Patent · US Expired

Method of making microsensor

US7250322B2 · kind B2 · utility

20Cited by
47References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 16, 2005
Grant dateJul 31, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 15, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01P2015/082
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A linear accelerometer is provided having a support substrate, fixed electrodes having fixed capacitive plates, and a movable inertial mass having movable capacitive plates capacitively coupled to the fixed capacitive plates. Adjacent capacitive plates vary in height. The accelerometer further includes support tethers for supporting the inertial mass and allowing movement of the inertial mass upon experiencing a linear acceleration along a sensing axis. The accelerometer has inputs and an output for providing an output signal which varies as a function of the capacitive coupling and is indicative of both magnitude and direction of vertical acceleration along the sensing Z-axis. A microsensor fabrication process is also provided which employs a top side mask and etch module.

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