Abstract: An encrypted payment message is received from a buyer relating to a transaction with a merchant. The payment message is parsed using a first parsing algorithm to obtain merchant identifying information. The merchant identifying information is associated with at least a second parsing algorithm or at least one settlement algorithm. The payment message is parsed using the second parsing algorithm to obtain payment information for the transaction. A first settlement algorithm is applied to the payment information to determine an adjusted interchange rate. The payment information including the adjusted interchange rate is submitted to a third party settlement processor on behalf of the merchant, using a payment algorithm. A second settlement algorithm applied to the payment information determines a buyer rebate which can be submitted to the settlement processor. A transaction result is reported to at least one of the merchant or the buyer.

Abstract: A telescopic drive spindle assembly for a rolling mill permits the assembly to accommodate axial displacement of the roll. The assembly has first and second overlapping members with a piston in one member being displaceable in a cylinder in the other member. The piston defines a chamber and a quantity of gas in the chamber serves to urge the piston in the direction out of the cylinder so as to increase the effective length of the drive spindle.

Abstract: A hydro-mechanical actuator for adjustably positioning a part, for example a roll carriage of a vertical roll mill stand, is described in which an actuating member having a pusher is mechanically driven to approximate a desired position and then is adjustably displaced by a hydraulic mechanism. The actuator member has a threaded portion which engages a threaded nut secured against rotation by keys; hance rotation of the actuating member will cause its axial displacement. Rotation of the actuating member is by a driving splined sleeve which engages a splined portion of the actuating member. The hydraulic mechanism includes a piston which engages with the threaded nut which can move axially with the actuating member, so that the position of the actuating member, and pusher, can be adjusted by controllably varying the pressure applied to either side of the piston in the cylinder.