Patent ID: 7361962

Claim:
A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) variable capacitor, comprising: (a) first and second actuation electrodes being spaced apart, and at least one of the actuation electrodes being movable when a voltage is applied across the first and second actuation electrodes; (b) a first capacitive electrode attached to the first actuation electrode; (c) a second capacitive electrode attached to the second actuation electrode and spaced from the first capacitive electrode for movement of at least one of the capacitive electrodes with respect to the other capacitive electrode upon application of voltage across the first and second actuation electrodes to change the capacitance between the first and second capacitive electrodes; (d) a post fixed to a substrate and the first capacitive electrode; and (e) first and second torsional beams for providing resistance to movement of the first and second capacitive electrodes with respect to one another, wherein each torsional beam includes a first and second end, wherein the torsional beams are fixed to one another and to the post at the first ends, and wherein the torsional beams extend from the first ends and away from one another in substantially opposing directions to the second ends, and wherein the second ends are attached to the second capacitive electrode.