condenser (4). In the condenser, the high-pressure vapor condenses to a liquid under high pressure and gives up heat to the condenser. The heat is removed from the condenser by the cooling medium of air or water. The condensed liquid refrigerant is then forced into the liquid receiver (5) and through the liquid line to the expansion valve by pressure created by the compressor, making a complete cycle.

Although the receiver is indicated as part of the refrigeration system in figure 6-14, it is not a vital component. However, the omission of the receiver requires exactly the proper amount of refrigerant in the system. The refrigerant charge in systems without receivers is to be considered critical, as any variations in quantity affects the operating efficiency of the unit.

The refrigeration cycle of any refrigeration system must be clearly understood by a mechanic before repairing the system. Knowing how a refrigerant works makes it easier to detect faults in a refrigeration system.

COMPONENTS

The refrigeration system consists of four basic components - the compressor, the condenser, the liquid receiver, the evaporator, and the control devices. These components are essential for any system to operate on the principles previously discussed. Information on these components is described in the following sections.

Compressors

Refrigeration compressors have but one purpose - to withdraw the heat-laden refrigerant vapor from the evaporator and compress the gas to a pressure that will liquefy in the condenser. The designs of compressors vary, depending upon the application and type of refrigerant. There are three types of compressors classified according to the principle of operation - reciprocating, rotary, and centrifugal.

You may recall that material on compressors was presented in chapter 6, Utilitiesman Basic, volume 1. They will not be explained further here except to discuss the special methods used to seal compressors to prevent escape of refrigerant. Many refrigerator compressors have components besides those normally found on compressors, such as unloaders, oil pumps, mufflers, and so on. These devices are too complicated to explain here. Before repairing any compressor, check the manufacturer's manual for an explanation of their operation, adjustment, and repair.

EXTERNAL DRIVE COMPRESSOR. - An external drive or open-type compressor is bolted together. Its crankshaft extends through the crankcase and is driven by a flywheel (pulley) and belt, or it can be driven directly by an electric motor. A leakproof seal must be maintained where the crankshaft extends out of the crankcase of an open-type compressor. The seal must be designed to hold the pressure developed inside of the compressor. It must prevent refrigerant and oil from leaking out and prevent air and moisture from entering the compressor. Two types of seals are used - the stationary bellows seal and the rotating bellows seal.

An internal stationary crankshaft seal shown in figure 6-15 consists of a corrugated thin brass tube (seal bellows) fastened to a bronze ring (seal guide) at one end and to the flange plate at the other. The flange plate is bolted to the crankcase with a gasket between the two units. A spring presses the seal guide mounted on the other end of the bellows against a seal ring positioned against the shoulder of the crankshaft. As the pressure builds up in the crankcase, the bellows tend to lengthen, causing additional force to press the seal guide against the seal ring. Oil from the crankcase lubricates the surfaces of the seal guide and seal ring. This forms a gastight sea whether the compressor is operating or idle.

Figure 6-15. - An internal stationary bellows crankshaft seal.