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Invalidity Search Report-Quick(Basic Report)

Client Ref. No.: XXXXXXXXXX TPSF Ref. No: XXXXXXXXXX

For: Client

May 11, 20XX

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Client Logo

Table of Content

1 Search Overview & Background..........................................................................................32 Search Scope.......................................................................................................................3

2.1 Objective of the Search................................................................................................3

2.2 Assumptions.................................................................................................................3

2.3 Data Sources.................................................................................................................3

3 Relevance Criteria...............................................................................................................43.1 Relevant Results...........................................................................................................4

3.2 Related Results.............................................................................................................4

3.3 Interesting Results........................................................................................................4

4 Search Results.....................................................................................................................54.1 Key Features to be mapped..........................................................................................5

4.2 Details of Search Results..............................................................................................6

4.2.1 Relevant Results....................................................................................................6

4.2.2 Related Results......................................................................................................8

4.2.3 Interesting Results...............................................................................................10

5 Methodology.................................................................................................................... 166 Search Strategy.................................................................................................................17

6.1 Search Strings.............................................................................................................17

6.2 Term Set.....................................................................................................................18

6.3 Relevant Classes Identified.........................................................................................18

6.4 Glossary of Specific Search Operators Used...............................................................19

7 Sanity List (Documents not included in this report)..........................................................208 Non-Disclosure..................................................................................................................209 Disclaimer......................................................................................................................... 20

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1 Search Overview & Background

Client asked The Patent Search Firm to conduct a Prior Art Search to identify patent and non-patent references that could affect the validity of the patent application ‘EPXXXXXXX’ that is related to ‘Device for Monitoring the Rotational Speed of a Wind Turbine’.

TPSF has gone through the patent applications EPXXXXXXX and has developed the following understanding:

The invention discloses an apparatus for monitoring a rotational speed of a wind turbine. The wind turbine comprises a rotor shaft which is driven by the rotor and ends into a gear unit, a generator shaft which connects an output shaft of the gear unit with a generator/converter unit. The apparatus comprises a first rotational speed detection unit for the rotor shaft and a second rotational speed detection unit for the generator shaft. Each rotational speed detection unit comprises at least two rotational speed sensors working independently of each other. The apparatus also comprises a processing unit for the rotational speed configured to compare the measured values of the first rotational speed detection unit with the measured values of the second rotational speed detection unit, taking into account a gear ratio, and to generate an error signal for a rotational overspeed/shaft defect if the rotational speed values differ by more than a predetermined threshold value.

VARIANT COVERAGE SEARCH LANGUAGE

QuickPatent Search in US, EP and WO [All Full Text]

EnglishNon-Patent Search

2 Search Scope

2.1 Objective of the Search

The objective of our search will be to capture documents that disclose gearbox system with speed detecting units on shaft.

2.2 Assumptions

Assumptions1. Thomson Innovation and Questel Orbit databases were used for conducting Patent searches.2. Google, Scholar and Science-Direct were used for conducting non-patent searches.3. The term 'Patent' has been used as a collective term for Patents and Published Applications.4. The comprehensiveness of this search has been governed by the upper cap on the effort to be invested.5. This search has been carried out as per our Quick Variant and covers US, EP and WO jurisdictions using keywords in English language.

2.3 Data Sources

Data SourcesFor Bibliographic Data (including title, abstract):Thomson InnovationQuestel OrbitEspacenet

For Non-Patent Searches:Google ScholarScience-Direct

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Google Patents

3 Relevance Criteria

Documents identified from the search were manually analyzed and tagged as relevant, related and interesting. Provided below is the description of each category

3.1 Relevant ResultsThose patent and non-patent references were considered as Relevant that disclosed a gearbox system comprises a speed detecting unit located on the (low speed) input shaft of the gearbox and a speed detecting unit located on the (high speed) output shaft of the gearbox. Both of the detecting units have at least two speed sensors. The speeds measured by the detecting units are compared and an error signal is generated if the speed measures differ by more than a predetermined amount.

3.2 Related ResultsThose patent and non-patent references were considered as Related that disclosed a transmission system comprises a speed detecting unit located on the input side of the transmission and a speed detecting unit located on the output side of the transmission. The speeds measured by the detecting units are used by the processor for generating error signal and/or rectifying errors.

3.3 Interesting ResultsThose patent and non-patent references which appeared to be potentially related, however, could not be categorized as relevant or related were marked as Interesting Results. Note that this list has just been provided to give you an idea of what else exists in the art and is not meant to be comprehensive.

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4 Search Results

4.1 Key Features to be mapped

The following pointers have been identified based on the claim elements. All the relevant and/or related results identified in the search are mapped on these key features to properly depict their significance.

Wind turbine comprises:1. A rotor shaft which is driven by the rotor and ends into a gear unit.2. A generator shaft which connects an output shaft of the gear unit with a generator/converter

unit.3. A first rotational speed detection unit for the rotor shaft.4. A second rotational speed detection unit for the generator shaft.5. A processing unit for the rotational speed, to which measured signals of the rotational speed

detection units is applied.6. The processing unit generates an error signal for a rotational overspeed if a certain maximum

value for the rotational speed is exceeded.7. Each rotational speed detection unit comprises at least two rotational speed sensors working

independently of each other.8. The processing unit for the rotational speed is configured to compare the measured values of

the first rotational speed detection unit with the measured values of the second rotational speed detection unit, taking into account a gear ratio, and to generate an error signal for a shaft defect if the rotational speed values differ by more than a predetermined threshold value.

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4.2 Details of Search Results

4.2.1 Relevant ResultsThis is the list of most relevant hits available in the art for the given invention identified in the search. Please note that the focus was on identifying the closest hits and not on identifying all the hits comprehensively. Accordingly, the list might not be comprehensive and there might be more documents that are similar (i.e., having the equal or slightly lower relevance) to the documents listed below. Also, the search is restricted to English language and US, EP and WO jurisdictions.

1. US3096590

Title Publication Date

Filing Date Priority Date Inventor/

Author Assignee

METHOD OF MEASURING THE UNIFORMITY OF GEARINGS

August 9, 1963

October 13, 1959

January 7, 1958

KAREL STEPANEK W E SYKES LTD

AbstractNADrawing

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http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?DB=worldwide.espacenet.com&II=0&ND=3&adjacent=true&locale=en_EP&FT=D&date=19630709&CC=US&NR=3096590A&KC=A

2. US6494046

Title Publication Date Filing Date Priority

DateInventor/ Author Assignee

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECOGNITION OF A SHAFT RUPTURE IN A TURBO-ENGINE

December 17, 2002

January 29, 2001

December 14, 1998

HAYESS BURKHARD

ROLLS ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND

AbstractThis invention relates to a method for the detection of a shaft failure in a turbomachine with the object of initiating thereupon an appropriate speed-limiting action, more particularly a rapid fuel shut-off on an aero gas-turbine system, in which a torque-exerting turbine rotor and a torque-recipient unit are connected via the shaft (3) to be monitored for failure, said shaft being supported at its ends in at least two roller bearings (6, 7). In this method, the rotational frequencies (fn1, fn2) of the two shaft ends of the shaft compared with each other continually and essentially in real time, with a failure of the shaft (3) inferred if the rotational frequency (fn2) of the roller bearing (7) on the side of the turbine rotor exceeds the rotational frequency (fn1) of the roller bearing (6) on the side of the torque-recipient unit. Preferably, the rotational frequency of the respective shaft end is determined by way of Fast-Fourier Transmission and an arithmetic processor via separate measuring channels for each roller bearing (6, 7), with recourse being taken to one or more typical roller bearing frequencies emitted by these roller bearings during their rotation (FIG. 1).Drawing

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http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=US6494046&F=0

4.2.2 Related ResultsThis is the list of closely related hits available in the art for the given invention identified in the search. Please note that the focus was on identifying the closest hits and not on identifying all the hits comprehensively. Accordingly, the list might not be comprehensive and there might be more documents that are similar (i.e., having the equal or slightly lower relevance) to the documents listed below. Also, the search is restricted to English language and US, EP and WO jurisdictions.

3. US4955258

Title Publication Date

Filing Date Priority Date Inventor/

Author Assignee

DEVICE AND METHOD OF FAIL-SAFE CONTROL FOR ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

September 11, 1990

December 7, 1988

December 28, 1987

ITO YASUNOBU; SUZUKI KENJI

AISIN AW CO

AbstractIn a fail-safe control device for an electronically controlled automatic transmission to be mounted on a vehicle, a sensor for the number of revolution input to a T/M is newly provided for the electronically controlled automatic transmission, and an actual gear ratio of the T/M is calculated in accordance with the number of revolution input to the T/M and the number of revolution output from the T/M or the car speed. If the calculated actual gear ratio is coincided with the formal gear ratio, it is determined that the state is normal, while if they are not coincided with each other, it is determined that the T/M is in a failure state. As a result of this, failure detection of the T/M is performed. Therefore, in a case when the T/M is in a failure state, a driver can take a measure, for exmple, by performing an emergency control. Furthermore, the occurrence of the failure can be displayed by a detected failure displaying device so that the driver can take a measure such as a repair.Drawing

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4. WO8101444



WINDMILL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL SYSTEMS

May 28, 1981

November 12, 1980

November 14, 1979 NYGREN K

ALLMAENNA INGBYRAN; NYGREN K

AbstractA wind-power plant in which the variable input speed of a variable wind turbine is converted to a substantially constant output speed of an electric generator comprises a speed holding system arranged between the output shaft (2) of the wind turbine (1) and the input shaft of the generator (26). This speed holding system includes at least one speed variator (20) connected to a signal processing device (25). The variator (20) is connected, via a variator shaft (21), to a first gear (22) of a planet gear arrangement. The first gear (22) meshes with a second gear (13) which is fixedly connected to a gear ring (11). This gear ring (11) is fixedly connected to the output shaft (2) of the turbine (1), the arrangement being such that in the event of a change in wind speed, the rotational speed of the generator input shaft is maintained constant as the blade-pitch is changed in response to said change in wind speed.Drawing

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http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=WO8101444&F=8

4.2.3 Interesting ResultsThis list is just indicative in nature to give you some idea of what else is available in the art. Note that the list is not meant to be comprehensive.

5. US5675095



ROTATIONAL TORQUE SENSOR

October 7, 1997

June 30, 1995

June 30, 1995

BALLANTYNE W JOHN

CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY

Abstract:A torque measuring apparatus that uses proximity devices coupled to reference rings on input and output shafts that have periodically undulating circumferential boundaries. The regular changes in the proximity of the circumferential surfaces to their proximity sensors is used to determine torque.Drawings

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6. US4885690


Date Inventor/ Author Assignee

SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING DRIVING PARAMETERS IN UTILITY VEHICLES

December 05, 1989

September 23, 1987

February 1, 1984

SCHIMMEL JOHANNES; BAUER HARALD; BURIAN GUNTHER; HULLA HEINZ; KAGERER ROBERT; KUBIN HELMUT

STEYR DAIMLER PUCH AG

Abstract:A device and method for optimizing operation of a utility vehicle is disclosed. The optimizing device comprises engine and transmission data sensors which input current operating parameters to a microcomputer having a memory containing optimizing programs, thereby enabling the microcomputer to generate optimized commands which are displayed on indicating means so that an operator can adjust the operating controls.Drawings

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7. US5896083



SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR TAMPERING

April 20, 1999

May 16, 1997

May 16, 1997

WEISMAN II S MILLER; AVERY RICHARD

DETROIT DIESEL CORP

Abstract:A system and method for detecting tampering with a vehicle speed sensor input signal include determining a current gear ratio, comparing the current gear ratio to at least one reference gear ratio to determine a gear ratio difference value, and generating an error signal indicating tampering with the vehicle speed sensor signal when the gear ratio difference value exceeds a first threshold. In one embodiment the step of generating an error signal is performed only when the gear ratio difference value exceeds the first threshold for an elapsed time greater than a predetermined time period. One embodiment includes determining a current engine speed, current vehicle speed, and current transmission gear ratio and storing values for the current engine speed, vehicle speed, and transmission gear ratio in the memory whenever at least one predetermined criterion is satisfied. The system and method calculate difference values between the current engine speed, vehicle speed, and transmission gear ratio and corresponding previously stored respective values. A signal indicating tampering is generated when at least one of the difference values exceeds a corresponding threshold.Drawings

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8. US20050246083



SINGLE WIRE DUAL SPEED SIGNAL SYSTEM

November 3, 2005

April 30, 2004

April 30, 2004

KOSKI JACK P

GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

Abstract:A control system and method for communicating with a transmission includes a transmission input speed sensor that generates an input speed signal. A transmission output speed sensor generates an output speed signal. A power supply supplies a total current to the transmission input and output speed sensors via a first conductor. A sensor senses the total current supplied to the transmission input and output speed sensors on the first conductor. A calculating module calculates a transmission input speed and a transmission output speed based on the total current.Drawings

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9. JPS5444106



SPEED CONTROLLING METHOD FOR STEAM TURBINE

April 7, 1979

September 14, 1977

September 14, 1977

KUWAJIMA HIDESUMI HITACHI LTD

Abstract:PURPOSE:To perform safety speed control by arranging a plural number of speed detectors at each end of a turbine shaft and controlling a steam reducing valve by means of the signal of a secondary comparison circuit which compares a plural number of primary comparison circuits which compare each speed at both ends. CONSTITUTION:When a shaft 26 is snapped off between a gear 6 and a high pressure turbine 1, the gear 6 is not driven, so the speed decreases. The speed signals 12 and 13 of speed detectors 8 and 9 show the decrease of speed, but the speed signals 14 and 15 of speed detectors 10 and 11 are normal, and so the output selecting speed signl 19 of a comparison circuit 17 is normal. The selection speed signal 18 of a comparison 19 is normal, and the control signal 21 is normal due to a high value priority circuit 20. Accordingly, when an apparent speed decreases, the speeding of the turbine due to the opening of a reducing valve 24 to increase the turbine speed is removed, and a stable speed conrol can be achieved.Drawings

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http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=JPS5444106&F=0

10. JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

Product Manufacturer Source

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

Jeep (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, previously Chrysler and DaimlerChrysler)

http://www.wjjeeps.com/speed_sensors.htm

AbstractOperation:The Input Speed Sensor provides information on how fast the input shaft is rotating. As the teeth of the input clutch hub pass by the sensor coil, an AC voltage is generated and sent to the TCM. The TCM interprets this information as input shaft rpm.The Output Speed Sensor generates an AC signal in a similar fashion, though its coil is excited by rotation of the rear planetary carrier lugs. The TCM interprets this information as output shaft rpm.

The TCM compares the input and output speed signals to determine the following: Transmission gear ratio Speed ratio error detection CVI calculation

The TCM also compares the input speed signal and the engine speed signal to determine the following: Torque converter clutch slippage Torque converter element speed ratio

Drawings

Publication DateThe publication date of the article (as shown by google) is August 9, 2004.

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5 Methodology

The following methodology was adopted for performing the Invalidity search:

MethodologyTask Details OutputStep I Understanding

TPSF developed a thorough understanding of the technology area and client’s requirements to prepare a strategy for the report

A preliminary strategy for the search was prepared including keyword-based search, citations search, assignee/inventor name search

Step II aKeyword-based Patent Searching

TPSF generated a list of keywords to be used for conducting the patent and non-patent search for the project, as per the preliminary search strategy. Further, the list of search strategy was used to perform patent searches on Thomson Innovation, Questel Orbit patent databases.The patents obtained from the search were analyzed to identify relevant/ related patents.

A set of relevant/related patents

Step II bInventor / Assignee Searching

TPSF conducted Inventor/Assignee search analysis for relevant/related patents.


Step II cClass based Searching

TPSF conducted searches using relevant IPC / CPC classes, with broad key strings to capture any additional patents relevant to the domain.


Step II dPatent Citations Searching

TPSF conducted Forward-Backward and Backward-Forward citation analysis for relevant/related patents obtained from the searches II a, II b and II c.


Step IIINon-Patent Searching

The search strings prepared for the patent search were modified to adapt to searching syntax for non-patent searches. Searches were carried out on Google to obtain a list of non-patent documents matching the keyword criteria. These non-patent documents were screened on the basis of free-information (mostly abstract).

A set of relevant/related non-patent literature

Step IVDeliverable Preparation

An MS Word Document containing the project overview, search strategy, relevance criteria, and the results was prepared.

MS Word Deliverable

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6 Search Strategy

The following search strings, some combinations and/or some syntactical variations of them were used to conduct searches on Thomson Innovation and Questel Orbit to extract patents for analysis or extract other relevant information to assist in searching.

Similarly, syntactical variations of these strings were run on non-patent databases as well.

6.1 Search Strings

S. No. Search String

1

Claims, Title and Abstract:(((Speed Term Set) 3D (Detect Term Set)) P (Gearbox Term Set))

ANDIPC/CPC:(F01D-021+ OR F05D-2270/021+ OR F03D+ OR G01P-003+ OR G01D-018+ OR G01M-013+)

ANDApplication Date: On or before February 05, 2008

2

Full Specification:((((Speed Term Set) 3D (Detect Term Set)) P (Gearbox Term Set)) AND ((Speed Term Set)10D (Analyze Term Set)))

ANDIPC/CPC:(F01D-021+ OR F05D-2270/021+ OR F03D+ OR G01P-003+ OR G01D-018+ OR G01M-013+)


3

Claims, Title and Abstract:(((Speed Term Set) 3D (Detect Term Set)) AND ((Two Term Set) 3D (Detect Term Set)) AND ((Gearbox Term Set) 3D (Detect Term Set)))


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6.2 Term Set

Keyword Based Search

Term Set Keywords

Gearbox (((gear+) 2D (box+ OR case? OR casing?)) OR transmission? OR gear_box?? OR gear_cas????)

Speed (Speed+ OR velocit+ OR rotation OR rotational OR revolution? OR RPM?)

Detect (detect+ OR sens+ OR transduc+ OR probe+ OR probing? OR pick_up? OR measur+)

Analyze(Monitor+ OR check+ OR inspect+ OR examin+ OR analy+ OR compar+ OR review+ OR control+ OR regulat+ OR record+ OR measur+ OR Determin+ OR estimat+ OR evaluat+ OR comput+ OR calculat+ OR indicat+ OR observ+ OR calibrat+)

Two (couple? OR doubl+ OR multi+ OR two OR pair+ OR dual+ OR second+)

6.3 Relevant Classes Identified

The following Classes were used in combination with the term sets provided above:

Class Definitions

F03D+Mechanical engineering; lighting; heating; weapons; blasting engines or pumps >> machines or engines for liquids; wind, spring weight and miscellaneous motors; producing mechanical power; or a reactive propulsive thrust, not otherwise provided for >> wind motors

G01P-003+Physics >> measuring; testing >> measuring linear or angular speed, acceleration, deceleration, or shock; indicating presence, absence, or direction, of movement >> measuring linear or angular speed; measuring differences of linear or angular speeds

G01D-018+

Physics >> measuring; testing >> measuring not specially adapted for a specific variable; arrangements for measuring two or more variables not covered in a single other subclass; tariff metering apparatus; measuring or testing not otherwise provided for >> testing or calibrating of apparatus or arrangements provided for in groups g01d1/00 to g01d15/00

G01M-013+ Physics >> measuring; testing >> testing static or dynamic balance of machines or structures; testing structures or apparatus not otherwise provided for >> testing of machine parts

F01D-021+

Mechanical engineering; lighting; heating; weapons; blasting engines or pumps >> machines or engines in general; engine plants in general; steam engines >> non-positive displacement machines or engines, e.g. Steam turbines >> shutting-down of machines or engines, e.g. In emergency; regulating, controlling, or safety means not otherwise provided for

F05D-2270/021

Mechanical engineering; lighting; heating; weapons; blasting engines or pumps >> indexing schemes relating to engines or pumps in various subclasses of classes f01-f04 >> indexing scheme for aspects relating to non-positive-displacement machines or engines, gas-turbines or jet-propulsion plants >> control >> to prevent overspeed

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6.4 Glossary of Specific Search Operators Used

Operators Definitions

+ Any number of characters (in Questel Orbit)

nW Search for words in the same sentence and appearing within n words of one another, in the written order. If n is omitted, the number defaults to one (in Questel Orbit)

nD Search for words in the same sentence and appearing within n words of one another, but in either order. If n is omitted, the number defaults to one (in Questel Orbit)

S Search terms occur in the same sentence (in Questel Orbit)

P Search for words in the same paragraph (in Questel Orbit)

ADJn Search for words in the same sentence and appearing within n words of one another, in the written order. If n is omitted, the number defaults to one (in Thomson Innovation)

NEARn Search for words in the same sentence and appearing within n words of one another, but in either order. If n is omitted, the number defaults to one (in Thomson Innovation)

SAME Search for words in the same paragraph (in Thomson Innovation)

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7 Sanity List (Documents not included in this report)

Please note that below listed documents are usually not included in the report for prior art searches unless specifically mentioned by the client to include them:

Any patent (or non-patent) document(s) and its family that has been shared by the client are not included in the final report.

However, please note that we do provide citations of documents that have been shared by the client.

The citations (and its family members) of the target patent (in case of validity searches) are not included in the final report.

However, please note that we do provide those citations of family members of the target patent that are unique and are not present in the list for citations of the target patent.

Family members of the target patent (in case of validity searches) are not included in the final report.

Any document that has been asked by the client to exclude from our search and analysis are not included in the final report.

Patents belonging to same assignee/inventor of the target patent (in case of validity searches) are not included in the final report.

8 Non-Disclosure

The Patent Search Firm or any subsidiary of The Patent Search Firm (Together, “The Patent Search Firm"), or any of their directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives (Together, "PERSONNEL") promise that all client information shall be treated as confidential material, where no part of your information will be used for any purpose whatsoever outside of the intended purpose of completing the search. The Patent Search Firm will neither use, nor cause others to use, nor divulge to third parties un-affiliated with The Patent Search Firm, all or any part of your information, in any way, without your express written consent.

9 Disclaimer

The validity search for the subject patent has been conducted based only on the keywords listed in the document which in turn have been derived from the key features of the invention mentioned in the document. Furthermore, the information contained herein has been obtained from data sources believed to be reliable. The Patent Search Firm disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information. No opinion is expressed or implied. Finally, the search results identified are only up to the date of this report. You should consider the search to be a reasonable expenditure of time and money to determine if the patent can be invalidated in view of the search results. The Patent Search Firm strives to ensure the accuracy and completeness of our research services. However, because of the subjective nature of such research and possible incomplete data supplied to us, we cannot warrant that our search reports are 100% complete or error-free.

Neither The Patent Search Firm nor any of their PERSONNEL provides legal services or legal advice in any part of the world. Since The Patent Search Firm is not a law firm, it does not and cannot render legal services or legal advice to the general public and is not engaged in the practice of law.

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