Abstract:
The present invention is directed towards shock protectors for a pedestal suspended over a lower surface by a plurality of gimbal springs. Each gimbal spring is connected to a linkage arm that attaches to an actuator. A stop located below the bottom of the pedestal prevents the gimbal springs and/or other structures from impacting the lower surface. In addition, the stop prevents excessively high strain in the gimbal springs. A shock absorber extending from at least one linkage arm serves a similar purpose when the pedestal is tilted, rather than simply displaced.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a divisional of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/260,257, filed Sept. 27, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,144. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed towards shock protectors for micro-mechanical systems. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Fiber optic networks have the potential for greatly increasing telecommunication bandwidths and data rates. The demand for increased capacity continues to grow, especially as more and more information is transmitted across the Internet. 
   One limitation of fiber optic networks as currently implemented is their inability to directly switch optically encoded packets of data from a fiber on a source network or network node to a fiber on a destination network or network node. Instead, optically encoded data are dropped from the source network fiber, converted to electrically encoded data, switched to the destination network using conventional electronic switches, converted back into optically encoded data, and injected into the destination network fiber. 
   Micromachined mirror arrays offer the ability to directly switch optically encoded data in devices, known as all-optical cross connect switches, from a source fiber on a source network to a destination fiber on a destination network without having to convert the data from optical to electronic and back again. For such mirror arrays to be commercially useful, they must be able to cross connect approximately 1000 input fibers with an equal number of output fibers in a compact volume. This can be achieved with mirrors that can be densely packed together and that are rotatable by relatively large angles in an arbitrary angular direction. 
   Recent developments in the field of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) allow for the bulk production of microelectromechanical mirrors and mirror arrays that can be used in all-optical cross connect switches. MEMS-based mirrors and mirror arrays can be inexpensively designed and produced using conventional tools developed for the design and production of integrated circuits. Such tools include computer-aided design, photolithography, bulk and surface micro-machining, wet and dry isotropic and anisotropic etching, and batch processing. In addition, deep reactive ion etching methods (DRIE) allow silicon devices to be produced having high aspect ratios (˜20:1) that rival those that can be achieved using the prohibitively expensive lithography, electroplating and molding process which requires access to a synchrotron radiation source. 
   A number of microelectromechanical mirror arrays have already been designed for use with MEMS production processes and techniques. In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/779,189 of Nasiri, filed on Feb. 7, 2001, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, a mirror is mounted on a support post mounted on a freely moving plate. In Nasiri, two orthogonally oriented pairs of rotatable actuators are coupled to the freely moving plate by gimbal springs. By properly coordinating each pair of actuators, the mirror can be rotated without displacement under ideal conditions. 
   Although the Nasiri application shows improved ability to manipulate the mirror rotation without displacement, the performance of similar configurations can be greatly improved by paying special attention to the system used for transmitting rotation from the actuators to the freely moving plate. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/225,081 of Starr et al, filed on Aug. 20, 2002 and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses special gimbal springs and lever arms for coupling the actuators to a gimbaled platform, which is herein denoted a pedestal. 
   What has been missing from previous mirror rotation systems are means to reduce the detrimental effects of shock loads to the system. Such loads can lead to large out-of-plane displacements of the pedestal that overly strain the gimbal springs (and in some embodiments also actuator springs) and/or lead to unnecessary vibrations in the system. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention discloses structures that can reduce the out-of-plane displacements of a pedestal that is suspended by gimbal springs attached to linkage arms. One embodiment of the invention includes a stop that is located below the pedestal, between the pedestal and a lower surface. The stop prevents the pedestal from impacting the lower surface. In most embodiments, the stop also reduces the maximum strains experienced by the gimbal springs, and in many circumstances, the actuator springs. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention includes a shock absorber that extends from at least one linkage arm beyond where the linkage arm attaches to the gimbal spring. In case of excessive rotation of an actuator connected to the linkage arm, or exposure to a sudden acceleration, the shock absorber impacts the lower surface and resists further rotation of the actuator. 
   These shock protectors can be used either independently or in combination with each other or with other mechanisms to limit the out-of-plane displacement of the pedestal. 
   Some embodiments of the present invention also provide a method for increasing heat transfer from a mirror coupled to a pedestal suspended by gimbal springs over a lower surface. The method includes the provision of a solid heat-conduction path to the lower surface, wherein the heat-conduction path is located within 3 μm of the pedestal. By locating a solid heat conduction path so close to the pedestal, the thermal resistance associated with the gap is decreased, thereby enhancing the heat transfer. In various embodiments the inclusion of a stop located so closely below the pedestal serves as the desired solid heat-conduction path. 
   Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Various embodiments of the invention do not necessarily include all of the stated features or achieve all of the stated advantages. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings illustrate a complete embodiment of the invention according to the best modes so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view from below of a micro-mechanical mirror system. 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view from above of the central portion of the micro-mechanical mirror system. The mirror, post, and stop have been removed for clarity and the actuators are not in the field of view. 
       FIG. 3  is a section cut through the corners of pedestal, cutting through actuator  400   a  on the right and actuator  400   c  on the left. The section cut corresponds approximately to the section line  3 — 3  in  FIG. 2  (but extending beyond the field of view of  FIG. 2  so as to include the actuators). The section cut only shows structures that intersect the section, not those behind the section. 
       FIGS. 4   a-c  are similar to  FIG. 3  except that the mirror, post, and pedestal assembly are displaced downward. Note that in  FIGS. 4   a-c  the gap between the electrodes and the actuators has been exaggerated to emphasize the role of the stop.  FIG. 4   a  shows the pedestal displacement being limited by the stop.  FIG. 4   b  shows excessive gimbal spring strain without the stop. 
     Alternatively,  FIG. 4   c  shows the same gimbal spring strain as in  FIG. 4   a , but the actuators are significantly rotated without the stop. In practice, both excessive gimbal spring strain and some actuator rotation is likely without the stop. 
       FIG. 5   a  is a section cut corresponding approximately to the section line  5   a — 5   a  in FIG.  2 . (The section cut extends beyond the field of view of  FIG. 2  so as to include the actuators.)  FIG. 5   b  is the structure of  FIG. 5   a  with the mirror, post, and pedestal rotated. The shock absorber contacts the lower surface. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a section cut similar to  FIG. 5   a , but of an alternative embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to the drawings, where similar elements are numbered the same,  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view from below of a micro-mechanical mirror system. A mirror  100  is mounted on a post  200 , which is mounted on a pedestal  300 . The mirror  100  has its reflective surface opposite to the side shown. The pedestal  300  is largely obscured by a stop  800  that will be discussed in more detail later. 
   Although dimensions and shapes differ with various embodiments, in a preferred embodiment a mirror  100  has the shape of an elliptical disk. In preferred embodiments, the mirror has a thickness between about 25 μm and 35 μm, most preferably about 30 μm. Most preferably, the mirror has a major axis of about 1100 μm and a minor axis of about 1000 μm. The slightly elliptical cross section reduces possible resonances between the orthogonal rotation directions of the mirror. Mirrors with circular, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or most any other planform can be used on alternative embodiments. Similarly, although in preferred embodiments, the post  200  has the shape of circular cylinder, the shape and dimensions of the post can vary greatly in various embodiments. Howsoever, in the preferred embodiments, the post has a diameter between about 50 μm and 70 μm and an axial length of between 75 μm and 95 μm. Most preferably, the post has a diameter of about 60 μm and an axial length of about 85 μm. 
     FIG. 2  shows a plan view of the pedestal  300  and the immediately surrounding structures. The plan view is from the mirror side of the pedestal  300 . The mirror  100 , the post  200 , and the stop  800  have been removed from  FIG. 2  for clarity. The shape of the pedestal  300  varies according to the particular embodiment. In this embodiment, in plan view, the pedestal  300  is diamond shaped and has a thickness (out of the paper) of approximately 30 μm. In other embodiments the planform of the pedestal may be circular, square, octagonal, or any other suitable shape and size. In the most preferred embodiments, the smallest distance measured through the center of the pedestal planform is between 50 μm and 70 μm. Although the most preferred thickness of the pedestal is between 25 μm and 35 μm, the thickness may vary, according to the specific details of the embodiment. 
   As seen in both FIG.  1  and  FIG. 2 , the pedestal  300  is suspended by a plurality of gimbal springs  600 . In this particular embodiment, four gimbal springs  600   a ,  600   b ,  600   c , and  600   d  are each connected to a respective linkage arm  500   a ,  500   b ,  500   c , and  500   d . In the illustrated embodiment, the gimbal springs  600  are comprised of spring leg pairs coupled in series. Each spring leg pair is comprised of two orthogonally oriented legs. The particular type of gimbal springs  600  used may vary according to the specific embodiment of the invention. Examples of some other acceptable gimbal springs are disclosed in the patent applications of Nasiri (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/779,189) and Starr et al (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/225,081) both of which have been incorporated by reference in their entireties. Other types of gimbal springs known to those skilled in the art may also be employed in alternative embodiments. 
   Each linkage arm  500  is coupled to its respective actuator  400  (shown in  FIG. 1 , but not in FIG.  2 ). Hence, actuator  400   a  is coupled to linkage arm  500   a , which is connected to gimbal spring  600   a , at a linkage-arm/gimbal-spring attachment point  550   a . The gimbal spring  600   a  connects to the pedestal  300 . The other actuators  400   b ,  400   c ,  400   d , linkage arms  500   b ,  500   c ,  500   d , and gimbal springs  600   b ,  600   c ,  600   d  are similarly configured. The embodiment shown employs wraparound linkage arms. Wraparound linkage arms are configured so that the connection to the pedestal  300  is made on the side of the pedestal  300  opposite to that of the corresponding actuator  400 . Alternative embodiments do not require wraparound linkage arms, but instead may use linkage arms  400  that are configured such that the connection to the pedestal  300  is made on the same side of the pedestal  300  as the respective actuator  400 . As will be discussed in more detail later, a shock absorber  900  extends from each linkage arm  500 , beyond the linkage-arm/gimbal-spring attachment point  550 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , in the particular embodiment illustrated, electrostatic actuators are shown and each actuator  400  is disposed near two electrodes  410  and  420 . As with the other components the electrodes associated with actuator  400   a  have the letter a appended to their reference designation, so energizing electrodes  410   a  and/or  420   a  actuates actuator  400   a . Although electrostatic actuators are used for illustration purposes here, the actuation means is not critical to the invention. For example, piezoelectric, electromagnetic, thermal, and fluidic actuation are some of the possible other actuation means used in alternative embodiments. 
   In the particular embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , four actuators are shown. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention different numbers of actuators may be used. 
   To simplify the explanation of the invention,  FIG. 3  shows a section cut through the corners of pedestal  300 , cutting through actuator  400   a  on the right and actuator  400   c  on the left. The section line  3 — 3  of  FIG. 2  approximately indicates the section cut. The actuators, although outside of the field of view in  FIG. 2 , are included in FIG.  3 . Only structures that intersect the section, not those behind the section are shown in  FIG. 3. A  structure not shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is a lower surface  700 . Its inclusion in  FIGS. 1 and 2  would have obscured other important details. An actuator plane is defined as a plane parallel to the lower surface  700  and containing the axis of rotation of an actuator  400 . In preferred embodiments, as shown in the figures, all of the actuators  400   a - 400   d  are approximately in the same actuator plane, although this is not required in alternative embodiments (i.e., each actuator may be in its own actuator plane). In preferred embodiments the actuators  400  are suspended in the actuator plane through the use of actuator springs or hinges. (For clarity, only the actuator springs  430   a  of the actuator  400   a  are labeled in FIG.  1 . The corresponding structures on actuators  400   b ,  400   c , and  400   d  are illustrated but not labeled). Any appropriate means of suspension may be used. 
   The pedestal  300  has a top and a bottom. For convention, the top of the pedestal  300  will be considered as that portion of the pedestal  300  to which the post  200  is mounted. As previously shown, the mirror  100  is mounted to the post  200 . 
   Consider next structures in the actuator plane. On the right, actuator  400   a  is shown connected to linkage arm  500   a . Only a small portion of linkage arm  500   a  is shown because most of the arm extends behind the section plane and therefore is not in the section illustrated. A small portion of linkage arm  500   b  is shown near linkage arm  500   a . This portion of linkage arm  500   b  has extended from in front of the section plane and extends behind the section plane. Gimbal spring  600   c  is shown near linkage arm  500   b . The gimbal spring  600   c  connects to linkage arm  500   c  (not shown) in front of the section plane and connects to the pedestal  300  at a location behind the section plane. Corresponding relationships exist on the left of the figure. The gimbal springs  600  suspend the pedestal  300  over the lower surface  700 . 
   The outer  410   a  and  410   c  electrodes and the inner  420   a  and  420   c  electrodes are shown for this embodiment in which electrostatic actuators are employed. If other actuation means were used, the electrodes  410  and  420  would be eliminated or replaced with some other structures appropriate to the desired actuation means. In preferred embodiments in which electrostatic actuation is used, the height of the electrodes  410  and  420  depends upon the details of the particular embodiment. However, in the most preferred embodiments, the electrodes  410  and  420  typically extend about 11-12 μm above the lower surface  700 . 
   A stop  800  is located below the bottom of the pedestal  300 . In preferred embodiments, the stop  800  extends approximately 10 μm upwards from the lower surface  700 . In preferred embodiments the stop  800  extends to within approximately 2 μm to 3 μm of the bottom of the pedestal  300 . In such embodiments, the top of the stop  800  is sufficiently close to the bottom of the pedestal  300  that significant heat transfer can occur between the pedestal  300  and the stop  800 . In essence, the stop  800  provides a solid heat-conduction path to the lower surface  700 . Estimates suggest that the heat transfer from the mirror  100  can be increased by as much as 10% through the inclusion of such a solid heat-conduction path. The heat transfer is further facilitated in embodiments in which the solid heat-conduction path includes a high-conductivity material. In preferred realizations of such embodiments, the stop  800  is either coated with or fabricated from a metal, such as copper or aluminum to enhance the heat transfer. Another way to increase the heat transfer is for the cross-sectional area of the solid heat-conduction path to be at least 4 times greater than the cross-sectional area of the pedestal  300 . In the case of the stop  800 , this means that the top of the stop  800  has a cross-sectional area that is at least four times the cross-sectional area of the bottom of the pedestal  300 . In some preferred embodiments with a stop  800  that has a top with a circular cross-section, the circular cross-section of the top has a diameter greater than 120 μm. 
   Although some preferred embodiments employing a stop  800  provide for improved heat transfer from the mirror  100  to the lower surface  700 , the stop  800  need not perform this function to be useful.  FIGS. 4   a - 4   c  illustrate scenarios that may occur when the pedestal  300  (and hence the post  200  and the mirror  100 ) are displaced from their equilibrium position. (The equilibrium position is shown in FIG.  3 ). The displacement could be the result of any of a number of sources, including but not limited to system vibration, an electrical power surge, or other environmental disturbances. To better illustrate the effects of such a displacement, the gap between the lower surface  700  and the pedestal  300  has been exaggerated in  FIGS. 4   a - 4   c.    
     FIG. 4   a  shows the stop  800  limiting the displacement of the pedestal  300  in the direction perpendicular to the lower surface  700 . In preferred embodiments, the presence of the stop  800  limits the motion of the pedestal  300  to levels that are within the strain limits of the gimbal springs  600  and which result in little or no undesirable rotation of the actuators  400 . The limited displacement also serves to help limit the impact loading on the pedestal  300  as it is brought to rest. This reduces wear and tear and also vibrations in the system. 
     FIG. 4   b  illustrates one possible scenario without a stop  800 . In this scenario the actuators  400   a  and  400   c  have been maintained approximately in their equilibrium positions. This could be accomplished either by the active adjustments of the voltages to electrodes  410   a ,  420   a ,  410   c , and  420   c , through appropriate choices of spring constants, or through some other means. Note that in this scenario, the gimbal springs  600   a  and  600   c  experience significantly more strain than was illustrated in  FIG. 4   a  with the stop  800 . 
     FIG. 4   c  illustrates another possible scenario without a stop  800 . In this scenario, the strain in the gimbal springs  600   a  and  600   c  is kept the same as that in  FIG. 4   a , but the actuators  400   a  and  400   c  now rotate to accommodate the additional displacement. The rotation of the actuators  400   a  and  400   c  brings a portion of the actuators  400   a  and  400   c  much closer to the electrodes  420   a  and  420   c . This could potentially result in a dangerous snapdown mode wherein the electrostatic force between the electrodes  420   a  and  420   c  and the downward leaning portion of the actuators  4000   a  and  400   c  becomes so great that the actuators  400   a  and  400   c  snap down into contact with the electrodes  420   a  and  420   c . In practice, the response of the system without the stop  800  would likely be some combination of the scenarios depicted in  FIGS. 4   b  and  4   c . In any case, the scenario depicted in  FIG. 4   a , with the stop  800  is preferable. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 2 , a shock absorber  900  is shown extending from each linkage arm  500  beyond the linkage-arm/gimbal-spring attachment point  550 .  FIG. 5   a  is a section view roughly corresponding to the section  5   a — 5   a  in FIG.  2 . The actuators, although outside of the field of view in  FIG. 2 , are included in  FIG. 5   a . The mirror  100 , the post  200 , the actuator  400   c , the stop  800 , and a small portion of the linkage arm  500   c  are shown behind the section plane. The pedestal and the gimbal springs are obscured by the linkage arm  500   c  and the shock absorber  900   c . The linkage-arm/gimbal-spring attachment point  550   c  is located in the center and substantially defines the end of the linkage arm  500   c  and the beginning of the shock absorber  900   c . Other structures, such as the electrodes  410  and  420 , and a portion of the linkage arm  500   d  are not shown as they would unduly clutter the figure. 
   The shock absorbers  900  are designed to contact the lower surface  700  in case of excessive rotation of any of the actuators  400 .  FIG. 5   b  illustrates such a rotation with the same view and same illustrated structures as that of  FIG. 5   a . In this case the actuators  400   a  and  400   c  are rotated in the same sense, resulting in a tilting of the mirror  100 , the post  200 , and the pedestal  300 . Only the shock absorber  900   c  contacted the lower surface  700 . Alternatively, if actuator  400   a  had rotated counterclockwise, its shock absorber ( 900   a , but not shown in  FIG. 5   b ) also could have contacted the lower surface  700 . 
   Although  FIG. 2  shows a shock absorber  900  extending from all the linkage arms  500 , a single shock absorber, for example shock absorber  900   a , extending from a single linkage arm  500   a  beyond the linkage-arm/gimbal-spring attachment point  550   a  is considered within the broad scope of the invention. In the most preferred embodiments the shock absorber  900  is simply an extension of the linkage arm  500 . Maintaining the width and thickness of the shock absorber  900  to be the same as the linkage arm  500  facilitates manufacture of the device. However, the invention encompasses shock absorbers  900  with widths and thicknesses that differ from those of the corresponding linkage arms  500 . In fact,  FIG. 2  shows the tip of each shock absorber  900  to be contoured to avoid interference-with a nearby linkage arm. Other modifications to the shock absorber  900  come within the broad scope of the invention. For instance, the shock absorber  900  may be more flexible than the corresponding linkage arm  500 , either by modifying its dimensions, or by fabricating it from a different material. 
   The inclusion of the shock absorbers is shown in the context of wraparound linkage arms. However, minor modifications to the linkage arms allow the shock absorbers to be incorporated into designs without wraparound linkage arms. Such designs are contained within the broad scope of the invention. 
   In preferred embodiments, a shock absorber extends a sufficiently long distance to ensure that it contacts the lower surface prior to the corresponding gimbal spring contacting the lower surface. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , each shock absorber  900  has a length just slightly less than the length of the longest leg of the corresponding gimbal spring  600 . Most preferably, the shock absorber  900  contacts the lower surface  700  when the corresponding actuator  400  rotates just slightly more than its design rotation. The length of the shock absorber  900  can therefore be matched to the design rotation angle of the actuator  400 . If all other parameters. remain the same, the longer the shock absorber  900 , the more restricted is the rotation. 
   An alternative embodiment of a shock absorber is illustrated in FIG.  6 . In this embodiment, the shock absorber  900   c  is disposed closer to the lower surface  700  than the linkage arm  500   c . In such an embodiment the shock absorber  900   c  may be the same thickness as the linkage arm  500   c  or it may have a different thickness. 
   The disclosed embodiments of the invention include both a stop  800  and at least one shock absorber  900 . However, alternative embodiments of the invention do not require both structures. Some other embodiments include only a stop  800 , while others include only one or more shock absorbers  900 . 
   The above-described micro-mechanical rotation systems can be fabricated with known MEMS fabrication techniques. Details of how similar systems are fabricated in the context of a mirror array are described by Nasiri, Smith, Marx, and Novack in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/894,021, filed Jun. 27, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference in it entirety. 
   The above description and drawings are only illustrative of preferred embodiments, and the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto. Any modification of the present invention that comes within the spirit and scope of the following claims is considered part of the present invention.