Patent ID: 6308569
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: B81B,G01C,G01P

Abstract:
A micromechanical silicon accelerometer comprising, in combination:(a) top cover, top electrode, pendulum, bottom electrode, and bottom cover wafers, each of said wafers being generally-planar;(b) said wafers being arranged so that said top cover wafer is adjacent said top electrode wafer, said top electrode wafer is adjacent said pendulum wafer, said pendulum wafer is adjacent said bottom electrode wafer, and said bottom electrode wafer is adjacent said bottom cover wafer;(c) a first generally-planar oxide layer located between said top cover and said top electrode wafers, a second generally-planar oxide layer located between said top electrode and said pendulum wafers, a third generally-planar oxide layer located between said pendulum and said bottom electrode wafers and a fourth generally-planar oxide layer located between said bottom electrode and said bottom cover wafers;(d) said pendulum wafer defining a substantially-planar pendulum member and a surrounding frame member having an internal aperture; and(e) said pendulum member being located within said internal aperture and separate from said frame member.