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• Devices Supportive of Research
  • Home
  • Low Battery Alarm
  • Transistorized Auditory Gimmick
  • The Fowle Gimmique
  • "Chopper-Comparator"
    or "Null-Type" Readout System
  • Tactor
  • The Alden Non-Linear VCO
  • RERC
  • Smith-Kettlewell

 

The Smith-Kettlewell electromagnetic tactile stimulator is designed to impart vibratory impulses to the skin of the user. The tactor consists of a magnet (with an extension) placed in an annealed stainless steel tube. A steel washer (Pc2) holds the magnet in its normal position. A current through the coil moves the magnet. Either a half wave rectified 60 Hz current or a pulse generated by the illustrated drive circuit are recommended for driving the stimulator. The combination of the mechanical parameters of the skin and the stimulator results in a system resonant at about 60 Hz. The overall dimensions of the stimulator are 1/4 diameter by 1-1/2 inches in length.

The drawings below describe the components of the device. A few parts may be available from Smith-Kettlewell. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.