What is the name of your state? SC...while working on my PPA, a "quick search" of the uspto dbase revealed a recent patent that is similar to the one I'm working on. Specifically, the patent claims three main components of the invention: 1) a motive end (i.e., air conditioner), 2) a passive select drive (i.e., consisting of a generator that is driven by the exhaust wind of the air conditioner...the passive select device is situated above the air conditioner to capture the exhaust wind & a secondary generator that is driven by connecting pulleys & common belt...) and 3) an electric power converter (consisting of a power modulator for outputting the electric power generated from the operation of components 1 & 2 listed above).
Question: if my invention consists of all three components listed in his claim but I will not be using the exhaust wind nor the pulley & belt mechanisms connected to the air conditioner's existing electric motor which rotates the pre-existing internal fan to generate power, would I be crossing the line of infringement? I perceive my invention to be an "improvement" upon the prior art since I would be using a different configuration and less hardware to achieve the same result.
Question: if my invention consists of all three components listed in his claim but I will not be using the exhaust wind nor the pulley & belt mechanisms connected to the air conditioner's existing electric motor which rotates the pre-existing internal fan to generate power, would I be crossing the line of infringement? I perceive my invention to be an "improvement" upon the prior art since I would be using a different configuration and less hardware to achieve the same result.