Micromachined double resonator

• US 6,367,786 B1
• Filed: 06/06/2000
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Shcheglov, Kirill, Gutierrez, Roman, Tang, Tony K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Butler, Douglas C.
• Application Number:
  US09/588,878
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 188/378-380, 267/136, 267/158, 248/550, 735/041.2, 735/143.8, 73/13.8, 735/142.9, 735/041.4, 735/143.2, 734/88, 735/040.2, 735/040.6, 310/320, 333/191, 333/158, 257/688, 257/718, 257/719, 257/727, 331/154, 363/33
• US Class Current: 267/136
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/5719 using planar vibrating masses driven in a translation vibration along an axis

Abstract

A micromachined resonator mountable to an external support structure has a proof mass coupled to a base structure by a first spring structure, the base structure having a plurality of electrodes, and a second spring structure coupling the base structure to the external support structure.

Claims

1. A micromachined resonator mountable to an external support structure comprising:

a proof mass suspended by a first spring structure;

a base structure to which the proof mass is coupled, the base structure including a plurality of electrodes; and

a second spring structure coupling the base structure to the external support structure.

2. A micromachined resonator according to claim 1 wherein the second spring structure comprises a micromachined spring.

3. A micromachined resonator according to claim 1 wherein:

the base structure comprises a rectangular frame; and

the second spring structure comprises two micromachined springs coupling opposite sides of the base structure to the external support structure.

4. A micromachined resonator according to claim 1 wherein:

the base structure comprises a rectangular frame; and

the second spring structure comprises two micromachined springs coupling adjacent sides of the base structure to the external support structure.

5. A micromachined resonator according to claim 1 wherein:

the base structure comprises a rectangular frame; and

the second spring structure comprises at least four micromachined springs coupling each of the four sides of the base structure to an external support structure.

6. A micromachined resonator according to claim 1 wherein:

the base structure comprises a rectangular frame;

the second spring structure comprises one micromachined spring coupling the center of one side of the base structure to the external support structure.

7. A micromachined resonator according to claim 1 wherein:

the second spring structure comprises at least one spring element set having at least two micromachined spring elements substantially parallel to each other coupling the base structure to the external support structure.

8. A micromachined resonator according to claim 2 further comprising electric lead wires coupled to the micromachined spring of the second spring structure.

9. A micromachined resonator according to claim 1 wherein:

the base structure comprises a rectangular frame;

the second spring structure comprises four micromachined springs wherein;

each spring structure is coupled at a first end to a corner of the base structure; and

each spring is positioned around three sides of the base structure; and

each spring is coupled at a second end to the external support structure.

10. A micromachined resonator according to claim 1 wherein the second spring structure comprises a membrane.

11. A micromachined resonator according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises:

drive circuitry for exciting a mode of the proof mass having a mode shape;

bias circuitry for supplying a voltage to modify the mode shape;

sensing circuitry for measuring acceleration by detecting a change of the mode shape of the proof mass; and

output circuitry for outputting a signal indicating the acceleration.

12. A micromachined resonator according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises:

drive circuitry for exciting a mode of the proof mass having a mode shape;

bias circuitry for supplying a voltage to modify the mode shape;

sensing circuitry for measuring rotation by detecting a change of the mode shape of the proof mass; and

output circuitry for outputting a signal indicating the rotation.