Patents by Inventor Carter Bruce Simpson

Carter Bruce Simpson 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: 7471032
    Abstract: A shock resistant and mode mixing resistant assembly for oscillating a device such as a MEMS mirror around a pivot axis by means of two pairs of piezoelectric elements or towers is provided. The resistance to mechanical shock and mode mixing is accomplished by mounting the broad faces or width of each piezoelectric element in a chevron shape so that the broad faces or width dimensions are not in parallel or aligned with each other. Mounting the piezoelectric elements so that the broad faces or width dimensions are at a 15 degree angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the pivot axis has been found to be especially effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: John W. Orcutt, Carter Bruce Simpson
  • Publication number: 20080303383
    Abstract: A shock resistant and mode mixing resistant assembly for oscillating a device such as a MEMS mirror around a pivot axis by means of two pairs of piezoelectric elements or towers is provided. The resistance to mechanical shock and mode mixing is accomplished by mounting the broad faces or width of each piezoelectric element in a chevron shape so that the broad faces or width dimensions are not in parallel or aligned with each other. Mounting the piezoelectric elements so that the broad faces or width dimensions are at a 15 degree angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the pivot axis has been found to be especially effective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: John W. Orcutt, Carter Bruce Simpson
  • Patent number: 7242515
    Abstract: Method and structure for mounting a torsional hinged device, such as a mirror, having a first TCE (thermal coefficient of expansion) on a substrate having a second TCE different than said first TCE. The structure comprising a plurality of compliant support posts between the substrate and the torsional hinged device that deform when the contraction and/or expansion of the torsional hinged device is different than the corresponding contraction and expansion of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Arthur Monroe Turner, John W. Orcutt, Carter Bruce Simpson
  • Patent number: 6965177
    Abstract: System and method for establishing and maintaining resonant oscillations of a torsional hinged device such as a pivotally hinged mirror. The system and methods comprise a permanent magnet mounted to the pivoting mirror that interacts with an electromagnetic coil. The magnetic coil is periodically connected and disconnected from a DC power supply in response to a series of drive pulses having a timing and duration such that the magnetic forces generated by the interaction of the permanent magnet and the electromagnetic coil maintains resonant oscillations of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Arthur Monroe Turner, Andrew Steven Dewa, Mark W. Heaton, Philip A. Roden, Carter Bruce Simpson
  • Publication number: 20040256921
    Abstract: System and method for establishing and maintaining resonant oscillations of a torsional hinged device such as a pivotally hinged mirror. The system and methods comprise a permanent magnet mounted to the pivoting mirror that interacts with an electromagnetic coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Arthur Monroe Turner, Andrew Steven Dewa, Mark W. Heaton, Philip A. Roden, Carter Bruce Simpson