remaining independent claim, claim 13, recites "enabling the
switching means for a selected phase winding to allow current
flow from the dc power bus to energize the selected phase
winding for a period beginning at a fixed angle prior to
alignment of a rotor pole with the energized stator pole, and
ending at a fixed angle after alignment of the rotor pole with
the energized stater pole ...." Therefore, we find that all
of the claims before us require enabling the switching means
at a fixed angle prior to alignment of a rotor pole with the
energized stator pole and disabling the switching means at a
fixed angle after alignment of the rotor pole with the
energized stator pole.
The Examiner notes on page 4 of the answer that Sember
fails to teach that the switches are enabled at a fixed angle
prior to alignment of the rotor. On page 5 of the answer, the
Examiner argues that while Stephens does not explicitly state
that the turn angle is fixed, Stephens implicitly implies that
this angle is fixed.
Upon a closer reading of Stephens, we find that Stephens
fails to teach that the turn-on angle is fixed. Stephens
10
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