Patent ID: 7189054

Claim:
A radial seal for installation within a centrifugal pump of the type having an impeller, a pump casing having a suction inlet, a sealing ring groove formed in the pump casing, and means for supplying flushing water to the sealing ring groove, comprising: a seal body, including (a) a sealing end having at least one substantially planar outermost surface, said sealing end having at least one of an upwardly and downwardly extending lip portion, the lip portion having an outer surface substantially coplanar with the at least one outermost surface of the sealing end; (b) a water inlet end; (c) opposed sides, said seal adapted for installation within said sealing ring groove, said seal body having a plurality of openings formed therethrough for the passage of water; and (d) wherein said radial seal is movable to a self-compensating balanced position between said casing and said impeller of said pump.