Pluggable connector configured to transfer thermal energy away from internal electronics of the pluggable connector
Pluggable connector including a connector housing having a leading end configured to mate with a receptacle assembly. The connector housing has an interior cavity. The pluggable connector also includes a communication assembly held by the connector housing. The communication assembly includes internal electronics located within the interior cavity, and a mating terminal located proximate to the leading end. The mating terminal is communicatively coupled to the internal electronics. The pluggable connector also includes a thermal-transfer assembly that is disposed within the interior cavity. The thermal-transfer assembly includes first and second thermal-transfer modules that each include a plurality of spaced-apart projections. The corresponding projections of the first and second thermal-transfer modules are interleaved with one another. The first thermal-transfer module is coupled to the internal electronics, and the second thermal-transfer module is coupled to the connector housing.
1. A pluggable connector comprising:
a connector housing having a leading end that is configured to mate with a receptacle assembly, the connector housing having an interior cavity;
a communication assembly held by the connector housing, the communication assembly including internal electronics located within the interior cavity and a mating terminal located proximate to the leading end, the mating terminal being communicatively coupled to the internal electronics; and
a thermal-transfer assembly disposed within the interior cavity, the thermal-transfer assembly including first and second thermal-transfer modules that each include a plurality of spaced-apart projections, wherein the corresponding projections of the first and second thermal-transfer modules are interleaved with one another, the first thermal-transfer module being coupled to the internal electronics and the second thermal-transfer module being coupled to the connector housing such that the first and second thermal-transfer modules form a thermal-transfer path between the internal electronics and the connector housing.
2. The pluggable connector of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second thermal-transfer modules includes a base that joins the corresponding projections, the projections of the first thermal-transfer module extending from the corresponding base in a first direction, the projections of the second thermal-transfer module extending from the corresponding base in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
3. The pluggable connector of claim 2 , wherein the corresponding projections of the first and second thermal-transfer modules extend to corresponding distal ends, the distal ends of the first thermal-transfer module being spaced apart from the base of the second thermal-transfer module and the distal ends of the second thermal-transfer module being spaced apart from the base of the first thermal-transfer module.
4. The pluggable connector of claim 1 , wherein the corresponding projections of the first and second thermal-transfer modules form tolerance gaps therebetween when interleaved with one another, each of the tolerance gaps extending between a corresponding projection of the first thermal-transfer module and a corresponding projection of the second thermal-transfer module, the tolerance gaps being less than 0.200 millimeters.
5. The pluggable connector of claim 1 , wherein the corresponding projections of the first and second thermal-transfer modules include plates.
6. The pluggable connector of claim 1 , wherein the internal electronics include an electro-optical (E/O) engine that transforms data signals between an electrical signal form and an optical signal form.
7. The pluggable connector of claim 6 , wherein the first thermal-transfer module is directly coupled to the E/O engine.
8. The pluggable connector of claim 6 , wherein the E/O engine includes at least one processing unit.
9. The pluggable connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector housing includes a plurality of housing shells, the second thermal-transfer module being secured to one of the housing shells or formed from one of the housing shells.
10. The pluggable connector of claim 1 , wherein the communication assembly includes a circuit board having a board edge, the mating terminal being positioned along the board edge.
11. The pluggable connector of claim 1 , wherein the mating terminal includes an array of mating terminals positioned along the board edge.
12. The pluggable connector of claim 1 , wherein the communication assembly includes a circuit board and the internal electronics include a processing unit coupled to the circuit board, the circuit board having a board window therethrough, wherein the first thermal-transfer module is disposed within the board window and positioned to absorb thermal energy from the processing unit.
13. A plug assembly comprising:
a pluggable connector including a connector housing having a leading end configured to mate with a receptacle assembly, the connector housing having an interior cavity, the pluggable connector also including internal electronics located within the interior cavity; and
a communication cable coupled to the connector housing and communicatively coupled to the internal electronics, the communication cable configured to transmit at least one of data signals or electrical power;
wherein the pluggable connector also includes a thermal-transfer assembly that is disposed within the interior cavity, the thermal-transfer assembly including first and second thermal-transfer modules that each include a plurality of spaced-apart projections, wherein the corresponding projections of the first and second thermal-transfer modules are interleaved with one another, the first thermal-transfer module being coupled to the internal electronics and the second thermal-transfer module being coupled to the connector housing such that the first and second thermal-transfer modules form a thermal-transfer path between the internal electronics and the connector housing.
14. The plug assembly of claim 13 , wherein each of the first and second thermal-transfer modules includes a base that joins the corresponding projections, the projections of the first thermal-transfer module extending from the corresponding base in a first direction, the projections of the second thermal-transfer module extending from the corresponding base in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
15. The plug assembly of claim 13 , wherein the corresponding projections of the first and second thermal-transfer modules form tolerance gaps therebetween when interleaved with one another, each of the tolerance gaps extending between a corresponding projection of the first thermal-transfer module and a corresponding projection of the second thermal-transfer module, the tolerance gaps being less than 0.200 millimeters.
16. The plug assembly of claim 13 , wherein the corresponding projections of the first and second thermal-transfer modules include plates.
17. The plug assembly of claim 13 , wherein the internal electronics include an electro-optical (E/O) engine that transforms data signals between an electrical form and an optical form.
18. The plug assembly of claim 13 , wherein the connector housing includes a plurality of housing shells, the second thermal-transfer module being secured to one of the housing shells or formed from one of the housing shells.
19. The plug assembly of claim 13 , wherein the communication assembly includes a circuit board having a board edge and an array of mating terminals positioned along the board edge.
20. The plug assembly of claim 13 , wherein the pluggable connector includes a communication assembly having a circuit board and the internal electronics include a processing unit that is coupled to the circuit board, the circuit board having a board window therethrough, wherein the first thermal-transfer module is disposed within the board window and positioned to absorb thermal energy from the processing unit.