Patent ID: 7228866

Claim:
A flushing device for a sealing system of a housing and associated closing element, said housing having a housing sealing surface, said closing element having an outer elastic seal radially movable into sealing engagement with said sealing surface, wherein said closing element is positionable to lie adjacent said housing sealing surface with said outer elastic seal spaced therefrom to define an annular gap between said housing sealing surface and said closing element through which a flushing medium can pass, said annular gap being closable by the radial movement of said outer elastic seal into engagement with said housing sealing surface to define a closed position of said closing element, said housing further including an annular channel that is enclosed on all sides other than an opening through said housing sealing surface into said annular gap, said opening having at least one undulating or serrated edge to define a plurality of individual annularly-positioned outlets of nozzle-like design, said outlets defining said openings from said annular channel into said annular gap, wherein said flushing device further comprises a flushing medium source and a closable outlet in communication with said annular channel for passing flushing medium into said annular channel.