# US 2017/0285282 A1 · Connector system with air flow > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0285282 A1 - Document ID: US20170285282A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/392,284 - Filed: 2015-12-23 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-12-23 - Assignees: Molex Incorporated - Applicants: Molex, LLC - Inventors: Kent E. REGNIER; Jerry D. KACHLIC - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170285282A1 ## CPC - G02B 6/4269: {with heat sinks or radiation fins} - G02B 6/3879: {Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs} - G02B 6/3885: {Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type (optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448)} - G02B 6/3897: {Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards (G02B6/44528 takes precedence)} - G02B 6/4278: {related to pluggable or demountable opto-electronic or electronic elements} - G02B 6/428: {containing printed circuit boards [PCB]} - G02B 6/4292: {the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements} - G02B 6/3867: {comprising air venting holes} - H01R 13/659: with plural ports for distinct connectors - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A receptacle includes a cooling channel that is positioned between a top port and a bottom port. A transfer member is positioned in the cooling channel and is configured to direct heat from an inserted plug module into the cooling channel. Air flowing through the cooling channel acts to remove thermal energy from the receptacle. A connector system may include a plug module that can be inserted into such a receptacle and the plug module can include grooves to help allow for direct cooling of the plug module, even when inserted into the receptacle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A receptacle, comprising: a housing defining a first mating interface and a second mating interface, the housing supporting a plurality of terminals, the terminals having tails for mounting to a circuit board and contacts configured to engage a mating connector, the contacts extending to a first mating interface and a second mating interface; a cage having a front face and a rear face, the cage defining a top port and a bottom port, the top port aligned with the first mating interface and the bottom port aligned with the second mating interface, the cage further including a cooling channel positioned between the top and bottom port, the cage having a rear grill on the rear face and a front grill on the front face; and a thermal coupling plate provided approximate the bottom port, the thermal coupling plate thermally coupled to a transfer member positioned in the cooling channel, wherein the front grill is in communication with the rear grill via the cooling channel and the thermal coupling plate is configured to conduct thermal energy from an inserted plug module to the transfer member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The receptacle of claim 1, further comprising a communication channel provided on a side of the housing, the communication channel allowing the rear grill to be in communication with the cooling channel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the transfer member is a plurality of fins. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the thermal coupling plate includes a plurality of spring fingers configured to mate with a top surface of a mating plug connector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the thermal coupling plate is configured to press against a top surface of a mating plug connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the thermal coupling plate is biased so as to extend into the bottom port. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The receptacle of claim 6, wherein the thermal coupling plate is part of a heat sink that includes a mounting bracket with a biasing element configured to urge the thermal coupling plate into the bottom port. ### Claim 8 A plug module, comprising: a body having a main portion and a mating portion, the mating portion having an alignment flange at a distal end and a plurality of channels provided on a top surface of the mating portion; a plurality of contacts positioned near a distal end of the mating portion and supported by a substrate, the contacts being arranged so as to be partially shielded by the alignment flange; a latch provided on a side of the mating portion; and an actuator supported by the main portion, the actuator configured to actuate the latch. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The plug module of claim 8, wherein the substrate is a circuit board. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The plug module of claim 8, wherein the main portion is larger than the mating portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The plug module of claim 8, wherein at least one optical fiber is connected to the body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1, 8) A connector system, comprising: a receptacle as defined in claim 1; and a plug connector as defined in claim 8. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The connector system of claim 12, wherein the receptacle includes a thermal coupling plate positioned in the top port, the thermal coupling plate thermally coupled to a transfer member position on top of the receptacle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The connector system of claim 12, wherein the thermal coupling plate is biased so as to extend into the bottom port and wherein at least one optical fiber is connected to the body.