Patents by Inventor Scott Lyall Cargill

Scott Lyall Cargill 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: 11974109
    Abstract: Provided is an MEMS device, including: a base, a rear cavity; a vibrating diaphragm, the vibrating diaphragm including an upper diaphragm and a lower diaphragm, and an accommodation space being formed between the upper and lower diaphragms; a counter electrode arranged in the accommodation space; and supporting members concentrically arranged and spaced apart. The supporting members are arranged between the upper and lower diaphragms and are spaced apart from the counter electrode, two opposite ends of each supporting member are connected to the upper and lower diaphragms, and at least one of the supporting members is provided with first cavities. An upper ventilation hole and a lower ventilation hole are respectively formed at a position of the upper diaphragm and a position of the lower diaphragm corresponding to one of the first cavities; and the upper ventilation hole, the first cavity and the lower ventilation hole communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: AAC ACOUSTIC TECHNOLOGIES (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Euan James Boyd, Scott Lyall Cargill
  • Publication number: 20240056744
    Abstract: A cantilever microphone includes: a substrate; a cantilever including a rotor frame and a plate covering the rotor frame, where the cantilever includes a first edge fixed to the substrate and a second end opposite to the first edge, a plurality of rotor comb fingers is attached to the plate at an edge of the plate adjacent to the second edge; and a stator fixed to the substrate or attached to a sub structure to allow some displacement from the substrate, where the stator includes a plurality of stator comb fingers, and the stator comb fingers are interdigitated with the rotor comb fingers. For the cantilever microphone, high mechanical sensitivity of the cantilever and high electrostatic sensitivity of the comb structure can be implemented, so as to increase the performance or signal-to-noise ratio of the cantilever microphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Yannick Pierre Kervran, Scott Lyall Cargill
  • Patent number: 11889282
    Abstract: Provided is a MEMS device. The MEMS device includes: substrate having back cavity passing therethrough; diaphragm connected to the substrate and covers the back cavity, the diaphragm comprises first and second membranes, and accommodating space is formed between the first and second membranes; supports arranged in the accommodating space, and opposite ends of the support are connected to the first and second membranes; counter electrode arranged in the accommodating space, the first and second membranes each include conductive and second regions, the second region is formed by semiconductor material without doping conductive ions. Through design of the first and second membranes as the first region and the second region, respectively, the second region is formed by semiconductor material without doping conductive ions, and the first region is formed by doping conductive ions in the semiconductor material, so that the compliance performance is improved and not at risk of delamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Euan James Boyd, Scott Lyall Cargill, Yannick Pierre Kervran
  • Publication number: 20230388711
    Abstract: Provided is a MEMS device. The MEMS device includes: substrate having back cavity passing therethrough; diaphragm connected to the substrate and covers the back cavity, the diaphragm comprises first and second membranes, and accommodating space is formed between the first and second membranes; supports arranged in the accommodating space, and opposite ends of the support are connected to the first and second membranes; counter electrode arranged in the accommodating space, the first and second membranes each include conductive and second regions, the second region is formed by semiconductor material without doping conductive ions. Through design of the first and second membranes as the first region and the second region, respectively, the second region is formed by semiconductor material without doping conductive ions, and the first region is formed by doping conductive ions in the semiconductor material, so that the compliance performance is improved and not at risk of delamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Euan James Boyd, Scott Lyall Cargill, Yannick Pierre Kervran
  • Publication number: 20230388714
    Abstract: Provided is an MEMS device, including: a base, a rear cavity; a vibrating diaphragm, the vibrating diaphragm including an upper diaphragm and a lower diaphragm, and an accommodation space being formed between the upper and lower diaphragms; a counter electrode arranged in the accommodation space; and supporting members concentrically arranged and spaced apart. The supporting members are arranged between the upper and lower diaphragms and are spaced apart from the counter electrode, two opposite ends of each supporting member are connected to the upper and lower diaphragms, and at least one of the supporting members is provided with first cavities. An upper ventilation hole and a lower ventilation hole are respectively formed at a position of the upper diaphragm and a position of the lower diaphragm corresponding to one of the first cavities; and the upper ventilation hole, the first cavity and the lower ventilation hole communicate with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Euan James Boyd, Scott Lyall Cargill
  • Publication number: 20230388710
    Abstract: Provided is a MEMS device. The MEMS device includes: substrate having back cavity passing through; diaphragm connected to the substrate and covers the back cavity, the diaphragm comprises first and second membranes, and accommodating space is formed between the first and second membranes; supports arranged in the accommodating space, and opposite ends of the support are connected to the first and second membranes; counter electrode arranged in the accommodating space, the first and second membranes each include conductive and second regions, ventilation slots are annularly spaced on the diaphragm along circumferential direction and penetrate through the first and second membranes, the electrode region extends from center of the first and second membranes toward but does not reach the ventilation slots. Through design of the first and second membranes and the electrode region, sensitivity of the microphone is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Euan James Boyd, Scott Lyall Cargill, Yannick Pierre Kervran
  • Publication number: 20230331543
    Abstract: Provided is a MEMS device and an electro-acoustic transducer. The MEMS device includes: a substrate having a cavity passing through the substrate; a diaphragm connected to the substrate and covers the cavity. The diaphragm includes oppositely arranged first and second membranes. The first membrane is on one side of the second membrane facing away from the cavity and includes a first protrusion extending away from the second membrane, the first protrusion has a first groove opening towards the second membrane. The second membrane includes a second protrusion extending away from the first membrane and opposite to the first protrusion, the second protrusion has a second groove opening towards the first membrane. By providing first and second protrusions on first and second diaphragms to form a corrugated diaphragm, the internal stress and stiffness of the diaphragm decreases, which effectively increases the mechanical sensitivity of the MEMS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Yannick Pierre Kervran, Euan James Boyd, Colin Robert Jenkins, Colin Wei Hong Chung, Scott Lyall Cargill
  • Patent number: 11750973
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system includes an enclosure defining a cavity and an opening communicating with the cavity; a membrane mounted at the opening; a cantilever located within the cavity, the at least one cantilever comprising a first end, a second end and a fulcrum located between the first end and the second end; a plunger positioned between the membrane and the cantilever and configured to transfer displacement of the membrane to the first end of the cantilever; and a sensing member connected to the second end of the cantilever. The distance between the first end and the fulcrum is less than that between the second end and the fulcrum. The microelectromechanical system has the advantages of high SNR, small package size and high sensitivity. The membrane has a stiffness order of magnitude higher than a conventional membrane, which avoids mechanical collapse and large DC deformation under 1 atm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Anup Patel, Euan James Boyd, Scott Lyall Cargill
  • Publication number: 20230202834
    Abstract: Provided is a micro-electro-mechanical system and an electro-acoustic conversion device having the micro-electro-mechanical system. The micro-electro-mechanical system includes: first and second membranes arranged opposite to each other; support members arranged between the first and second membranes; and an opening provided on the first and/or second membranes. Each support member includes support walls, and opposite ends of each of the support walls are connected to the first and second membranes. The first and second membranes, and two adjacent support walls in one support member are enclosed to form a first chamber. The opening is configured to link the first chamber with the outside. By arranging a supporting member composed of support walls and providing an opening on the first and/or second membranes, the compliance of the first or second membrane is increased, and the inter-plate capacitance therebetween is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Anup Hasmukh Patel, Euan James Boyd, Scott Lyall Cargill
  • Publication number: 20230059140
    Abstract: A microphone back panel and a microphone are provided. The microphone back panel is used for a microphone, the microphone includes a diaphragm, and the microphone back panel includes a main body. A side of the main body is provided with a thinned area not in contact with the diaphragm, and a hole is formed in the main body. The main body is provided with a thinned area, thereby increasing flexibility of the microphone back panel. When the microphone back panel is bent, the increased flexibility can reduce the stress load on the microphone back panel, thereby reducing possibility of damage to the microphone back panel. In addition, the main body is provided with a hole, thereby further increasing flexibility of the microphone back panel, and reducing stress load on the microphone back panel and reducing possibility of damage to the microphone back panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Scott Lyall Cargill, Euan James Boyd
  • Publication number: 20230002218
    Abstract: The invention provides a MEMS acoustic sensor, including: a base with a back cavity; a capacitance system fixed to the base, including a diaphragm that reciprocates in a vibration direction, a back plate spaced from the diaphragm; a first capacitor and a second capacitor formed cooperatively by the diaphragm and the back plate; and a number of through holes in the back plate facing the back cavity. The diaphragm includes a main body part opposite to the back plate for forming the first capacitor, and a plurality of combining parts recessed from the main body part. A projection of the combining part along the vibration direction completely falls into the through hole. The combining part is spaced from an inner wall of the through hole for forming the second capacitor. Due to the configuration of the invention, the acoustic sensor has improved capacitor value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Scott Lyall Cargill, Rui Zhang, Zhenkui Meng
  • Publication number: 20220363533
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system includes a backplate and a diaphragm. The backplate includes spaced stator elements with voids formed therebetween. The stator element includes a first conductive element. The diaphragm includes a plurality of corrugations facing the voids respectively. Each corrugation includes a groove formed at a surface thereof away from the backplate. The corrugation includes a second conductive element. The diaphragm is moveable with respect to the backplate in response to a pressure exerted thereon to cause the corrugations to be moved into or out of the corresponding voids, thereby changing the capacitance formed between the first and second conductive elements. The corrugations are defined by grooves formed at surfaces away from the backplate, which facilitate to control the compliance of the diaphragm and reduce stiffness of the diaphragm. The corrugation can be formed with lower aspect ratios, which allows it to be formed using standard front side processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventor: Scott Lyall Cargill
  • Publication number: 20220298004
    Abstract: A comb-drive device used in Micro Electro Mechanical System is provided, and the comb-drive device includes: a rotor comprising a rotor body and a plurality of rotor combs provided on the rotor body; and a stator comprising one or more stator bodies and a plurality of stator combs provided on the one or more stator bodies. The rotor is spaced from the stator by a distance, the rotor and the stator are arranged along a direction in which the rotor is movable, and the plurality of rotor combs and the plurality of stator combs are alternately arranged in a direction particular to the direction in which the rotor is movable; and the rotor body is made of an insulating material, and each of the plurality of rotor combs is made of a conductive material or coated with a conductive material. The present invention can increase sensitivity and capacitance efficiency of the comb-drive device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventor: Scott Lyall Cargill
  • Publication number: 20220256284
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system includes an enclosure defining a cavity and an opening communicating with the cavity; a membrane mounted at the opening; a cantilever located within the cavity, the at least one cantilever comprising a first end, a second end and a fulcrum located between the first end and the second end; a plunger positioned between the membrane and the cantilever and configured to transfer displacement of the membrane to the first end of the cantilever; and a sensing member connected to the second end of the cantilever. The distance between the first end and the fulcrum is less than that between the second end and the fulcrum. The microelectromechanical system has the advantages of high SNR, small package size and high sensitivity. The membrane has a stiffness order of magnitude higher than a conventional membrane, which avoids mechanical collapse and large DC deformation under 1 atm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Anup Patel, Euan James Boyd, Scott Lyall Cargill
  • Patent number: 10674298
    Abstract: The application describes a MEMS transducer in which first and second conductive elements of a capacitor are both provided on the membrane. The membrane is shaped such that the first and second conductive elements are displaced relative to each other when the flexible membrane deflects in response to a pressure differential across the membrane. For example the membrane may be corrugated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: James Thomas Deas, Scott Lyall Cargill
  • Patent number: 10623852
    Abstract: The application relates to MEMS transducers comprising at least one support structure for connecting a backplate structure of the transducer with an underlying substrate. A strengthening portion is provided in the region of the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Lyall Cargill, Timothy John Brosnihan
  • Patent number: 10494254
    Abstract: A MEMS transducer may comprise a membrane supported relative to a substrate, the membrane comprising a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises a central region and plurality of arms which extend laterally from the central region and wherein the second region is separated from the first region by a channel which extends through the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Lyall Cargill, Colin Robert Jenkins, Euan James Boyd, Richard Ian Laming
  • Patent number: 10375483
    Abstract: The application describes MEMS transducers comprising a flexible membrane supported at a supporting edge relative to a substrate and further comprising one or more unbound edges. The shape of the unbound edge is selected so that the flexible membrane tends to bend along more than one bend axis in the region of the supporting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Lyall Cargill
  • Patent number: 10343901
    Abstract: The application describes MEMS transducer having a flexible membrane and which seeks to alleviate and/or redistribute stresses within the membrane layer. A membrane having a first/active region and a second/inactive region is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Lyall Cargill, Colin Robert Jenkins, Euan James Boyd, Richard Ian Laming
  • Patent number: 10301174
    Abstract: This application relates to MEMS transducer having a membrane layer (101) and at least one variable vent structure (301). The variable vent structure has a vent hole for venting fluid so as to reduce a pressure differential across the membrane layer and a moveable vent cover (302a, 302b) which, at an equilibrium position, at least partly blocks the vent hole. The vent cover is moveable from its equilibrium position in response to a pressure differential across the vent cover so as to vary the size of a flow path through the vent hole. In various embodiments the vent cover comprises at least a first flap section (302a) and a second flap section (302b), the first flap section being hingedly coupled to the side of the vent hole and the second flap section being hingedly coupled to the first flap section so as to be moveable with respect to the first flap section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Lyall Cargill, Marek Sebastian Piechocinski