Appeal No. 1999-0316
Application 08/329,124
28. In a defrost mode, the total enthalpy heat exchanger 28
stops and, as explained by Noda,
flowed air is supplied into aeration heat exchanger
32 at a relatively high temperature without heat-
exchanging at total enthalpy heat exchanger 28.
When said air at a high temperature is supplied into
aeration heat exchanger 32, frost generated in
aeration heat exchanger 32 disappears and is
removed. At the same time, said air at a high
temperature is heat-exchanged at aeration heat
exchanger 32 [translation, pages 7 and 8].
The defrosting method recited in claim 12 includes the
step of inducing a rotary exchanger wheel to rotate at a
rotational speed of from 0 to 2 rpm such that the wheel is
able to be defrosted by exhaust air. The appellants’
specification (see, for example, pages 6 and 10) indicates
that this speed range optimizes the efficiency of the
defrosting operation. Notwithstanding the position taken by
the examiner (see pages 4 and 5 in the supplemental answer),
and even assuming for the sake of argument that Morissette
would have suggested the redirection of Hajicek’s exhaust air
flow to effect defrosting in the manner set forth in claim 12,
there is nothing in Morissette’s disclosure of stationary heat
7
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