VARIABLE AREA NOZZLE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A VARIABLE AREA NOZZLE ASSEMBLY

A variable area nozzle assembly (46) for a gas turbine engine includes a fixed structure (48) surrounding an exhaust duct (50) extending along a nozzle centerline (52). The fixed structure (48) includes an upper side and a lower side opposite the upper side (58). The variable area nozzle assembly (46) further includes a nozzle disposed about the nozzle centerline (52). The nozzle (54) includes a nozzle throat cross-sectional area and a nozzle outlet cross-sectional area downstream of the nozzle throat cross-sectional area. The nozzle includes an upper panel (74) and a lower panel (76). The upper panel (74) includes an upper downstream end (80) and the lower panel (76) including a lower downstream end (80). The upper downstream end (80) and the lower downstream end (80) define a portion of the nozzle throat cross-sectional area (86). The variable area nozzle assembly (46) further includes a nozzle actuation system (130) including an upper shaft (144) connected to the upper panel (76) and a lower shaft (162) connected to the lower panel (76).