Appeal No. 96-0251
Application 07/874,697
Sabins’ multiple electrodes would solve Lucisano’s service
life problems (brief, page 12). For the above reason, we are
not persuaded by this argument as it relates to the problem
disclosed by Lucisano of silver forming on the working
electrode (page 739, left column, second full paragraph).
Even regarding Lucisano’s teaching of abrupt sensor failure
caused by silver dendrite formation between the working and
reference electrodes (see id.), the above teaching by Sabins
would have fairly suggested, to one of ordinary skill in the
art, using multiple electrodes in the circuit and switching to
another electrode when dendrites have formed, in order to
extend the life of the sensor.
For the above reasons, we affirm the rejection of claims
3-6 over Lucisano in view of Sabins.
Rejection of claims 9, 11/9 and 14/9
over Lucisano in view of Krebs
Appellants’ claim 9 recites that a continuous cathodic
current is applied to the reference electrode.
Krebs discloses a device for protecting the cathodes in
electrolytic cells used for decomposing alkaline chlorides
(col. 1, lines 1-3). Krebs applies a protection current to a
12
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