Patents by Inventor Michael B. Doelle

Michael B. Doelle 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: 8820169
    Abstract: Pressure sensors having components with reduced variations due to stresses caused by various layers and components that are included in the manufacturing process. In one example, a first stress in a first direction causes a variation in a component. A second stress in a second direction is applied, thereby reducing the variation in the component. The first and second stresses may be caused by a polysilicon layer, while the component may be a resistor in a Wheatstone bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Microstructures, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. August, Michael B. Doelle
  • Patent number: 8402835
    Abstract: Pressure sensors having components with reduced variations due to stresses caused by various layers and components that are included in the manufacturing process. In one example, a first stress in a first direction causes a variation in a component. A second stress in a second direction is applied, thereby reducing the variation in the component. The first and second stresses may be caused by a polysilicon layer, while the component may be a resistor in a Wheatstone bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Microstructures, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. August, Michael B. Doelle
  • Publication number: 20130008255
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and systems to compensate pressure sensor readings for changes in temperature. An example measures temperature in a field-effect-transistor-based pressure sensor or micro-electromechanical system by measuring the device's threshold voltage. This threshold voltage is linearly dependent on the temperature but shows negligible sensitivity to mechanical stress. This allows the pressure sensor's temperature to be determined in an environment of changing pressure. Once the temperature is known, the pressure sensor's pressure readings can be adjusted. The threshold voltage can be extracted by measuring the turn-on transistor characteristic of the device and using device models. Alternately, the threshold voltage can be extracted using threshold voltage extraction circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Silicon Microstructures, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael B. Doelle
  • Publication number: 20120204653
    Abstract: Pressure sensors having components with reduced variations due to stresses caused by various layers and components that are included in the manufacturing process. In one example, a first stress in a first direction causes a variation in a component. A second stress in a second direction is applied, thereby reducing the variation in the component. The first and second stresses may be caused by a polysilicon layer, while the component may be a resistor in a Wheatstone bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Silicon Microstructures, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. August, Michael B. Doelle
  • Patent number: 8132465
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and systems that calibrate or account for packaging and related stress components in a pressure sensor. Further examples provide an improved sensor element or device. One example provides one or more sensing elements on the diaphragm and near the diaphragm-bulk boundary. Sensors near the diaphragm-bulk are used to estimate package-induced stress. This estimation can then be used in calibrating package stress from pressure measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Silicon Microstructures, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Doelle, Joachim Bergmann
  • Patent number: 8082796
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and systems to compensate pressure sensor readings for changes in temperature. An example measures temperature in a field-effect-transistor-based pressure sensor or micro-electromechanical system by measuring the device's threshold voltage. This threshold voltage is linearly dependent on the temperature but shows negligible sensitivity to mechanical stress. This allows the pressure sensor's temperature to be determined in an environment of changing pressure. Once the temperature is known, the pressure sensor's pressure readings can be adjusted. The threshold voltage can be extracted by measuring the turn-on transistor characteristic of the device and using device models. Alternately, the threshold voltage can be extracted using threshold voltage extraction circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Silicon Microstructures, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael B. Doelle