Patents by Inventor Norm Nystrom

Norm Nystrom 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).

  • Micro-electromechanical sensor
    Patent number: 7305890
    Abstract: A force or pressure transducer is includes a substrate, a dielectric material disposed on the substrate, a spacing member disposed on the dielectric material, and a resilient element disposed on both the dielectric material and the spacing member. A portion of the resilient element is separated from the dielectric material, and another portion of the resilient element is in contact with the dielectric material. The contact area between the resilient element and the dielectric material varies in response to movement of the resilient element. Changes in the contact area alter the capacitance of the transducer, which can be measured through associated circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Art Zias, Phil Mauger, Sean Cahill, Norm Nystrom, Albert K. Henning
  • Micro-electromechanical sensor
    Publication number: 20060117857
    Abstract: A force or pressure transducer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the transducer has a substrate, a dielectric material disposed on the substrate, a spacing member disposed on the dielectric material, and a resilient element disposed on the dielectric material and the spacing member. A portion of the resilient element is separated from the dielectric material, and a portion of the resilient element is in contact with the dielectric material. The contact area between the resilient element and the dielectric material varies in response to movement of the resilient element. Changes in the contact area alter the capacitance of the transducer, which can be measured by circuit means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Art Zias, Phil Mauger, Sean Cahill, Norm Nystrom, Albert Henning
  • Micro-electromechanical sensor
    Patent number: 7047814
    Abstract: A force or pressure transducer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the transducer has a substrate, a dielectric material disposed on the substrate, a spacing member disposed on the dielectric material, and a resilient element disposed on the dielectric material and the spacing member. A portion of the resilient element is separated from the dielectric material, and a portion of the resilient element is in contact with the dielectric material. The contact area between the resilient element and the dielectric material varies in response to movement of the resilient element. Changes in the contact area alter the capacitance of the transducer, which can be measured by circuit means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Redwood Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Art Zias, Phil Mauger, Sean Cahill, Norm Nystrom, Albert K. Henning
  • Micro-electromechanical sensor
    Publication number: 20030072127
    Abstract: A force or pressure transducer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the transducer has a substrate, a dielectric material disposed on the substrate, a spacing member disposed on the dielectric material, and a resilient element disposed on the dielectric material and the spacing member. A portion of the resilient element is separated from the dielectric material, and a portion of the resilient element is in contact with the dielectric material. The contact area between the resilient element and the dielectric material varies in response to movement of the resilient element. Changes in the contact area alter the capacitance of the transducer, which can be measured by circuit means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Art Zias, Phil Mauger, Sean Cahill, Norm Nystrom, Albert K. Henning