Variable area nozzle for aircraft propulsion system

An apparatus for an aircraft propulsion system, comprising:

• a variable area nozzle apparatus including a plurality of panels, a plurality of inter-panel members, a plurality of outer panels, a plurality of outer inter-panel members and an actuation system;
• the plurality of panels arranged circumferentially about an axial centerline, and the plurality of panels including a first panel and a second panel;
• the plurality of inter-panel members arranged circumferentially about the axial centerline, the plurality of inter-panel members including a first inter-panel member between and connected to the first panel and the second panel, the first inter-panel member filling a gap laterally between a first side of the first panel and a second side of the second panel, and the first inter-panel member comprising an elastomeric material;
• the plurality of outer panels arranged circumferentially about the axial centerline and radially outboard of the plurality of panels, the plurality of outer panels including a first outer panel and a second outer panel;
• the plurality of outer inter-panel members arranged circumferentially about the axial centerline, the plurality of outer inter-panel members including a first outer inter-panel member between and connected to the first outer panel and the second outer panel, the first outer inter-panel member filling a gap laterally between a first side of the first outer panel and a second side of the second outer panel, and the first outer inter panel member comprising an elastomeric material;
• and
• the actuation system configured to move the plurality of panels and the plurality of inter-panel members between a restricted flow arrangement and an unrestricted flow arrangement;
• wherein the gap has a rectangular shape in a reference plane when the plurality of panels and the plurality of inter-panel members are in the restricted flow arrangement, and the gap has a trapezoidal shape in the reference plane when the plurality of panels and the plurality of inter-panel members are in the unrestricted flow arrangement;
• and
• wherein the first inter-panel member projects radially out from the first panel and the second panel when in the restricted flow arrangement, and the first outer inter-panel member projects radially in from the first outer panel and the second outer panel when in the restricted flow arrangement.