Search Results

The underhood hot air recirculation greatly impacts A/C system performance at idle and low vehicle speed conditions. The hot air recirculation can raise condenser inlet air temperature in some cases as much as 18°C above ambient, which lowers condenser cooling capacity and increases compressor work. Underhood airflow research in the following study suggests that a properly designed air duct is able to minimize hot air recirculation and improve the Compressors Coefficient of Performance (COP) at idle by 27%. This paper discusses underhood hot air recirculation testing methods, airflow distribution, air duct design concepts, as well as the cross wind and wind tunnel effects. This dedicated air duct design indicates it should improve A/C emissions, which could contribute to meeting the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Green House Gas Emissions Regulations in North America.

The Low Temperature Cooling (LTC) system is commonly developed for secondary cooling function requirements, such as forced induction air cooling, and HEV power electronics module cooling. The large heat transfer capacity of coolant allows for very compact water-cooled heat exchangers to be installed remotely for better underhood aerodynamic characteristics and more compact packaging design. An integrated LTC loop developed on a Hyundai 2.0L Turbo Charged vehicle extends a traditional WCAC (Water-cooled charged air cooler) application to include a water-cooled condenser (WCOND) module. Unlike other published LTC system design approaches, this research project emphasizes underhood airflow improvement strategy and focuses on heat transfer efficiency. This paper discusses the integrated LTC loop configuration, Low Temperature Radiator (LTR) design, coolant flow control, and others.