Automotive

Air Conditioning System

Introduction
Compressor
The compressor is the heart of the AC system. It compresses
and circulates the refrigerant around the system. Low pressure
refrigerant is drawn into one side of the pump, and expelled as a
high pressure vapour. During this process, the temperature of
the vapour rises significantly. The compressor is usually driven
by a belt attached to either the engine directly, or the alternator.
Scroll Compressor
How does a scroll compressors work?
•A scroll compressor actually consists of two scrolls or spirals. One scroll is
moving, whereas the second one is fixed (attached to the compressor body).
The first scroll orbits (rotates) in a path defined by its mating fixed scroll. The
orbiting scroll is connected to the compressor's crankshaft.
•As a result of the scroll's movement, gas pockets are formed between the two
scrolls. At the outer part of the scrolls, the pockets suck in gas and then move
towards the center of the scroll, where the compressed gas is discharged. As
the gas moves into the continuously smaller internal pockets, both its
temperature and pressure are increased. Thus a desirable discharge pressure is
achieved by the motion of the compressor scrolls.
Scroll Compressor
Scroll compressor advantages
Scroll type compressor are inherently more efficient compared to other types of compressors for
many reasons:
• The absence of pistons for gas compression enables scroll compressors to reach 100%
volumetric efficiency, leading to reduced energy costs.
•Re-expansion losses, a typical feature of each piston stroke encountered in reciprocating
models, are eliminated. In addition, valve (ports) losses are eliminated, since suction and
discharge valves (ports) do not exist.
•Furthermore, due to the absence of several moving parts, scroll compressors are considerably
quieter in operation compared to other types of compressors, like for example reciprocating type
ones. Scroll compressors typically make 5 to 15 dBA lower noise than other compressor types.
•Due to lower vibration and noise, they do not need spring suspensions.
•Fewer moving parts, lower vibrations and less friction also means that these compressors are
more durable.
•Their weight and footprint are considerably smaller compared to other bulkier types of
compressors in use nowadays.
•Gas pulsation is also minimized, if not eliminated and consequently, they can operate with less
vibration.
Magnetic Clutch
 Condenser

Once compressed, the refrigerant

vapour is at a high temperature,
and therefore not too useful for
cooling the car. The condenser
changes the vapour into a liquid,
a reaction which causes a large
drop in temperature. The
condenser is like the radiator on
the engine, and is normally
located at the front of the engine
bay.
 Evaporator

The evaporator receives the

cold refrigerant, and uses it to
cool the air in the cabin of the
car. It is usually located in the
heater air intake. Some
vehicles have more than one
evaporator to serve different
areas inside the cabin.
Evaporator
 Expansion Device
The expansion device comes in many forms. It can be a
brass internally or externally equalized valve, a block type
valve or an orifice tube (the latter being part of an
accumulator type air conditioning system). Expansion
Devices have an inlet and an outlet which separates the high
side of the system from the low side. A small restriction in the
valve allows only a small amount of refrigerant to pass
through it into the Evaporator. The amount of refrigerant
passing through the valve depends on the Evaporator
temperature. The most common reasons for failure are
contamination, moisture and lack of regular servicing.
Expansion Device
Expansion Device
Expansion Device
 Receiver Drier
This is where some AC systems differ.
In an expansion valve system, the drier
is known as a receiver, and in a fixed-
orifice tube system, it is an
accumulator. A receiver removes
impurities from the system, absorbs
moisture, and ensures that only liquid
refrigerant reaches the expansion
valve. In contrast, an accumulator
prevents liquid refrigerant from
entering the compressor.
Receiver
Drier

Accumulator
Receiver/driers serve three very important
functions:
The receiver/drier functions as the filter for the A/C system, removing
contaminants and moisture from the refrigerant. Receiver/driers are always
found on A/C systems which have an expansion valve and are located on the
high side of the system, usually between the condenser and the internal
expansion valve.
The receiver/drier consists of a cylindrical tank (which looks similar to a black
metal can), and inside is a solid core filter which contains a drying agent
(desiccant) and provides several important functions for the system:

• They act as a temporary storage containers for oil and refrigerant

when neither are needed for system operation (such as during
periods of low cooling demand). This is the “receiver” function of the
receiver/drier.

• Most receiver/driers contain a filter that can trap debris that may be
inside the A/C system.

• Receiver/driers contain a material called desiccant. The desiccant is

used to absorb moisture (water) that may have gotten inside the A/C
system during manufacture, assembly or service. Moisture can get
into the A/C components from humidity in the air. This is the “drier”
function of the receiver/drier.
ACCUMULATOR
•Alternately, many vehicles have an accumulator instead of a receiver/drier.
These systems will have a fixed orifice tube in place of the expansion valve.
Although the function of an A/C accumulator is similar to the receiver/drier, it is
designed a bit differently and is typically much larger. It is located on the low-
pressure side of the refrigerant system, receiving low-pressure vapor from the
outlet of the evaporator which it then passes along to the compressor. Some of
its functions are:
•To filter and store (accumulate) the refrigerant. If any liquid refrigerant passes
out of the evaporator the accumulator will store it because liquid refrigerant is
harmful to the compressor.
•The accumulator also contains a desiccant to absorb the moisture. This is often
found inside a desiccant bag which can be changed when saturated.
•Unlike the receiver-drier/expansion valve system, in this system the fixed
orifice tube is responsible for filtering out impurities while restricting refrigerant
flow, combining some functions of both the expansion valve and the
receiver/drier.
Pressure Sensor