Office Action 2: Notice of Allowance (2025-10-15)

CLAIMS:
Amendments to the claims

1\. (Currently Amended) A compensation mechanism for a displacement machine according to the spiral principle, wherein the compensation mechanism comprises a driveshaft with a center axis and a compensation device\[\[,\]\] which includes:\[\[has\]\] a cylindrical hub element that is mounted on a first eccentric pin of the driveshaft so that it can rotate around an axis of rotation, and
a compensation element\[\[,\]\] which is mounted on the hub element so that it can rotate around an axis of rotation, and has an eccentrically arranged slotted hole that extends in a radial direction in relation to the axis of rotation of the compensation element,
wherein a second eccentric pin of the driveshaft is guided in the slotted hole of the compensation element in such a way that a Scotch yoke is formed between the slotted hole \[\[an\]\] and the axis of rotation of the compensation element.
2\. (Currently amended) The compensation mechanism according to The compensation mechanism according to
wherein\[\[,\]\] a center of gravity of the compensation element has an oscillating component during operation, wherein the center of gravity oscillates around a connecting line between the axis of rotation of the compensation element and a center axis of the slotted hole.
3\. (Currently Amended) The compensation mechanism according to The compensation mechanism according to
wherein\[\[,\]\] the center of gravity of the compensation element has a linear component during operation, wherein the center of gravity moves along the connecting line, and wherein the linear component is larger than the oscillating component.
4\. (Currently Amended) The compensation mechanism according to The compensation mechanism according to
wherein\[\[,\]\] the axis of rotation of the compensation element is arranged concentrically to a center axis of the hub element.

5\. (Currently Amended) The compensation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein\[\[,\]\] the axis of rotation of the compensation element is arranged eccentrically to a center axis of the hub element.

6\. (Currently Amended) The compensation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein\[\[,\]\] the hub element has an eccentric hub bore, in which the first eccentric pin of the driveshaft is arranged.

7\. (Currently Amended) The compensation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein\[\[,\]\] the compensation element has a reception bore, with which the compensation element is rotatably mounted on the hub element.

8\. (Currently Amended) The compensation mechanism according to claim \[\[1\]\]7, wherein\[\[,\]\] the compensation element has a guide section and an equalizing weight, wherein the equalizing weight extends in an arc around the guide section.

9\. (Currently Amended) The compensation mechanism according to claim 8, wherein\[\[,\]\] the reception bore and the slotted hole are arranged in the guide section.

10\. (Currently Amended) The compensation mechanism according to claim 8, wherein\[\[,\]\] the equalizing weight extends half-annularly around the axis of rotation of the compensation element.

11\. (Currently Amended) The compensation mechanism according to claim 8, wherein\[\[,\]\] the guide section and the equalizing weight are designed as a single piece.

12\. (Currently Amended) The compensation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein\[\[,\]\] the first eccentric pin of the driveshaft has a larger diameter and/or a larger length than the second eccentric pin of the driveshaft.
13\. (Currently Amended) The compensation mechanism according to The compensation mechanism according to
wherein\[\[,\]\] the hub element protrudes along \[\[its\]\] a center axis thereof over the compensation elemen.
14\. (Currently Amended) The compensation mechanism according to The compensation mechanism according to
wherein\[\[,\]\] the hub element is rotatably mounted on the first eccentric pin of the driveshaft via a plain or needle bearing and/or \[\[that\]\] the compensation element is rotatably mounted on the hub element via a plain or needle bearing.

15\. (Currently Amended) A displacement machine according to the spiral principle, comprising a compensation mechanism according to claim 1.

16\. (Currently Amended) The displacement machine according to claim 15, wherein, the hub element carries a scroll bearing\[\[,\]\] which is connected with a movable displacement spiral, wherein the movable displacement spiral engages into a stationary displacement spiral.

OFFICE ACTION:
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 .
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-16 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Regarding claim , the closest prior art of record fails to disclose or render obvious the combination including:
“a second eccentric pin of the driveshaft is guided in the slotted hole of the compensation element in such a way that a Scotch yoke is formed between the slotted hole and the axis of rotation of the compensation element.”
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see Remarks, filed 6/13/2025, with respect to 103 rejection of claim 1 have been fully considered and are persuasive.  The 103 rejection of claim 1 has been withdrawn.
Conclusion

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: Remarks Reconsideration is requested in view of the above amendments and the following remarks. Editorial amendments to the claims have been made to improve their form for US practice. No new matter is added.Claims 1-15 are pending.Claim 1 is objected to for the informalities noted. Claim 1 has been amended to address the objections. Withdrawal of the objection is requested.Claims 1-16 are rejected under 35 USC 112(b) as being unclear. Claims 1, 11, 13, 15 and 16 have been amended to delete the "in particular" language.The claims are definite. Withdrawal of the rejection is requested.Claims 1-16 are rejected under 35 USC 103 as being unpatentable over US 4522574 to Arai in view of US 4824346 to Hiraga. Applicant traverses.The combination of Arai and Hiraga does not teach or suggest a compensating element that has an eccentrically arranged slotted hole that extends in a radial direction relative to an axis of rotation of the compensating element, or a second eccentric pin of the driveshaft that is guided in the slotted hole of the compensation element in such a way that a Scotch yoke is formed between the slotted hole and the axis of rotation of the compensation element.One benefit of the claimed arrangement is a more direct connection of the compensation element to the driveshaft, since a disc according to Arai is dispensed with, and sealing between two displacement spirals of the displacement machine is improved.In addition, the more direct connection of the compensation element to the driveshaft means that vibrations within the displacement machine are reduced. This is due in particular to the fact that the slotted hole is formed in the compensation element and therefore the force is transmitted through the second eccentric pin via the wall of the slotted hole within the compensation element. This results in an improved oscillating and linear movement of the compensation element.Arai discloses a spiral compressor. Figure 1 of Arai is reproduced below showing the spiral compressor.2b
3b The Aai co   iss  a
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i '9 AThe Arai compressor comprises a stationary spiral element 1 and an orbital spiral element 2 which form a compression mechanism. A balancing weight 14 is attached to the outer circumference of a hub 5 of the orbital spiral element 2 via a bearing 15. The balancing weight 14 has a key 16 that engages in a keyway 17A. For this purpose, a disc 17 is coupled to a crankshaft 7 of the compressor. See Figure 4 of Arai below.7dt In Arai, however, the keyway 17A, which is shown slotted, is not part of a compensation element such as the balancing weight 14. In Arai, the keyway 17A is formed in the disc 17 which is coupled or connected to the crankshaft 7. This is explicitly described in Arai at column 3, lines 29-35:A balancing weight 14 is secured to the outer periph- ery of the boss 5 of the orbital sgoll member 2 through 30 the medium of the bearing 15. The balance weight 14 has a key 16 which fits in a keyway 17A formed in a disc 17 coupled to the crankshaft 7. The key 16 is allowed to move in the radial direction along the keyway 17A.and in column 4, lines 15-20:produced as a result of the orbital movement and the 15 load produced by the pressure of the gas which is being compressed. On the other hand, the balancing weight 14, which engages through the key 16 and the keyway 17A with the disc 17 connected to the crankshaft 7 rotates together with the crankshaft 7, so as to rotate 20 together with the crankshaft 7, to thereby produce a In Arai, a direct and clear distinction is made between the disc 17 and the crankshaft 7, so that the disc 17 is not to be regarded as a component of the crankshaft 7 for this reason alone, but as a separate component which is attached to the crankshaft 7 in some manner not disclosed in Arai. At best, the keyway 17A is therefore provided in the separate disc 17 in Arai, but not on or in the crankshaft 7.In addition, in Arai, the key 16 is part of the balancing weight 14 and not the disc 17 and in no way to the crankshaft 7. Thus, in Arai, a Scotch yoke is not formed between a slotted hole of a compensation element and the axis of rotation of the compensation element.So Arai discloses a balancing mechanism which neither has a compensation element with an eccentrically arranged slotted hole, nor comprises a driveshaft with a second eccentric pin which is guided in the slotted hole in such a way that a Scotch yoke is formed between the slotted hole and the axis of rotation of the compensation element.Hiraga discloses two eccentric pins 154, 155 on the drive shaft (see Fig. 5).However, neither of the two eccentric pins 154, 155 is guided in a slotted hole of a compensation element in such a way that a Scotch yoke is formed between the slotted hole and an axis of rotation of the compensation element.For at least these reasons, claim 1 is patentable over the combination of Arai and Hiraga. Claims 2-16 depend from claim 1 and are patentable therewith for that reason alone and need not be separately distinguished at this time. Applicant does not concede the rejections to the dependent claims.Favorable reconsideration in the form of a notice of allowance is requested. Any questions concerning this paper can be directed to the attention of the undersigned at (612) 371-5349.Respectfully submitted, MERCHANT & GOULD, P.C.P.O. Box 2903 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-0903 (612) 332-5300 Dated: June 13, 2025