Abstract: An integrated retractable guidance assembly for guiding insertion of a pluggable optical module into a pluggable optical module cage through an opening in a faceplate of a module, the guidance assembly including: a bullnose structure coupled to the faceplate; and one or more retractable arms extending from the bullnose structure and biased into the opening; where the one or more retractable arms are adapted to allow a rear portion of the pluggable optical module to pass into the pluggable optical module cage without being deflected towards the bullnose structure, but to be deflected towards the bullnose structure as a nose portion of the pluggable optical module passes into the pluggable optical module cage. The retractable arms are adapted to provide a user with tactile alignment feedback when the pluggable optical module is inserted into the pluggable optical module cage through the opening in the faceplate under limited visibility circumstances.

Abstract: An integrated retractable guidance assembly for guiding insertion of a pluggable optical module into a pluggable optical module cage through an opening in a faceplate of a module, the guidance assembly including: a bullnose structure coupled to the faceplate; and one or more retractable arms extending from the bullnose structure and biased into the opening; where the one or more retractable arms are adapted to allow a rear portion of the pluggable optical module to pass into the pluggable optical module cage without being deflected towards the bullnose structure, but to be deflected towards the bullnose structure as a nose portion of the pluggable optical module passes into the pluggable optical module cage. The retractable arms are adapted to provide a user with tactile alignment feedback when the pluggable optical module is inserted into the pluggable optical module cage through the opening in the faceplate under limited visibility circumstances.

Abstract: A system includes a network element having a housing that is configured for front-to-rear airflow; and a cooling apparatus located adjacent to the network element and having a housing that forms a cavity that is closed by the housing of the network element, wherein the cooling apparatus includes one or more fan units that are accessible via front access and wherein the one or more fan units are configured to draw the front-to-rear airflow from the network element into the cavity. This enables a front-to-back airflow design with rear fan access to be converted into a front-to-back airflow design with front fan access.

Abstract: A system includes a network element having a housing that is configured for front-to-rear airflow; and a cooling apparatus located adjacent to the network element and having a housing that forms a cavity that is closed by the housing of the network element, wherein the cooling apparatus includes one or more fan units that are accessible via front access and wherein the one or more fan units are configured to draw the front-to-rear airflow from the network element into the cavity. This enables a front-to-back airflow design with rear fan access to be converted into a front-to-back airflow design with front fan access.

Abstract: A connector replacement method in a network element chassis includes obtaining physical access to a backplane in the network element chassis, while the network element chassis is deployed; powering down backplane connectors for replacement while other backplane connectors remained powered; removing the powered down backplane connectors with a connector removal tool; inserting a new set of backplane connectors in place of the removed, powered down backplane connectors with a connector insertion tool; and powering up the new set of backplane connectors.

Abstract: A constrained puzzle device including a housing formed with a radial crescent gutter; one or more slots providing an opening from an outer edge of the housing toward a centerline of the housing; a cartridge wheel nested within the slot and rotatably coupled to the housing, the cartridge wheel having multiple channels passing therethrough. The constrained puzzle device further includes one or more dials rotatably coupled with the housing, the dials configured with structures extending at least partially over the crescent gutter to create one or more pocket regions. Puzzle objects can be disposed within a channel of the cartridge wheel and the slot of the housing, or within the crescent gutter of the housing and a pocket formed by at least one arm member of the dial. The puzzle objects can be moved around in the constrained puzzle device as a user rotates the dials and/or the cartridge wheels.

Abstract: A constrained puzzle device including a housing formed with a radial crescent gutter; one or more slots providing an opening from an outer edge of the housing toward a centerline of the housing; a cartridge wheel nested within the slot and rotatably coupled to the housing, the cartridge wheel having multiple channels passing therethrough. The constrained puzzle device further includes one or more dials rotatably coupled with the housing, the dials configured with structures extending at least partially over the crescent gutter to create one or more pocket regions. Puzzle objects can be disposed within a channel of the cartridge wheel and the slot of the housing, or within the crescent gutter of the housing and a pocket formed by at least one arm member of the dial. The puzzle objects can be moved around in the constrained puzzle device as a user rotates the dials and/or the cartridge wheels.

Abstract: A hybrid chassis for fiber management includes a fixed tray adapted to mount to one of a rack and a frame; a sliding chassis assembly housed in the fixed tray; fiber connectors on a front faceplate of the sliding chassis assembly; internal cross connections in the sliding chassis assembly between the fiber connectors; and a sliding mechanism between the sliding chassis assembly and the fixed tray providing constrained sliding of the sliding chassis assembly between at least two positions including an operating, recessed position and a maintenance, fiber access position. In the operating, recessed position, the sliding chassis assembly can be recessed by about 3.3? in the fixed tray, wherein, in the maintenance, fiber access position, the sliding chassis assembly can be recessed by about 1.3? for fiber access, and wherein the constrained sliding can be about 2?.

Abstract: A hybrid chassis for fiber management includes a fixed tray adapted to mount to one of a rack and a frame; a sliding chassis assembly housed in the fixed tray; fiber connectors on a front faceplate of the sliding chassis assembly; internal cross connections in the sliding chassis assembly between the fiber connectors; and a sliding mechanism between the sliding chassis assembly and the fixed tray providing constrained sliding of the sliding chassis assembly between at least two positions including an operating, recessed position and a maintenance, fiber access position. In the operating, recessed position, the sliding chassis assembly can be recessed by about 3.3? in the fixed tray, wherein, in the maintenance, fiber access position, the sliding chassis assembly can be recessed by about 1.3? for fiber access, and wherein the constrained sliding can be about 2?.

Abstract: A connector replacement method in a network element chassis includes obtaining physical access to a backplane in the network element chassis, while the network element chassis is deployed; powering down backplane connectors for replacement while other backplane connectors remained powered; removing the powered down backplane connectors with a connector removal tool; inserting a new set of backplane connectors in place of the removed, powered down backplane connectors with a connector insertion tool; and powering up the new set of backplane connectors.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a programmable logic device (PLD) includes a plurality of programmable logic blocks arrayed in rows and columns, wherein each programmable logic block is coupled to a corresponding vertical routing resource and a corresponding horizontal routing resource, and wherein each vertical and horizontal routing resource includes a plurality of wires organized into wire groups and each programmable logic block has a set of inputs organized into input groups. The PLD also includes a plurality of connection boxes, each connection box corresponding to a programmable logic block and operable to couple a given wire group in one of the corresponding vertical and horizontal routing resources to a given input group independently of whether a given wire group in the remaining one of the corresponding vertical and horizontal routing resources is coupled through the connection box to the given input group.

Abstract: An electronic circuit unit for use in an electronic equipment cabinet. The electronic circuit unit has first and second opposite main walls including EMI absorbing material and a motherboard frame between the main walls, the motherboard frame including a plurality of wall segments also including EMI absorbing material. A motherboard is mounted in the motherboard frame by a first locating retainer. The first locating retainer positions the motherboard such that it resides between the main walls of the electronic circuit unit. A signal-processing module forming at least a portion of the first main wall is removably mounted to the motherboard frame by a second locating retainer. The signal-processing module connects with the motherboard through an electrical connector having mating parts. The first and the second locating retainers are positioned relative to one another to allow the mating parts to align and mate when the signal processing module is fastened to said motherboard frame.

Abstract: An optical module includes an optical amplifier to amplify optical signals received over optical fiber and an access tray that slides into and out of the optical module. The access tray provides access to optical fiber connections to and from the optical amplifier. The access tray includes a housing that slides into and out of the optical module, a first connection to mate to the optical fiber coming from the amplifier, a second connection to mate to optical fiber going to the amplifier, and a door, attached to the housing, which restricts access to the first connector and the second connector when closed.

Abstract: An optical module includes an optical amplifier to amplify optical signals received over optical fiber and an access tray that slides into and out of the optical module. The access tray provides access to optical fiber connections to and from the optical amplifier. The access tray includes a housing that slides into and out of the optical module, a first connection to mate to optical fiber coming from the amplifier, a second connection to mate to optical fiber going to the amplifier, and a door, attached to the housing, which restricts access to the first connector and the second connector when closed.

Abstract: A device to facilitate securing an endotracheal tube to an adaptor connected to a suction or gas source is disclosed. The device is comprised of a collar slidable over an endotracheal tube and adaptor. The collar has a prong for engaging the endotracheal tube. The device is further comprised of a ring for temporarily locking to the collar and forcing the collar prong into fastening engagement with the tube.

Abstract: An endotracheal device to facilitate joining an endotracheal tube to an adaptor connected to a suction or gas source is disclosed. The device is a tubular connector having opposed ends, one end of which has a locking means for temporarily locking the connector to the adaptor and another end for receiving and securing the tube to the connector.