Patents by Inventor Tom Kwa

Tom Kwa 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: 20140291128
    Abstract: A motion-sensitive low-G MEMS acceleration switch, which is a MEMS switch that closes at low-g acceleration (e.g., sensitive to no more than 10 Gs), is proposed. Specifically, the low-G MEMS acceleration switch has a base, a sensor wafer with one or more proofmasses, an open circuit that includes two fixed electrodes, and a contact plate. During acceleration, one or more of the proofmasses move towards the base and connects the two fixed electrodes together, resulting in a closing of the circuit that detects the acceleration. Sensitivity to low-G acceleration is achieved by proper dimensioning of the proofmasses and one or more springs used to support the proofmasses in the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Tom Kwa
  • Patent number: 8779534
    Abstract: A motion-sensitive low-G MEMS acceleration switch, which is a MEMS switch that closes at low-g acceleration (e.g., sensitive to no more than 10 Gs), is proposed. Specifically, the low-G MEMS acceleration switch has a base, a sensor wafer with one or more proofmasses, an open circuit that includes two fixed electrodes, and a contact plate. During acceleration, one or more of the proofmasses move towards the base and connects the two fixed electrodes together, resulting in a closing of the circuit that detects the acceleration. Sensitivity to low-G acceleration is achieved by proper dimensioning of the proofmasses and one or more springs used to support the proofmasses in the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Meggitt (Orange County), Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Kwa
  • Patent number: 8371160
    Abstract: A piezoresistive sensor assembly is provided that has a flex circuit having at least one air flow aperture formed therein. A sensor die is coupled to an absolute support and the flex circuit. The sensor die has a diaphragm that deflects in response to air flow that flows through the air flow aperture and is incident on the diaphragm. The sensor die includes one or more gages positioned on or in the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Meggitt (San Juan Capistrano), Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Kwa, Don L. Danielson
  • Patent number: 8330224
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided that has a core, an electronic circuit in the core and a lid. An ESD protection device is in the lid. The ESD protection device is coupled to the electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Meggitt (San Juan Capistrano), Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Kwa
  • Patent number: 8191420
    Abstract: A new high G-range damped acceleration sensor is proposed with a proof mass optimized for maximized, bi-directional and symmetrical damping to accommodate acceleration ranges above and beyond several thousand G's. In order to achieve the maximum, bi-directional and symmetrical damping, the high G-range acceleration sensor is designed to have minimum amount of mass in the proof mass while maximizing its surface areas. Such high G-range damped acceleration sensor can be applied to any application in which damping (or suppression of ringing) is desired at quite high frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Meggitt (San Juan Capistrano), Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie Bruce Wilner, Tom Kwa
  • Publication number: 20120111703
    Abstract: A motion-sensitive low-G MEMS acceleration switch, which is a MEMS switch that closes at low-g acceleration (e.g., sensitive to no more than 10 Gs), is proposed. Specifically, the low-G MEMS acceleration switch has a base, a sensor wafer with one or more proofmasses, an open circuit that includes two fixed electrodes, and a contact plate. During acceleration, one or more of the proofmasses move towards the base and connects the two fixed electrodes together, resulting in a closing of the circuit that detects the acceleration. Sensitivity to low-G acceleration is achieved by proper dimensioning of the proofmasses and one or more springs used to support the proofmasses in the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: TOM KWA
  • Publication number: 20110138900
    Abstract: A piezoresistive sensor assembly is provided that has a flex circuit having at least one air flow aperture formed therein. A sensor die is coupled to an absolute support and the flex circuit. The sensor die has a diaphragm that deflects in response to air flow that flows through the air flow aperture and is incident on the diaphragm. The sensor die includes one or more gages positioned on or in the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Tom Kwa, Don L. Danielson
  • Publication number: 20110068421
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided that has a core, an electronic circuit in the core and a lid. An ESD protection device is in the lid. The ESD protection device is coupled to the electronic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Tom Kwa
  • Publication number: 20110041608
    Abstract: A new high G-range damped acceleration sensor is proposed with a proof mass optimized for maximized, bi-directional and symmetrical damping to accommodate acceleration ranges above and beyond several thousand G's. In order to achieve the maximum, bi-directional and symmetrical damping, the high G-range acceleration sensor is designed to have minimum amount of mass in the proof mass while maximizing its surface areas. Such high G-range damped acceleration sensor can be applied to any application in which damping (or suppression of ringing) is desired at quite high frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Leslie Bruce Wilner, Tom Kwa
  • Patent number: 7696083
    Abstract: A multi-layer device is provided for connecting to an electrical unit enclosed within the multi-layer device. A first wafer has a first outer terminal and a second outer terminal with etch pits. A first insulator has a first surface bonded to the first wafer and a first inner terminal located on an opposing second surface. A second wafer has a first surface bonded to the second surface of the first insulating layer and includes a pillar electrically connected to the first wafer. A second insulator has a first surface bonded to a second surface of the second wafer and a second inner terminal located on the first surface of the second insulator. The first outer terminal is electrically connected to the first inner terminal, and the second outer terminal is electrically connected to the second inner terminal. The first and second outer terminals are adapted for connecting to an electrical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Endeoco Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Kwa, Linh Le, Nina Tikhomirova
  • Publication number: 20070212818
    Abstract: A multi-layer device is provided for connecting to an electrical unit enclosed within the multi-layer device. A first wafer has a first outer terminal and a second outer terminal with etch pits. A first insulator has a first surface bonded to the first wafer and a first inner terminal located on an opposing second surface. A second wafer has a first surface bonded to the second surface of the first insulating layer and includes a pillar electrically connected to the first wafer. A second insulator has a first surface bonded to a second surface of the second wafer and a second inner terminal located on the first surface of the second insulator. The first outer terminal is electrically connected to the first inner terminal, and the second outer terminal is electrically connected to the second inner terminal. The first and second outer terminals are adapted for connecting to an electrical unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Tom Kwa, Linh Le, Nina Tikhomirova
  • Patent number: 6543087
    Abstract: The micro-electromechanical hinged flap system includes a substantially horizontal substrate and a main flap hinged on one side thereof to the substrate. The system also includes at least one locking flap, preferably two, for securing the main flap in a substantially vertical position. The locking flap is coupled to the substrate by means of a biasing mechanism that continually forces the locking flap toward a position parallel to the substrate. Also provided is a method for assembling a micro-electromechanical hinged flap system. A locking flap is rotated through an acute angle against a biasing force. The biasing force is caused by a biasing mechanism coupling the locking flap to a substrate. A main flap is then raised, whereafter the locking flap is released, such that the biasing force causes the locking flap to engage with the main flap, thereby, securing the main flap in position at the predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: AIP Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Andrew Yeh, Tom A. Kwa, Robertus Petrus Van Kampen
  • Publication number: 20020180311
    Abstract: The micro-electromechanical hinged flap system includes a substantially horizontal substrate and a main flap hinged on one side thereof to the substrate. The system also includes at least one locking flap, preferably two, for securing the main flap in a substantially vertical position. The locking flap is coupled to the substrate by means of a biasing mechanism that continually forces the locking flap toward a position parallel to the substrate. Also provided is a method for assembling a micro-electromechanical hinged flap system. A locking flap is rotated through an acute angle against a biasing force. The biasing force is caused by a biasing mechanism coupling the locking flap to a substrate. A main flap is then raised, whereafter the locking flap is released, such that the biasing force causes the locking flap to engage with the main flap, thereby, securing the main flap in position at the predetermined angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: J. Andrew Yeh, Tom A. Kwa, Robertus Petrus Van Kampen