UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`LIBERTY ENERGY INC. AND LIBERTY OILFIELD SERVICES LLC
`Petitioners
`v.
`U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
`Patent Owner
`
`Case No. IPR2025-00066
`Patent 10,598,258
`
`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW OF CLAIMS 1-20 OF
`U.S. PATENT NO. 10,598,258
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,598,258
`
`IV.
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`MANDATORY NOTICES ........................................................................... 1
`I.
`STANDING AND FEES ............................................................................... 2
`II.
`III. OVERVIEW OF THE ’258 PATENT ......................................................... 2
`A.
`Subject Matter of the ’258 Patent .......................................................... 2
`B.
`Priority Date and Prosecution History of the ’258 Patent ..................... 4
`SUMMARY OF PRIOR ART ...................................................................... 5
`A.
`Buckley (EX1004) ................................................................................. 5
`B.
`Bergan (EX1006) .................................................................................. 7
`C.
`Rosman (EX1007) ................................................................................. 7
`D.
`Payne (EX1008) .................................................................................... 8
`E.
`Yi (EX1009) .......................................................................................... 8
`F.
`Jelaska (EX1012) .................................................................................. 9
`G.
`Tutterow (EX1013) ............................................................................... 9
`H.
`Nesbitt (EX1014) .................................................................................. 9
`I.
`Summary of Grounds ............................................................................ 9
`LEVEL OF ORDINARY SKILL ...............................................................11
`V.
`VI. CLAIM CONSTRUCTION ........................................................................12
`VII.
`INSTITUTION IS PROPER ......................................................................12
`A.
`The Fintiv Factors Favor Institution under §314(a) ............................12
`B.
`Institution is Proper under §325(d) .....................................................13
`VIII. THE CHALLENGED CLAIMS ARE UNPATENTABLE .....................14
`A.
`Ground 1A: The combination of Buckley and Bergan renders obvious
`Claims 1, 3 and 6 in view of the knowledge of a POSITA and, in the
`alternative, Jelaska...............................................................................14
`1.
`Motivation to Combine .............................................................14
`2.
`Claim 1 ......................................................................................21
`3.
`Claim 3 ......................................................................................33
`4.
`Claim 6 ......................................................................................33
`
`i
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,598,258
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`D.
`
`E.
`
`F.
`
`Ground 1B: The combination of Yi and Bergan renders obvious
`Claims 1, 3 and 6 in view of the knowledge of a POSITA and, in the
`alternative, Jelaska...............................................................................34
`1.
`Motivation to Combine .............................................................34
`2.
`Claim 1 ......................................................................................36
`3.
`Claim 3 ......................................................................................40
`4.
`Claim 6 ......................................................................................40
`Ground 2A: The combination of Buckley and Bergan renders obvious
`Claims 4 and 5 in view of the knowledge of a POSITA and, in the
`alternative, Jelaska and Tutterow ........................................................41
`1.
`Motivations to Combine ...........................................................41
`2.
`Claim 4 ......................................................................................42
`3.
`Claim 5 ......................................................................................43
`Ground 2B: The Combination of Yi and Bergan renders obvious
`Claims 4 and 5 in view of the knowledge of a POSITA and, in the
`alternative, Jelaska and Tutterow ........................................................45
`1.
`Motivations to Combine ...........................................................45
`2.
`Claim 4 ......................................................................................46
`3.
`Claim 5 ......................................................................................46
`Ground 3A: The combination of Buckley and Bergan renders obvious
`Claims 7, 15, and 17 in view of the knowledge of a POSITA and, in
`the alternative, Jelaska and Nesbitt .....................................................46
`1.
`Motivations to Combine ...........................................................46
`2.
`Claim 7 ......................................................................................47
`3.
`Claim 15 ....................................................................................49
`4.
`Claim 17 ....................................................................................51
`Ground 3B: The combination of Yi and Bergan renders obvious
`Claims 7, 15, and 17 in view of the knowledge of a POSITA and, in
`the alternative, Jelaska and Nesbitt .....................................................51
`1.
`Motivations to Combine ...........................................................51
`2.
`Claim 7 ......................................................................................52
`3.
`Claim 15 ....................................................................................52
`4.
`Claim 17 ....................................................................................54
`
`ii
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,598,258
`
`G.
`
`H.
`
`I.
`
`J.
`
`K.
`
`Ground 4A: The Combination of Buckley, Bergan, and Rosman
`Renders Obvious Claims 2 and 16 in view of the Knowledge of a
`POSITA and, in the alternative, Jelaska and Nesbitt ..........................54
`1.
`Motivation to Combine .............................................................54
`2.
`Claim 2 ......................................................................................58
`3.
`Claim 16 ....................................................................................59
`Ground 4B: The Combination of Yi, Bergan, and Rosman Renders
`Obvious Claims 2 and 16 in view of the Knowledge of a POSITA and,
`in the alternative, Jelaska and Nesbitt .................................................60
`1.
`Motivation to Combine .............................................................60
`2.
`Claim 2 ......................................................................................62
`3.
`Claim 16 ....................................................................................63
`Ground 5A: The combination of Buckley, Bergan, and Payne renders
`obvious Claims 8-11 and 13 in view of the knowledge of a POSITA
`and, in the alternative, Jelaska .............................................................63
`1.
`Motivations to Combine ...........................................................63
`2.
`Claim 8 ......................................................................................65
`3.
`Claim 9 ......................................................................................66
`4.
`Claim 10 ....................................................................................67
`5.
`Claim 11 ....................................................................................68
`6.
`Claim 13 ....................................................................................69
`Ground 5B: The combination of Yi, Bergan, and Payne renders
`obvious Claims 8-11 and 13 in view of the knowledge of a POSITA
`and, in the alternative, Jelaska .............................................................69
`1.
`Motivations to Combine ...........................................................69
`2.
`Claim 8 ......................................................................................71
`3.
`Claim 9 ......................................................................................72
`4.
`Claim 10 ....................................................................................72
`5.
`Claim 11 ....................................................................................72
`6.
`Claim 13 ....................................................................................72
`Ground 6A: The Combination of Buckley, Bergan, Payne, and
`Rosman Renders Obvious Claim 12 in view of the Knowledge of a
`POSITA and, in the alternative, Jelaska and Nesbitt ..........................73
`
`iii
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,598,258
`
`L.
`
`N.
`
`Motivation to Combine .............................................................73
`1.
`Claim 12 ....................................................................................73
`2.
`Ground 6B: The Combination of Yi, Bergan, Payne, and Rosman
`Renders Obvious Claim 12 in view of the Knowledge of a POSITA
`and, in the alternative, Jelaska and Nesbitt .........................................73
`1.
`Motivation to Combine .............................................................73
`2.
`Claim 12 ....................................................................................73
`M. Ground 7A: The combination of Buckley, Bergan, and Payne renders
`obvious Claim 14 in view of the knowledge of a POSITA and, in the
`alternative, Jelaska and Tutterow ........................................................73
`1.
`Motivation to Combine .............................................................73
`2.
`Claim 14 ....................................................................................74
`Ground 7B: The combination of Yi, Bergan, and Payne renders
`obvious Claim 14 in view of the knowledge of a POSITA and, in the
`alternative, Jelaska and Tutterow ........................................................74
`1.
`Motivation to Combine .............................................................74
`2.
`Claim 14 ....................................................................................74
`Ground 8A: The combination of Buckley and Bergan renders obvious
`Claim 18 in view of the knowledge of a POSITA and, in the
`alternative, Jelaska, Tutterow, and Nesbitt .........................................74
`1.
`Motivation to Combine .............................................................74
`2.
`Claim 18 ....................................................................................74
`Ground 8B: The combination of Yi and Bergan renders obvious Claim
`18 in view of the knowledge of a POSITA and, in the alternative,
`Jelaska, Tutterow, and Nesbitt ............................................................75
`1.
`Motivation to Combine .............................................................75
`2.
`Claim 18 ....................................................................................75
`Ground 9A: The combination of Buckley, Bergan, and Payne Renders
`Obvious Claims 19 and 20 in view of the Knowledge of a POSITA
`and, in the alternative, Jelaska and Nesbitt .........................................75
`1.
`Motivations to Combine. ..........................................................75
`2.
`Claim 19 ....................................................................................75
`3.
`Claim 20 ....................................................................................76
`
`O.
`
`P.
`
`Q.
`
`iv
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,598,258
`
`R.
`
`Ground 9B: The combination of Yi, Bergan, and Payne Renders
`Obvious Claims 19 and 20 in view of the Knowledge of a POSITA
`and, in the alternative, Jelaska and Nesbitt .........................................76
`1.
`Motivations to Combine. ..........................................................76
`2.
`Claim 19 ....................................................................................76
`3.
`Claim 20 ....................................................................................76
`IX. OBJECTIVE INDICIA DO NOT SUPPORT PATENTABILITY ........76
`X.
`CONCLUSION ............................................................................................76
`
`v
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,598,258
`
`Ex. No.1
`1001
`
`1002
`1003
`1004
`
`1005
`
`1006
`
`1007
`
`1008
`
`1009
`
`1010
`
`1011
`
`LIST OF EXHIBITS
`Description
`U.S. Patent No. 10,598,258 to Oehring et al. entitled “Multi-plunger
`Pumps and Associated Drive Systems” (the “‘258 Patent”)
`File History for U.S. Patent No. 10,598,258
`Declaration of Dr. Robert Durham
`U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020/0256429 to Buckley, “Electric Drive
`Pump for Well Stimulation,” (“Buckley”) filed September 25, 2018
`and published August 13, 2020.
`U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/562,943 to Buckley et al.,
`“Electric Drive Pump for Well Stimulation,” (“Buckley Provisional”)
`filed September 25, 2017.
`U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0361736 to Bergan et al., “Heave
`Compensation Winches,” (“Bergan”), filed June 13, 2014 and
`published December 17, 2015.
`United States Patent No. 4,100,822 to Rosman, “Drive System for a
`Moving Mechanism,” (“Rosman”) filed April 19, 1976 and granted
`July 18, 1978.
`U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/0258267 to Payne et al., “Well
`Fracturing Systems with Electrical Motors and Methods of Use”
`(“Payne”), filed March 3, 2016 and published September 8, 2016.
`Chinese Publication No. CN103742382A to Yi, “Fracturing Pump
`Transmission System and Fracturing Truck,” (“Yi”), filed December
`30, 2013 and published April 23, 2014.
`Certified English Translation of Yi and Translator’s Declaration
`Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, “Pinion,” captured by the
`Internet Archive on August 17, 2017, available at
`<https://web.archive.org/web/20170817030125/https://www.merriam-
`webster.com/dictionary/pinion>.
`
`1 Citations to patents are made by column and line cite; citations to patent
`
`publications are made by paragraph number; citations to Exhibit 1002 are made with
`
`reference to the Bates-stamped pagination; citations to other exhibits are made to the
`
`page number of the document itself.
`
`vi
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,598,258
`
`D. T. Jelaska, “Gears and Gear Drives,” John Wiley & Sons, 2012.
`Tutterow, V. and McKane, A. T., “Variable Speed Pumping: A Guide
`to Successful Applications,” Europump and Hydraulic Institute, 2004.
`Nesbitt, B., “Handbook of Pumps and Pumping: Pumping Manual
`International,” Elsevier, 2006.
`Camara, John A., “Electrical Engineering Reference Manual for the
`Electrical and Computer PE Exam,” 6th ed. (Professional Publications,
`Inc. 2002), ISBN: 1-888577-56-8.
`Gardner Denver GD-2500 Quintuplex Well Servicing Pump
`Operating and Service Manual, captured by the Internet Archive on
`Sept. 17, 2005, available at
`<https://web.archive.org/web/20120917102614/http:/www.quincieoilf
`ield.com/pdf/3.0%20Gardner%20Denver/2500/GD2500Q%20Op%20
`&%20Service%20Manual.pdf>.
`Morton, M., “Unlocking the Earth: A Short History of Hydraulic
`Fracturing,” GEO ExPro, Vol. 10, No. 6, December 2013
`(https://geoexpro.com/unlocking-the-earth-a-short-history-of-
`hydraulic-fracturing/) (last accessed September 16, 2024).
`Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, “Quintuple,” captured by the
`Internet Archive on February 2, 2017, available at
`<https://web.archive.org/web/20170202121725/https://www.merriam-
`webster.com/dictionary/quintuple>.
`Mark’s Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers, Eleventh
`Edition, McGraw-Hill Companies, New York, 2007.
`Langewis, Jr., C. and Gleeson, C. W., “Practical Hydraulics of
`Positive Displacement Pumps for High-Pressure Waterflood
`Installations,” Society of Petroleum Engineers, February 1971.
`Lewis, M. J. T., “Gearing in the ancient world,” Pergamon Press Ltd.
`1993.
`Mabie, H. H., Reinholz, C. F., “Mechanics and Dynamics of
`Machinery,” (4th Ed., 1987), John Wiley & Sons.
`Pawar, P. V. and Kulkarni, P. R., “Design of two stage planetary gear
`train for high reduction ratio,” International Journal of Research in
`Engineering and Technology, vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 150-157, June 2015.
`Fink, Donald G., STANDARD HANDBOOK FOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS,
`13th ed. (McGraw-Hill, New York: 1993), ISBN: 0-07-020984-7.
`U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0241590 to Horikoshi et al., entitled
`“Motor Driving Apparatus Having Fault Diagnostic Function” (filed
`Feb. 11, 2011 and published Oct. 6, 2011).
`
`1012
`1013
`
`1014
`
`1015
`
`1016
`
`1017
`
`1018
`
`1019
`
`1020
`
`1021
`
`1022
`
`1023
`
`1024
`
`1025
`
`vii
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,598,258
`
`Roethemeyer, Dale E., Yankaskas, David R., “Evolution of Motor and
`Variable Frequency Drive Technology,” in ACEEE Summer Study
`Proceedings on Energy Efficiency in Industry, 1995, pp. 541-552.
`U.S. Patent No. 3,186,222 to Martin, “Well Signaling System,” filed
`July 28, 1960 and issued June 1, 1965.
`U.S. Patent No. 3,075,136 to Jones, “Variable Pulse Width Parallel
`Inverters,” filed August 31, 1961 and issued January 22, 1963.
`U.S. Patent No. 3,262,036 to Clarke et al, “Means for Smoothly
`Varying the Speed of a Star-Connected Polyphase Induction Motor,”
`filed September 19, 1962 and issued July 19, 1966.
`Shepherd, William and Stanway, Jack, “Unbalanced Voltage Control
`of 3-Phase Loads by the Triggering of Silicon Controlled Rectifiers,”
`IEEE Transactions on Industry and General Applications, no. 3, pp.
`206-216, 1965.
`Hickok, H. N., "Adjustable Speed—A Tool for Saving Energy Losses
`in Pumps, Fans, Blowers, and Compressors," IEEE Transactions on
`Industry Applications, no. 1, pp. 124-136, 1985.
`DeWinter, Frank A. and Kedrosky, Brian J., “The Application of a
`3500-hp Variable Frequency Drive for Pipeline Pump Control,” in
`IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, Vol. 25, No. 6, 1019-
`1024 1989.
`Perrin, M., Kohn, G., Mugford, S., Seggewiss, G., “Induction Motors,
`Reciprocating Compressors and Variable Frequency Drives,” Record
`of Conference Papers. IEEE Industry Applications Society 44th
`Annual Petroleum and Chemical Industry Conference, 15-17 Sept.
`1997 1997, pp. 1-9, doi: 10.1109/PCICON.1997.648162.
`Lockley, B., Wood, B., Paes, R., DeWinter, F., “IEEE Std 1566 - The
`Need for a Large Adjustable Speed Drive Standard,” in 2006 Record
`of Conference Papers - IEEE Industry Applications Society 53rd
`Annual Petroleum and Chemical Industry Conference, 11-15 Sept.
`2006, pp. 1-10, doi: 10.1109/PCICON.2006.359687.
`Manz, L. B., "The motor designer's viewpoint of an adjustable speed
`drive specification," IEEE Industry Applications Magazine, vol. 1, no.
`1, pp. 16-21, 1995.
`Baseer, M., “Electric Machines and Adjustable Speed Drives,” in
`University of Bradford Electric and Telecommunications Research
`Seminar Series, 8th Workshop Proceedings, April 1, 2009, 131-134.
`Declaration of Sylvia Hall-Ellis, Ph.D.
`
`1026
`
`1027
`
`1028
`
`1029
`
`1030
`
`1031
`
`1032
`
`1033
`
`1034
`
`1035
`
`1036
`
`1037
`
`viii
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,598,258
`
`Plaintiff’s Motion for Leave to File the Second Amended Complaint,
`U.S. Well Services, LLC et al. v. Liberty Energy, Inc. et al., No. 4:24-
`cv-00839 (S.D. Tex. September 19, 2024)
`Claim Listing for Claims of ’258 Patent
`Interim Procedure for Discretionary Denials in AIA Post-Grant
`Proceedings with Parallel District Court Litigation (June 21, 2022)
`Federal Court Management Statistics (June 30, 2024), available at
`<https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/data_tables/fcms_na_ap
`pprofile0630.2024.pdf>
`File History for U.S. Patent No. 11,959,533
`Wells, B.A., Wells, K.L, “Shooters – A “Fracking” History,”
`American Oil & Gas Historical Society,
`https://aoghs.org/technology/hydraulic-fracturing, last updated March
`7, 2024.
`Montgomery, Carl T., Smith, Michael B., “Hydraulic Fracturing, a
`History of an Enduring Technology,” Journal of Petroleum
`Technology 62 (12), December 2010.
`Bourgoyne, Adam T. Jr., et al., “Applied Drilling Engineering,”
`Society of Petroleum Engineering Textbook Series, Volume 2, 1986.
`Vasilliou, Marius S., “Historical Dictionary of the Petroleum
`Industry,” Second Edition, Rowman & Littlefield, 2018.
`U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0306322 to Sanborn et al., entitled
`“System and Process for Extracing Oil and Gas by Hydraulic
`Fracturing” (filed Dec. 7, 2012 and published Nov. 21, 2013).
`U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0255734 to Coli et al., entitled
`“Mobile, Modular, Electrically Powered System for Use in Fracturing
`Underground Formations” (filed April 6, 2012 and published Oct. 11,
`2012).
`U.S. Patent No. 9,410,410 to Broussard et al., entitled “System for
`Pumping Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid using Electric Pumps” (filed
`Nov. 16, 2012 and issued Aug. 9, 2016)
`Johns, Cort MacLean, “Industrial Revolutions: From Ctesibius to
`Mars,” ABC Book Center, 2021.
`
`1038
`
`1039
`1040
`
`1041
`
`1042
`
`1043
`
`1044
`
`1045
`
`1046
`
`1047
`
`1048
`
`1049
`
`1050
`
`ix
`
`

`

`I.
`
`MANDATORY NOTICES
`Real Party in Interest: Liberty Energy Inc., Liberty Oilfield Services LLC
`
`(collectively, “Liberty” or “Petitioners”), and Liberty Advanced Equipment
`
`Technologies LLC are the real parties in interest.
`
`Related Matters: The ’258 Patent is involved in a pending lawsuit between
`
`Petitioners and U.S. Well Services, LLC (“Patent Owner,” or “PO”) entitled U.S.
`
`Well Services, LLC, et al v. Liberty Energy, Inc. et al, 4:24-cv-00839-KPE (S.D.
`
`Tex.) (“Liberty Litigation”), filed March 6, 2024.
`
`Lead Counsel and Back-Up Counsel: Petitioners designates lead and back-up
`
`counsel as noted below. A Power of Attorney is filed concurrently herewith under
`
`37 C.F.R. §42.10(b).
`
`Lead Counsel
`Chad C. Walters, Reg. No. 48,022
`Baker Botts L.L.P.
`2001 Ross Ave., Suite 900
`Dallas, TX 75201-2980
`Phone: (214) 953-6511
`chad.walters@bakerbotts.com
`
`Backup Counsel
`Joseph Andrew Grado, Reg. No. 80,316
`Baker Botts L.L.P.
`2001 Ross Ave., Suite 900
`Dallas, TX 75201-2980
`Phone: (214) 953-6522
`andrew.grado@bakerbotts.com
`
`Jacob McDonald, Reg. No. 74,336
`Baker Botts L.L.P.
`2001 Ross Ave., Suite 900
`Dallas, TX 75201-2980
`Phone: (214) 953-6652
`jacob.mcdonald@bakerbotts.com
`
`Service Information: Correspondence to lead and back-up counsel can be
`
`provided at the postal and electronic addresses above. Petitioners also consent to
`
`1
`
`

`

`service
`
`by
`
`electronic
`
`mail
`
`at
`
`chad.walters@bakerbotts.com,
`
`andrew.grado@bakerbotts.com, and jacob.mcdonald@bakerbotts.com.
`
`II.
`
`STANDING AND FEES
`Standing: Petitioners certify under 37 C.F.R. §42.104(a) that the ’258 Patent
`
`is eligible for inter partes review and that Petitioners are not barred or estopped from
`
`requesting inter partes review on the grounds set forth herein.
`
`Fees: The Office is authorized to charge the fee set forth in 37 C.F.R.
`
`§42.15(a) to Deposit Account No. 02-0384 as well as any additional fees that might
`
`be due in connection with this Petition.
`
`III. OVERVIEW OF THE ’258 PATENT
`A.
`Subject Matter of the ’258 Patent
`The ’258 Patent generally relates to “drive systems for reciprocating plunger-
`
`style pumps used in hydraulic fracturing operations, and more particularly to multi-
`
`plunger hydraulic fracturing pumps and associated drive systems.” EX1001, 1:16-
`
`19.
`
`The system taught by the ’258 Patent includes a “multi-plunger hydraulic
`
`pump” that is powered by a “plurality of motors,” which may be electric motors or
`
`hydraulic motors. Id., 2:46-67. Figure 3 of the ’258 Patent depicts this
`
`configuration:
`
`2
`
`

`

`Id., Fig. 3 (showing pump 300, multi-plunger fluid end 350, motors 330, and
`
`crankshaft centerline 360, id., 8:33-46).
`
`The system further includes a “planetary gear train having a plurality of input
`
`pinion gears in rotational contact with each of the plurality of motors,” depicted
`
`below. Id., 2:53-57.
`
`3
`
`

`

`Id., Fig. 1.
`
`
`
`The system may further include “a plurality of speed reduction gearboxes
`
`positioned between the plurality of input pinion gears and the plurality of motors.”
`
`Id., 2:61-63. Further, the electric motors may be connected to a “variable frequency
`
`drive (VFD)” that “control[s] the speed of the plurality of motors” and may “be
`
`configured to automatically shut off in the event of an overpressure event.” Id., 3:16-
`
`27.
`
`Priority Date and Prosecution History of the ’258 Patent
`B.
`The application leading to the ’258 Patent was filed on December 5, 2018 as
`
`Application 16/210,807 and claimed priority to provisional application No.
`
`4
`
`

`

`62/594,912, which was filed on December 5, 2017. EX1001, items (21), (22), (60).
`
`For purposes of this petition, Petitioner assumes without conceding that under AIA
`
`§102(a), the effective filing date of the ’258 Patent is December 5, 2017.
`
`The Patent Office issued a first Non-Final Office Action on July 3, 2019,
`
`rejecting Claims 1-20 as being obvious over various combinations of U.S. Patent
`
`Publication 2017/0051732 (“Hemandez”), U.S. Patent No. 4,100,822 (“Rosman”),
`
`U.S. Patent No. 8,851,860 (“Mail”), and U.S. Patent Publication 2016/0258267
`
`(“Payne”). EX1002, 115-127. In response, the Applicant amended independent
`
`Claims 1, 11, and 15 to recite that the claimed “plurality of motors [are] positioned
`
`to simultaneously power the multi-plunger pump.” Id., 99-102.
`
`Following these amendments, the Patent Office issued a notice of allowance
`
`on November 21, 2021. Id., 62.
`
`IV.
`
`SUMMARY OF PRIOR ART
`A.
`Buckley (EX1004)
`Buckley is a U.S. Patent Application Publication filed September 25, 2018, as
`
`PCT No. PCT/US2019/052755 and published August 13, 2020. EX1004. Buckley
`
`claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/562,943 (EX1005, “Buckley
`
`Provisional”) filed on September 25, 2017. Buckley properly claimed benefit to
`
`(EX1004, item (60)), was filed copending with (id., item (22)), and shared a common
`
`inventor with (id., item (72)) Buckley Provisional. See AIA 35 U.S.C. §102(d);
`
`5
`
`

`

`MPEP §2154.01(b). Also, the subject matter relied upon in Buckley is disclosed in
`
`Buckley Provisional. See MPEP §2154.01(b).
`
`Dynamic Drinkware does not apply. See Dynamic Drinkware, LLC v. Nat’l
`
`Graphics, Inc., 800 F.3d 1375, 1379-80 (Fed. Cir. 2015). The Board has determined
`
`that, “for prior-art determinations under AIA §102, ‘there is no need to evaluate
`
`whether any claim of [a reference] patent document is actually entitled to priority or
`
`benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119, 120.’” See, e.g., Penumbra, Inc. v. RapidPulse, Inc.,
`
`IPR2021-01466, Paper 34 (P.T.A.B. March 20, 2023) (precedential), at 32
`
`(emphasis original; citing MPEP §2154.01(b); holding that the requirement in
`
`Dynamic Drinkware (that under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. §102(e), a reference patent’s
`
`claims must have written description support in its provisional application to be
`
`entitled to the filing date of the provisional application) does not apply to AIA 35
`
`U.S.C. §102(d)); see also Apple Inc. v. Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, IPR2022-
`
`00341, Paper 10 (P.T.A.B. Sept. 14, 2022), at 19.
`
`Thus, for prior art purposes, Buckley was effectively filed on September 25,
`
`2017, and qualifies as prior art under AIA §102(a)(2). Like the ’258 Patent, Buckley
`
`describes a pumping system that “relates generally to hydraulic fracturing in oil and
`
`gas wells, and in particular to an electric drive pump used to drive a fluid end for the
`
`pumping of a fracturing fluid into a well.” EX1004, [0001]; EX1005, 2. Thus,
`
`6
`
`

`

`Buckley is from the same field of art as the ’258 Patent and describes a fracturing
`
`pump that is similar to the pump described in the ’258 Patent. EX1003, ¶124.
`
`Bergan (EX1006)
`B.
`Bergan is a U.S. Patent Publication filed on June 13, 2014, and published on
`
`December 17, 2015. Bergan is prior art at least under 35 U.S.C. §§102(a)(1) and
`
`102(a)(2).
`
`Bergan discloses a hoisting system for use in oil and gas drilling that is driven
`
`by multiple electric motors. EX1006, Abstract, [0030]. Bergan further describes a
`
`“planetary gear system” that is used to couple the multiple electric motors to the load
`
`so the motors can drive the rotation of the load. Id., [0032], Figs. 5, 6.
`
` Thus, Bergan is in a field of art—using multiple motors and a planetary gear
`
`system for driving a load in oil and gas drilling—that is highly relevant to the ’258
`
`Patent, which describes a similar configuration for driving a fracturing pump, and a
`
`POSITA would understand that Bergan addresses the potential problem of
`
`connecting multiple electric motors to a load. EX1003, ¶127.
`
`Rosman (EX1007)
`C.
`Rosman is a U.S. Patent issued on July 18, 1978. Rosman is prior art at least
`
`under 35 U.S.C. §§102(a)(1) and 102(a)(2). Rosman teaches the use of multiple
`
`smaller motors which combine power outputs through gearing to drive a larger,
`
`higher torque load. See, e.g., EX1007, 2:15-24, 4:54-62, Figs. 1-4. Thus, Rosman
`
`7
`
`

`

`is highly relevant to the ’258 Patent, as it describes a gearing configuration for using
`
`multiple electric motors to drive a load, as is taught by the ’258 Patent. EX1003,
`
`¶129.
`
`Payne (EX1008)
`D.
`Payne is a U.S. Patent Application Publication published on filed on March
`
`3, 2016 and published on September 8, 2016. Payne is prior art at least under 35
`
`U.S.C. §§102(a)(1) and 102(a)(2). Payne describes a hydraulic fracturing system
`
`that uses electrical motors, which are controlled by a variable frequency drive, to
`
`drive a fracturing pump. EX1008, Abstract. Thus, Payne is in a field of art—VFD-
`
`controlled electric motors for use with fracturing pumps—that is highly relevant to
`
`the ’258 Patent, which describes VFD-controlled, electric motor-driven fracturing
`
`pumps. EX1003, ¶131.
`
`Yi (EX1009)
`E.
`Yi is a Chinese Publication published April 23, 2014. Yi is prior art at least
`
`under 35 U.S.C. §102(a)(1). Petitioner provides an English translation of Yi and a
`
`supporting translator affidavit. EX1009, EX1010.
`
`Yi discloses a “fracturing pump transmission system” wherein “multiple
`
`motors are used to drive the fracturing pump.” EX1010, Abstract. A POSITA would
`
`understand that Yi’s fracturing pump is similar to the pump described in the ’258
`
`Patent. EX1003, ¶133.
`
`8
`
`

`

`Jelaska (EX1012)
`F.
`Jelaska is a selection from the book titled Gears and Gear Drives by Damir
`
`Jelaska. Jelaska was publicly available no later than May 16, 2013, and is prior art
`
`at least under 35 U.S.C. §102(a)(1). See EX1037, ¶¶34-40, 55. Jelaska describes
`
`various gearing systems, their underlying mathematical principles, and their
`
`applications. See generally EX1012.
`
`Tutterow (EX1013)
`G.
`Tutterow is a book titled Variable Speed Pumping: A Guide to Successful
`
`Applications prepared at the Europump and Hydraulic Institute. Tutterow was
`
`publicly available no later than August 24, 2004, and is prior art at least under 35
`
`U.S.C. §102(a)(1). See EX1037, ¶¶41-47, 55. Tutterow describes fundamental
`
`pumping principles, types of pumps, and techniques for controlling the speed of
`
`those pumps. See generally EX1013.
`
`Nesbitt (EX1014)
`H.
`Nesbitt is a book titled Handbook of Pumps and Pumping edited by Brian
`
`Nesbitt. Nesbitt was publicly available no later than November 14, 2008, and is prior
`
`art at least under 35 U.S.C. §102(a)(1). See EX1037, ¶¶48-55. Nesbitt is a textbook
`
`that describes fundamental pump and pumping principles. See generally EX1014.
`
`I.
`
`Summary of Grounds
`
`Ground
`
`Claims
`
`Basis
`(35 U.S.C. §)
`
`Prior Art
`
`9
`
`

`

`1A
`
`1B
`
`2A
`
`2B
`
`3A
`
`3B
`
`4A
`
`4B
`
`5A
`
`5B
`
`6A
`
`6B
`
`1, 3, 6
`
`1, 3, 6
`
`4, 5
`
`4, 5
`
`7, 15, 17
`
`7, 15, 17
`
`2, 16
`
`2, 16
`
`8-11, 13
`
`8-11, 13
`
`12
`
`12
`
`Buckley, Bergan, the Knowledge
`of a POSITA and, in the
`alternative, Jelaska
`Yi, Bergan, the Knowledge of a
`POSITA and, in the alternative,
`Jelaska
`Buckley, Bergan, the Knowledge
`of a POSITA and, in the
`alternative, Jelaska and
`Tutterow
`Yi, Bergan, the Knowledge of a
`POSITA and, in the alternative,
`Jelaska and Tutterow
`Buckley, Bergan, the Knowledge
`of a POSITA and, in the
`alternative, Jelaska and Nesbitt
`Yi, Bergan, the Knowledge of a
`POSITA and, in the alternative,
`Jelaska and Nesbitt
`Buckley, Bergan, Rosman, the
`Knowledge of a POSITA and, in
`the alternative, Jelaska and
`Nesbitt
`Yi, Bergan, Rosman, the
`Knowledge of a POSITA and, in
`the alternative, Jela