Appeal No. 2002-0816
Application No. 09/442,895 Page 12
number of FG segments, the more accurate the rotor speed may be
determined. From these disclosures of Carrier, we find that an
artisan would have been taught to make the circumferentially
disposed magnets 6 and 7 of Shirakawa as plural segments having
alternately polarized axially directed fields, i.e., each of the
segments is magnetized with a polarity that is opposite from
adjacent segments.
We are not persuaded by appellant’s assertion, (brief, page
4) to the effect that the examiner has combined an excessive
number of references, i.e., three references in an attempt to
meet a “relatively simple structure.” We agree with the examiner
(answer, page 11) that “reliance on a large number of references
in a rejection does not, without more, weigh against the
obviousness of the claimed invention. See In re Gorman, 933 F.2d
982, 18 USPQ2d 1885 (Fed. Cir. 1991). ”
In addition, we are unpersuaded by appellant’s assertion
(brief, page 4) that Carrier relates to a rather different type
of machine, wherein the outer housing rotates about a fixed
armature. We agree with the examiner (answer, page 11 and 12)
that if combined, the spaced magnets 32 of Carrier would be
disposed radially inwardly of the inner periphery of the armature
windings, because the existing magnet 7 would be formed of a
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