Variable vane lever arm
AssigneeRtx Corporation
InventorsSamuel B. Hoyt, Fadi Samir Maalouf
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vane arm has: a first end and a second end; a shank extending between the first end and the second end and having a first face and a second face; a first hole in the shank proximate the first end; a second hole in the shank proximate the second end; and a transverse groove in the first face intersecting the second hole. The transverse groove has: a base; a first open end and a second open end; a first side face and a second side face. The transverse groove first side face and second side face converge toward each other from the first open end to the second open end.
Claims20
A vane arm comprising:
- a first end and a second end;
- a shank extending between the first end and the second end and having a first face and a second face;
- a first hole in the shank proximate the first end;
- a second hole in the shank proximate the second end;
- and
- a transverse groove in the first face intersecting the second hole and having:
- a base;
- a first open end and a second open end;
- and
- a first side face and a second side face,
- wherein:
- the transverse groove first side face and second side face converge toward each other from the first open end to the second open end;
- an average depth of the transverse groove is at least 2.0 mm;
- a distance between centers of the first and second holes is 25 millimeters to 51 millimeters;
- and
- an overall length of the vane arm is no more than 80 millimeters.
A vane assembly comprising:
- a vane having an airfoil and a shaft protruding from an end of the airfoil, the shaft having:
- a threaded portion;
- a shoulder;
- and
- a first facet and a second facet between the shoulder and the threaded portion;
- a vane arm having:
- a first end and a second end;
- a shank extending between the first end and the second end and having a first face and a second face;
- a first hole in the shank proximate the first end;
- a second hole in the shank proximate the second end, the shaft in the second hole;
- a transverse groove intersecting the second hole and having:
- a base;
- a first sidewall contacting the first facet;
- and
- a second sidewall contacting the second facet;
- and
- a nut holding the vane arm to the shaft compressed between the nut and the shoulder,
- wherein:
- in cross-section normal to an axis of the threads of the threaded portion, the first and second facets are off-parallel to each other by an angle (θ) of 15° to 35°.
A vane arm comprising:
- a first end and a second end;
- a shank extending between the first end and the second end and having a first face and a second face;
- a first hole in the shank proximate the first end;
- a second hole in the shank proximate the second end;
- and
- a transverse groove in the first face intersecting the second hole and having:
- a base;
- a first open end and a second open end;
- and
- a first side face and a second side face,
- wherein:
- the transverse groove first side face and second side face converge toward each other from the first open end to the second open end;
- and
- the transverse groove first side face and second side face converge toward each other from the first open end to the second open end at an angle (θ) of 15° to 35° over at least 50% of a length of the transverse groove.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.