Embodiments of the disclosure provide a micromachined mirror assembly for controlling optical directions in an optical sensing system. The micromachined mirror assembly may include a micro mirror configured to direct an optical signal into a plurality of directions. The micromachined mirror assembly may also include at least one actuator coupled to the micro mirror and configured to drive the micro mirror to tilt around an axis. The micromachined mirror assembly may further include one or more objects attached to the micro mirror. The one or more objects may be asymmetrically disposed with respect to the axis to create an imbalanced state of the micro mirror when the micro mirror is not driven by the at least one actuator.

A force feedback actuator includes a pair of electrodes and a dielectric member. The pair of electrodes are spaced apart from one another to form a gap. The dielectric member is disposed at least partially within the gap. The dielectric member includes a first portion having a first permittivity and a second portion having a second permittivity that is different from the first permittivity. The dielectric member and the pair of electrodes are configured for movement relative to each other.

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.

An MEMS having a layered structure includes a cavity disposed in the layered structure and fluidically coupled to an external environment of the layered structure through at least one opening in the layered structure. The MEMS includes an interaction structure movably disposed in a first MEMS plane and in the cavity along a plane direction and configured to interact with a fluid in the cavity, wherein movement of the interaction structure is causally related to movement of the fluid through the at least one opening. The MEMS further includes an active structure disposed in a second MEMS perpendicular to the plane direction, the active structure mechanically coupled to the insulation structure and configured such that an electrical signal at an electrical contact of the active structure is causally related to a deformation of the active structure, wherein the deformation of the active structure is causally related to movement of the fluid.

A micromirror which comprises a mirror pivotally attached to a mount by a first pivoting structure that permits pivotal movement of the mirror relative to the mount about a first axis; a first comb drive which has a first position fixed relative to the mirror and second portion fixed relative to the mount. The first comb drive being for actuating the mirror about the first axis. A weight connected to the mirror, and the weight and mirror being on opposite sides of a fulcrum of the first pivoting structure. The first axis is non-parallel to a longitudinal axis extending through the weight and the mirror.

An optical device includes an elastic support portion which includes a torsion bar extending in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction and a nonlinearity relaxation spring connected between the torsion bar and a movable portion. The nonlinearity relaxation spring is configured so that a deformation amount of the nonlinearity relaxation spring around the second direction is smaller than a deformation amount of the torsion bar around the second direction and a deformation amount of the nonlinearity relaxation spring in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction is larger than a deformation amount of the torsion bar in the third direction while the movable portion moves in the first direction. A first comb finger of a first comb electrode and a second comb finger of a second comb electrode which are adjacent to each other face each other in the second direction.

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, system, and method for a microelectromechanical (MEM) device formed on a transparent, insulating substrate. The MEM device may take the form of an electrostatic comb actuator. The fabrication process employs three-dimensional structuring of the substrate to form the actuator combs, biasing elements, and linkages. The combs and other elements of the actuator may be rendered electrically conducting by a conformal conductive coating. The conductive coating may be segmented into a plurality of electrodes without the use of standard lithography techniques. A linear-rotational actuator is provided, which may comprise two perpendicularly-arranged, linear actuators that utilize moveable linkage beams in two orthogonal dimensions. A linear or torsional ratcheting actuator is also provided by using comb actuators in conjunction with a ratcheting wheel or cog. Furthermore, several methods for electrically connecting non-contiguous or enclosed elements are provided.

Micro-electro-mechanical systems and a preparation method thereof are provided. The micro-electro-mechanical systems include first fixed comb fingers, second fixed comb fingers, a support beam, a movable platform, and movable comb fingers. The first fixed comb fingers and the second fixed comb fingers are fastened to a substrate, and the first fixed comb fingers are electrically isolated from the second fixed comb fingers. Two ends of the support beam are fastened to the substrate, and the movable platform is coupled to the support beam. The movable comb fingers are coupled to the movable platform, and form a three-layer comb finger structure with the first fixed comb fingers and the second fixed comb fingers. This structure improves drive efficiency of the micro-electro-mechanical systems.

A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a movable comb structure located in a cavity within an enclosure, and a stationary structure affixed to the enclosure. The movable comb structure includes a comb shaft portion and movable comb fingers laterally protruding from the comb shaft portion. The movable comb structure includes a metallic material portion. The movable structure and the stationary structure are configured to generate an electrical output signal based on lateral movement of the movable structure relative to the stationary structure.

A capacitive accelerometer includes a proof mass, first and second fixed capacitive electrodes, and a DC biasing element arranged to apply a DC voltage (V.sub.B) to the proof mass based on a threshold acceleration value. A first closed loop circuit is arranged to detect a signal resulting from displacement of the proof mass and control the pulse width modulation signal generator to apply the first and second drive signals V.sub.1, V.sub.2 with a variable mark:space ratio. A second closed loop circuit keeps the mark:space ratio constant and to change the magnitude, V.sub.B, of the DC voltage applied to the proof mass by the DC biasing element so as to provide a net electrostatic restoring force on the proof mass for balancing the inertial force of the applied acceleration and maintaining the proof mass at a null position, when the applied acceleration is greater than a threshold acceleration value.