Cooling multiple high-density network pluggable optical modules using a shared heat exchanger

A network element comprising:

• a plurality of modules interconnected to one another, at least one module includes
• a Printed Circuit Board (PCB),
• a faceplate connected to the PCB,
• a plurality of cage assemblies connected to the PCB, each cage assembly is configured to receive a pluggable optical module via a corresponding opening in the faceplate, and
• a shared heat exchanger that is integrally formed and substantially covers the plurality of cage assemblies, wherein the shared heat exchanger is configured to cool multiple pluggable optics in the plurality of cage assemblies,
• wherein the shared heat exchanger is a cold plate including a single cooling line that provides liquid cooling to the multiple pluggable optics.

A network element comprising:

• a plurality of modules interconnected to one another, at least one module includes
• a Printed Circuit Board (PCB),
• a faceplate connected to the PCB,
• a first plurality of cage assemblies connected to the PCB in a first horizontal row, each cage assembly is configured to receive a pluggable optical module via a corresponding opening in the faceplate,
• a first shared heat exchanger that is integrally formed and substantially covers the plurality of cage assemblies, wherein the shared heat exchanger is configured to cool multiple pluggable optics in the plurality of cage assemblies,
• a second plurality of cage assemblies located under the first plurality of cage assemblies in a second horizontal row, and
• a second shared heat exchanger that substantially covers the second plurality of cage assemblies.