Prior art — US Patent 10598101

Analysis of Prior Art for U.S. Patent 10,598,101

This analysis details the most relevant prior art cited by the examiner during the prosecution of U.S. Patent 10,598,101. Each reference is evaluated for its potential to anticipate the independent claims of the '101 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

1. U.S. Patent 4,393,848 A

Full Citation: US 4,393,848 A, "Control mechanism for selectively operating an internal combustion engine on two fuels"
Publication Date: July 19, 1983
Filing Date: October 23, 1981
Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
Brief Description: This patent discloses a control mechanism for a dual-fuel internal combustion engine. It features a single control lever that operates two separate fuel control valves. The lever is designed so that movement in one direction opens one valve while closing the other, and vice versa. This ensures that only one type of fuel is supplied to the engine at any given time, preventing the mixing of fuels. The mechanism is purely mechanical.
Potential Anticipation:
- Claim 1 & 18: This patent appears to disclose all the elements of claims 1 and 18. It describes a valve assembly fluidly connected to two fuel sources with two separate mechanical fuel valves to control the flow to the engine. The single control lever acts as a manual selector switch to choose one fuel flow.
- Claim 10: The '848 patent strongly anticipates this claim. It explicitly describes a single valve handle (the control lever) that is mechanically coupled to both the first and second fuel valves to selectively open and close them, ensuring only one fuel flows at a time.
- Claim 17: This patent does not anticipate claim 17 as it does not disclose any electronic components like a solenoid switch or a fuel solenoid. The system is entirely mechanical.

2. U.S. Patent 6,276,345 B1

Full Citation: US 6,276,345 B1, "Dual fuel system for an internal combustion engine"
Publication Date: August 21, 2001.
Filing Date: December 22, 1999.
Assignee: Kohler Co.
Brief Description: This patent describes a dual fuel system that can be adapted to a conventional liquid fuel carburetor. It includes a manually operated fuel selection valve that allows the user to switch between a liquid fuel (like gasoline) and a gaseous fuel. The system is designed to ensure that only one fuel is delivered to the engine's carburetor at a time. It also describes interlocks to prevent simultaneous fuel flow.
Potential Anticipation:
- Claim 1 & 18: This reference discloses a valve assembly with connections for two fuel sources and a manual selector to control the flow from two distinct fuel valves. This could be seen as anticipating the core elements of these claims.
- Claim 10: The '345 patent discloses a selector that actuates valves, which is functionally similar to the "at least one valve handle" in claim 10. Depending on the interpretation of "mechanically coupled," this reference could be argued to anticipate this claim.
- Claim 17: The '345 patent does not appear to describe the use of a solenoid switch or fuel solenoid that is directly triggered by the manual selector switch in the manner described in claim 17.

3. U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0240141 A1

Full Citation: US 2004/0240141 A1, "Electronic fuel selection switch system"
Publication Date: December 2, 2004
Filing Date: May 30, 2003
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
Brief Description: This application discloses an electronic system for selecting between two fuel sources. It includes a user-operated switch that sends a signal to a controller. The controller then operates solenoid valves to open the line for the selected fuel and close the line for the non-selected fuel. The system is designed to prevent the simultaneous supply of both fuels.
Potential Anticipation:
- Claim 1, 10, & 18: This reference does not anticipate these claims because it describes an electronic system with solenoid valves, whereas these claims specify mechanical valves and handles.
- Claim 17: This reference is highly relevant to claim 17. It discloses a selector switch that, when moved between fuel modes, triggers solenoid valves to control fuel flow. While it describes a controller as an intermediary, the fundamental concept of a selector switch causing the actuation of a solenoid to control fuel selection is present. This could be considered to anticipate the core novelty of claim 17.

4. U.S. Patent 7,591,257 B2

Full Citation: US 7,591,257 B2, "Fuel selection device"
Publication Date: September 22, 2009
Filing Date: September 7, 2006
Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
Brief Description: This patent discloses a fuel selection device for a dual-fuel engine, particularly for a generator. It features a single knob or lever that is mechanically linked to a valve assembly. Rotating the knob selects either a primary gaseous fuel (like natural gas) or a secondary gaseous fuel (like propane). The mechanical linkage ensures that only one fuel path is open at a time.
Potential Anticipation:
- Claim 1 & 18: This patent discloses the elements of a valve assembly connected to two fuel sources with a manual selector (the knob) to operate mechanical valves and select one fuel flow, potentially anticipating these claims.
- Claim 10: The '257 patent describes a single knob mechanically linked to the valve assembly, which functions as the "at least one valve handle" to actuate the valves. This makes it a strong anticipatory reference for claim 10.
- Claim 17: This patent does not anticipate claim 17 as its disclosure focuses on a purely mechanical selection mechanism without the electronic solenoid components.