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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 26, 2004
Filed:
Aug. 09, 2002
Applicant:
Inventors:
Robert L. Anderson, Boulder, CO (US);
David Reyes, Superior, CO (US);
Assignee:
PTS Corporation, San Jose, CA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01L 2/362 ; H01L 2/900 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H01L 2/362 ; H01L 2/900 ;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for protecting a conductor in an integrated circuit. A protective covering can be disposed over a conductor for a substantial length along the conductor while allowing a portion of the conductor to be exposed. The protective covering can be configured as a tunnel which runs for a substantial length along the conductor and can be operable to prevent the occurrence of electrical shorts during operation of the integrated circuit. According to one embodiment of the invention the integrated circuit can be configured as a micromachined device with active mechanical components exposed to the atmosphere.