Patent US3683213A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3683213A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microresonator of tuning fork configuration
Assignee: Statek Corp
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Filing: 1971-03-09
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Granted: 1972-08-08
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Expires: 1991-03-09
Abstract
Abstract A piezoelectric or ferroelectric microresonator of tuning fork configuration has an overall length of from about 100 mils to 500 mils, and a width of from about 15 mils to about 50 mils. In a typical embodiment, the microresonator includes a thin film electrode extending across the bottom surface of both tines, and on the top surface, a first set of electrodes extending along the outer tine edges and a second set of electrodes extending along the inner tine edges adjacent the tuning fork slot. The microresonator stem portion may be attached to a substrate by means of a eutectic pedestal or other mounting. Metal film weights at the tine ends may be used for adjusting the frequency of the microresonator, and the tines themselves may be tapered for improved temperature coefficient characteristics. Various other microresonator configurations are disclosed, as is a method for fabricating the tuning forks microlithographically.
Inventors
- 👤 Juergen H Staudte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:20
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F5/00; G04F5/04; G04F5/06; G04B; G04B17/00; G04B17/04; G04B17/045; G04F5/063; H; H03; H03B; H03B5/00; H03B5/30; H03B5/32; H03B5/323; H03H; H03H3/00; H03H3/007; H03H3/02; H03H3/04; H03H9/00; H03H9/15; H03H9/21; H03K; H03K3/00; H03K3/02; H03K3/353; H03K3/354; H03K3/3545; H03B5/02; H03B5/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A piezoelectric or ferroelectric microresonator of tuning fork configuration and having an overall length in the range of from about 100 mils to 500 mils, an overall width of from about 15 mils to 50 mils, and a thickness of less than about 3 mils, said microresonator having on the obverse surface thin film electrodes along the respective inner and outer edges of at least one tine and pads for attachment of electrical connection wires to said tine edge electrodes, said microresonator having on the reverse surface another thin film electrode extending across at least said one tine, and a pedestal for mounting the reverse surface of the microresonator stem to a substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A piezoelectric or ferroelectric microresonator of tuning fork configuration and having an overall length in the range of from about 100 mils to 500 mils, an overall width of from about 15 mils to 50 mils, and a thickness of less than about 3 mils, said microresonator having on the obverse surface thin film electrodes along the respective inner and outer edges of at least one tine and pads for attachment of electrical connection wires to said tine edge electrodes, said microresonator having on the reverse surface another thin film electrode extending across at least said one tine, and a pedestal for mounting the reverse surface of the microresonator stem to a substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A microresonator according to claim 1 wherein the obverse surface includes a first thin film electrode along the outer edge of both tines and a second electrode along the inner edge of both tines, said other, reverse surface electrode extending across substantially the entire width of both tines.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A microresonator according to claim 2 further comprising, on the obverse surface of each tine, a third thin film electrode disposed between said inner and outer electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A microresonator according to claim 1 further comprising means for applying a driving signal between said reverse surface electrode and either an inner or outer electrode, an output signal being produced between said reverse surface electrode and another of said inner or outer electrodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A microresonAtor according to claim 1 further comprising a thick film metal weight disposed on each tine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A microresonator according to claim 5 wherein the mass of said weights in controlled to adjust the resonant frequency of said microresonator to a preselected value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A microresonator according to claim 6 wherein said mass is controlled by selective laser removal of portions of said thick film weights.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A microresonator according to claim 1 wherein the slot between said tines is in the range of from about 1 mil to 5 mils.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A microresonator according to claim 1 wherein the length of the tuning fork stem is at least three times the tine width.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A microresonator according to claim 1 wherein said pedestal comprises an epoxy resin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A microresonator according to claim 1 wherein said pedestal is formed by alloying.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A microresonator according to claim 1 wherein electrical connection to said reverse surface electrode is made via said pedestal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A microresonator according to claim 1 and fabricated microlithographically of quartz or lead zirconate titanate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A microresonator according to claim 1 wherein said inner and outer edge electrodes each are segmented, segments of said electrodes being disposed to initiate oscillation of said microresonator in an odd harmonic mode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
107 words
A microresonator comprising a microminiature tuning fork of piezoelectric or ferroelectric quartz or leads zirconate titanate material, and having on the obverse surface a first substantially U-shaped thin metal film electrode extending along the outer edges of the tuning fork tines and a second substantially U-shaped thin metal film electrode extending along the inner edges of said tines adjacent the tuning fork slot, and having on the reverse surface a third thin metal film electrode extending substantially across both tines, thick film metal weights disposed on said tines adjacent the free ends thereof, said weights being dimensionally trimmed to establish the resonant frequency of said tuning fork.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
107 words
A microresonator comprising a microminiature tuning fork of piezoelectric or ferroelectric quartz or leads zirconate titanate material, and having on the obverse surface a first substantially U-shaped thin metal film electrode extending along the outer edges of the tuning fork tines and a second substantially U-shaped thin metal film electrode extending along the inner edges of said tines adjacent the tuning fork slot, and having on the reverse surface a third thin metal film electrode extending substantially across both tines, thick film metal weights disposed on said tines adjacent the free ends thereof, said weights being dimensionally trimmed to establish the resonant frequency of said tuning fork.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
A microresonator as defined in claim 15 wherein the length of the tuning fork stem is at least three times the tine width, and further comprising means for rigidly mounting one side of said stem to a support member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A microresonator as defined in claim 15 having an overall length of between about 100 mils and 500 mils, an overall width of between about 15 mils and 50 mils, and a thickness of less than 3 mils, and formed by chemical etching of said material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A microresonator according to claim 17 wherein said weights are formed by metal deposition, and wherein a portion of said deposited metal weights is removed by laser to establish the resonant frequency of said tuning fork.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
108 words
A microresonator comprising a microminiature tuning fork of piezoelectric or ferroelectric material, and having on the obverse surface a first substantially U-shaped electrode extending along the outer edges of the tuning fork tines and a second substantially U-shaped electrode extending along the inner edges of said tines adjacent the tuning fork slot, and having on the reverse surface a third electrode extending substantially across both tines, further including means for rigidly mounting the stem of said tuning fork to a support member, said mounting means comprising a pedestal attached to the reverse surface of said tuning fork stem, electrical connection to said third electrode being via said pedestal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
108 words
A microresonator comprising a microminiature tuning fork of piezoelectric or ferroelectric material, and having on the obverse surface a first substantially U-shaped electrode extending along the outer edges of the tuning fork tines and a second substantially U-shaped electrode extending along the inner edges of said tines adjacent the tuning fork slot, and having on the reverse surface a third electrode extending substantially across both tines, further including means for rigidly mounting the stem of said tuning fork to a support member, said mounting means comprising a pedestal attached to the reverse surface of said tuning fork stem, electrical connection to said third electrode being via said pedestal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
74 words
A microresonator of tuning fork configuration and having low temperature coefficient, comprising a wafer of quartz situated within 10* of a 45* X cut and having a thickness in the range of from about 1 mil to 3 mils, the tines of said tuning fork being aligned substantially parallel to the Y axis of said quartz, the overall width of said microresonator being in the range of from about 15 mils to 50 mils.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
74 words
A microresonator of tuning fork configuration and having low temperature coefficient, comprising a wafer of quartz situated within 10* of a 45* X cut and having a thickness in the range of from about 1 mil to 3 mils, the tines of said tuning fork being aligned substantially parallel to the Y axis of said quartz, the overall width of said microresonator being in the range of from about 15 mils to 50 mils.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
A microresonator according to cLaim 20 further comprising thin film electrodes disposed on said tines and means for providing a driving signal to said electrodes, the resultant electric field produced in said tines initiating oscillation of said microresonator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A microresonator according to claim 21 further comprising thick film metal weights disposed on said tines adjacent the free ends thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
121 words
A tuning fork: a. fabricated of piezoelectric or ferroelectric material, and b. having no dimension greater than 500 mils, c. thin film electrodes disposed on each tuning fork tine, cooperating with d. means for providing a driving signal to said thin film electrodes thereby to provide an electric field in said tines, e. said material being oriented to produce motion of said tines toward or away from each other in response to said provided electric field, f. pedestal means for rigidly mounting the stem of said tuning fork to a supporting substrate, and g. thick film metal weights disposed on said tines adjacent the free ends thereof, said weights being dimensionally trimmed to establish the resonant frequency of said tuning fork.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
121 words
A tuning fork: a. fabricated of piezoelectric or ferroelectric material, and b. having no dimension greater than 500 mils, c. thin film electrodes disposed on each tuning fork tine, cooperating with d. means for providing a driving signal to said thin film electrodes thereby to provide an electric field in said tines, e. said material being oriented to produce motion of said tines toward or away from each other in response to said provided electric field, f. pedestal means for rigidly mounting the stem of said tuning fork to a supporting substrate, and g. thick film metal weights disposed on said tines adjacent the free ends thereof, said weights being dimensionally trimmed to establish the resonant frequency of said tuning fork.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tuning fork according to claim 23 wherein the stem length is at least three times the tine width.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
A wrist watch, the time standard of said watch comprising a tuning fork according to claim 23.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
A tuning fork according to claim 23 wherein the obverse surface of each tine includes an electrode adjacent the inner tine edge and an electrode adjacent the outer tine edge, and wherein the reverse surface of each tine includes another electrode extending substantially across the width of each tine.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
An oscillator circuit incorporating as the frequency source a tuning fork according to claim 26.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
In combination, an oscillator circuit according to claim 27, and means for adjusting the oscillation frequency of said circuit, comprising a capacitor connected between said reverse surface electrode and one of the electrodes on said obverse surface.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
52 words
An oscillator according to claim 27 comprising: operational amplifier means for providing a driving signal to a first of said obverse surface electrodes, said operational amplifier means receiving an input derived from a second of said obverse surface electrodes, the phase shift of said means facilitating sustained oscillation of said tuning fork.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
59 words
An oscillator according to claim 29 wherein said operational amplifier means comprises: a first operational amplifier providing a driving signal to the outer edge electrode on one tine, and a second operational amplifier receiving a signal from the inner edge electrodes on said tines, the output of said second operational amplifier providing the input to said first operational amplifier.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
44 words
An oscillator according to claim 30 wherein each operational amplifier is provided with negative feedback, and further comprising a variable capacitor connected between said reverse surface electrode and the outer edge electrode on the other tine, said capacitor facilitating frequency adjustment of said oscillator.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
63 words
An oscillator according to claim 27 comprising: complementary channel transistors connected in series across a source of voltage, means for driving the gates of said transistors with a signal obtained from a first of said obverse surface electrodes, and means for providing a driving signal obtained from the common connection of said series connected transistors to a second of said obverse surface electrodes.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
44 words
A wrist watch comprising: an oscillator according to claim 32, circuit means for dividing the frequency of the signal provided by said oscillator, and motor means for driving the hands of said watch in response to the divided frequency supplied by said circuit means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
53 words
A tuning fork according to claim 23 and having an overall length of from about 100 mils to about 500 mils, an overall width of from about 15 mils to about 50 mils, a thickness of less than about 3 mils and a slot width of from about 1 mil to 5 mils.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
10 words
A tuning fork according to claim 34 and fabricated microlithographically.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |