Percussion instrument

摘要

A percussion instrument suitable for use in dental practice for determining the degree of looseness of teeth has a movably seated ram which is accelerated to a defined velocity by an electromagnetic drive means and is subsequently moved toward a test subject (such as a tooth) in free flight. The electromagnetic means also controls return of the ram to a rest position. The ram is comprised of a non-magnetic section and a section of low magnetic retentivity passing through a magnetic coil. Control electronics supplies current pulses to the coil. The velocity of the ram is detected by a measuring and evaluation unit and is maintained at a constant value after a comparison of a rated value with the actual velocity value. The current feed to the coil is discontinued when the rated velocity is reached.