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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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