A gas turbine engine includes a fan, a nacelle arranged about the fan, and an engine core at least partially within the nacelle. A fan bypass passage downstream of the fan between the nacelle and the gas turbine engine conveys a bypass airflow from the fan. A nozzle associated with the fan bypass passage is operative to control the bypass airflow. The nozzle includes a shape memory material having a first solid state phase that corresponds to a first nozzle position and a second solid state phase that corresponds to a second nozzle position.

A variable section nozzle includes an ejection casing and a plurality of internal flaps arranged in a ring downstream from the ejection casing. Each internal flap is connected to the ejection casing by a movable lever pivotally mounted to the downstream end of the ejection casing. Each lever is movable between a first position in which the internal flaps are in a high position and a second position in which the internal flaps are in a folded-down position. The nozzle includes a plurality of rigid movement transmission parts distributed circumferentially around the ejection casing. Each rigid movement transmission part is connected to two adjacent levers by connecting rods, and to a control actuator. Each rigid movement transmission part can move in a direction corresponding to the axial direction of the nozzle under the action of the control actuator to move the adjacent levers between the first and second positions.

A flap for a variable area exhaust nozzle of a gas turbine engine. The flap includes a support structure and a gas shield retained thereto. The support structure and the gas shield include a pair of grooves extending in a longitudinal direction of the flap and a pair of corresponding tongues that engage the pair of grooves so as to retain the gas shield to the support structure and to allow movement of the gas shield by thermal expansion along the support structure in the longitudinal direction.

An exhaust nozzle for a gas turbine engine includes: an exhaust duct configured to receive an exhaust flow of gas from a combustor of the engine; a first flap rotatably coupled to the exhaust duct for rotation about a first axis; a first actuator configured to actuate the first flap about the first axis between a first inner and a first outer position; a second flap rotatably coupled to the exhaust duct for rotation about a second axis; and a second actuator configured to actuate the second flap about the second axis between a second inner and a second outer position. The first and second flaps at least in part define a passageway configured to convey the exhaust flow of gas to an exterior of the gas turbine engine. The first and second axes of rotation are coaxial. Also provides is a method of operating an exhaust nozzle.

A system and method for vectoring the thrust of a supersonic, air-breathing engine. A thrust vectoring mechanism uses two asymmetrically staggered ramps; one placed at the throat, the other positioned at the exit lip of the nozzle of the engine to re-direct exhaust flow off-axis with the nozzle.

A pod for a turbojet engine includes an outer cowl having a structure with at least one opening and a panel pivotably mounted about an axis between a closed position and an open position, and a system for actuating the panel designed to lock the panel in closed position and to move same between the closed position and the open position thereof. The actuation system includes a lateral connecting rod connected to the panel and to the structure, pivoting relative to the structure about a first pivoting axis and about a second pivoting axis, and a linear actuator attached to the lateral connecting rod. The actuator system is designed to move the lateral connecting rod during the extension of the actuator, and the lateral connecting rod exerts a force on the panel during the movement thereof, pivoting the panel about the axis thereof.

An example turbofan engine starting system includes a core nacelle housing a compressor and a turbine. The core nacelle is disposed within a fan nacelle. The fan nacelle includes a turbofan. A bypass flow path downstream from the turbofan is arranged between the two nacelles. A controller is programmed to manipulate the nozzle exit area to facilitate startup of the engine. In one example, manipulates the nozzle exit area using nozzles, in response to an engine shutdown condition. The nozzles open and close to adjust the nozzle exit area.

A variable-geometry convergent-divergent exhaust nozzle includes: a duct to receive exhaust from a combustor; and first and second flap assemblies each including proximal and distal flaps. The first and second proximal flaps are rotatably coupled to the exhaust duct and include entry surfaces that in part define a nozzle passageway to convey the exhaust to an exterior of the engine. The first and second distal flaps are rotatably coupled to the first and second proximal flaps. The first distal flap includes converging and diverging surfaces angled with respect to each other. The second distal flap includes converging and diverging surfaces angled with respect to each other. The converging surfaces define at least in part a convergent portion of the nozzle passageway. The first and second diverging surfaces define at least in part a divergent portion of the nozzle passageway.

A propulsor system comprising a propulsor and an exhaust area control mechanism are described. The exhaust area control mechanism is connected to an outlet of the propulsor and is configured to vary the area through which air exits the propulsor system.

An apparatus is provided for an aircraft propulsion system. This apparatus includes a variable area nozzle apparatus. The variable area nozzle apparatus includes a plurality of panels, a plurality of inter-panel members and an actuation system. The panels are arranged circumferentially about an axial centerline. The panels include a first panel and a second panel. The inter-panel members are arranged circumferentially about the axial centerline. The inter-panel members include a first inter-panel member between and connected to the first panel and the second panel. The first inter-panel member is configured from or otherwise includes an elastomeric material. The actuation system is configured to move the panels and the inter-panel members between a restricted flow arrangement and an unrestricted flow arrangement. The actuation system includes a first linkage and a second linkage. The first linkage is coupled to the first panel. The second linkage is coupled to the second panel.