TM 5-2410-241-23-1
0012
AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING SYSTEM
00012
Refrigerant Orifice Tube System
00012
The air conditioner refrigerant begins to flow in the air conditioning system at the refrigerant compressor (Figure 1,
Item 1). The compressor is designed to change the air conditioner refrigerant from a vapor that has low pressure
into a vapor that has high pressure. Also, the compressor changes the refrigerant from a vapor with low
temperature to a vapor with high temperature. The increase in pressure causes the increase in temperature. The
refrigerant is sent through a condenser coil (Figure 1, Item 2) where heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the
outside air. This changes the refrigerant to a high temperature and high pressure liquid.
From the condenser coil (Figure 1, Item 2), the refrigerant moves to the in-line dryer (Figure 1, Item 3). The in-line
dryer, moisture is removed from the refrigerant by a desiccant (Figure 1, Item 4).
Next, the refrigerant flows to the orifice tube. When the refrigerant is at the orifice tube (Figure 1, Item 5), the
refrigerant is changed from a high pressure and high temperature liquid to a liquid vapor mixture that is low
pressure and low temperature.
The low pressure and low temperature refrigerant moves to the evaporator coil (Figure 1, Item 6). While the
refrigerant is in the evaporator coil, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the cab. This changes the refrigerant to a low
pressure and low temperature vapor.
After the evaporator coil, the refrigerant flows to the accumulator (Figure 1, Item 7). The accumulator (Figure 1,
Item 7) stores liquid refrigerant that is exiting the evaporator and the accumulator allows only vapor to continue to
the compressor.
The low pressure and low temperature vapor returns to the compressor. This marks the end of the cycle. The cycle
is repeated continuously.
0012-2
