Appeal No. 2001-1627
Application No. 09/289,420 Page 11
the transformer was not electrically. Notwithstanding isolation,
all three of the cited prior art references show a capacitor
connected between the primary and secondary windings.” We
construe the examiner's position to be that transformers are
generally isolated, but that because the presence of appellant's
capacitor causes the windings to be considered as non-isolated,
that therefore, notwithstanding isolation, the prior art windings
are not isolated because they have capacitors between the coils.
Appellant's position (brief, page 18) is that the primary
and secondary circuit loops of Bang are electrically isolated.
It is argued that capacitors C1 and C2 are employed in the
circuit for surge suppression, and not to electrically couple the
primary and secondary circuit loops. Appellant adds (id.) that
“Capacitors are commonly employed to isolate circuit elements
and, for example, to suppress electrical surges. Therefore, the
presence of a capacitor, or capacitors, cannot meet this aspect
of claim 1.” Appellant additionally asserts (reply brief, page
5) that the lack of electrical isolation between primary and
secondary circuit loops is achieved, for example, by a switching
element, such as transistor 110.
From our review of Bang, we find that capacitors C1 and C2
snub bidirectional surge coupled between the drain terminal of Q1
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