Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2024-04-25)
Rejection types: 102 - Lack of Novelty, 103 - Obviousness, 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
CLAIMS:

What is claimed is:

1\. A process, comprising:
preparing a borehole extending from a surface into an underground magma reservoir;
providing a flow of a first fluid into the borehole, wherein providing the flow of the first fluid into the borehole causes a rock layer to be maintained around a portion of the borehole located within the magma reservoir;
lowering a casing into the borehole; and
providing a second fluid into the casing, thereby causing the casing to sink into a volume of the first fluid within the borehole.

2\. The process of Claim 1, wherein the casing comprises a cylindrical body with an open end and a closed end.

3\. The process of Claim 1, further comprising continuously providing the flow of the first fluid into the borehole at least until the casing is lowered to a target depth.

4\. The process of Claim 1, further comprising, prior to providing the second fluid into the casing, determining that the casing is moving in a downward direction at less than a threshold speed.

5\. The process of Claim 4, further comprising, prior to providing the second fluid into the casing, determining that a target depth of the casing has not been reached.

6\. The process of Claim 1, further comprising providing the second fluid into the casing at a predetermined flow rate.

7\. The process of Claim 1, further comprising providing a predetermined volume of the second fluid into the casing, the predetermined volume sufficient to cause lowering of the casing to a target depth within the borehole.

8\. The process of Claim 1, wherein the first fluid is a drilling or cooling fluid.

9\. The process of Claim 1, further comprising providing the flow of that first fluid into the borehole at a flow rate sufficient to maintain a volume of the first fluid at or above a ceiling of the magma reservoir.

10\. The process of Claim 9, further comprising, after determining that the casing reaches a target depth, stopping the flow of the first fluid into the borehole.

11\. The process of Claim 10, wherein stopping the flow of the first fluid into the borehole causes the rock layer formed by the first fluid to melt and magma within the magma reservoir to contact at least a portion of an outer surface of the casing within the borehole.

12\. The process of Claim 11, further comprising providing a flow of the second fluid or another fluid through the casing, thereby causing a new rock layer to form proximate the outer surface of the casing within the magma reservoir.

13\. A process, comprising:
preparing a borehole extending downward from a surface;
providing a flow of a first fluid into the borehole;
lowering a casing into the borehole; and
providing a second fluid into the casing, thereby causing the casing to sink into a volume of the first fluid within the borehole.

14\. The process of Claim 13, wherein the casing comprises a cylindrical body with an open end and a closed end.

15\. The process of Claim 13, further comprising continuously providing the flow of the first fluid into the borehole at least until the casing is lowered to a target depth.

16\. The process of Claim 13, further comprising, prior to providing the second fluid into the casing, determining that the casing is moving in a downward direction at less than a threshold speed.

17\. The process of Claim 16, further comprising, prior to providing the second fluid into the casing, determining that a target depth of the casing has not been reached.

18\. The process of Claim 13, further comprising providing the second fluid into the casing at a predetermined flow rate.

19\. The process of Claim 13, further comprising providing a predetermined volume of the second fluid into the casing, the predetermined volume sufficient to cause lowering of the casing to a target depth within the borehole.

20\. The process of Claim 13, wherein the first fluid is a drilling or cooling fluid.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
This communication is a first office action on the merits. All currently pending claims have been considered below. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Drawings
Figure 2 should be designated by a legend such as --Prior Art-- because only that which is old is illustrated. See MPEP § 608.02(g). The specification describes figure 2 as a conventional geothermal power generation system (¶ 19).
Corrected drawings in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. The replacement sheet(s) should be labeled “Replacement Sheet” in the page header (as per 37 CFR 1.84(c)) so as not to obstruct any portion of the drawing figures. If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b)  CONCLUSION.—The 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.
Claims 1-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites inter alia providing a flow of a first fluid into the borehole [thereby causing] a rock layer to be maintained around a portion of the borehole located within the magma reservoir.
The examiner holds this to be indefinite because the use of maintained implies, but does not clearly recite, that the rock layer… within the magma reservoir is previously created and already exists. However, in light of the specification, it appears that the first fluid creates this rock layer. This interpretation is further supported by dependent claim 11 which recites stopping the flow of the first fluid… causes the rock layer formed by the first fluid to melt… However parent claim 1 does not recite the first fluid forming the rock layer.
The examiner respectfully suggests the phrase be changed to … causes a rock layer to be formed and maintained from the magma around a portion of the borehole… or some grammatic variation thereof. Claims 2-12 depend from claim 1.
Claim 8 recites the first fluid is a drilling or cooling fluid. First, this is simply a change in nomenclature only. Neither drilling or cooling fluid convey any kind of new limitation per se from the generic recitation of first fluid. No drilling is recited in any of the claims, and claim 1 is conspicuously worded so as to not recite cooling the magma, for example.
Second, a primary purpose of drilling fluid is to cool the drilling structure, as is exceedingly well understood.
Finally, any fluid can be drilling or cooling fluid as currently recited. In other words, what is encompassed / allowed by a first fluid that is excluded by changing first fluid to a drilling or cooling fluid.
Claim 11 is held as indefinite for the phrase the rock layer formed by the first fluid. This does not have basis in parent claim 1, as similarly discussed in the 112(b) rejection of claim 1 above. Correction of claim 1 as discussed above would obviate this rejection of claim 11. Claim 12 depends from claim 11.
Claim 20 recites the first fluid is a drilling or cooling fluid which is held as indefinite as similarly described for claim 8 above.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 13, 14, 16-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US 3,398,794 (Fox).
Independent claim 13. Fox discloses a process (running large diameter casing - title), comprising:
preparing a borehole extending downward from a surface (10, fig 1; also clearly shown in fig 2);
providing a flow of a first fluid into the borehole (water 32 is added to the desired level - col 4:71-72);
lowering a casing into the borehole (When it is desired to run casing 12… - col 3:25); and
providing a second fluid into the casing (if the buoyancy should be reduced to permit the casing to sink, water is injected through the same, or a second conduit, into the compartment to effect such change in buoyancy - col 2:35-38), thereby causing the casing to sink into a volume of the first fluid within the borehole (ibid; figs 1 & 2).
Claim 14. The process of Claim 13, wherein the casing comprises a cylindrical body with an open end and a closed end (Figs 1 & 2 both show a cylindrical casing with a closed lower end. Relief valve 44 in fig 1 is not excluded by this as the valve closes the lower end. Fig 2 shows a fully closed lower end).
Claim 16. The process of Claim 13, further comprising, prior to providing the second fluid into the casing, determining that the casing is moving in a downward direction at less than a threshold speed (The supported weight determines the downward movement, and [t]he proper amount of water injected into the compartments can be determined by merely observing the weight of the casing on the supporting derrick and adding or removing water from such compartments to maintain the desired weight - col 4:11-15. In other words, less than the desired weight directly correlates to too little downward movement, and water is added directly responsive to this to permit the casing to sink - col 2:35-36).
Claim 17. The process of Claim 16, further comprising, prior to providing the second fluid into the casing, determining that a target depth of the casing has not been reached (The second fluid is added [w]hen it is desired to run casing 12 - col 3:25-52 - which is clearly and inherently before the casing a reached a target depth. The second fluid is stopped [w]hen the casing has been run to its total depth - col 2:41-42).
Claim 18. The process of Claim 13, further comprising providing the second fluid into the casing at a predetermined flow rate (predetermined to maintain the desired weight - col 4:8-15 - which is pre-calculated: col 4:1-7. In other words, the desired buoyancy and desired weight, which are predetermined as cited above, determine the rate the fluid is added as the casing is lowered to maintain fluid pressure: claim 1. In other words predetermined flow rate does not require steady / static / constant rate. The second fluid is not added haphazardly or randomly, but rather specifically based of predetermined criteria).
Claim 19. The process of Claim 13, further comprising providing a predetermined volume of the second fluid into the casing (injecting the proper amount of water into compartments 18 and 26, the desired buoyant effect is readily obtained from the casing 12 so that it can be lowered to the bottom of the well bore. The proper amount of water injected into the compartments can be determined by merely observing the weight of the casing on the supporting derrick and adding or removing water from such compartments to maintain the desired weight - col 4:8-14), the predetermined volume sufficient to cause lowering of the casing to a target depth within the borehole (ibid).
Claim 20. The process of Claim 13, wherein the first fluid is a drilling or cooling fluid (water 32 may be both a drilling fluid and/or a cooling fluid).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
Claim 1-12 & 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 3,398,794 (Fox) in view of the NPL Magma Energy Research Project, 1982 (henceforth Magma NPL). Applicant provided a copy of the Magma NPL in the IDS filed 7/31/2023. The examiner cites the page numbers as-written in the document.
Claim 15. Fox discloses all the limitations of the parent claim but does not disclose continuously providing the flow of the first fluid into the borehole at least until the casing is lowered to a target depth.
However, the Magma NPL teaches the continuous circulation of cooling drilling fluid to form a wellbore in a magma formation by using high-velocity and high-volume jets of cooling water from the face of the bit to cool the molten rock ahead of the bit sufficiently so that it may be drilled (page 16, left column, first full ¶). Without a continuous supply, the cooled area will melt and must be re-cooled (page 16, right column, second to last ¶). However, continuously providing the flow of the first fluid into the borehole will be kept open and stable as long as desired by cooling with a stream of water from the surface (ibid).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing to sink the casing taught by Fox into magma by continuously circulating the first fluid as taught by the Magma NPL. First, Fox is clear that the casing may be used in a wide variety of applications, including deep drilling (col 4:57-60). Second, the Magma NPL is clear that damage the equipment was minimal… if a continuous flow of coolant was maintained (page 16, right column, third to last ¶). Finally, the use in a magma formation allows for substantial geothermal energy to be tapped (Magma NPL, ¶ bridging pages 7 & 8).
Independent claim 1. Fox discloses a process (running large diameter casing - title), comprising:
preparing a borehole extending downward from a surface (10, fig 1; also clearly shown in fig 2);
providing a flow of a first fluid into the borehole (water 32 is added to the desired level - col 4:71-72);
lowering a casing into the borehole (When it is desired to run casing 12… - col 3:25); and
providing a second fluid into the casing (if the buoyancy should be reduced to permit the casing to sink, water is injected through the same, or a second conduit, into the compartment to effect such change in buoyancy - col 2:35-38), thereby causing the casing to sink into a volume of the first fluid within the borehole (ibid; figs 1 & 2).
Fox is silent as to providing the first fluid into the borehole to cause a rock layer to be [formed] around a portion of the borehole located within a magma reservoir.
However, the Magma NPL teaches the continuous circulation of cooling drilling fluid to form a wellbore in a magma formation by using high-velocity and high-volume jets of cooling water from the face of the bit to cool the molten rock ahead of the bit sufficiently so that it may be drilled (page 16, left column, first full ¶). Without a continuous supply, the cooled area will melt and must be re-cooled (page 16, right column, second to last ¶). However, continuously providing the flow of the first fluid into the borehole will be kept open and stable as long as desired by cooling with a stream of water from the surface (ibid).
Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing to sink the casing taught by Fox into magma by continuously circulating the first fluid as taught by the Magma NPL. First, Fox is clear that the casing may be used in a wide variety of applications, including deep drilling (col 4:57-60). Second, the Magma NPL is clear that damage the equipment was minimal… if a continuous flow of coolant was maintained (page 16, right column, third to last ¶). Finally, the use in a magma formation allows for substantial geothermal energy to be tapped (Magma NPL, ¶ bridging pages 7 & 8).
Dependent claims 2-8 are the same as dependent claims 14-20, respectively, and are similarly rejected as described for those claims above, respectfully not repeated again here.
Claim 9. The process of Claim 1, further comprising providing the flow of that first fluid into the borehole at a flow rate sufficient to maintain a volume of the first fluid at or above a ceiling of the magma reservoir (Magma NPL: page 16, right column. If the first fluid does not extend to or above a ceiling of the magma reservoir, it will melt and collapse onto the string. Further, it is conventional & well understood drilling practice to fill the borehole will the drilling fluid to prevent the borehole from collapsing).
Claim 10. The process of Claim 9, further comprising, after determining that the casing reaches a target depth, stopping the flow of the first fluid into the borehole (logically follows from the Magma NPL that, when the casing is placed, the circulation of cooling fluid is stopped: page 16, right column).
Claim 11. The process of Claim 10, wherein stopping the flow of the first fluid into the borehole causes the rock layer formed by the first fluid to melt and magma within the magma reservoir (Magma NPL, page 16, right column, last ¶) to contact at least a portion of an outer surface of the casing within the borehole (naturally follows that if the magma will contact the bit and string as taught by the Magma NPL, it will likewise contact the casing of Fox once in the hole).
Claim 12. The process of Claim 11, further comprising providing a flow of the second fluid or another fluid through the casing, thereby causing a new rock layer to form proximate the outer surface of the casing within the magma reservoir (the reopened hole could be kept open and stable by reintroducing the coolant flow from above - Magma NPL, page 16, right column, second to last ¶).
Conclusion

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
I. DISPOSITION OF THE CLAIMS
. Applicant respectfully requestsreconsideration of the present application in view of the foregoing amendments and the following remarks.
II. OBJECTIONS TO THE DRAWINGS
The Office Action objects to FIG. 2 of the present application for not including a designation as "Prior Art". In response, a Replacement Sheet is submitted herewith setting forth an amended FIG. 2 having the designation as "Prior Art". No new matter is added. Accordingly, it is believed that this objection has been overcome, and Applicant respectfully requests withdrawal of the objection.
III. REJECTIONS UNDER 35 U.S.C. J 112
The Office Action rejects claims 1-12 under 35 U.S.C. §112(b) as allegedly being indefinite. In particular, the Office Action objects to elements in claims 1, 8, 11 and 20 for failing to recite additional elements deemed necessary to understanding the scope of the claims. In response, Applicant has amended claims 1 and 8 as suggested by the Examiner. No new matter is added. Accordingly, it is believed that these rejections have been overcome, and Applicant respectfully requests withdrawal of the rejections. IV. REJECTIONS UNDER 35 U.S.C. J 102
The Office Action rejects claims 13, 14 and 16-20, of which claim 13 is independent, under 35 U.S.C. § 102 as allegedly being anticipated by U.S. Patent 3,398,794 to Fox. In response, Applicant has amended independent claim 13 to recite an element included in original independent claim 1 and which is acknowledged as not being disclosed in Fox. Specifically, independent claim 13 has been amended to recite "providing a flow of a first fluid into the borehole
to cause a rock layer to be formed and maintained from magma around a portion of
the borehole located within the magma reservoir".
Accordingly, it is believed that this rejection has been overcome, and Applicant therefore respectfully requests withdrawal of the rejection.
V. REJECTIONS UNDER 35 U.S.C. § 103
The Office Action rejects claims 1-12 and 15, of which claim 1 is independent, under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being obvious and thus unpatentable over U.S. Patent 3,398,794 to Fox in view of the article entitled "Magma Energy Research Project", by Colp (1982), hereinafter "Colp". In response, Applicant has amended independent claims 1 and 13 to recite that after the casing is sunk using the flow of the second fluid to a desired level within the borehole, the flow
of the first fluid into the borehole is ceased, which thus causes the rock layer previously formed by the cooling of the magma at the bottom of the borehole to remelt such that magma contacts casing located within the magma reservoir.
In contrast, Fox teaches that the fluid within the casing is used to equalize the pressure imparted on the exterior surface of the casing by the fluid in the wellbore (outside of the casing) when the casing is lowered into the borehole. As such, Fox does not teach providing a flow of the fluid in the borehole as the casing is lowered into the borehole. Importantly, this is because Fox does not teach its technique of lowering a casing in a borehole that has been drilled into a magma reservoir. This is clear because without a constant flow of cooling ("first") fluid into the borehole located within a magma reservoir, the liquid state of the magma would collapse the borehole prior to the casing being sunk into the borehole. Specifically, the nonflowing fluid in
the borehole disclosed in Fox would very quickly boil from the heat of the magma and collapse the borehole if the borehole in Fox were formed into a magma reservoir as recited in the present claims. Consequently, there can be no teaching or suggestion in Fox to cease the flow of the first fluid once the casing is placed at a depth partly within a magma reservoir such that the rock layer originally formed from magma cooled by the flow of the first fluid remelts and the magma surrounds and contacts the portion of the casing within the magma reservoir, as recited in the presently amended claims.
Moreover, the addition of Colp with Fox does not cure this deficiency of Fox. Specifically, while Colp may disclose the cooling of magma into rock that may be drilled, Colp also does not disclose or suggest that a once a casing is floated down to a depth partly within a magma reservoir, the cooling fluid is ceased such that the rock layer originally formed from magma cooled by the flow of that fluid remelts and the magma surrounds and contacts the portion of the casing within the magma reservoir, as recited in the presently amended claims. As a result, since neither Fox nor Colp discloses or suggests these elements of the presently
amended claims, even the combination of Fox with Colp does not teach or suggest these
elements. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully asserts that the combination of Fox and Colp does not teach or suggest all of the elements of independent claims 1 and 13, as presently amended. Thus, the claims dependent on these amended independent claims are also not disclosed or
suggested by the combination of Fox and Colp. Applicant, therefore, respectfully requests that the rejection of these claims be withdrawn.
VI. REQUEST FOR EVIDENTIARY SUPPORT
Should any of the above asserted rejections be maintained, Applicant respectfully requests appropriate evidentiary support. Additionally, if the Examiner intends to rely upon "common knowledge" or "well known" principles to establish the rejection, Applicant requests that a reference be provided in support of this position pursuant to MPEP § 2144.03. Furthermore, to the extent that the Examiner maintains any rejection based on an "Official Notice" or other information within the Examiner's personal knowledge, Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner cite a reference as documentary evidence in support of this position or
provide an affidavit in accordance with MPEP § 2144.03 and 37 C.F.R. 1.104(d)(2). VII. NO WAIVER
All of Applicant's arguments and amendments are without prejudice or disclaimer. Additionally, Applicant has merely discussed example distinctions from the cited references. Other distinctions may exist, and Applicant reserves the right to discuss these additional distinctions in a later Response or on Appeal, if appropriate. By not responding to additional statements made by the Examiner, either in the present Office Action, any prior communication from the Office, or any future communication from the Office, Applicant does not acquiesce to any such additional statements, such as, for example, any statements relating to what is or is not disclosed or suggested in any reference, what would be obvious or not obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art, or any statements made as reasons for allowance of any claim in the present application.
CONCLUSION

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: DETAILED ACTION
This communication is a final office action on the merits and in response to amendments filed on 8/26/2024. All currently pending claims have been considered below. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Amendment
Applicant's amendments are sufficient to overcome the prior 112(b) rejections. However claims 10 & 11 are now rendered indefinite due to their limitations being redundantly recited in parent claim 1. Further, Applicant states that corrected drawings with an amended Fig. 2. The examiner is respectfully obliged to note that this corrected drawing does not appear to have made it into Applicant's communication.
Drawings
Figure 2 should be designated by a legend such as --Prior Art-- because only that which is old is illustrated. See MPEP § 608.02(g). The specification describes figure 2 as a conventional geothermal power generation system (¶ 19).
Corrected drawings in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. The replacement sheet(s) should be labeled “Replacement Sheet” in the page header (as per 37 CFR 1.84(c)) so as not to obstruct any portion of the drawing figures. If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b)  CONCLUSION.—The 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.
Claims 10-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, regards as the invention.
Claim 10 recites The process of claim 9, further comprising after determining that the casing reaches a target depth, stopping the flow of the first fluid into the borehole. However claim 1 has been amended to recite after the casing is sunk to a desired level within the borehole, ceasing the flow of the first fluid. These appear to be redundant recitations. It is unclear in light of the specification how or if the target depth and related method step in claim 10 differ from the desired level and related method step now in claim 1. Claims 11 & 12 depend from claim 10.
Similarly, claim 11 only recites features now found in parent claim 1. Claim 12 depends from claim 11.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-9 & 13-20 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: The independent claims have been amended to recite inter alia after the casing is sunk to a desired level within the borehole, ceasing the flow of the first fluid into the borehole thereby causing the rock layer maintained around the portion of the borehole within the magma reservoir to remelt such that magma contacts casing located within the magma reservoir.
The two closest prior art documents are the NPL Magma Energy Research Project, 1982, a copy of which was provided by Applicant in the IDS filed 7/31/2023 and US 11,913,679 (Lindberg), available as prior art under 102(a)(2).
In both cases, the prior art does not teach nor suggest the above limitations.
The NPL teaches an interruption (> a few minutes) of coolant flow down the drill string - commensurate with the first fluid in the present claims- while drilling results in hole loss at best and bit and drill string lost at worst. A redundant cooling system would be required for deep drilling (page 16 as-numbered in the NPL, right column, last paragraph). This clearly suggests that stopping cooling fluid flow is bad and the loss of the surrounding rock layer formed by the cooling fluid is undesirable.
Lindberg teaches geothermal systems and methods with an underground magma chamber (title) and teaches forming and maintaining a rock layer (The surface 438 may be hardened magma (e.g., rock with or without glassy material) that forms via heat transfer between the magma 412 and the pressurization fluid 442 - col 8:13-16, figs 4C & 4D) by cooling the magma with a cooling fluid (pressurization fluid 442 - ibid). However, similar to the NPL, Lindberg teaches that it is desirable to maintain this layer with the subsequent heat transfer fluid (fig 4D). At best, Lindberg teaches During subsequent use of the underground chamber 440 (see FIGS. 4D and 6), all or a portion of the surface 438 may be allowed to be heated and melt to increase thermal contact between fluid in the underground chamber 440 and the magma 412 (col 8:23-27), but the underground chamber 440 is still present (as quoted here) and therefore the magma is not taught as contacting the casing. Nor is this commensurate with the two fluid flow currently recited in the present claims.
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's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action.  Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL.  See MPEP § 706.07(a).  Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action.  In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action.  In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action.

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20110232858A1: Claims:
A closed loop geothermal apparatus comprising: a. a main well comprising a hole in the earth; b. a piping system comprising one or more pipes; c. one or more heat conducting channels; and d. a heat conducting filler, wherein the piping system is inside the main well, such that a bottom portion of the piping system reaches a target temperature zone underground, wherein the one or more heat conducting channels each comprise a wellbore filled and packed with graphite, wherein the one or more heat conducting channels converge to contact a heat exchange zone of the main well at or near the bottom of the piping system; and wherein the heat conducting filler consisting essentially of graphite is packed in a space between the main well and the piping system in the target temperature zone.
a. a main well comprising a hole in the earth;
b. a piping system comprising one or more pipes;
c. one or more heat conducting channels; and
d. a heat conducting filler,
wherein the piping system is inside the main well, such that a bottom portion of the piping system reaches a target temperature zone underground,
wherein the one or more heat conducting channels each comprise a wellbore filled and packed with graphite,
wherein the one or more heat conducting channels converge to contact a heat exchange zone of the main well at or near the bottom of the piping system;
wherein the heat conducting filler consisting essentially of graphite is packed in a space between the main well and the piping system in the target temperature zone.
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the piping system comprises an inner pipe and an outer pipe in a concentric arrangement.
The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the inner pipe and the outer pipe are configured such that a thermal fluid traveling downward in the space between the inner pipe and the outer pipe can enter the inner pipe at or near the bottom of the outer pipe and travel upward within the inner pipe.
The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the inner pipe is made of a heat conducting material in the target temperature zone.
The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the outer pipe is made of a heat conducting material in the target temperature zone.
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat conducting filler packed in the space between the main well and the outer pipe comprises graphite rods, graphite powder, and/or graphite flakes.
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat conducting filler packed in the space between the main well and the outer pipe is pure or nearly pure graphite.
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat conducting filler has a thermal conductivity in a range from about 100 W/m·K to about 5780 W/m·K.
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the heat conducting filler comprising graphite has a thermal conductivity from about 100 W/m·K to about 450 W/m·K.
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat conducting filler comprising graphite has a thermal conductivity from about 120 W/m·K to about 300 W/m·K.
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an extended portion of the main well below the bottom of the piping system, wherein the extended portion of the main well is filled and packed with graphite.
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the graphite of the extended portion of the main well is pure or nearly pure graphite.
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the piping system has a closed bottom, and wherein the graphite in the extended portion of the main well contacts the closed bottom of the piping system.
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the graphite in the extended portion of the main well includes multiple graphite rods stacked in the extended portion of the main well, wherein the graphite rods contact the closed bottom of the piping system.
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a portion of each of the one or more heat conducting channels comprises graphite that interfaces and contacts the graphite of the heat conducting filler to provide a continuous flow of thermal energy from the one or more heat conducting channels to the heat exchange zone of the main well through the graphite of the one or more heat conducting channels and the heat conducting filler.
The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the graphite filled and packed in the one or more heat conducting channels comprises graphite rods, graphite powder, and/or graphite flakes.
The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the graphite filled and packed in the one or more heat conducting channels is pure or nearly pure graphite.
The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the one or more heat conducting channels extend horizontally through a sedimentary layer of the earth.
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an outer casing positioned between the main well and the piping system, wherein the heat conducting filler is packed in a space between the main well and the outer casing in the target temperature zone.
The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising a heat exchanger positioned in a heat exchange zone of the main well at or near the bottom of the inner and outer pipes.
The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises one or more supporting sections between the inner and outer pipes.
The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a thermally conducting object inside the inner pipe.
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the piping system is configured such that a thermal fluid travels downward toward the bottom portion of the piping system and heated, before traveling upward toward the surface of the earth.
A closed loop geothermal apparatus comprising: a. a main well comprising a hole in the earth; b. a piping system comprising one or more pipes; c. an extended portion of the main well below the bottom of the piping system; and d. a heat conducting filler, wherein the piping system is inside the main well, such that a bottom portion of the piping system reaches a target temperature zone underground, wherein the piping system is configured such that a thermal fluid traveling downward toward the bottom of the piping system and heated before traveling upward toward the surface of the earth, wherein the heat conducting filler consisting essentially of graphite is packed in a space between the main well and the piping system in the target temperature zone, and wherein the extended portion of the main well is filled and packed with graphite.
c. an extended portion of the main well below the bottom of the piping system; and
wherein the piping system is configured such that a thermal fluid traveling downward toward the bottom of the piping system and heated before traveling upward toward the surface of the earth,
wherein the heat conducting filler consisting essentially of graphite is packed in a space between the main well and the piping system in the target temperature zone, and
wherein the extended portion of the main well is filled and packed with graphite.
The apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the graphite of the extended portion of the main well is pure or nearly pure graphite.
The apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the piping system has a closed bottom, and wherein the graphite in the extended portion of the main well contacts the closed bottom of the piping system.
The apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the graphite in the extended portion of the main well includes multiple graphite rods stacked in the extended portion of the main well, wherein the graphite rods contact the closed bottom of the piping system.
A method comprising: (a) providing a closed loop geothermal apparatus comprising a main well having a hole in the earth, a piping system having one or more pipes, one or more heat conducting channels; and a heat conducting filler; wherein the piping system is inside the main well, such that a bottom portion of the piping system reaches a target temperature zone underground, wherein the one or more heat conducting channels each comprise a wellbore filled and packed with graphite, wherein the one or more heat conducting channels converge to contact a heat exchange zone of the main well at or near the bottom of the piping system; and wherein the heat conducting filler consisting essentially of graphite is packed in a space between the main well and the piping system in the target temperature zone; and (b) causing a thermal fluid to flow downward toward the bottom portion of the piping system and heated, before traveling upward toward the surface of the earth.
(a) providing a closed loop geothermal apparatus comprising a main well having a hole in the earth, a piping system having one or more pipes, one or more heat conducting channels; and a heat conducting filler;
wherein the piping system is inside the main well, such that a bottom portion of the piping system reaches a target temperature zone underground, wherein the one or more heat conducting channels each comprise a wellbore filled and packed with graphite, wherein the one or more heat conducting channels converge to contact a heat exchange zone of the main well at or near the bottom of the piping system; and wherein the heat conducting filler consisting essentially of graphite is packed in a space between the main well and the piping system in the target temperature zone; and (b) causing a thermal fluid to flow downward toward the bottom portion of the piping system and heated, before traveling upward toward the surface of the earth.
Ref US20230327947A1: Claims:
A system comprising: a host machine configured to run a container orchestrator, the host machine comprising: a database comprising a multi-dimensional data store configured to define a network data model, wherein the network data model is configured to support one or more network data attributes, the database further comprising a network configuration; a processor; and non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions executable by the processor to: obtain, via the database, the network configuration; spawn a container according to the network configuration, wherein the container is configured, based on the network configuration, to be coupled to a network overlay via a network interface; receive, via the network interface, incoming data associated with the container, the incoming data having attached one or more attached network data attributes; identify, via the database, the attached one or more network data attributes attached to the incoming data as one or more network data attributes of the network data model; attach one or more network data attributes associated with outgoing data, wherein outgoing data is transmitted by the container and the one or more network data attributes attached to the outgoing data are based, at least in part, on the container; and transmit, via the network interface, a memory pointer associated with a memory address of the outgoing data.
a host machine configured to run a container orchestrator, the host machine comprising: a database comprising a multi-dimensional data store configured to define a network data model, wherein the network data model is configured to support one or more network data attributes, the database further comprising a network configuration; a processor; and non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions executable by the processor to: obtain, via the database, the network configuration; spawn a container according to the network configuration, wherein the container is configured, based on the network configuration, to be coupled to a network overlay via a network interface; receive, via the network interface, incoming data associated with the container, the incoming data having attached one or more attached network data attributes; identify, via the database, the attached one or more network data attributes attached to the incoming data as one or more network data attributes of the network data model; attach one or more network data attributes associated with outgoing data, wherein outgoing data is transmitted by the container and the one or more network data attributes attached to the outgoing data are based, at least in part, on the container; and transmit, via the network interface, a memory pointer associated with a memory address of the outgoing data.
a database comprising a multi-dimensional data store configured to define a network data model, wherein the network data model is configured to support one or more network data attributes, the database further comprising a network configuration;
a processor; and
non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions executable by the processor to: obtain, via the database, the network configuration; spawn a container according to the network configuration, wherein the container is configured, based on the network configuration, to be coupled to a network overlay via a network interface; receive, via the network interface, incoming data associated with the container, the incoming data having attached one or more attached network data attributes; identify, via the database, the attached one or more network data attributes attached to the incoming data as one or more network data attributes of the network data model; attach one or more network data attributes associated with outgoing data, wherein outgoing data is transmitted by the container and the one or more network data attributes attached to the outgoing data are based, at least in part, on the container; and transmit, via the network interface, a memory pointer associated with a memory address of the outgoing data.
obtain, via the database, the network configuration;
spawn a container according to the network configuration, wherein the container is configured, based on the network configuration, to be coupled to a network overlay via a network interface;
receive, via the network interface, incoming data associated with the container, the incoming data having attached one or more attached network data attributes;
identify, via the database, the attached one or more network data attributes attached to the incoming data as one or more network data attributes of the network data model;
attach one or more network data attributes associated with outgoing data, wherein outgoing data is transmitted by the container and the one or more network data attributes attached to the outgoing data are based, at least in part, on the container; and
transmit, via the network interface, a memory pointer associated with a memory address of the outgoing data.
The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to: transmit, via the network interface, the outgoing data.
transmit, via the network interface, the outgoing data.
The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to: add, via the database, an additional attribute to the one or more network data attributes of the network data model.
add, via the database, an additional attribute to the one or more network data attributes of the network data model.
The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to: remove, via the database, at least one of the one or more network data attributes from the network data model.
remove, via the database, at least one of the one or more network data attributes from the network data model.
The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to: prioritize forwarding of the incoming data based, at least in part, on the one or more attached network data attributes.
prioritize forwarding of the incoming data based, at least in part, on the one or more attached network data attributes.
The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more network data attributes includes at least a quality of service, security, routing, switching, proof of origin, proof of delivery, and packet behavior monitoring associated with data received and transmitted by the container.
An apparatus comprising: a processor; and non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions executable by the processor to: obtain, via a database, a network configuration; spawn a container according to the network configuration, wherein the container is configured, based on the network configuration, to be coupled to a network overlay via a network interface; receive, via the network interface, incoming data associated with the container, the incoming data having attached one or more attached network data attributes; identify, via the database, the attached one or more network data attributes attached to the incoming data as one or more network data attributes of a network data model; attach one or more network data attributes associated with outgoing data, wherein outgoing data is transmitted by the container and the one or more network data attributes attached to the outgoing data are based, at least in part, on the container; and transmit, via the network interface, a memory pointer associated with a memory address of the outgoing data, wherein the database comprises a multi-dimensional data store configured to define a network data model, wherein the network data model is configured to support one or more network data attributes.
non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions executable by the processor to: obtain, via a database, a network configuration; spawn a container according to the network configuration, wherein the container is configured, based on the network configuration, to be coupled to a network overlay via a network interface; receive, via the network interface, incoming data associated with the container, the incoming data having attached one or more attached network data attributes; identify, via the database, the attached one or more network data attributes attached to the incoming data as one or more network data attributes of a network data model; attach one or more network data attributes associated with outgoing data, wherein outgoing data is transmitted by the container and the one or more network data attributes attached to the outgoing data are based, at least in part, on the container; and transmit, via the network interface, a memory pointer associated with a memory address of the outgoing data, wherein the database comprises a multi-dimensional data store configured to define a network data model, wherein the network data model is configured to support one or more network data attributes.
obtain, via a database, a network configuration;
identify, via the database, the attached one or more network data attributes attached to the incoming data as one or more network data attributes of a network data model;
transmit, via the network interface, a memory pointer associated with a memory address of the outgoing data,
wherein the database comprises a multi-dimensional data store configured to define a network data model, wherein the network data model is configured to support one or more network data attributes.
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to: transmit, via the network interface, the outgoing data.
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to: add, via the database, an additional attribute to the one or more network data attributes of the network data model.
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to: remove, via the database, at least one of the one or more network data attributes from the network data model.
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to: prioritize forwarding of the incoming data based, at least in part, on the one or more attached network data attributes.
A method comprising: defining, at an edge database, a network data model configured to support one or more network data attributes; providing, via the edge database, a network configuration; obtaining, via an orchestrator, the network configuration from the edge database; spawni
[Truncated to input limit]