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:
Nov. 08, 2005
Filed:
Feb. 23, 2000
Behrang Behin, Berkeley, CA (US);
Kam Yin Lau, Danville, CA (US);
Richard S. Muller, Kensington, CA (US);
Behrang Behin, Berkeley, CA (US);
Kam Yin Lau, Danville, CA (US);
Richard S. Muller, Kensington, CA (US);
The Regents of the University of California, Oakland, CA (US);
Abstract
Microstructure apparatus and methods are described. An exemplary movable microstructure apparatus includes a base, a plate, and a stop. The plate may be coupled to the base through a flexure, so that the plate is movable between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation. The stop may be configured to contact the bottom portion of the plate in a contact area when the plate is in the second angular orientation. Alternatively, the stop may be configured to contact the plate in a contact area sized so that upon application of an electrostatic bias between the plate and the stop, a sufficient force holds the plate against the stop. Alternatively, the stop may have a substantially planar surface configured to contact the plate in a contact area sized so that, upon application of a force to the plate substantially normal to the substantially planar surface of the stop, a sufficient force holds the plate against the stop such that the plate lies in a plane substantially parallel to the substantially planar surface of the stop.