Monday, March 3, 2014
The History of Automotive Air Conditioning Systems
The typical automotive air-conditioning system uses a compressor, receiver drier, condenser, rigerant, evaporator and thermostatic valve. This was not so in the early days of automotive air conditioning for cars and trucks, which were primitive by todays standards. The history of air conditioning started with a patent submitted by Willis Carrier in 1906, for building structures. The invention caught on with car and truck applications during the early middle half of the 20th century.
Automotive Air Conditioning Debut
A New York company was the first source of air conditioners used on cars in 1933. The units were highly customized and individually fitted on expensive, privately owned cars and limousines.
Freon Beginnings
The compound chemical Freon, invented by Charles Kettering and Thomas Midgley, was composed of chlorofluorocarbons -- a mixture of carbon, fluorine and halogens of hydrogen and chlorine. Although the invention and application of Freon was first used in air-conditioned buildings, it would later be applied to automotive air-conditioning systems that used coils, condensers and compressors to circulate a rigerant.
Packard Motors
The Packard Motor Car Company offered the first workable air conditioner and heater combination for cars in 1939. The unit cost $274, considered an expensive option at the time. The compressor, a 1.5-ton unit, ran off a belt from the engine. The unit had no thermostat control for turning it down or shutting it off, as it required removal of the belt from the engine. The cool air was gathered at the rear of the vehicle and discharged forward.
Cadillac
Cadillac followed suit in 1941, manufacturing its own air-conditioning system, similar to the Packard design. Cadillac sold over 400 cars that had the expensive option. The bulky unit was located behind the rear passenger seat; it also had to be deactivated by removing the compressor belt.
Frederick McKinley Jones
Frederick Jones was a mechanic and inventor who applied for and received more than 40 rigeration patents for air conditioning. In July 1940, he was issued a patent for a cooling device that mounted to the roof of a truck. Not long after, the invention was produced for rigerated trucks that transported flash-frozen foods, which was an invention of Clarence Birdseye.
Nash
The Nash-Kelvinator Corporation was the first manufacturer of a integrated ventilating, heating and air-conditioning system. The unit was mass produced and used on the Nash Ambassador in 1954. It boasted a compact style, affordable price at $345, adjustable dash controls, electric clutch, dash-mounted vents and was located entirely in the engine bay. The mass produced units were called the "All-Weather Eye."
General Motors
General Motors manufactured a front engine-mounted air conditioning system in 1954. It came as an option on its Pontiac cars, which had straight eight-cylinder engines. Separate controls were added for air distribution and cooling levels. The design differed slightly from the Nash layout and concept.
The 1960s
Air conditioning for cars and trucks picked up in popularity and application by 1960, outfitting about 20 percent of U.S. vehicles. The Southwest used systems in 80 percent of its vehicles. American Motors introduced air conditioning on all AMC Ambassador models starting in 1968. At the turn of 1969, 54 percent of all domestic vehicles had air-conditioning systems. Automatic climate control thermostats were first introduced and applied during this time.
.
Introduction of R-134a
R-134a rigerant was introduced in 1992 as a replacement for the original R-12 Freon. The old R-12 Freon, invented by Kettering and Midgley, was found to contain ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbons. The new R-134a had no toxic or ozone depleting chemicals, and followed the criteria set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. All new vehicles manufactured after 1995 were fitted with new air-conditioning systems that used only R-134a rigerant. R-12 was discontinued, with some countries outlawing its use. As of 2011, 99 percent of all vehicles manufactured and on the road have air-conditioning systems, with climate control programming, directional vents and increased performance, allowing for better fuel economy.
No comments:
Post a Comment