Vibratory Mass Patents (Class 73/504.12)
  • Patent number: 8966976
    Abstract: An inertial force sensor includes a detecting device which detects an inertial force, the detecting device having a first orthogonal arm and a supporting portion, the first orthogonal arm having a first arm and a second arm fixed in a substantially orthogonal direction, and the supporting portion supporting the first arm. The second arm has a folding portion. In this configuration, there is provided a small inertial force sensor which realizes detection of a plurality of different inertial forces and detection of inertial forces of a plurality of detection axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Ohuchi, Hiroyuki Aizawa, Jiro Terada, Takami Ishida, Ichirou Satou, Hideo Ohkoshi, Yohei Ashimori
  • Patent number: 8966977
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and a method for driving a gyroscope sensor. The apparatus for driving a gyroscope sensor includes: a detection module; a phase conversion module; an inversion module; a switch module selecting and outputting any one of the driving voltage and the inversion voltage for each axis; a driving module supplying driving voltage of a driving axis at the time of the driving and supplying inversion voltage at the time of stopping the driving; and a control unit passing the driving voltage of the driving axis by controlling the switch module according to a switching control signal at the time of the driving and passing the inversion voltage of each axis by controlling the switch module according to the switching control signal at the time of stopping the driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignees: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd., Korea University of Technology and Education, Industry-University Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Chang Hyun Kim, Byeung Leul Lee
  • Publication number: 20150052998
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an angular velocity sensor including: a mass body part including a plurality of mass bodies; an internal frame supporting the mass body part; a flexible part for sensing connecting the mass body part to the internal frame so that the mass body part is rotatable and provided with a sensing unit; an external frame supporting the internal frame; and a flexible part for vibrating connecting the internal frame to the external frame so that the internal frame is rotatable and provided with a driving unit, wherein the flexible part for vibrating provided with the driving unit is disposed at an outer side of the internal frame in a displacement direction of the mass body part depending on rotation of the mass body part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won HAN, Jong Woon KIM, Yu Heon YI
  • Publication number: 20150053001
    Abstract: A micromechanical component is provided having a substrate having a main plane of extension, a first electrode extending mainly along a first plane in planar fashion, a second electrode extending mainly along a second plane in planar fashion, and a third electrode extending mainly along a third plane in planar fashion, the first, second, and third plane being oriented essentially parallel to the main plane of extension and being situated one over the other at a distance from one another along a normal direction that is essentially perpendicular to the main plane of extension, the micromechanical component having a deflectable mass element, the mass element being capable of being deflected both essentially parallel and also essentially perpendicular to the main plane of extension, the second electrode being connected immovably to the mass element, the second electrode having, in a rest position, a first region of overlap with the first electrode along a projection direction essentially parallel to the normal d
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Jens FREY, Jochen REINMUTH
  • Publication number: 20150053000
    Abstract: A micromechanical sensor is provided having a substrate having a main plane of extension and having a movable element, the movable element being pivotable about an axis of rotation that is essentially parallel to the main plane of extension, from a rest position into a deflected position, the movable element having an asymmetrical mass distribution relative to the axis of rotation, so that, as a function of a force exerted on the movable element oriented essentially perpendicular to the main plane of extension, a deflection movement of the movable element is produced in the form of a pivot movement about the axis of rotation, the micromechanical sensor having a damping element, the damping element being pivotable about the axis of rotation, the damping element being connected to the movable element so as to be capable of rotational movement, or the damping element being integrated with the movable element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Lars TEBJE, Chunyu WANG
  • Publication number: 20150052999
    Abstract: A rotational rate sensor includes a substrate and a seismic mass situated thereon, and configured for detecting a rate of rotation about a rotation axis, the seismic mass having a second mass element coupled to a first mass element, which is drivable to a drive movement along a drive direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, the first and second mass element being deflectable along a detection direction essentially perpendicular to the drive direction and to the rotation axis, the rotational rate sensor having at least one compensating arrangement to produce a compensating force acting on the second mass element, the compensating force being oriented in a compensation direction essentially parallel to the detection direction, the at least one compensating arrangement being the only compensating arrangement and being configured exclusively to produce the compensating force oriented in the compensation direction, the rotational rate sensor being configured such that a quadrature offset force acting on the s
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Scheben, Christoph Gauger, Markus Heitz
  • Patent number: 8960001
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical device includes a body, a movable mass, elastically connected to the body and movable in accordance with a degree of freedom, and a driving device, coupled to the movable mass and configured to maintain the movable mass in oscillation at a steady working frequency in a normal operating mode. The microelectromechanical device moreover includes a start-up device, which is activatable in a start-up operating mode and is configured to compare a current oscillation frequency of a first signal correlated to oscillation of the movable mass with a reference frequency, and for deciding, on the basis of the comparison between the current oscillation frequency and the reference frequency, whether to supply to the movable mass a forcing signal packet so as to transfer energy to the movable mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alessandra Maria Rizzo Piazza Roncoroni, Carlo Caminada, Luciano Prandi
  • Patent number: 8955380
    Abstract: A micromechanical rotation rate sensor, in particular for use in motor vehicles, includes a substrate, at least one seismic mass, which is arranged in a sprung manner on the substrate, drive means for production of a periodic movement of the seismic mass, force detection means for detection of a Coriolis force, which acts on the seismic mass as a result of rotation about a rotation axis which is at right angles to the excitation direction, and measurement means, wherein the measurement means are designed for measurement of structural deviations of the rotation rate sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Mirko Hattass, Benjamin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8955381
    Abstract: A micromachined gyroscope is disclosed comprising a substrate, three masses m1, m2, and m3, configured to oscillate along a first direction x or y, whereby the first mass m1 is mechanically coupled to the substrate, the second mass m2 is mechanically coupled to the first mass m1 and to substrate, and the third mass m3 is mechanically coupled to the second mass m2, whereby the weight and the spring constants k1, k2, k3 of the respective masses m1, m2, and m3 and mechanical couplings k12, k23 are selected, such that, during operation mass m2 oscillates at a frequency substantially above the resonance frequencies of mass m1 and mass m3. The resonance frequency of mass m2 may be at least 2 times, or even 2.5 times, higher than the resonance frequency of mass m1 or m3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventor: Mehmet Akif Erismis
  • Patent number: 8955379
    Abstract: A yaw rate sensor includes a drive device, at least one mass element which is connected to the drive device, and at least one detection electrode for detecting a motion of the mass element. The mass element has a base layer and at least one web which is situated on the base layer. Also, a method for manufacturing a mass element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Classen
  • Publication number: 20150046737
    Abstract: An inertial force sensor includes the following elements: a sensor element for converting an inertial force into an electrical signal; a sensor signal processor connected to the sensor element, for outputting an inertial force value; and a power controller for controlling electric power supply to the sensor signal processor, based on the inertial force value. When the inertial force value is maintained for a predetermined time period within a predetermined range in which a reference value is the middle value of the range, the power controller reduces the electric power supply to the sensor signal processor and updates the reference value to the inertial force value obtained after a lapse of the predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Isao Hattori, Takeshi Uemura
  • Patent number: 8950257
    Abstract: An integrated MEMS gyroscope, is provided with: at least a first driving mass driven with a first driving movement along a first axis upon biasing of an assembly of driving electrodes, the first driving movement generating at least one sensing movement, in the presence of rotations of the integrated MEMS gyroscope; and at least a second driving mass driven with a second driving movement along a second axis, transverse to the first axis, the second driving movement generating at least a respective sensing movement, in the presence of rotations of the integrated MEMS gyroscope. The integrated MEMS gyroscope is moreover provided with a first elastic coupling element, which elastically couples the first driving mass and the second driving mass in such a way as to couple the first driving movement to the second driving movement with a given ratio of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Gabriele Cazzaniga, Luca Coronato
  • Publication number: 20150033855
    Abstract: A MEMS gyroscope is disclosed herein, wherein the MEMS gyroscope comprised a magnetic sensing mechanism and a magnetic source that is associated with the proof-mass. The magnetic sensing mechanism comprises multiple magnetic field sensors that are designated for sensing the magnetic field from a magnetic source so as to mitigate the problems caused by fabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: INSIGHTECH, LLC
    Inventors: Biao ZHANG, Tao JU
  • Publication number: 20150033856
    Abstract: A MEMS gyroscope is disclosed herein, wherein the MEMS gyroscope comprised a driving mechanism, a magnetic sensing mechanism and a magnetic source that is formed at the proof-mass. The MEMS gyroscope is enclosed in a package that further comprises a magnet for providing bias magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: INSIGHTECH, LLC
    Inventors: BIAO ZHANG, TAO JU
  • Publication number: 20150033852
    Abstract: An angular velocity sensor comprises a mass body part including a first mass body and a second mass body, an internal frame supporting the first mass body and the second mass body, one or more first flexible parts connecting the first mass body or the second mass body to the internal frame, one or more second flexible parts connecting the first mass body or the second mass body to the internal frame, an external frame supporting the internal frame, at least one third flexible part connecting the internal frame to the external frame, and at least one fourth flexible part connecting the internal frame to the external frame. At least one of the second flexible parts is connected to the first mass body in line with the center of gravity of the first mass body. At least one other of the second flexible parts is connected to an eccentric portion of the second mass body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Woon Kim, Jung Won Lee, Seung Joo Shin, Won Kyu Jeung
  • Publication number: 20150033854
    Abstract: A MEMS gyroscope is disclosed herein, wherein the MEMS gyroscope comprised plurality of movable portions that are capable of moving in response to angular velocity and a plurality of magnetic sensing mechanisms for measuring movements of the movable portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: IINSIGHTECH, LLC
    Inventors: BIAO ZHANG, TAO JU
  • Publication number: 20150033850
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a detection module for a sensor, including: a mass body part including a first mass body including a first one side mass body and a first other side mass body connected to each other by a coupling elastic member, and a second mass body; a frame supporting the first mass body and the second mass body; first flexible parts each connecting the first mass body and the second mass body to the frame; and second flexible parts each connecting the first mass body and the second mass body to the frame, wherein the second flexible parts are connected to the first mass body so as to correspond to the center of gravity of the first mass body and the second mass body is connected to the frame so as to be eccentric by the second flexible parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won Kyu Jeung, Jong Woon Kim, Jung Won Lee
  • Publication number: 20150033851
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for driving a gyro sensor, the apparatus including: a driving unit, an automatic gain control unit, and a first signal converting unit, wherein the driving unit transmits data for a phase value or amplitude value so that an operation of a control gain for an amplitude or phase of a driving mass resonance of the automatic gain control unit may be performed depending on a preset ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byoung Won HWANG, Kyung Rin Kim, Chang Hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20150033849
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device comprises at least one proof mass configured to have a first voltage and a motor motion in a first horizontal direction. At least one sense plate is separated from the proof mass by a sense gap, with the sense plate having an inner surface facing the proof mass and a second voltage different than the first voltage. A set of stop structures are on the inner surface of the sense plate and are electrically isolated from the sense plate. The stop structures are configured to prevent contact of the inner surface of the sense plate with the proof mass in a vertical direction. The stop structures have substantially the same voltage as that of the proof mass, and are dimensioned to minimize energy exchange upon contact with the proof mass during a shock or acceleration event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hanson, Mark W. Weber, Max C. Glenn, Drew A. Karnick
  • Publication number: 20150033853
    Abstract: A MEMS gyroscope is disclosed herein, wherein the MEMS gyroscope comprised plurality of movable portions that are capable of moving in response to angular velocity and a plurality of magnetic sensing mechanisms for measuring movements of the movable portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: INSIGHTECH, LLC
    Inventors: Biao Zhang, TAO JU
  • Patent number: 8943891
    Abstract: A yaw-rate sensor and a method for operating a yaw-rate sensor having a first Coriolis element and a second Coriolis element are proposed, the yaw-rate sensor having a substrate having a main plane of extension, the yaw-rate sensor having a first drive element for driving the first Coriolis element in parallel to a second axis, the yaw-rate sensor having a second drive element for driving the second Coriolis element in parallel to the second axis, the yaw-rate sensor having detection means for detecting deflections of the first Coriolis element and of the second Coriolis element in parallel to a first axis due to a Coriolis force, the second axis being situated perpendicularly to the first axis, the first and second axis being situated in parallel to the main plane of extension, the first and second drive elements being mechanically coupled to each other via a drive coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Ohms, Burkhard Kuhlmann, Robert Sattler, Rolf Scheben, Daniel Christoph Meisel
  • Patent number: 8943890
    Abstract: One inertial sensor detects an acceleration in a driving direction as well as an angular rate about one axis and an acceleration in a detecting direction at the same time. A driving-direction acceleration detecting unit is provided to members vibrating in mass members on the left and right via an elastic body. In this manner, when an acceleration is applied in the driving direction, the mass members on the left and right normally vibrated with a same amplitude and in opposite phases have displacement amounts in a same phase, and the driving-direction acceleration detecting unit detects the displacement amounts in the same phase as a capacitance change, thereby detecting the acceleration in the driving direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Heewon Jeong, Hiroshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8939024
    Abstract: An angular velocity sensor includes a vibrator that vibrates with a drive signal; and a first-sensing-electrode on the vibrator that outputs a first signal containing a first-sense-component generated based on an angular velocity of the vibrator and a first-monitor-component generated based on a drive signal. The sensor includes a second-sensing-electrode on the vibrator that outputs a second signal containing a second-sense-component with a phase substantially the same as that of the first-sense-component and a second-monitor-component with a phase substantially opposite to that of the first-monitor-component; a first-signal-line one end of which is connected to the first-sensing-electrode; and a second-signal-line one end of which is connected to the second-sensing-electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8939026
    Abstract: A sensing device comprises a rotationally oscillating proof mass resonator and a detector resonator. The detector resonator, actuated to produce an oscillating signal, is coupled to the proof mass resonator and the frequency of the oscillating signal is modulated by a change of motion of the proof mass resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Ying W. Hsu
  • Patent number: 8939025
    Abstract: A micro-opto-electromechanical rotation rate sensor (MOERRS) device, in which a rotation rate sensor is associated with peripheral circuitry. The magnitude of the output signal of the MOERRS is adaptable to correspond to a range of mechanical stimuli to which the sensor is sensitive, in order to accommodate the signal magnitude to the dynamic range available in the MOERRS device. The signal emanating from the rotation rate sensor is facilitated to exploit the dynamic range of said MOERRS device, by modifying some properties of one or more items on the MOERRS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd
    Inventors: Aviv Ronen, Segev Ben Itzhak, Lior Kogut
  • Patent number: 8939023
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an inertial sensor. An inertial sensor 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a plate-shaped membrane 110 on which a hole 200 penetrating in a thickness direction is formed, a mass body 120 disposed on a bottom of a central portion 113 of the membrane 110, and a post 130 disposed on a bottom of an edge 115 of the membrane 110 to support the membrane 110 and surrounding the mass body 120. By the configuration, the preferred embodiment of the present invention reduces damping force due to viscosity of air at the time of vibration by forming the hole 200 on the membrane 110 to increase displacement or amplitude of the mass body 120, thereby increasing sensitivity of the inertial sensor 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won Kyu Jeung, Ho Seop Jeong
  • Publication number: 20150020589
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for driving a gym sensor including a driving displacement signal processing unit, a sensing signal processing unit and an automatic quadrature signal controller configured to control the variable resistor through digital correction when a quadrature signal exists, and minimize an amplitude of the quadrature signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Tae Kim, Young Kil Choi, Jun Kyung Na, Seung Chul Pyo, Chang Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8931342
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an angular velocity sensor capable of measuring an exact angular velocity, an ink jet head capable of producing an exact amount of ink, and a piezoelectric generating element capable of generating electric power due to positive piezoelectric effect. In the present invention, a piezoelectric film comprising a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode is used. The first electrode comprises an electrode layer having a (001) orientation. The piezoelectric layer comprises a (NaxBiy)TiO0.5x+1.5y+2—BaTi03 layer (0.30?x?0.46 and 0.51?y?0.62) having a (001) orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takakiyo Harigai, Yoshiaki Tanaka, Hideaki Adachi, Eiji Fujii
  • Patent number: 8925384
    Abstract: A MEMS sensor (20, 86) includes a support structure (26) suspended above a surface (28) of a substrate (24) and connected to the substrate (24) via spring elements (30, 32, 34). A proof mass (36) is suspended above the substrate (24) and is connected to the support structure (26) via torsional elements (38). Electrodes (42, 44), spaced apart from the proof mass (36), are connected to the support structure (26) and are suspended above the substrate (24). Suspension of the electrodes (42, 44) and proof mass (36) above the surface (28) of the substrate (24) via the support structure (26) substantially physically isolates the elements from deformation of the underlying substrate (24). Additionally, connection via the spring elements (30, 32, 34) result in the MEMS sensor (22, 86) being less susceptible to movement of the support structure (26) due to this deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. McNeil, Gary G. Li, Lisa Z. Zhang, Yizhen Lin
  • Patent number: 8925383
    Abstract: An angular velocity sensor includes a vibration body, first and second sensor electrodes generating an electric charge responsive to an angular velocity applied to the vibration body, first and D/A converters each outputting at least two levels of an electric charge, first and second integrator circuits integrating the electric charge generated by the first and second sensor electrodes and the electric charges output from the first and second D/A converters, respectively, a comparator unit comparing output signals from the first and second integrator circuits, first and second D/A switching units switching levels of the output signals from the first and second D/A converters according to a comparison result of the comparator unit, a first disconnection detecting switch connected between the first sensor electrode and the first integrator circuit, a first voltage source for injecting an electric charge into a point between the first sensor electrode and the first integrator circuit via the first disconnection
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Murakami, Takashi Kawai, Kouji Nabetani, Takehiko Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20150000400
    Abstract: An integrated MEMS gyroscope, is provided with: at least a first driving mass driven with a first driving movement along a first axis upon biasing of an assembly of driving electrodes, the first driving movement generating at least one sensing movement, in the presence of rotations of the integrated MEMS gyroscope; and at least a second driving mass driven with a second driving movement along a second axis, transverse to the first axis, the second driving movement generating at least a respective sensing movement, in the presence of rotations of the integrated MEMS gyroscope. The integrated MEMS gyroscope is moreover provided with a first elastic coupling element, which elastically couples the first driving mass and the second driving mass in such a way as to couple the first driving movement to the second driving movement with a given ratio of movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Gabriele Cazzaniga, Luca Coronato
  • Publication number: 20150000401
    Abstract: An apparatus for driving and sensing motion in a gyroscope including a dielectric mass, an anchor, a spring coupled between the anchor and the dielectric mass, a substrate adjacent the dielectric mass, an insulator layer on the substrate, and a first electrode and a second electrode on the insulator layer. When an alternating current voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes, an electric field gradient is generated in the dielectric mass and causes the dielectric mass to move relative to the anchor. When the dielectric mass has motion relative to the anchor and a voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes, the movement of the dielectric mass generates a current at the first and second electrodes proportional to the motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Raviv Perahia, Hung Nguyen, Deborah J. Kirby, Srikanth S. Iyer, David T. Chang
  • Publication number: 20150000402
    Abstract: A MEMS sensor has at least a movable element designed to oscillate at an oscillation frequency, and an integrated measuring system coupled to the movable element to provide a measure of the oscillation frequency. The measuring system has a light source to emit a light beam towards the movable element and a light detector to receive the light beam reflected back from the movable element, including a semiconductor photodiode array. In particular, the light detector is an integrated photomultiplier having an array of single photon avalanche diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Alfio Russo, Massimo Cataldo Mazzillo, Ferenc Nagy
  • Patent number: 8922227
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting surface charge on a semiconductor substrate having a sensing arrangement formed thereon. An exemplary sensing system includes the semiconductor substrate having the sensing arrangement formed thereon, and a module coupled to the sensing arrangement. The module obtains a first voltage output from the sensing arrangement when a first voltage is applied to the semiconductor substrate, obtains a second voltage output from the sensing arrangement when a second voltage is applied to the semiconductor substrate, and detects electric charge on the surface of the semiconductor substrate based on a difference between the first voltage output and the second voltage output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Chad S. Dawson, Bernhard H. Grote, Woo Tae Park
  • Patent number: 8919199
    Abstract: One or more electrodes that interact with a movable mass in a MEMS device are anchored or otherwise supported from both the top and bottom and optionally also from one or more of the lateral sides other than the transduction side (i.e., the side of the electrode facing the mass) in order to severely restrict movement of the electrodes such as from interaction with the mass and/or external forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Judy, John A. Geen, Houri Johari-Galle
  • Publication number: 20140373628
    Abstract: A yaw rate sensor includes: a first sensor structure having a first oscillating mass and configured to detect a first yaw rate around a first axis of rotation; a second sensor structure having a second oscillating mass and configured to detect second and third yaw rates around second and third axes of rotation, respectively; and a drive structure coupled to the first and second oscillating masses. The first oscillating mass is drivable into a first drive oscillation along a first oscillation direction, and the second oscillating mass is drivable into a second drive oscillation along a second oscillation direction different from the first oscillation direction. The first axis of rotation is perpendicular to the first oscillation direction, and the second and third axes of rotation are perpendicular to the second oscillation direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten BALSLINK, Hendrik SPECHT, Johannes CLASSEN
  • Publication number: 20140373627
    Abstract: A rotation rate sensor for detecting a rotation rate about a rotational axis parallel to a main extension plane of a substrate of the sensor includes: a first oscillating mass; and a second oscillating mass mechanically coupled to the first oscillating mass. The first oscillating mass is (i) deflectable along a first oscillations plane parallel to the main extension plane, (ii) extends in a planar manner parallel to the first oscillations plane in a rest position, and (iii) deflectable out of the first oscillations plane into a first deflection position. The second oscillating mass is (i) deflectable along a second oscillations plane parallel to the first oscillations plane, (ii) extends in a planar manner parallel to the second oscillations plane in a rest position, and (iii) deflectable out of the second oscillations plane into a second deflection position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Odd-Axel PRUETZ
  • Patent number: 8915137
    Abstract: A yaw rate sensor having a substrate which has a main plane of extension, and a Coriolis element is proposed. The Coriolis element is excitable to a vibration along a third direction which is perpendicular to the main plane of extension. A Coriolis deflection of the Coriolis element along a first direction which is parallel to the main plane of extension may be detected using a detection arrangement. The detection arrangement includes a Coriolis electrode which is connected to the Coriolis element, and a corresponding counterelectrode. Both the Coriolis electrode and the counterelectrode may be excited to a vibration along the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Classen, Torsten Ohms, Daniel Christoph Meisel, Joerg Hauer
  • Publication number: 20140366631
    Abstract: A gyroscope is disclosed. The gyroscope comprises a substrate; and a guided mass system. The guided mass system comprises proof-mass and guiding arm. The proof-mass and the guiding arm are disposed in a plane parallel to the substrate. The proof-mass is coupled to the guiding arm. The guiding arm is also coupled to the substrate through a spring. The guiding arm allows motion of the proof-mass to a first direction in the plane. The guiding arm and the proof-mass rotate about a first sense axis. The first sense axis is in the plane and parallel to the first direction. The gyroscope includes an actuator for vibrating the proof-mass in the first direction. The gyroscope also includes a transducer for sensing motion of the proof-mass-normal to the plane in response to angular velocity about a first input axis that is in the plane and orthogonal to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph SEEGER, Ozan ANAC
  • Patent number: 8910519
    Abstract: A vibration gyro element that includes a piezoelectric substrate configured to have a shape that is line-symmetrical about each of the two detection axes X1 and X2 which are parallel to a principal surface and orthogonal to each other; and a plurality of pairs of principal surface electrodes which are provided on front and back principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate. The piezoelectric substrate is formed from a monocrystal classified into the trigonal system 3m point group, and a crystal axis X of a crystal coordinate system (X, Y, Z) coincides with an axis that equally divides between the two detection axes X1 and X2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshimaro Yoneda
  • Patent number: 8910518
    Abstract: A yaw rate sensor (10) includes a movable mass structure (12) and a drive component (13) which is suitable for setting the movable mass structure (12) in motion (14), and an analysis component (15) which is suitable for detecting a response (40) of the movable mass structure (12) to a yaw rate (?). A method for functional testing of a yaw rate sensor (10) includes the following steps: driving a movable mass structure (12), feeding a test signal (42) into a quadrature control loop (44) at a feed point (48) of the quadrature control loop (44), feeding back a deflection (40) of the movable mass structure (12), detecting a measure of the feedback of the movable mass structure (12), and reading out the response signal (47) from the quadrature control loop (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfram Bauer, Johannes Classen, Rainer Willig, Matthias Meier, Burkhard Kuhlmann, Mathias Reimann, Ermin Esch, Hans-Dieter Schwarz, Michael Veith, Christoph Lang, Udo-Martin Gomez
  • Patent number: 8910517
    Abstract: An angular velocity sensor includes an annular frame, a drive part, and a detection part. The frame has first beams and second beams. The first beams extend in an a-axis direction and are opposed to each other in a b-axis direction orthogonal to the a-axis direction. The second beams extend in the b-axis direction and are opposed to each other in the a-axis direction. The drive part causes the frame to oscillate within an XY plane to which the a-axis and the b-axis belong, in an oscillation mode where, when one of the first and second beams come closer to each other, the other separates from each other. The detection part detects an angular velocity around an axis in the Z-axis direction orthogonal to the XY plane, based on an amount of deformation of the frame oscillating in the oscillation mode within the XY plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Takahashi, Junichi Honda
  • Patent number: 8912856
    Abstract: The invention relates to a controller, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods of controlling a sensor having a resonating mass. The controller includes: an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) unit for extracting a digitized sensor signal from the sensor signal; a phase controller for generating, based on the digitized sensor signal, a phase-controlled signal that is locked in phase with the digitized sensor signal; an amplitude controller for applying a gain to the digitized sensor signal to thereby generate an amplitude-adjusted signal; a modulator for modulating the amplitude-adjusted signal to thereby generate a modulated signal; and a phase shifter for shifting the phase of the modulated signal by 90 degrees. The output signal from the phase shifter is amplified and input to the drive for exciting the resonating mass, to thereby form a closed resonance loop for controlling the oscillation amplitude of the resonating mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriele Cazzaniga, Federico Forte, Luciano Prandi
  • Patent number: 8910520
    Abstract: A vibrating gyroscope having a base, and a resonator. The resonator includes a body of generally cylindrical shape terminating in a distal face to the side opposite the base. The face includes at least one through hole, a plurality of piezoelectric elements placed in contact with the resonator, vibration control and processing modules arranged at least in part on the base, and at least one electrical connection passing through the body of the resonator via the hole, and electrically connecting the modules of the base and the plurality of piezoelectric elements for controlling and measuring the vibration of the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sagem Defense Securite
    Inventor: Alain Jeanroy
  • Publication number: 20140360265
    Abstract: A vibration angular velocity sensor includes a substrate and a vibrator. The vibrator includes support members, linear drive beams, and a plurality of weight portions connected by the drive beams. The vibrator vibrates the plurality of weight portions by bending of the drive beams. The vibrator is fixed to the substrate through the support members at fixed points of the drive beam. A spring property of the support members is smaller than a spring property of the drive beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Tomoya Jomori, Yoichi Mochida
  • Patent number: 8904865
    Abstract: The invention relates to measuring devices used for measuring angular velocity, and more precisely, to vibrating micro-mechanical sensors of angular velocity. The sensor of angular velocity according to the invention comprises at least two seismic mass structures (1), (2), excitation structures (3), (4) and coupling seesaw type springs (6), (7). The objective of the invention is to provide an improved sensor structure, which enables reliable measuring with good efficiency particularly in small vibrating micro-mechanical angular velocity sensor solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Electronics Oy
    Inventors: Anssi Blomqvist, Jaakko Ruohio
  • Patent number: 8904866
    Abstract: A microgyroscope is used to determine rotational motions about at least one of three perpendicular spatial axes x, y, and z. The microgyroscope has a substrate (1) on which multiple masses (2x, 2y, 9) which oscillate parallel to the plane of the substrate (1) in an x-y plane are situated. Some of the oscillating masses (2x, 2y) are attached to the substrate (1) by means of springs and anchorings. Drive elements (4a, 4b) are used to maintain oscillating vibrations of the masses (2x, 2y, 9) which are subjected to Coriolis forces when the substrate (1) rotates about any given spatial axis. Sensor elements detect the deflections of the masses (2x, 2y, 9) due to the Coriolis forces generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Hanno Hammer
  • Publication number: 20140352432
    Abstract: The invention provides for an accelerometer comprising a proof mass within a fixed substrate wherein the proof mass is connected to the substrate by one or more v-beams. Acceleration is determined by measuring the deflection of the v-beam or beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: David George, Edward Davies, Malcolm Gower, Werner Karl, Andrew Holmes
  • Publication number: 20140352433
    Abstract: A micromechanical sensor comprising a substrate (5) and at least one mass (6) which is situated on the substrate (5) and which moves relative to the substrate (5) is used to detect motions of the sensor due to an acceleration force and/or Coriolis force which occur(s). The mass (6) and the substrate (5) and/or two masses (5, 7) which move toward one another are connected by at least one bending spring device (6). The bending spring device (6) has a spring bar (9) and a meander (10), provided thereon, having a circle of curvature (K1; K6; K8; K9; K11) whose midpoint (MP1; MP6; MP8; MP9; MP11) and radius of curvature (r1; r6; r8; r9; r11) are inside the meander (10). For reducing stresses that occur, in addition to the radius of curvature (r1; r6; r8; r9; r11) having the inner midpoint (MP1; MP6; MP8; MP9; MP11), the meander (10) has at least one further radius of curvature (r2; r3; r4; r5; r7; r10) having a midpoint (MP2; MP3; MP4; MP5; MP7; MP10) outside the meander (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS GMBH
    Inventor: Hanno Hammer
  • Patent number: 8899112
    Abstract: A gyro sensor includes: a driving mass; a detection mass connected with the driving mass; a driving connection one end and the other end of which are connected with the driving mass and an anchor, respectively; an island connected with the anchor, and disposed with a clearance left between the island and the driving mass in such a manner as to be electrically connected with the driving mass; and a projection provided at least either on the surface of the driving mass opposed to the island, or on the surface of the island opposed to the driving mass. The driving unit includes a movable electrode unit connected with the driving mass, and a fixed electrode unit. The minimum distance between the driving mass and the island is longer than the driving amplitude of the driving mass and shorter than the maximum amplitude of the movable electrode unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Furuhata, Satoru Tanaka