Abstract: In one aspect, a fill tube assembly for supplying water to an icemaker is described. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a grommet comprising and inlet and an outlet, and a fill tube configured for coupling to the grommet outlet. The fill tube comprises a slot extending from one end thereof. In another embodiment, the assembly comprises tape at least partially wrapped around a portion of the fill tube for facilitating heating at least the fill tube portion.

Abstract: In one aspect, a fill tube assembly for supplying water to an icemaker is described. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a grommet comprising and inlet and an outlet, and a fill tube configured for coupling to the grommet outlet. The fill tube comprises a slot extending from one end thereof. In another embodiment, the assembly comprises tape at least partially wrapped around a portion of the fill tube for facilitating heating at least the fill tube portion.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly for absorbing forces on an input shaft of a washing machine is described. In one embodiment, the thrust bearing assembly is located at an upper end of the input shaft just below a pinion gear coupled to the shaft. The thrust bearing assembly includes a cage and bearing assembly positioned between washers. The thrust bearing assembly is supported on a bronze flange bearing having a bore, and the input shaft extends through the bore. The flange bearing is supported by the transmission housing, and a lubrication reservoir is formed by the transmission housing. The reservoir typically is filled with a lubricant. In operation, when the machine operates in the spin cycle, axial forces are transferred through an actuator cam, a pulley hub, and the shaft to the thrust bearing assembly. The trust bearing assembly cooperates with the transmission housing to absorb the downward axial forces on shaft.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly for absorbing forces on an input shaft of a washing machine is described. In one embodiment, the thrust bearing assembly is located at an upper end of the input shaft just below a pinion gear coupled to the shaft. The thrust bearing assembly includes a cage and bearing assembly positioned between washers. The thrust bearing assembly is supported on a bronze flange bearing having a bore, and the input shaft extends through the bore. The flange bearing is supported by the transmission housing, and a lubrication reservoir is formed by the transmission housing. The reservoir typically is filled with a lubricant. In operation, when the machine operates in the spin cycle, axial forces are transferred through an actuator cam, a pulley hub, and the shaft to the thrust bearing assembly. The thrust bearing assembly cooperates with the transmission housing to absorb the downward axial forces on shaft.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly for absorbing forces on an input shaft of a washing machine is described. In one embodiment, the thrust bearing assembly is located at an upper end of the input shaft just below a pinion gear coupled to the shaft. The thrust bearing assembly includes a cage and bearing assembly positioned between washers. The thrust bearing assembly is supported on a bronze flange bearing having a bore, and the input shaft extends through the bore. The flange bearing is supported by the transmission housing, and a lubrication reservoir is formed by the transmission housing. The reservoir typically is filled with a lubricant. In operation, when the machine operates in the spin cycle, axial forces are transferred through an actuator cam, a pulley hub, and the shaft to the thrust bearing assembly. The thrust bearing assembly cooperates with the transmission housing to absorb the downward axial forces on shaft.

Abstract: An easy to assemble upper ball joint assembly for a wash tub suspension system is described. In accordance with one embodiment, the upper ball joint assembly includes a socket configured to be located within a keyed opening in the suspension system upper frame, and a ball joint configured to be secured to a suspension rod extending from the suspension system lower frame through the opening in the upper frame. The socket includes a seating surface which, in one embodiment, is substantially spherical shaped and concave. A slot extends from the socket opening to a periphery of the socket. The slot is configured so that the suspension rod can be moved through the slot and located within the socket opening. By orienting the socket so that the slot extends radially outward from a center axis of the wash tub, the suspension rod is allowed more movement relative to the socket since the rod can also move within the slot.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a front face surrounding the front openings of the storage compartments. Operation of the refrigerator tends to cause some portions of the face to be colder than the dew point temperature of the surrounding air. Moisture in the surrounding air tends to condense on such colder than dew point portions. Sheets of aluminum foil are in intimate contact with the inside of the case, extend along those portions of the face subject to condensation and project onto adjacent areas of the case which are warmer than the dew point temperature. This keeps the temperature of those portions subject to condensation above the dew point temperature. Portions of the doors, such as the adjacent peripheral walls of doors on multi-compartment units, also may tend to be below the dew point temperature. Sheets of aluminum foil are positioned in intimate contact with the inside of those portions of the doors and project onto adjacent areas of the doors which are warmer than the dew point temperature.