Patents by Inventor Elmer S. Hung

Elmer S. Hung has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6724125
    Abstract: A method of redirecting light using an actuatable two-layer diffraction grating structure, the method having applications in wavelength-division multiplexed systems. An optical add/drop modulator (OADM) including an actuatable diffraction grating, for use with a wavelength-division multiplexed signal. An OADM having an optical source located off the main pathway to direct a optical carrier to be added onto the actuatable diffraction grating such that the carrier is diffracted into the main pathway. A detector to measure signal strength for use with an optical processor, the optical processor having an actuatable structure having gaps between the actuated portion of the structure. The detector detecting the portions of light diffracted by the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Elmer S. Hung, Erik R. Deutsch, Stephen D. Senturia
  • Patent number: 6664706
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrostatically-controllable diffraction grating including a plurality of electrically isolated and stationary electrodes disposed on a substrate. At least one row of a plurality of interconnected actuation elements is provided, with each actuation element suspended, by a corresponding mechanically constrained support region, over the substrate by a vertical actuation gap and including a conducting actuation region connected to the corresponding support region and disposed in a selected correspondence with at least one substrate electrode. A mirror element is provided, for at least one actuation element in at least one row of actuation elements, including an optically reflecting upper surface, and being vertically suspended over a corresponding actuation element by a mechanically constrained mirror support region that is connected to the corresponding actuation element and that defines a vertical mirror gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Elmer S. Hung, Erik R. Deutsch, Stephen D. Senturia
  • Patent number: 6552328
    Abstract: A microsensor including a VCSEL for use in a MEMS. By coupling the top mirror of the VCSEL to the micromechanical structure, either directly or indirectly, the motion of the micromechanical structure in response to a physical phenomenon can directly modulate the wavelength of the light emitted from the VCSEL. Also, a method for sensing and transmitting information about the configuration or motion of a mechanical structure. The method includes coupling the top mirror of a VCSEL to the mechanical structure that directly encodes information about the motion into the frequency of light emitted by the VCSEL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew A. Berlin, Elmer S. Hung
  • Publication number: 20020167245
    Abstract: A method of redirecting light using an actuatable two-layer diffraction grating structure, the method having applications in wavelength-division multiplexed systems. An optical add/drop modulator (OADM) including an actuatable diffraction grating, for use with a wavelength-division multiplexed signal. An OADM having an optical source located off the main pathway to direct a optical carrier to be added onto the actuatable diffraction grating such that the carrier is diffracted into the main pathway. A detector to measure signal strength for use with an optical processor, the optical processor having an actuatable structure having gaps between the actuated portion of the structure. The detector detecting the portions of light diffracted by the gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Elmer S. Hung, Erik R. Deutsch, Stephen D. Senturia
  • Patent number: 6412131
    Abstract: A MEMS-based system that enables low cost, low power, single chip realization of real-time signal detection and fault diagnosis. The system is suitable for analyzing the time-varying properties of a signal that are important for condition-based monitoring of electro-mechanical machines or structures. The system includes mechanical sensors that sense input signals such as vibration, signal templates of fault conditions, logic units that detect, store, and compare signal features to provide a diagnostic state, and an output readout mechanism to couple the diagnostic state to readout device that provides an external signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Feng Zhao, Andrew A. Berlin, Elmer S. Hung
  • Patent number: 6374677
    Abstract: A micromechanical resonator including a motion arresting mechanism to rapidly damp the vibration of a resonator beginning at any given moment in time to remove vibration caused by previous events. An electrostatic clamp uses a bias voltage between an electrode and the resonator to damp the resonator and return it to its equilibrium position. A mechanical clamp includes an actuator that forces the mechanical clamp to contact the resonator. These micromechanical resonators facilitate condition based monitoring of complex electromechanical machines and components by allowing signature analysis in multiple temporal and frequency domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew A. Berlin, Elmer S. Hung, Feng Zhao
  • Patent number: 6329738
    Abstract: There is provided an electrostatically-controllable actuator having a stationary electrode, with an actuating element separated from the stationary electrode by an actuation gap. The actuating element includes a mechanically constrained support region, a deflection region free to be deflected through the actuation gap, and a conducting actuation region extending from about the support region to the deflection region. A commonality in area between the actuation region and the stationary electrode is selected to produce controlled and stable displacement of the deflection region over a displacement range, e.g., extending to a specified point in the actuation gap, when an actuation voltage is applied between the actuation region and the stationary electrode. This range of stable displacement, which can be stable bending, can extend to a point greater than about ⅓ of the actuation gap, or even through the full actuation gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Elmer S. Hung, Erik R. Deutsch, Stephen D. Senturia