Patent ID: 6484578
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: B81B,B81C,G01P

Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting an applied force comprising:a housing; a substrate comprising a semiconducting material and defining a frame formed with a passage, said frame fixed to said housing; a reaction mass defined by said substrate, said reaction mass comprising: a) first and second covers, said first cover substantially parallel with and spaced away from said second cover, and b) an internal pendulum portion suspended between said first and second covers, said internal pendulum portion positioned within said passage and rotatably suspended from said frame; an active layer of semiconducting material comprising one or more vibratory force transducers mechanically coupled to said frame and to said reaction mass for detecting a force applied thereto; and an insulating layer formed between said substrate and said active layer to insulate at least a portion of said vibratory transducers from said substrate.