Patents by Inventor Roberto Carminati

Roberto Carminati 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).

  • Publication number: 20200057298
    Abstract: A micromechanical device includes a fixed structure, a mobile portion rotatable about a first rotation axis, and a first actuation structure arranged between the fixed structure and the mobile portion to enable rotation of the mobile portion about the first rotation axis. The mobile portion includes a supporting structure, a tiltable platform rotatable about a second rotation axis, transverse to the first rotation axis, and a second actuation structure coupled between the tiltable platform and the supporting structure. Stiffening elements are arranged between the supporting structure and the fixed structure. The micromechanical device may be used within a picoprojector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nicolo' BONI, Roberto CARMINATI, Massimiliano MERLI
  • Publication number: 20200033591
    Abstract: A method for making a micro-electro mechanical (MEMS) device includes forming a MEMS mirror stack on a handle layer, and applying a first bonding layer to the MEMS mirror stack. The method continues with disposing a substrate on the first bonding layer such that the MEMS mirror stack is mechanically anchored to the substrate and so as to seal against ingress of environmental contaminants, removing the handle layer, and applying a second bonding layer to the MEMS mirror stack. A cap layer is disposed on the second bonding layer such that the cap layer is mechanically anchored to the MEMS mirror stack and so as to seal against ingress of environmental contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giorgio ALLEGATO, Sonia COSTANTINI, Federico VERCESI, Roberto CARMINATI
  • Patent number: 10499022
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a MEMS device including a fixed structure, a mobile structure, and deformable structures extending therebetween. The deformable structures have first ends anchored along X and Y axes of the fixed structure, and have second ends anchored offset from the X and Y axes of the fixed structure. The deformable structures are shaped so as to curve from their anchoring points along the mobile structure back toward the mobile structure, to extend along the perimeter of the mobile structure, and to then curve away from the mobile structure and toward their anchoring points along the fixed structure. Each deformable structure has two piezoelectric elements that extend along the length of that deformable structure, with one piezoelectric element having a greater length than the other piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Domenico Giusti, Roberto Carminati, Nicolo′ Boni
  • Publication number: 20190345028
    Abstract: MEMS device, in which a body made of semiconductor material contains a chamber, and a first column inside the chamber. A cap of semiconductor material is attached to the body and forms a first membrane, a first cavity and a first channel. The chamber is closed on the side of the cap. The first membrane, the first cavity, the first channel and the first column form a capacitive pressure sensor structure. The first membrane is arranged between the first cavity and the second face, the first channel extends between the first cavity and the first face or between the first cavity and the second face and the first column extends towards the first membrane and forms, along with the first membrane, plates of a first capacitor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Enri DUQI, Lorenzo BALDO, Roberto CARMINATI
  • Patent number: 10473920
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a micro-electro mechanical (MEMS) device including a substrate, and a MEMS mirror stack on the substrate. A first bonding layer seals against ingress of environmental contaminants and mechanically anchors the MEMS mirror stack to the substrate. A cap layer is formed on the MEMS mirror stack. A second boding layer seals against ingress of environmental contaminants and mechanically anchors the cap layer to the MEMS mirror stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giorgio Allegato, Sonia Costantini, Federico Vercesi, Roberto Carminati
  • Patent number: 10407301
    Abstract: MEMS device, in which a body made of semiconductor material contains a chamber, and a first column inside the chamber. A cap of semiconductor material is attached to the body and forms a first membrane, a first cavity and a first channel. The chamber is closed on the side of the cap. The first membrane, the first cavity, the first channel and the first column form a capacitive pressure sensor structure. The first membrane is arranged between the first cavity and the second face, the first channel extends between the first cavity and the first face or between the first cavity and the second face and the first column extends towards the first membrane and forms, along with the first membrane, plates of a first capacitor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Enri Duqi, Lorenzo Baldo, Roberto Carminati
  • Patent number: 10365475
    Abstract: An oscillating structure with piezoelectric actuation includes first and second torsional elastic elements constrained to respective portions of a fixed supporting body and defining an axis of rotation. A mobile element is positioned between, and connected to, the first and second torsional elastic elements by first and second rigid regions. A first control region is coupled to the first rigid region and includes a first piezoelectric actuator. A second control region is coupled to the second rigid region and includes a second piezoelectric actuator. The first and second piezoelectric actuators are configured to cause local deformation of the first and second control regions to induce a torsion of the first and second torsional elastic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto Carminati, Massimiliano Merli, Sebastiano Conti
  • Publication number: 20190196177
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical device includes a body of semiconductor material, which forms a cavity, a mobile structure, and an actuation structure. The actuation structure includes at least one first deformable element which faces the cavity and is mechanically coupled to the body and to the mobile structure, and a piezoelectric-actuation system which can be controlled so as to deform the first deformable element and cause a consequent rotation of the mobile structure. The mobile structure includes a supporting region and at least one first pillar region, the first pillar region being mechanically coupled to the first deformable element, the supporting region being set on the first pillar region and overlying at least part of the first deformable element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto CARMINATI, Massimiliano MERLI, Nicolo' BONI
  • Patent number: 10310253
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a fixed structure and suspended structure including an internal structure and a first arm and a second arm. Each arm has a first end fixed to the fixed structure and a second end fixed to the internal structure. The ends are angularly arranged at a distance apart. Piezoelectric actuators mounted to the arms are driven so as to cause deformation of the arm and produce a rotation of the internal structure. In a resting condition, each of the first and second arms has a respective elongated portion with a respective concavity. The internal structure extends in part within the concavities of the elongated portions of the first and second arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto Carminati, Domenico Giusti, Sonia Constantini
  • Patent number: 10288874
    Abstract: A mirror micromechanical structure has a mobile mass carrying a mirror element. The mass is drivable in rotation for reflecting an incident light beam with a desired angular range. The mobile mass is suspended above a cavity obtained in a supporting body. The cavity is shaped so that the supporting body does not hinder the reflected light beam within the desired angular range. In particular, the cavity extends as far as a first side edge wall of the supporting body of the mirror micromechanical structure. The cavity is open towards, and in communication with, the outside of the mirror micromechanical structure at the first side edge wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto Carminati, Sebastiano Conti, Sonia Constantini
  • Publication number: 20190121122
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) device is formed in a first wafer overlying and bonded to a second wafer. The first wafer includes a fixed part, a movable part, and elastic elements that elastically couple the movable part and the fixed part. The movable part further carries actuation elements configured to control a relative movement, such as a rotation, of the movable part with respect to the fixed part. The second wafer is bonded to the first wafer through projections extending from the first wafer. The projections may, for example, be formed by selectively removing part of a semiconductor layer. A composite wafer formed by the first and second wafers is cut to form many MEMS devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Sonia COSTANTINI, Marta CARMINATI, Daniela Angela Luisa GATTI, Laura Maria CASTOLDI, Roberto CARMINATI
  • Patent number: 10225530
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a fixed structure and a mobile structure with a reflecting element coupled to the fixed structure through at least a first deformable structure and a second deformable structure. Each of the first and second deformable structures includes a respective number of main piezoelectric elements, with the main piezoelectric elements of the first and second deformable structures configured to be electrically controlled for causing oscillations of the mobile structure about a first axis and a second axis, respectively. The first deformable structure further includes a respective number of secondary piezoelectric elements configured to be controlled so as to vary a first resonance frequency of the mobile structure about the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Domenico Giusti, Roberto Carminati
  • Publication number: 20190068934
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a MEMS device including a fixed structure, a mobile structure, and deformable structures extending therebetween. The deformable structures have first ends anchored along X and Y axes of the fixed structure, and have second ends anchored offset from the X and Y axes of the fixed structure. The deformable structures are shaped so as to curve from their anchoring points along the mobile structure back toward the mobile structure, to extend along the perimeter of the mobile structure, and to then curve away from the mobile structure and toward their anchoring points along the fixed structure. Each deformable structure has two piezoelectric elements that extend along the length of that deformable structure, with one piezoelectric element having a greater length than the other piezoelectric element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Domenico GIUSTI, Roberto CARMINATI, Nicolo' BONI
  • Patent number: 10197794
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) device is formed in a first wafer overlying and bonded to a second wafer. The first wafer includes a fixed part, a movable part, and elastic elements that elastically couple the movable part and the fixed part. The movable part further carries actuation elements configured to control a relative movement, such as a rotation, of the movable part with respect to the fixed part. The second wafer is bonded to the first wafer through projections extending from the first wafer. The projections may, for example, be formed by selectively removing part of a semiconductor layer. A composite wafer formed by the first and second wafers is cut to form many MEMS devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Sonia Costantini, Marta Carminati, Daniela Angela Luisa Gatti, Laura Maria Castoldi, Roberto Carminati
  • Publication number: 20190011694
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device, wherein a platform is formed in a top substrate and is configured to turn through a rotation angle. The platform has a slit and faces a cavity. A plurality of integrated photodetectors is formed in a bottom substrate so as to detect the light through the slit and generate signals correlated to the light through the slit. The area of the slit varies with the rotation angle of the platform and causes diffraction, more or less marked as a function of the angle. The difference between the signals of two photodetectors arranged at different positions with respect to the slit yields the angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Roberto Carminati, Enri Duqi, Sebastiano Conti
  • Patent number: 10175474
    Abstract: A micromechanical device includes a tiltable structure that is rotatable about a first rotation axis. The tiltable structure is coupled to a fixed structure through an actuation structure of a piezoelectric type. The actuation structure is formed by spring elements having a spiral shape. The spring elements each include actuation arms extending transversely to the first rotation axis. Each actuation arm carries a respective piezoelectric band of piezoelectric material. The actuation arms are divided into two sets with the piezoelectric bands thereof biased in phase opposition to obtain rotation in opposite directions of the tiltable structure about the first rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Domenico Giusti, Roberto Carminati, Massimiliano Merli
  • Patent number: 10113872
    Abstract: MEMS device having a support region elastically carrying a suspended mass through first elastic elements. A tuned dynamic absorber is elastically coupled to the suspended mass and configured to dampen quadrature forces acting on the suspended mass at the natural oscillation frequency of the dynamic absorber. The tuned dynamic absorber is formed by a damping mass coupled to the suspended mass through second elastic elements. In an embodiment, the suspended mass and the damping mass are formed in a same structural layer, for example of semiconductor material, and the damping mass is surrounded by the suspended mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Luca Giuseppe Falorni, Carlo Valzasina, Roberto Carminati, Alessandro Tocchio
  • Publication number: 20180307038
    Abstract: An oscillating structure includes first and second torsional elastic elements that define an axis of rotation and a moving element that is interposed between the first and second torsional elastic elements. The moving element, the first torsional elastic element and the second torsional elastic element lie in a first plane and are not in direct contact with one another. A coupling structure mechanically couples the moving element, the first torsional elastic element and the second torsional elastic element together. The moving element, the first torsional elastic element and the second torsional elastic element lie in a second plane different from the first plane. Oscillation of the moving element occurs as a result of a twisting of the first and second torsional elastic elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto CARMINATI, Sonia COSTANTINI, Marta CARMINATI
  • Patent number: 10101578
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device, wherein a platform is formed in a top substrate and is configured to turn through a rotation angle. The platform has a slit and faces a cavity. A plurality of integrated photodetectors is formed in a bottom substrate so as to detect the light through the slit and generate signals correlated to the light through the slit. The area of the slit varies with the rotation angle of the platform and causes diffraction, more or less marked as a function of the angle. The difference between the signals of two photodetectors arranged at different positions with respect to the slit yields the angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Roberto Carminati, Enri Duqi, Sebastiano Conti
  • Publication number: 20180292645
    Abstract: A projective MEMS device, including: a fixed supporting structure made at least in part of semiconductor material; and a number of projective modules. Each projective module includes an optical source, fixed to the fixed supporting structure, and a microelectromechanical actuator, which includes a mobile structure and varies the position of the mobile structure with respect to the fixed supporting structure. Each projective module further includes an initial optical fiber, which is mechanically coupled to the mobile structure and optically couples to the optical source according to the position of the mobile structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Guido CHIARETTI, Fabio Luigi GRILLI, Roberto CARMINATI, Bruno MURARI, Lorenzo SARCHI