Patents by Inventor Alessandro Tocchio

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

  • Publication number: 20180112981
    Abstract: A frequency modulation MEMS triaxial gyroscope, having two mobile masses; a first and a second driving body coupled to the mobile masses through elastic elements rigid in a first direction and compliant in a second direction transverse to the first direction; and a third and a fourth driving body coupled to the mobile masses through elastic elements rigid in the second direction and compliant in the first direction. A first and a second driving element are coupled to the first and second driving bodies for causing the mobile masses to translate in the first direction in phase opposition. A third and a fourth driving element are coupled to the third and fourth driving bodies for causing the mobile masses to translate in the second direction and in phase opposition. An out-of-plane driving element is coupled to the first and second mobile masses for causing a translation in a third direction, in phase opposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Alessandro TOCCHIO, Luca Giuseppe FALORNI, Claudia COMI, Valentina ZEGA
  • Publication number: 20180094929
    Abstract: A MEMS device including a main die that may be coupled to a secondary die, which forms a frame, and at least one first mobile mass elastically coupled to the frame, the main die forming: a driving stage that drives the first mobile mass so that it oscillates, parallel to a first direction, with frequency-modulated displacements; and a processing stage, which generates an output signal indicating an angular velocity of the MEMS device as a function of displacements parallel to a second direction that are made by the first mobile mass, when driven by the driving stage, on account of a Coriolis force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Gabriele Gattere, Alessandro Tocchio, Carlo Valzasina
  • Publication number: 20180044168
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an integrated semiconductor device, envisages: forming a MEMS structure; forming an ASIC electronic circuit; and electrically coupling the MEMS structure to the ASIC electronic circuit. The MEMS structure and the ASIC electronic circuit are integrated starting from a same substrate including semiconductor material; wherein the MEMS structure is formed at a first surface of the substrate, and the ASIC electronic circuit is formed at a second surface of the substrate, vertically opposite to the first surface in a direction transverse to a horizontal plane of extension of the first surface and of the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Alessandro Tocchio, Lorenzo Corso
  • Publication number: 20170285061
    Abstract: The accelerometric sensor has a suspended region, mobile with respect to a supporting structure, and a sensing assembly coupled to the suspended region and configured to detect a movement of the suspended region with respect to the supporting structure. The suspended region has a geometry variable between at least two configurations associated with respective centroids, different from each other. The suspended region is formed by a first region rotatably anchored to the supporting structure and by a second region coupled to the first region through elastic connection elements configured to allow a relative movement of the second region with respect to the first region. A driving assembly is coupled to the second region so as to control the relative movement of the latter with respect to the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Alessandro Tocchio, Francesco Rizzini, Carlo Valzasina, Giacomo Langfelder
  • Publication number: 20170285064
    Abstract: A MEMS accelerometric sensor includes a bearing structure and a suspended region that is made of semiconductor material, mobile with respect to the bearing structure. At least one modulation electrode is fixed to the bearing structure and is biased with an electrical modulation signal including at least one periodic component having a first frequency. At least one variable capacitor is formed by the suspended region and by the modulation electrode in such a way that the suspended region is subjected to an electrostatic force that depends upon the electrical modulation signal. A sensing assembly generates, when the accelerometric sensor is subjected to an acceleration, an electrical sensing signal indicating the position of the suspended region with respect to the bearing structure and includes a frequency-modulated component that is a function of the acceleration and of the first frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Alessandro Tocchio, Gabriele Gattere
  • Publication number: 20170268880
    Abstract: MEMS device having a support region elastically carrying a suspended mass through first elastic elements. A tuned dynamic absorber is elastically coupled to the suspended mass and configured to dampen quadrature forces acting on the suspended mass at the natural oscillation frequency of the dynamic absorber. The tuned dynamic absorber is formed by a damping mass coupled to the suspended mass through second elastic elements. In an embodiment, the suspended mass and the damping mass are formed in a same structural layer, for example of semiconductor material, and the damping mass is surrounded by the suspended mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Luca Giuseppe Falorni, Carlo Valzasina, Roberto Carminati, Alessandro Tocchio
  • Publication number: 20170234940
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a die and a current generator in the die. The current generator generates a driving current. A Lorentz force transducer is also formed in the die and coupled to the current generator to obtain measurements of a magnetic field based upon the Lorentz force. The magnetic field has a resonance frequency and the current generator drives the Lorentz force sensor with the driving current having a non-zero frequency different from the resonance frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Giacomo Langfelder, Alessandro Tocchio, Dario Paci
  • Patent number: 9696157
    Abstract: MEMS device having a support region elastically carrying a suspended mass through first elastic elements. A tuned dynamic absorber is elastically coupled to the suspended mass and configured to dampen quadrature forces acting on the suspended mass at the natural oscillation frequency of the dynamic absorber. The tuned dynamic absorber is formed by a damping mass coupled to the suspended mass through second elastic elements. In an embodiment, the suspended mass and the damping mass are formed in a same structural layer, for example of semiconductor material, and the damping mass is surrounded by the suspended mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Luca Giuseppe Falorni, Carlo Valzasina, Roberto Carminati, Alessandro Tocchio
  • Patent number: 9671471
    Abstract: A magnetic-field sensor, including: a die, a current generator in the die. The current generator generating a driving current. A Lorentz force transducer also in the die and being configured to obtain measurements of magnetic field based upon the Lorentz force is coupled to the current generator. The transducer having a resonance frequency. The current generator is such that the driving current has a non-zero frequency different from the resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giacomo Langfelder, Alessandro Tocchio, Dario Paci
  • Publication number: 20170108530
    Abstract: A MEMS sensor device provided with a sensing structure, having: a substrate with a top surface extending in a horizontal plane; an inertial mass, suspended over the substrate; elastic coupling elements, elastically connected to the inertial mass so as to enable inertial movement thereof with respect to the substrate as a function of a quantity to be detected along a sensing axis belonging to the horizontal plane; and sensing electrodes, capacitively coupled to the inertial mass so as to form at least one sensing capacitor, a value of capacitance of which is indicative of the quantity to be detected. The sensing structure moreover has a suspension structure, to which the sensing electrodes are rigidly coupled, and to which the inertial mass is elastically coupled through the elastic coupling elements; the suspension structure is connected to an anchorage structure, fixed with respect to the substrate, by means of elastic suspension elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Alessandro TOCCHIO, Francesco RIZZINI, Luca GUERINONI
  • Publication number: 20170088416
    Abstract: An encapsulated device of semiconductor material wherein a chip of semiconductor material is fixed to a base element of a packaging body through at least one pillar element having elasticity and deformability greater than the chip, for example a Young's modulus lower than 300 MPa. In one example, four pillar elements are fixed in proximity of the corners of a fixing surface of the chip and operate as uncoupling structure, which prevents transfer of stresses and deformations of the base element to the chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Alessandro TOCCHIO, Carlo VALZASINA, Luca GUERINONI, Giorgio ALLEGATO
  • Patent number: 9574172
    Abstract: A method is described for producing a microfluidic device (19), which comprises the phases of producing a three-dimensional template (15) of geometry equal to the channelings that is desired to obtain in the device; inserting the template in the desired position into a mold (16), keeping it suspended by at least one of its end; coating said template by immersion in (or deposition of) a material in the liquid phase (or dissolved or dispersed in a solvent) capable of solidifying by means of a chemical reaction or physical transformation, forming a material constituting the body of the final device; and selectively removing the three-dimensional template. In a variant of the method, useful for the production of scaffolds to be inserted into the human body, a porogenic material is added to the liquid precursor or to the precursor solution, such that the material of the solid matrix is characterized by a continuous structure of pores into which it is possible to insert live cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TENSIVE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Cristina Lenardi, Alessandro Tocchio, Federico Martello
  • Publication number: 20170044344
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of synthesis and the use of foamed, cross-linked polyurethane polymers, as a three-dimensional support called a “scaffold” for cell cultures in vitro and for in vivo implantation for the regeneration of connective tissues such as adipose tissue, osteochondral tissue and bone tissue. In particular, the invention relates to a method of preparing polymers or foamed polyurethane co polymers, having improved hydrophilia, which involves the use of two types of catalyst, one for the cross-linking reaction and one for the foaming reaction and the use of at least one polar aprotic high-boiling solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: TENSIVE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Irini GERGES, Federico MARTELLO, Margherita TAMPLENIZZA, Alessandro TOCCHIO
  • Patent number: 9513310
    Abstract: A z-axis micro-electro-mechanical detection structure, having a substrate defining a plane and a suspended mass carried by two anchorage elements. The suspended mass includes a translating mass, suspended over the substrate, mobile in a transverse direction to the plane and arranged between the anchorage elements and two tilting masses, each of which is supported by the anchorage elements through respective elastic anchorage elements so as to be able to rotate with respect to respective oscillation axes. The oscillation axes are parallel to each other to enable a translation movement of the translating mass. Fixed electrodes face at a distance the tilting masses or the translating mass so as to be able to detect displacement of the suspended mass as a result of external forces. Elastic supporting elements are arranged between the translating mass and the tilting masses to enable relative rotation between the translating mass and the tilting masses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Leonardo Baldasarre, Alessandro Tocchio, Sarah Zerbini
  • Publication number: 20160169931
    Abstract: Described herein is a microelectromechanical detection structure, provided with: a substrate having a top surface extending in a plane; a detection-electrode arrangement; an inertial mass, suspended above the substrate and the detection-electrode arrangement; and elastic elements, coupling the inertial mass to a central anchorage element fixed with respect to the substrate, in such a way that it is free to rotate about an axis of rotation as a function of a quantity to be detected along a vertical axis, the central anchorage element being arranged at the axis of rotation. A suspension structure is coupled to the detection-electrode arrangement for supporting it, suspended above the substrate and underneath the inertial mass, and is anchored to the substrate via at least one first anchorage region; the fixed-electrode arrangement is anchored to the suspension structure via at least one second anchorage region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventor: Alessandro TOCCHIO
  • Publication number: 20150377624
    Abstract: MEMS device having a support region elastically carrying a suspended mass through first elastic elements. A tuned dynamic absorber is elastically coupled to the suspended mass and configured to dampen quadrature forces acting on the suspended mass at the natural oscillation frequency of the dynamic absorber. The tuned dynamic absorber is formed by a damping mass coupled to the suspended mass through second elastic elements. In an embodiment, the suspended mass and the damping mass are formed in a same structural layer, for example of semiconductor material, and the damping mass is surrounded by the suspended mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Luca Giuseppe Falorni, Carlo Valzasina, Roberto Carminati, Alessandro Tocchio
  • Publication number: 20150323560
    Abstract: A method for compensating non-linearities of a read signal generated by a variable-capacitance inertial sensor including a first fixed electrode and a second fixed electrode and a mobile electrode, which is spatially arranged between the first and second fixed electrodes and is capacitively coupled to the first and second fixed electrodes, said method comprising the steps of: acquiring the read signal; identifying a first linear component and at least one first nonlinear component of the read signal; a generating a compensated output signal by subtracting the first nonlinear component from the read signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Marco Castellano, Pierluigi Montinari, Salvatore Poli, Alessandro Tocchio, Giovanni Carlo Tripoli
  • Publication number: 20150035526
    Abstract: A magnetic-field sensor, including: a die, a current generator in the die. The current generator generating a driving current. A Lorentz force transducer also in the die and being configured to obtain measurements of magnetic field based upon the Lorentz force is coupled to the current generator. The transducer having a resonance frequency. The current generator is such that the driving current has a non-zero frequency different from the resonance frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Giacomo Langfelder, Alessandro Tocchio, Dario Paci
  • Publication number: 20140283605
    Abstract: A z-axis micro-electro-mechanical detection structure, having a substrate defining a plane and a suspended mass carried by two anchorage elements. The suspended mass includes a translating mass, suspended over the substrate, mobile in a transverse direction to the plane and arranged between the anchorage elements and two tilting masses, each of which is supported by the anchorage elements through respective elastic anchorage elements so as to be able to rotate with respect to respective oscillation axes. The oscillation axes are parallel to each other to enable a translation movement of the translating mass. Fixed electrodes face at a distance the tilting masses or the translating mass so as to be able to detect displacement of the suspended mass as a result of external forces. Elastic supporting elements are arranged between the translating mass and the tilting masses to enable relative rotation between the translating mass and the tilting masses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I.
    Inventors: Leonardo Baldasarre, Alessandro Tocchio, Sarah Zerbini
  • Publication number: 20140106454
    Abstract: A method is described for producing a microfluidic device (19), which comprises the phases of producing a three-dimensional template (15) of geometry equal to the channelings that is desired to obtain in the device; inserting the template in the desired position into a mould (16), keeping it suspended by at least one of its end; coating said template by immersion in (or deposition of) a material in the liquid phase (or dissolved or dispersed in a solvent) capable of solidifying by means of a chemical reaction or physical transformation, forming a material constituting the body of the final device; and selectively removing the three-dimensional template. In a variant of the method, useful for the production of scaffolds to be inserted into the human body, a porogenic material is added to the liquid precursor or to the precursor solution, such that the material of the solid matrix is characterised by a continuous structure of pores into which it is possible to insert live cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: FONDAZIONE FILARETE PER LE BIOSCIENZE E L'INNOVAZIONE
    Inventors: Cristina Lenardi, Alessandro Tocchio, Federico Martello