Abstract
In this experimental study, the effects of top clearance on the performance of automotive a/c compressor were studied. Top clearance measuring device was also developed to ensure the reliability using vacuum conditions to secure constant control of top clearance without external environmental influence. Our results revealed that the improvements in compressor performance according to different top clearance values using the same compressor and same operator were about 4.12% at 800 rpm and about 7.8% at 2,000 rpm in 0.243~0.252 mm of top clearance compared to 0.431~0.456 mm of top clearance. To confirm the consistency in measuring top clearance affecting compressor performance, the top clearance measuring device was developed in this study using a vacuum pump. After performing reliable tests repeatedly, the distribution of measuring values under this device was within 0.99~1.83%, indicating that the constant test data in compressor performance was not affected by any other external environment.