USPTO Examiner FRANCE MICKEY H - Art Unit 3746

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
17132953HOT AIR ENGINE SYSTEMDecember 2020June 2021Allow600NoNo
17133405BUOYANCY WORKING DEVICEDecember 2020November 2022Abandon2220NoNo
17254529WAVE POWER GENERATION SYSTEMDecember 2020June 2022Allow1820NoNo
17125206DYNAMIC ADAPTIVE ENERGY HARVESTING APPARATUSDecember 2020July 2023Allow3110NoNo
17123590FREE PISTON STIRLING REFRIGERATORDecember 2020October 2021Allow1010NoNo
17113983TURBINE MONITORING SYSTEM AND TURBINE MONITORING METHODDecember 2020March 2022Abandon1510NoNo
17059703A MULTIROTOR WIND TURBINENovember 2020November 2021Allow1210NoNo
17100006EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAVING TURBINE CONNECTOR WITH TURBINE FOOTNovember 2020April 2022Allow1610YesNo
17096328BUOYANT COUNTERBALANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING SAMENovember 2020July 2022Abandon2010NoNo
17092570TURBINE SPEED DETECTION AND USENovember 2020June 2022Allow2001NoNo
17093446SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HOT AIR INJECTION INTO EXHAUST PORTSNovember 2020April 2023Allow2910NoNo
17085147EXHAUST PURIFICATION SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINEOctober 2020February 2022Abandon1610NoNo
17049371STEAM TURBINE PLANT AND COOLING METHOD FOR SAMEOctober 2020May 2022Allow1910YesNo
17047335FALLING PARTICLE RECEIVER SYSTEMS WITH MASS FLOW CONTROLOctober 2020November 2022Allow2520NoNo
17066165ENERGY SUPPLY SYSTEMOctober 2020August 2021Allow1000NoNo
17061288HEAT SOURCE STORAGE SYSTEM UTILIZING SOLAR POWER GENERATIONOctober 2020March 2023Allow2910NoNo
17041095TOWER SEGMENT, TOWER SEGMENTATION METHOD, AND WIND TURBINESeptember 2020May 2022Allow2000NoNo
16948539Submerged/Water-Level TurbineSeptember 2020August 2022Abandon2310NoNo
17027212SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLEAN, MULTI-ENERGY GENERATIONSeptember 2020November 2020Allow200YesNo
16978708WAVE POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAMESeptember 2020September 2022Allow2430NoNo
17006806Thermal Energy Storage Tank Diaphragm SystemAugust 2020October 2022Allow2500NoNo
17004013VERTICAL GROUND HEAT EXCHANGER FOR REDUCING TEMPERATURE IN CARBONACEOUS SHALE ROCK MASS AND PREVENTING ROADBED FROST HEAVEAugust 2020September 2022Allow2500NoNo
16967819GEOTHERMAL ENERGY DEVICEAugust 2020April 2022Allow2000NoNo
16985192EFFECTIVE LOW TEMPERATURE DIFFERENTIAL POWERED ENGINES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODSAugust 2020May 2021Allow900YesNo
16966251FLEXIBLE AQUATIC SUBSTRUCTURESJuly 2020August 2022Allow2511NoNo
16947336ADJUSTING DEVICE FOR A TURBOCHARGER, AND TURBOCHARGERJuly 2020June 2022Abandon2210NoNo
16963528GEOTHERMAL HEAT EXCHANGER, GEOTHERMAL HEAT ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR CHARGING THERMAL ENERGY INTO GROUNDJuly 2020December 2023Allow4120NoNo
16929937Steam Power Plant, Modification Method and Operation Method of Steam Power PlantJuly 2020September 2021Allow1400YesNo
16917148PROCESS TO CAPTURE SOx ONBOARD VEHICLES AND SHIPSJune 2020September 2021Allow1510NoNo
16956479GEOTHERMAL PILEJune 2020May 2022Allow2311YesNo
16899563INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE HAVING AN EXHAUST HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM AS WELL AS A METHOD FOR RECOVERING EXHAUST HEATJune 2020February 2021Allow810NoNo
16899565EXHAUST GAS HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM AND EXHAUST SYSTEMJune 2020January 2022Allow1911NoNo
16771023IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR STORING AND HARVESTING ENERGYJune 2020June 2023Abandon3601NoNo
16878736CONSTANT DENSITY HEAT EXCHANGER AND SYSTEM FOR ENERGY CONVERSIONMay 2020January 2021Allow810NoNo
16878875ENERGY CONVERSION APPARATUSMay 2020October 2021Allow1720YesNo
16878858ENERGY CONVERSION APPARATUSMay 2020July 2021Allow1411YesNo
16874665MOBILE MULTIPLE ENGINE EXHAUST EMISSIONS PROCESSING SYSTEMMay 2020September 2021Abandon1610NoNo
15930824WELL COMPLETION CONVERTING A HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION WELL INTO A GEOTHERMAL WELLMay 2020April 2022Allow2301NoNo
15930673CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR VEHICLEMay 2020June 2021Allow1300YesNo
16870178Double inlets exhaust system for unmanned aerial vehicleMay 2020June 2022Allow2600NoNo
16761437HELICAL PILE WITH HEAT EXCHANGERMay 2020December 2023Allow4321NoNo
16857245EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR ENGINEApril 2020March 2022Allow2220YesNo
16856627HYBRID COMPRESSED AIR ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMApril 2020November 2021Allow1810NoNo
16757475APPARATUS FOR ISOCHORIC GAS COMPRESSIONApril 2020July 2022Abandon2711YesNo
16755140UNDERGROUND ENERGY GENERATING METHODApril 2020May 2021Allow1300YesNo
16844476MODELING AND CONTROL OF GAS CYCLE POWER PLANT OPERATION WITH VARIANT CONTROL PROFILEApril 2020March 2022Allow2410YesNo
16838270SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENGINE CALIBRATIONApril 2020May 2022Allow2600YesNo
16835588SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR ENERGY CONVERSIONMarch 2020February 2021Allow1001NoNo
16649759Closed Cycle Regenerative Heat EnginesMarch 2020February 2021Allow1000YesNo
16824277EGR EFFECTIVE FLOW DIAGNOSIS METHODMarch 2020September 2022Allow3010NoNo
16647248STEAM TURBINE CONTROLMarch 2020January 2021Allow1000NoNo
16807383ELECTRIC HEATING TYPE SUPPORT, EXHAUST GAS PURIFYING DEVICE, METHOD FOR PRODUCING ELECTRIC HEATING TYPE SUPPORT, JOINED BODY, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING JOINED BODYMarch 2020August 2021Allow1710YesNo
16801827GRAVITY FIELD ENERGY STORAGE AND RECOVERY SYSTEMFebruary 2020May 2021Allow1410YesNo
16801541GRAVITY FIELD ENERGY STORAGE AND RECOVERY SYSTEMFebruary 2020November 2021Allow2120YesNo
16640310System For Reducing Particulate Matter In Exhaust GasFebruary 2020March 2021Allow1310NoNo
16789624Method and Device Intended to Purify Sulphur Oxide Containing Exhaust Gas from Internal Combustion Engines by Means of a Multi-stage Adsorption MethodFebruary 2020September 2022Abandon3101NoNo
16783236PITCH CONTROL OF A WIND TURBINE BASED POSITION DATA FROM POSITION LOCALIZATION SENSORSFebruary 2020February 2023Allow3711NoNo
16777207HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN SUPPLEMENTAL FIRING FOR COMBINED CYCLE FACILITYJanuary 2020January 2023Allow3621YesNo
16752555MACHINE SYSTEM FOR CO-PRODUCTION OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND WATER AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAMEJanuary 2020May 2021Allow1600YesNo
16746299SUPERCRITICAL CO2 CYCLE FOR GAS TURBINE ENGINES USING PARTIAL CORE EXHAUST FLOWJanuary 2020April 2022Allow2710NoNo
16744372Marine Engine Exhaust System Having Secondary Air InjectionJanuary 2020June 2021Allow1720YesNo
16628545HYDRAULIC DEVICE USING GRAVITY AND BUOYANCY FORCES AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SUCH A DEVICEJanuary 2020September 2021Allow2010YesNo
16732783RECIRCULATION SYSTEM FOR A POWER SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES A PLURALITY OF TURBOCHARGERSJanuary 2020September 2022Allow3210YesNo
16728740STIRLING-CYCLE COOLING DEVICE WITH EXTERNAL ROTOR MOTORDecember 2019September 2023Abandon4411NoNo
16728770STIRLING-CYCLE COOLING DEVICE WITH MONOBLOC SUPPORTDecember 2019April 2022Allow2710YesNo
16621174METHOD FOR CHECKING A CONTINUOUS-FLOW MACHINEDecember 2019July 2021Allow1900NoNo
16704759EXHAUST STRUCTURE FOR SADDLE RIDING VEHICLEDecember 2019August 2022Allow3211NoNo
16699919Solar Powered Energy GeneratorDecember 2019December 2022Allow3621YesNo
16701090System and Method for a Direct Emission and Diffusion of High-Pressure Combustion with Exhaust into Feed-Water from a Combustion BarrelDecember 2019April 2021Allow1710NoNo
16612335EFFICIENT GEOTHERMAL HEAT ENERGY EXTRACTION SYSTEMNovember 2019April 2021Allow1700NoNo
16672781IMPINGEMENT COOLING WITH IMPINGEMENT CELLS ON IMPINGED SURFACENovember 2019June 2021Allow1910YesNo
16610543System for the non conventional production of electrical power from a geothermal source and relevant partyNovember 2019December 2021Allow2510NoNo
16667049WIND TURBINE AND METHODS INCLUDING MAIN SHAFT INTEGRATED WITH LOCKING DISCOctober 2019February 2021Allow1600NoNo
16666909DIGITALLY CONTROLLED VARIABLE STIFFNESS SPORTING EQUIPMENTOctober 2019April 2021Allow1720YesNo
16655977APPARATUS FOR THE DISTILLATION OF AIR BY CRYOGENIC DISTILLATIONOctober 2019December 2020Allow1410NoNo
16604709PRESSURE DROP IN LOW LIQUID LOADING FLOWSOctober 2019December 2022Allow3810NoNo
16604305WORKING MEDIUM PROPERTY DIFFERENCE POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND WORKING MEDIUM PROPERTY DIFFERENCE POWER GENERATION METHOD THAT USES THE POWER GENERATION SYSTEMOctober 2019August 2020Allow1100NoNo
16497163TURBINE ROTOR BLADE WITH AIRFOIL COOLING INTEGRATED WITH IMPINGEMENT PLATFORM COOLINGSeptember 2019April 2021Allow1910NoNo
16578367AUTOMATIC COOLING SYSTEM FOR COMBUSTION ENGINESeptember 2019August 2020Allow1100YesNo
16496186PRESERVATION METHODSeptember 2019October 2020Allow1300NoNo
16576329Variable Pressure Inventory Control of Closed Cycle System with a High Pressure Tank and an Intermediate Pressure TankSeptember 2019December 2020Allow1500YesNo
16573398ELONGATE FIBER ARTIFICIAL MUSCLES AND METHOD OF FABRICATIONSeptember 2019March 2021Allow1810YesNo
16572490TURBINE DRIVEN POWER UNIT FOR A CUTTING TOOLSeptember 2019March 2021Allow1800YesNo
16494303STEAM POWER PLANT HAVING AN IMPROVED CONTROL RESERVESeptember 2019March 2021Abandon1810NoNo
16568804EXHAUST MANIFOLD CLAMP FOR THE MANIFOLD-CYLINDER HEAD JOINTSeptember 2019September 2021Allow2410NoNo
16492445NEAR-ADIABATIC ENGINESeptember 2019December 2020Allow1510YesNo
16492401Thermal Storage in Pressurized Fluid for Compressed Air Energy Storage SystemsSeptember 2019November 2021Allow2610NoNo
16565408METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING EXHAUST SYSTEM EFFICIENCYSeptember 2019March 2021Allow1910NoNo
16564603EXHAUST GAS ANALYSIS APPARATUS, EXHAUST GAS ANALYSIS METHOD, AND CORRECTION EXPRESSION CREATION METHODSeptember 2019August 2021Allow2300NoNo
16562728EXHAUST CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINESeptember 2019March 2021Allow1810NoNo
16491688Turbopump for a Fluid Circuit, Particularly for a Closed Circuit Particularly of the Rankine Cycle TypeSeptember 2019November 2020Allow1410YesNo
16562351METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REGENERATION OF AN EXHAUST AFTERTREATMENT DEVICESeptember 2019October 2020Allow1300NoNo
16490689HEAT OF EVAPORATION BASED HEAT TRANSFER FOR TUBELESS HEAT STORAGESeptember 2019April 2022Allow3111NoNo
16490706COMPRESSED AIR ENERGY STORAGE POWER GENERATION DEVICESeptember 2019July 2020Allow1100NoNo
16551614PROPULSIVE DEVICES THAT COMPRISE SELECTIVELY REFLECTIVE EPITAXIAL SURFACESAugust 2019June 2020Allow1000NoNo
16487856SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF GENERATING SOLAR ENERGY AND DRY COOLINGAugust 2019June 2021Abandon2210YesNo
16547569ACTUATOR DEVICEAugust 2019July 2020Allow1000NoNo
16487626EXHAUST GAS TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHODAugust 2019July 2020Allow1000NoNo
16547414SYSTEM FOR CLEANING GASES AND SEQUESTRATION OF PARTICULATE MATERIAL FROM INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES WITH CONVERSION OF WASTE INTO EXTRA ENERGYAugust 2019November 2022Allow3901NoNo
16542374EXHAUST PIPE STRUCTURE FOR IN-LINE FOUR-CYLINDER INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINEAugust 2019July 2020Allow1100NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner FRANCE, MICKEY H.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
2
Allowed After Appeal Filing
1
(50.0%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
1
(50.0%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
83.2%
Higher than average

Understanding Appeal Filing Strategy

Filing a Notice of Appeal can sometimes lead to allowance even before the appeal is fully briefed or decided by the PTAB. This occurs when the examiner or their supervisor reconsiders the rejection during the mandatory appeal conference (MPEP § 1207.01) after the appeal is filed.

In this dataset, 50.0% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is in the top 25% across the USPTO, indicating that filing appeals is particularly effective here. The act of filing often prompts favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.

Strategic Recommendations

Filing a Notice of Appeal is strategically valuable. The act of filing often prompts favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.

Examiner FRANCE, MICKEY H - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner FRANCE, MICKEY H works in Art Unit 3746 and has examined 229 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 87.8%, this examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 22 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner FRANCE, MICKEY H's allowance rate of 87.8% places them in the 68% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by FRANCE, MICKEY H receive 0.91 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 6% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues significantly fewer office actions than most examiners.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by FRANCE, MICKEY H is 22 months. This places the examiner in the 89% percentile for prosecution speed. Applications move through prosecution relatively quickly with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +13.5% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by FRANCE, MICKEY H. This interview benefit is in the 50% percentile among all examiners. Recommendation: Interviews provide an above-average benefit with this examiner and are worth considering.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 36.7% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 84% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs are highly effective with this examiner compared to others. If you receive a final rejection, filing an RCE with substantive amendments or arguments has a strong likelihood of success.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 77.8% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 96% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner is highly receptive to after-final amendments compared to other examiners. Per MPEP § 714.12, after-final amendments may be entered "under justifiable circumstances." Consider filing after-final amendments with a clear showing of allowability rather than immediately filing an RCE, as this examiner frequently enters such amendments.

Pre-Appeal Conference Effectiveness

When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 0.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 22% percentile among all examiners. Note: Pre-appeal conferences show limited success with this examiner compared to others. While still worth considering, be prepared to proceed with a full appeal brief if the PAC does not result in favorable action.

Appeal Withdrawal and Reconsideration

This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 100.0% of appeals filed. This is in the 99% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 100.0% occur early in the appeal process (after Notice of Appeal but before Appeal Brief). Strategic Insight: This examiner frequently reconsiders rejections during the appeal process compared to other examiners. Per MPEP § 1207.01, all appeals must go through a mandatory appeal conference. Filing a Notice of Appeal may prompt favorable reconsideration even before you file an Appeal Brief.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 33.3% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 20% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Note: Petitions are rarely granted regarding this examiner's actions compared to other examiners. Ensure you have a strong procedural basis before filing a petition, as the Technology Center Director typically upholds this examiner's decisions.

Examiner Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 0.4% of allowed cases (in the 58% percentile). This examiner makes examiner's amendments more often than average to place applications in condition for allowance (MPEP § 1302.04).

Quayle Actions: This examiner issues Ex Parte Quayle actions in 11.9% of allowed cases (in the 91% percentile). Per MPEP § 714.14, a Quayle action indicates that all claims are allowable but formal matters remain. This examiner frequently uses Quayle actions compared to other examiners, which is a positive indicator that once substantive issues are resolved, allowance follows quickly.

Prosecution Strategy Recommendations

Based on the statistical analysis of this examiner's prosecution patterns, here are tailored strategic recommendations:

  • Consider after-final amendments: This examiner frequently enters after-final amendments. If you can clearly overcome rejections with claim amendments, file an after-final amendment before resorting to an RCE.
  • RCEs are effective: This examiner has a high allowance rate after RCE compared to others. If you receive a final rejection and have substantive amendments or arguments, an RCE is likely to be successful.
  • Appeal filing as negotiation tool: This examiner frequently reconsiders rejections during the appeal process. Filing a Notice of Appeal may prompt favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.

Relevant MPEP Sections for Prosecution Strategy

  • MPEP § 713.10: Examiner interviews - available before Notice of Allowance or transfer to PTAB
  • MPEP § 714.12: After-final amendments - may be entered "under justifiable circumstances"
  • MPEP § 1002.02(c): Petitionable matters to Technology Center Director
  • MPEP § 1004: Actions requiring primary examiner signature (allowances, final rejections, examiner's answers)
  • MPEP § 1207.01: Appeal conferences - mandatory for all appeals
  • MPEP § 1214.07: Reopening prosecution after appeal

Important Disclaimer

Not Legal Advice: The information provided in this report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with a qualified patent attorney or agent for advice specific to your situation.

No Guarantees: We do not provide any guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the statistics presented above. Patent prosecution statistics are derived from publicly available USPTO data and are subject to data quality limitations, processing errors, and changes in USPTO practices over time.

Limitation of Liability: Under no circumstances will IronCrow AI be liable for any outcome, decision, or action resulting from your reliance on the statistics, analysis, or recommendations presented in this report. Past prosecution patterns do not guarantee future results.

Use at Your Own Risk: While we strive to provide accurate and useful prosecution statistics, you should independently verify any information that is material to your prosecution strategy and use your professional judgment in all patent prosecution matters.