Valeooscope - Air Conditioning System Thermal comfort loop

11. The components of the A/C Loop

11.7 Hoses Roles: g The A/C hoses route the fluid and connect the loop components together. g Composition: a rigid part (aluminum or steel tube), a flexible part (rubber hose), fittings and seals, noise absorbers (mufflers), valves The hoses are a mix of rigid and flexible tubing g Assembly is done via crimping g Aluminum parts allow weight reduction g Flexible tubing ensures vibration durability g Temperature range is from -40°C to +135°C The hoses support additional features g Diagnostic and maintenance coupling systems g Pressure sensors

Seals

Roles: Seals ensure the tightness of the A/C loop ; they make an essential contribution to the longevity of the system. The O-ring is the most common type of seal.

The O-ring is the most common type of seal.

Operation: Seals acts in a number of different ways, depending on the design of the sealing system: joints can be sealed by contact, compression or crushing. Seals are installed in every connection between each components of the A/C loop (compressor, condenser, receiver drier, expansion valve and evaporator) or the various options that may be installed on the hoses (pressure switches, valves, etc.). The loop lubrication is key to system tightness; O-Rings must be lubricated to be fully efficient g As O-Rings must be lubricated to properly, a long period without activation of the A/C system can generate fluid leakage.

Practical advice: Recommendations on seals.

The O-ring must always be oiled before it is installed, with the same oil as used in the compressor, in order to make a per- fect seal.

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