Patent · US Expired

Resonant sensor and method of making same

US4764244A · kind A · utility

105Cited by
4References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 11, 1985
Grant dateAug 16, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 11, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49103
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Microminiature resonant sensor structures are prepared according to micromachining/microfabrication techniques, which structures include thin-film deposits of piezoelectric materials. Such piezoelectric deposits may be excited electrically by including metallized conductive paths during fabrication, or optically. The resonant frequency of the sensor structure is varied by subjecting it to a physical variable, or measurand, such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, etc. Similarly, the resonant frequency of the devices may be detected electrically or optically. The microminiature resonant structures include ribbons and wires, hollow beam and cantilevered hollow beams, and single- and double-ended double beam resonant structures such as tuning forks.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.