Edward L Hill

US Patent:

6351580, Feb 26, 2002

Filed:

Mar 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/536877

Inventors:

Vijayakumar Rudrappa Dhuler - Raleigh NC
Edward A. Hill - Chapel Hill NC

Assignee:

JDS Uniphase Corporation - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G02B 642

US Classification:

385 19, 385 14, 385 15, 385147, 385136, 385137

Abstract:

Microelectromechanical devices may include a substrate having first and second optical fibers thereon. An optical shutter may also be provided. This optical shutter is mechanically coupled to a first plurality of arched beams that are supported at opposing ends by support structures which may be mounted on the substrate. A second plurality of arched beams are also provided on a first side of the optical shutter. These arched beams are also supported at opposing ends by support structures. A first brake member is provided that is coupled to the second plurality of arched beams. This first brake member contacts and restricts the optical shutter from moving in the Ây-direction when the second plurality of arched beams are relaxed, but releases the optical shutter when the second plurality of arched beams move in the -x direction. This ability to restrict movement of the optical shutter when the second plurality of arched beams are relaxed provides a degree of nonvolatile position retention. A third plurality of arched beams are also preferably provided on a second side of the optical shutter.

US Patent:

6396975, May 28, 2002

Filed:

Jan 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/489264

Inventors:

Robert L. Wood - Cary NC
Edward A. Hill - Chapel Hill NC
Ramaswamy Mahadevan - Chapel Hill NC

Assignee:

JDS Uniphase Corporation - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G02B 626

US Classification:

385 18, 385 16

Abstract:

A microelectromechanical structure capable of switching optical signals from an input fiber to one of two or more output fibers. In one embodiment, the MEMS optical cross-connect switch comprises a first microelectronic substrate having a pop-up mirror disposed on the surface of the substrate and a rotational magnetic field source, such as a variably controlled magnetic field source. The rotational magnetic field source allows for reliable actuation of the pop-up mirror from a non-reflective state to a reflective state. Additionally the invention is embodied in a MEMS optical cross-connect switch having a first microelectronic substrate having a pop-up mirror disposed on the surface of the substrate and a positioning structure disposed in a fixed positional relationship relative to the first substrate. The positioning structure may comprise a positioning structure extending from a second microelectronic substrate that is in a fixed positional relationship relative to the first microelectronic substrate. The positioning structure serves to restrict further movement of the pop-up mirror when the pop-up mirror has been actuated into a reflective state.

US Patent:

6400550, Jun 4, 2002

Filed:

May 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/860213

Inventors:

Robert L. Wood - Cary NC
Vivek Agrawal - Durham NC
Ramaswamy Mahadevan - Chapel Hill NC
Edward A. Hill - Chapel Hill NC

Assignee:

JDS Uniphase Corporation - San Jose CA

International Classification:

H01G 501

US Classification:

361277, 361278, 3612982

Abstract:

A variable capacitor is provided having first and second capacitor plates, a tandem mover and an actuator. The first and second capacitor plates are positioned such that the first and second capacitor plates face one another in a spaced apart relationship. The tandem mover is configured to move the first and second capacitor plates in tandem in response to changes in ambient temperature to maintain a consistent spaced apart relationship between the capacitor plates. The actuator is then configured to vary the spaced apart relationship between the first and second capacitor plates in response to an external input. The capacitance of the variable capacitor can therefore be varied by increasing and decreasing the spaced apart relationship between the first and second capacitor plates.

US Patent:

6410361, Jun 25, 2002

Filed:

Feb 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/777749

Inventors:

Vijayakumar R. Dhuler - Raleigh NC
Edward Hill - Chapel Hill NC
Allen Cowen - Cary NC

Assignee:

JDS Uniphase Corporation - Research Triangle Park NC

International Classification:

H01L 2100

US Classification:

438 54, 438 52, 310307, 337 3, 337333

Abstract:

A MEMS thermal actuator device is provided that is capable of providing linear displacement in a plane generally parallel to the surface of a substrate. Additionally, the MEMS thermal actuator of the present invention may provide for a self-contained heating mechanism that allows for the thermal actuator to be actuated using lower power consumption and lower operating temperatures. The MEMS thermal actuator includes a microelectronic substrate having a first surface and at least one anchor structure affixed to the first surface. A composite beam extends from the anchor(s) and overlies the first surface of the substrate. The composite beam is adapted for thermal actuation, such that it will controllably deflect along a predetermined path that extends substantially parallel to the first surface of the microelectronic substrate. In one embodiment the composite beam comprises two or layers having materials that have correspondingly different thermal coefficients of expansion. As such, the layers will respond differently when thermal energy is supplied to the composite.

US Patent:

6428173, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

May 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/304301

Inventors:

Vijayakumar R. Dhuler - Raleigh NC
Mark David Walters - Durham NC
Edward A. Hill - Chapel Hill NC
Allen Bruce Cowen - Cary NC

Assignee:

JDS Uniphase, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G02B 508

US Classification:

359872, 359881, 359223, 359224, 359230

Abstract:

Microelectromechanical structures (MEMS) are provided that are adapted to controllably move mirrors in response to selective thermal actuation. In one embodiment, the MEMS moveable mirror structure includes a thermally actuated microactuator adapted to controllably move along a predetermined path substantially parallel to the first major surface of an underlying microelectronic substrate. A mirror is adapted to move accordingly with the microactuator between a non-actuated and an actuated position. In all positions, the mirror has a mirrored surface disposed out of plane relative to the first major surface of the microelectronic substrate. The microactuator provided herein can include various thermal arched beam actuators, thermally actuated composite beam actuators, arrayed actuators, and combinations thereof. The MEMS moveable mirror structure can also include a mechanical latch and/or an electrostatic latch for controllably clamping the mirror in position. A MEMS moveable mirror array is also provided which permits individualized control of each individual MEMS moveable mirror structure within the array.

US Patent:

6445842, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Apr 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/542170

Inventors:

Vijayakumar Rudrappa Dhuler - Raleigh NC
Edward A. Hill - Chapel Hill NC

Assignee:

JDS Uniphase, Inc.

International Classification:

G02B 626

US Classification:

385 17, 385 18

Abstract:

Microelectromechanical (MEM) Optical Cross-connect (OXC) switches having mechanical actuators are discussed. In particular, the MEM OXC switches can include a plurality of reflectors, wherein each of the plurality of the reflectors is movable to at least one of a respective first reflector position along a respective optical beam path from an associated input of the MEM OXC switch to an associated output thereof and a respective second reflector position outside the optical beam path. A mechanical actuator moves to at least one of a first mechanical actuator position and a second mechanical actuator position. A selector selects ones of the plurality of reflectors to be coupled to the mechanical actuator and at least one of the plurality of reflectors to be decoupled from the mechanical actuator, wherein the mechanical actuator is coupled to the selected ones of the plurality of reflectors in the first actuator position and wherein the mechanical actuator moves the selected ones of the plurality of reflectors from the respective first reflector positions to the respective second reflector positions when the mechanical actuator moves from the first mechanical actuator position to the second mechanical actuator position. Related methods are also discussed.

US Patent:

6535318, Mar 18, 2003

Filed:

Feb 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/511928

Inventors:

Robert L. Wood - Cary NC
Edward A. Hill - Chapel Hill NC

Assignee:

JDS Uniphase Corporation - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G02B 2608

US Classification:

359224, 359291, 359298, 359280

Abstract:

Integrated optoelectronic devices include a substrate having an opening therein that extends at least partially therethrough and a ledge extending inwardly from a sidewall of the opening. A pop-up mirror is provided in the opening. The mirror has an underside edge that is supported by an upward facing portion of the ledge when the mirror is in a closed position. A hinge is also provided. The hinge mechanically couples the mirror to the substrate so that the mirror can be rotated from the closed position to an open position.

US Patent:

6677695, Jan 13, 2004

Filed:

Sep 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/244630

Inventors:

Vijayakumar Rudrappa Dhuler - Raleigh NC
Edward Arthur Hill - Chapel Hill NC

Assignee:

JDS Uniphase Corporation - San Jose CA

International Classification:

H02N 100

US Classification:

310309, 359223, 359224, 359291

Abstract:

A movable microelectromechanical mirror structure for a microelectromechanical structure (MEMS) has an actuator (electrodes) for the moving mirror. The electrodes are situated at a predetermined angle to the horizontal thus improving the relationship between force applied on the mirror and the gap between the mirror and the electrodes. The angular electrode placement is achieved by the provision of a deformable electrode support member mounted on the substrate, with at least one of the electrodes mounted on the electrode support member, and a deforming element mounted against the deformable electrode support member such as to permanently maintain the deformable electrode support member in a deformed state.

Address:

12 Kalimar Hts, Hendersonville, NC 28739

Phone:

8045122271

VIN:

1G4GD5E38CF102808

Make:

BUICK

Model:

LACROSSE

Year:

2012