Patents by Inventor Brian Stark

Brian Stark 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).

  • Patent number: 7449355
    Abstract: A mechanical structure is disposed in a chamber, at least a portion of which is defined by the encapsulation structure. A first method provides a channel cap having at least one preform portion disposed over or in at least a portion of an anti-stiction channel to seal the anti-stiction channel, at least in part. A second method provides a channel cap having at least one portion disposed over or in at least a portion of an anti-stiction channel to seal the anti-stiction channel, at least in part. The at least one portion is fabricated apart from the electromechanical device and thereafter affixed to the electromechanical device. A third method provides a channel cap having at least one portion disposed over or in at least a portion of the anti-stiction channel to seal an anti-stiction channel, at least in part. The at least one portion may comprise a wire ball, a stud, metal foil or a solder preform. A device includes a substrate, an encapsulation structure and a mechanical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Lutz, Aaron Partridge, Wilhelm Frey, Markus Ulm, Matthias Metz, Brian Stark, Gary Yama
  • Publication number: 20080265712
    Abstract: Embodiments of making an energy harvesting device are described. In one embodiment, a case and integrated piezoelectric cantilever to harvest vibration energy from an environment being sensed is produced via a print forming method injection molding method. The cantilever device consists of a piezoelectric material member, and a proof mass of high density material coupled to the piezoelectric member. The print forming method is used to build up the base and walls of the device as well as the neutral layers of the piezoelectric member. Metal layers are printed to form the electrode layers of the piezoelectric member and the electrical contact portions of the device. Passive components can also be formed as part of the layers of the device. The entire assembly can be encapsulated in plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Markus Ulm, Brian Stark, Matthias Metz
  • Patent number: 7414351
    Abstract: Embodiments of making an energy harvesting device are described. In one embodiment, a case and integrated piezoelectric cantilever to harvest vibration energy from an environment being sensed is produced via a print forming method injection molding method. The cantilever device consists of a piezoelectric material member, and a proof mass of high density material coupled to the piezoelectric member. The print forming method is used to build up the base and walls of the device as well as the neutral layers of the piezoelectric member. Metal layers are printed to form the electrode layers of the piezoelectric member and the electrical contact portions of the device. Passive components can also be formed as part of the layers of the device. The entire assembly can be encapsulated in plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Ulm, Brian Stark, Matthias Metz
  • Publication number: 20080122020
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a MEMS device, and technique of fabricating or manufacturing a MEMS device, having mechanical structures encapsulated in a chamber prior to final packaging. An embodiment further includes location of a piezoelectric material as part of a semiconductor sensing structure. The semiconductor sensing structure, in conjunction with the piezoelectric material, can be used as a sensing device to provide an output signal associated with a sensed event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Matthias Metz, Zhiyu Pan, Brian Stark, Markus Ulm, Gary Yama
  • Publication number: 20080079333
    Abstract: Embodiments of making an energy harvesting device are described. In one embodiment, a case and integrated piezoelectric cantilever to harvest vibration energy from an environment being sensed is produced via a print forming method injection molding method. The cantilever device consists of a piezoelectric material member, and a proof mass of high density material coupled to the piezoelectric member. The print forming method is used to build up the base and walls of the device as well as the neutral layers of the piezoelectric member. Metal layers are printed to form the electrode layers of the piezoelectric member and the electrical contact portions of the device. Passive components can also be formed as part of the layers of the device. The entire assembly can be encapsulated in plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Markus Ulm, Brian Stark, Matthias Metz
  • Publication number: 20080050861
    Abstract: An encapsulated MEMS process including a high-temperature anti-stiction coating that is stable under processing steps at temperatures over 450° C. is described. The coating is applied after device release but before sealing vents in the encapsulation layer. Alternatively, an anti-stiction coating may be applied to released devices directly before encapsulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Cyril Vancura, Markus Ulm, Brian Stark, Matthias Metz, Tino Fuchs, Franz Laermer, Silvia Kronmueller
  • Publication number: 20080050845
    Abstract: An encapsulated MEMS process including a high-temperature anti-stiction coating that is stable under processing steps at temperatures over 450 C is described. The coating is applied after device release but before sealing vents in the encapsulation layer. Alternatively, an anti-stiction coating may be applied to released devices directly before encapsulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Markus Ulm, Brian Stark, Matthias Metz, Tino Fuchs, Franz Laermer, Silvia Kronmueller
  • Publication number: 20070188053
    Abstract: Embodiments of an injection molded energy harvesting device are described. In one embodiment, a piezoelectric cantilever is produced via an injection molding method to harvest vibration energy from an environment being sensed. The cantilever device consists of a piezoelectric material member, a proof mass of high density material coupled to the piezoelectric member, and a leadframe for electrical connection. The piezoelectric member is electrically attached to the leadframe with a standard connecting material. The entire assembly is then injection molded with plastic. The plastic encased piezoelectric member forms a cantilever that generates electricity in response to vibration exerted on the proof mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventor: Brian Stark
  • Publication number: 20060246631
    Abstract: A mechanical structure is disposed in a chamber, at least a portion of which is defined by the encapsulation structure. A first method provides a channel cap having at least one preform portion disposed over or in at least a portion of an anti-stiction channel to seal the anti-stiction channel, at least in part. A second method provides a channel cap having at least one portion disposed over or in at least a portion of an anti-stiction channel to seal the anti-stiction channel, at least in part. The at least one portion is fabricated apart from the electromechanical device and thereafter affixed to the electromechanical device. A third method provides a channel cap having at least one portion disposed over or in at least a portion of the anti-stiction channel to seal an anti-stiction channel, at least in part. The at least one portion may comprise a wire ball, a stud, metal foil or a solder preform. A device includes a substrate, an encapsulation structure and a mechanical structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Markus Lutz, Aaron Partridge, Wilhelm Frey, Markus Ulm, Matthias Metz, Brian Stark, Gary Yama
  • Publication number: 20050086427
    Abstract: A storage filing system for a storage network includes a communication channel coprocessor, a file processor, and a storage processor. The communication channel coprocessor comprises a plurality of first symmetric processors. The communication channel coprocessor receives a request for data from a communication network. The communication channel coprocessor then processes the request to perform access control and determine a file system object for the data. The file processor comprises a plurality of second symmetric processors. The file processor determines a storage location for the data in the storage network using volume services based on the file system object. The storage processor reads the data from or writes the data to the storage location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Fozard, Desmond Young, Charlie Ghahremani, Brian Stark, Rick Lund
  • Publication number: 20020185712
    Abstract: A novel technology is provided for encapsulating electronics for use in harsh media applications, such as biomedical implants. The present invention includes electroplating a metal film on top of an insulating layer to hermetically seal an electronic system, microstructure, or micro device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Brian Stark, Khalil Najafi