Patent ID: 7798011

Claim:
An actuatable capacitive transducer comprising: a transducer body; a first capacitor including a displaceable electrode and electrically configured at least as an electrostatic actuator; a second capacitor including a displaceable electrode and electrically configured at least as a capacitive displacement sensor, wherein the second capacitor comprises a multi-plate capacitor; a coupling shaft mechanically coupled to the displaceable electrode of the first capacitor and to the displaceable electrode of the second capacitor to form a displaceable electrode unit which is displaceable relative to the transducer body, wherein the displaceable electrode unit is supported from the transducer body by at least two sets of springs; and an electrically-conductive indenter mechanically coupled to the coupling shaft so as to be displaceable in unison with the displaceable electrode unit, wherein the coupling shaft includes an electrical conductor which is electrically coupled to and provides an electrical path to the electrically-conductive indenter, and wherein the coupling shaft electrically insulates the electrically-conductive indenter and the electrical conductor from the displaceable electrodes of the first and second capacitors.