Appeal No. 2006-1482
Application No. 10/619,890
not disclose inherently or otherwise such a means for effecting a
capacitance check or equivalent structure.
The examiner responds (answer, pages 18 and 19) that:
a. Adams clearly discloses in column 5 lines
24-32 and 58-65 that the controller has diagnostic
means for comparing energy storage capacity data to
predetermined limits and that controlling the activation
of the igniter includes storing energy on an energy
storage capacitor from a power supply by charging the
energy storage capacitor and comparing energy storage
capacity data to predetermined limits. Surely a
capacitance check must be performed because the amount
of energy a capacitor is capable of storing is directly
related to its capacitance.
b. As explained in section (b)2 above, Adams
resistor (60) sets up a diagnostic current with about
a 75K ohm resister (with a 1% variation). Adams
further discloses the approximate predetermined
value of the capacitor in column 4 lines 59-63 as
"the exemplary...energy storage device...capacitance value
of about 2.2 micro-farads.”
c. With the given capacitance value and a
diagnostic current, the diagnostic means must be
performing a capacitance check as indicated by the
phrase "energy storage capacity data" which would
have an upper and a lower limit in order to determine
its integrity and the minimum and maximum amounts of
energy that may be stored.
We agree. From the disclosure of Adams of storing energy on an
energy storage capacitor by charging the capacitor, comparing
energy storage capacity data to predetermined limits, and
coupling the energy stored on the capacitor to the heating member
device, we agree with the examiner, for the reasons set forth in
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