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Traditional IC engine powered vehicles readily mask the lower amplitude transients like hiss, clicks and slight tones. However, due to the popularity and expected increase in number of hybrid and electrically driven automobiles all around the world, all the OEMs are concerned about the vehicle interior quietness and sound quality. Refrigerant system induced hiss/gurgle is quite normal phenomenon but its excessive levels and frequent occurrences can be objectionable to demanding customers. Introduction of new environmentally friendly refrigerants (HFO-1234yf), A/C compressors with built-in oil separation (reduced damping in evaporator), and use of IHX with coupled suction and liquid lines, may lead to increased refrigerant system induced hiss and gurgle. Operation of typical A/C system generates steady-state and transient noises that consist of audible tones and high frequency hiss.

Air-conditioning (A/C) induced moan is a very commonly observed phenomenon in automotive refrigerant systems. Since most of the automotive A/C systems cycle ON/OFF four to six times every minute, the A/C induced moan is quite readily audible under engine idle and even while driving, especially under lower engine/vehicle speeds. It is not unusual for an A/C compressor to moan or not, on some vehicle/s under certain operating conditions. Most of the OEMs resolve or suppress the A/C moan potential to barely audible levels. However, under some unique and extreme operating conditions, A/C moan is quite readily induced and often results in customer complaints. This paper discusses A/C moan related root-causes, sources and paths of propagation. A systematic diagnostic test-procedure is also described to diagnose and develop the needed most cost-effective design-fixes. Finally, based on this case-study - some objective targets are recommended to suppress the A/C moan to acceptable levels.

With the advent of EVs/HEVs and implementation of Idle-Stop-Start (ISS) technologies on internal combustion engine (ICE) driven cars/trucks to improve fuel economy and reduce pollution, refrigerant sub-system (RSS) induced noise phenomena like, hissing, gurgling and tones become readily audible and can result in customer complaints and concerns. One of the key components that induce these noise phenomena is the Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TXV). The TXV throttles compressed liquid refrigerant through the evaporator that results in air-conditioning (A/C) or thermal system comfort for occupants and dehumidification for safety, when needed. Under certain operating conditions, the flow of gas and/or liquid/gas refrigerant at high pressure and velocity excites audible acoustical and structural modes inherent in the tubing/evaporator/HVAC case. These modes may often get masked and sometimes enhanced by the engine harmonics and blower noise.