David R Norton

US Patent:

6401500, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Apr 27, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/067186

Inventors:

Stephen Bernard Froelicher - Shepherdsville KY
David Edward Norton - Louisville KY

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

D06F 3740

US Classification:

68 237, 68 233, 68133, 474170

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.

US Patent:

6481249, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

Feb 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/084861

Inventors:

Stephen Bernard Froelicher - Shepherdsville KY
David Edward Norton - Louisville KY

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

D06F 3720

US Classification:

68 237, 68133, 68 233

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.