This document discusses, among other things, a cap wafer and a via wafer configured to encapsulate a single proof-mass 3-axis gyroscope formed in an x-y plane of a device layer. The single proof-mass 3-axis gyroscope can include a main proof-mass section suspended about a single, central anchor, the main proof-mass section including a radial portion extending outward towards an edge of the 3-axis gyroscope sensor, a central suspension system configured to suspend the 3-axis gyroscope from the single, central anchor, and a drive electrode including a moving portion and a stationary portion, the moving portion coupled to the radial portion, wherein the drive electrode and the central suspension system are configured to oscillate the 3-axis gyroscope about a z-axis normal to the x-y plane at a drive frequency.

The present invention generally relates to multi-layer glass structures and methods of making the same.

A mirror with a reflective layer formed thereon is supported within a frame-shaped support by two U-shaped arms. A plate-like arm connects fixation points (Q1, Q2), and a plate-like arm connects fixation points (Q3, Q4). A pair of piezoelectric elements (E11, E12) disposed along a longitudinal axis (L1) on an upper surface of an outside bridge of the arm, and a single piezoelectric element (E20) disposed along the longitudinal axis (L2) on the upper surface of an inside bridge. Similarly, a pair of piezoelectric elements (E31, E32) disposed on an upper surface of an outside bridge of the arm, and a single piezoelectric element (E40) disposed on the upper surface of an inside bridge. When a positive drive signal is applied to the piezoelectric elements (E11, E20, E31, E40) and a negative drive signal is applied to the piezoelectric elements (E12, E32), the mirror is displaced efficiently.

Sensing devices are described. A sensing device includes an inertial sensor, a read-out circuit configured to determine first data indicative of an acceleration of the structure using an output of the inertial sensor, an energy harvester configured to capture energy, and a power management unit. The power management unit comprises a plurality of energy storage components coupled to the energy harvester and a plurality of switches coupled to respective energy storage components of the plurality of energy storage components. The power management unit monitors energy levels stored in the energy storage components, selectively charges the plurality of energy storage components by selectively activating the plurality of switches, and provides power to one or more of the inertial sensor and the read-out circuit based on the monitored energy levels.

System and methods are disclosed herein for converting rotational motion to linear motion. A system comprising a rotational drive can be connected to a proof mass by a first structure comprising a coupling spring. An anchor can be connected to the proof mass by a second structure comprising a drive spring. The coupling spring and the drive spring can be configured to cause the proof mass to move substantially along a first axis when the rotational drive rotates about a second axis.

The present application provides a three-axis gyroscope, which comprises a substrate on which a first plate element, a second plate element, a third plate element, a first drive module, and a second drive module are disposed. The first driving module, the first plate element, the second plate element, the third plate element and the second driving module are disposed in an axial direction. Thereby, problems caused by use of frames and coupling flexible structures of three-axis gyroscopes available now may be solved effectively.

The present application provides an inertial sensor, which comprising an anchor point, a first sensing proof mass, and a second sensing proof mass. The first sensing proof mass and the second sensing proof mass are connected with the anchor point by a corresponding flexible member. Each of the first sensing proof mass and the second sensing proof mass is provided with a groove to create mass imbalance on two sides of the flexible member for sensing accelerations in an out-of-plane direction. By mounting electrodes in a plane direction and in the grooves, in-plane accelerations orthogonal to each other are sensed.

A microelectromechanical gyroscope includes a die of semiconductor material forming a substrate and a detection structure suspended over the substrate. The detection structure has a main extension in a horizontal plane, is symmetrical with respect to a central axis of symmetry, and is provided, for each gyroscope detection axis, with: a first pair of detection masses arranged on a first side of the central axis of symmetry; and a second pair of detection masses arranged on a second side of the central axis of symmetry, opposite to the first side in the horizontal plane. The detection masses of each pair are capacitively coupled to respective stator electrodes according to a differential detection scheme. The stator electrodes are arranged symmetrically with respect to one another on opposite sides of the central axis of symmetry.

A micromechanical inertial sensor and a method for its operation. The micromechanical inertial sensor includes: a sensor element; a substrate having a substrate plane; a detection device for detecting a mechanical deflection due to tilting or deformation of the sensor element about a rotation axis substantially parallel to the substrate plane, wherein the mechanical deflection due to the tilting or deformation takes place along a detection direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate plane, wherein the detection device includes a first electrode structure and a second electrode structure that are firmly anchored to the substrate, wherein the detection device generates a measurement signal from the detected mechanical tilting or deformation of the sensor element about the rotation axis.

Disclosed is a gear assembly, including: a shaft; a spur gear that is made of a material having a crystal lattice plane and through which the shaft is inserted; and a fixing member that fixes the spur gear to the shaft.