Microelectromechanical dual-mass resonator structure
First Claim
1. A microelectromechanical (MEM) structure, comprising:
- (a) a parallel-plate electrostatic actuator which further comprises a plurality of stationary electrodes formed on a substrate and a first mass suspended above the substrate to form a moveable electrode, with the first mass moving along a path in a plane parallel to the plane of the substrate and in a direction perpendicular to the length of the stationary electrodes in response to an actuation voltage applied between the stationary electrodes and the first mass; and
(b) a second mass suspended above the substrate and coupled to the first mass by a plurality of springs, with the second mass being driven by motion of the first mass to move along the same path.
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Abstract
A dual-mass microelectromechanical (MEM) resonator structure is disclosed in which a first mass is suspended above a substrate and driven to move along a linear or curved path by a parallel-plate electrostatic actuator. A second mass, which is also suspended and coupled to the first mass by a plurality of springs is driven by motion of the first mass. Various modes of operation of the MEM structure are possible, including resonant and antiresonant modes, and a contacting mode. In each mode of operation, the motion induced in the second mass can be in the range of several microns up to more than 50 μm while the first mass has a much smaller displacement on the order of one micron or less. The MEM structure has applications for forming microsensors that detect strain, acceleration, rotation or movement.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A microelectromechanical (MEM) structure, comprising:
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(a) a parallel-plate electrostatic actuator which further comprises a plurality of stationary electrodes formed on a substrate and a first mass suspended above the substrate to form a moveable electrode, with the first mass moving along a path in a plane parallel to the plane of the substrate and in a direction perpendicular to the length of the stationary electrodes in response to an actuation voltage applied between the stationary electrodes and the first mass; and
(b) a second mass suspended above the substrate and coupled to the first mass by a plurality of springs, with the second mass being driven by motion of the first mass to move along the same path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A microelectromechanical (MEM) structure, comprising:
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(a) a substrate;
(b) a first mass suspended above the substrate and having a plurality of windows formed therethrough;
(c) a plurality of stationary electrodes formed on the substrate with each stationary electrode being located within one of the windows in the first mass, the stationary electrodes acting in combination with the first mass to form a parallel-plate electrostatic actuator to electrostatically move the first mass relative to the substrate along a path in response to an actuation voltage provided between the stationary electrodes and the first mass;
(d) a second mass coupled to the first mass through a plurality of springs, with the second mass being driven to move along the same path in response to motion of the first mass; and
(e) a position-sensing electrode located on the substrate below the second mass. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A microelectromechanical (MEM) structure, comprising:
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(a) a parallel-plate electrostatic actuator formed on a substrate and comprising a first mass suspended above the substrate and having a plurality of windows formed therethrough, and a plurality of stationary electrodes formed on the substrate at the locations of the windows in the first mass, the stationary electrodes acting in combination with the first mass to electrostatically move the first mass along a path in response to an actuation voltage provided between the stationary electrodes and the first mass; and
(b) a second mass located within one of the windows in the first mass, with the second mass being coupled to the first mass through a plurality of springs and further being driven to move along the same path as the first mass in response to motion of the first mass. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification