Appeal No. 1996-0841
Application No. 07/928,443
In the present case, we determine that the examiner has
not supplied a sufficient factual basis to employ
“catalytically inactive” beta-gallium oxide with a
catalytically active material to form at least one individual
sensor element. As stated by the examiner (Answer, page 5),
Firth teaches employing gas sensitive resistors consisting
essentially of gallium oxide. See column 1, lines 57-59.
This gallium oxide is suggested over other so-called
“catalytic metal oxides,” such as titanium dioxide, vanadium
pentoxide, chromium oxide and cerium oxide. See Firth, column
2, lines 32-56, together with Clifford, column 7, line 65 to
column 8, line 5. According to Firth (column 2, lines 42-56),
the catalytic metal oxides exhibit a characteristic which is
ill-adapted for use where it is required to provide
for fine adjustment of the composition of the inlet
mixture, especially in the important range of “lean”
mixtures.
Moreover, Firth does not indicate that the gallium oxide
employed is catalytically inactive or is in beta form. See
Firth in its entirety. Nor does it indicate that a
catalytically inactive film can be used together with a
catalytically active material. Id.
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