Appeal No. 2001-0090 Page 7
Application No. 08/893,890
film of fluid between the fluid bearing 34 and the bearing
runner 16 to support the shaft 12.
Bescoby teaches that in order to provide a flow of
cooling fluid to the matrix of fins 14 as well as the fluid
bearings 34, the central body may include first, second and
third passageways
40, 42, 44. The first and third passageways 40, 44 are
connected via a conduit 48 to a source of pressurized air
which may be taken from downstream of the compressor 24. In
order to recirculate the process fluid, the second passageway
42 is connected to a second conduit 50 which returns the
process fluid to a low pressure location upstream of the
compressor 24. By this assembly, pressurized process fluid
flows into annular cavity 36, through the fins 14 to annular
cavity 38, thereby the fins 14 act as a heat exchanger,
reducing heat transfer to the bearing runner 16.
As set forth on page 3 of the final rejection, the
examiner applied the test for obviousness set forth in In re
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