Independently translatable modules and fiber optic equipment trays in fiber optic equipment

Abstract

Fiber optic equipment that supports independently translatable fiber optic modules and/or fiber optic equipment trays containing one or more fiber optic modules is disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more fiber optic modules are disposed in a plurality of independently translatable fiber optic equipment trays which are received in a tray guide system. In this manner, each fiber optic equipment tray is independently translatable within the guide system. One or more fiber optic modules may also be disposed in one or more module guides disposed in the fiber optic equipment trays to allow each fiber optic module to translate independently of other fiber optic modules in the same fiber optic equipment tray. In other embodiments, a plurality of fiber optic modules are disposed in a module guide system disposed in the fiber optic equipment that translate independently of other fiber optic modules disposed within the module guide system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fiber optic apparatus, comprising:
 a chassis configured to be disposed in an equipment rack, the chassis comprising opposite front and rear chassis ends that are spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction;   at least one fiber optic equipment tray configured to be disposed in the chassis;   a plurality of module guides disposed in the chassis; and   a plurality of fiber optic modules configured to be supported adjacent to each other on the at least one fiber optic equipment tray,   wherein each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules is slideably mounted onto the chassis,   wherein each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules is configured to move and be guided between a different pair of laterally spaced module guides of the plurality of module guides,   wherein each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules is configured to be independently movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the chassis, and   wherein each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules comprises a front end, a rear end, opposing sides, an enclosed interior disposed intermediate to the front end and the rear end and intermediate to the opposing sides, a plurality of first fiber optic adapters disposed through the front end, and a locking feature adjacent the plurality of first fiber optic adapters for releasably retaining the fiber optic module to the at least one fiber optic equipment tray.   
     
     
         2 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of module guides and the plurality of fiber optic modules are configured to permit each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules to be installed in the chassis from the rear chassis end and from the front chassis end. 
     
     
         3 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of module guides are configured to support the plurality of fiber optic modules in different levels, with each level of the different levels supporting multiple fiber optic modules of the plurality of fiber optic modules. 
     
     
         4 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein:
 for each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules, the plurality of first fiber optic adapters is configured to receive six duplex LC fiber optic connectors; and   each level of the plurality of levels is configured to receive four fiber optic modules of the plurality of fiber optic modules.   
     
     
         5 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first fiber optic adapters are configured to accept duplex LC fiber optic connectors. 
     
     
         6 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein for each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules, the plurality of first fiber optic adapters is configured to receive six duplex LC fiber optic connectors. 
     
     
         7 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the plurality of module guides are configured to support the plurality of fiber optic modules in three different levels, with each level of the three different levels supporting multiple fiber optic modules of the plurality of fiber optic modules;   the chassis comprises a shelf for the fiber optic equipment rack, the shelf having a height of 1.75 inches; and   the plurality of first fiber optic adapters is configured to support 144 optical connections.   
     
     
         8 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules further comprises:
 at least one second fiber optic adapter disposed through the rear end of the fiber optic module; and   optical fibers establishing connections between the plurality of first fiber optic adapters and the at least one second fiber optic adapter.   
     
     
         9 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the chassis comprises a rear section, and a rear portion of each module guide of the plurality of module guides defines at least one guide channel that is configured to permit the plurality of fiber optic modules to be inserted into the plurality of module guides from the rear section of the chassis and to be guided toward the front chassis end. 
     
     
         10 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules comprises at least one laterally extending protrusion configured to cooperate with at least one module guide of the plurality of module guides. 
     
     
         11 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein for at least one fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules, the locking feature comprises a front module latch configured to interlock the fiber optic module with the at least one fiber optic equipment tray. 
     
     
         12 . A fiber optic apparatus, comprising:
 a chassis configured to be disposed in an equipment rack, the chassis comprising opposite front and rear chassis ends that are spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction;   at least one fiber optic equipment tray configured to be disposed in and extendable relative to the chassis;   a plurality of module guides disposed on the at least one fiber optic equipment tray; and   a plurality of fiber optic modules configured to be supported adjacent to each other on the at least one fiber optic equipment tray,   wherein each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules:
 is slideably mounted onto the chassis, 
 is configured to move and be guided between a different pair of laterally spaced module guides of the plurality of module guides, 
 is configured to be selectively locked to the at least one tray, is configured to be independently movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the chassis, and 
 comprises a front end, a rear end, opposing sides, an enclosed interior disposed intermediate to the front end and the rear end and intermediate to the opposing sides, a plurality of first fiber optic adapters disposed through the front end, and at least one side ledge configured to cooperate with at least one module guide of the plurality of module guides. 
   
     
     
         13 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules further comprises a top and a bottom, and wherein the at least one side ledge is positioned below a plane that includes the top of the fiber optic module. 
     
     
         14 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein for each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules, the at least one side ledge extends along a length that is less than a length from the front end to the rear end. 
     
     
         15 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of module guides are configured to support the plurality of fiber optic modules in different levels, with each level of the different levels supporting multiple fiber optic modules of the plurality of fiber optic modules. 
     
     
         16 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein:
 for each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules, the plurality of first fiber optic adapters is configured to receive six duplex LC fiber optic connectors; and   each level of the plurality of levels is configured to receive four fiber optic modules of the plurality of fiber optic modules.   
     
     
         17 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the plurality of first fiber optic adapters are configured to accept duplex LC fiber optic connectors;   the plurality of module guides are configured to support the plurality of fiber optic modules in three different levels, with each level of the three different levels supporting multiple fiber optic modules of the plurality of fiber optic modules;   the chassis comprises a shelf for the fiber optic equipment rack, the shelf having a height of 1.75 inches; and   the plurality of first fiber optic adapters is configured to support 144 optical connections.   
     
     
         18 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules further comprises:
 at least one second fiber optic adapter disposed through the rear end of the fiber optic module; and   optical fibers establishing connections between the plurality of first fiber optic adapters and the at least one second fiber optic adapter.   
     
     
         19 . A fiber optic apparatus, comprising:
 a chassis configured to be disposed in an equipment rack, the chassis comprising opposite front and rear chassis ends that are spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction;   at least one fiber optic equipment tray configured to be disposed in the chassis;   a plurality of module guides disposed in the chassis; and   a plurality of fiber optic modules configured to be supported adjacent to each other on the at least one fiber optic equipment tray,   wherein each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules:
 is slideably mounted onto the chassis, 
 is configured to move and be guided between a different pair of laterally spaced module guides of the plurality of module guides, 
 is configured to be independently movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the chassis, and 
 comprises a front end, a rear end, opposing sides, an enclosed interior disposed intermediate to the front end and the rear end and intermediate to the opposing sides, a plurality of first fiber optic adapters disposed through the front end and configured to support duplex LC connectors, at least one side ledge for cooperating with at least one module guide of the plurality of module guides, and a locking feature adjacent the plurality of first fiber optic adapters for selectively interlocking the fiber optic module with the at least one fiber optic equipment tray. 
   
     
     
         20 . The fiber optic apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein each fiber optic module of the plurality of fiber optic modules further comprises:
 at least one second fiber optic adapter disposed through the rear end of the fiber optic module; and   optical fibers establishing connections between the plurality of first fiber optic adapters and the at least one second fiber optic adapter.