VARIABLE AREA NOZZLE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME

A variable area nozzle assembly (54) for a gas turbine engine (20) includes a nozzle (60) disposed about a nozzle centerline (146) and a fixed ring (82) radially surrounding the nozzle (60). The nozzle (60) includes a radially outer surface (64) and a radially inner surface (68). The radially inner surface (68) defines an outlet cross-sectional area (78) of the nozzle (60). The nozzle (60) is movable relative to the nozzle centerline (146) between a first position of the radially inner surface (68) defining a maximum area of the outlet cross-sectional area (78) and a second position of the radially inner surface (68) defining a minimum area of the outlet cross-sectional area (78). With the nozzle (60) in the first position, the radially outer surface (64) contacts the fixed ring (82). With the nozzle in the second position, the radially outer surface is spaced from the fixed ring.