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. 01, 2011
Filed:
Nov. 02, 2010
Robert B. Reichenbach, Portland, OR (US);
Keith Aubin, Coventry, RI (US);
Maxim Zalalutdinov, Silver Springs, MD (US);
Jeevak M. Parpia, Ithaca, NY (US);
Harold G. Craighead, Ithaca, NY (US);
Robert B. Reichenbach, Portland, OR (US);
Keith Aubin, Coventry, RI (US);
Maxim Zalalutdinov, Silver Springs, MD (US);
Jeevak M. Parpia, Ithaca, NY (US);
Harold G. Craighead, Ithaca, NY (US);
Cornell Research Foundation, Inc., Ithaca, NY (US);
Abstract
An array of micromechanical oscillators have different resonant frequencies based on their geometries. In one embodiment, a micromechanical oscillator has a resonant frequency defined by an effective spring constant that is modified by application of heat. In one embodiment, the oscillator is disc of material supported by a pillar of much smaller diameter than the disc. The periphery of the disc is heated to modify the resonant frequency (or equivalently the spring constant or stiffness) of the disc. Continuous control of the output phase and frequency may be achieved when the oscillator becomes synchronized with an imposed sinusoidal force of close frequency. The oscillator frequency can be detuned to produce an easily controlled phase differential between the injected signal and the oscillator feedback. A phased array radar may be produced using independent phase controllable oscillators.