Patent ID: 8546995

Claim:
A micro-electro-mechanical comb-drive actuator comprising: a first semiconductor layer having: a movable element mounted by a first pair of torsional hinges to a support element, having a first and a second sets of comb electrodes located on opposite sides of a first axis defined by the first pair of torsional hinges; the support element mounted by a second pair of torsional hinges to a stationary element, having a third and a fourth sets of inner comb electrodes located on the opposite sides of the first axis, and a fifth and a sixth sets of outer comb electrodes located on the opposite sides of a second axis defined by the second pair of torsional hinges, the support element having a plurality of insulation trenches formed within the support element to electrically insulate the moveable element from the support element; and the stationary element having a seventh and an eighth sets of comb electrodes located on the opposites of the second axis; wherein the first and second sets of comb electrodes interdigitate with the third and fourth sets of comb electrodes, respectively in a same plane defined by the first semiconductor layer; the fifth and sixth comb electrodes interdigitate with the seventh and eighth sets of comb electrodes, respectively in the same plane defined by the first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer having a cavity and being devoid of the moveable element; and an electrical insulation layer which supports and insulates the first and second semiconductor layers.