Mark I Weber

US Patent:

6655190, Dec 2, 2003

Filed:

Nov 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/998700

Inventors:

Owen D. Grossman - Golden Valley MN
Mark W. Weber - Zimmerman MN
Jeffrey E. Fridberg - Anoka MN

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01N 308

US Classification:

73 1207

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for use in testing devices under high-g environments is disclosed in which an elastic beam, rigidly fastened at least at one end, carries the device under test; the beam being pre-loaded to a bent position by a force producing member which may be suddenly removed to allow the stored energy of the beam to be released, and to apply a high-g force to the device.

US Patent:

6722197, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Jun 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/884560

Inventors:

Gary R. Knowles - Ham Lake MN
Mark W. Weber - Zimmerman MN

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01P 904

US Classification:

7350412, 7350404, 7351424

Abstract:

A suspended, coupled micromachined structure including two proof masses and multiple support arms configured to suspend the masses above a substrate and a coupling spring element having two ends. Each end of the coupling spring element may be attached to a proof mass at a point between the proof masses. The frequency response characteristics of the proof masses may be improved.

US Patent:

6769304, Aug 3, 2004

Filed:

Apr 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/114968

Inventors:

William P. Platt - Columbia Heights MN
Mark W. Weber - Zimmerman MN

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01P 15125

US Classification:

7351432, 7350402

Abstract:

By applying a first value of voltage to a first side of a MEMS gyroscope and applying a second value of voltage to a second side of the MEMS gyroscope, the start time of the MEMS gyroscope may be improved. The first and second value of voltage may be provided by a bias power source, such as a battery or a super capacitor. The first value of voltage may be substantially equal in magnitude to and opposite in polarity to the second value of voltage. The bias power source may also be applied to drive electronics connected to the MEMS gyroscope. The bias power source may prevent amplifiers within the drive electronics from saturating during the start time.

US Patent:

6782748, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

Nov 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/292785

Inventors:

Mark W. Weber - Zimmerman MN
William A. Harris - Coon Rapids MN
Max C. Glenn - Chanhassen MN

Assignee:

Honeywell International, Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01P 1510

US Classification:

7351429, 7351418

Abstract:

For use in a MEMS device having a suspended proof mass, a method and apparatus for securing the MEMS device during a period of high acceleration. The method may include applying a DC voltage between the proof mass and a non-suspended structure of the device. The non-suspended structure may be mounted on a substrate, and the substrate or the non-suspended structure may be electrically isolated from the proof mass by an insulating layer or by one or more islands. Applying the DC voltage creates an electrostatic force that moves the proof mass toward (or holds the proof mass near) the substrate. Movement of the proof mass may be limited by mechanical contact between the proof mass and the insulating layer, the one or more islands, or by a cage mounted on the substrate during the period of high acceleration.

US Patent:

6865944, Mar 15, 2005

Filed:

Dec 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/320850

Inventors:

Max C. Glenn - Chanhassen MN, US
Mark W. Weber - Zimmerman MN, US
William P. Platt - Columbia Heights MN, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01C019/00
G01P015/08
G01P003/44
G01P009/00
G01P015/125

US Classification:

7350412, 7351432

Abstract:

A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device is described which includes a substrate having at least one anchor, a proof mass having either of at least one deceleration extension extending from the proof mass or at least one deceleration indentation formed in the proof mass, a motor drive comb, and a motor sense comb. The MEMS device further includes a plurality of suspensions configured to suspend the proof mass over the substrate and between the motor drive comb and the motor sense comb, and the suspensions are anchored to the substrate. The MEMS device also includes a body attached to the substrate and at least one deceleration beam extending from the body. The deceleration extensions are configured to engage either deceleration beams or deceleration indentations and slow or stop the proof mass before it contacts either of the motor drive comb or the motor sense comb.

US Patent:

6978673, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

Feb 7, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/360962

Inventors:

Burgess R. Johnson - Bloomington MN, US
Max C. Glenn - Chanhassen MN, US
William P. Platt - Columbia Heights MN, US
David K. Arch - Bloomington MN, US
Mark W. Weber - Zimmerman MN, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International, Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01P009/04

US Classification:

7350412, 7350416, 438 50

Abstract:

A method for providing micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices with multiple motor frequencies and uniform motor-sense frequency separation is described. The devices each include at least one proof mass, each proof mass being connected to a substrate by a system of suspensions. The method includes controlling the resonant frequencies of the MEMS device by adjusting at least two of a mass of the proof masses, a bending stiffness of the proof masses, a length of the suspensions, and a width of the suspensions.

US Patent:

6981414, Jan 3, 2006

Filed:

Apr 1, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/816719

Inventors:

Gary R. Knowles - Ham Lake MN, US
Mark W. Weber - Zimmerman MN, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01P 9/04

US Classification:

7350412, 7350404, 7351424

Abstract:

A suspended, coupled micromachined structure including two proof masses and multiple support arms configured to suspend the masses above a substrate and a coupling spring element having two ends. Each end of the coupling spring element may be attached to a proof mass at a point between the proof masses. The frequency response characteristics of the proof masses may be improved.

US Patent:

6981415, Jan 3, 2006

Filed:

Jun 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/864655

Inventors:

William P. Platt - Columbia Heights MN, US
Mark W. Weber - Zimmerman MN, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01P 1/04
G01P 9/04

US Classification:

7350412, 7350402, 7350416, 7351432

Abstract:

By applying a first value of voltage to a first side of a MEMS gyroscope and applying a second value of voltage to a second side of the MEMS gyroscope, the start time of the MEMS gyroscope may be improved. The first and second value of voltage may be provided by a bias power source, such as a battery or a super capacitor. The first value of voltage may be substantially equal in magnitude to and opposite in polarity to the second value of voltage. The bias power source may also be applied to drive electronics connected to the MEMS gyroscope. The bias power source may prevent amplifiers within the drive electronics from saturating during the start time.