Patent ID: 8165323

Claim:
A capacitive transducer, comprising: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a first plane, the substrate having a cavity with an interior peripheral edge, the cavity extending between the first surface and the second surface; a body having an exterior peripheral edge, the body being parallel to the first plane and at least partially blocking the cavity, the body being connected to the substrate by resilient hinges such that, upon the application of a force, the body moves perpendicular to the first plane; a first set of comb fingers mounted to the substrate, the first set of comb fingers being connected to a first electrical connection; a second set of comb fingers mounted to the body and extending past the exterior peripheral edge of the body, the second set of comb fingers being connected to a second electrical connection that is isolated from the first connection, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb finger being interdigitated such that as the body moves, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb finger maintain a relative spacing, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb fingers defining a capacitance, the capacitance being related to the relative position of the first set of comb drive fingers and the second set of comb drive fingers.