# US 10,502,162 B2 · Dielectric seal device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,162 B2 - Document ID: US10502162B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/964,363 - Filed: 2015-12-09 - Published: 2017-06-15 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-09 - Assignees: Rohr, Inc. - Applicants: Rohr, Inc. - Inventors: Joel H. Frank; Lubomir A. Ribarov - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502162B2 ## CPC - F02K 1/805: {Sealing devices therefor, e.g. for movable parts of jet pipes or nozzle flaps} - F02K 1/09: by axially moving an external member, e.g. a shroud (F02K1/12 takes precedence) - F16J 15/022: {characterised by structure or material} - F16J 15/061: {with positioning means (F16J15/0831 takes precedence)} - F16J 15/068: {the packing swelling under working conditions} - H10N 30/857: Macromolecular compositions - F05D 2240/55: Seals - F02K: JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (features of jet-propulsion plants common to gas-turbine plants, air intakes or fuel supply control of air-breathing jet-propulsion plants F02C7/00, F02C9/00) - F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS - H10N: ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS ## Abstract A seal device that may be for a variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) assembly of a turbofan engine is positioned between first and second surfaces configured to move between close and distant positions. The seal device includes a first electrode engaged to the first surface and a second electrode spaced between the first and second surfaces and spaced from the first electrode. A resilient first element of the device is disposed between and engages to the first and second electrodes, and is configured to move between contracted and expanded states when the electrodes are energized. A resilient second element of the device opposes the second surface and is engaged to the second electrode. The second element is 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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, wherein energizing of the first and second electrodes facilitate the movement between contracted and expanded states; 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 and second elements are one unitary piece and the second electrode is completely embedded in the one unitary piece. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The dielectric seal device set forth in claim 1, wherein the first surface is stationary. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The dielectric seal device set forth in claim 1, wherein the 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. ### Claim 4 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. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The dielectric seal device set forth in claim 4, wherein the second element is in the extended mode when the first element is in the contracted state. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The dielectric seal device set forth in claim 1 further comprising: a controller configured to energize the first and second electrodes when the first and second surfaces are in the distant position and de-energize the first and second electrodes when the first and second surfaces are in the close position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The dielectric seal device set forth in claim 1, wherein the second element is in contact with the second surface when the first and second surfaces are in the close position and the first element is in the extended state. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The dielectric seal device set forth in claim 1, wherein a cavity is defined by the second element and the second electrode. ### Claim 9 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The dielectric seal device set forth in claim 1, wherein the second element includes a contoured face that opposes and mirrors the second surface which is contoured. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The dielectric seal device set forth in claim 10, wherein the second electrode is contoured to generally match the contoured face. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The dielectric seal device set forth in claim 1, wherein the dielectric seal device is part of a nacelle of a turbofan engine.