Compressor HVAC: Description and Operation

The FS-10 A/C compressor is:
- a swashplate design.
- ten-cylinder.
- aluminum.
- tangential design mount.

Operation is as follows:
- The compressor mainshaft is driven by a drive belt from the engine crankshaft pulley.
- A one-piece, lip-type seal (replaceable from the front of the A/C compressor) is used to seal the shaft opening in the assembly.
- Five double-acting pistons, positioned axially around the compressor shaft, operate within the cylinder assembly.
- The pistons are actuated by a swashplate that is pressed on the compressor shaft.
- The swashplate changes the rotating action of the shaft to provide a reciprocating driving force to each of the five pistons.
- This driving force is applied, through shoes, to the midpoint of each of the double-end pistons.
- Reed-type discharge valves are assembled on the valve plate, which is located with the suction reed valve between the cylinder assembly and the head at each end of the A/C compressor.
- The heads have connecting gas-tight passageways through the cylinder assembly which direct the refrigerant gas to the suction and discharge ports located in the rear head.

A magnetic A/C clutch is used to drive the compressor shaft.
- When voltage is applied to the A/C clutch field coil, the A/C clutch (which is solidly coupled to the A/C compressor shaft) is drawn rearward by magnetic force toward the A/C clutch pulley which is driven by the engine drive belt.
- Magnetic force locks the A/C clutch and the A/C clutch pulley together as one unit.
- The compressor shaft then turns with the A/C clutch. When voltage is removed from the A/C clutch field coil, springs in the clutch plate and hub assembly move the A/C clutch away from the A/C clutch pulley.