Appeal No. 1997-0961
Application No. 08/254,654
command signal@ in the singular and also to an ALVDT feedback signal@ in the singular.
Appellants= specification also refers at various places to an Ainput signal@ in the singular (see,
for example, page 6 of the specification) and to a Afeedback signal@ in the singular (see, for
example, page 2 of the specification). These discrepancies create confusion as to whether
appellants intended to limit the claimed invention to (1) a plurality of distinct input signals or just
one input signal of variable magnitude and (2) a plurality of distinct feedback signals or just one
feedback signal of variable magnitude.
The single signal line at the output of the LVDT for transmitting a single item of
intelligence (namely the actual position of the valve) suggests that the LVDT supplies a single
feedback signal of variable magnitude, not two or more feedback signals. The single input signal
source (i.e., circuit 30) suggests that there is a single input signal of variable magnitude. The
inconsistencies with the recitation of plural input signals and plural feedback signals in claim 2
requires clarification and may warrant a 35 U.S.C.
' 112, second paragraph, rejection in the absence of a satisfactory explanation.
The third matter requiring the examiner=s consideration relates to the recitation in claim
2 that the input and feedback signals are Aelectronic@ signals. It is not clear whether
appellants simply sought to use a more sophisticated term for an ordinary electrical signal or
whether appellants intended to somehow define a special form of an electrical signal. Again, a
35 U.S.C. '112, second paragraph, rejection may be warranted in the absence of a
satisfactory explanation concerning the meaning of an Aelectronic signal.@
The fourth matter requiring the examiner=s consideration relates to the recitation of
Adeviation control means@ in claim 2. This means embodies the individual circuits between the
comparator 25 and the solenoid 11, namely the Aopto-coupler@ and the Asolenoid power
amplifier@ as evidenced by Figure 2 of the drawings and by exhibit A, which is attached to
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