Patent ID: 7024933

Claim:
A micro-machined electromechanical sensor (MEMS) device, comprising: a substantially planar proof mass suspended for in-plane motion from a relatively stationary frame by pluralities of first and second pairs of spaced-apart resiliently flexible elongated flexure members, wherein: each of the first pairs of elongated flexure members are interconnected at respective first ends, and adjacent pairs of the elongated flexure members are interconnected at respective second ends of adjacent elongated flexure members with respective second ends of first and last flexure members being interconnected between a first end of the proof mass and the frame, and each of the second pairs of elongated flexure members are interconnected at respective first ends, and adjacent pairs of the elongated flexure members are interconnected at respective second ends of adjacent elongated flexure members with respective second ends of first and last flexure members being interconnected between a second end of the proof mass and the frame; a promontory mass formed between adjacent second pairs of the elongated flexure members on one end of a relatively short crosswise member interconnecting the respective first ends of one of the first pairs of the elongated flexure members; and one or more comb-type capacitive pickoff sensors formed between the proof mass and the frame and structured for changing capacitance as a function of a movement of the proof mass relative to the frame.