Method for fabricating side drive electrostatic micromotor
US5043043A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 1990 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 22, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02N1/004
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrostatic micromotor employs a side drive design. The stator operates in a plane above a substract and a moveable member lies and moves in the plane of the stator. An electrostatic field of operational strength is generated and sustained without breakdown in the plane between the stator and edges of the moveable member. Three fabrication processes enable formation of a moveable member in the plane of operation of the stator and spaced apart from the stator by a micron amount. One fabrication process deposits and patterns a structural layer to form the stator and moveable member over a sacrificial layer. A second fabrication process etches channels in a first structural layer to outline a stator, moveable member, and if desired, a bearing. A substrate is connected to the side of the structural layer through which the channels are etched and the opposite side is ground down to the ends of the channels to form salient stator, rotor and, if desired, bearing structures. The third fabrication process grows a sacrificial layer by local oxidation in an etched cavity of the substrate. A structural layer is then deposited and patterned over the substrate and sacrificial layer to form …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.