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AIR
CONDITIONING
Your car's
engine is
the power
source for
both heating
and air
conditioning
systems. The
systems also
share other
components,
as the
following
diagram
shows.
Here's what
happens when
you flip on
the heat or
the air
conditioner:
1. Heating
System
Heat is a
byproduct of
the engine's
combustion
process. The
heat is
absorbed by
the coolant
in your
car's
radiator.
The coolant
is then
circulated
through the
heater core
before
returning to
the
radiator.
The heating
system also
includes a
series of
air ducts, a
blower motor
and fan, and
temperature
and duct
controls,
which selct
the desired
temperature
and direct
the flow of
warm air.
2. Air
Conditioning
System
This system
shares air
ducts,
controls and
a blower
with the
heater, but
has its own
refrigerant
system. The
air
conditioning
system is
comprised of
the
following
components:
Compressor
This is a pump that pressurizes and circulates the refrigerant through the system.
Condensor
As the refrigerant flows through the condensor, it gives up heat and converts from gas to liquid.
Receiver/Dryer or Accumulator
This is where clean, dry refrigerant is stored as it circulates through the system.
Orifice Tube or Expansion Valve
This is a metering device that controls the flow of refrigerant through the system.
Evaporator Core
Refrigerant enters the evaporator core as a liquid. Heat from the air converts the liquid refrigerant back into a gas, which cools the air before it enters you car. |
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