Systems and methods for a four-mass vibrating MEMS structure
First Claim
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1. A MEMS sensor, the MEMS sensor comprising:
- four proof masses, wherein each proof mass is driven such that the proof masses oscillate along radial lines extending from a center of the MEMS sensor through a center of the respective proof mass, each proof mass comprising;
a plurality of horizontal drive combs; and
a plurality of sense combs; and
an upper substrate and a lower substrate, wherein the four proof masses are positioned between the upper substrate and the lower substrate;
one or more drive electrodes positioned on the upper substrate and the lower substrate, wherein the one or more drive electrodes drive the four proof masses along the radial lines at a drive frequency, wherein a resonant frequency of a sense mode is different from the drive frequency;
wherein the drive electrodes positioned on the upper substrate and the lower substrate drive the horizontal drive combs on the four proof masses;
wherein a drive mode motion of the proof masses has zero total linear momentum and zero total angular momentum;
wherein a sense mode motion of the proof masses has zero total linear momentum and zero total angular momentum;
wherein each proof mass is driven out of phase with adjacent proof masses.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for a four-mass vibrating mems structure are provided. In certain implementations, a MEMS sensor includes four proof masses, wherein each proof mass is driven such that the proof masses oscillate along radial lines extending from the center of the MEMS sensor through the center of the respective proof mass, each proof mass comprising a plurality of drive combs; and a plurality of sense combs. In further embodiments, the MEMS sensor includes at least one substrate having one or more drive electrodes for driving the four proof masses along the radial lines at a drive frequency, wherein a resonant frequency of a sense mode is different from the drive frequency.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A MEMS sensor, the MEMS sensor comprising:
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four proof masses, wherein each proof mass is driven such that the proof masses oscillate along radial lines extending from a center of the MEMS sensor through a center of the respective proof mass, each proof mass comprising; a plurality of horizontal drive combs; and a plurality of sense combs; and an upper substrate and a lower substrate, wherein the four proof masses are positioned between the upper substrate and the lower substrate; one or more drive electrodes positioned on the upper substrate and the lower substrate, wherein the one or more drive electrodes drive the four proof masses along the radial lines at a drive frequency, wherein a resonant frequency of a sense mode is different from the drive frequency; wherein the drive electrodes positioned on the upper substrate and the lower substrate drive the horizontal drive combs on the four proof masses; wherein a drive mode motion of the proof masses has zero total linear momentum and zero total angular momentum; wherein a sense mode motion of the proof masses has zero total linear momentum and zero total angular momentum; wherein each proof mass is driven out of phase with adjacent proof masses. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for operating a MEMS sensor, wherein the MEMS sensor comprises:
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four proof masses, each proof mass comprising; a plurality of horizontal drive combs; and a plurality of sense combs; and an upper substrate and a lower substrate, wherein the four proof masses are positioned between the upper substrate and the lower substrate; and one or more drive electrodes positioned on the upper substrate and the lower sub state; the method comprising; driving the four proof masses, wherein each proof mass is driven by the plurality of horizontal drive combs, such that the four proof masses oscillate at a drive frequency along radial lines extending from a center of the MEMS sensor through a center of the respective proof mass; and sensing vibration of the four proof masses in a sense mode, wherein a resonant frequency of the sense mode is different from the drive frequency; wherein the drive electrodes positioned on the upper substrate and the lower substrate drive the horizontal drive combs on the four proof masses; wherein a drive mode motion of the proof masses has zero total linear momentum and zero total angular momentum; wherein a sense mode motion of the proof masses has zero total linear momentum and zero total angular momentum; wherein each proof mass is driven out of phase with adjacent proof masses. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A MEMS sensor, the MEMS sensor comprising:
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four proof masses, wherein each proof mass is driven such that the proof masses oscillate along radial lines extending from a center of the MEMS sensor through a center of the respective proof mass, each proof mass comprising; a plurality of horizontal drive combs; and a plurality of sense combs; an upper substrate and a lower substrate, wherein the four proof masses are positioned between the upper substrate and the lower substrate; one or more drive electrodes positioned on the upper substrate and the lower substrate, wherein the one or more drive electrodes drive the four proof masses along the radial lines at a drive frequency, wherein a resonant frequency of a sense mode is different from the drive frequency; and a plurality of flexures that couple each proof mass to adjacent proof masses and couple the four proof masses to the upper and lower substrates; wherein the drive electrodes positioned on the upper substrate and the lower substrate drive the horizontal drive combs on the four proof masses; wherein a drive mode motion of the proof masses has zero total linear momentum and zero total angular momentum; wherein a sense mode motion of the proof masses has zero total linear momentum and zero total angular momentum; wherein each proof mass is driven out of phase with adjacent proof masses. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification