Abstract: A method for producing a welded part from two components, where at least one of the components has a hardened surface. The method can include case hardening the surface of one of the components using a salt bath nitriding process and then welding the case hardened first component to the second component by gas metal arc welding (GMAW).

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance configured to implement a cycle of operation to treat a load of laundry includes a basket defining a treating chamber and rotatable about an axis of rotation, a motor having a rotor and a stator, and a shifter within the interior diameter of the stator and having an energizable clutch coil at least partially enveloped in a magnetically permeable housing and a magnetically permeable slidable drive mechanism radially spaced from the housing and configured to selectively couple the basket with the rotor.

Abstract: A pulley has a plastic body having a peripheral seat and a central hub defining a through opening, with teeth extending from the central hub into the through opening. A metal insert is located within the hub and has at least a portion circumscribing the through opening.

Abstract: A method for producing a welded part from two components, where at least one of the components has a hardened surface. The method can include case hardening the surface of one of the components using a salt bath nitriding process and then welding the case hardened first component to the second component by gas metal arc welding (GMAW).

Abstract: A method for producing a welded part from two components, where at least one of the components has a hardened surface. The method can include case hardening the surface of one of the components using a salt bath nitriding process and then welding the case hardened first component to the second component by gas metal arc welding (GMAW).

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance configured to implement a cycle of operation to treat a load of laundry includes a basket defining a treating chamber and rotatable about an axis of rotation, a motor having a rotor and a stator, and a shifter within the interior diameter of the stator and having an energizable clutch coil at least partially enveloped in a magnetically permeable housing and a magnetically permeable slidable drive mechanism radially spaced from the housing and configured to selectively couple the basket with the rotor.

Abstract: A washing machine with a direct drive system including a tub, a drum rotatably mounted inside the tub, a shaft connected to the drum at a first end for transmission of a driving force of a direct drive motor, a coaxial support connected to a rear portion of the tub and having a first seat for a first bearing supporting a second end of the shaft opposite the drum, a stator secured to the coaxial support and having a plurality of magnetic cores, a rotor including permanent magnets and connected to the shaft, and a second bearing for supporting the shaft between the second end and the first end. The tub is made of polymeric material in which a second seat for said second bearing is co-molded.

Abstract: A method for producing a welded part from two components, where at least one of the components has a hardened surface. The method can include case hardening the surface of one of the components using a salt bath nitriding process and then welding the case hardened first component to the second component by gas metal arc welding (GMAW).

Abstract: A pulley has a plastic body having a peripheral seat and a central hub defining a through opening, with teeth extending from the central hub into the through opening. A metal insert is located within the hub and has at least a portion circumscribing the through opening.

Abstract: A washing machine with a direct drive system including a tub, a drum rotatably mounted inside the tub, a shaft connected to the drum at a first end for transmission of a driving force of a direct drive motor, a coaxial support connected to a rear portion of the tub and having a first seat for a first bearing supporting a second end of the shaft opposite the drum, a stator secured to the coaxial support and having a plurality of magnetic cores, a rotor including permanent magnets and connected to the shaft, and a second bearing for supporting the shaft between the second end and the first end. The tub is made of polymeric material in which a second seat for said second bearing is co-molded.

Abstract: A washing machine with a direct drive system including a tub, a drum rotatably mounted inside the tub, a shaft connected to the drum at a first end for transmission of a driving force of a direct drive motor, a coaxial support connected to a rear portion of the tub and having a first seat for a first bearing supporting a second end of the shaft opposite the drum, a stator secured to the coaxial support and having a plurality of magnetic cores, a rotor including permanent magnets and connected to the shaft, and a second bearing for supporting the shaft between the second end and the first end. The tub is made of polymeric material in which a second seat for said second bearing is co-molded.

Abstract: A washing machine with a direct drive system including a tub, a drum rotatably mounted inside the tub, a shaft connected to the drum at a first end for transmission of a driving force of a direct drive motor, a coaxial support connected to a rear portion of the tub and having a first seat for a first bearing supporting a second end of the shaft opposite the drum, a stator secured to the coaxial support and having a plurality of magnetic cores, a rotor including permanent magnets and connected to the shaft, and a second bearing for supporting the shaft between the second end and the first end. The tub is made of polymeric material in which a second seat for said second bearing is co-molded.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine comprises a spin tube coupled to the basket and an agitator shaft coupled to an agitator mounted in the basket. A motor coupled to the agitator shaft applies a torque the agitator shaft and thereby the agitator in first and second torque directions. A clutch couples the spin tube to the agitator shaft for cooperative rotation of the basket and the agitator regardless of the rotational direction of the agitator shaft. Because of the dual directionality of the clutch, reversing the motor simultaneously dynamically brakes the basket and the agitator, thereby eliminating the need for a separate friction brake for the basket.

Abstract: A pump assembly supportable in a tank having an opening includes a pump such as a grinder pump and a cover attachable to the pump. The cover has a peripherally-extending portion extending outwardly from the pump and the peripherally-extending portion is sized to rest on a first surface of the portion of the tank defining the opening. A quick-release latching mechanism may include a plurality of members such as arms or pawls which are movable generally radially between a retracted position wherein the outer ends of the plurality of members are disposed inwardly of the peripherally-extending portion of the cover allowing the pump assembly to be lowered into the opening in the tank, and an extended position wherein the outer ends of a plurality of members are positionable against a second opposite side of the portion of the tank defining the opening to compress the portion of the tank forming the opening between the cover and the plurality of members.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine comprises a spin tube coupled to the basket and an agitator shaft coupled to an agitator mounted in the basket. A motor coupled to the agitator shaft applies a torque the agitator shaft and thereby the agitator in first and second torque directions. A clutch couples the spin tube to the agitator shaft for cooperative rotation of the basket and the agitator regardless of the rotational direction of the agitator shaft. Because of the dual directionality of the clutch, reversing the motor simultaneously dynamically brakes the basket and the agitator, thereby eliminating the need for a separate friction brake for the basket.

Abstract: An automatic clothes washer has a wash basket defining a wash chamber for receiving a clothes load and a clothes mover provided in the wash chamber for reciprocal rotation. The automatic clothes washer performs a laundering of a clothes load by wetting a portion of the clothes load to form a clothes load with both wetted and unwetted articles of clothes. The clothes load is then reoriented by moving at least some of the wetted articles of clothing into at least some of the unwetted articles of clothing.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine comprises a spin tube coupled to the basket and an agitator shaft coupled to an agitator mounted in the basket. A motor coupled to the agitator shaft applies a torque the agitator shaft and thereby the agitator in first and second torque directions. A clutch couples the spin tube to the agitator shaft for cooperative rotation of the basket and the agitator regardless of the rotational direction of the agitator shaft. Because of the dual directionality of the clutch, reversing the motor simultaneously dynamically brakes the basket and the agitator, thereby eliminating the need for a separate friction brake for the basket.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine comprises a wash tub and a wash plate movably mounted within the wash tub for imparting mechanical energy to articles of fabric in the wash tub. The wash plate comprises a base and a blade that extends from the base and terminates in a tip. According to the invention, at least the tip of the blade is formed by an insert. The insert is made from a relatively hard and wear resistant material that is different than the material of the impeller body. As a result, the wear resistance and performance of the impeller is improved without significantly increasing the overall cost of the impeller.

Abstract: A pump assembly supportable in a tank having an opening includes a pump such as a grinder pump and a cover attachable to the pump. The cover has a peripherally-extending portion extending outwardly from the pump and the peripherally-extending portion is sized to rest on a first surface of the portion of the tank defining the opening. A quick-release latching mechanism may include a plurality of members such as arms or pawls which are movable generally radially between a retracted position wherein the outer ends of the plurality of members are disposed inwardly of the peripherally-extending portion of the cover allowing the pump assembly to be lowered into the opening in the tank, and an extended position wherein the outer ends of a plurality of members are positionable against a second opposite side of the portion of the tank defining the opening to compress the portion of the tank forming the opening between the cover and the plurality of members.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine capable of washing with both a toroidal and inverse toroidal washing motion.