Abstract
Acoustic perfomance of AlC-compressors becomes increasingly significant for passenger comfort since dominating sound sources like engine or gearbox have been continuosly improved concerning their sound emission. At low velocity or idling and at extreme temperatl.lres the AlC-compressor can be identified as the significant sound source by the passenger. To quantify the compressor's air borne noise radiation sound power can be used as an objective quantity. Sound power can be determined by the reverberation chamber method. To applicate this technique a small reverberation chamber was designed at Visteon. Acoustical characteristics of the sound field inside the chamber were determined. Objective evaluation of the air borne sound emission of five different refrigerant compressors was performed. The reverberation chamber method was compared to the sound intensity method for the sound power determination.