Dielectric seal device

A dielectric seal device positioned between first and second surfaces configured to move between close and distant positions, the dielectric seal device comprising:

• a first electrode engaged to the first surface;
• a second electrode spaced between the first and second surfaces and spaced from the first electrode;
• a resilient first element disposed between and engaged to the first and second electrodes, and configured to move between contracted and expanded states when the first and second electrodes are energized;
• and
• a resilient second element opposing the second surface and engaged to the second electrode, and configured to move between a compressed mode when the first and second surfaces are in the close position and an extended mode when the first and second surfaces are in the distant position, wherein the resilient first element is configured to be in the contracted state when the first and second electrodes are energized and in the expanded state when the first and second electrodes are de-energized, and wherein the resilient second element is in the compressed mode when the resilient first element is in the expanded state.

A dielectric seal device positioned between first and second surfaces configured to move between close and distant positions, the dielectric seal device comprising:

• a first electrode engaged to the first surface;
• a second electrode spaced between the first and second surfaces and spaced from the first electrode;
• a resilient first element disposed between and engaged to the first and second electrodes, and configured to move between contracted and expanded states when the first and second electrodes are energized;
• and
• a resilient second element opposing the second surface and engaged to the second electrode, and configured to move between a compressed mode when the first and second surfaces are in the close position and an extended mode when the first and second surfaces are in the distant position, wherein a cavity is defined by the resilient second element and the second electrode, and wherein an opening in the resilient second element is in fluid communication with the cavity.