Appeal 2007-0882
Application 10/702,987
and simultaneously eliminate or ‘heal’ any residual porosity in the
superalloy casting to which the HVOF coating is applied. The HIP
treatment is performed on the coated substrate to obtain a metal product
having the desired finished dimensions and diffusion bonding between
the coating material and the substrate.” Bajan [0046].
14) Bajan discloses that the thickness of the metallurgical coatings
applied to the surfaces of gas turbine components can range from 0.001"
to 0.100". Bajan [0049].
ANALYSIS
Appellants argue that the Examiner has failed to identify a teaching or
suggestion in White of several of the recited claim elements. For the reasons
discussed below, we find these arguments unpersuasive and affirm the
rejection of claims 1-19 and 21 for essentially those reasons set forth in the
Examiner’s Answer.
Providing a restoration nickel-base superalloy different from that of the
nickel-base superalloy article (claims 1-7 and 12-19)
Appellants contend that “[t]here is no suggestion . . . in White that the
restoration material is a ‘nickel-base superalloy different from that of the
nickel-base superalloy article.’” Reply 4. Appellants argue that unlike the
claimed invention, in White’s examples “the applied coating material is
different from the substrate, but the applied coating material is not a nickel-
base superalloy.” Reply 4.
The Examiner relies on White’s disclosure at col. 5, lines 21-24
which teaches that "[t]he coating material to seal the crack prior to hot
isostatic pressing, is chosen to match the superalloy substrate material or it
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