Patents Assigned to Sand9, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8661899
    Abstract: An apparatus is described that includes a substrate having a first plate and a second plate. The first plate and the second plate collectively have a first mode when excited by a drive signal and have a second mode when excited by a gyroscopic effect. The first and second plates each include a temperature-compensated stack having first and third layers that have a stiffness that increases with increasing temperature over a temperature range with a second layer between the first and third layers, where the second layer is formed from a different material than the first and third layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: Guiti Zolfagharkhani, Jan H. Kuypers, Alexei Gaidarzhy, David M. Chen, Pritiraj Mohanty
  • Publication number: 20130200752
    Abstract: Mechanical resonating structures and related methods are described. The mechanical resonating structures may provide improved efficiency over conventional resonating structures. Some of the structures have lengths and widths and are designed to vibrate in a direction approximately parallel to either the length or width. They may have boundaries bounding the length and width dimensions, which may substantially align with nodes or anti-nodes of vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan H. Kuypers, David M. Chen, Guiti Zolfagharkhani, Alexei Gaidarzhy
  • Publication number: 20120163134
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating with oscillators configured to produce an oscillating signal having an arbitrary frequency are described. The frequency of the oscillating signal may be shifted to remove its arbitrary nature by application of multiple tuning signals or values to the oscillator. Alternatively, the arbitrary frequency may be accommodated by adjusting operation one or more components of a circuit receiving the oscillating signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Juergen Schoepf, Reimund Rebel, Jan H. Kuypers
  • Publication number: 20120139647
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating with oscillators configured to produce an oscillating signal having an arbitrary frequency are described. The frequency of the oscillating signal may be shifted to remove its arbitrary nature by application of multiple tuning signals or values to the oscillator. Alternatively, the arbitrary frequency may be accommodated by adjusting operation one or more components of a circuit receiving the oscillating signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Juergen Schoepf, Reimund Rebel, Jan H. Kuypers
  • Publication number: 20120086306
    Abstract: Micromechanical resonating devices, as well as related methods, are described herein. The resonating devices can include a micromechanical resonating structure, an actuation structure that actuates the resonating structure, and a detection structure that detects motion of the resonating structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: ALEXEI GAIDARZHY, Pritiraj Mohanty
  • Publication number: 20120074810
    Abstract: Mechanical resonating structures are described, as well as related devices and methods. The mechanical resonating structures may have a compensating structure for compensating temperature variations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Chen, Jan H. Kuypers, Alexei Gaidarzhy, Guiti Zolfagharkhani
  • Publication number: 20120074818
    Abstract: Devices including integrated components are described. The components may be integrated by being formed on a single substrate. The components may be integrated by being formed on separate chips within a multi-chip module. The components being integrated may include mechanical resonating structures, which in some instances may be piezoelectric mechanical resonating structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Crowley, Guiti Zoliagharkhani, Klaus Juergen Schoepf
  • Publication number: 20120067124
    Abstract: A device or system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a resonant structure having a plate, a mass and a set of electrodes. The plate can have an extensional mode at a frequency when excited. The set of electrodes can be used to measure an acceleration of the mass when the acceleration of the mass changes the frequency of the plate. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: Guiti Zolfagharkhani, Jan H. Kuypers, Alexei Gaidarzhy
  • Publication number: 20120056510
    Abstract: Devices having piezoelectric material structures integrated with substrates are described. Fabrication techniques for forming such devices are also described. The fabrication may include bonding a piezoelectric material wafer to a substrate of a differing material. A structure, such as a resonator, may then be formed from the piezoelectric material wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Chen, Jan H. Kuypers, Alexei Gaidarzhy, Guiti Zolfagharkhani, Jason Goodelle
  • Publication number: 20120049965
    Abstract: Mechanical resonating structures are described, as well as related devices and methods. The mechanical resonating structures may have a compensating structure for compensating temperature variations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Chen, Jan H. Kuypers, Alexei Gaidarzhy, Guiti Zolfaghakhani
  • Publication number: 20120049980
    Abstract: Mechanical resonating structures are described, as well as related devices and methods. The mechanical resonating structures may have a compensating structure for compensating temperature variations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Chen, Jan H. Kuypers, Alexei Gaidarzhy, Guiti Zolfagharkhani
  • Patent number: 8111108
    Abstract: Micromechanical resonating devices, as well as related methods, are described herein. The resonating devices can include a micromechanical resonating structure, an actuation structure that actuates the resonating structure, and a detection structure that detects motion of the resonating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Gaidarzhy, Pritiraj Mohanty
  • Publication number: 20120024058
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a micromechanical gyroscope and a circuit. The micromechanical gyroscope is configured to be excited in a first mode by a drive signal, and configured to be excited in a second mode by a gyroscopic effect. The circuit is coupled to the micromechanical gyroscope and configured to detect the gyroscopic effect when the micromechanical gyroscope is in the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: SAND9, INC.
    Inventors: Guiti ZOLFAGHARKHANI, Jan H. KUYPERS, Alexei GAIDARZHY, David M. CHEN, Pritiraj MOHANTY
  • Publication number: 20120013410
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for calibration and temperature compensation of oscillators having mechanical resonators are described. The method(s) may involve measuring the frequency of the oscillator at multiple discrete temperatures and adjusting compensation circuitry of the oscillator at the various temperatures. The compensation circuitry may include multiple programmable elements which may independently adjust the frequency behavior of the oscillator at a respective temperature. Thus, adjustment of the frequency behavior of the oscillator at one temperature may not alter the frequency behavior at a second temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: Reimund Rebel, Jan H. Kuypers, David Locascio
  • Publication number: 20120013413
    Abstract: Timing oscillators as well as related methods and devices are described. A timing oscillator may include a mechanical resonating structure with major elements and minor elements coupled to the major element. The timing oscillator can generate stable signals with low phase noise at very high frequencies which allows a timing oscillator to be used effectively in a number of devices including computers and mobile phones for time and data synchronization purposes. The signal generated by the timing oscillator can be tuned using a driver circuit and a compensation circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: Pritiraj Mohanty, Klaus J. Schoepf, Alexei Gaidarzhy, Guiti Zolfagharkhani, David M. Chen, Matthew J. Crowley
  • Publication number: 20120006113
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a resonant structure having a plate, a drive electrode and a sense electrode. The resonant structure defines an axis substantially orthogonal to a plane defined by the plate when the resonant structure is not excited. The plate is formed from a piezoelectric material. The drive electrode is configured to excite the resonant structure, and the sense electrode is configured to sense a signal in response to rotation of the resonant structure about the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: SAND9, INC.
    Inventors: Guiti Zolfagharkhani, Jan H. Kuypers, Alexei Gaidarzhy, Andrew Sparks
  • Publication number: 20110284995
    Abstract: Micromechanical membranes suitable for formation of mechanical resonating structures are described, as well as methods for making such membranes. The membranes may be formed by forming cavities in a substrate, and in some instances may be oxidized to provide desired mechanical properties. Mechanical resonating structures may be formed from the membrane and oxide structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan H. Kuypers, Andrew Sparks, Klaus Juergen Schoepf, Reimund Rebel
  • Patent number: 8058769
    Abstract: Mechanical resonating structures are described, as well as related devices and methods. The mechanical resonating structures may have a compensating structure for compensating temperature variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Chen, Jan H. Kuypers, Alexei Gaidarzhy, Guiti Zolfagharkhani
  • Publication number: 20110273061
    Abstract: Mechanical resonating structures are described, as well as related devices and methods. The mechanical resonating structures may have a compensating structure for compensating environmental changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: FLORIAN THALMAYR, Jan H. Kuypers, Klaus Juergen Schoepf
  • Patent number: 8044737
    Abstract: Timing oscillators as well as related methods and devices are described. A timing oscillator may include a mechanical resonating structure with major elements and minor elements coupled to the major element. The timing oscillator can generate stable signals with low phase noise at very high frequencies which allows a timing oscillator to be used effectively in a number of devices including computers and mobile phones for time and data synchronization purposes. The signal generated by the timing oscillator can be tuned using a driver circuit and a compensation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Sand9, Inc.
    Inventors: Pritiraj Mohanty, Klaus Juergen Schoepf, Alexei Gaidarzhy, Guiti Zolfagharkhani, David M. Chen, Matthew J. Crowley