {39, paragrapl-i {0033L lines i749
`
`the valve 96 ntedniates flow. ie. can reStriet or open flow thretigh eoeiant cycle 62. which runs
`
`through engine 64 and first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 67); and a eontreiiing Section that
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`contreis the flaw rate tit/initiating section {paragraph [@933]? iines l7—19, there is a centroliing
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`section which can control the tiow rate et‘ the coolant via the flow rate adjneting section because
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`the valve opening. can he moderated).
`
`33.
`
`Meyer does not teach at detecting section that detects a decrease in an anterint of
`
`refrigerant in the first refrigerant eyeie due to inflow et‘ the refrigerant into the second refrigerant
`
`cycle.
`
`34.
`
`Meyer clees net teach that the controlling section centrois the flow rate. adjusting section
`
`to reduce the flow rate of the eooiant when a decrease in the amount of refrigerant in the first
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`refrigerant cycle is detected.
`
`35.
`
`Zenhoti teaches a detectin section that detects a decrease in an amount of
`an
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`refrigerant in a refrigerant eyeie (Figure l” 2%, paragraph £36081).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
`
`Page 10
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`36.
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`Meyer teaehes that during the operation at 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
`
`due to a low auetion presnure of the cycle (see paragraph [0038]} In other words, Meyer
`
`discloses that adriititmal refrigerant may he introduced into the first heat pump cycle from the
`
`second refrigerant cycle.
`
`37.
`
`Cho teaches reducing the opening degree of the flow rate atljneting Section {Figure El,
`
`lQG) in a water-refrigerant heat exchanger (Figure in, ‘20), when the water—refrigerant heat
`
`exchanger is evapm'atin g refrigerant (paragraph {09:24}, lines l~6a wl‘iere (20) is an evaporatmr
`
`during a heating operation j}. in order to decrease the suction pressure (paragraph {illlé‘ll ], lines
`
`lué, where if evaporation tie. suction) preasnre is too high, the valve opening is decreaaed, i.e.
`
`the flow rate is deereaaerl, in order to lower the auction presnure').
`
`38.
`
`it would have heen olwious to one of mdinary skill in the art at the time of filing to
`
`modify the apparatus: of h’ieyer to include a detecting seetion that detects: a deerease in an ant-aunt
`
`of refrigerant in the. firat cycle due to inflow of the refrigerant into the second. eyele in order to
`
`provide a quick and sirnple rneans of detecting a lrmurei’rigerant eonditimr.
`
`39.
`
`it would have been obvious: to one of erdinary skill in the art at the time of filing to
`
`modify the control section of Meyer to inatrnct the flow rate adjusting section to reduce the flow
`
`rate of the coolant when a decrease in the amount of refrigerant of the firnt cycle is detected. in
`
`order to reduce the suction pressure of the first cycle of Meyer, which. would retail t in refrigerant
`
`being pulled frem condenser (76) of Meyer, thus correcting the low refrigerant issue.
`
`40.
`
`Zenhou teaches a detecting section which easily detects a reduction of refrigerant in a
`
`short time (paragraph [0998]), Therefore, one of ordinarj,i skill in the an: would have recognized
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Page 11
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`that including such a detecting section in the apparatus of Meyer wotrid result in easy and quick
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`detection of refrigerant deficiencies in the cycles of Meyer. Such a modification would detect a
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`decrease in the amount of refrigerant in the first cycle due to inflow of the refrigerant into the
`
`second refrigerant cycie, thus the recited functitm would he performed by such a n‘iodification
`
`to Meyer. Meyer recognizes that refrigerant may iie dormant in condenser (76) of the second
`
`cycle (paragraph [0038lii thus recognizes that refrigerant which has flowed into the second cycie
`
`inay rernain there,
`
`41.
`
`Meyer discloses that if the suction pressure is iow, refrigerant whici‘r is contained within
`
`the second cycie’s condenser (76) is reeiairned into the first cycie (paragraph {9038]}, ’i‘herefore,
`
`one of ordinary skill in the art wouid have recognized that inducing a drop in suction pressure in
`
`the first cycie of Meyer wouid result in refrigerant heing reciairned frorn the second cyeie’s
`
`condenser (75). Che teaches that by reducing flow rate of coolant through a water~refrigerant
`
`heat exchanger, the suction pressure of the heat porno cycie may he iowered. 'ilherei‘ore, one of
`
`ordinary shiil in the art would ha ye recognized that by red ncing the flow rate of cooiant through
`
`the first water~refrigerant heat exchanger would resuit in a reduced suction pressure.
`
`Furthermore, one of ordinary slrili in the art wouid have recognized that doing so in the event
`
`that a decrease in the amount of refrigerant of the first cycle is detected would r‘esuit in a
`
`correction of the issue Via refrigerant front condenser (76) being drawn into the first cycle,
`
`Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that providing a detecting
`
`section which detects a decrease in the arnount of refrigerant in the first cycie and r‘nodii'ying the
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`controiling section to adjust the fiow rate adjusting section to reduce the fiow rate of the coolant
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`upon such a detection would sirnnitaneousiy properly detect a decrease in refrigerant and then
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`Application/Control Number: 14/769,982
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`correct the decrease with an influx of reirigerant irorn condenser (7’5). {Zine oi" ordinary shill in
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`the art would have recognized that such a control scheme would work to prevent issues
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`associated with low refrigerant levels, such as compressor damage {see Zenhou, paragraph
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`{03031}.
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`42.
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`Regarding claim 2, Meyer as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicle air
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`conditioning apparatus according to claim l, further comprising a coniereasor that is shared
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`and used by the first refrigerant cycle and the second refrigerant cycle to conteress and
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`discharge the refrigerant (Meyer, Figures 23, 72).
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`43.
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`Regarding claim 3. Meyer as modified teaches all oi" the limitations of the vehicle air
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`conditioning apparatus according to claim li wherein the coolant is caused to circulate
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`between the lteatngenerating member and the first waters-refrigerant heat exchanger
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`(Meyer, Figure 3, the coolant circulates between engine 64 and first \t'a‘tenrei’rigerant heat
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`exchanger 67:).
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`44.
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`Regarding claim 5, Meyer as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicle air
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`conditioning apparatus according toclaini l.
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`45.
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`Meyer as modified does not teach wherein the controlling section controls the flow rate
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`adjusting section to set the flow rate of the coolant to zero, when a decrease in the amount of
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`refrigerant is detected in the first refrigerant cycle.
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`46.
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`Meyer teaches that during the operation of the first heat pump cycle (Figure 3).
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`refrigerant may he pulled from condenser (:76) into rei'rigerant loop (till) oi’ the heat pump cycle
`A
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`due to a low suction pressure of the cycle (see paragraph [ 2638]}. ln other words Meyer
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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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`47.
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`Cho teaches reducing the opening degree of the. flow rate adjusting section (Figure l.
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`106)} in a waterwcfrigeram heat exchanger (Figure l. 20'), when the water~refrigerant heat
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`exchanger is evaporating refrigerant (paragraph 3})(22243, Eihes 343, where (2%) is an evaporator
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`during a heating operation), in order to decrease the suction pressure {paragraph [994 E 1, lines
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`l—é, where if evaporation (Le. suction) pressure is too 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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`48.
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`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.
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`49.
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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
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`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.
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`50.
`
`Regarding claim 6, Meyer as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicie air
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`ceriditichirig apparatus acccrding to claim 2, wherein the first refrigerant cycle ccrnpri ses; the
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`centers-team (Meyer, Figure 3, 72); the first water~retrigerant heat exchanger (:h’ieyer, lF-‘igare
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`3 67); and a aeeend waterurei‘rigerant heat exchanger that exchanges; heat between a high-
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`teinneratnre and highnpressnre refrigerant and a heat transfer eeniant in enndense the
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`refrigerant (Meyer, Figure '3, 70, with heat transfer contain in teen ()1, paragraph {003:3}, lines
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`13‘ l5).
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`51.
`
`Regarding c aini 8, Meyer as; modified teachea alt of the limitations of the vehicie air
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`cnnditioning apparatus according t0 claim 2, wherein the second refrigerant cycie comprisea: the
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`cernhresser (Meyer, Fig ure 2, 72}; an entdner enntteneer that radiates heat train. the
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`refrigerant in external air tn candenee the refrigerant (Meyer, Figure 2, ”iii, paragraph
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`[0032], lines 6~8); and an eranerater that ahserbs heat train intake air tn he sent intn the
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`venicie interinr tn vahnrize the refrigerant. (Meyer, Figure 2, 38, paragraph {0032], lines l4~
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`16).
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`52.
`
`Regarding claim 9‘, Meyer as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicle air
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`conditioning apparatus acccrding to claim 2 wherein the firat refrigerant cycle and the second
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`refrigerant cycle are gained and eenneeted tngether at a refrigerant anetien part at the
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`cnmgtresser (ih’ieyer. lFTigures 2-3, 84:).
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`53.
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`Claim 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Meyer
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`(US20050039878A1) in View of Zenbou (JP2000211349), further in View of Cho
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`(US20130091877A1) as applied to claim 2, further in View of Isaji (JPH8197937).
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`54.
`
`Regarding claim 7, Meyer as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicle air
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`conditiening apparatus aeeording to eiairn 2,, wherein the second refrigerant cycie eernerises: the
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`eotnnreeser (Meyer, Figure 2” 72}; an entrieor eontieneer that radiates: heat frnrn the
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`refrigerant tn externai air in condense the refrigerant (Meyer; Figure 25, 76, paragraph
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`{@632}, lines. 6%); and an eraeerater that ahserhe heat train intake air t0 he sent. into the
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`vehicie interier tn vagaries-3 the refrigerant (figure ‘2, 38, paragraph [0032}, tines 14—16}.
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`55.
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`Meyer as nieriifieri does not teach where the second refrigerant cycie camp-ii ses a SCCOIid
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`wtiter—refrigerant heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a high—temperature and high—
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`pressure refrigerant and a heat transfer eoeiarii to condense the refrigerant,
`
`56.
`
`Meyer teaches a revamped water~refrigerant heat exchanger that exchanges: heat
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`between a higiiutenteeratnre and frighmpreeenre refrigerant and a heat trans-:fer content to
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`condense the refrigerant (Meyer, Figure 3, 7G, with heat, transfer coeiaht in. 100;) iii, paragraph
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`{US$55}, tines iii—15),
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`57.
`
`isaji teaches a refrigeration eyeie (see Figure i) which comprises a watermrefrigerant
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`heat exchanger (Figure 1, 21) in series with an entrieer condenser (Figure in, ‘23) during a
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`mating Operatien (see paragraphs [QWSHUUW], where 2i, and 23 of Figure i pert‘orrrt
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`eern’ierisirig arid evaporator 25 et‘ Figure 1 is: perferrris eeeiing).
`
`58.
`
`it wouid have been obvious to one of erriinary shiii in the art at the time of fiiing to either
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`i) piace the SfJ-C'fji‘iii water—refrigerant heat exchanger (70) at" Meyer as modified in series with the
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`outdoor condenser (7a) of h’ieyer as modified during a cooling, operation (which is shown in
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`Figttr‘ 2 of Meyer) or 2) place a water-refrigerant heat exchanger which performs condensing (as
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`shown in lsaii) in series with outdoor condenser (76) of Meyer as modified during a cooling
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`operation {which is shown in Figure 2 of Meyer) in order to improve air conditioning
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`performance.
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`59.
`
`lsaji discloses that such a water-‘i'efrigerant condensing mechanism improves air
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`conditioning performance {paragraph [@977]? lines 8—10), Therefore one of ordinary shill in the
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`art wrmld have recognized that placing a water~refrigerant heat exchanger in series with the
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`outdoor c