Patents by Inventor Mark W. Weber
Mark W. Weber 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: 6981414Abstract: A suspended, coupled micromachined structure including two proof masses and multiple support arms configured to suspend the masses above a substrate and a coupling spring element having two ends. Each end of the coupling spring element may be attached to a proof mass at a point between the proof masses. The frequency response characteristics of the proof masses may be improved.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2004Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Gary R. Knowles, Mark W. Weber
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Patent number: 6978673Abstract: A method for providing micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices with multiple motor frequencies and uniform motor-sense frequency separation is described. The devices each include at least one proof mass, each proof mass being connected to a substrate by a system of suspensions. The method includes controlling the resonant frequencies of the MEMS device by adjusting at least two of a mass of the proof masses, a bending stiffness of the proof masses, a length of the suspensions, and a width of the suspensions.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: Burgess R. Johnson, Max C. Glenn, William P. Platt, David K. Arch, Mark W. Weber
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Patent number: 6865944Abstract: A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device is described which includes a substrate having at least one anchor, a proof mass having either of at least one deceleration extension extending from the proof mass or at least one deceleration indentation formed in the proof mass, a motor drive comb, and a motor sense comb. The MEMS device further includes a plurality of suspensions configured to suspend the proof mass over the substrate and between the motor drive comb and the motor sense comb, and the suspensions are anchored to the substrate. The MEMS device also includes a body attached to the substrate and at least one deceleration beam extending from the body. The deceleration extensions are configured to engage either deceleration beams or deceleration indentations and slow or stop the proof mass before it contacts either of the motor drive comb or the motor sense comb.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2002Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Max C. Glenn, Mark W. Weber, William P. Platt
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Publication number: 20040255672Abstract: A suspended, coupled micromachined structure including two proof masses and multiple support arms configured to suspend the masses above a substrate and a coupling spring element having two ends. Each end of the coupling spring element may be attached to a proof mass at a point between the proof masses. The frequency response characteristics of the proof masses may be improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Gary R. Knowles, Mark W. Weber
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Publication number: 20040221649Abstract: By applying a first value of voltage to a first side of a MEMS gyroscope and applying a second value of voltage to a second side of the MEMS gyroscope, the start time of the MEMS gyroscope may be improved. The first and second value of voltage may be provided by a bias power source, such as a battery or a super capacitor. The first value of voltage may be substantially equal in magnitude to and opposite in polarity to the second value of voltage. The bias power source may also be applied to drive electronics connected to the MEMS gyroscope. The bias power source may prevent amplifiers within the drive electronics from saturating during the start time.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2004Publication date: November 11, 2004Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: William P. Platt, Mark W. Weber
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Patent number: 6782748Abstract: For use in a MEMS device having a suspended proof mass, a method and apparatus for securing the MEMS device during a period of high acceleration. The method may include applying a DC voltage between the proof mass and a non-suspended structure of the device. The non-suspended structure may be mounted on a substrate, and the substrate or the non-suspended structure may be electrically isolated from the proof mass by an insulating layer or by one or more islands. Applying the DC voltage creates an electrostatic force that moves the proof mass toward (or holds the proof mass near) the substrate. Movement of the proof mass may be limited by mechanical contact between the proof mass and the insulating layer, the one or more islands, or by a cage mounted on the substrate during the period of high acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Weber, William A. Harris, Max C. Glenn
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Publication number: 20040154400Abstract: A method for providing micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices with multiple motor frequencies and uniform motor-sense frequency separation is described. The devices each include at least one proof mass, each proof mass being connected to a substrate by a system of suspensions. The method includes controlling the resonant frequencies of the MEMS device by adjusting at least two of a mass of the proof masses, a bending stiffness of the proof masses, a length of the suspensions, and a width of the suspensions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2003Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventors: Burgess R. Johnson, Max C. Glenn, William P. Platt, David K. Arch, Mark W. Weber
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Patent number: 6769304Abstract: By applying a first value of voltage to a first side of a MEMS gyroscope and applying a second value of voltage to a second side of the MEMS gyroscope, the start time of the MEMS gyroscope may be improved. The first and second value of voltage may be provided by a bias power source, such as a battery or a super capacitor. The first value of voltage may be substantially equal in magnitude to and opposite in polarity to the second value of voltage. The bias power source may also be applied to drive electronics connected to the MEMS gyroscope. The bias power source may prevent amplifiers within the drive electronics from saturating during the start time.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: William P. Platt, Mark W. Weber
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Publication number: 20040112133Abstract: A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device is described which includes a substrate having at least one anchor, a proof mass having either of at least one deceleration extension extending from the proof mass or at least one deceleration indentation formed in the proof mass, a motor drive comb, and a motor sense comb. The MEMS device further includes a plurality of suspensions configured to suspend the proof mass over the substrate and between the motor drive comb and the motor sense comb, and the suspensions are anchored to the substrate. The MEMS device also includes a body attached to the substrate and at least one deceleration beam extending from the body. The deceleration extensions are configured to engage either deceleration beams or deceleration indentations and slow or stop the proof mass before it contacts either of the motor drive comb or the motor sense comb.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Max C. Glenn, Mark W. Weber, William P. Platt
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Publication number: 20040089069Abstract: For use in a MEMS device having a suspended proof mass, a method and apparatus for securing the MEMS device during a period of high acceleration. The method may include applying a DC voltage between the proof mass and a non-suspended structure of the device. The non-suspended structure may be mounted on a substrate, and the substrate or the non-suspended structure may be electrically isolated from the proof mass by an insulating layer or by one or more islands. Applying the DC voltage creates an electrostatic force that moves the proof mass toward (or holds the proof mass near) the substrate. Movement of the proof mass may be limited by mechanical contact between the proof mass and the insulating layer, the one or more islands, or by a cage mounted on the substrate during the period of high acceleration.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2002Publication date: May 13, 2004Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Weber, William A. Harris, Max C. Glenn
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Patent number: 6722197Abstract: A suspended, coupled micromachined structure including two proof masses and multiple support arms configured to suspend the masses above a substrate and a coupling spring element having two ends. Each end of the coupling spring element may be attached to a proof mass at a point between the proof masses. The frequency response characteristics of the proof masses may be improved.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Gary R. Knowles, Mark W. Weber
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Patent number: 6655190Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in testing devices under high-g environments is disclosed in which an elastic beam, rigidly fastened at least at one end, carries the device under test; the beam being pre-loaded to a bent position by a force producing member which may be suddenly removed to allow the stored energy of the beam to be released, and to apply a high-g force to the device.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Owen D. Grossman, Mark W. Weber, Jeffrey E. Fridberg
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Publication number: 20030183006Abstract: By applying a first value of voltage to a first side of a MEMS gyroscope and applying a second value of voltage to a second side of the MEMS gyroscope, the start time of the MEMS gyroscope may be improved. The first and second value of voltage may be provided by a bias power source, such as a battery or a super capacitor. The first value of voltage may be substantially equal in magnitude to and opposite in polarity to the second value of voltage. The bias power source may also be applied to drive electronics connected to the MEMS gyroscope. The bias power source may prevent amplifiers within the drive electronics from saturating during the start time.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: William P. Platt, Mark W. Weber
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Publication number: 20030101794Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in testing devices under high-g environments is disclosed in which an elastic beam, rigidly fastened at least at one end, carries the device under test; the beam being pre-loaded to a bent position by a force producing member which may be suddenly removed to allow the stored energy of the beam to be released, and to apply a high-g force to the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2001Publication date: June 5, 2003Inventors: Owen D. Grossman, Mark W. Weber, Jeffrey E. Fridberg
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Publication number: 20020189353Abstract: A suspended, coupled micromachined structure including two proof masses and multiple support arms configured to suspend the masses above a substrate and a coupling spring element having two ends. Each end of the coupling spring element may be attached to a proof mass at a point between the proof masses. The frequency response characteristics of the proof masses may be improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2001Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Gary R. Knowles, Mark W. Weber
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Patent number: 4817112Abstract: A ring laser angular rate sensor is constructed from a solid glass block with lasing paths machined therein and mirrors joined to the block with a frit seal.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1985Date of Patent: March 28, 1989Assignee: Honeywell Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Weber, Harry Gustafson
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Patent number: 4807998Abstract: A portion of each of the pair of counter-propagating laser beams in a ring laser cavity are extracted and redirected back into the cavity with servo controlled phase and amplitude. The phase and amplitude of one of the redirected beams is a function of a common first discriminant signal but independently controlled, and the phase and the amplitude of the second redirected beam is responsive to a second mutually exclusive discriminant signal and independently controlled. The redirected beams are such as to minimize the internal back scattering effects within the ring laser cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1986Date of Patent: February 28, 1989Assignee: Honeywell Inc.Inventor: Mark W. Weber
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Patent number: 4795259Abstract: A path length control for a ring laser is described which captures a true peak power laser mode in the presence of parasitic secondary power modes. The control utilizes a decaying dither of the optical path length which decays from a large initial dither amplitude.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1986Date of Patent: January 3, 1989Assignee: Honeywell Inc.Inventors: Werner H. Egli, Mark W. Weber
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Patent number: 4791460Abstract: A pair of photodetector output signals are positioned so as to be responsive to the interference pattern produced by the pair of laser beams of the ring laser. The photodetectors are positioned such that the output signals are in phase quadrature. A second pair of signals is derived from the first pair of signals in which the second pair are displaced in phase relative to the first pair and are also in phase quadrature. The two pairs of signals are signal processed to enhance resolution of the ring laser readout.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1988Date of Patent: December 13, 1988Assignee: Honeywell Inc.Inventors: James W. Bergstrom, Mark W. Weber
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Patent number: 4727638Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a plurality of ring lasers or ring laser blocks from a single block of material.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1986Date of Patent: March 1, 1988Assignee: Honeywell Inc.Inventors: Gerald R. Altmann, Mark W. Weber