Appeal No. 97-1149
Application No. 08/237,537
state (specification, page 4), and that the “low-sensitivity
region” of the fuel injectors is a portion of the operating range
where the fuel injector fuel flow is relatively insensitive to
small variations in the length of the opening of the injectors.
Injector fuel flow sensitivity is a function of the time the
injector is kept open, the pressure across the injector, the
temperature of the fuel and the injectors, the fuel viscosity,
and other factors. Specification, pages 4 and 5.
Our understanding of the examiner’s position is that all of
the steps recited in claim 1 inherently are accomplished by the
system disclosed by Betki. However, we do not agree with the
reasoning that he has set forth to substantiate that position.
Nowhere in the Betki reference is there any discussion of the
operating ranges of the injectors, much less use of the phrase
“low sensitivity region,” nor is there a disclosure of the
factors which the appellants have listed as being related to this
factor. Thus, even if we accede, arguendo, to the examiner’s
position that Betki selects one or the other of two pressure
levels at which to operate the system, there is no evidence which
supports the conclusion that one of these pressure levels is
related to the required “low sensitivity region.” We also remain
unconvinced that Betki’s determination of the pressure
4
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007