US 11,867,136 B2
Variable area nozzle assembly and method for operating same
Timothy Gormley, Bonita, CA (US)
Assigned to ROHR, INC., Chula Vista, CA (US)
Filed by Rohr, Inc., Chula Vista, CA (US)
Filed on Dec. 17, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/554,874.
Prior Publication US 2023/0193853 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
Int. Cl. F02K 1/12 (2006.01); F02K 1/36 (2006.01); F02K 1/62 (2006.01)
CPC F02K 1/1215 (2013.01) [F02K 1/36 (2013.01); F02K 1/62 (2013.01); F05D 2240/128 (2013.01); F05D 2260/50 (2013.01); F05D 2260/601 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. 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,
wherein the nozzle further comprises an A8 door pivotably mounted to the first fixed ring, the A8 door defining a second surface portion of the inner radial exhaust flow path surface, the A8 door being selectively pivotal relative to the nozzle centerline between a first A8 position defining a maximum area of a throat cross-sectional area of the nozzle and a second A8 position defining a minimum area of the throat cross-sectional area of the nozzle.