Reduced stiffness micro-mechanical structure
AssigneeDuality Reality Energy, LLC
InventorJeffrey Paul Baugher
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Abstract
Apparatuses and method are described to create a reduced stiffness microstructure (RSM). A RSM is made by forming a first buckled membrane along a first buckling direction and forming a second buckled membrane along a second buckling direction. The second buckling direction is opposite to the first buckling direction and the first buckled membrane is in contact with the second buckled membrane over a contact area. Within an operating zone, a stiffness of the reduced stiffness microstructure spring is less than an absolute value of a stiffness of either the first buckled membrane or the second buckled membrane when the contact area translates along either one of the buckling directions. In the operating zone the stiffness can approach or equal zero.
Claims26
A method to create a reduced stiffness microstructure, comprising:
- forming a first buckled membrane along a first buckling direction;
- and
- forming a second buckled membrane along a second buckling direction, the second buckling direction is opposite to the first buckling direction, the first buckled membrane is in contact with the second buckled membrane over a contact area, within an operating zone a stiffness of the reduced stiffness microstructure is less than an absolute value of a stiffness of at least one of the first buckled membrane or the second buckled membrane when the contact area translates along either one of the buckling directions.
A method of confining energy within a microstructure, comprising:
- flexing a first buckled membrane, the flexing causes a potential energy of the first buckled membrane to increase, while simultaneously;
- flexing a second buckled membrane, the first buckled membrane is in contact with the second buckled membrane, the flexing the second buckled membrane causes a potential energy of the second buckled membrane to decrease as the membranes translate along a buckling axis;
- and
- limiting translation of the membranes, wherein kinetic energy of the membranes is contained within the microstructure.
A method to create a potential energy well within a microstructure, comprising:
- providing a first potential energy stop;
- and
- providing a second potential energy stop, wherein the first potential energy stop and the second potential energy stop are separated by a distance, such that a pair of opposing buckled membranes can flex between the first potential energy stop and the second potential energy stop as a contact area of the membranes translates along a buckling axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.