Micro mechanical device with memory metal component
First Claim
1. A method of fabricating a micro-mechanical device having a deflectable metal strip component, said micro-mechanical device having an expected operating temperature such that mechanical distortion during operation of the device is reversible, comprising the steps of:
- providing a metal capable of phase changes in the solid state and having a phase transition temperature that is above said operating temperature;
fabricating said component from said metal;
forming said component to its desired shape;
applying an electrical current through said component to anneal said component to cause a phase transition of said component to train said component in one said phase; and
completing fabrication of said device;
further including the steps of utilizing the completed device and then periodically applying said electrical current through said component to again cause said phase transition.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of preventing permanent deformation of deflecting metal components of micro mechanical devices, such as hinges (12) of mirror elements (10) of a digital micro mirror device. The hinges (12) are made from a memory metal capable of undergoing austenite/martensite phase transitions. If the device is operated and the hinges (12) become mechanically distorted, the hinges (12) can be heated to cause a transition to the austenite phase and a return to their original shape.
65 Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A method of fabricating a micro-mechanical device having a deflectable metal strip component, said micro-mechanical device having an expected operating temperature such that mechanical distortion during operation of the device is reversible, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a metal capable of phase changes in the solid state and having a phase transition temperature that is above said operating temperature; fabricating said component from said metal; forming said component to its desired shape; applying an electrical current through said component to anneal said component to cause a phase transition of said component to train said component in one said phase; and completing fabrication of said device; further including the steps of utilizing the completed device and then periodically applying said electrical current through said component to again cause said phase transition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method of fabricating a micro-mechanical device having a deflectable metal strip component, said micro-mechanical device having an expected operating temperature such that mechanical distortion during operation of the device is reversible, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a metal film capable of phase changes in the solid state and having a phase transition temperature that is below said operating temperature; fabricating said component from said metal film such that deflection of said component will result in a phase change of said component to a first said phase; forming said component to its desired shape; applying an electrical current through said component to anneal said component to cause a phase transition of said component to train said component in one said phase; and completing fabrication of said device; further including the steps of utilizing the completed device and then periodically applying said electrical current through said component to again cause said phase transition. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of fabricating a micro-mechanical device having a deflectable metal strip component, said micro-mechanical device having an expected operating temperature such that mechanical distortion during operation of the device is reversible, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a metal capable of phase changes in the solid state and having a phase transition temperature that is above said operating temperature; fabricating said component from said metal; forming said component to its desired shape; applying an electrical current through said component to anneal said component to cause a phase transition of said component to train said component in one said phase; and completing fabrication of said device; wherein said step of applying an electrical current is provided during fabrication of said device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method of fabricating a micro-mechanical device having a deflectable metal strip component, said micro-mechanical device having an expected operating temperature such that mechanical distortion during operation of the device is reversible, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a metal film capable of phase changes in the solid state and having a phase transition temperature that is below said operating temperature; fabricating said component from said metal film such that deflection of said component will result in a phase change of said component to a first said phase; forming said component to its desired shape; applying an electrical current through said component to anneal said component to cause a phase transition of said component to train said component in one said phase; and completing fabrication of said device; wherein said step of applying an electrical current is provided during fabrication of said device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification