Patent ID: 7810394

Claim:
A micromachined sensor having a capacitive sensing structure comprising: a first substrate comprising first and second conductive layers and a buried insulator layer separating the first and second conductive layers; a member defined by the first and second conductive layers and the buried insulator layer of the first substrate; a first set of elements defined with the first conductive layer of the first substrate and connected to the member, the first set of elements comprising at least first and second elements that are electrically isolated from each other by the buried insulator layer within the member; a second set of elements defined with the first conductive layer and capacitively coupled with the first set of elements with gaps therebetween, the capacitive couples generating capacitive outputs that vary with changes in the gaps; and a second substrate bonded to the first substrate so that the member and the first set of elements are movably supported above the second substrate, the second set of elements are anchored to the second substrate, and the first and second sets of elements are physically interconnected only through the second substrate.