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Purpose: maintain the atmosphere of an enclosed space at a required temp, humidity and purity Refrigeration system is at heart of AC system

Heaters in ventilation system Types Used:


Self-contained Refrigerant circulating Chill water circulating

Air in passenger compartment is cooled, dried, and circulated


Heat is removed from inside to outside

Modern cars get better freeway fuel economy with windows up and air-conditioning on
Above 40 mph: more gas used with windows down

Must be a transfer of heat for refrigerant to change state


Liquid absorbs heat as changes to gas Vapor releases heat as changes to liquid

Self-Contained System

Refrigerant circulating system

Add-on to ships that originally did not have AC plants Not located in ventilation system (window unit) Hot air passed over refrigerant cooling coils directly
Refrigerant cools chill water Hot air passes over chill water cooling coils

Chilled water circulating system

Split System

an outdoor metal cabinet contains the condenser and compressor, and an indoor cabinet contains the evaporator

Packaged

the evaporator, condenser, and compressor are all located in one cabinet

Heat flows to anything with less heat


Convection
Heat rises Heat always flows from hot to cold

Radiation
Example: heat from the sun

Evaporation
Moisture absorbs heat as it is vaporized Example: perspiration

Low humidity
Permits heat to be taken away from the human body
Evaporation and perspiration

High humidity
Makes evaporation difficult
People feel as comfortable at 79F with 30% humidity as at 72F at 90% humidity

Common matter exists in three states depending on temperature


Solid Liquid Gas

Solid heated above freezing melts


Becomes a liquid

Closed system
Four major devices
Compressor Condenser Evaporator Metering device

Refrigerant circulates among devices Changing pressure and state of refrigerant regulates cooling cycle operation Four stages: compression, condensation, expansion, and vaporization

Compressor designs
Several types

Axial compressor has four or more cylinders


Swash plate: axial plate connected to drive shaft Wobble plate: wobbles in place

Variable displacement compressors: no clutch cycling Radial compressor: multiple cylinders with pistons and a scotch yoke

Scroll compressor
Moveable scroll oscillates around a fixed scroll

Rotary vane
Blades like power steering pump

Electric compressors
Pressurize the air-conditioning system so the engine does not have to be run
Used in hybrids

Similar to two-stroke gasoline engines


Lubricated by oil carried in refrigerant Heat transfer diminished when oil flows with refrigerant Newer designs keep oil within the compressor

Some systems have a muffler installed on the compressor outlet


Due to pumping noises due to high or low side pressure vibrations from multiple pistons

Thermostatic switch
Tube containing mercury or CO2 senses temperature
Turns off compressor clutch when temperature drops to 32F

Pressure cycling switch

Temperature predicted by pressure of refrigerant Mounted on accumulator at evaporator outlet

Sensor inputs maximize system performance


Outside air temperature (OAT) sensor denies compressor operation between 35F and 45F Sunload sensor opens blend door and spins the blower faster in response to sunlight intensity Discharge duct temperature sensor senses the temperature of air leaving the duct Interior temperature sensor is sometimes used for the first few minutes of vehicle operation

30% of released CFCs are from mobile airconditioning sources


Most of the problem from repair and service

Older cars use R-12 refrigerants


Recovered and recycled

Cars today use R-134A refrigerant


Does not deplete ozone layer
Still a greenhouse gas

40 million pounds per year leak into atmosphere

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