Acoustic Wave Patents (Class 257/416)
  • Patent number: 9633932
    Abstract: An electronic package structure includes a substrate having a plurality of conductive leads. A discharge hole is disposed to extend through the substrate. An electronic chip is electrically connected to the plurality of conductive leads. A case is connected to the substrate and defines a cavity between the substrate and an upper of the case. The discharge hole and the electronic chip are disposed within the cavity, and the discharge hole is open to the outside in the electronic package structure. The discharge hole is configured to discharge air pressure that forms during the assembly process thereby improving the reliability of the electronic package structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Amkor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyoung Yeon Lee, Byong Jin Kim, Kyung Su Kim, Hyung Il Jeon, Jae Doo Kwon
  • Patent number: 9627349
    Abstract: A method for applying a bonding layer that is comprised of a basic layer and a protective layer on a substrate with the following method steps: application of an oxidizable basic material as a basic layer on a bonding side of the substrate, at least partial covering of the basic layer with a protective material that is at least partially dissolvable in the basic material as a protective layer. In addition, the invention relates to a corresponding substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: EV GROUP E. THALLNER GMBH
    Inventor: Markus Wimplinger
  • Patent number: 9617144
    Abstract: An integrated package of at least one environmental sensor and at least one MEMS acoustic sensor is disclosed. The package contains a shared port that exposes both sensors to the environment, wherein the environmental sensor measures characteristics of the environment and the acoustic sensor measures sound waves. The port exposes the environmental sensor to an air flow and the acoustic sensor to sound waves. An example of the acoustic sensor is a microphone and an example of the environmental sensor is a humidity sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Julius Ming-Lin Tsai, Baris Cagdaser, Martin Lim, Aleksey S. Khenkin
  • Patent number: 9607915
    Abstract: Method of making through-substrate-vias in glass substrates includes providing a first substrate on which a plurality of needles protruding vertically from the substrate are made; providing a second substrate made of glass; locating the substrates adjacent each other such that the needles on the first substrate face the second substrate; applying heat to a temperature where the glass softens, by heating the glass or the needle substrate or both; applying a force such that the needles on the first substrate penetrate into the glass to provide impressions in the glass; and finally, removing the first substrate and providing material filling the impressions in the second substrate made of glass. A device includes a silicon substrate having a cavity in which a MEMS component is accommodated, and a cap wafer made of a material having a low dielectric constant, and through substrate vias of metal, is bonded to the silicon substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SILEX MICROSYSTEMS AB
    Inventors: Ulf Erlesand, Edvard Kälvesten
  • Patent number: 9602073
    Abstract: A bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator structure includes a first electrode disposed over a substrate, a piezoelectric layer disposed over the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed over the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer includes undoped piezoelectric material and doped piezoelectric material, where the doped piezoelectric material is doped with at least one rare earth element, for improving piezoelectric properties of the piezoelectric layer and reducing compressive stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Grannen, John Choy
  • Patent number: 9573805
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pressure sensor is provided. The method includes: providing a substrate, wherein a bottom electrode and a pressure sensing film are disposed on the substrate; forming an etch stop assembly on the pressure sensing film at a location corresponding to a pressure trench; forming a cover layer on the substrate covering the etch stop assembly and the pressure sensing film; forming a mask layer on the cover layer, wherein an opening of the mask layer is formed above the etch stop assembly and exposes a portion of the cover layer at the location corresponding to the pressure trench; etching the cover layer using the mask layer so as to form the pressure trench in the cover layer; removing the etch stop assembly at a bottom of the pressure trench; and removing the mask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventors: Guangcai Fu, Haiyong Ni
  • Patent number: 9554213
    Abstract: A micromechanical structure, comprising a substrate having a through hole; a residual portion of a sacrificial oxide layer peripheral to the hole; and a polysilicon layer overlying the hole, patterned to have a planar portion; a supporting portion connecting the planar portion to polysilicon on the residual portion; polysilicon stiffeners formed extending beneath the planar portion overlying the hole; and polysilicon ribs surrounding the supporting portion, attached near a periphery of the planar portion. The polysilicon ribs extend to a depth beyond the stiffeners, and extend laterally beyond an edge of the planar portion. The polysilicon ribs are released from the substrate during manufacturing after the planar region, and reduce stress on the supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York
    Inventors: Ronald N. Miles, Weili Cui
  • Patent number: 9520856
    Abstract: An acoustic resonator comprises a first electrode and second electrode comprising a plurality of sides. At least one of the sides of the second electrode comprises a cantilevered portion. A piezoelectric layer is disposed between the first and second electrodes. A bridge disposed adjacent to one of the sides of the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: John Choy, Chris Feng, Phil Nikkel
  • Patent number: 9520811
    Abstract: A Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer (CMUT) device includes at least one CMUT cell including a first substrate having a top side including a patterned dielectric layer thereon including a thick and a thin dielectric region. A membrane layer is bonded on the thick dielectric region and over the thin dielectric region to provide a movable membrane over a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) cavity. A through-substrate via (TSV) includes a dielectric liner which extends from a bottom side of the first substrate to a top surface of the membrane layer. A top side metal layer includes a first portion over the TSV, over the movable membrane, and coupling the TSV to the movable membrane. A patterned metal layer is on the bottom side surface of the first substrate including a first patterned layer portion contacting the bottom side of the first substrate lateral to the TSV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Peter B. Johnson, Ira Oaktree Wygant
  • Patent number: 9516424
    Abstract: A micromechanical sensor system combination, and a corresponding manufacturing method, includes an interposer chip including a first front side and a first back side which includes first electrical contacts on the first front side and second electrical contacts on the first back side, the interposer chip having first electrical vias which electrically connect the first electrical contacts to the second electrical contacts; as well as a micromechanical sensor chip system including a second front side a second back side including at least one first sensor device and a second sensor device which are laterally adjacent, the first front side being attached on the second front side so that the first sensor device and the second sensor device are electrically and mechanically connected to the first electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Schelling, Rolf Scheben, Ricardo Ehrenpfordt
  • Patent number: 9510109
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone device is provided in the present disclosure. The MEMS microphone device includes a first electromagnetic shielding cover defining a first accommodating space; a second electromagnetic shielding cover received in the first accommodating space and defining a second accommodating space; a MEMS chip and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip received in the second accommodating space. The first electromagnetic shielding cover and the second electromagnetic shielding cover cooperatively provide dual electromagnetic shielding protection for the MEMS chip and the ASIC chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Guojun Liu, Peng Zeng, Zhijiang Wu
  • Patent number: 9481569
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for manufacturing a CMOS-MEMS device (100). A partial protective layer (401) is deposited on a top surface of a layered structure to cover a circuit region. A first partial etch is performed from the bottom side of the layered structure to form a first gap (501) below a MEMS membrane (207) within a MEMS region of the layered structure. A second partial etch is performed from the top side of the layered structure to remove a portion of a sacrificial layer between the MEMS membrane and a MEMS backplate (215) within the MEMS region. The second partial etch releases the MEMS membrane so that it can move in response to pressures. The deposited partial protective layer prevents the second partial etch from etching a portion of the sacrificial layer positioned within the circuit region of the layered structure and also prevents the second partial etch from damaging the CMOS circuit component (211).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: John Zinn, Brett Diamond, Jochen Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 9468994
    Abstract: A sensor unit is provided with a sensor device. The sensor device has a first electrode disposed on an outer surface. A board is provided with a first surface and a second surface in an obverse-reverse relationship with each other, and a side surface. A first conductive terminal is disposed along a contour of the first surface. The sensor device has the outer surface disposed along the side surface of the board, and has the first electrode connected to the first conductive terminal with a first conductive body, and a first projection length of the outer surface projecting on the first surface side is smaller than a second projection length of the outer surface projecting on the second surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Kinoshita, Yoshihiro Kobayashi, Yoshikuni Saito, Masayasu Sakuma
  • Patent number: 9462389
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-impact silicon based MEMS microphone, a system and a package with the same, the microphone comprises: a silicon substrate provided with a back hole therein; a compliant diaphragm supported on the silicon substrate and disposed above the back hole thereof; a perforated backplate disposed above the diaphragm with an air gap sandwiched in between, and further provided with one or more first thorough holes therein; and a stopper mechanism, including one or more T-shaped stoppers corresponding to the one or more first thorough holes, each of which has a lower part passing through its corresponding first thorough hole and connecting to the diaphragm and an upper part being apart from the perforated backplate and free to vertically move, wherein the diaphragm and the perforated backplate are used to form electrode plates of a variable condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventor: Zhe Wang
  • Patent number: 9438202
    Abstract: An acoustic structure, comprising at least one acoustic resonator exhibiting at least one resonant frequency in a band of operating frequencies and an integrated capacitor, further comprises: a stack of layers, comprising at least one active layer of piezoelectric material or of ferroelectric material; the resonator being frequency tunable and being produced by a first subset of layers of the stack comprising the at least one active layer and at least two electrodes; the integrated capacitor being produced by a second subset of layers comprising the active layer and at least two electrodes; the first and second subsets of layers being distinguished by a modification of layers so as to exhibit different resonant frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Commissariat A L'energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Alexandre Reinhardt, Julie Abergel, Jean-Baptiste David
  • Patent number: 9426581
    Abstract: A top port microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone is presented herein. A device can include a substrate and a MEMS acoustic sensor mechanically attached to the substrate utilizing anchors. Spaces between the anchors can connect a first back volume corresponding to a bottom portion of the MEMS acoustic sensor with a second back volume to form a combined back volume. An acoustic seal can be placed on the MEMS acoustic sensor, and an enclosure placed on the acoustic seal and secured to the substrate. The acoustic seal can isolate a first portion of the enclosure corresponding to a front volume from a second portion of the enclosure corresponding to the combined back volume. The first portion of the enclosure can include an opening adapted to receive acoustic waves into the front volume, and the front volume can be acoustically coupled to a top portion of the MEMS acoustic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Aleksey S. Khenkin, Anthony D. Minervini
  • Patent number: 9420380
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer has a substrate having an opening in an upper surface thereof, a vibration electrode plate disposed above the substrate, and having an outer edge thereof facing the upper surface of the substrate with a gap therebetween, a fixed electrode plate facing the vibration electrode plate, and a plurality of projections protruding on a lower surface of the outer edge of the vibration electrode plate. The vibration electrode plate covers an upper side of the opening. The plurality of projections are disposed so as to not be positioned along a straight line or a curved line parallel to an edge of the opening in at least a part of one or at least two arrays formed on the lower surface of the outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Inoue, Takashi Kasai
  • Patent number: 9401337
    Abstract: Apparatus, and methods of manufacture thereof, in which a molding compound is formed between spaced apart microelectronic devices. The molding compound comprises micro-filler elements. No boundary of any of the micro-filler elements is substantially parallel to a substantially planar surface of the molding compound, or to a substantially planar surface of any of the microelectronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Hua Yu, Chung-Shi Liu, Chih-Fan Huang, Chih-Wei Lin, Wei-Hung Lin, Ming-Da Cheng
  • Patent number: 9380377
    Abstract: The present invention provides a directional MEMS microphone and a receiver device wherein MEMS microphone comprises a microphone cover, a printed circuit board (PCB), a application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, a MEMS die, a diaphragm, a damping, a metal wire(s), at least two internal acoustic ports and at least two external acoustic ports corresponding to the internal acoustic ports. The microphone further comprises a tuning cavity which includes a first tuning cavity by which a first internal acoustic port is communicated with a first external acoustic port, or by which a second internal acoustic port is communicated with a second external acoustic port. Compared with the prior art, the directional MEMS microphone including the tuning cavity to form a sound transmission channel by connecting the internal acoustic port and the external acoustic port expands the sound transmission distance, thereby increasing the sensitivity the directivity of the MEMS microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: SHANDONG GETTOP ACOUSTIC CO., LTD
    Inventor: Wan Jingming
  • Patent number: 9359192
    Abstract: The various embodiments described herein provide microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor devices and methods of forming the same. In general, the embodiments provide MEMS sensor devices formed with two semiconductor die that are bonded together. Specifically, a sensor die includes at least one MEMS sensor fabricated thereon, such as MEMS gyroscope or MEMS accelerometer. A control-circuit die includes at least one integrated MEMS control circuit formed on an active area of the die. The control-circuit die is bonded to the sensor die with the active area and the integrated MEMS control circuits on the exterior side. The bonding defines and seals a cavity between the two die that encompasses the MEMS sensor and can be used to seal the MEMS sensor in a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Philip H. Bowles, Mamur Chowdhury, Vijay Sarihan
  • Patent number: 9346668
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a molded cavity substrate Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) package may comprise a MEMS electronic component, a base substrate comprising a first conductive through via, a molded ring coupled to the base substrate, and a lid substrate comprising dielectric material and a metal layer. The molded ring comprises a second conductive through via and a molded cavity, and the MEMS electronic component is located within the molded cavity. The base substrate may comprise a laminate substrate. The lid substrate may comprise a cavity port. A base assembly mounting adhesive may couple an inner surface of the lid to a principal surface of the molded ring. The dielectric material may comprise mold material. The molded ring may comprise mold compound adherent to an outer region of an inner surface of the base substrate with a central region of the base substrate exposed by the molded ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Amkor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud Dreiza, Andrew Ballantine, Russell Scott Shumway
  • Patent number: 9351082
    Abstract: A capacitance-type transducer has a back plate having a fixed electrode, a diaphragm that opposes the back plate via an air gap and serves as a movable electrode, and at least first stoppers having a first projection length and second stoppers having a second projection length that project from at least one of a surface of the back plate on the air gap side and a surface of the diaphragm on the air gap side. At least one of the diaphragm and the fixed electrode is divided into at least a first region having a first surface area and a second region having a second surface area, a first sensing portion made up of the diaphragm and the fixed electrode is constituted in the first region, and a second sensing portion made up of the diaphragm and the fixed electrode is constituted in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Okugawa
  • Patent number: 9309105
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a sensor structure is provided. The sensor structure may include a first conductive layer; an electrode element; and a second conductive layer arranged on an opposite side of the electrode element from the first conductive layer. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer may form a chamber. The pressure in the chamber may be lower than the pressure outside of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Alfons Dehe, Roland Helm
  • Patent number: 9272901
    Abstract: Disclosed is a MEMS device having lower, upper and release chambers with a similar pressure and/or a similar gaseous chemistry. The MEMS device includes a top MEMS plate and a bottom MEMS plate. The MEMS device also includes a lower chamber between the bottom MEMS plate and the top MEMS plate, and an upper chamber between the top MEMS plate and a first sealing layer. The MEMS device further includes a release chamber between the top MEMS plate and a second sealing layer, the release chamber allowing gaseous content of the upper and/or the lower chambers to be released. Also disclosed is a double release method for releasing gaseous content of the upper and/or the lower chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Newport Fab, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. DeBar, David J. Howard
  • Patent number: 9255000
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first dielectric layer located above the substrate, a moving-gate transducer, and a proof mass. The moving-gate transducer is at least partially formed within the substrate and is at least partially formed within the first dielectric layer. The proof mass includes a portion of the first dielectric layer and a portion of a silicon layer. The silicon layer is located above the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ando Lars Feyh, Po-Jui Chen, Markus Ulm
  • Patent number: 9237402
    Abstract: The claim invention is directed at a MEMS microphone die fabricated using CMOS-based technologies. In particular, the claims are directed at various aspects of a MEMS microphone die having anisotropic springs, a backplate, a diaphragm, mechanical stops, and a support structure, all of which are fabricated as stacked metallic layers separated by vias using CMOS fabrication technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics LLC
    Inventor: Peter V. Loeppert
  • Patent number: 9227842
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a MEMS device includes depositing and patterning a first sacrificial layer onto a silicon substrate, the first sacrificial layer being partially removed leaving a first remaining oxide. Further, the method includes depositing a conductive structure layer onto the silicon substrate, the conductive structure layer making physical contact with at least a portion of the silicon substrate. Further, a second sacrificial layer is formed on top of the conductive structure layer. Patterning and etching of the silicon substrate is performed stopping at the second sacrificial layer. Additionally, the MEMS substrate is bonded to a CMOS wafer, the CMOS wafer having formed thereupon a metal layer. An electrical connection is formed between the MEMS substrate and the metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Julian Daneman, Mei-Lin Chan, Martin Lim, Fariboz Assaderaghi, Erhan Polatkan Ata
  • Patent number: 9221077
    Abstract: In some implementations, a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) apparatus includes one or more CMUTs or CMUT arrays, an acoustic window, a coupling medium, and a packaging substrate. The acoustic window may have various configurations, such as for reducing acoustic reflectance or increasing mechanical properties. In some examples, at least one of the CMUTs, the acoustic window or the coupling medium may include a focusing capability for focusing acoustic energy to or from the CMUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Kolo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Chen, Yongli Huang
  • Patent number: 9216897
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a dual membrane, an electrode, and an interconnecting structure. The dual membrane has a top membrane and a bottom membrane. The bottom membrane is positioned between the top membrane and the electrode and the interconnecting structure defines a spacing between the top membrane and the bottom membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Mei-Lin Chan, Xiang Li, Martin Lim
  • Patent number: 9212046
    Abstract: A MEMS microphone. The microphone includes a backplate, a membrane, and a plurality of antennas. The backplate has a plurality of acoustic apertures. The membrane is parallel to the backplate and is positioned a distance from the backplate. The plurality of antennas are connected to the membrane and extend toward the backplate. In addition, the plurality of antennas are positioned entirely within spaces defined by the plurality of acoustic apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: John W. Zinn
  • Patent number: 9193581
    Abstract: An MEMS microphone package structure includes a substrate, a carrier and an acoustic transducer. The carrier covers the substrate from above and connects to the substrate. The carrier has an n-shaped cross section and includes a flat plate portion, a sidewall connected to the flat plate portion, and two oblique blocks protruded from the inner surface of the sidewall. The oblique blocks each have an inclined surface for connecting the flat plate portion and the bottom surface of the sidewall. The acoustic transducer is posited on the bottom surface of the flat plate portion and electrically connected to the substrate through a plurality of electrical conduction paths passing through the inclined surfaces. The electrical conduction paths are conducive to simplification of wirings of the substrate and the thinning of the substrate. Therefore, simplify the manufacturing process to reduce the manufacturing time and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Merry Electronics (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Sen Chang, Yong-Shiang Chang, Jen-Yi Chen, Chun-Chieh Wang
  • Patent number: 9180489
    Abstract: When the initial displacement greatly varies among cells in an element, there is a need to reduce a bias voltage to be applied between electrodes. This decreases the sensitivity. An electromechanical transducer of the present invention includes an element having a plurality of cells. Each of the cells includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are provided with a cavity being disposed therebetween. A groove is provided at a position at a predetermined distance from the cavity of the cell on the outermost periphery of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Zaitsu, Takehiko Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 9181086
    Abstract: A micromechanical structure, comprising a substrate having a through hole; a residual portion of a sacrificial oxide layer peripheral to the hole; and a polysilicon layer overlying the hole, patterned to have a planar portion; a supporting portion connecting the planar portion to polysilicon on the residual portion; polysilicon stiffeners formed extending beneath the planar portion overlying the hole; and polysilicon ribs surrounding the supporting portion, attached near a periphery of the planar portion. The polysilicon ribs extend to a depth beyond the stiffeners, and extend laterally beyond an edge of the planar portion. The polysilicon ribs are released from the substrate during manufacturing after the planar region, and reduce stress on the supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York
    Inventors: Ronald N. Miles, Weili Cui
  • Patent number: 9156675
    Abstract: A micromechanical component includes a substrate having a cavern structured into the same, an at least partially conductive diaphragm, which at least partially spans the cavern, and a counter electrode, which is situated on an outer side of the diaphragm oriented away from the substrate so that a clearance is present between the counter electrode and the at least partially conductive diaphragm, the at least partially conductive diaphragm being spanned onto or over at least one electrically insulating material which at least partially covers the functional top side of the substrate, and at least one pressure access being formed on the cavern so that the at least partially conductive diaphragm is bendable into the clearance when a gaseous medium flows from an outer surroundings of the micromechanical component into the cavern. Also described is a manufacturing method for a micromechanical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Arnd Kaelberer, Jochen Reinmuth, Johannes Classen
  • Patent number: 9136139
    Abstract: A jig includes a wafer including an accommodation groove configured to accommodate a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) when flip chip bonding is performed, and a separation groove formed in a bottom surface of the accommodation groove, the separation groove having a bottom surface that is spaced apart from thin films of the cMUT that face the bottom surface of the separation groove when the cMUT is seated on portions of the bottom surface of the accommodation groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Kyungpook National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Young Il Kim, Bae Hyung Kim, Jong Keun Song, Seung Heun Lee, Kyung Il Cho, Yong Rae Roh, Won Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 9131319
    Abstract: A capacitive MEMS microphone structure is provided, which micromechanical microphone structure of component is realized in a layer construction and includes: a diaphragm structure sensitive to sound pressure, which is deflectable in a direction perpendicular to the layer planes of the layer construction; an acoustically penetrable counter-element which has through holes and is formed above or below the diaphragm structure in the layer construction; and a capacitor system for detecting the excursions of the diaphragm structure. The diaphragm structure includes a structural element in the middle area of the diaphragm structure, which structural element projects perpendicularly from the diaphragm plane and which, depending on the degree of excursion of the diaphragm structure, variably extends into a correspondingly formed and positioned through hole in the counter-element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Jochen Zoellin, Ricardo Ehrenpfordt, Juergen Graf, Christoph Schelling, Frederik Ante, Michael Curcic
  • Patent number: 9117994
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic device including: a base; a panel; a support for supporting the panel with respect to the base; and a vibrator for causing the panel to vibrate at a given frequency. The support includes a first region located at a part corresponding to a node of vibration of the panel, and a second region located at a part other than the node of the vibration of the panel. The support has a rigidity that is smaller in the first region than in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Adachi, Ryo Okumura
  • Patent number: 9102511
    Abstract: A hermetically packaged microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device has a substrate with an assembly pad (101) and a plurality of terminals (102); a chip (110) with a MEMS mechanical element (111) of a first height (111a) assembled on the pad and connected to the terminals by wires (120) with an insulating coat (121); a ridge (130) on the substrate, which surrounds the MEMS element (111) with a second height (130c) greater than the first height and comprises a plastic compound (131) filled with particles (132) and a surface (130a, 130b) having an adhering moisture-impermeable seal layer (133); and a moisture-impervious lid (140) attached to the ridge by moisture-proof bonds (150, 151), sealing the volume (160) enclosed by the lid, the chip, and the metalized ridge as a hermetic space for the MEMS element (111).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Virgil C. Ararao
  • Patent number: 9096424
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical-acoustic-transducer assembly has: a first die integrating a MEMS sensing structure having a membrane, which has a first surface in fluid communication with a front chamber and a second surface, opposite to the first surface, in fluid communication with a back chamber of the microelectromechanical acoustic transducer, is able to undergo deformation as a function of incident acoustic-pressure waves, and faces a rigid electrode so as to form a variable-capacitance capacitor; a second die, integrating an electronic reading circuit operatively coupled to the MEMS sensing structure and supplying an electrical output signal as a function of the capacitive variation; and a package, housing the first die and the second die and having a base substrate with external electrical contacts. The first and second dice are stacked in the package and directly connected together mechanically and electrically; the package delimits at least one of the front and back chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Sebastiano Conti, Benedetto Vigna, Mario Francesco Cortese
  • Patent number: 9082975
    Abstract: Provided is a Bi-based piezoelectric material having good piezoelectric properties. The piezoelectric material includes a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by the following general formula (1): Ax(ZnjTi(1-j))l(MgkTi(1-k))mMnO3??General formula (1) where: A represents a Bi element, or one or more kinds of elements selected from the group consisting of trivalent metal elements and containing at least a Bi element; M represents at least one kind of an element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Al, Sc, Mn, Y, Ga, and Yb; and 0.9?x?1.25, 0.4?j?0.6, 0.4?k?0.6, 0.09?l?0.49, 0.19?m?0.64, 0.13?n?0.48, and l+m+n=1 are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Sophia School Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kubota, Kaoru Miura, Hisato Yabuta, Takayuki Watanabe, Jumpei Hayashi, Hiroshi Funakubo, Tomoaki Yamada, Shintaro Yasui, Keisuke Yazawa, Hiroshi Uchida, Jun-ichi Nagata
  • Patent number: 9070879
    Abstract: In the method for monitoring flexural vibrations of a piezoactuator, a small-signal spectrum of a piezoactuator, which is provided and mounted for the purpose of exciting longitudinal vibrations, is measured and an excitation of a transverse vibration in the piezoactuator is detected from resonances occurring in the small-signal spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Gabl
  • Patent number: 9064901
    Abstract: Methods and structures for fabricating fins for multigate devices are disclosed. In accordance with one method, a plurality of sidewalls are formed in or on a plurality of mandrels over a semiconductor substrate such that each of the mandrels includes a first sidewall composed of a first material and a second sidewall composed of a second material that is different from the first material. The first sidewall of a first mandrel of the plurality of mandrels is selectively removed. In addition, a pattern composed of remaining sidewalls of the plurality of sidewalls is transferred onto an underlying layer to form a hard mask in the underlying layer. Further, the fins are formed by employing the hard mask and etching semiconducting material in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hong He, Chiahsun Tseng, Chun-Chen Yeh, Yunpeng Yin
  • Patent number: 9051174
    Abstract: Method for producing an MST device, and MST device A method for producing an electromechanical transducer is described, wherein an MST component is arranged in a container, and the container is closed with a cover layer, wherein the cover layer is provided with at least one cutout which divides the cover layer into an inner region and an outer region in such a way that both the inner region and the outer region are connected to the top side—facing the cover layer—of the MST component, and the inner region is lifted off while the outer region remains adhered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Pahl, Gregor Feiertag
  • Publication number: 20150145079
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes oxidizing a substrate to form local oxide regions that extend above a top surface of the substrate. A membrane layer is formed over the local oxide regions and the top surface of the substrate. A portion of the substrate under the membrane layer is removed. The local oxide regions under the membrane layer is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Alfons Dehe, Stefan Barzen, Wolfgang Friza, Wolfgang Klein
  • Publication number: 20150145078
    Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die having a first main side and a second main side opposite the first main side, the first main side having an inner region surrounded by a periphery region. The semiconductor package further includes a film covering the semiconductor die and adhered to the periphery region of the first main side of the semiconductor die. The film has a curved surface so that the inner region of the first main side of the semiconductor die is spaced apart from the film by an air gap. Electrical conductors are attached at a first end to pads at the periphery region of the first main side of the semiconductor die. A corresponding method of manufacture is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Chee Yang Ng
  • Publication number: 20150137284
    Abstract: There are provided a microphone package and a mounting structure thereof, allowing for an increase in a back volume, the microphone package including: a package substrate; an acoustic element mounted on the package substrate and having a space formed in a lower portion thereof; and at least one electronic component mounted on the package substrate and having a space formed in a lower portion thereof, wherein the package substrate includes an acoustic volume connecting the space of the acoustic element and the space of the electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Heung Woo PARK, Jong Woo HAN, Tae Hyun KIM
  • Publication number: 20150137285
    Abstract: A capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer includes a device substrate including a first trench defining a plurality of first portions corresponding to an element and a second trench spaced apart from the first trench; a supporting unit provided on the device substrate, the supporting unit defining a plurality of cavities; a membrane provided on the supporting unit to cover the plurality of cavities; a top electrode electrically connected to a second portion in the second trench through a via hole penetrating through the membrane and the supporting unit; and a through silicon via (TSV) substrate provided on a bottom surface of the device substrate, the TSV substrate including a first via metal connected to the plurality of first portions corresponding to the element and a second via metal connected to the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-sik SHIM, Seog-woo HONG, Seok-whan CHUNG, Chang-jung KIM
  • Publication number: 20150135841
    Abstract: Provided are a capacitive transducer that can make a sealing film thickness necessary to seal a gap smaller and can enhance performance such as a wider bandwidth, and a method of manufacturing the capacitive transducer. The capacitive transducer including cells each including a vibration film including a second electrode that is provided with a gap from a first electrode can be manufactured in the following manufacturing method. A convex part is formed on the first electrode, a sacrifice layer having a thickness larger than the thickness of the convex part is formed on the first electrode and the convex part, and a membrane is formed on the sacrifice layer. Further, an etching hole is formed in the membrane at a position above the convex part, the sacrifice layer is etched through the etching hole, and the etching hole is sealed by a sealing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Kato
  • Patent number: 9035451
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a plurality of MEMs device having a plurality of cavities with different pressures on a wafer package system, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the method is performed by providing a work-piece having a plurality of microelectromechanical system (MEMs) devices. A cap wafer is bonded onto the work-piece in a first ambient environment having a first pressure. The bonding forms a plurality of cavities abutting the plurality of MEMs devices, which are held at the first pressure. One or more openings are formed in one or more of the plurality of cavities leading to a gas flow path that could be held at a pressure level different from the first pressure. The one or more openings in the one or more of the plurality of cavities are then sealed in a different ambient environment having a different pressure, thereby causing the one or more of the plurality of cavities to be held at the different pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Kuei-Sung Chang, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20150129992
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone with a dual-back plate, and a method of manufacturing the same. The MEMS microphone according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a substrate having a first back plate formed at a central portion thereof; a membrane plate disposed on first support parts formed at both sides on the substrate and vibrated depending on external sound pressure; and a second back plate disposed on second support parts formed at both sides of the membrane plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY MATERIALS
    Inventors: Shin Hur, Young Do Jung, Young Hwa Lee, Jun Hyuk Kwak, Chang-Hyeon JI