Patent ID: 8714916

Claim:
A compressor for a gas turbine, the compressor comprising: a casing; a plurality of vanes partially disposed within the easing, each of the plurality of vanes including a stem segment extending through the casing; and a variable vane assembly, comprising: a synchronizing ring; a plurality of attachment studs secured to the synchronizing ring; a plurality of lever arms, each of the plurality of lever arms having a first end and a second end, the first end of each of the plurality of lever arms being attached to the stem segment of one of the plurality of vanes; and a plurality of rotational attachment devices, each of the plurality of rotational attachment devices being configured to rotatably couple the second end of each of the plurality of lever arms to one of the plurality of attachment studs so as to define rotational interface therebetween, wherein each of the plurality of attachments studs is rigidly attached to one of the plurality of rotational attachment devices adjacent to the rotational interface such that there is substantially no relative radial and circumferential sliding motion between the synchronizing ring and the plurality of lever arms during rotation of the synchronizing ring, wherein each of the plurality of lever arms is coupled between the synchronizing ring and one of the plurality of vanes such that a weight of each vane is supported by one of the plurality of lever arms instead of the casing, wherein each of the plurality of attachment studs includes a middle segment and a shoulder segment, the shoulder segment including a radially outer face extending radially outwardly relative to the middle segment, each of the plurality of rotational attachment devices being supported against the radially outer face of one of the plurality of attachment studs.