Appeal 2007-3378
Application 10/715,458
I. BACKGROUND
The invention relates to a diagnostic method and apparatus for
diagnosing the state of a fuel cell. The method serves to diagnose
abnormalities occurring in the operation of the fuel cell (Specification ¶
0005). Claim 16 illustrates the method on appeal:
16. A diagnostic method for a fuel cell, which is a method for
diagnosing a state of the fuel cell, includes the steps of:
(a) operating the fuel cell according to at least one predetermined
operation pattern, the predetermined operation pattern to apply at least one
predetermined operating condition to change an operational state of the fuel
cell;
(b) detecting a change in an operational state of the fuel cell
corresponding to each of the operation patterns when the fuel cell is operated
according to the at least one predetermined operation pattern; and
(c) diagnosing the state of the fuel cell based on the detected change
in the operational state and the at least one predetermined operation pattern.
The apparatus is claimed as an operation device and “portions”
performing functions corresponding to the method.
The Examiner relies upon the following prior art references to show
unpatentability:
Fuglevand US 6,096,449 Aug. 1, 2000
Iwasaki US 6,447,939 B1 Sep. 10, 2002
Yoshizawa US 2003/0003334 A1 Jan. 2, 2003
Bai US 6,620,538 B2 Sep. 16, 2003
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