US 11,994,087 B2
Variable area nozzle 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. 6, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/542,926.
Prior Publication US 2023/0175457 A1, Jun. 8, 2023
Int. Cl. F02K 1/12 (2006.01)
CPC F02K 1/1207 (2013.01) [F05D 2220/32 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A variable area nozzle assembly for a gas turbine engine, the variable area nozzle assembly comprising:
a nozzle disposed about a nozzle centerline, the nozzle comprising a radially outer surface, a radially inner surface, an axially forward end, and an axially aft end, the radially outer surface extending from the axially forward end to the axially aft end, the radially inner surface defining an outlet cross-sectional area of the nozzle, the nozzle pivotable at the axially forward end relative to the nozzle centerline between a first position of the radially inner surface defining a maximum area of the outlet cross-sectional area and a second position of the radially inner surface defining a minimum area of the outlet cross-sectional area; and
a fixed ring radially surrounding the nozzle such that with the nozzle in the first position the radially outer surface contacts the fixed ring, and with the nozzle in the second position the radially outer surface is radially spaced from the fixed ring, wherein the fixed ring is positioned axially between and axially spaced from the axially forward end and the axially aft end with the nozzle in the first position and the second position.