Patents by Inventor Shawn J. Cunningham

Shawn J. Cunningham 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: 11124410
    Abstract: Devices and methods of operating partitioned actuator plates to obtain a desirable shape of a movable component of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device. The subject matter described herein can in some embodiments include a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device including a plurality of actuation electrodes attached to a first surface, where each of the one or more actuation electrode being independently controllable, and a movable component spaced apart from the first surface and movable with respect to the first surface. Where the movable component further includes one or more movable actuation electrodes spaced apart from the plurality of fixed actuation electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: WISPRY, INC.
    Inventors: Dana DeReus, Shawn J. Cunningham, Arthur S. Morris, III
  • Patent number: 10640362
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to systems, devices, and methods for reducing surface dielectric charging in a RF MEMS actuator element. In particular, a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) can comprise a fixed electrode positioned on a substrate, a moveable electrode positioned substantially above the fixed electrode and separated from the fixed electrode by a gap, and at least one standoff bump positioned between the fixed electrode and the moveable electrode, wherein the at least one standoff bump extends into the gap. In this configuration, one or both of the fixed electrode or the moveable electrode can be patterned to define one or more hole that is substantially aligned with the one or more of the at least one standoff bump. The bump and the hole can both help to reduce the rate of surface dielectric charging and the total amount of charge generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: WISPRY, INC.
    Inventors: David Molinero-Giles, Shawn J. Cunningham, Dana DeReus
  • Publication number: 20190144263
    Abstract: Devices and methods of operating partitioned actuator plates to obtain a desirable shape of a movable component of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device. The subject matter described herein can in some embodiments include a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device including a plurality of actuation electrodes attached to a first surface, where each of the one or more actuation electrode being independently controllable, and a movable component spaced apart from the first surface and movable with respect to the first surface. Where the movable component further includes one or more movable actuation electrodes spaced apart from the plurality of fixed actuation electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Dana DeReus, Shawn J. Cunningham, Arthur S. Morris, III
  • Patent number: 10125008
    Abstract: Devices and methods of operating partitioned actuator plates to obtain a desirable shape of a movable component of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device. The subject matter described herein can in some embodiments include a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device including a plurality of actuation electrodes attached to a first surface, where each of the one or more actuation electrode being independently controllable, and a movable component spaced apart from the first surface and movable with respect to the first surface. Where the movable component further includes one or more movable actuation electrodes spaced apart from the plurality of fixed actuation electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: WISPRY, INC.
    Inventors: Dana DeReus, Shawn J. Cunningham, Arthur S. Morris, III
  • Publication number: 20150279602
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to systems, devices, and methods for reducing surface dielectric charging in a RF MEMS actuator element. In particular, a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) can comprise a fixed electrode positioned on a substrate, a moveable electrode positioned substantially above the fixed electrode and separated from the fixed electrode by a gap, and at least one standoff bump positioned between the fixed electrode and the moveable electrode, wherein the at least one standoff bump extends into the gap. In this configuration, one or both of the fixed electrode or the moveable electrode can be patterned to define one or more hole that is substantially aligned with the one or more of the at least one standoff bump. The bump and the hole can both help to reduce the rate of surface dielectric charging and the total amount of charge generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: David Molinero-Giles, Shawn J. Cunningham, Dana DeReus
  • Publication number: 20140268482
    Abstract: Devices and methods of operating partitioned actuator plates to obtain a desirable shape of a movable component of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device. The subject matter described herein can in some embodiments include a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device including a plurality of actuation electrodes attached to a first surface, where each of the one or more actuation electrode being independently controllable, and a movable component spaced apart from the first surface and movable with respect to the first surface. Where the movable component further includes one or more movable actuation electrodes spaced apart from the plurality of fixed actuation electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Dana DeReus, Shawn J. Cunningham, Arthur S. Morris, III
  • Patent number: 8673671
    Abstract: Methods and devices for fabricating tri-layer beams are provided. In particular, disclosed are methods and structures that can be used for fabricating multilayer structures through the deposition and patterning of at least an insulation layer, a first metal layer, a beam oxide layer, a second metal layer, and an insulation balance layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Wispry, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Cunningham, Dana R. DeReus, Arthur S. Morris, III
  • Patent number: 8319312
    Abstract: Methods and devices for fabricating tri-layer beams are provided. In particular, disclosed are methods and structures that can be used for fabricating multilayer structures through the deposition and patterning of at least an insulation layer, a first metal layer, a beam oxide layer, a second metal layer, and an insulation balance layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Wispry, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur S. Morris, III, Dana DeReus, Shawn J. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8059385
    Abstract: Substrates with slotted metals and related methods are provided. According to one aspect, a slotted metal attached to a substrate can include a metal patterned with slots less than or about equal to 2 microns. The slots can result in line widths that are approximately the size of a single metallurgical grain in an unpatterned layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Wispry, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur S. Morris, III, Dana DeReus, Shawn J. Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20090134492
    Abstract: Methods and devices for fabricating tri-layer beams are provided. In particular, disclosed are methods and structures that can be used for fabricating multilayer structures through the deposition and patterning of at least an insulation layer, a first metal layer, a beam oxide layer, a second metal layer, and an insulation balance layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Arthur S. Morris, III, Dana DeReus, Shawn J. Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20080151468
    Abstract: Substrates with slotted metals and related methods are provided. According to one aspect, a slotted metal attached to a substrate can include a metal patterned with slots less than or about equal to 2 microns. The slots can result in line widths that are approximately the size of a single metallurgical grain in an unpatterned layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Arthur S. Morris, Dana DeReus, Shawn J. Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20020114058
    Abstract: Light-Transmissive Substrate for an Optical MEMS Device. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an optical device is provided. The optical device includes a substrate having an aperture for providing a pathway for light transmission and a device attached to a surface of the substrate for interacting with light transmitted along the pathway. According to another embodiment of the present invention, an optical device is provided which includes a substrate manufactured of a light-transmissive material having surfaces coated with an anti-reflective material for providing a pathway for light transmission and a device attached to a surface of the substrate for interacting with light transmitted along the pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Dana Richard DeReus, Shawn J. Cunningham, Arthur S. Morris
  • Publication number: 20020104823
    Abstract: Fabrication Integration of Micro-Components. A method for manufacturing a first and second micro-component on a surface of a substrate, including fabricating a first and second constraint structure. The first and second constraint structures are substantially formed to fit a surface of the first and second micro-component, respectively, for positioning the first and second micro-components with respect to each other. The method includes fabricating the first and second micro-components in separate processes. The first and second micro-components have a surface substantially formed to fit the first and second constraint structures, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Shawn J. Cunningham, Dana R. DeReus, Arthur S. Morris