Microelectromechanical timer

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:874080

Polosky, Marc A ^[1]; Garcia, Ernest J ^[1]; Plummer, David W ^[1]

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1. Albuquerque, NM

A microminiature timer having an optical readout is disclosed. The timer can be formed by surface micromachining or LIGA processes on a silicon substrate. The timer includes an integral motor (e.g. an electrostatic motor) that can intermittently wind a mainspring to store mechanical energy for driving a train of meshed timing gears at a rate that is regulated by a verge escapement. Each timing gear contains an optical encoder that can be read out with one or more light beams (e.g. from a laser or light-emitting diode) to recover timing information. In the event that electrical power to the timer is temporarily interrupted, the mechanical clock formed by the meshed timing gears and verge escapement can continue to operate, generating accurate timing information that can be read out when the power is restored.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
• Patent Number(s): US 6307815
• OSTI ID: 874080
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

microelectromechanical
timer
microminiature
optical
readout
disclosed
formed
surface
micromachining
liga
processes
silicon
substrate
integral
motor
electrostatic
intermittently
wind
mainspring
store
mechanical
energy
driving
train
meshed
timing
gears
rate
regulated
verge
escapement
gear
contains
encoder
light
beams
laser
light-emitting
diode
recover
information
event
electrical
power
temporarily
interrupted
clock
operate
generating
accurate
restored
light beam
electrical power
silicon substrate
surface micromachining
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