Integrated released beam, thermo-mechanical sensor for sensing temperature variations and associated methods
First Claim
1. An integrated cantilever sensor for sensing temperature variations in a surrounding environment, the integrated sensor comprising:
- a CMOS switch detecting circuit region; and
a sensor switching region connected to and positioned adjacent said CMOS switch detecting circuit region, said sensor switching region including;
an insulating support layer,a fixed contact layer positioned on said support layer,remaining portions of a sacrificial layer positioned on portions of said fixed contact layer, anda floating contact layer positioned on said remaining portions of the sacrificial layer, overlying said fixed contact layer in spaced relation therefrom in an open switch position, and extending lengthwise generally transverse to a predetermined direction for defining a released cantilever beam, the spaced relation being formed by removal of unwanted portions of the sacrificial layer, said released cantilever beam having at least two layers of material, each of the at least two layers of material having a different thermal expansion coefficient so that said released cantilever beam displaces in the predetermined direction responsive to a predetermined temperature variation so as to contact said fixed contact layer and thereby form a closed switch position, and wherein said CMOS switch detecting circuit region generates a signal responsive to contact of said released cantilever beam with said fixed contact layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated circuit and method are provided for sensing activity such as temperature variations in a surrounding environment. The integrated released beam sensor preferably includes a switch detecting circuit region and a sensor switching region connected to the switch detecting circuit region. The sensor switching region preferably includes a fixed contact layer, a sacrificial layer on the fixed contact layer, and a floating contact on the sacrificial layer and having portions thereof overlying the fixed contact layer in spaced relation therefrom in an open switch position and extending lengthwise generally transverse to a predetermined direction. The floating contact preferably includes at least two layers of material. Each of the at least two layers have a different thermal expansion coefficient so that the floating contact displaces in the predetermined direction responsive to a predetermined temperature variation so as to contact the fixed contact layer and thereby form a closed switch position. The methods of forming an integrated sensor advantageously are preferably compatible with known integrated circuit manufacturing processes, such as for CMOS circuit manufacturing, with only slight variations therefrom.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. An integrated cantilever sensor for sensing temperature variations in a surrounding environment, the integrated sensor comprising:
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a CMOS switch detecting circuit region; and a sensor switching region connected to and positioned adjacent said CMOS switch detecting circuit region, said sensor switching region including; an insulating support layer, a fixed contact layer positioned on said support layer, remaining portions of a sacrificial layer positioned on portions of said fixed contact layer, and a floating contact layer positioned on said remaining portions of the sacrificial layer, overlying said fixed contact layer in spaced relation therefrom in an open switch position, and extending lengthwise generally transverse to a predetermined direction for defining a released cantilever beam, the spaced relation being formed by removal of unwanted portions of the sacrificial layer, said released cantilever beam having at least two layers of material, each of the at least two layers of material having a different thermal expansion coefficient so that said released cantilever beam displaces in the predetermined direction responsive to a predetermined temperature variation so as to contact said fixed contact layer and thereby form a closed switch position, and wherein said CMOS switch detecting circuit region generates a signal responsive to contact of said released cantilever beam with said fixed contact layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An integrated cantilever sensor for sensing temperature variations in a surrounding environment, the integrated sensor comprising:
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a switch detecting circuit region; and a sensor switching region connected to and positioned adjacent said switch detecting circuit region, said sensor switching region including; a fixed contact layer, remaining portions of a sacrificial layer positioned on portions of said fixed contact layer, and a floating contact layer on said remaining portions of the sacrificial layer and having portions thereof overlying said fixed contact layer in spaced relation therefrom in an open switch position and extending lengthwise generally transverse to the predetermined direction for defining a released cantilever beam, the spaced relation being formed by removal of unwanted portions of the sacrificial layer, said released cantilever beam having at least two layers of material, each of the at least two layers of material having a different thermal expansion coefficient so that said released cantilever beam displaces in the predetermined direction responsive to a temperature variation so as to contact said fixed contact layer and thereby form a closed switch position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An integrated sensor for sensing temperature variations in a surrounding environment, the integrated sensor comprising:
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a switch detecting circuit region; and a sensor switching region connected to and positioned adjacent said switch detecting circuit region, said sensor switching region including; a fixed contact layer, and a floating contact having portions thereof directly overlying said fixed contact layer in spaced relation therefrom in an open switch position and extending lengthwise generally transverse to the predetermined direction, said floating contact having at least two layers of material, each of the at least two layers of material having a different thermal expansion coefficient so that said floating contact displaces in the predetermined direction responsive to a predetermined temperature variation so as to contact said fixed contact layer and thereby form a closed switch position. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification