Abstract: A control system for a variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) is disclosed. The VAFN may have a plurality of petals and may be for use with a gas turbine engine. The control system may include a primary system configured to acquire primary data indicative of an operating condition of the VAFN, a secondary system configured to acquire secondary data indicative of a current operating condition of the gas turbine engine, and a control module in operative communication with the primary system and the secondary system. The control module may be configured to: determine a nozzle area of the VAFN based at least in part on the primary data, adjust the determined nozzle area based on the secondary data, and position the plurality of petals according to the adjusted nozzle area.

Abstract: A control system for a variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) having a plurality of petals is disclosed. The control system may include at least one fiber optic shape sensor extending along at least one of the plurality of petals, and a light source operatively connected to the at least one fiber optic shape sensor. The control system may further include a receiver operatively connected to the at least one fiber optic shape sensor. The control system may further include a VAFN control unit in operative communication with the plurality of petals and the receiver. The VAFN control unit may be configured to receive a signal from the receiver indicative of the measured strain along the at least one fiber optic shape sensor, and calculate a nozzle area of the VAFN based on the measured strain.