Patent ID: 6761070
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: G01P

Abstract:
A micromachined linear accelerometer comprising:a substrate; a fixed electrode supported on the substrate and including a first plurality of fixed capacitive plates; a ring having a central opening and including a plurality of movable capacitive plates at the outer perimeter arranged to provide a capacitive coupling with the first plurality of fixed capacitive plates, said ring being suspended over a cavity and linearly movable relative to the fixed electrode; a central member fixed to the substrate and located within the central opening of the ring; a plurality of support arms extending between the central member and the ring for supporting said ring relative to said fixed electrode and allowing linear movement of the ring along a sensing axis upon experiencing a linear acceleration along the sensing axis; an input electrically coupled to one of either the fixed electrodes and the ring for receiving an input signal; and an output electrically coupled to the other of the fixed electrode and the ring for providing an output signal which varies as a function of the capacitive coupling and is indicative of linear acceleration along the sensing axis.