Evaporator Core: Description and Operation
EVAPORATOR CORENOTE: Installation of a new suction accumulator is not required when repairing the air conditioning system except when there is physical evidence of system contamination from a failed A/C component or damage to the suction accumulator.
The evaporator housing contains the evaporator core. The evaporator core is the plate/fin type with a unique refrigerant flow path.
- A mixture of refrigerant and oil enters the bottom of the evaporator core through the evaporator core inlet tube and is routed so it flows through the partitioned first 4 plate/fin sections.
- The next 4 plate/fin sections are partitioned to force the refrigerant to flow toward the other end of the evaporator core.
- The next 5 plate/fin sections are partitioned to force the refrigerant to flow toward the bottom of the evaporator core.
- Refrigerant then continues through to the remaining 5 plate/fin sections and then moves out of the evaporator core through the evaporator core outlet tube.
- This W-pass flow pattern transfers the flow of refrigerant and oil through the evaporator core.