Patent ID: 7637162

Claim:
A non-destructive inspection apparatus for inspecting samples that may include a curvature that varies from sample to sample, the apparatus comprising: a scanning element, operable to transmit a signal to a sample and receive a signal from the sample; a feed mechanism, operable to guide the sample past the scanning element and including a plurality of pulleys and a plurality of belts that form an open-ended chain, wherein each belt provides a link between two pulleys, a drive motor, coupled to the plurality of pulleys and the plurality of belts such that the drive motor can drive the series of pulleys to rotate generally synchronously and in the same direction, and an array of rear elements including an array of rear shafts, an array of rear gears, and an array of rear rollers, wherein each rear element includes a rear shaft rigidly attached to a rear gear and a rear roller; and a pivot mechanism, operable to adapt the feed mechanism to the curvature of the sample in order to maintain a constant distance between the scanning element and the sample, the pivot mechanism including a plurality of primary links operable to pivot in response to the shape of the sample, wherein each one the of primary links includes a head and a tail such that the head of one primary link couples with the tail of the next primary link and each one the of primary links is operable to pivot about a point where the primary link is coupled to another primary link, and each one of the primary links is further coupled to one of the shafts of the rear array of elements at the point where one primary link is coupled to another primary link, such that as the primary links pivot, components of the feed mechanism move in relation to one another.