High Density Fiber Management System

Abstract

High density fiber management systems allow for the management and routing of a high density of fiber cables within a known dimensional area. High density fiber management systems include patch panels and modules for installation within the patch panels.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 322,830, filed March 23, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to high density fiber management systems that allow for managing and / or routing a high density of fiber within an area of ​​known dimensions, such as the space of a rack unit "RU." [Background technology]

[0003] Optical fibers allow the transmission of communications at higher bandwidths over longer distances than wire cables. Optical fibers are also advantageous for communication systems because they experience less signal loss than wire cables and are not susceptible to electromagnetic interference. Thus, optical fibers are often used for high bandwidth, long distance applications. One of the primary functions of a data center is to provide connectivity between incoming and outgoing fiber optic connections. For example, fiber management systems may be used to provide fiber cable interconnection within a data center environment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a high density fiber management system based on a patch panel design that may enable, for example, 144 connections per RU, 192 connections per RU, or other densities within a RU space.

[0005] According to one embodiment, a fiber administration system is disclosed that includes a patch panel including a plurality of mounting openings configured to fit within a rack unit (RU) space, and a module including a plurality of openings on a front surface thereof, the plurality of openings configured to support fiber optic connectors, the module configured to fit within the mounting openings, such that when the patch panel is fully populated with the plurality of modules, the patch panel supports at least 144 fiber connections per RU.

[0006] According to one embodiment, a fiber administration system is disclosed that includes a patch panel configured to fit within a rack unit (RU) space, the patch panel including a plurality of mounting openings, and a module including a plurality of openings on a front surface thereof, the plurality of openings configured to support fiber optic connectors, the module configured to fit within the mounting openings, and when the patch panel is fully populated with the plurality of modules, the patch panel supports at least 192 fiber connections per RU.

[0007] The following detailed description refers to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular patch panel including placement of up to 12 cassettes mounted on the front side of the patch panel, according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the patch panel shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the patch panel shown in FIG. 1 without any installed cassettes attached to the patch panel yet. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view of a cassette for installation in the patch panel shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a top view of a cassette installed in the patch panel shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 2 is a front view of a cassette installed in the patch panel shown in FIG. 1, the cassette including a connector adapter installed in an opening of the cassette. [Figure 7] 2 is a top view of a cassette installed on the patch panel shown in FIG. 1, the cassette including a connector adapter installed within an opening of the cassette. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the patch panel shown in FIG. 1 mounted on an enclosure according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a partial exploded view of the patch panel and enclosure shown in FIG. 8, with the enclosure's top cover shown separated from the enclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of an alternative patch panel mounted on an enclosure, the alternative patch panel being similar to the patch panel shown in FIG. 1 but including a different design of its patch panel flanges for mounting the patch panel to the enclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 9 is a partial top view of the cassette installed in the patch panel and mounted on the enclosure shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the patch panel shown in FIG. 10 mounted in an alternative enclosure including a sliding tray according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the patch panel shown in FIG. 12 with the top cover to the enclosure removed to show the internal components in the enclosure. [Figure 14] 13 is a perspective view of the patch panel shown in FIG. 12 with the slidable tray extended to an extended position according to some embodiments. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the patch panel shown in FIG. 12 with the slidable tray extended to the extended position and the top cover removed to show the internal components in the enclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a modular patch panel including installation of up to eight cassettes mounted on the front surface of the patch panel according to another embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a front view of the patch panel shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the patch panel shown in FIG. 16 without any installed cassettes attached to the patch panel yet. [Figure 19] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a cassette installed in the patch panel shown in FIG. 16 according to some embodiments. [Figure 20] FIG. 17 is a top view of the cassette installed in the patch panel shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 21] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a stacked dual high-duplex connector adapter array for installation within the cassette shown in FIG. 19, for example. [Figure 22] 22A and 22B are front and side views showing the dimensions of the adapter array shown in FIG. 21. [Diagram 23] FIG. 22 is a front view showing the dimensions of the adapter array shown in FIG. 21. [Figure 24] 22 is a front view of a cassette installed in the patch panel shown in FIG. 16, the cassette including an opening for receiving the adapter array shown in FIG. 21. [Diagram 25] FIG. 17 is a top view of the cassette installed in the patch panel shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 26] 17 is a partially exploded perspective view of the patch panel shown in FIG. 16 mounted on an enclosure according to another embodiment, with the enclosure's top cover removed to show the enclosure's internal components. [Figure 27] FIG. 17 is a partially exploded perspective view of an alternative patch panel mounted on an enclosure in accordance with another embodiment, the alternative patch panel being similar to the patch panel shown in FIG. 16 but including a different design of patch panel flanges used to mount the patch panel to the enclosure. [Figure 28] FIG. 27 is a top-down partial view of the cassette installed in the patch panel and enclosure shown in FIG. 26. [Figure 29A]FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the patch panel shown in FIG. 16 installed in a rack with a cable manager, according to one embodiment. [Figure 29B] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the patch panel shown in FIG. 16 installed in a rack with a cable manager, according to one embodiment. [Diagram 30] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the patch panel shown in FIG. 1 installed in a rack with a cable manager, according to one embodiment. [Figure 31A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the back side of a patch panel mounting flange installed on a rack according to one embodiment. [Figure 31B] FIG. 31B is a perspective view of the back of the patch panel mounting flange installed on the rack shown in FIG. 31A with the cable manager mounting arm installed using a fastener tool, according to one embodiment. [Diagram 32] FIG. 31C is a perspective view of the mounting arm of the cable manager shown in FIG. 31B in an installed state, according to one embodiment. [Figure 33A] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the patch panel shown in FIG. 16 installed in a rack with a cable manager including spools, according to one embodiment. [Figure 33B] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the patch panel shown in FIG. 1 installed in a rack with a cable manager including spools, according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] This disclosure describes embodiments of a high density fiber management system that allows for managing and routing high density fiber cables within an area of ​​known dimensions (eg, a rack unit "RU").

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a patch panel system 100 including a patch panel 110 for mounting directly on a rack, the patch panel 110 configured to mount up to twelve (12) cassettes 120, each configured to include up to twelve fiber connections using LC duplex adapters. The patch panel 110 has dimensions to fit into a 1 RU space in a rack. According to one embodiment, when all twelve cassettes 120 are fully populated and installed in the patch panel 110, this allows for up to 144 fiber connections per RU space. Each of the cassettes 120 is configured to include six individual front openings 127 (see, e.g., openings 127 in FIG. 4), each of which may receive a front adapter 121 (e.g., a duplex LC adapter). When the patch panel 110 is fully installed with twelve fully populated cassettes 120, the patch panel 110 may include up to seventy-two duplex LC adapter front adapters 121 providing up to 144 fiber connections within the RU space. The cassettes 120 also include rear adapters 122 (e.g., MPO adapters) installed within the rear opening, the rear adapters 122 configured to hold fiber connections to the fibers connected to the front adapters 121.

[0011] 2 shows a front view of patch panel system 100 with twelve cassettes 120 installed on patch panel 110, arranged in three rows and four columns. The front of patch panel 110 includes mounting flanges 111 on each end that include mounting holes 117 for mounting patch panel 110 to a rack using fasteners.

[0012] 3, the patch panel 110 is shown without any cassettes 120 installed. Without the cassettes 120 installed, the patch panel 110 is shown to include four openings 113 defined by three partition rows 112 and an interior side of a flange 111 including mounting features 114, 115 for mounting the cassettes 120 within the openings 113. Each opening 113 is configured to receive up to three cassettes 120 to be mounted within a row.

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates two exemplary cassettes 120 in various states of exploded view to show the different components. Both cassettes 120 illustrated in FIG. 4 include a main housing body 125. In the cassette 120 illustrated on the left, the front adapter 121 is shown removed from its installed state to better show how the front adapter 121 fits into the opening 127 on the front of the cassette 120. In the cassette 120 illustrated on the right, the fastener 123 (e.g., a push pin) is shown removed from its installed state to better show how the fastener 123 fits into the mounting opening 126 in the cassette flange 124. The fastener 123 may be pre-installed in the mounting opening 126 of the cassette flange 124, while in other embodiments the fastener 123 may not be pre-installed.

[0014] To install the cassette on the patch panel 110, the rear of the cassette 120 is first inserted into the opening 113 until the cassette flange 124 abuts the mounting features 114, 115 of the partition row 112 and / or patch panel flange 111. Once the mounting opening 126 is aligned with the mounting features 114, 115, the fastener 123 is inserted through the mounting opening 126 and the mounting features 114, 115 until it positively engages, ensuring that the cassette 120 is securely attached to the front of the patch panel 110. As explained, the patch panel 110 also includes a unique flange 111 that is used to mount the patch panel 110 to a rack (e.g., a telecommunications equipment rack, cabinet, enclosure, or other mountable equipment).

[0015] Figure 5 is a top view of cassette 120 showing dimensional measurements of certain features of cassette 120 with a two-part LC adapter installed within cassette 120 as front adapter 121. Dimensions shown in Figure 5 are in inches (mm). For example, the thickness of the cassette flange 124 may be measured as d1, which is 0.093 inches (2.36 mm), the depth of the front of the cassette 120 behind the cassette flange 124 may be measured as d2, which is 0.437 inches (11.09 mm), the depth of the cassette flange 124 to the front adapter 121 may be measured as d3, which is 0.713 inches (18.11 mm), the depth of the front panel 128 of the cassette 120 behind the flange 124 (including the thickness of the cassette flange 124) may be measured as d4, which is 0.530 inches (13.46 mm), and the depth of the front adapter 121 may be measured as d5, which is 0.620 inches (15.75 mm).

[0016] 6 is a front view of cassette 120 including certain dimensional measurements. For example, W1>90 mm (3.543 inches), where W1 is measured across the front opening 127. W2>105.882 mm (4.169 inches), where W2 measures the front surface measured across the cassette flange 124.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a top view of cassette 120 mountedly installed on patch panel 110, with a portion of the patch panel 110 above cassette 120 visually removed to show how cassette 120 will fit within patch panel 110 when installed. Dimensions shown in FIG. 7 are in inches (mm). For example, the thickness of patch panel flange 111 may be measured as d6, which is 0.060 inches (1.52 mm), the depth from patch panel flange 111 (including the thickness of patch panel flange 111) to the front of front adapter 121 may be measured as d7, which is 0.773 inches (19.63 mm), and the depth from patch panel flange 111 back to the rear edge of front panel 128 (not including the thickness of patch panel flange 111) may be measured as d8, which is 0.377 inches (9.57 mm).

[0018] 8 is a perspective view of a patch panel system 100 including a cassette 120 and a patch panel 110, according to another embodiment, where the patch panel system 100 is mounted within an enclosure 130. The enclosure 130 includes a top cover 131 and a base 132. The top cover 131 may be attached to and secured to the base 132.

[0019] Figure 9 is a partially exploded perspective view of patch panel system 100 installed within enclosure 130. As shown in Figure 9, base 132 is comprised of bottom 133, side walls 134, rear wall 135, and attached or assembled mounting flange 136. The top and front portions of enclosure 130 are normally open when top cover 131 and patch panel 110, respectively, are not installed.

[0020] A mounting flange 136 is attached to or incorporated within the enclosure base 132 and is utilized to mount and remove the enclosure onto mounting rails of a rack or cabinet (not shown), the mounting flange 136 including holes 137 through which fasteners (not shown) pass to secure the enclosure 130 to the rack / cabinet. In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the mounting flange 136 also includes optional threaded posts 138 for engaging with nuts 116 to secure the patch panel 110 to the enclosure 130 prior to mounting the enclosure 130 to the rack / cabinet. The holes 137 allow a portion of a fastener, such as a threaded portion of a screw, to pass through so that it can be tightened to mate with the rack / cabinet and secure the enclosure 130 to the rack / cabinet. Threaded posts 138 may be incorporated into the enclosure mounting flange 136 to allow the patch panel 110 to be secured to the enclosure 130 with fasteners such as nuts 116, as shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 9. The nuts 116 are used in combination with the threaded posts 138 to secure the patch panel 110 to the enclosure 130.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the installation process for installing the patch panel 110 in the enclosure 130 may include the following. 1. Slide the patch panel 110 (with or without the cassette 120 installed) into the front of the enclosure 130. 2. Using nuts 116, secure patch panel 110 to the front of enclosure 130 with threaded posts 138. 3. Placing the assembly including the patch panel 110 mounted on the enclosure 130 into a rack / cabinet. 4. Aligning the holes in the patch panel flange 111 with the enclosure mounting holes 137, placing fasteners through the holes in the patch panel flange 111 and the enclosure mounting holes 137, and tightening the fasteners to secure the assembly to the rack / cabinet. 5. Add cassettes 120 to patch panels 110 and wiring to enclosures 130, if desired. 6. Attach the top cover 131 to the enclosure base 132. According to other embodiments, different assembly sequences are possible. For example, steps 5 and 6 could be completed before step 4.

[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of patch panel 210, which is the same as patch panel 110 except for a different design of mounting flange 211 that is open to eliminate mounting holes when compared to mounting flange 111 of patch panel 110.

[0023] The installation process for installing the patch panel 210 in the enclosure 130 may include the following. 1. Slide the patch panel 210 into the front of the enclosure 130. 2. Using nuts 116, secure the panel 210 to the front of the enclosure 130 with threaded posts 138. 3. Placing the assembly including the patch panel 210 and the enclosure 130 in a rack / cabinet. 4. Place fasteners through enclosure mounting holes 137 and tighten to secure the assembly to the rack / cabinet. 5. Add modular cassettes 120 and wiring to patch panels 210 and enclosures 130 as needed. 6. Attach the cover 131 to the enclosure base 132. An alternative mounting flange provided by patch panel 210 allows patch panel 210 to be removed from enclosure 130 by simply removing nuts 116, thereby eliminating the need for the installer to first remove enclosure 130 from the rack. According to other embodiments, different assembly sequences are possible. For example, steps 5 and 6 could be completed before step 4.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a top view of the assembled patch panel system 100 showing the patch panel 110 with the cassette 120 installed, similar to the view of FIG. 7, but in FIG. 11 the patch panel system 100 has additionally been mounted within an enclosure 130. The dimensions shown in FIG. 11 are in inches (mm). Thus, in addition to the measurements shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 11 also shows the thickness of the enclosure mounting flange 136 as d9, which is 0.060 inches (1.52 mm), and d10, which is 0.317 inches (8.05 mm). 10 11 is further shown as the distance from the enclosure mounting flange 136 back to the rear of the front panel 128. All other distances in FIGS. 5 and 7 relating to the patch panel 110 and cassette 120 are applicable to the patch panel system 100 mounted within the enclosure 130 shown in FIG.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the patch panel 210 mounted in an alternative enclosure 230, which includes cable management features 239 in front of the enclosure 230 and a sliding tray 250 for sliding the patch panel 210 in and out of the enclosure 230 along a horizontal axis. The enclosure 230 also includes a removable top cover 231 and a base 232, which includes side walls 234, an enclosure floor 233 (shown in FIG. 13), and a rear wall 235 (shown in FIG. 13). The enclosure also includes an enclosure mounting flange 236, which includes holes 237. The enclosure 230 also includes a front cover 240, which is shown rotated downward in FIG. 12. The front cover 240 attaches to the tray 250 via a hinge 241 that is rotatably attached to an arm 242. Between the arms is an opening 243 that allows the installer to access the cassette 120 from the bottom of the enclosure 230 .

[0026] Figure 13 shows the enclosure 230 of Figure 12 with the top cover 231 removed to show the internal components of the enclosure 230. Figure 14 shows the enclosure 230 of Figure 12 with the tray 250 extended to an extended position. Figure 15 shows the enclosure 230 of Figure 12 with the tray 250 extended to an extended position and the top cover 231 removed to show the internal components of the enclosure 230.

[0027] FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a patch panel system 300 including a patch panel 310 and attached cassettes 320, according to another embodiment, where the patch panel 310 is configured to mount up to eight (8) cassettes 320, each configured to include up to 24 fiber connections using stacked dual high LC duplex adapters. The patch panel 320 has dimensions to fit into a 1 RU space and is made for direct mounting on top of a rack or cabinet. When all eight cassettes 320 are fully populated and attached to the patch panel 310, this allows for up to 192 fiber connections per RU. Each of the cassettes 320 is configured to include six individual dual high front openings 327 (see, e.g., openings 327 in FIG. 19), each of which may accept a front adapter 321 (e.g., the stacked dual high duplex LC adapters shown in FIG. 19 may also be referred to as an "adapter array"). When the patch panel 310 is fully installed with eight fully populated cassettes 320, the patch panel 310 may include up to 48 front adapters 321 providing up to 192 fiber connections within the RU space. The cassette 320 also includes at least two rear adapters 322 (e.g., MPO adapters) installed within the rear opening, the rear adapters 322 configured to hold fiber connections to the fibers connected to the front adapters 321.

[0028] FIG. 17 shows a front view of patch panel system 300 in which eight cassettes 320 are installed in patch panel 310, arranged in two rows and four columns, with each of cassettes 320 shown fully equipped with a stacked dual high LC duplex adapter as a front adapter 321.

[0029] In FIG. 18, the patch panel 310 is shown without the cassettes 320 installed. The patch panel 310 includes four openings 313 to accept and allow for installation of the cassettes 320. The openings 313 are separated by separator rows 312, which include mounting features 314 used when installing the cassettes 320. The inside of the flange 111 also includes mounting features 315 used when installing the cassettes 320. The mounting features 314, 315 receive fasteners mounted within the cassette flanges 311 to secure the cassettes 320 to the front of the patch panel 310. The flanges 311 on the patch panel 310 are used to mount the patch panel 310 to a telecommunications equipment rack, cabinet, enclosure, or other mountable equipment. Each opening 313 is configured to accept up to two cassettes 320 to be installed within the row.

[0030] Figure 19 shows an exploded view of cassette 320. Each cassette 320 is configured to install up to six stacked dual high-duplex LC adapters as front adapters 321 through six corresponding openings 327 in the front. The cassette 320 shown in Figure 19 also includes two openings in the rear to accept two rear adapters 322, such as MPO adapters.

[0031] The stacked dual high duplex LC adapters 321 support two LC duplex connections in a geometry having one LC duplex connection in the width and two LC duplex connections in the height (e.g., a 1×2 configuration). Six of these stacked dual high duplex LC adapters are used in this 1×2 configuration of cassette 320, but it should be noted that other stacked array configurations are possible, such as 2×2, 3×2, 4×2, and 6×2. Thus, as will be described in more detail below with reference to at least FIGS. 21-23, the stacked dual high duplex LC adapters will have dimensions similar to two duplex LC adapters stacked on top of each other.

[0032] 19 also shows that fasteners 323 (e.g., push pins) are pre-installed in holes 326 in two cassette flanges 324 located on either end of the cassette 320. The flanges 324 have holes 326 for receiving or passing the fasteners 323 therethrough. The fasteners 323 secure the cassette 320 to the patch panel 310. Note that other embodiments can use fasteners that may not be pre-installed in the holes 326. The flanges 324 also abut the front of the patch panel 310 to prevent the cassette 320 from passing through the patch panel opening 313 mounted on the patch panel 310.

[0033] Figure 20 is a top view showing certain dimensional measurements of cassette 320 with six of the stacked dual high duplex LC adapters installed within cassette 320 as front adapters 321. Measurements in Figure 20 are given in inches (mm). For example, the thickness of the cassette flange 324 may be measured as t1, which is 0.093 inches (2.37 mm), the depth of the front of the cassette 320 behind the cassette flange 324 may be measured as t2, which is 0.437 inches (11.09 mm), the depth of the cassette flange 324 to the front adapter 321 may be measured as t3, which is 0.713 inches (18.11 mm), the depth of the front panel 328 of the cassette 320 behind the flange 324 (including the thickness of the cassette flange 324) may be measured as t4, which is 0.530 inches (13.46 mm), and the depth of the front adapter 121 may be measured as t5, which is 0.620 inches (15.75 mm).

[0034] 21-23 show diagrams of a stacked dual high duplex LC adapter 321 (hereafter "adapter array"). FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of the adapter array 321, and it can be seen that the adapter array 321 occupies similar dimensions to two duplex LC adapters combined into a single monolithic adapter. Space savings is the primary advantage of this monolithic stacked design of the adapter array 321 over physically stacking two duplex LC adapters on top of each other.

[0035] FIG 22A shows a front view of adapter array 321 and FIG 22B shows a side view of adapter array 321. Adapter array 321 is shown as having a vertical distance between the centerlines of the adapters of h1, which is 0.38 inches, but the same centerline vertical distance of two duplex LC adapters stacked on top of each other would be 0.47 inches. Because of the shorter height of adapter array 321, opening 327 in cassette 320 to receive the adapter array is 0.75 inches, which is smaller than would be required to stack two duplex LC adapters on top of each other.

[0036] 23, the adapter array 321 is configured with the openings of the LC connector latches 329 facing in an upward direction. This provides consistency as to how a user inserts and removes connectors from the top and bottom openings of the adapter array 321 and provides a uniform polarization scheme between the top and bottom openings in the adapter array 321.

[0037] 24 is a front view of cassette 320 without adapter array 321 installed, thus exposing front adapter opening 327 of cassette 320. Dimensions and form factor proportions are as follows: W3>90 mm (3.543 inches), where W3 is measured across the front opening 327. W4>105.882 mm (4.169 inches), where W4 measures the front surface measured across the cassette flange 324.

[0038] 25 is a top view of the cassette 320 with the adapter array 321 installed and the cassette 320 attached to the patch panel 310. The dimensions shown are in inches (mm). For example, the thickness of the patch panel flange 311 may be measured as d6 which is 0.038 inches (0.95 mm), the depth from the patch panel flange 311 (including the thickness of the patch panel flange 311) to the front of the front adapter 321 may be measured as d7 which is 0.75 inches (19.06 mm), and the depth from the patch panel flange 311 back to the rear edge of the front panel 328 (not including the thickness of the patch panel flange 311) may be measured as d8 which is 0.400 inches (10.15 mm).

[0039] 26 shows a perspective view of a patch panel 310 with an adapter array 321 installed and mounted in an enclosure 330, according to another embodiment. The enclosure 330 is primarily comprised of a top cover 331 and a base 332. The top cover 331 may be attached and secured to the enclosure base 332. The enclosure 332 includes a bottom 335, side walls 334, a rear wall 335, and an attached or integral mounting flange 336. The top and front of the enclosure base 332 are normally open when the top cover 331 and patch panel 310 are not installed.

[0040] A mounting flange 336 is attached to or incorporated within the enclosure base 332 and is utilized to mount and remove the enclosure on mounting rails of a rack or cabinet (not shown), the mounting flange 336 including holes 337 through which fasteners (not shown) pass to secure the enclosure 330 to the rack / cabinet. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 26, the mounting flange 336 also includes an optional threaded post 338 that may be used to secure the patch panel 310 to the enclosure 330 prior to mounting the enclosure 330 to the rack / cabinet. The threaded post 338 may be incorporated within the enclosure's mounting flange 336 to allow the patch panel 310 to be secured to the enclosure 330 with fasteners such as the nuts 116 previously shown in FIG. 9. The nuts 116 are used in combination with the threaded post 338 to secure the patch panel 310 to the enclosure 330.

[0041] According to some embodiments, an installation procedure for installing the patch panel 310 on the enclosure 330 may include the following. 1. Slide the patch panel 310 (with or without the cassette 320 installed) into the front of the enclosure 330. 2. Using nuts 116, secure patch panel 310 to the front of enclosure 330 with threaded posts 338. 3. Placing the assembly including the patch panel 310 mounted on the enclosure 330 in a rack / cabinet. 4. Place and tighten fasteners through the patch panel 310 and enclosure mounting holes 337 to secure the assembly to the rack. 5. If desired, add cassettes 320 to patch panels 310 and wiring to enclosures 330. 6. Attach cover 331 to enclosure base 332. According to other embodiments, different assembly sequences are possible. For example, steps 5 and 6 could be completed before step 4.

[0042] FIG. 27 illustrates an alternative patch panel 410 that is the same as patch panel 310 except for an alternative design of mounting flange 411 that is relieved to eliminate mounting hole 337 compared to mounting flange 311 of patch panel 310.

[0043] According to some embodiments, an installation procedure for installing the patch panel 410 on the enclosure 330 may include the following. 1. Slide the patch panel 410 into the front of the enclosure 330. 2. Using nuts 116, secure patch panel 410 to the front of enclosure 330 with threaded posts 338. 3. Placing the assembly including the patch panel 410 and the enclosure 330 in a rack / cabinet. 4. Place fasteners through enclosure mounting holes 337 and tighten to secure the assembly to the rack / cabinet. 5. Add cassettes 320 and wiring to patch panels 410 and enclosures 330 as desired. 6. Attach cover 331 to enclosure base 332. The use of alternative mounting flanges 411 in patch panel assembly 410 allows patch panel 410 to be removed from enclosure 330 by simply removing nuts 116, thereby eliminating the need for an installer to first remove enclosure 330 from the rack. According to other embodiments, different assembly sequences are possible. For example, steps 5 and 6 could be completed before step 4.

[0044] Figure 28 is a top view of patch panel 310 including adapter array 321 installed and attached to enclosure 330. Measurements in Figure 28 are in inches (mm). Thus, in addition to the measurements shown in Figure 25, where cassette 320 is shown installed in patch panel 310, Figure 28 also shows the thickness of enclosure mounting flange 336 as t9, which is 0.060 inches (1.52 mm), and t 10 28. Further measurements from when patch panel system 300 is installed in enclosure 330, such as the distance from enclosure mounting flange 336 back to the rear of front panel 128 as in FIG. 28. All other distances in FIGS. 20 and 25 relating to patch panel 310 and cassette 320 are applicable to patch panel system 300 mounted in enclosure 330 as in FIG. 28.

[0045] According to some alternative embodiments, the patch panel system 300 may be mounted in an alternative enclosure that includes a sliding tray and cable management features at the front, such as the enclosure 230 shown above in FIG.

[0046] FIG. 29A is a front perspective view of a patch panel 310 installed in a rack 500, the patch panel 310 having several cassettes 320 mounted thereon and also including a rear cable manager 360 for managing the cables passing through the rear of the patch panel 310.

[0047] FIG. 29B is a rear perspective view of patch panel 310 installed in rack 500 , showing a better view of rear cable manager 360 for managing the cables passing through the rear of patch panel 310 .

[0048] FIG. 30 is a rear perspective view of patch panel 110 installed in rack 500 showing a better view of rear cable manager 160 for managing the cables passing through the rear of patch panel 110.

[0049] FIG 31A shows a perspective view of the back of mounting flange 311 with fasteners placed through mounting holes in mounting flange 311 and through mounting holes in rack 500, and cage nuts 501 are tightened over these fasteners at the rear of rack 500. One of these fasteners is long fastener 503. As shown in FIG 31B, mounting arm 361 of cable manager 360 is secured to long fastener 503 by tightening nut 502 using fastener tool 600. FIG 32 shows a view of mounting arm 361 secured to long fastener 503 by nut 502.

[0050] FIG. 33A is a front perspective view of a patch panel 310 installed in a rack 500, the patch panel 310 having several cassettes 320 mounted thereon and also including a rear cable manager 360 including spools 362 for managing the cables passing through the rear of the patch panel 310.

[0051] FIG. 33B is a front perspective view of a patch panel 110 installed in a rack 500, the patch panel 110 having several cassettes 120 mounted thereon and also including a rear cable manager 160 including spools 162 for managing the cables passing through the rear of the patch panel 110.

[0052] Moreover, while particular embodiments described herein have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made with respect to the components and features of a high density fiber administration system without departing from the teachings described herein. The matter set forth in the above description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of example only and not by way of limitation. The actual scope of the present disclosure is intended to be defined by the following claims when properly assessed.

Claims

1. 1. A fiber administration system comprising: a patch panel including a plurality of mounting openings, the patch panel configured to fit within a rack unit (RU) space; a module including a plurality of openings on a front surface thereof, the plurality of openings being configured to support fiber optic connectors, the module being configured to fit within the mounting openings, such that when the patch panel is fully populated with the plurality of modules, the patch panel supports at least 144 fiber connections per RU; 1. A fiber management system comprising:

2. The fiber administration system of claim 1 , wherein the module supports up to 12 fiber connections.

3. The fiber administration system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings in the module includes at least six openings, each opening configured to receive an LC duplex adapter.

4. The fiber administration system of claim 1 , wherein the module includes flanges on either side of the module, the flanges including mounting holes for receiving fasteners for mounting to the patch panel.

5. The fiber administration system of claim 1 , wherein said module includes flanges on each side of said module, said flanges having an end-to-end width greater than 105.88 mm.

6. The fiber administration system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings in the module occupy 85% or more of the width of the front surface of the module.

7. The fiber administration system of claim 1 , wherein the patch panel supports up to 48 fiber connections along a horizontal plane.

8. The fiber administration system of claim 1 , wherein the patch panel supports up to three rows of modules.

9. The fiber administration system of claim 1 , wherein the patch panel supports up to four rows of modules.

10. 1. A fiber administration system comprising: a patch panel configured to fit within a rack unit (RU) space, the patch panel including a plurality of mounting openings; a module including a plurality of openings on a front surface, the plurality of openings configured to support fiber optic connectors, the module configured to fit within the mounting openings, such that when the patch panel is fully populated with the plurality of modules, the patch panel supports at least 192 fiber connections per RU; 1. A fiber management system comprising:

11. The fiber administration system of claim 10 , wherein the module supports up to 24 fiber connections.

12. The fiber administration system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of openings in the module includes at least six openings, each opening configured to receive a stacked dual high LC duplex adapter.

13. The fiber administration system of claim 12 , wherein the LC duplex dual stack adapter has a height of 0.75 inches or less.

14. The fiber administration system of claim 12, wherein a vertical centerline pitch between LC connectors positioned one above the other in the LC duplex dual stack adapter is 0.38 inches or less.

15. The fiber administration system of claim 12 , wherein the latch openings of each adapter opening in the LC duplex dual stack adapter face in the same direction.

16. The fiber administration system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of openings in the module occupy 85% or more of the width of the front surface of the module.

17. The fiber administration system of claim 10 , wherein the patch panel supports up to two rows of modules.

18. The fiber administration system of claim 10 , wherein the patch panel supports up to four rows of 48 fiber connections along four different horizontal planes.

19. The fiber administration system of claim 10 , wherein the patch panel supports up to four rows of modules.

20. The fiber administration system of claim 10 , wherein the module includes flanges disposed on different horizontal planes on opposite sides of the module.

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