Variable area nozzle assembly and method for operating same

A variable area nozzle assembly for a gas turbine engine, the variable area nozzle assembly comprising:

• a fixed structure disposed about a nozzle centerline and defining a first portion of an ejector passage extending from an outer radial side of the fixed structure to an inner radial side of the fixed structure;
• a nozzle disposed about the nozzle centerline and mounted to the fixed structure, the nozzle defining an inner radial exhaust flow path surface, the nozzle comprising a forward ejector door and an aft ejector door disposed about the nozzle centerline and defining a first surface portion of the inner radial flow path surface, each of the forward ejector door and the aft ejector door being pivotable between respective closed positions in which the forward ejector door contacts the aft ejector door and respective open positions in which the forward ejector door and the aft ejector door are spaced from one another to define a second portion of the ejector passage therebetween;
• a translating ejector sleeve mounted within the fixed structure and configured to translate within the fixed structure between a first position, in which the translating ejector sleeve obstructs the ejector passage, and a second position, in which the translating ejector sleeve is configured to allow air flow through the ejector passage from radially outside the fixed structure to radially inside the nozzle;
• and
• a first thrust reverser door and a second thrust reverser door, each of the first thrust reverser door and the second thrust reverser door rotatably mounted to the fixed structure at a first thrust reverser door end;
• wherein the aft ejector door is pivotably mounted to the first thrust reverser door and the second thrust reverser door.

A variable area nozzle assembly for a gas turbine engine, the variable area nozzle assembly comprising:

• a fixed structure comprising a first fixed ring and a second fixed ring disposed about a nozzle centerline, the second fixed ring spaced axially aft from the first fixed ring to define a first portion of an ejector passage therebetween;
• a nozzle disposed about the nozzle centerline and defining an inner radial exhaust flow path surface, the nozzle comprising a forward ejector door and an aft ejector door disposed about the nozzle centerline, the forward ejector door and the aft ejector door defining a first surface portion of the inner radial exhaust flow path surface, each of the forward ejector door and the aft ejector door being pivotable between respective closed positions, in which the forward ejector door is positioned adjacent the aft ejector door, and respective open positions, in which the forward ejector door and the aft ejector door are spaced from one another to define a second portion of the ejector passage therebetween;
• and
• a translating ejector sleeve mounted within the fixed structure and configured to axially translate within the fixed structure between a first axial position, in which the ejector passage is closed, and a second axial position, in which the ejector passage is open such that the ejector passage is configured to allow air flow therethrough from radially outside the fixed structure to radially inside the nozzle;
• a first thrust reverser door and a second thrust reverser door, each of the first thrust reverser door and the second thrust reverser door rotatably mounted to the fixed structure at a first thrust reverser door end;
• wherein a second thrust reverser door end of each of the first thrust reverser door and the second thrust reverser door is configured to contact the second fixed ring when the first thrust reverser door and the second thrust reverser door are in respective stowed positions.