Patent · US Active

MEMS capacitive device and method of forming same

US8149564B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
1References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 23, 2009
Grant dateApr 3, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 20, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/435
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A MEMS capacitive device (90) includes a fixed capacitor plate (104) formed on a surface (102) of a substrate (100). A movable capacitor plate (114) is suspended above the fixed capacitor plate (104) by compliant members (116) anchored to the surface (102). A movable element (120) is positioned in spaced apart relationship from the movable capacitor plate (104) and has an actuator (130) formed thereon. Actuation of the actuator (130) causes abutment of a portion of the movable element (120) against a contact surface (136) of the movable plate (114). The abutment moves the movable plate (114) toward the fixed plate (104) to alter a capacitance (112) between the plates (104, 114). Another substrate (118) may be coupled to the substrate (100) such that a surface (126) of the substrate (118) faces the surface (102) of the substrate (100). The movable element (120) may be formed on the surface (126).

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