CT Slice proximity rotary table and elevator for examining large objects

A Computerized Tomography (CT) system for examining large objects, e.g., rocket motors, includes an improved support structure comprising a large bearing and an elongated cup-like support attached to the inner race of the bearing and extending away from the bearing in coaxial relation thereto for supporting the object to be examined and for rotating that object about the axis of the bearing. Spacers or an elevator are provided adjacent the bottom of the cup-like structure for selectively translating the object being examined along the axis of the support structure and bearing. An X-ray source is positioned to beam X-rays through the object being examined at a diametral plane in said object closely adjacent to one face of the bearing, and a detector is also provided which is responsive to X-rays passing through the object to determine the X-ray opacity of a slice of said object closely adjacent to the bearing. The source and detector, or alternatively the bearing and cup-like support, are mounted for translation in a direction transverse to the beam direction. The support structure may be oriented vertically within a pit located below the door of a building structure, with the bearing, source and detector being located above the floor.