Abstract: A positive displacement pump of this disclosure includes a plain bearing comprising a composite material located between a first component that may experience an oscillating motion at low speed (or at low speed and high loads) and a second component located about the first. The pump may be a mud pump configured to circulate a drilling fluid into and out of a well bore during an oil/gas well drilling operation. The first component may be a wrist pin of a crosshead and the second component may be an end of a connecting rod. The composite material may be a bearing grade material that is self-lubricating and wet or contaminant tolerant or resistant. The composite material may include polyketone. In retrofit or new applications, the plain bearing may include a sleeve containing a liner made of the composite material. No external lubrication may be required, eliminating the need for lubricating structures.

Abstract: The Automated Bill Presentment and Payment system is an information and payment processing system which enables secure electronic processing of invoices and payments between parties who do not have an existing electronic business or payment relationship (e.g. bank direct debit) and who cannot, or prefer not to, use electronic means (internet or telephonic credit card) for payments. It utilises existing physical infrastructure (ATMs or call centres) and payment processing highways for presenting invoices and making payments. It increases the privacy, reliability and security of payments while reducing the cost of processing invoices and payments by eliminating the mailing and processing of invoices and cheques as well as the registration of credit card information through telephone operators or automated telephone answering systems.