Air Conditioning System: Components
Hoses, pipes
All connections have O-rings as seals. The O-rings are manufactured in a specially developed material (HNBR = hydrated nitrile rubber). The O-rings are in different colors (black - blue - yellow - green) depending on the type of refrigerant they are suited to.
There are three different types of connection depending on the connection and the car and model year.
- A: Connection with cap nut
- B: Block connection
- C:
Quick-release connector (a special tool is required to separate the connection)
The plastic ring hanging on one of the pipes shows that the connection is correctly assembled. At fist the ring is located in one section of the connection but that jumps free when the connection is pressed together with the correct force.
Evaporator (air heated heat exchanger)
Available in different versions depending on the car and model year. However the version that is used has nothing to do with the type of system the car has.
In principle it consists of pipe loops in which the refrigerant flows. The loops have flanges to increase the heat absorbing surface.
Condenser (air cooled heat exchanger)
Available in different versions depending on the car and model year. However the version that is used has nothing to do with the type of system the car has.
In principle it consists of pipe loops in which the refrigerant flows. The loops have flanges to increase the heat radiating surface.
There are two main types - serial and parallel. Serial = one, two or three pipes that run forwards and backwards through the condenser (the loops are in series).
Parallel = several pipes ("flat pipes") which run parallel through the condenser. Each pipe has a large number of channels and the pipes are connected together at the face of the condenser.
Receiver drier
In principle it is a reservoir containing a drying agent.
The internal design with piping depends on the system it is intended for. On systems with a TEV valve there is a filter in the receiver drier. The filter collects any impurities in the system.
On systems with an expansion pipe, the corresponding filter is integrated with the expansion pipe.
Compressor
There are a number of different makes and versions depending on the engine variant and the car and model year.
The different versions are:
- wing compressor.
- piston compressor with 2 - 4 - 5 - 6 or 7 cylinders.
- piston compressor with fixed or variable cylinder displacement.
This is mechanical and is belt driven by the engine.
Has an electro-magnetic clutch which makes it possible to engage/disengage the compressor.
Electro-magnetic clutch
The clutch consists of:
- a solenoid coil mounted directly on the compressor housing.
- a flexible plate mounted on the compressor shaft.
- a pulley positioned on the front face of the compressor.
When the compressor is disconnected the pulley rotates freely without effecting the compressor.
When the solenoid coil is supplied with current the flexible plate is drawn into contact with the pulley.
Power is transferred from the pulley via the plate to the compressor shaft.
The way in which the engagement/disengagement (the current to the solenoid coil) is governed varies depending on type of system, engine variant and the car and model year.