Patent ID: 6682299
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: F01D,F04D,F16C,Y02T

Abstract:
A stator vane support structure for supporting a turbomachine stator vane for pivotal movement about a stator vane pivot axis, said support structure comprising:a) a carrier member for supporting a trunnion that extends from a longitudinal end of a stator vane, the carrier member formed from a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and including an opening defined by an opening diameter; b) a substantially cylindrical bushing carried in the opening in the carrier member for receiving the trunnion, the bushing including a tubular body wall within which the trunnion is received for relative rotation therewith, wherein the tubular body wall includes a longitudinally-extending gap to allow the outer diameter of the bushing to be decreased by the application of a laterally-applied compressive force, the tubular body wall when in a relaxed condition having an initial outer diameter that is larger than the diameter of the opening in the carrier member, so that upon lateral compression of the bushing to a smaller outer diameter than its initial outer diameter it can be inserted into the opening in the carrier member and can be retained therein by an interference fit upon release of the compressive force, wherein the bushing is formed from a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is lower than the first coefficient of thermal expansion.