Patents by Inventor David C. Hollocher
David C. Hollocher 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).
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Patent number: 8917099Abstract: A MEMS device has a movable beam, a differential capacitor with a movable electrode that moves in response to the displacement of the movable beam and that is disposed between two stationary electrodes, and a voltage circuit for applying a first voltage to the first stationary electrode, second voltage to the second stationary electrode, and a third voltage to the moveable electrode. The MEMS device also has a monitor operably coupled with the movable beam to monitor the displacement of the movable beam. In some embodiments, the monitor may monitor the distance between the movable electrode and at least one of the stationary electrodes. The MEMS device further has a voltage reducing circuit operatively coupled with the monitor, the movable electrode, and the stationary electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: David C. Hollocher, Howard R. Samuels
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Publication number: 20110221454Abstract: A MEMS device has a movable beam, a differential capacitor with a movable electrode that moves in response to the displacement of the movable beam and that is disposed between two stationary electrodes, and a voltage circuit for applying a first voltage to the first stationary electrode, second voltage to the second stationary electrode, and a third voltage to the moveable electrode. The MEMS device also has a monitor operably coupled with the movable beam to monitor the displacement of the movable beam. In some embodiments, the monitor may monitor the distance between the movable electrode and at least one of the stationary electrodes. The MEMS device further has a voltage reducing circuit operatively coupled with the monitor, the movable electrode, and the stationary electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.Inventors: David C. Hollocher, Howard R. Samuels
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Patent number: 7956621Abstract: A MEMS device has a movable beam, a differential capacitor with a movable electrode that moves in response to the displacement of the movable beam and that is disposed between two stationary electrodes, and a voltage circuit for applying a first voltage to the first stationary electrode, second voltage to the second stationary electrode, and a third voltage to the movable electrode. The MEMS device also has a monitor operably coupled with the movable beam to monitor the displacement of the movable beam. In some embodiments, the monitor may monitor the distance between the movable electrode and at least one of the stationary electrodes. The MEMS device further has a voltage reducing circuit operatively coupled with the monitor, the movable electrode, and the stationary electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2008Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: David C. Hollocher, Howard R. Samuels
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Publication number: 20090309613Abstract: A MEMS device has a movable beam, a differential capacitor with a movable electrode that moves in response to the displacement of the movable beam and that is disposed between two stationary electrodes, and a voltage circuit for applying a first voltage to the first stationary electrode, second voltage to the second stationary electrode, and a third voltage to the movable electrode. The MEMS device also has a monitor operably coupled with the movable beam to monitor the displacement of the movable beam. In some embodiments, the monitor may monitor the distance between the movable electrode and at least one of the stationary electrodes. The MEMS device further has a voltage reducing circuit operatively coupled with the monitor, the movable electrode, and the stationary electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.Inventors: David C. Hollocher, Howard R. Samuels
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Patent number: 6892576Abstract: Accelerometer offset is reduced by forming mass support structures within an inner periphery of the mass, affixing the mass support structures to the substrate by at least one anchor positioned near the mass' center of mass, and affixing the sensing fingers proximate to the anchor. The mass support structures can be affixed to the substrate using a single anchor or multiple anchors that are positioned close together. The sensing fingers can be affixed to the substrate or to the mass support structures. The mass is typically suspended from within its periphery but toward its outer periphery.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: Howard R. Samuels, David C. Hollocher, Michael Judy, Thor Juneau
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Patent number: 6761069Abstract: An accelerometer had a movable electrode between two fixed electrodes to form a differential capacitor. Drivers provide AC drive signals to the fixed electrodes. The movable electrode is coupled through reading circuitry to an output terminal. In response to a sensed acceleration, feedback is provided from the output terminal to one or both drivers to null any AC signal on the movable electrode and to keep the electrostatic forces between the movable electrode and each of the fixed electrodes equal.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2003Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: David C. Hollocher, John Memishian
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Publication number: 20040055382Abstract: Accelerometer offset is reduced by forming mass support structures within an inner periphery of the mass, affixing the mass support structures to the substrate by at least one anchor positioned near the mass' center of mass, and affixing the sensing fingers proximate to the anchor. The mass support structures can be affixed to the substrate using a single anchor or multiple anchors that are positioned close together. The sensing fingers can be affixed to the substrate or to the mass support structures. The mass is typically suspended from within its periphery but toward its outer periphery.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Howard R. Samuels, David C. Hollocher, Michael Judy, Thor Juneau
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Publication number: 20030167843Abstract: An accelerometer had a movable electrode between two fixed electrodes to form a differential capacitor. Drivers provide AC drive signals to the fixed electrodes. The movable electrode is coupled through reading circuitry to an output terminal. In response to a sensed acceleration, feedback is provided from the output terminal to one or both drivers to null any AC signal on the movable electrode and to keep the electrostatic forces between the movable electrode and each of the fixed electrodes equal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2003Publication date: September 11, 2003Applicant: Analog DevicesInventors: David C. Hollocher, John Memishian
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Patent number: 6530275Abstract: An accelerometer has a movable electrode between two fixed electrodes to form a differential capacitor. Drivers provide AC drive signals to the fixed electrodes. The movable electrode is coupled through reading circuitry to an output terminal. In response to a sensed acceleration, feedback is provided from the output terminal to one or both drivers to null any AC signal on the movable electrode and to keep the electrostatic forces between the movable electrode and each of the fixed electrodes equal.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2000Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: David C. Hollocher, John Memishian