Ciena Corporation
Heatsink for pluggable optical devices for the prevention of heatsink clip deformation

Abstract:

A heatsink for pluggable optical devices that incorporates features to limit the travel and deformation of the mating/mated spring clip that holds the heatsink to the cage of a pluggable optical device. The heatsink bearing surface takes the shape and contour of the leaf spring portion of the spring clip, thereby contacting and supporting it well before it plastically yields and permanently deforms. The shape of this feature, which may be coupled to or integrally formed with the heatsink bearing surface, can match exactly the shape of the spring clip or approximate the shape using a curved, variable, or other easier to manufacture profile, as long as the associated protrusions extend up into the corners of the leaf spring portion of the spring clip. This feature effectively acts as a hard stop and prevents the spring clip from being compromised due to improper handling or installation.