Appeal 2007-2483
Application 09/899,183
what difficulties were overcome or what practical trade-offs were made.
Presuming as we must that the specification is enabling,33 we infer that those
of skill in the art have a solid understanding of the thermodynamics, material
science, and mechanical engineering necessary to understand and implement
the teachings of the specification.
Li confirms that temperature control for the precursor materials was a
well-understood consideration, not just in spray-nozzle systems, but
generally.34 Indeed, Li places a thermocouple 32 in the neck between the
heated component and the plate to determine the temperature of the
precursor spray immediately after it leaves the nozzle 24 and thus control the
temperature of the cooling jacket 26 surrounding the nozzle 24.35 From Li,
we infer that those in the art were keenly concerned with the temperature of
the precursors up to the very tip of the nozzle. Li's use of a thermocouple to
measure the spray temperature as part of a feedback-based control shows
that the skill in the art was quite advanced.
Similarly, Zhao confirms that those in the art were keenly aware of
the need to keep the delivery components cool and thermally separate from
the heated main body 106. Again, Zhao shows an art quite advanced and
able to select appropriate materials and structures to accomplish this goal.36
Zhao states without detail that "several active and passive thermal control
systems" are used to maintain the temperature of the vaporizer component,
33 E.g., Rasmusson v. SmithKline Beecham Corp., 413 F.3d 1318, 1323,
75 USPQ2d 1297, 1300 (Fed. Cir. 2005).
34 Li 2:29-31; see also Li 3:34-36 (citing selectable temperature control for
the precursors as an object of Li's invention).
35 Li 10:26-33.
36 E.g., Zhao 9:21-35.
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