Appeal No. 2002-0113
Application 08/799,923
motivation to combine the references to solve the problems solved
by appellants.
On page 6 of the answer, the examiner rebuts and states that
there is no evidence whatsoever that magnetic mapping would
somehow be non-applicable to more than one conductor, and that
concrete rebars are typically interconnected and thus would in
fact be a single conductor.
We provide the following additional observations and
findings.
Appellants do not dispute that Westermann teaches cathodic
protection of a plurality of conductors in a structure, nor that
Westermann teaches sensing and controlling the protection current
provided by various anode groups to ensure proper distribution of
current. Westermann does not teach magnetic detection and
mapping of currents.
Appellants also do not dispute that Murphy teaches a system
for mapping cathodic protection current distribution using
magnetometers. (column 9, lines 45-47).
In Murphy’s system, the magnetic field generated by cathodic
protection current is sensed and measured (column 9, lines 50-
58), and mapped separately from other currents (column 9, line
64 – column 10, lines 5).
Murphy’s mapping system provides a high degree of spatial
resolution, allowing small regions of high corrosion activity to
be found (column 5, lines 1-2). Murphy teaches that magnetic
detection can be remote, so excavation and physical contact with
the pipe is not needed (column 1, lines 2-22).
Therefore, the sole issue is whether there is substantial
evidence of adequate motivation to support the combination
proposed by the examiner.
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