Patent ID: 7562573

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, second, third and fourth 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, the set of elements comprising at least first, second, third, and fourth elements that are and capacitively coupled with the first, second, third, and fourth elements, respectively, of the first set of elements with gaps therebetween, the capacitive couples generating capacitive outputs that vary with changes in the gaps, the first, second, third, and fourth elements of the first and second sets of elements define a symmetric capacitive full-bridge structure; 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; wherein the member is movable in a first direction to cause the gaps of the capacitive couples of the first and third elements of the first and second sets of elements to increase and the gaps of the capacitive couples of the second and fourth elements of the first and second sets of elements to decrease.