Method of Forming a Micromechanical Device with Microfluidic Lubricant Channel
First Claim
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1. A method of forming a micromechanical device assembly, comprising the steps of:
- forming a micromechanical device; and
forming a lubricant channel that extends through an interior wall of a processing region of the micromechanical device, wherein a substantial length of the lubricant channel extends into the interior wall to be completely enclosed thereby.
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Abstract
A micromechanical device assembly includes a micromechanical device enclosed within a processing region and a lubricant channel formed through an interior wall of the processing region and in fluid communication with the processing region. Lubricant is injected into the lubricant channel via capillary forces and held therein via surface tension of the lubricant against the internal surfaces of the lubrication channel. The lubricant channel containing the lubricant provides a ready supply of fresh lubricant to prevent stiction from occurring between interacting components of the micromechanical device disposed within the processing region.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of forming a micromechanical device assembly, comprising the steps of:
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forming a micromechanical device; and forming a lubricant channel that extends through an interior wall of a processing region of the micromechanical device, wherein a substantial length of the lubricant channel extends into the interior wall to be completely enclosed thereby. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of storing a lubricant in a package having a micromechanical device and a processing region for the micromechanical device, comprising the steps of:
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forming a lubricant channel that extends through an interior wall of the processing region, wherein a substantial length of the lubricant channel extends into the interior wall to be completely enclosed thereby; and adding a lubricant into the lubricant channel. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of injecting a lubricant into a lubricant channel of a micromechanical device assembly, comprising the steps of:
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forming a hole to access the lubricant channel from the exterior; and injecting the lubricant through the hole into the lubricant channel via capillary forces. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. In a package having a micromechanical device and a processing region for the micromechanical device, a method of delivering a lubricant in gaseous form to the micromechanical device, comprising the steps of:
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storing a lubricant in a lubricant channel that is in fluid communication with the processing region, the lubricant channel having a width of 10 μ
m to 800 μ
m and a depth of 10 μ
m to 200 μ
m; andheating the package. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of forming a packaged micromechanical device, the package including a base, an interposer, and a lid, comprising the steps of:
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forming a micromechanical device on the base; bonding the interposer to the base and the lid to the interposer; and forming a lubricant channel in at least one of the base, interposer, and the lid, wherein the lubricant channel is in fluid communication with a processing region of the micromechanical device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification