PASSENGER VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING

Presented By

AKSHAY KUMAR CHANDEL BTECH (MECH) 2ND YEAR ROLL NO-601

INTRODUCTION TO VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING

Today, as we drive our automobiles, a great many of us, can enjoy the same comfort levels that we are accustomed to at home and at work. Seamless transition from heating to cooling and back again The introduction of the air conditioner has literally raised the bars for luxury cars. Air conditioners only help to make the journey a smoother and better one. Automatic Temperature Control set-up system which makes it more dependable than the older vacuum and thermostatic creations.

INTRODUCTION TO VAC

HAVC- Heating ventilation & Air conditioning

The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is used to control the climate of a vehicles interior. It is referred to as the HVAC system and it is designed to allow a source of fresh air into the vehicle. The HVAC system also performs a vital safety roll by providing a means to clear ice, fog and moisture from the vehicle's windshield and interior glass. Fresh air enters the vehicle through vents in the area of the base of the windshield. The air is drawn into HVAC module by the blower motor. The air is then routed to the heater core to be warmed or through the air conditioning evaporator to be cooled. It is then directed by air flow controls to the area requested by the operator.

ORIGIN OF VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING

Cars, since its birth represent luxury and lavish lifestyle and has come a long way with numerous mechanical advancement and inventions. In early days, cars were not much adorned with accessories nor are they so technically advanced like the present day cars which come fitted with sophisticated safety features, entertainment systems, and improved mechanics. It was in the year 1939, Packard (an American luxury car brand built by the Packard Motor Car) was the first car with an actual refrigeration system. The Harrison Radiator Division of General Motors developed the first efficient, affordable air-conditioning system that went on for the mass production.

WORKING OF VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING

Vehicles are found to have primarily three different types of air conditioning systems The most common components which make up these automotive systems are the following:
COMPRESSOR, CONDENSER, EVAPORATOR, ORIFICE TUBE, THERMAL EXPANSION VALVE , RECEIVER-DRIER, ACCUMULATOR.

if your car has an Orifice tube, it will not have a Thermal Expansion Valve as these two devices serve the same purpose. Also, you will either have a Receiver-Dryer or an Accumulator, but not both. Some of the most common components are discussed below.

WORKING OF VEHICLES AIR CONDITIONING.

COMPRESSOR

Commonly referred to as the heart of the system, the compressor is a belt driven pump that is fastened to the engine. It is responsible for compressing and transferring refrigerant gas. The A/C system is split into two sides, a high pressure side and a low pressure side; defined as discharge and suction. Compressor is basically a pump, it must have an intake side and a discharge side. The intake, or suction side, draws in refrigerant gas from the outlet of the evaporator. Once the refrigerant is drawn into the suction side, it is compressed and sent to the condenser, where it can then transfer the heat that is absorbed from the inside of the vehicle.

COMPRESSOR

CONDENSER

This is the area in which heat dissipation occurs. The condenser, in many cases, will have much the same appearance as the radiator in your car as the two have very similar functions. The condenser is designed to radiate heat. Its location is usually in front of the radiator, but in some cases, due to aerodynamic improvements to

the body of a vehicle, its location may differ.

Condensers must have good air flow anytime the system is in operation. As hot compressed gasses are introduced into the top of the condenser, they are cooled off. As the gas cools, it condenses and exits the bottom of the condenser as a high pressure liquid.

CONDENSER

EVAPORATOR

Located inside the vehicle, the evaporator serves as the heat absorption component. The evaporator provides several functions. Its primary duty is to remove heat from the inside of your vehicle. A secondary benefit is dehumidification. As warmer air travels through the aluminum fins of the cooler evaporator coil, the moisture contained in the air condenses on its surface. Dust and pollen passing through stick to its wet surfaces and drain off to the outside. On humid days you may have seen this as water dripping from the bottom of your vehicle.

EVAPORATOR

ACCUMULATOR

Accumulators are used on systems that accommodate an orifice tube to meter refrigerants into the evaporator. It is connected directly to the evaporator outlet and stores excess liquid refrigerant. The chief role of the accumulator is to isolate the compressor from any damaging liquid refrigerant. Accumulators, like receiver-driers, also remove debris and moisture from a system. Moisture is enemy number one for your A/C system. Moisture in a system mixes with refrigerant and forms a corrosive acid. When in doubt, it may be to your advantage to change the Accumulator or receiver in your system.

ACCUMULATOR

Advantages & Disadvantages of passenger vehicle air conditioning

ADVANTAGES
Efficient cool in air summers. Warm dehumidified air in winter easily demists steamed up windows. Pleasant and odour free vehicle atmosphere at all times. Drivers are more alert and have better visibility when window demisting becomes necessary Filters pollutants/airborne particles in pollen helping allergy sufferers. At highway speeds, vehicle air conditioning can lower greenhouse gas output compared to open window driving, which increases fuel consumption due aerodynamic drag.

CONTD..

DISADVANTAGES
When air expands in the engine it cools dramatically and must be heated to ambient temperature using a heat exchanger. The heating is necessary in order to obtain a significant fraction of the theoretical energy output. The heat exchanger can be problematic: while it performs a similar task to an intercooler for an internal combustion engine, the temperature difference between the incoming air and the working gas is smaller. This also leads to the necessity of completely dehydrating the compressed air.

CONCLUSIONS

If possible, leave the windows down slightly on hot days to reduce heat build-up. An A/C system works by removing heat, so the cooler the interior is to start with, the easier and faster the A/C will do its job. When you get in the car, open all the windows completely, or even open the doors, for a moment to vent the hot interior air quickly. Does your cool air have a bad odor, perhaps like dirty socks or a gym locker? Remember to set the system to the OUTSIDE air mode (not REC) frequently to help prevent or lessen this problem. When you first turn the A/C on, set the controls to MAX or REC and use highest blower speed. This moves the greatest volume of air and re-circulates it for even faster cool-down. As soon as you are comfortable, switch the system to NORM or OUTSIDE or FRESH, and select a lower fan speed. The lower blower speed produces colder the air from the system.

REFERENCES

http://www.greenyour.com/transportation/car/car-driving/tips/useyour-cars-air-conditioner-conservatively. http://automobiles.mapsofindia.com/car-accessories/car-airconditioning.html www.arap.org/docs/vac.html History of air conditioning.