Actuation system for a translating variable area fan nozzle

A variable area fan nozzle assembly for a turbofan engine, the assembly comprising:

• (a) a nacelle having an aft edge;
• (b) a translating thrust reverser sleeve movably disposed aft of the aft edge and including a trailing edge, the thrust reverser sleeve being movable between a forward position and an aft position;
• (c) a translating fan nozzle having a forward edge, the fan nozzle being movably disposed behind the trailing edge and being movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein an upstream bypass flow exit is defined between the trailing edge and the forward edge when the fan nozzle in the deployed position;
• and
• (d) an actuation system for selectively moving the fan nozzle between the stowed position and the deployed position, the actuation system comprising a power drive unit, at least one extensible actuator disposed between the thrust reverser sleeve and the fan nozzle, and at least one telescoping coupling disposed between the thrust reverser sleeve and the nacelle;
• (e) wherein the extensible actuator is rotatably coupled to the power drive unit through the telescoping coupling;
• (f) wherein the extensible actuator and the telescoping coupling are substantially axially aligned.