US 6,981,414 B2
Coupled micromachined structure
Gary R. Knowles, Ham Lake, Minn. (US); and Mark W. Weber, Zimmerman, Minn. (US)
Assigned to Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, N.J. (US)
Filed on Apr. 01, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/816,719.
Application 10/816719 is a continuation of application No. 09/884560, filed on Jun. 19, 2001, granted, now 6,722,197.
Prior Publication US 2004/0255672 A1, Dec. 23, 2004
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01P 9/04 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 73—504.12 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A micromachined device comprising:
a first proof mass;
a second proof mass;
a plurality of support arms attached to the first proof mass and second proof mass, each of the support arms flexibly coupling the proof masses to a substrate;
wherein at least one of the support arms includes a first end coupled to the substrate and a second end coupled to the substrate, the at least one support arm comprising:
a first spring element attached to the substrate;
a second spring element attached to the substrate; and
a rigid lateral element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the rigid lateral element connected to the first spring element and the second end of the rigid lateral element connected to the second spring element;
wherein a proof mass is connected to the rigid lateral element at a point between the first end and the second end of the support arm and wherein the support arm is substantially diametrical about the point, in a plane that is parallel to the substrate; and
at least one coupling spring having a first end and a second end, the first end of the at least one coupling spring connected to the first proof mass and the second end of the at least one coupling spring connected to the second proof mass.