Variable stator vane assembly for an axial flow compressor of a gas turbine engine

Claim 2

A variable angle stator vane assembly for use in an axial flow compressor of a gas turbine engine having a compressor casing with a bore formed therein at the position of said variable angle stator vane assembly, said variable angle stator vane assembly comprising: an upstanding external boss integrally formed on said casing and surrounding said casing bore, a housing having a central bore, a bushing assembly in said housing, said housing having a body mounted in said casing bore and an integrally formed lateral flange overlying and removably affixed to said external casing boss, said variable angle stator vane having a base terminating in a spindle rotatively mounted in said bushing assembly, said housing and bushing assembly thereof being removable and replaceable from the exterior of said casing without removing said casing from said compressor or said stator vane spindle from said casing bore.

Claim 3

The variable angle stator vane assembly claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing is so configured that said housing and said bushing assembly thereof can be removed from said casing bore, rotated axially 180°, and reinstalled in said casing bore from the exterior of said casing without removing said casing from said compressor or said stator vane spindle from said casing bore.

Claim 4

The variable angle stator vane assembly claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing body is cylindrical, terminating in an inner, planar, annular end and an outer end surrounded by said housing flange, said housing bore having a first portion extending from said inner end and a second portion leading to said outer end, said second bore portion being of greater diameter than said first bore portion with an annular shoulder formed therebetween, said annular shoulder facing said outer end, said bushing assembly comprising a cylindrical journal bearing portion located in said first bore portion, an inner thrust bearing portion overlying said inner end, and an outer thrust bearing portion overlying said housing shoulder.

Claim 5

The variable angle stator vane assembly claimed in claim 3, wherein said bushing assembly comprises an integral, one-piece structure formed within and adhered to said housing.

Claim 6

The variable angle stator vane assembly claimed in claim 3, wherein said bushing assembly journal bearing portion and inner and outer thrust bearing portions comprise separate components.

Claim 7

The variable angle stator vane assembly claimed in claim 3, wherein said stator vane base faces said bushing assembly inner thrust bearing portion overlying said housing inner end, said stator vane spindle having a first portion extending through said housing bore first portion and said bushing assembly journal bearing portion therein, said spindle first portion terminating in a second portion of lesser diameter than said first portion forming an annular shoulder therebetween, said spindle second portion terminating in a third portion of lesser diameter than said second portion, said third portion being externally threaded, a spacer having a central perforation, said spindle second portion extending through said spacer perforation, said spacer overlying said bushing assembly outer thrust bearing portion and abutting said spindle annular shoulder, an alignment sleeve having a central perforation, said alignment sleeve surrounding said spindle second portion and abutting said spacer, a nut threadedly engaged on said spindle third portion and abutting said alignment sleeve, a stator vane actuating lever arm having a perforation formed therein and being mounted on said spindle third portion abutting said first nut, means rendering said lever arm non-rotatable with respect to said spindle, a second nut threadedly engaged on said spindle third portion and abutting said lever arm, said spindle first portion being of such length as to assure running clearance between said spindle base and said bushing assembly inner thrust bearing portion and between said spacer and said bushing assembly outer thrust bearing portion.

Claim 8

The variable angle stator vane assembly claimed in claim 4, wherein said bushing assembly comprises a woven fabric impregnated with resin.

Claim 9

The variable angle stator vane assembly claimed in claim 5, wherein said bushing assembly components comprise composite carbon components.

Claim 10

The variable angle stator vane assembly claimed in claim 6, wherein said housing is so configured that said housing and said bushing assembly thereof can be removed from said casing bore, rotated axially 180°, and reinstalled in said casing bore from the exterior of said casing without removing said casing from said compressor or said stator vane spindle from said casing bore.

Claim 11

The variable angle stator vane assembly claimed in claim 9, wherein said bushing assembly comprises an integral, one-piece structure formed within and adhered to said housing.

Claim 12

The variable angle stator vane assembly claimed in claim 9, wherein said bushing assembly journal bearing portion and inner and outer thrust bearing portions comprise separate components.

Claim 13

The variable angle stator vane assembly claimed in claim 10, wherein said bushing assembly comprises a woven fabric impregnated with resin.

Claim 14

The variable angle stator vane assembly claimed in claim 11, wherein said bushing assembly components comprise composite carbon components.