Methods and apparatus for sealing gas turbine engine variable vane assemblies

A variable vane assembly (44) for a gas turbine engine includes a casing (50), said variable vane assembly comprising a variable vane (52) comprising a platform and a trunnion (54), said platform extending outwardly from said trunnion and comprising an outer wall defining an outer periphery of said platform, and a radially outer surface (90) extending from said outer wall to said trunnion; and a seal assembly (120) comprising a journal bushing (126) and a first washer (122), said journal bushing comprising a first end (134), a second end (136), and a substantially cylindrical body (130) extending between said first and second ends, such that a diameter d 2 of said body is substantially constant between said first and second ends, said journal bushing in contact with at least one of said variable vane platform and said first washer for preventing contact between said trunnion and the engine casing, said first washer substantially flat and extending from said platform outer wall towards said trunnion, said first washer configured to prevent contact between said variable vane platform radially outer surface and the engine casing.