Apparatus for maintaining a fluid seal with a moving substrate

An apparatus for maintaining a fluid seal with a moving substrate, said apparatus comprising:

• a) an enclosure having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface being in sealing contact with said moving substrate;
• b) a cap sealing off said second surface of said enclosure, said cap being secured to said enclosure at at least two spaced apart locations and said cap having a non-secured portion which is capable of deflecting independently of said enclosure;
• and
• c) means for introducing a pressurized fluid into said enclosure, said pressurized fluid creating a net force on said enclosure of zero and a force on said cap which causes a portion of said cap to deflect vertically relative to said enclosure thus allowing said first surface of said enclosure to remain in sealing contact with said moving substrate.

An apparatus for maintaining a fluid seal with a moving substrate, said moving substrate containing water, said apparatus comprising:

• a) an enclosure having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface being in sealing contact with said moving substrate;
• b) a cap sealing off said second surface of said enclosure, said cap being secured to said enclosure at at least two spaced apart locations and said cap having a non-secured portion which is capable of deflecting independently of said enclosure;
• and
• c) means for introducing pressurized air into said enclosure, said pressurized air creating a net force on said enclosure of zero and a force on said cap, said upward force causing a portion of said cap to deflect relative to said enclosure thus allowing said first surface of said enclosure to remain in sealing contact with said moving substrate such that said pressurized air is forced through and removes at least a portion of said water from said moving substrate.