Office Action 2: Notice of Allowance (2025-03-26)

CLAIMS:
AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS

Please amend the claims as indicated in the Listing of Claims below. No new matter has been added. This Listing of Claims replaces all prior versions, and listings, of claims in this application.

Listing of Claims:

Claim 1 (Currently Amended): A power flow control system for an electrical network and for adjusting a voltage or a current in a line of the electrical network, the power flow control system comprising:
a power flow control module, the power flow control module comprising:at least two module connections configured to connect to a-theline of the electrical network\[\[,\]\];
a plurality of switching elements\[\[,\]\];
an energy storage\[\[,\]\]; and
two energy connections; anda galvanically isolating power supply that is connected to the energy connections,
wherein:a first module connection and a second module connection, of the at least two module connections, are designed to electrically connect the power flow control module in series with the line,
two of the switching elements are connected in series and are connected in parallel with the energy storage,
the power flow control module is interconnected such that it is at a potential of the line of the electrical network and is galvanically isolated from a ground potential or another line of the electrical network,
the switching elements are designed to increase or reduce an amplitude of the voltage in the line in order to adjust the voltage, to shift a phase of the voltage, or to control a current flow in the line ,\_an the galvanically isolating power supply comprises a DC-DC converter, which comprises a high-frequency transformer.

Claim 2 (Currently Amended): The power flow control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein an absolute value of the voltage provided by the power flow control module for changing the amplitude of the line is at most one third of the network rated peak voltage.

Claim 3 (Currently Amended): The power flow control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein that an absolute value of the voltage provided by the power flow control module for changing the amplitude of the line is at most 100 volts.

Claim 4 (Currently Amended): The power flow control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching elements are interconnected in a form of two half-bridges and are designed as low-voltage trench transistors.

Claim 5 (Currently Amended): The power flow control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the switching elements comprises at least one field-effect transistor

Claim 6 (Currently Amended): The power flow control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power flow control module is configured to shift a phase between the two module connections that are connected to the line both in the negative direction and in the positive direction.

Claim 7 (Currently Amended): The power flow control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power flow control module is configured to be operated in a voltage- controlled manner or is configured to be used as a current-controlled voltage source.

Claim 8 (Currently Amended): The power flow control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching elements are clocked.

Claim 9 (Currently Amended): The power flow control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching elements are clocked at a switching rate of at least 20 kHz;
.

Claim 10 (Currently Amended): The power flow control system as claimed in claim 9, wherein a battery

 is onnected to the energy connections by way of he DC-DC converter.

Claim 11 (Canceled).

Claim 12 (Currently Amended): The power flow control system as claimed in claim \[\[11\]\]1, wherein the galvanically isolating power supply is fed from the electrical network.

Claim 13 (Currently Amended): The power flow control system as claimed in claim \[\[11\]\]1, wherein the galvanically isolating power supply comprises a rectifier circuit.

Claim 14 (Currently Amended): The power flow control system as claimed in claim \[\[11\]\]1, wherein the galvanically isolating power supply is at least one bidirectional active front end.

Claim 15 (Currently Amended): The power flow control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power flow control module comprises a heating element\[\[,\]\].

Claim 16 (Currently Amended): The power flow control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frequency of the high-frequency transformer is at least 400 Hz.

Claim 17 (Currently Amended): The power flow control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power flow control module comprises an intermediate circuit, wherein a voltage of the intermediate circuit is at most 100 volts DC.

Claim 18 (Canceled).

Claim 19 (Currently Amended): A network segment of an electrical network comprising:
a line that is connected to a network transformer and to which multiple consumers or infeed sources are connected; and
a power flow control module, which comprises:two module connections that are connected to the line of the electrical network,

a plurality of switching elements,
an energy storage, and
two energy connections \[\[,\]\];and
a galvanically isolating power supply that is connected to the energy connections,
wherein:a first module connection and a second module connection, of the two module connections, are connected to the line such that the power flow control module is connected electrically in series with the line;
two of the switching elements are connected in series and are connected in parallel with the energy storage;
the power flow control module is interconnected such that it is at a potential of the line of the electrical network and is galvanically isolated from a ground potential or another line of the electrical network;
the switching elements are designed to increase or reduce an amplitude of the voltage in the line in order to adjust the voltage, to shift the phase of the voltage, or to control the current flow in the line ;\_and the galvanically isolating power supply comprises a DC-DC converter, which comprises a high-frequency transformer.

Claim 20 (New): The power flow control system as claimed in (New): The power flow control system as claimed in
wherein the power flow control system is configured to be selectively operated to use the galvanically isolating power supply to controllably either take an active power from the line and feed it into the energy store or, conversely, to take power from the energy store and feed it into the line.

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 .
Reasons for Allowance
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance.
Claim 1 is allowable over the prior art of record, because the prior art of record does not disclose  a power flow control system for an electrical network and for adjusting a voltage or a current in a line of the electrical network, the power flow control system comprising: a power flow control module, the power flow control module comprising: at least two module connections configured to connect to the line of the electrical network; a plurality of switching elements; an energy storage; and two energy connections; a galvanically isolating power supply that is connected to the energy connections, wherein: a first module connection and a second module connection, of the at least two module connections, are designed to electrically connect the power flow control module in series with the line, two of the switching elements are connected in series and are connected in parallel with the energy storage, the power flow control module is interconnected such that it is at a potential of the line of the electrical network and is galvanically isolated from a ground potential or another line of the electrical network, the switching elements are designed to increase or reduce an amplitude of the voltage in the line in order to adjust the voltage, to shift a phase of the voltage, or to control a current flow in the line, and the galvanically isolating power supply comprises a DC-DC converter, which comprises a high-frequency transformer.
Claim 19 is allowable over the prior art of record, because the prior art of record does not disclose a network segment of an electrical network comprising: a line that is connected to a network transformer and to which multiple consumers or infeed sources are connected; and a power flow control module, which comprises: two module connections that are connected to the line of the electrical network, a plurality of switching elements, an energy storage, and two energy connections; and a galvanically isolating power supply that is connected to the energy connections, wherein: a first module connection and a second module connection, of the two module connections, are connected to the line such that the power flow control module is connected electrically in series with the line; two of the switching elements are connected in series and are connected in parallel with the energy storage; the power flow control module is interconnected such that it is at a potential of the line of the electrical network and is galvanically isolated from a ground potential or another line of the electrical network; the switching elements are designed to increase or reduce an amplitude of the voltage in the line in order to adjust the voltage, to shift the phase of the voltage, or to control the current flow in the line and the galvanically isolating power supply comprises a DC-DC converter, which comprises a high-frequency transformer.
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 / ARGUMENTSReconsideration of the application and claims in light of the foregoing amendments and following remarks/arguments is respectfully requested.Status of the Claims Claims 1-19 are currently pending in the present application.In the Office Action, claims 1-19 were rejected.The present Response amends claim 1-10, 11-17, and 19, cancels claims 11 and 18, and adds new claim 20. No new matter has been added.Upon entry of these amendments, claims 1-10, 11-17, and 19-20 will be pending.Objections to the Claims Claims 1 and 19 were objected to for containing informalities. Claims 1 and 19 have now been amended to correct these informalities. Reconsideration and withdrawal of the objection to claims 1 and 19 is therefore respectfully requested.Rejections under 35 U.S.C. § 112 Claims 1, 9 and 10 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the invention. In view of the foregoing amendments, reconsideration and withdrawal of the rejections of claims 1, 9, and 10 under 35 U.S.C. § 112(b) are respectfully requested.Rejections under 35 U.S.C. § 103 Claims 1-9, 11, 13, 16-19 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being obvious over US 2022/0271536 by Mueller et al. ("Mueller") in view of US 2018/0083447 by Lee ("Lee");Claims 10, 12, 14 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being obvious over Mueller in view of Lee and in further view of US 5,808,452 by Gyugyi et al. ("Gyugyi"); and Claim 15 was rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being obvious over Mueller in view of Lee and in further view of US 2022/0321041 by Ebrahimzadehveshareh et al.("Ebrahimzadehveshareh").Independent claim 1 of the present application has now been amended to recite (emphasis added):A power flow control system for an electrical network and for adjusting a voltage or a current in a line of the electrical network, the power flow control system comprising:a power flow control module, the power flow control module comprising:at least two module connections configured to connect to a line of the electrical network;a plurality of switching elements;an energy storage; and two energy connections: and a galvanically isolating power supply that is connected to the energy connections, wherein:a first module connection and a second module connection, of the at least two module connections, are designed to electrically connect the power flow control module in series with the line, two of the switching elements are connected in series and are connected in parallel with the energy storage, the power flow control module is interconnected such that it is at a potential of the line of the electrical network and is galvanically isolated from a ground potential or another line of the electrical network, the switching elements are designed to increase or reduce an amplitude of the voltage in the line in order to adjust the voltage, to shift a phase of the voltage, or to control a current flow in the line, and the galvanically isolating power supply comprises a DC-DC converter, which comprises a high-frequency transformer.Support for the amendments can be found, for example, in original claims 11 and 12, as well as in paragraphs [0067], [0069], and [0072] of the present published specification.In the relevant art, it is apparent that the capacity utilization of electrical networks is steadily increasing and constantly changing, which can create overloading or distribution problems. See Published Application (US Patent Application Publication No. 2024/0222975 Al), at paragraph [0003]. In the art, meshed networks have been used to improve reliability, however, such networks are known to use very large, heavy, and expensive transformers and take up significant installation space. Also, known mesh controllers for meshed networks are relatively inflexible, and unable to adequately improve network quality. See Published Application, at paragraphs [0006] and [0009]. Embodiments of the present invention, however, provide structurally smaller and more cost-effective solutions as compared to the state of the art, which improve network quality and are able to adjust load distribution. See Published Application, at paragraph [0022].For example, FIG. 1 of the present application (shown below) illustrates an embodiment of a power flow control system of the present invention for an electrical network (12) and for adjusting a voltage or a current in at least one line of the electrical network. In the system, there is a power flow control module (30) that includes: at least two module connections (60, 62) configured to connect to a line (2) of the electrical network, a plurality of switching elements (64), an energy storage (68), and two energy connections (70). The system also has a galvanically isolating power supply (40) that is connected to the energy connections. A first module connection (60) and a second module connection (62), of the at least two module connections, are designed to electrically connect the power flow control module in series with the line. Two of the switching elements (64) are connected in series and are connected in parallel with the energy storage. The power flow control module is interconnected such that it is at a potential of the line of the electrical network and is galvanically isolated from a ground potential or another line of the electrical network. The switching elements are designed to increase or reduce an amplitude of the voltage in the line in order to adjust the voltage, to shift a phase of the voltage, or to control a current flow in the line. The galvanically isolating power supply has a DC-DC converter (54), which has a high- frequency transformer (80).D-DC OLERTRg POWER SUPPLsw r `~... ..F...... . \ FIG. 3 of the present application (annotated) By using a galvanically isolating power supply in the way of the present claim it is possible in the invention to take an active power from the line and feed it into the energy store or, conversely, to take power from the energy store and feed it into the line. This is not contemplated or possible in the prior art.It is respectfully submitted that Mueller, Lee, Gyugyi and Ebrahimzadehveshareh, alone or in combination, fail to disclose or suggest the at least the particular configuration of the galvanically isolating power supply with the power flow control module as recited in amended claim 1.In view of the assertions made in the Office Action, it would appear that the Office agrees that Mueller does not teach or otherwise suggest a galvanically isolating power supply connected to the energy connections of the power flow control module. Rather, the Office suggest that the combination of Lee with Mueller discloses this feature. See Detailed Action, at page 6. However, it is unclear exactly how the Office is making the combination, nor does there appear to be a rational basis for combining the references to arrive at the claimed invention.For example, the Office does not appear to explicitly state where in Mueller the "two energy connection" would be after combining with Lee or how the power supply would be connected. What is said is that "Mueller; however, does not expressly disclose two energy connections configured to connect to an energy source; and Lee discloses "two energy connections n2 for connection to power source 80", which the Office asserts is a galvanically isolated power storage system. See Detailed Action, at pages 4 and 6. In Lee, these connections n2 are at the positive and negative DC rails of the AC/DC converter circuit 75.See Lee, at paragraph [0074] and FIG. 4 (reproduced below). Accordingly, it would seem that the connections must be at a corollary location in Mueller, i.e., at each end of its switching module capacitor CM in the full-bridge switching modules Vn. See Mueller, at FIG. 2 (reproduced below, annotated per understanding of combination). Meaning this must also be where the power source 80 is connected for the combination.fR. 4 energy conctiont n ~ergy- Conn ct on Fig. 4 of Lee (annotated) "ENERGYCONNECTION"t V.
k-v .0 kr, o 8.ENERGYCONNECTION"TO "POWERSUPPLY"Fig. 2 ofMueller (annotated) For the sake of compact prosecution, Applicant will assume this is what the Office intended. However, prior to moving on to considering the remaining features of the amended claim, Applicant must turn to the stated reasons to combine, which would not appear to have been rational to a person having ordinary skill in the art. The Office says that "It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claim invention, to have modify Mueller and include the energy connections to connect to an energy source as disclosed by LEE, for the purpose of storing or releasing power to the compensator circuit, for example (paragraph 0060)." Detailed Action, at page 4. This rather simplistic statement of what Lee discloses, does not bear out when reading Lee as a whole.First, the cited paragraph of Lee states that a power compensation system may deliver a control signal or data to the power storage system to store or transmit power to a power, and in context with the remainder of Lee, this purpose appears to be for providing significant power to a load or to store power produced by renewable energy sources, and not merely to a converter. See, e.g., Lee, at paragraph [0010]. Accordingly, for the combination to make any sense, one must consider the purpose of the connection in Lee to the energy source is in relation to a complex and controlled energy storage and release based on load requirements and produced energy. Those considerations are irrelevant to Mueller and there does not seem to be any rational reason in providing such a complex source/store of energy to Mueller, when it has its capacitor for its own operation of its converter, and no apparent need for anything so complicated as Lee. At bottom, there is no rational reason to include the complex system of Lee into Mueller.Still further, while the Office asserts that Lee's power storage system 80 is galvanically isolated, there does not appear to be any evidence in the record to support this assertion. Applicant respectfully requests explanation.Regardless, the combination of Lee and Mueller still does not disclose that the power supply unit comprises a DC-DC converter which has a high-frequency transformer as required in the amended independent claim. In rejecting features from a previously presented claim, the Office turns to Gyugyi for the DC-DC converter, but also must rely on an unrelated transformer from Mueller for the transformer. See Detailed Action, at pages 7 and 9. It is respectfully submitted that there is no rational basis to combine these references to arrive at the claimed invention.Gyugyi describes the control of the power flow in electric power transmission lines using static inverters. However, the two inverters 1,2 and the DC-DC converter system are coupled into the transmission line 11 via two transformers 13, 15. In order to achieve the present invention with the solution described in Gyugyi, a person skilled in the art would have to remove transformer 13 and replace transformer 15 with the solution from Mueller shown in Fig. 1. However, these changes would result in a short circuit, and the person skilled in the art would have to adjust the switching frequency of the components and the DC-DC converter system 3 of Gyugyi and equip it with a high-frequency transformer. It is also not trivial for the person skilled in the art to determine where the high-frequency transformer could be used in the DC-DC converter system, and the changes would require a complete and substantial reconstruction of the circuits involved, including new control algorithms and a new component design. As such, there is no rationale basis to make the combination. See, e.g., MPEP 2143.01 VI.While not used in the relevant combinations, it is further respectfully submitted that the addition of Ebrahimzadehveshareh would not cure the above-described deficiencies.Also, while different in overall claim scope, claim 19 has been amended to include corollary features to those discussed above. Thus, for similar reasons as discussed above, the combination of references cannot disclose or suggestion all of the features of claim 19.Because the combination of references cannot disclose or suggest at all of the features of independent claims 1 and 19, the claims 1, 19, and the dependent claims 2-18 cannot be considered obvious over such a combination. Accordingly, reconsideration and withdrawal of the rejection of claims 1-19 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 is respectfully requested.Lee is Non-Analogous Art As a separate reason for traversal, Applicant respectfully submits that Lee is not proper for use in an obviousness rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 103. "In order for a reference to be proper for use in an obviousness rejection under 35 U.S.C. 103, the reference must be analogous art to the claimed invention." MPEP at § 2141.01(a)(I). "[A] a reference is analogous art to the claimed invention if. (1) the reference is from the same field of endeavor as the claimed invention (even if it addresses a different problem); or (2) the reference is reasonably pertinent to the problem faced by the inventor (even if it is not in the same field of endeavor as the claimed invention)." MPEP at § 2141.01(a)(I). Appellant respectfully submits Lee is not from the same field of endeavor as the claimed invention nor is it reasonably pertinent to the problem faced by the inventor.A person skilled in the art would not consider Lee when assessing the present invention because each address different technical problems, application areas, technical solutions, features, and objectives. The present invention focuses on specific challenges and solutions for low-voltage local networks, whereas Lee aims at stabilizing and compensating power flows in high-voltage networks. These are not related fields.Lee describes a power compensation apparatus that aims to compensate for both active and reactive power in a power system. It is primarily developed for stabilizing high-voltage networks and improving grid stability through flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS).Lee targets high-voltage networks and the compensation of power flows in large power grids, including the storage and provision of energy through renewable energy sources. The power compensation apparatus described in Lee includes multiple systems, such as a converter, an energy storage system, and renewable energy sources, to compensate for both active and reactive power. It uses a modular multilevel converter (MMC) and is designed for integration into large, complex power grids.These teachings are completely irrelevant to the problems faced by the present invention. The present invention addresses a power flow control module specifically designed for use in low-voltage local networks. It aims to adjust the voltage and/or current in a line to improve grid quality and optimize load distribution. In the present invention, the galvanic isolation by the DC-DC converter with the high-frequency transformer serves to prevent short circuits and makes it possible to save at least one transformer, which basically takes up a lot of space due to its design. This is what makes the solution according to the invention so small, also in comparison to the state of the art, and allows it to be installed in a distribution cabinet (about the size of a shoebox). The problems of size and low voltage mesh-networks are not considered at all in Lee.Accordingly, because Lee is not from the same field of endeavor and is not pertinent to the problem faced by the present inventors, it cannot be used in a rejection under 35 U.S.C.§ 103.New Claims New claim 20 depends from independent claim 1. It is therefore respectfully submitted that new claim 20 is allowable over the cited prior art for at least the same reasons as independent claim 1, discussed above. Support for the new claim can be found, for example, in paragraphs [0027] of the published specification. It is further respectfully submitted that the combination of references, unlike the claimed invention of claim 20, are incapable of taking an active power from the line and feeding it into the energy store and, conversely, of taking power from the energy store and feed it into the line.CONCLUSIONApplicant believes that all issues raised by the Office have been addressed and that the present application is allowable for the foregoing reasons. If there are any remaining issues which the Office believes could be resolved through either a Supplemental Response or an Examiner's Amendment, Applicant respectfully invites the Office to call the telephone contact at the number indicated below.The Commissioner is hereby authorized to charge any unpaid fees deemed required in connection with this submission, including any additional filing or application processing fees required under 37 C.F.R. §1.16, 1.17 or 1.492, except for fees based on multiple dependent claims under 37 CFR §1.16(i) or (j) or 37 CFR §1.492(e) or (f), or to credit any overpayment, to Deposit Account No. 12-1216.Dated: March 11, 2025