Abstract:
An accelerometer (305) for measuring seismic data. The accelerometer (305) includes an integrated vent hole for use during a vacuum sealing process and a balanced metal pattern for reducing cap wafer bowing. The accelerometer (305) also includes a top cap press frame recess (405) and a bottom cap press frame recess (420) for isolating bonding pressures to specified regions of the accelerometer (305). The accelerometer (305) is vacuum-sealed and includes a balanced metal pattern (730) to prevent degradation of the performance of the accelerometer (305). A dicing process is performed on the accelerometer (305) to isolate the electrical leads of the accelerometer (305). The accelerometer (305) further includes overshock protection bumpers (720) and patterned metal electrodes to reduce stiction during the operation of the accelerometer (305).
Abstract:
An accelerometer is disclosed comprising a measuring mass 1405 for detecting acceleration, including a housing having a cavity, one or more spring mass assemblies 1400 positioned within the cavity, wherein each spring mass assembly 1400 includes a support structure 1410, including one or more resilient folded beams 1415a-1415d coupled to the support structure 1410 and the measuring mass 1405 is coupled to the resilient folded beams 1415a-1415d, wherein one or more electrode patterns are coupled to the spring mass assembly 1400, wherein a top cap wafer, including a top capacitor electrode, is coupled to the measurement mass 1405, and a bottom cap wafer, including a bottom capacitor electrode, is also coupled to the measurement mass 1405.
Abstract:
A digital optical switch (108) and method for manufacture. The apparatus includes a mirror assembly (112) coupled to a top cap (110) and to a bottom cap (114).
Abstract:
An accelerometer (305) which comprises a measurement mass assembly having top capacitor electrode (705), with one or more re-entrant openings or grooves (1405), a bottom capacitor electrode (805), with one or more re-entrant openings (1410), and/or a mass electrode pattern (910, 915), which also includes one or more re-entrant openings or grooves (1415, 1420). A re-entrant opening or groove is an opening or groove formed in an element whereby the opening or groove is larger toward the center of the element than at the surface of the element. Re-entrant openings or grooves (1405, 1410, 1415, 1420) reduce fluid damping thereby reducing the amount of thermo-mechanical noise and permit increased sealing pressure of the accelerometer (305) thereby lowering manufacturing costs and increasing production yields.
Abstract:
An accelerometer is disclosed comprising a measuring mass 1405 for detecting acceleration. Springs suspending the mass are tuned so that induced vibrations remain in a predetermined frequency band or below a threshold amplitude, both being determined by the characteristics of a closed loop controller coupled to the sensor.