Variable vane electro-graphic thrust washer
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorRobert T. Brooks
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for improving the wear characteristics of a system for operating a variable vane comprising the steps of providing a trunnion connected to the variable vane via an vane platform and means for causing rotation of the trunnion, and positioning a thrust washer formed from a carbon material about a lower portion of the trunnion and in a space between the vane platform and an outer split case so that during operation of the system the space between the vane platform and the outer split case is maintained substantially constant and unwanted deflection of the vane is avoided.
Claims14
A method for improving the wear characteristics of a system for operating a variable vane comprising the steps of:
- providing a trunnion connected to said variable vane via a vane platform and means for causing rotation of said trunnion;
- and
- positioning a thrust washer formed from a carbon material comprising electrographitic carbon about a lower portion of said trunnion and in a space between said vane platform and an outer split case so that during operation of said system said space between said vane platform and said outer split case is maintained substantially constant and unwanted deflection of said vane is avoided.
A system for operating a variable vane in a gas turbine engine comprising:
- a vane;
- a trunion attached to said vane for rotating said vane;
- and
- means for avoiding unwanted deflection of said vane at operating temperatures, said deflection avoiding means comprises a self lubricating thrust washer comprising electrographitic carbon surrounding a lower portion of said trunnion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.