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Delphi Developing Enhanced HFC-134a A/C System Focuses on Efficiency

21 October 1999

Delphi Developing Enhanced HFC-134a A/C System Focuses on Efficiency, Refrigerant Containment

    TOKYO, Oct. 20 -- While it begins to heighten its research in
alternative air conditioning refrigerants, Delphi Automotive Systems
continues to develop more efficient climate control solutions that
carry with them environmental benefits.
    Delphi is developing enhanced air conditioning systems based on the use of
today's refrigerant, R-134a, a hydrofluorocarbon that allowed elimination of
ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons earlier in the decade.
    The enhanced systems meet the environmental initiative of reducing global
warming impact through two simultaneously used methods: improving the
efficiency of the key componentry that comprise the entire air conditioning
loop; and improving the refrigerant containment potential of the system.
    "Working these two initiatives together, we will be able to offer all
vehicle makers another way to reduce their total greenhouse emissions and thus
help them meet their environmental objectives," said James Giardino, Delphi
chief engineer, advanced thermal systems.  "As the automotive industry moves
more fervently towards addressing global warming-linked emissions, we want to
-- and will be -- ready to offer them solutions to that end."
    Delphi will offer customers decreased fuel consumption through the
integration of more efficient air conditioning components.  These components
will reflect the evolutionary status of Delphi's technology, using current
component design with enhancements and modifications.  For example, a more
efficient variable displacement clutchless compressor would be highlighted by
external electronic controls in such a system.  Additionally, a high-
performance condenser with integrated receiver/dehydrator would be teamed with
other strategies, such as evaporator load minimization and the utilization of
an electronic expansion device.
    "These types of initiatives -- whether they're requested individually or
packaged together -- will be in step with automakers' drive for more mileage
out of powertrains that are already much more efficient than the industry
average just a few years ago," Giardino said.  "Such strategies are applicable
to all customers globally, especially those who offer vehicles with large
displacements."
    While reducing the energy required to operate the vehicle's air
conditioning system, Delphi is working on ways to better contain R-134a within
the cooling loop.  Part of that approach includes reducing the refrigerant
charge levels, targeting a single refrigerant recharge during the vehicle's
life.
    Other approaches to contain R-134a more effectively include the use of
better-integrated compressor shaft seals and body o-rings to prevent leakage
at strategic parts of the air conditioning loop.
    "While we develop alternatives to R-134a and consider their cost-
effectiveness and appropriateness in future applications, we must continue to
develop more creative ways to reduce fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions
with proven, existing technology," Giardino said.  "That's what we're offering
customers today -- the opportunity to work with them towards environmental
goals which we both strongly support."
    Delphi Automotive Systems , with headquarters in Troy, Mich.,
USA, is a world leader in automotive component and systems technology.
Delphi's three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal &
Electrical Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communications -- provide
comprehensive product solutions to complex customer needs.  Delphi has
approximately 201,000 employees and operates 168 wholly owned manufacturing
sites, 38 joint ventures, 51 customer centers and sales offices, and 28
technical centers in 37 countries.  Regional headquarters are located in
Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Delphi can be found on the Internet at
http://www.delphiauto.com