Systems, methods, and apparatus for a multi-use optical data, powerline data, and ground power interface for an airplane are disclosed. A method for communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system comprises disposing a pin of a connector of a multi-use power interface, which is connected to the ground system, into a socket of a connector of the vehicle such that a lens located on an end of the pin mates with an interior surface of a bottom of the socket. The pin and the socket each comprise an optical portion and a power portion. The method further comprises providing, by the ground system, power to an onboard system on the vehicle via the power portions of the pin and socket. Further, the method comprises communicating data between the onboard system and the ground system via the optical portions and the power portions of the pin and socket.

An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of contacts assembled in the housing, a plurality of cylindrical mating ports located on and forwardly extending from a front face of the housing, and a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) disposed in the housing behind the front face thereof. The mating port includes a majority part and a minority part engaged with each other wherein the majority part has the material same with or similar to that of the housing and is spaced away from the LED while the minority part is essentially translucent or transparent for light transmission/guiding and intimately confronts the LED.

A protective shell assembly is used for accommodating a connector. The protective shell assembly includes a cage and at least one light pipe. The cage has a plurality of wall surfaces, and the wall surfaces are connected to at least one another to define an accommodating space. The at least one light pipe passes through one of the wall surfaces so that a part of the light pipe is located in the accommodating space and the other part is located outside the accommodating space. A connector assembly with the protective shell assembly is also provided.

A receptacle connector assembly includes a receptacle cage having walls defining a cavity and a divider in the cavity including upper and lower panels separated by a gap and separating the cavity into upper and lower module channels receiving corresponding pluggable modules. The receptacle connector assembly includes a communication connector in the cavity having a housing holding upper and lower contact modules. The receptacle connector assembly includes a light pipe assembly including a first light pipe member coupled to the communication connector and a second light pipe member coupled to the divider. The second light pipe member receives light from the first light pipe member at a separable mating interface.

A connector having a cage with a top wall, a bottom wall and a pair of side walls between the top wall and the bottom wall and a light pipe assembly with a light pipe and a connection structure fixing the light pipe assembly on an outer surface of one of the cage side walls.

The present invention is directed, in part, to a receiver for an infrared light source that uses a USB port to communicate with a set top box or set back box. The receiver comprises a body; a sensor for receiving infrared light; and a substantially planar first surface on the body; which are in communication with via USB with another device. The first surface is configured to direct light from the infrared light source to the sensor. The substantially planar first surface comprises the end of the body. The substantially planar first surface provides an internally reflective surface that directs light into the interior of the body so it will make contact with the sensor.

A connector assembly can be provided. A receptacle includes terminals that can be positioned in a card slot on a 0.60 mm pitch (or greater). A biasing element can be provided in the card slot to engage a mating paddle card. The receptacle can be configured to allow air to flow from a front face to a rear face, the air passing through a middle wall. A plug assembly can be provided that includes a conductive body and is configured to generate some amount of heat. The body can include a surface that has cooling grooves. The cooling grooves allow air flow over the plug assembly so that the plug assembly can be cooled directly.

A receptacle connector assembly includes a receptacle cage having walls defining a cavity and a divider in the cavity including upper and lower panels separated by a gap and separating the cavity into upper and lower module channels receiving corresponding pluggable modules. The receptacle connector assembly includes a communication connector in the cavity having a housing holding upper and lower contact modules. The receptacle connector assembly includes a light pipe assembly including a first light pipe member coupled to the communication connector and a second light pipe member coupled to the divider. The second light pipe member receives light from the first light pipe member at a separable mating interface.

A cage includes a housing and a partition assembly mounted in the housing and separating an inner space of the housing into an upper space and a lower space. The partition assembly includes a first support plate and a second support plate arranged horizontally, and at least a pair of support frames disposed between the first support plate and the second support plate to separate the first support plate from the second support plate by a predetermined height. The support frames have a plurality of through holes. The support frames are formed by bending a front end of one of the first support plate and the second support plate.

A central vacuum cleaning system comprising a vacuum source including: a motor within a motor housing, a receptacle extending from the motor housing for receiving dirt, and a motor control circuit connected to the motor; a handle to be held by an operator, a flexible hose for releasably connecting the handle to a conduit system that is connected to the vacuum source, such that when the motor is activated during use of the system, dirt is drawn by a vacuum created by the vacuum source through the attachment, handle, hose, and conduits, and into the receptacle; a user input interface at an input location on the handle for controlling an operation of the motor through the motor control circuit; and a communications system to transfer control signals from the user input interface to the motor control circuit wherein the communications system comprises an RF wireless transceiver in the handle, and an RF wireless transceiver at the motor control circuit.