Patent ID: 7258011

Claim:
A sensor for measuring acceleration in three mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions, the sensor comprising: a first substrate including a base which is substantially parallel to a X-Y sensing plane; a proof mass disposed in the X-Y sensing plane and constrained to move substantially in the X, Y, and Z directions by a linkage, the proof mass being responsive to accelerations in the X, Y and Z directions; a pivot on the linkage; a paddle disposed in the X-Y sensing plane and attached to the linkage, the paddle being separate from the proof mass and being configured to rotate about a X axis or a Y axis along the pivot responsive to Z directional acceleration of the proof mass; and a first plurality of electrodes fixed to the base and configured to respectively sense displacement of the proof mass responsive to X directional acceleration and Y directional acceleration of the proof mass; and a second substrate including a second plurality of electrodes, the second plurality of electrodes configured to sense the Z directional acceleration of the proof mass.