Patents by Inventor Colin Robert Jenkins

Colin Robert Jenkins 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: 12219336
    Abstract: Provided is a sealed dual membrane (SDM) structure and a device including the same. The SDM structure according to the present invention includes a substrate, a first vibrating membrane and a second vibrating membrane disposed on the substrate, which form a sealed cavity together with the substrate, a first back electrode plate and a second back electrode plate disposed between the vibrating membrane and the second vibrating membrane, and a conductor plate unit disposed between the first back electrode plate and the second back electrode plate. The first vibrating membrane and the second vibrating membrane are mechanically coupled to the conductor plate unit, and the conductor plate unit forms a capacitor structure with each of the first back electrode plate and the second back electrode plate. The present invention reduces the number of pillars required in the SDM structure and increases the sensitivity of the device including the SDM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: AAC ACOUSTIC TECHNOLOGIES (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Colin Robert Jenkins
  • Patent number: 12180065
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system includes a lower membrane including a plurality of troughs and crests arranged alternately, an upper membrane including a plurality of troughs and crests arranged alternately, and a spacer layer disposed between the lower membrane and the upper membrane. The spacer layer includes counter electrode walls and support walls made of nitride, the counter electrode walls being provided with conductive elements. Chambers are formed between the troughs of the lower membrane and the crest of the upper membrane and the counter electrode walls are suspended in the chambers respectively. The support walls are sandwiched between the crests of the lower membrane and the troughs of the upper membrane with a space formed between adjacent support walls. The spaces between adjacent support walls may be empty or filled with oxide. Unwanted capacitance between the upper and lower membranes is reduced significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: AAC ACOUSTIC TECHNOLOGIES (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Euan James Boyd, Colin Robert Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20240400376
    Abstract: An MEMS device, including: a substrate having a back cavity; a diaphragm connected to the substrate and covers the back cavity, the diaphragm includes first and second membranes arranged oppositely, and accommodation space is formed therebetween; a counter electrode in the accommodation space and includes annular beams and first spokes, the annular beams are successively arranged at intervals, and the first spokes extend radially outward from an axis of the counter electrode, an end of the first spokes is connected to the substrate, and two adjacent first spokes and two adjacent annular beams jointly form a first through hole; and a support arranged corresponding to the first through hole, and opposite ends of the support are respectively connected to the first and second membranes. This configuration is more sensitive to sound pressure and is conducive to realizing low-noise microphone while optimizing sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2023
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Colin Robert Jenkins, Scott Lyall Cargill, Euan James Boyd
  • Publication number: 20240223966
    Abstract: A MEMS microphone, includes a substrate with a back cavity, and a capacitive system arranged on the substrate, the capacitive includes a back plate and a diaphragm, a reinforcing portion is located between the diaphragm and the substrate, a projection of an inner surface of the reinforcing portion along a vibration direction of the diaphragm is flush with an inner surface of the back cavity or located in the back cavity, the reinforcing portion includes an etched barrier wall and a sacrificial layer located within the etched barrier wall. Compared with the related art, the MEMS microphone disclosed by the present disclosure could improve the reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Yuwei Liu, Colin Robert Jenkins, Rui Zhang
  • Publication number: 20240171913
    Abstract: Provided is a sealed dual membrane (SDM) structure and a device including the same. The SDM structure according to the present invention includes a substrate, a first vibrating membrane and a second vibrating membrane disposed on the substrate, which form a sealed cavity together with the substrate, a first back electrode plate and a second back electrode plate disposed between the vibrating membrane and the second vibrating membrane, and a conductor plate unit disposed between the first back electrode plate and the second back electrode plate. The first vibrating membrane and the second vibrating membrane are mechanically coupled to the conductor plate unit, and the conductor plate unit forms a capacitor structure with each of the first back electrode plate and the second back electrode plate. The present invention reduces the number of pillars required in the SDM structure and increases the sensitivity of the device including the SDM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventor: Colin Robert Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20230331543
    Abstract: Provided is a MEMS device and an electro-acoustic transducer. The MEMS device includes: a substrate having a cavity passing through the substrate; a diaphragm connected to the substrate and covers the cavity. The diaphragm includes oppositely arranged first and second membranes. The first membrane is on one side of the second membrane facing away from the cavity and includes a first protrusion extending away from the second membrane, the first protrusion has a first groove opening towards the second membrane. The second membrane includes a second protrusion extending away from the first membrane and opposite to the first protrusion, the second protrusion has a second groove opening towards the first membrane. By providing first and second protrusions on first and second diaphragms to form a corrugated diaphragm, the internal stress and stiffness of the diaphragm decreases, which effectively increases the mechanical sensitivity of the MEMS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Yannick Pierre Kervran, Euan James Boyd, Colin Robert Jenkins, Colin Wei Hong Chung, Scott Lyall Cargill
  • Publication number: 20220306455
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system includes a lower membrane including a plurality of troughs and crests arranged alternately, an upper membrane including a plurality of troughs and crests arranged alternately, and a spacer layer disposed between the lower membrane and the upper membrane. The spacer layer includes counter electrode walls and support walls made of nitride, the counter electrode walls being provided with conductive elements. Chambers are formed between the troughs of the lower membrane and the crest of the upper membrane and the counter electrode walls are suspended in the chambers respectively. The support walls are sandwiched between the crests of the lower membrane and the troughs of the upper membrane with a space formed between adjacent support walls. The spaces between adjacent support walls may be empty or filled with oxide. Unwanted capacitance between the upper and lower membranes is reduced significantly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Euan James Boyd, Colin Robert Jenkins
  • Patent number: 10750291
    Abstract: The application describes MEMS transducers having a patterned membrane electrode which incorporates a plurality of openings or voids. A conductive element is provided on the surface of the underlying membrane within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Marek Sebastian Piechocinski, Richard Ian Laming, Tsjerk Hans Hoekstra, Colin Robert Jenkins, Axel Thomsen
  • Patent number: 10730747
    Abstract: The present application relates to MEMS transducer comprising a membrane electrode and a backplate electrode. The membrane electrode comprises primary and secondary openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Colin Robert Jenkins
  • Patent number: 10560784
    Abstract: A MEMS capacitive transducer with increased robustness and resilience to acoustic shock. The transducer structure includes a flexible membrane supported between a first volume and a second volume, and at least one variable vent structure in communication with at least one of the first and second volumes. The variable vent structure includes at least one moveable portion which is moveable in response to a pressure differential across the moveable portion so as to vary the size of a flow path through the vent structure. The variable vent may be formed through the membrane and the moveable portion may be a part of the membrane, defined by one or more channels, that is deflectable away from the surface of the membrane. The variable vent is preferably closed in the normal range of pressure differentials but opens at high pressure differentials to provide more rapid equalisation of the air volumes above and below the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Robert Jenkins, Tsjerk Hans Hoekstra, Euan James Boyd
  • Publication number: 20200024134
    Abstract: The present application relates to MEMS transducer comprising a membrane electrode and a backplate electrode. The membrane electrode comprises primary and secondary openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventor: Colin Robert JENKINS
  • Patent number: 10494254
    Abstract: A MEMS transducer may comprise a membrane supported relative to a substrate, the membrane comprising a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises a central region and plurality of arms which extend laterally from the central region and wherein the second region is separated from the first region by a channel which extends through the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Lyall Cargill, Colin Robert Jenkins, Euan James Boyd, Richard Ian Laming
  • Publication number: 20190306630
    Abstract: A MEMS capacitive transducer with increased robustness and resilience to acoustic shock. The transducer structure includes a flexible membrane supported between a first volume and a second volume, and at least one variable vent structure in communication with at least one of the first and second volumes. The variable vent structure includes at least one moveable portion which is moveable in response to a pressure differential across the moveable portion so as to vary the size of a flow path through the vent structure. The variable vent may be formed through the membrane and the moveable portion may be a part of the membrane, defined by one or more channels, that is deflectable away from the surface of the membrane. The variable vent is preferably closed in the normal range of pressure differentials but opens at high pressure differentials to provide more rapid equalisation of the air volumes above and below the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Colin Robert Jenkins, Tsjerk Hans Hoekstra, Euan James Boyd
  • Patent number: 10375481
    Abstract: A MEMS capacitive transducer with increased robustness and resilience to acoustic shock. The transducer structure includes a flexible membrane supported between a first volume and a second volume, and at least one variable vent structure in communication with at least one of the first and second volumes. The variable vent structure includes at least one moveable portion which is moveable in response to a pressure differential across the moveable portion so as to vary the size of a flow path through the vent structure. The variable vent may be formed through the membrane and the moveable portion may be a part of the membrane, defined by one or more channels, that is deflectable away from the surface of the membrane. The variable vent is preferably closed in the normal range of pressure differentials but opens at high pressure differentials to provide more rapid equalisation of the air volumes above and below the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Robert Jenkins, Tsjerk Hans Hoekstra, Euan James Boyd
  • Patent number: 10343894
    Abstract: The application describes a MEMS transducer comprising a layer of conductive material provided on a surface of a layer of membrane material. The layer of conductive material comprises first and second regions, wherein the thickness and/or the conductivity of the/each first and second regions is different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Duffy, Colin Robert Jenkins, Tsjerk Hans Hoekstra
  • Patent number: 10343901
    Abstract: The application describes MEMS transducer having a flexible membrane and which seeks to alleviate and/or redistribute stresses within the membrane layer. A membrane having a first/active region and a second/inactive region is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Lyall Cargill, Colin Robert Jenkins, Euan James Boyd, Richard Ian Laming
  • Patent number: 10266393
    Abstract: The application describes MEMS transducers having a vent structure provided in a flexible membrane of the vent structure The vent structure comprises at least one moveable portion and the vent structure is configured such that, in response to a differential pressure across the vent structure, the moveable portion is rotatable about first and second axes of rotation, which axes of rotation extend in the plane of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Wei Hong Chung, Scott Lyall Cargill, Colin Robert Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20190100429
    Abstract: A MEMS transducer and method of forming a MEMS transducer. The MEMS transducer comprises a flexible membrane and a backplate, a membrane electrode being located on a polygon shaped first surface of the flexible membrane, and a backplate electrode being located on a first surface of the backplate facing the membrane electrode. At least one of the membrane electrode and the backplate electrode has an outline shape configured to correspond to a contour of a contour map, the contour map representing relative amounts of displacement of portions of the flexible membrane from an equilibrium position in response to pressure differences generated by incident sound waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Tom HANLEY, Colin Robert JENKINS, Euan James BOYD
  • Publication number: 20190062146
    Abstract: The application describes a MEMS transducer comprising a membrane which comprises an active membrane region and a substrate having a cavity. An upper surface of the substrate comprises an overlap region which underlies the membrane. A first portion of the overlap region is provided with at least one recess. The at least one recess does not intersect an edge of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Tom HANLEY, Colin Robert JENKINS
  • Publication number: 20190047847
    Abstract: A MEMS transducer configured to operate as a microphone, the MEMS transducer comprising a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of the flexible membrane is fluidically isolated from the second surface of the flexible membrane. Also, a MEMS device comprising a MEMS transducer, an electronic device comprising a MEMS transducer and/or a MEMS device, and a method for forming a MEMS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Aleksey Sergeyevich KHENKIN, Tsjerk Hans HOEKSTRA, Colin Robert Jenkins