The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Jun. 09, 1998

Filed:

Feb. 04, 1997
Applicant:
Inventors:

David Frank Moore, Cambridge, GB;

Andrew Charles Hoole, Trumpington, GB;

Alan Heaver, Oakington, GB;

Assignee:
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01P / ; G01R / ; G01N / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
7351418 ; 73 3106 ; 7351421 ; 32420713 ;
Abstract

A micromechanical sensor has a plurality of sensing elements (14a-14d) which are supported at respective support regions (12a-12d). A first set of the sensing elements defines the sensing gap. In one arrangement this is defined by sensing elements supported by adjacent support regions. In another embodiment the sensing gap is defined between one sensing element and a reference beam formed by connection of the return legs of two diametrically opposed sensing elements. The sensing elements are substantially similar one to another and each sensing element comprises an outgoing elongate leg extending away from its associated support region and a return leg substantially parallel to the outgoing leg extending towards the support region. By providing sensing elements which are substantially similar in shape and arranged in this way, the effects of thin film stress are minimized.


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