Patent ID: 7637158
Filing Date: 2009-12-29
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A micromechanical device comprising: a resonant structure comprising a crystalline silicon beam and at least one mass attached to the beam, wherein the beam is connected with a supporting structure at first and second opposing ends of the beam, the beam further includes crystal axes aligned such that no crystal axis is parallel to a length of the beam and/or no crystal axis is normal to a surface of the at least one mass, and the resonant structure is configured such that, during use of the micromechanical device, when the resonant structure is excited in a direction normal to the surface of the at least one mass, motion of the excited resonant structure predominantly takes place in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the at least one mass; and an excitation component arranged to excite motion of the resonant structure in a direction normal to the surface of the at least one mass.