The technical field of the present invention relates to a seal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mechanical seal, use of the seal, and a method of using the seal for avoiding contamination.

In recent years, a great deal of attention has been given to saving energy and being environmentally friendly. While there are many different sources of energy available, it is often a problem to recoup this energy in a useful form. It is often a problem to transform this energy into an energy form that can be stored.

It is specifically difficult and problematic to protect a mechanism or apparatus that transfers energy. The very nature of energy presents problems when trying to protect the mechanism that comes in contact with the energy. For example, a mechanism acted upon by an impact force may be impaired by the force if not protected. Further problems arise when there is an interaction of moving parts. It is further a problem how such a protection can be achieved. Such a protection and/or seal should preferably not harvest energy from the moving parts.

A further problem underlying this disclosure is the difficulty of preventing contamination of a mechanism or apparatus, especially one that transfers energy. While a protection may be needed from the energy source in question, additional means may be necessary for preventing

contamination from environmental conditions not specifically relating to the energy. This may be, for example, weather and dirt. A mechanism or apparatus that transfer energy may be located within a road, for example, level with the road surface. Such a location presents specific

considerations, problems, and difficulties, as noted below. Additionally, it is desirable to avoid cumbersome arrangements from a technical and/or economical point of view.

Problems and difficulties arise when preventing contamination of an opening in a road for vehicles. The road itself may be seriously

contaminated by debris in various form, for example stones, metal, sand, rubber, water, oil, dirt, autumn leaves, snow, ice, etc. Further, when various vehicles travel on a road such debris may be forced into any opening of the road. Wheels of various vehicles will additionally wear any seal or means for preventing contamination. Not to forget are the various animals present on the road that may not only contaminate but also risk getting stuck in openings of the road. Preventing contamination of an opening in a road for vehicles includes the consideration of such animals, for example, worms, snail, rats, badgers, birds, rabbits, elks, humans, etc.

The skilled person is not helped by any prior art since hardly any prior art is available in this area. An interaction between a road surface and moving parts thereon is not common, especially not for openings between a road surface and moving parts thereon that vehicles travel over. In other words, there are specific problems, difficulties, and considerations that dictate where the skilled person comes from when sealing an opening between a moving object and a road surface. Such problems relate to the very nature of the road and its environment. Beside the problems and considerations mentioned above, other such considerations relate to safety and national regulations and other restrictions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a seal and the use of such a seal. This object can be achieved by the features defined by the independent claims. Further enhancements are characterized by the dependent claims. In one embodiment, a seal may comprise a first seal with a first elasticity and a second seal with a second elasticity. The seal may be for an opening between a movable object and a road surface, and for sealing between the road surface and an apparatus below or level with the road surface. The first and the second seals may cover the opening. The first elasticity is preferably greater than the second elasticity. The first seal may be arranged towards the road surface while the second seal may be arranged towards the apparatus. The first seal and the second seal may be configured to harvest a minimum of energy from any movement of the movable object. The first seal may be configured to be subjected to road surface wear.

In one embodiment, the first seal and/or the second seal perform a rolling motion as the moveable object moves relative to the road surface.

In one embodiment at least one of the seals may be provided with a low friction surface on at least a portion of a face abutting the other seal.

Preferably the portion is the portion of the seal extending between a outer fixed perimeter portion of the seal and an inner portion retained to the moveable object.

In one embodiment the low friction surface may be provided by a solid lubricant, such as graphite or a fine powder such as talcum powder. In an alternative embodiment the low friction surface may be provided by application of a liquid lubricant such as an oil or grease. In a yet further embodiment the low friction surface may be an inherent property of the material of the seal, or a property of a surface layer of the seal In one embodiment the moveable object is provided with a smoothly curved external profile in a plane parallel to a plane of the road surface, and the aperture within which the moveable object is mounted has a similarly smoothly curved internal profile in a plane parallel with the plane of the road surface.

Preferably a gap between the smoothly curved external profile of the moveable object and the smoothly curved internal profile is substantially a constant dimension around the moveable object.

While the embodiments illustrated herein have an external profile comprising a long parallel sided shape with radiused ends, in alternative embodiments not illustrated herein, the moveable object may have any smoothly curved external profile, such as for example a circular, or an oval, or an elliptical external profile, or a straight sided shape such as a square shape with radiused corners.

Preferably a minimum dimension of the radius of the external profile is twice a dimension of the gap between the external profile and the internal profile when the moveable object is in a position where the seals are in a state of minimum deflection.

In one embodiment the movable object may comprise a paddle and a plate. The road surface may comprise a structure in which the paddle and the plate may be movably arranged with respect to the structure. The first and the second seals may be sandwiched between the paddle and the plate. The first and second seals may be sandwiched between the structure and a retaining plate. In one embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to transform impact force from a vehicle travelling on the road surface over the movable object. In one embodiment, the first seal and second seal may allow strain of the first seal that is greater than strain of the second seal.

In one embodiment, the movable object may be movable between a first position, being a top position and a second position, being a bottom position. The first position being a higher position with respect to the road surface that the second position. The moveable object being moveable in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the road surface. The seal may be configured such that at the top position the first seal is planar in cross-section; at the top position the second seal is deformed; at the bottom position the first seal is planar in cross-section; and at the bottom position the second seal is planar in cross-section. Preferably the seals when planar are maintained in such a condition by being held taut between the outer fixed perimeter portion of the seal and the inner portion retained to the moveable object, and when deformed the deformed seal is in a relaxed state.

In one embodiment, the second seal may comprise a pre-formed deformation. The deformation may extend along the opening and may comprise a smoothly curved cross-sectional profile extending in a direction away from the first seal. Such a smoothly curved profile may comprise a shape such as a substantially half circular protrusion protruding away from the first seal, or may comprise a portion or portions having an elliptical or a parabolic shape.

In one embodiment, the seal is used on a road. The apparatus may be configured to transform impact force from a vehicle travelling on the road surface over the movable object into electric energy. In one embodiment, a method of using the seal for avoiding contaminating the apparatus is disclosed. This may be made by maintaining the seal by changing the first seal while the second seal is in place. This may be done by firstly removing the retaining plate and paddle; secondly exchanging the first seal; and thirdly replacing the retaining plate and paddle. In a particular embodiment the second seal may be retained in the sealed state by a second retaining means. Suitable second retaining means would include adhesive, or a second clamping arrangement around the perimeter of the seal to ensure the integrity of the sealing provided by the second seal when the first seal is released for replacement.

The seals are configured such that the first seal provides protection for the second seal, and hence in use the first seal must be replaced at regular intervals to ensure the protection of the second seal.

The second seal is preferably configured to provide mechanical support to the first seal, so as to prevent it being deformed excessively and ruptured as a result.

Such embodiments may overcome the problems, difficulties, and considerations mentioned above. Embodiments may provide a seal that can be used on a road and seal an opening between a movable object and the road surface. Contamination of an apparatus in conjunction with a road may be avoided. A convenient way of exchanging worn parts of the seal is achieved. Maintenance of the seal is made simple and

economical.

Other technical advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims. Various embodiments of the present application obtain only a subset of the advantages set forth. No one advantage is critical to the

embodiments.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary

embodiment and shows of a moveable object in a first higher position relative to the surrounding road surface;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary

embodiment shown in Figure 1 , and shows the moveable object in a second lower position relative to the surrounding road surface;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view an exemplary embodiment, seen from above the road surface;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view an exemplary embodiment of a retaining plate;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view an exemplary embodiment of a first seal;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view an exemplary embodiment of a second seal; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a scrap partially cut away perspective view of the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 6 inclusive.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a seal comprising a first seal 1 with a first elasticity and a second seal 2 with a second elasticity. The first elasticity is greater than the second elasticity. The first elasticity may be up to 500 percent. The second elasticity may be substantially zero percent, or very small, or below 100 percent. The strain of the first seal 1 may be greater than the strain of the second seal 2. In physics, elasticity is the physical property of a material that returns to its original shape after application of stress (e.g. external forces), that made it deform, is removed. The relative amount of deformation is called strain. The first seal 1 and second seal 2 may allow strain of the first seal 1 that is greater than strain of the second seal 2.

The first seal 1 and the second seal 2 may seal an opening 3 between a movable object 4 and a road surface 5. The opening 3 may be between the movable object 4 and a structure 9. The structure 9 may be directly or indirectly part of the road surface 5. The seals 1 and 2 may seal between the road surface 5 and an apparatus 6 below or level with the road surface 5. Such an apparatus 6 may be within the structure 9. Contamination that is present on the road surface 5 is hereby prevented from entering a volume 7 and prevented from coming into contact with the apparatus 6. In Figs 1 and 2 the apparatus 6 has only been schematically illustrated.

Turning to Figs. 3 to 7, embodiments are illustrated showing an

arrangement of four movable objects 4 and the structure 9. The apparatus 6 may be arranged within the structure 9. The apparatus may be a mechanism for transforming energy, for example impact energy given to one or more movable objects 4, into another form of energy, for example electric energy. The structure 9 may be level with the road surface 5. The structure 9 may be integrated with the road or the road surface 5. A structure plate 12 (not shown in Figure 3) may be arranged on the structure 9 to facilitate a vehicle to travel over the structure 9 in a direction of arrow 3A so as to traverse a plurality of the moveable paddles depressing them in a sequential manner, moving each in a direction of arrow 3D which is substantially perpendicular to a plane 3P of the road surface 5 from the first high position (as shown in Fig. 1 ) to the second low position (as shown in Fig. 2). In this way a vehicle may travel on the road surface and interact with one or more movable objects 4. The movable object 4 may protrude above the road surface 5 in an upwards direction of arrow 3U to a greater or lesser degree. Hence, for example, in particular embodiments not shown herein, in the first position moveable object 4 may be below the road surface when in the first position, or alternatively the moveable object may be above the road surface in both the first and second positions. The apparatus may be configured to transform impact force from a vehicle travelling on the road surface over the movable object 4. In embodiments, impact force generated by a travelling car impacting objects 4 along its travelling path may be converted into energy, such as electric current.

The first seal 1 and the second seal 2 may prevent contamination from the road and the road surface 5 to enter the structure 9 and the apparatus 6. Such contamination may for example be stones, metal, sand, rubber, water, oil, dirt, autumn leaves, snow, ice, etc. Further contamination may be caused by various vehicles travels on a road and forcing such debris into the opening 3. Vehicles may not only contaminate but also cause physical damage, such as for example wear. Wheels of various vehicles will wear any seal or means for preventing contamination in relation to a road. In this regard various animals present on the road must not be forgotten. Such animals may cause contamination and/or wear, but may additionally get stuck in the opening 3. Embodiments may prevent animals, for example, worms, snail, rats, badgers, birds, rabbits, elks, humans, etc. to contaminate, wear or get stuck in such openings 3.

As the moveable object moves upwards in a direction of arrow 3U, the first seal 1 being taut will tend to eject extraneous matter, for example stones, from out of the opening 3. This has the advantage of reducing a risk of damage or wear to the first seal 1 .

The paddles 4 have an external profile 3N comprising a long parallel sided shape with radiused ends with a radius 4R, and the plates 8 have an internal profile 3X forming the boundaries to the gap 3.

The schematic illustrations in Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate how the first seal 1 and the second seal 2 are covering the opening 3. The first seal 1 is arranged towards the road surface 5; that is upwards in Figs. 1 and 2. The second seal 2 is arranged towards the apparatus 6; that is downwards in Figs. 1 and 2. In Figs. 1 and 2 the first seal 1 is placed on top of the second seal 2.

The first seal 1 is configured to be subjected to wear taking place on the level of the road surface 5. In this way the part of the seal, namely the first seal 1 , that gets most worn can be interchanged. This may be possible by the first seal 1 being placed on top of the second seal 2. Replacing the first seal 1 may be made without removing the second seal 2, whereby contamination is prevented to enter the structure 9 and/or apparatus 6.

The movable object 4 may move between a top position and a bottom position in relation to structure 9 and/or the road surface 5. The top position of the movable object 4 is illustrated in FIG. 1 and the bottom position is illustrated in FIG. 2. The configuration of the seal comprising the first seal 1 and the second seal 2 may be such that at the top position the first seal 1 is planar and the second seal is deformed, and such that at the bottom position the first seal is planar and the second seal is planar. With the expression "planar" seal, it is meant that the seal in question is without sagging or without minimum sag, in other words taunt, as illustrated for example in FIG. 2. In FIG. 1 , the first seal 1 is planar, while the second seal 2 is not planar since it is deformed in a downward direction (arrow 3D in Fig 3). Such a planar seal extends and/or stretches over the opening 3 in the space of the shortest distance. Such a configuration of the two seals 1 and 2 has as a technical effect that the second seal 2 does not have to stretch, rather it only moves with a minimum of deformation. The second seal 2 can consequently be made of a more solid material and/or a more expensive material and/or a thicker material then the first seal 1 . Such a material may be natural rubber which requires protection against, for example, UV light and oil. Such protection is thus given by the first seal 1 . The quality of the second seal 2 may be higher than the quality of the first seal 1 . The first seal 1 can consequently be made of a cheaper flexible material, keeping the maintenance costs to a minimum. Such a configuration of the two seals 1 and 2 has as a technical and economical effect that maintaining the seal is maximized. This is further disclosed with reference to the disclosed method and use below. The first seal 1 and second seal 2 may allow strain of the first seal 1 that is greater than strain of the second seal 2. In one embodiment, the second seal 2 support the first seal 1 , when the movable object 4 is in the bottom position as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The stress-strain relationship for resilient materials, such as are required for the seals, is such that the energy of deformation is greater than the energy of recovery. This hysteresis results in a dissipation of energy as heat. Such heating is detrimental to the life of the material, and is undesirable as it reduces the energy output available from the apparatus.

The hysteresis loss may be minimised by reducing the strain imparted to the resilient material, and by careful selection of the materials. The first seal preferably being made from a highly resilient material with a low hysteresis, and the second seal preferably being made from a resilient material with a high mechanical strength.

In one embodiment, the first seal 1 and/or the second seal 2 are

configured to harvest substantially no energy from the movable object 4, or at least as little energy as possible. Rather than a stretching

movement, the first seal 1 and/or the second seal 2 should perform a rolling motion. Such a rolling motion minimises the straining of the seal and hence does not harvest any energy or only harvests a minimum of energy.

From the cross-sectional views in Figures 1 and 2 it can be seen that the paddle 10 has a radiused edge abutting the seal 1 to assist in the rolling motion.

In one embodiment, the seal is not in contact with a wheel of a vehicle travelling over the road surface 5 and/or structure 9. Hereby, no damage by a wheel of a vehicle is caused to the seal.

In one embodiment, the movable object 4 may comprise a paddle 10 and a plate 1 1 . The plate 1 1 , or the combination of the paddle 10 and the plate 1 1 , may form an articulated plate as the movable object 4. The first seal 1 and the second seal 2 may sandwiched between the paddle 10 and the plate 1 1 , as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. It is not necessary that the first seal 1 or the second seal 2 extends over all area formed between the paddle 10 and the plate 1 1 when sandwiched.

As illustrated by Figs. 1 to 3, the first seal 1 and the second seal 2 may be sandwiched between the structure 9 and a retaining plate 8. These exemplary features and their exemplary assembly are disclosed with reference to Figs. 4 to 7 below.

An embodiment of the retaining plate 8 is shown in FIG. 4. The retaining plate 8 comprises a plurality of openings 40 for assembling the retaining plate to the structure 9. The retaining plate 8 comprises opening 41 . This opening 41 may correspond to the opening 3.

An embodiment of the first seal 1 is shown in FIG. 5. The first seal 1 may comprise a plurality of holes 51 along the edge. These holes may be used when assembling the seal and may align with the holes 40 of the retaining plate 8. The first seal 1 may comprise a plurality of holes 52 in a central portion of the first seal 1 . This central portion is the area of the first seal 1 that is clamped between the paddle 10 and the plate 1 1 . The holes 52 may allow attachment means clamping the paddle 10 and the plate 1 1 to extend through the holes 52.

An embodiment of the second seal 2 is shown in FIG. 6. The second seal 2 may comprise a plurality of holes 61 along the edge. These holes may be used when assembling the seal and may align with the holes 40 of the retaining plate 8. The second seal 2 may comprise a plurality of holes 62 in a central portion of the second seal 2. This central portion is the area of the second seal 2 that is clamped between the paddle 10 and the plate 1 1 . The holes 62 may allow attachment means clamping the paddle 10 and the plate 1 1 to extend through the holes 62.

In an embodiment disclosed by Figs. 1 , 6 and 7 the second seal 2 may comprise a deformation 63. As disclosed above, the deformation 63 may be present in the second seal 2 when the movable object 4 is in its top position as illustrated in FIG. 1 . There may be no deformation present in the second seal 2 when the movable object 4 is in its bottom position as illustrated in FIG. 2. This deformation 63 may be pre-formed in the second seal. The deformation 63 may extend along the opening 3 between the movable object 4 and the structure 9. Such an extension is illustrated in FIG. 6. If the first seal 1 is placed on top of the second seal 2, then the deformation 63 may be a protrusion, for example substantially half circular, away from the first seal 1 . This is illustrated in FIG. 1 .

An embodiment of the assembled seal is disclosed in FIG. 7, where a corner has been cut open to better illustrate the assembly. The second seal 2 may be arranged on the structure 9 and the first seal 1 on top of the second seal 2. The retaining plate 8 may be placed on top of the first seal 1 and the second seal 2, aligning the holes 40, 51 and 61 . The paddle 10 and plate 1 1 may sandwich the first and second seals 1 and 2.

Attachment means clamping the paddle 10 with the plate 1 1 may extend through holes 52 and 62. The structure plate 12 may be arranged on the structure 9 to facilitate a vehicle to travel over the structure 9. The structure plate 12 and the retaining plate 8 preferably are mounted such that they provide a continuous surface level with the surrounding road surface 5. In an alternative embodiment not shown herein, the structure plate 12 may be omitted, and the road surface continued over the structure 9 so as to abut retaining plate 8.

In one embodiment, use of the seal is made on a road. The seal is used on a road surface to seal the opening 3 between the movable object 4 and the road surface 5 and/or structure 9. Structure 9 may comprise the apparatus 6, and the apparatus 6 may be configured to transform impact force from a vehicle travelling on the road surface 5 over the movable object 4 into electric energy. In one embodiment, a method of using the seal is disclosed. The seals are configured such that the first seal provides protection for the second seal, and hence in use the first seal must be replaced at regular intervals to ensure the continued protection of the second seal. The second seal is configured to provide mechanical support to the first seal, so as to prevent the first seal being deformed excessively and ruptured as a result.

The method of using the seals comprises using the seal for avoiding contaminating the apparatus 6. This may be done by maintaining the seal by changing the first seal 1 while the second seal 2 is in place. Such an exchange of a worn first seal 1 may be done by firstly removing the retaining plate 8 and paddle 10; secondly exchanging the first seal 1 ; and thirdly replacing the retaining plate 8 and paddle 10.

The apparatus, use thereof, and method discussed above prevents contamination from a road to enter, for example, an apparatus below or level with a road surface. The invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While the invention has been described and is defined by reference to particular preferred embodiments of the invention, such references do not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts. The described preferred embodiments of the invention are exemplary only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.