US Patent 6837625 Flexible seal to reduce optical component contamination

Various embodiments of methods and systems for reducing the amount of contamination that enters the optical path of an optical device are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical device includes a housing containing at least one optical component (active, passive, or both) that is configured to process an optical signal. The optical device also includes a first sleeve that encloses a portion of an optical fiber, an optical path configured to convey the optical signal between the optical component(s) and the end of the optical fiber. A flexible seal contacts a portion of the surface of the first sleeve and contacts the surface of a portion of the housing through which the first sleeve passes.