B81B2203/0307

EARLY-IMPACT OUT-OF-PLANE MOTION LIMITER FOR MEMS DEVICE
20230219803 · 2023-07-13 ·

A microelectromechanical device having a mobile rotor and a fixed stator in a device plane, and a motion limiter that prevents the mobile rotor from contacting a fixed wall in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the device plane. Moreover, the motion limiter extends between the rotor and the stator and includes a stopper lever that is configured to rotate out of the device plane.

CURVED CANTILEVER DESIGN TO REDUCE STRESS IN MEMS ACTUATOR
20230219806 · 2023-07-13 ·

The present disclosure relates integrated chip structure including a MEMS actuator. The MEMS actuator includes an anchor having a first plurality of branches extending outward from a central region of the anchor. The first plurality of branches respectively include a first plurality of fingers. A proof mass surrounds the anchor and includes a second plurality of branches extending inward from an interior sidewall of the proof mass. The second plurality of branches respectively include a second plurality of fingers interleaved with the first plurality of fingers as viewed in a top-view. One or more curved cantilevers are coupled between the proof mass and a frame wrapping around the proof mass. The one or more curved cantilevers have curved outer surfaces having one or more inflection points as viewed in the top-view.

COMPACT ENHANCED SENSITIVITY TEMPERATURE SENSOR USING AN ENCAPSULATED CLAMPED-CLAMPED MEMS BEAM RESONATOR

A MEMS temperature sensor including a clamped-clamped microbeam having a drive electrode on one side configured for applying an AC current, and a sense electrode diagonally situated on the other side, a first anchor at one end and a second anchor at the other end of the microbeam. The first anchor receive a DC bias currents, which heats the microbeam to an operating temperature. The sense electrode is configured to capacitively sense oscillations in the microbeam due to an applied AC current. The MEMS temperature sensor has a three wafer construction in which the components are formed. The device is encapsulated by aluminum, and metal wires connect the first and second anchor, the drive electrode and the sense electrode to side electrode pads outside of the encapsulation. The MEMS temperature sensor has a linear operating region of 30-60 degrees Celsius.

CANTILEVERED PIEZOELECTRIC MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS MICROPHONE
20230012046 · 2023-01-12 ·

A piezoelectric microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone is provided comprising a substrate including walls defining a cavity and at least one of the walls defining an anchor region, a piezoelectric film layer supported by the substrate at the anchor region such that the piezoelectric film layer is cantilevered, the piezoelectric film layer being formed to introduce differential stress between a front surface of the piezoelectric film layer oriented away from the cavity and a back surface of the piezoelectric film layer oriented towards the cavity such that the piezoelectric film layer is bent into the cavity, and an electrode disposed over the piezoelectric film layer and adjacent the anchor region. A method of manufacturing such a MEMS microphone is also provided.

MEMS MICROPHONE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME
20230010887 · 2023-01-12 ·

A MEMS microphone includes a substrate having a cavity, a diaphragm disposed above the substrate to correspond to the cavity, and a back plate disposed above the diaphragm. The diaphragm has a plurality of grooves for adjusting an elastic strength of the diaphragm.

MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS (MEMS) SWITCH AND RELATED METHODS

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches are disclosed. The MEMS switch may have an actuation voltage greater than the expected voltage of a signal being passed by the MEMS switch in normal operation. The MEMS switches may include a distributed hinge structure in some embodiments. Radial contact pads are included in some embodiments, with or separate from the distributed hinge.

SOUND PRODUCING CELL AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF

A sound producing cell includes a membrane and an actuating layer. The membrane includes a first membrane subpart and a second membrane subpart, wherein the first membrane subpart and the second membrane subpart are opposite to each other. The actuating layer is disposed on the first membrane subpart and the second membrane subpart. The first membrane subpart includes a first anchored edge which is fully or partially anchored, and edges of the first membrane subpart other than the first anchored edge are non-anchored. The second membrane subpart includes a second anchored edge which is fully or partially anchored, and edges of the second membrane subpart other than the second anchored edge are non-anchored.

METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MICROELECTROMECHANICAL RESONATORS
20230051438 · 2023-02-16 ·

MEMS based sensors, particularly capacitive sensors, potentially can address critical considerations for users including accuracy, repeatability, long-term stability, ease of calibration, resistance to chemical and physical contaminants, size, packaging, and cost effectiveness. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to exploit MEMS processes that allow for manufacturability and integration of resonator elements into cavities within the MEMS sensor that are at low pressure allowing high quality factor resonators and absolute pressure sensors to be implemented. Embodiments of the invention provide capacitive sensors and MEMS elements that can be implemented directly above silicon CMOS electronics.

PIEZOELECTRIC MEMS DEVICE WITH THERMAL COMPENSATION FROM DIFFERENT MATERIAL PROPERTIES

A piezoelectric microelectromechanical systems device is provided, having a first piezoelectric layer, a first metal layer including a first metal, a second metal layer including a second metal, the first and second metals having different properties to compensate deflection due to thermal stress of any or all of the piezoelectric layer, the first metal layer, and second metal layer and a substrate including at least one wall defining a cavity and the at least one wall supporting the layers. The method for making the piezoelectric microelectromechanical systems device is also provided.

ANCHOR AND CAVITY CONFIGURATION FOR MEMS-BASED COOLING SYSTEMS

A cooling system is described. The cooling system includes a bottom plate, a support structure, and a cooling element. The bottom plate has orifices therein. The cooling element has a central axis and is supported by the support structure at the central axis. A first portion of the cooling element is on a first side of the central axis and a second portion of the cooling element is on a second side of the central axis opposite to the first side. The first and second portions of the cooling element are unpinned. The first portion and the second portion are configured to undergo vibrational motion when actuated to drive a fluid toward a heat-generating structure. The support structure couples the cooling element to the bottom plate. At least one of the support structure is an adhesive support structure or the support structure undergoes rotational motion in response to the vibrational motion. The adhesive support structure has at least one lateral dimension defined by a trench in the cooling element or the bottom plate.