Appeal No. 94-3696
Application 07/995,230
biasing voltage is applied on a permanent basis to ensure that
the piezoelectric material returns to its original polarization
state after each application of the signal voltage (column 5,
lines 65-69). Rudnick further discloses that such biasing
voltage increases the potential extent of elongation which can be
produced from the piezoelectric material in response to the
applied voltage signal (column 5, lines 69-74). This teaching
would not have given one of ordinary skill in the art reasonable
motivation to apply a "temporary" biasing voltage to a
piezoelectric material being used as a sensor and providing an
electrical signal as an output. The connection between the two
is simply too remote and over stretched to form the necessary
suggestion to render the claimed invention obvious.
May, Jr. discloses a piezoelectric transducer which provides
mechanical motion in incremental steps in response to electrical
signal input. A biasing voltage is applied "continuously to the
piezoelectric driver sections causing them to expand or contract
in order to accommodate and compensate for thermal effects, wear
of the shaft or driver and for changes in load on the shaft"
(Emphasis added.) (column 6, lines 34-38). As is the case with
Rudnick, this teaching would not have given one of ordinary skill
in the art reasonable motivation to apply a "temporary" biasing
6
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007