Abstract: A portable field maintenance tool may perform one or more tasks, such as communicating with a field device, powering a field device, diagnosing a field device, or diagnosing a communication link in a plant environment to which a field device is connected. The portable field maintenance tool may interact with field devices configured according to a number of different communication protocols, such as the HART protocol and the Fieldbus protocol. The portable field maintenance tool may be energy limited and fault tolerant, and may operate in compliance with Intrinsic Safety standards, enabling use of the portable field maintenance tool in hazardous areas.

Abstract: Multi-functional field maintenance (FM) tools that connect to process control devices, such as FOUNDATION Fieldbus and Highway Addressable Remote Transducer devices, can automatically detect and simultaneously identify communications, troubleshoot connections, and supply power in a process control plant. Simplifying the troubleshooting process, by guiding a user of a multi-functional FM tool through recommended troubleshooting steps, while simultaneously detecting and correcting issues reduces the number of tools required to maintain process control devices, reduces the risk of damage, and improves efficiency by minimizing production downtime.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a portable field device testing includes a two-wire communication line to provide communication between a handheld maintenance tool and a field device, a first two-prong plug to provide power and communication signals to the field device and a shunt plug to provide power to the field device using the two-wire communication line.

Abstract: Removable devices and systems for operating the four wheel drive (4WD) system of a tow vehicle having an electronically controllable part time 4WD system including a selectable 4WD low range mode are described. The removable device may comprise a first interface for coupling the removable device to a selector, the selector providing an indication of a desired operating mode for the 4WD system; a second interface for coupling the removable device to a controller-area network bus of the tow vehicle; a memory storing vehicle control codes; and at least one controller communicatively coupled to both the first interface and the second interface. The removable device, and system, may allow a vehicle operator to operate the tow vehicle in two-wheel drive low range mode.

Abstract: Multi-functional field maintenance (FM) tools that connect to process control devices, such as FOUNDATION Fieldbus and Highway Addressable Remote Transducer devices, can automatically detect and simultaneously identify communications, troubleshoot connections, and supply power in a process control plant. Simplifying the troubleshooting process, by guiding a user of a multi-functional FM tool through recommended troubleshooting steps, while simultaneously detecting and correcting issues reduces the number of tools required to maintain process control devices, reduces the risk of damage, and improves efficiency by minimizing production downtime.

Abstract: A portable field maintenance tool may perform one or more tasks, such as communicating with a field device, powering a field device, diagnosing a field device, or diagnosing a communication link in a plant environment to which a field device is connected. The portable field maintenance tool may interact with field devices configured according to a number of different communication protocols, such as the HART protocol and the Fieldbus protocol. The portable field maintenance tool may be energy limited and fault tolerant, and may operate in compliance with Intrinsic Safety standards, enabling use of the portable field maintenance tool in hazardous areas.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a portable field device testing includes a two-wire communication line to provide communication between a handheld maintenance tool and a field device, a first two-prong plug to provide power and communication signals to the field device and a shunt plug to provide power to the field device using the two-wire communication line.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a portable field device testing includes a two-wire communication line to provide communication between a handheld maintenance tool and a field device, a first two-prong plug to provide power and communication signals to the field device and a shunt plug to provide power to the field device using the two-wire communication line.

Abstract: Removable devices and systems for operating the four wheel drive (4WD) system of a tow vehicle having an electronically controllable part time 4WD system including a selectable 4WD low range mode are described. The removable device may comprise a first interface for coupling the removable device to a selector, the selector providing an indication of a desired operating mode for the 4WD system; a second interface for coupling the removable device to a controller-area network bus of the tow vehicle; a memory storing vehicle control codes; and at least one controller communicatively coupled to both the first interface and the second interface. The removable device, and system, may allow a vehicle operator to operate the tow vehicle in two-wheel drive low range mode.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a portable field device testing includes a two-wire communication line to provide communication between a handheld maintenance tool and a field device, a first two-prong plug to provide power and communication signals to the field device and a shunt plug to provide power to the field device using the two-wire communication line.

Abstract: A method of making a filtering face mask, which method comprises: (a) providing a mask body that is adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a person, the mask body comprising a filtration layer and having an opening through which exhaled air can pass without having to pass through the filtration layer, the opening being located directly in front of where the wearer's mouth would be when the face mask is being worn; and (b) attaching an exhalation valve to the mask body at the opening; wherein the attached exhalation valve comprises: (i) only one flexible flap that has only one stationary portion, only one free portion, a generally uniform thickness, and a peripheral edge, the peripheral edge having a stationary segment that is associated with the one stationary portion and a free segment that is associated with the one free portion; and (ii) a valve seat that has a flap-retaining surface, a seal surface, and an orifice that comprises a plurality of openings through which plurality of openings exhaled air ma

Abstract: A signal measured on a network is associated with one of a plurality of communication devices connected to the network. The designation address of an active communication device that is scheduled to communicate next is determined. The next received signal on the network is associated with the designation address of the active communication device if the signal is received within a maximum response time.

Abstract: Noise is detected within an operating frequency of a communication medium. Messages are monitored on the communication medium for corrupted messages. A noise detected signal is generated when a number of corrupted messages detected reaches a corrupted message threshold.

Abstract: A method of stretching films in which all or a portion of the width of the film is cooled during or just after stretching so as to improve the uniformity of the film. The includes stretching a polymeric film in a tenter that grasps the film with a plurality of clips along the opposing edges of the film and propels the clips to thereby stretch the film. The tenter includes driven clips and idler clips, with at least one idler clip between respective pairs of driven clips. The cooling is done so as to improve the uniformity of the clip spacing relative to the spacing obtained at otherwise identical process conditions without such cooling.