Patents by Inventor Ralph E. Hopkins, III

Ralph E. Hopkins, III 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).

  • Trenches to reduce charging effects and to control out-of-plane sensitivities in tuning fork gyroscopes and other sensors
    Patent number: 5952574
    Abstract: Trenches which reduce or eliminate force and sensitivity associated with proof mass motion normal to the substrate as a result of voltage transients is disclosed. The trenches provide increased separation between interleaved comb electrodes and the substrate, and thereby also reduce the comb lift to drive ratio. The trenches are typically formed directly below the interleaved comb electrodes, but may also be formed below other suspended portions. Trench depth is from 6-10 microns and provides a comb electrode to substrate separation of approximately 8.5-12.5 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc S. Weinberg, Steven T. Cho, Ralph E. Hopkins, III, Lance C. Niles, Anthony S. Kourepenis, Eric M. Hildebrant, Paul A. Ward
  • Micromechanical contact load force sensor for sensing magnitude and distribution of loads and tool employing micromechanical contact load force sensor
    Patent number: 5656785
    Abstract: A micromechanical contact load force sensor is disclosed. The force sensor comprises an array of capacitive load cells on a substrate. The force sensor is able to sense high loads, on the order on 10.sup.9 N/m.sup.2, and distribute the load over a suitable number of the cells of the array while minimizing crosstalk between adjacent cells. The force sensor is useful in biological and robotic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher V. Trainor, Steve T. Cho, Ralph E. Hopkins, III