Abstract: A small, single cylinder, hermetic refrigeration compressor of the fractional horsepower type has a cylinder block with a piston and cylinder at the lower end. Above the cylinder block is mounted the motor stator. A bearing hub is centrally mounted on the cylinder block, and provides a single radial bearing for the crankshaft, which extends upward through the bearing hub and has the rotor mounted on the upper end. The crankshaft is journaled directly in the bearing hub, while the thrust is taken up by a small ball bearing mounted between the rotor and an end face on the bearing hub. The thrust bearing uses a pair of flat thrust washers as races, while the balls, which are widely spaced and minimum in number, are mounted in a plastic cage.

Abstract: A low cost automatic ice cube maker of simplified construction for use in the freezer compartment of a domestic refrigerator. The ice maker includes a one-piece, molded plastic bail or sensing arm for monitoring the level of ice cubes in an underlying storage bin. The movable bail includes a fingerlike resilient projection extending radially from one of the end portions of the bail. The distal end of the projection engages a portion of the ice maker fixed in position relative to the movable bail wherein the resilient projection functions as a springlike member biasing the bail toward a lowermost position. The ice maker also includes a pivotally mounted ice tray that can be easily snapped out of its ice making position for removal and cleaning at a location outside the freezer compartment. An externally accessible mechanism for actuating a test switch of the internal control circuit of the ice maker is provided to facilitate servicing of the ice maker.