COMMUNICATIONS BLADED PANEL SYSTEMS

• US 20120113613A1
• Filed: 02/11/2011
• Published: 05/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Chad, Coffey, Joseph C., Kostecka, Ryan, Stone, David, Wentworth, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,020,319 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/810
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/428 containing printed circuit boards [PCB]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4453 Cassettes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/409 Mechanical coupling back panels H05K7/1438
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/023 using sliding mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/03 Power distribution arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/06 Cable ducts or mountings specially adapted for exchange installations
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/08 Frames or mounting racks for relays; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/13 Patch panels for monitoring, interconnecting or testing circuits, e.g. patch bay, patch field or jack field; Patching modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/155 characterised by connection features
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0026 provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14 Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1401 comprising clamping or extracting means H05K7/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1487 Blade assemblies, e.g. blade cases or inner arrangements within a blade
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1489 characterized by the mounting of blades therein, e.g. brackets, rails, trays H05K7/1491 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1491 : having cable management arrangements management of optical cables G02B6/444; in telecommunication cabinets H04Q1/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 : Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A fiber panel system includes a chassis and at least a first blade configured to moveably mount to the chassis. Each blade includes a base, a frame, and front couplers. The base of each blade defines at least one opening at a location spaced rearwardly from the front couplers. The front couplers may be smart or passive.

Claims

1. A blade comprising:

a base having a front, a rear, a first side, and a second side;

a frame coupled to the front of the base, the frame having a front face extending generally perpendicular to the base, the front face defining a plurality of openings; and

a plurality of front couplers positioned in the openings of the frame at the front of the base, the front couplers defining a plurality of front ports and a plurality of rear ports;

wherein the base defines at least one opening at a location spaced rearwardly from the front couplers, the opening in the base providing access to the rear ports of the front couplers.

2. The blade of claim 1, wherein the front couplers are separated into a first group located towards the first side of the base and a second group location towards the second side of the base.

3. The blade of claim 2, wherein the opening defined in the base extends across the first group of front couplers and wherein the base also defines a second opening extending across the second group of front couplers.

4. The blade of claim 2, wherein the first group is spaced from the second group.

5. The blade of claim 4, wherein the frame defines a reduced height section extending between the first and second groups of front couplers.

6. The blade of claim 2, wherein each group of front couplers includes six front couplers.

7. The blade of claim 2, wherein each front coupler defines four front ports.

8. The blade of claim 2, wherein each group of front couplers defines twenty-four front ports.

9. The blade of claim 2, wherein each group of front couplers includes eight front couplers.

10. The blade of claim 2, wherein each group of front couplers defines eight front ports.

11. The blade of claim 1, wherein the plurality of front couplers includes sixteen front couplers.

12. The blade of claim 11, wherein each front coupler is configured to receive an MPO-type optical connector.

13. The blade of claim 1, wherein the plurality of front couplers includes twelve front couplers.

14. The blade of claim 13, wherein each front coupler is configured to receive an LC-type optical connector.

15. The blade of claim 13, wherein each front coupler is configured to receive an SC-type optical connector.

16. The blade of claim 2, wherein each group of front couplers is separated into first and second subgroups, the second subgroup being spaced from the first subgroup.

17. The blade of claim 1, wherein each front coupler is positioned in a separate one of the openings of the frame.

18. The blade of claim 1, wherein multiple front couplers are positioned in each of the openings of the frame.

19. The blade of claim 18, wherein each opening in the frame holds three front couplers.

20. The blade of claim 1, wherein a plurality of flanges extend rearwardly from the base.

21. The blade of claim 20, wherein the flanges include two outer flanges and two inner flanges.

22. The blade of claim 21, wherein cable tie locations on provided at distal ends of the inner flanges.

23. The blade of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of rear couplers coupled to the rear of the base.

24. The blade of claim 23, wherein the rear couplers are configured to receive MPO-type optical connectors.

25. The blade of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of retention fingers extending forwardly of the front couplers.

26. The blade of claim 25, wherein the retention fingers are coupled to the front face of the frame.

27. The blade of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of outgoing media segments having connectorized ends plugged into a plurality of the front ports of the blade.

28. The blade of claim 27, further comprising a plurality of incoming media segments having connectorized ends plugged into the rear ports of the front couplers, the front couplers optically coupling the incoming media segments to the outgoing media segments.

29. The blade of claim 27, further comprising:

a plurality of incoming media segments having connectorized ends plugged into rear ports of a plurality of rear couplers positioned at the rear of the base; and

a plurality of connecting media segments extending between front ports of the rear couplers and the rear ports of the front couplers, the connecting media segments optically coupling the incoming media segments to the outgoing media segments.

30. The blade of claim 1, further comprising a handle extending from the base.

31. The blade of claim 1, wherein each front coupler includes at least one media reading interface.

32. The blade of claim 31, further comprising a blade processor configured to manage the media reading interfaces of the front couplers.

33. The blade of claim 32, further comprising a circuit board arrangement that electrically couples the blade processor and the media reading interfaces, the circuit board arrangement defining a connection edge for connection to a master processor via a backplane.

34. The blade of claim 33, further comprising a flexible cable having a first end connected to the circuit board arrangement and a second end configured to connect to the backplane.