Office Action 2: Notice of Allowance (2025-08-06)

CLAIMS:
In the ClaimsThis listing of claims will replace all prior versions of claims in the application:

1\. (Currently Amended) A wave power device that provides a user with a system for extracting power from water waves and converting it into electricity, the wave power device comprising:a set of wave collection tubes each comprising an impact absorber;
a weight attachable to a lowest point of each of the wave collection tubes via a tether chain that is adjustable in depth via a winch;
a rectifier;
a turbine; and
a generator;
wherein the set of wave collection tubes are placed in parallel to advancing wave front and adjacent to each other;
wherein one of the set of wave collection tubes is closely adjacent a wave crest, while another of the set of wave collection tubes is closely adjacent a wave trough;
wherein alternating pressure of water waves within the set of wave collection tubes, is converted into an alternating airflow;
wherein rectifier turns the alternating airflow output of the set of wave collection tubes into linear flow; and
herein airflow from the rectifier is fed to the turbine, which in turn, rotates the generator to produce electricity;
wherein the turbine comprises a high-pressure inlet for accepting airflow from the rectifier and a low-pressure outlet for expelling the air back to the rectifier; and
wherein a linear output from a high-pressure side of the rectifier is piped to the high- pressure inlet of the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, the air will be piped to a low-pressure side of the rectifier.

2\. (Original) The wave power device of claim 1, wherein the set of wave collection tubes comprises a first wave collection tube and a second wave collection tube.

3\. (Canceled)

4\. (Canceled)

5\. (Currently Amended) The wave power device of claim \[\[4\]\] 1, wherein the set of wave collection tubes are partially or totally immersed in water and are weighted and balanced to remain horizontal in the water.

6\. (Original) The wave power device of claim 5, wherein the set of wave collection tubes are completely immersed in water and are weighted and balanced to remain horizontal in the water.

7\. (Original) The wave power device of claim 6, wherein the set of wave collection tubes are typically cylindrical in shape, with an exterior surface closed front and rear ends, and an open interior accessed by holes along the bottom, which permits influx and egress of water.

8\. (Original) The wave power device of claim 7, wherein the set of wave collection tubes are offset by one half of a wavelength.

9\. (Currently Amended) The wave power device of claim 8, wherein each of the set of the wave collection tube's diameter is matched to a maximum expected wave amplitude .

10\. (Original) The wave power device of claim 9, wherein each of the set of the wave collection tube's length is 100 meters or more.

11\. (Original) The wave power device of claim 10, wherein the rectifier comprises a plurality of check valves that turn the alternating airflow output of the set of wave collection tubes into linear flow.

12\. (Canceled)

13\. (Canceled)

14\. (Canceled)

15\. (Currently Amended) A method of wave progression over first and second wave collection tubes, the method comprising the following steps:advancing a wave crest over the first wave collection tube;
forcing air from the first wave collection tube into a rectifier;
advancing a wave trough over the second wave collection tube;
pulling the air from the rectifier into the second wave collection tube;
converting sinusoidal motion (alternating current) of the wave into a rectified sine wave motion via the rectifier;
refining that motion into linear motion (direct current); and
passing the flow through a turbine to drive a turbine's shaft, which in turn rotates a generator to produce electricity;\_and wherein the first and second wave collection tubes each comprise an impact absorber;
wherein the turbine comprises a high-pressure inlet for accepting airflow from a rectifier and a low-pressure outlet for expelling the air back to the rectifier; and
wherein a linear output from a high-pressure side of a rectifier is piped to the high- pressure inlet of the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, the air will be piped to a low-pressure side of the rectifier.

16\. (Original) The method of claim 15, wherein the wave's crest is advancing over the second wave collection tube and the wave's trough is advancing over the first wave collection tube.

17\. (Original) The method of claim 16 further comprising as wave crest is advancing over the second wave collection tube, forcing air from the second wave collection tube into the rectifier; and as wave trough is advancing over the first wave collection tube, pulling the air from the rectifier into the first wave collection tube.

18\. (Canceled)

19\. (Canceled)

20\. (Currently Amended) A method of extracting power from water waves and converting it into clean renewable electricity, the method comprising the following steps:providing a set of wave collection tubes in communication with a rectifier, a turbine, and a generator;

converting the alternating pressure of the waves into an alternating airflow;
turning the alternating airflow output of the collection tubes into a linear flow; and
feeding the airflow from the rectifier to the turbine, which in turn rotates the generator to produce electricity;\_and wherein the set of wave collection tubes each comprise an impact absorber;
wherein the turbine comprises ahigh-pressure inlet for accepting airflow from the rectifier and a low\-pressure outlet for expelling the air back to the rectifier; and
wherein a linear output from ahigh-pressure side of a rectifier is piped to the high- pressure inlet of the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, the air will be piped to a low-pressure side of the rectifier.

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 1-2, 5-11, 15-17 & 20 are allowed.
Examiner agrees with the applicant regarding remarks dated 07/22/2025.
Moreover, the prior art of record, alone or in combination, does not explicitly teach, suggest, or render obvious, at least to the skilled artisan, the wave power device system of Claim 1, specifically comprising:
“a set of wave collection tubes each comprising an impact absorber … wherein the turbine comprises a high-pressure inlet for accepting airflow from the rectifier and a low-pressure outlet for expelling the air back to the rectifier; and wherein a linear output from a high-pressure side of the rectifier is piped to the high- pressure inlet of the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, the air will be piped to a low-pressure side of the rectifier” in the context of the other components in claim 1.
Additionally, the prior art of record, alone or in combination, does not explicitly teach, suggest, or render obvious, at least to the skilled artisan, the method of wave progression over first and second wave collection tubes of Claim 15 specifically comprising:
“wherein the first and second wave collection tubes each comprise an impact absorber; wherein the turbine comprises a high-pressure inlet for accepting airflow from a rectifier and a low-pressure outlet for expelling the air back to the rectifier; and wherein a linear output from a high-pressure side of a rectifier is piped to the high- pressure inlet of the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, the air will be piped to a low-pressure side of the rectifier” as recited in the context of the other components in claim 15.
Finally, the prior art of record, alone or in combination, does not explicitly teach, suggest, or render obvious, at least to the skilled artisan, the method of extracting power from water waves of Claim 20 specifically comprising:
“wherein the set of wave collection tubes each comprise an impact absorber; wherein the turbine comprises ahigh-pressure inlet for accepting airflow from the rectifier and a low-pressure outlet for expelling the air back to the rectifier; and wherein a linear output from ahigh-pressure side of a rectifier is piped to the high- pressure inlet of the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, the air will be piped to a low-pressure side of the rectifier” as recited in the context of the other components in claim 20.
REASONS FOR ALLOWANCE
With respect to Claim 1 and claims dependent thereon, the prior arts when considered, either alone or in combination, fails to teach or suggests –
A wave power device that provides a user with a system for extracting power from water waves and converting it into electricity, the wave power device comprising:
a set of wave collection tubes each comprising an impact absorber;
a weight attachable to a lowest point of each of the wave collection tubes via a tether chain that is adjustable in depth via a winch;
a rectifier;
a turbine; and
a generator;
wherein the set of wave collection tubes are placed in parallel to advancing wave front and adjacent to each other;
wherein one of the set of wave collection tubes is closely adjacent a wave crest, while another of the set of wave collection tubes is closely adjacent a wave trough;
wherein alternating pressure of water waves within the set of wave collection tubes, is converted into an alternating airflow;
wherein rectifier turns the alternating airflow output of the set of wave collection tubes into linear flow; and
wherein airflow from the rectifier is fed to the turbine, which in turn, rotates the generator to produce electricity;
wherein the turbine comprises a high-pressure inlet for accepting airflow from the rectifier and a low-pressure outlet for expelling the air back to the rectifier; and
wherein a linear output from a high-pressure side of the rectifier is piped to the high- pressure inlet of the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, the air will be piped to a low-pressure side of the rectifier.
With respect to Claim 15 and claims dependent thereon, the prior arts when considered, either alone or in combination, fails to teach or suggests –
A method of wave progression over first and second wave collection tubes, the method comprising the following steps:
advancing a wave crest over the first wave collection tube;
forcing air from the first wave collection tube into a rectifier;
advancing a wave trough over the second wave collection tube;
pulling the air from the rectifier into the second wave collection tube;
converting sinusoidal motion (alternating current) of the wave into a rectified sine wave motion via the rectifier;
refining that motion into linear motion (direct current); and
passing the flow through a turbine to drive a turbine's shaft, which in turn rotates a generator to produce electricity; and
wherein the first and second wave collection tubes each comprise an impact absorber;
wherein the turbine comprises a high-pressure inlet for accepting airflow from a rectifier and a low-pressure outlet for expelling the air back to the rectifier; and
wherein a linear output from a high-pressure side of a rectifier is piped to the high- pressure inlet of the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, the air will be piped to a low-pressure side of the rectifier.
With respect to Claim 20 and claims dependent thereon, the prior arts when considered, either alone or in combination, fails to teach or suggests –
A method of extracting power from water waves and converting it into clean renewable electricity, the method comprising the following steps:
providing a set of wave collection tubes in communication with a rectifier, a turbine, and a generator;
converting the alternating pressure of the waves into an alternating airflow;
turning the alternating airflow output of the collection tubes into a linear flow; and
feeding the airflow from the rectifier to the turbine, which in turn rotates the generator to produce electricity; and
wherein the set of wave collection tubes each comprise an impact absorber;
wherein the turbine comprises ahigh-pressure inlet for accepting airflow from the rectifier and a low-pressure outlet for expelling the air back to the rectifier; and
wherein a linear output from ahigh-pressure side of a rectifier is piped to the high- pressure inlet of the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, the air will be piped to a low-pressure side of the rectifier.
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.”
Conclusion

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: Remarks Applicant has carefully reviewed the April 22, 2025 Office Action, thanks the Examiner for the comments, and responds herein. Claims 1-20 are currently pending in the subject application and are presently under consideration. In this response, Claims 1, 5, 9, 15 and 20 have been amended, and Claims 3-4, 12-14 and 18-19 have been canceled.Favorable reconsideration of the subject patent application is respectfully requested in view of the comments and amendments herein.1.   Claim Objections The Examiner has objected to Claim 4 because "wench" in line 3 should be spelled as "winch'.Claim 4 has been canceled, thereby rendering that objection moot. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that this objection be withdrawn.2.   Objection to Drawings.The Examiner has objected to the drawings as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.83(a) as Claim 3-4 as recited & the indicia recited in Claim 14 must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s).Claims 3-4 and 14 have been canceled, thereby rendering that objection moot.Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that this objection be withdrawn.3.   Rejection of Claims 4-14, & 18-20 under 35 U.S.C. §112.The Examiner has rejected Claims 4-14 & 18-20 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.More specifically, the Examiner notes that Claim 4 recites "its" in two instances. As recited, it is unclear to what the "its" is referring to since many elements are recited in the claim.Claim 4 has been canceled, thereby rendering that rejection moot. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that this rejection be withdrawn.Regarding Claim 9, the applicant recites "its location". It is unclear to what location the applicant is referring to.Claim 9 has been amended to no longer recite "its location". Accordingly, Claim 9 should no longer be indefinite and Applicant respectfully requests that this rejection be withdrawn.Claims 5-14 were rejected as depending from a rejected base claim. Claim 5 has been amended to now depend from Claim 1. Further, Claims 12-14 have been canceled, thereby rendering those rejections moot. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that this rejection be withdrawn as well.Claim 13 recites the limitation "the high-pressure side" & "the low-pressure side".There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 13 has been amended to provide proper antecedent basis, and should no longer be indefinite.Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that this rejection be withdrawn.Claim 14, the applicant recites "plurality of indicia'. It is unclear what the applicant is referring to with "indicia". Claim 14 has been canceled, thereby rendering that rejection moot. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that this rejection be withdrawn.Regarding Claim 18, the Examiner notes that It is unclear to what crest the applicant is referring to (refer to "tt i10' 99 above). It is also unclear to what forced air the applicant is referring to (refer to "i" above). Finally, what time or other time would be referred to for then compared to "at the same time" (refer to "11 above).Claim 18 has been canceled, thereby rendering that rejection moot. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that this rejection be withdrawn.Claim 19 was rejected based on the dependency from Claim 18.Claim 19 has been canceled, thereby rendering that rejection moot. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that this rejection be withdrawn.Regarding Claim 20 (similarly in Claim 8), the applicant recites "positioning the set of wave collection tubes in parallel to the advancing wave front and adjacent to each other and offset by one half of a wavelength." How are the wave collection tubes "positioned"?The applicant does not recite any element capable of "positioning" the tubes. Moreover, "wavelengths" is understood in the art in the context of frequency. Therefore, it is unclear how the applicant's "wavelength" can be applied in the applicant's "positioning".Claim 20 has been amended to no longer recite "positioning the set of wave collection tubes in parallel to the advancing wave front and adjacent to each other and offset by one half of a wavelength." Accordingly, Claim 20 should no longer be indefinite and Applicant respectfully requests that this rejection be withdrawn.4.   Rejection of Claims 1-2 and 15-20 under 35 U.S.C. §102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Little (U.S. Published Patent Application 2023/0417213).The Examiner has rejected Claims 1-2 and 15-20 under 35 U.S.C. §102 as being anticipated by Little. Applicant respectfully disagrees for the following reasons, and in view of the amendments to the claims contained herein.Independent Claim 1 has been amended to now require a set of wave collection tubes each comprising an impact absorber, as taught in paragraph [0046] of the present Specification. No new matter has been added. Little does not appear to teach wave tubes with impact absorbers, as now required.Independent Claim 1 has been further amended to now also require a weight attachable to a lowest point of each of the wave collection tubes via a tether chain that is adjustable in depth via a winch, as taught in original Claims 3 and 4 and in paragraphs [0041] and [0042] of the present Specification. No new matter has been added.Regarding original Claims 3 and 4, the Examiner admits that Little does not teach these limitations. The Examiner instead relies on Tsao (U.S. Published Patent Application 2018/0111665) to teach a "linear array" tethered to an ocean bottom via a mooring means which includes an anchor and a tether chain ( [0185]; A detachable mooring system can be achieved by deploying from the linear array a retractable mooring line with an anchor coupling mechanism at its tip down to the seafloor to hook onto a corresponding anchoring point pre-installed on the seafloor); and wherein the set of wave collection tubes are anchored to the ocean bottom by a mooring means at each end of each wave collection tube, and each mooring means include a wench that can pull its tether chain in or let it out to move its end of each wave collection tube ([0029]).Claim 1 now requires a tethered weight that is adjustable in depth via a winch. Tsao teaches a winch attached to a sail and a turbine. Tsao also teaches a line with an anchor that is securable to the sea floor. Claim 1 now requires a weight that is not anchored to the seafloor. The weight is adjustable in depth via a tether that is adjusted by a winch. The Tsao winch has no connection to the anchoring system and the Tsao anchor is secured to the sea floor. As such, even Tsao does not teach or suggest a weight attachable to a lowest point of each of the wave collection tubes via a tether chain that is adjustable in depth via a winch, as now required.Independent Claim 1 has been further amended to now also require that the turbine comprises a hiqh-pressure inlet for accepting airflow from the rectifier and a low-pressure outlet for expelling the air back to the rectifier, as taught in original Claim 12 and in paragraph [0044] of the present Specification. Independent Claim 1 has been further amended to now also require that a linear output from a hiqh-pressure side of the rectifier is piped to the hiqh-pressure inlet of the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, the air will be piped to a low-pressure side of the rectifier, as taught in original Claim 13 and in paragraph [0045] of the present Specification. No new matter has been added.The Examiner rejected original Claim 13 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second paragraph, as being indefinite for not having proper antecedent basis for the limitation "the high-pressure side" & "the low-pressure side". The Examiner did not reject original Claim 13 under Little or Tsao (U.S. Published Patent Application 2018/0111665). Claim 1 now requires the limitations of original Claim 13 with proper antecedent basis. According to the Examiner, Little does not teach that a linear output from a high-pressure side of the rectifier is piped to the high-pressure inlet of the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, the air will be piped to a low-pressure side of the rectifier, as now required.According to MPEP § 2131, "a claim is anticipated only if each and every element as set forth in the claim is found, either expressly or inherently described, in a single prior art reference." Because Little fails to disclose each and every limitation of amended independent Claim 1, Little cannot anticipate independent Claim 1, as amended herein, or any of the dependent claims that depend therefrom. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that this rejection be withdrawn, and that Claim 1 be allowed.Further, Claim 2 depends from amended Claim 1, which is now believed to be allowable. As such, Applicant respectfully requests that this rejection be withdrawn and that Claim 2 be allowed as well.Independent Claim 15 has been amended to now require that the first and second wave collection tubes each comprise an impact absorber, as taught in paragraph [0046] of the present Specification. No new matter has been added. Little does not appear to teach wave tubes with impact absorbers, as now required.Independent Claim 15 has been further amended to now also require that the turbine comprises a hiqh-pressure inlet for accepting airflow from the rectifier and a low- pressure outlet for expelling the air back to the rectifier, as taught in paragraph [0044] of the present Specification. Independent Claim 15 has been further amended to now also require that a linear output from a hiqh-pressure side of the rectifier is piped to the high- pressure inlet of the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, the air will be piped to a low-pressure side of the rectifier, as taught in paragraph [0045] of the present Specification. No new matter has been added.The Examiner rejected original Claim 13 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second paragraph, as being indefinite for not having proper antecedent basis for the limitation "the high-pressure side" & "the low-pressure side". The Examiner did not reject original Claim 13 under Little or Tsao (U.S. Published Patent Application 2018/0111665). Claim 15 now requires the limitations of original Claim 13 with proper antecedent basis. According to the Examiner, Little does not teach that a linear output from a high-pressure side of the rectifier is piped to the high-pressure inlet of the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, the air will be piped to a low-pressure side of the rectifier, as now required.According to MPEP § 2131, "a claim is anticipated only if each and every element as set forth in the claim is found, either expressly or inherently described, in a single prior art reference." Because Little fails to disclose each and every limitation of amended independent Claim 15, Little cannot anticipate independent Claim 15, as amended herein, or any of the dependent claims that depend therefrom. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that this rejection be withdrawn, and that Claim 15 be allowed.Claims 16-19 depend from amended Claim 15, which is now believed to be allowable. Further, Claims 18-19 have been canceled, thereby rendering those rejections moot. As such, Applicant respectfully requests that this rejection be withdrawn and that Claims 16-17 be allowed as well.Independent Claim 20 has been amended to now require that the set of wave collection tubes each comprise an impact absorber, as taught in paragraph [00466] of the present Specification. No new matter has been added. Little does not appear to teach wave tubes with impact absorbers, as now required.Independent Claim 20 has been further amended to now also require that the turbine comprises a hiqh-pressure inlet for accepting airflow from the rectifier and a low- pressure outlet for expelling the air back to the rectifier, as taught in paragraph [0044] of the present Specification. Independent Claim 20 has been further amended to now also require that a linear output from a hiqh-pressure side of the rectifier is piped to the high- pressure inlet of the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, the air will be piped to a low-pressure side of the rectifier, as taught in paragraph [0045] of the present Specification. No new matter has been added.The Examiner rejected original Claim 13 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second paragraph, as being indefinite for not having proper antecedent basis for the limitation "the high-pressure side" & "the low-pressure side". The Examiner did not reject original Claim 13 under Little or Tsao (U.S. Published Patent Application 2018/0111665). Claim 20 now requires the limitations of original Claim 13 with proper antecedent basis. According to the Examiner, Little does not teach that a linear output from a high-pressure side of the rectifier is piped to the high-pressure inlet of the turbine, and after passing through the turbine, the air will be piped to a low-pressure side of the rectifier, as now required.According to MPEP § 2131, "a claim is anticipated only if each and every element as set forth in the claim is found, either expressly or inherently described, in a single prior art reference." Because Little fails to disclose each and every limitation of amended independent Claim 20, Little cannot anticipate independent Claim 20, as amended herein, or any of the dependent claims that depend therefrom. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that this rejection be withdrawn, and that Claim 20 be allowed.5.   Rejection of Claims 3-12 and 14 under 35 U.S.C. §103 as being unpatentable over Little (U.S. Published Patent Application 2023/0417213) in view of Tsao (U.S. Published Patent Application 2018/0111665).The Examiner has rejected Claims 3-12 and 14 under 35 U.S.C. §103 as being unpatentable over Little in view of Tsao. Applicant respectfully disagrees for the following reasons, and in view of the amendments to the claims contained herein.Claims 3-12 and 14 depend from amended Claim 1, which is now believed to be allowable. Claims 3-4, 12 and 14 have been canceled, thereby rendering those rejections moot. Further, Tsao does not cure the deficiencies of Little. As such, Applicant respectfully requests that this rejection be withdrawn, and that Claims 5-11 be allowed.Conclusion The present application is believed to be in condition for allowance in view of the above comments and amendments. A prompt action to such end is earnestly solicited.No fee is believed to be due with the filing of this Response. Nonetheless, the Commissioner is hereby authorized to charge any fee required to effect the timely filing of this document to Deposit Account No. 603184 [Ref: 34041.0001].Should the Examiner believe a telephone interview would be helpful to expedite favorable prosecution; the Examiner is invited to contact Applicant's undersigned representative at the telephone number below.Brennan Manna Diamond