Patent 7131815 was granted and assigned to Rolls-Royce on November, 2006 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
A vane provided with at least one spindle, the at least one spindle configured to engage in operation with a support such that in operation the vane pivots about the at least one spindle. The vane is further provided with an electrically operable heater which is communicable with an electrical supply via an electrical connection node located in the at least one spindle. The electrical connection node comprises a female portion and a corresponding male portion. The support is defined by a casing.